In Memory - Teachers
The teachers we had throughout our school years played an important part in the people we turned out to be. Below are some of the teachers who have passed since we graduated. Please send me a message if there are more that you know of...
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Richard W. Eggert
Richard W. Eggert, age 62, of Dassel, died Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2006, at the Mary Birch House in Hutchinson.
A Mass of Christian Burial took place Saturday, Feb. 25 at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Philips Catholic Church in Litchfield. Father Patrick Casey officiated at the service. Music provided for the Mass included “Morning Has Broken,” “On Eagles Wings,” “Here I Am Lord,” “The Battle Hymn of The Republic,” “You Are Mine,” and “Amazing Grace.” LeRene Soderberg was the organist, and the soloist was Tom Teske. Interment followed at the St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Darwin.
Visitation was Friday evening, Feb. 24 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Johnson Funeral Home in Dassel; and continued Saturday at St. Philips Catholic Church in Litchfield from 9 to 10:15 a.m.
Casket bearers were Gerald Peikert, Bill Esser, Gene Berg, Todd Smith, Dale Lund, and Mark Herman.
Rick fought a courageous battle with esophageal cancer. God looked down and said, “Enough – come home.”
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Kathy; sons, Rich (Lisa), and Chuck (Danell); daughter Shelly (Kelly) Davidson; grandchildren Kathryn, Joey, John, James, Maddie, Grace and Kessa; mother Berenice Eggert; sister June; brothers John and Bruce; many nieces, nephews and loving friends and relatives. His special secondary children, always close to his heart, were Tony, Steve, Mike, Stacy and Duck.
Rick often said his wealth was his family.
He was active in the Dassel community serving on the Dassel City Council and as mayor. For several years he was co-chairman of Red Rooster Days, and later organized the Red Rooster Run. He was a charter member of the Dassel Junior Chamber of Commerce and was most proud of their annual Halloween parade.
A true sportsman, Rick never cared if he reached his limit of fish or game – more important to him was the enjoyment that came from spending time in the outdoors with family and friends. He enjoyed a great fish fry. Using his secret recipe, he would cook fish for hours.
Rick was a member of Pheasants Forever and always concerned about conservation issues to ensure a better world for his grandchildren.
For 34 years, Rick taught social studies and psychology in the Dassel-Cokato School District. Students in his classes were always challenged to excel. Rick loved teaching, treated all his students as young adults, and was an all-time favorite educator.
After his retirement, Rick continued to teach at the Area Learning Center (ALC), working on an individual basis with another group of great students.
Rick taught all of us that God gives terminal cancer patients a gift that most others never receive. They know when their time is drawing near. It is like receiving an invitation for a vacation and having an opportunity to prepare for it. They can pack their gear and take care of things left undone, say good-byes and prepare for the journey. Rick met all his goals.
Arrangements were by the Johnson Funeral Home in Dassel.
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Donald D. Ferguson |
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Donald D. Ferguson, age 65, of Aitkin, Minn., died Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008, at St. Mary’s in Duluth. He was born to Thomas and Loilla Ferguson Nov. 15, 1942, in Aitkin. Don graduated from Aitkin High School and the University of Minnesota Duluth. He taught industrial arts in Roundup, Mont. and at Dassel Cokato High School. Don was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Ruth; son Judd (Naomi), daughter Dawn (Bob) Boman, and son Jay (Mary); grandchildren Nick, Tom, Erik, Michaela, and Britt Boman, Gage, Eiley and Laura Ferguson, and Koharu Ferguson; sister Marilyn (Bill) Shimek; and extended family and friends. A memorial service will take place at a later date. Arrangements are by Cremation Society of MN, (218) 624-5200. |
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Shirley Hagstrom - Language Arts/English
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Joan Lindquist - High School Secretary
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Carol Arlone Neutzling
Carol Arlone Neutzling, 51, Cokato, died Saturday, Jan. 7, 2006, at her residence.
Services were conducted Wednesday, Jan. 11, 10:30 a.m. at St. John’s Parish Education Center, Cokato, with the Rev. Pat Casey officiating. Music was by Betty Carlo, Mark Peterson and Sarah Cady. Interment was at St. John’s Cemetery, Darwin.
Casket bearers were Dave Chamberlain, Paul Chamberlain, Sam Chamberlain, John Chamberlain, Joel Morton and Scott Neutzling.
Honorary casket bearers were Shari Forsman, Kim Riewer, Mary Lagermeier, Darla Hagen, Linda Bleth, Beth Medin, Aunt Elaine, Janet Fesler, Nancy Fesler, Dael Fesler, Ellen Morton, and Carrie Chamberlain.
Carol Arlone Chamberlain was born June 30, 1954, to Victor and Arlone (Oller) Chamberlain in Minneapolis.
She grew up in Minneapolis, graduating from Washburn High School in 1972. She attended Augsburg College and graduated in 1976 with a teaching degree.
Carol married Jeff Neutzling on July 24, 1982.
She taught school and coached athletics for more than 20 years in the Dassel-Cokato school system.
She enjoyed athletics, walking, reading, story telling and spending time with family and friends.
Survivors include her husband; daughters, Katherine and Margaret, all of Cokato; brothers, David, Paul and Sam (Carrie) Chamberlain; sister, Ellen (Joel) Morton, nieces and nephews, mother-in-law, Clarice “Terri” Neutzling; brother-in-law, Scott (Lori) Neutzling; and best friend, Mary Lagermeier.
She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Emily; and father-in-law, Alvin “Chunky” Neutzling.
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David Ortquist - Industrial Arts/Shop
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| Cliff Paulson, Sr., 71 | ||||
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Cliff “Tiny” Paulson, Sr., age 71, of Moose Lake, a former teacher and coach at Dassel Cokato High School, passed away peacefully at his home Wednesday morning, July 1, 2009. The funeral service will take place Thursday, July 9, at 2 p.m. at Hope Lutheran Church in Moose Lake, with visitation Wednesday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral chapel, Moose Lake. In addition, a memorial service is planned for Saturday, July 11, at 2 p.m. at Cokato Evangelical Lutheran Church, with a gathering one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are with the Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Chapel in Moose Lake; guestbook at www.hhkfuneralhome.com |
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| Donald G. Anderson, 69 | ||||
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Donald George Anderson, age 69, of Watertown, went to be with the Lord Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011. Funeral services will take place Saturday, Oct. 29 at 2 p.m. at Watertown Evangelical Free Church, followed by interment in the Watertown Community Cemetery. Visitation is Friday, Oct. 28 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the church, and will continue Saturday one hour prior to the funeral services. Donald was born June 3, 1942, to George and Levia (Kinsey) Anderson in Bellingham, WA. He was a music educator at Dassel Cokato School District for 39 years. Donald was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Susan; children Alicia (Hugh) Holmstrom, and Haddon (Karlyn) Anderson; five grandchildren; Ella, Alanah, and Hudson Holmstrom, and Levia and Haddon Anderson; and siblings Sharon (Orv) Lofdahl, and Duane (Joanne) Anderson. Arrangements are by the Iten’s Watertown Funeral Home. |
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Gene Berg 7/7/2013
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| David D. Axelson, 87 | ||||
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David Donald Axelson, age 87, of Hallock, formerly of Cokato, died Thursday, Aug. 8, 2013. A memorial service will take place Monday, Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. at Red River Lutheran Church, rural Hallock. There will also be funeral services Saturday, Sept. 21, at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Cokato. Arrangements are being handled by the Austin Funeral Home in Hallock. David was born Jan. 23, 1926, in Hallock, to Olaf and Rena (Johnson) Axelson. He was raised on the family farm north of Hallock. David completed 12 years of education; eight at the Grasshopper school, and graduating from Hallock High School in 1944. He ran the family farm and found joy in transporting kids to and from school by the bus load. David married Gladys Irene Sanner of Lake Bronson Oct. 19, 1956. The couple lived in Hallock in the 1970s, where they raised their children, and where David was employed by the Kittson County Highway Department. In 1978, the family moved to Cokato, where David was employed by the Dassel-Cokato School District, and was resident manager with Gladys at the Golfview Apartments. David sadly lost his wife of nearly 40 years in October of 1996. David fully retired in 1997. He shared his love again with Lorie Russ of Cokato July 24, 2004. Together, they pursed pure joy in marriage and in life, returning to David’s beloved home of Hallock in August of 2012. A valued member of Grace Lutheran Church in Hallock, David was very dedicated to helping others in his congregation by operating the sound system, singing in the choir, and teaching Sunday school to children. He loved to sing and was a member of a barbershop quartet. David took pride in his heritage, being a member of the Härjedals National Föreningen of America. After retiring, his mission in life was being a passionate baker, and he made a ministry through sharing his many baked goods. David was a current member of the First Baptist Church of Cokato, where he supplied his church family with a variety of cookies every Sunday. He also took up wood carving, making walking sticks and sharing them with people he loved. A caring, sweet gentleman, David’s heart outgrew his body when his Lord called him home. He is survived by his wife, Lorie; his daughter, Kristie (Brian) Pantzer of Hallock; sons Paul (Jamie Dillon) of Hutchinson, and Mark (Kathy) of Florida; six grandchildren, Jen, Allie, and Maggie Pantzer; Rian Alan, Kati Marie, and Ashley Nicole; sisters Lucille Dickelman of New Hampshire, Ruth (Alan) Hanson of Lewisburg, MN, and Evangeline Gunderson of Carver; and several nieces, nephews, and godchildren. In addition to his wife, Gladys, David was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Bernice Lee, and Martha Walker; and a brother, James.
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| Mary Strey Danielson, 57 | ||||
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Mary Strey Danielson, age 57, of Dassel, died Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013, at the Cokato Manor. She was born June 24, 1956, in Cokato, the daughter of V. E. and Irene (Martinson) Olson. Mary grew up in the Stockholm area and was baptized and confirmed at Stockholm Lutheran Church. Mary graduated from the Dassel-Cokato High School in 1974. She was employed at the Cokato Clinic and later, at Elite Enterprises in Cokato. She also worked as a secretary for the guidance counselor and social worker at the Dassel-Cokato High School from 1987 until 2007. Mary was united in marriage to Steven Strey July 7, 1975, at the Stockholm Lutheran Church in Cokato. The couple made their home in Cokato. Mary was united in marriage to Dennis Danielson Aug. 5, 1995, at his home near Dassel. They made their home in the Dassel area, where she enjoyed spending time planting, weeding, and taking care of her many flower beds around their home. Mary loved to travel, and even traveled to France. She was a wonderful cook, and enjoyed the time that she spent with her children and her stepchildren. She is survived by her husband, Dennis, of Dassel; her children, Melissa Berglund of Superior, WI, and Mike Strey of Mankato, April (Christian) Wood of Greenfield, WI, and Kyle Danielson of Superior, WI; three grandchildren, Elijah, Ezra, and Caleb Wood; and siblings, Katherine (Roland) Olson-Studler of St. Paul, Paul Olson of San Diego, CA, and Dan Olson of Fairhaven, MO. Mary was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Judy Martinson. A memorial service took place Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. at the Stockholm Lutheran Church in rural Cokato with the Rev. Mark Little officiating. There was a time to gather with family one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment of the urn was at the Stockholm Lutheran Church Cemetery following the service. The Johnson Funeral Home in Dassel handled the memorial arrangements. |
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