Let us know about other family members who should be remembered here.
Obituaries are listed in order from most recent to oldest.
2024-04-06 Steffen, Duane E 1956
Duane E Steffen
brother of Darlene Steffen Jones
Duane Earl Steffen, age 86, of Bloomington, MN passed away on April 6, 2024.
Duane had a generous spirit for anyone in need. He showed his love for Christ through his many years of work in the prison ministry as well as being an active member in Billy Graham's Crusades. Duane will be remembered most of all as a beloved husband and father.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, April 16th at CrossPoint Church, 9801 France Ave S, Bloomington, MN. Visitation one hour prior.
Interment to take place at Bloomington Cemetery.
2024-02-04 Schnepf, Mary L
Mary L Schnepf
sister of Katherine Oskey Hagen
MARY LOUISE (OSKEY) SCHNEPF, age 83, of rural Janesville, died on Sunday, February 4, 2024 in Mankato with her family and friends by her side.
Born on January 5, 1941, in Milaca, Minnesota, Mary was the daughter of Lloyd and Margaret (Hayes) Oskey. She attended school in Milaca, and completed her schooling at Mankato High School. She moved to Waseca where she met her future husband, Richard Schnepf. They were united in marriage on June 6, 1959 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville. Together they made their home on the Schnepf family farm where they raised their five children.
Mary dedicated her life to raising her children. She was a pillar in the Sprintways International Raceway operations, which was founded by Mary and her husband. Mary was the ultimate homemaker, and everyone looked forward to her home-cooked meals. Once her children graduated and left the house, Mary occupied her time with tutoring and volunteering as a guardian ad litem. Mary’s pride and joy were her grandchildren. Her home was a second home to all her grandchildren. She enjoyed traveling around the world, but also loved the view from her home. She would enjoy watching the wildlife with her family from her windows. She also enjoyed reading, shopping and gardening. She was involved with Dorcas Society, Ladies Aid at Trinity Lutheran, and Book Club. She was a longtime member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville. She was a wonderful wife, mom, grandma, and friend who will be dearly missed.
Mary is survived by her children, Bradley (Kimberly Christenson) Schnepf of Waseca, Dana (Kathleen) Schnepf of North Mankato, Trent Schnepf of Colorado Springs, CO, and Melanie (Lee) Born of Janesville; grandchildren, Ben (Amanda Danberry) Schnepf, Brandon (Chelsea) Schnepf, Jessica (Joshua Browne) Born, Kira (Krystal) Born, Jeremy (Caroline) James, Cody (Brandi) Schnepf, Heather (Brent) Smisek and Rita Osborne; six great grandchildren; siblings, Doug (Deanna Winegar) Oskey of Waseca, Katherine (Dean) Hagen of North Mankato, Dale (Virginia “Ginny”) Oskey of Minnetonka, Eileen (Richard “Rick”) Wood of Waseca; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Richard Schnepf; parents, Lloyd Oskey and Margaret Lindly; son, Corey Schnepf; brother, Donald “Donny” Oskey.
Memorial service will be 11:00 AM on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville. Interment will be in St. John Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Iosco Township, Waseca County. Visitation will be for one and a half hours prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.
2023-12-22 Iverson, Darrell G
Darrell G Iverson
brother of Genevieve Iverson Selvey (Classmate K-7)
Darrell Gene Iverson, age 77 of Janesville, Minnesota passed away Friday, December 22, 2023, at Mayo Clinic in New Prague.
Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 13, 2024, at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Mankato. Visitation will be held one hour before the service at the church on Saturday. Burial will be at Eagle Lake Cemetery at a later date. Mankato Mortuary in charge of arrangements.
Darrell Gene Iverson was born September 27, 1946, to Iler and Gladys (Dale) Iverson in Waseca, Minnesota. He graduated in 1964 from Bethany High School in Mankato. Darrell served his country in the US Marines from 1965 – 1968. He had two tours in Vietnam and was discharged as a Sargent. Together Darrell, his father Iler and brother Ramond formed DIR Construction. He enjoyed building homes for 50 years before retiring. Darrell was a member of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church. In his free time Darrell loved all things fishing and woodworking.
Darrell is survived by his three children, Rachel (Matt) Fasnacht of Cape Girardeau, MO, Greg Iverson and Phil Iverson both of Eagle Lake; 11 grandchildren, Amanda, Matthew, Mackenzie, Darrell, Jalen, Catherine, Josephine, Lena, Abigail, Kenneth, and Amirra; four great-grandchildren, Gavin, Marlea, Joseph, and Luca; four siblings, Karen (Darrell) Hoepner of Bloomer, WI, Genevieve (Franklin) Selvey of Villages, FL, Lavonne (Michael) Keske of Hackensack, Ramond Iverson of Janesville; brother-in-law, Howard Schroeder of Fort Myers, FL; many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Preceded in death by his parents; sister Rosella Schroeder; grandson, Jeremiah Fasnacht.
2023-11-30 Olsen, Mary Judith "Judy" 1958
Mary Judith "Judy" Olsen
sister of Patricia Olsen Simpson
Mary Judith Olsen (Miss Judy), 83, of Amarillo, TX passed away peacefully on November 30, 2023 after a brief illness.
Miss Judy was born in Waseca, Minnesota on April 19, 1940, to parents Milo and Teckla Olsen. She is survived by her sister, Pat Simpson, and brother-in-law Lan of Las Vegas Nevada, a niece Jenna Simpson, a nephew Michael Simpson, both of Las Vegas, NV, and a long-time friend, Suzanne Fuller of Lake Tangelwood, TX. She is preceded in death by her parents.
She contracted polio at an early age and suffered from its ravages. She spent many years of her childhood in a hospital bed at Gillette Childrens Hospital followed by years in a hospital bed at her parents’ home. She was finally able to complete her final two years of high school on campus. However, Judy did not consider herself to be handicapped and dedicated her life to helping others. Miss Judy made her career as an occupational therapist having received her BS in Occupational Therapy from St Catherine’s University, St. Paul, MN and an MS degree in Counselling and Guidance from the University of North Dakota.
After moving to Amarillo, she enjoyed a long career with Bivins Rehabilitation and BSA as an occupational therapist where she helped teach other handicapped people how to swim. The onslaught of Post Polio Syndrome forced Miss Judy into an early retirement.
She participated in the delivery of Meals on Wheels for 10 years, was a member of the Pilots International Club of Amarillo, and an active member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church where she participated in many ministries and committees including Daughters of the King, and the breakfast ministry where for many years she helped feed a healthy breakfast to parishioners and the homeless.
In 1979, Miss Judy received the award of “The Handicapped Person of the Year” from the Texas Governors Committee on Employment of the Handicapped.
Perhaps Miss Judy’s most enjoyable experiences in life were when she volunteered for 25 years at St. Andrew’s School where she assisted preschoolers and second grade students in improving their reading skills. She remembered and loved all of the students that she worked with, including each of their pets.
Judy was and will continue to be an inspiration to us. She had every right to be bitter about the physical hardships that she had to deal with, but she was always cheerful. She loved the Lord and trusted in His saving grace and she will be remembered for putting the needs of others ahead of her own needs.
Services will be scheduled in January and will be held, at St Andrews with Fr. Jared officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.
2023-08-14 Priebe, John E 1962
John E Priebe
husband of Marcia Paulson (Priebe)
JOHN EDWARD PRIEBE, age 78, of Waseca died peacefully on Monday, August 14, 2023, while residing at Lake Shore Inn Rehabilitation Center in Waseca.
Born on December 15, 1944, in Waseca, he was the son of John W. and Mabel (Ewest) Priebe. John attended Waseca Public School, graduating with the class of 1962. Following his education, he enlisted into the United States Army where he was stations at Fort Polk in Louisiana. On December 19, 1964, John was united in marriage to Macia Ann Paulson at First Congregational Church in Waseca. Together they began their married life in Mankato for a short time while John continued his education in business. They spent the next 10 years living in the cities until John and Marcia made their home in Waseca. John worked for many years at Brown Printing in Waseca while farming alongside his brother, before starting Priebe Financial, retiring in 2004.
John enjoyed traveling, hiking, wintering in Arizona, playing cards and watching NASCAR. He especially enjoyed following his grandchildren in their various sporting events. John was proud to have run in Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth as well as various 5K’s throughout the state. John was a very active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Wilton Township, Waseca County where he served as an elder. He was also a member of Waseca Rotary Club and served on the Waseca School Board. He will be remembered as a devoted husband, caring father and loving grandfather. Blessed be his memory.
John is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Marcia; sons: Jim (special friend, Laurie Mariner) and Justin both of Waseca; grandchildren: Jovae Priebe, Jalea (Eric) Spies, Zach Smith, Ben Priebe and R.P. Priebe; great grandchildren: Kyra and Kendrich Spies, Kendyl Priebe, and Baby Spies; sisters-in-law: Yvonne Priebe, IveLee (Norm) Wolfe, Dorothy Ihrke, Ilene (Bob) Nikoley, Diane Anderson, and Noreen Paulson; brother-in-law, Dale (Linda) Paulson; many nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, John P. Priebe; grandchildren in infancy, Noah and Samuel Priebe; and brothers, Gerald and Dennis Priebe.
Visitation will be from 3:00 – 6:00 PM on Sunday, August 20, 2023 at the State Street Chapel of Dennis-Steffel-Omtvedt Funeral and Cremation Service in Waseca. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.
Funeral Service will be 11:00 AM on Monday, August 21, 2023 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Wilton Township, Waseca County. Interment will follow at Woodville Cemetery. DSOFuneral.com
2023-07-25 Madson, James O
James O Madson
brother of Linda Madson Enger (5th Grade Classmate)
brother-in-Law of Myron Kamrath
JAMES OLAF MADSON, age 90 of Waseca, passed away at his home on the morning of Tuesday, July 25, 2023.
James was born in Albert Lea on September 14, 1932 to parents Arnold and Elsie (Barton) Madson. He attended country schools near Albert Lea and Waseca before enlisting in the United States Navy where he finished his schooling. Jim served with the Navy on three tours overseas during the Korean Conflict era. Just before his honorable discharge, he was married to Irene Violet Fell at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Waseca on July 6, 1955. Together they made their home in Waseca where they raised their family. Over his working years he was employed at Waseca Concrete as a truck driver and tile maker. Jim was a simple, hardworking man who loved visiting with friends and family, spending time with his grandchildren, and following Vikings Football. He had a fantastic memory for history, geography, and dates, so of course he was an avid fan of Jeopardy. He was a past member of the Waseca VFW and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Waseca.
James is survived by his devoted wife of 68 years, Irene of Waseca; six children, Rhonda (Frank) Stencel of Waseca, Debbie (Randy) Stencel of Waseca, Connie Sikel of Waterville, Cindy Madson of Mankato, Mitchell (Elizabeth Valentine) Madson of Maiden Rock, WI, and Jason (Susan) Madson of Waseca; ten grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; and five siblings, Maynard (Joanne) Madson, Larry (Marion) Madson, Carol (Tom) Erickson, Linda (Paul) Enger, and Brenda (Myron) Kamrath. He was preceded in death by both of his parents; five siblings, Delores Steinke, Darlene Steinberg, Everett Madson, Randy Madson, and Richard Madson; and a son-in-law, Michael Sikel.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 28, 2023 at the Third Street Chapel of Dennis-Steffel-Omtvedt Funeral and Cremation Service in Waseca, and will continue for one hour before the service at the church on Saturday.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Waseca, with Rev. Bob Lund officiating. Interment will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca. dsofuneral.com
2023-07-03 Wick, Alan J
Alan J Wick
brother of Betty Wick Fuhs
Alan John “Butch” Wick, age 80, of St. Peter, passed away on Monday, July 3, 2023 at Oak Terrace Assisted Living in Le Sueur, MN.
Butch was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Christian and Louise Wick on June 28, 1943. His family moved to Minnesota and Butch was raised in and attended school in south central Minnesota. As a young man Butch traveled with his brothers for work.
Butch met the love of his life, Donna Mae (Gatzke) Wick, in 1961 and they were married on October 13, 1962. Their life together started in Wells, MN but they eventually settled outside of St. Peter near Traverse, where they raised their 4 children. Butch worked for an area farmer for many years and later at Hardware Hank, Ace Hardware, and Andresen Plumbing in St. Peter.
During his life Butch loved to spend time with his family, going camping, fishing and hunting, shaking dice, walking his dog, Willis, and watching racing and true crime TV shows. Butch was a true handyman and his skills were truly appreciated by those he helped, whether it was building a fence or completing a plumbing project. More than one project started with the thought “I wonder if a guy could…?” Very often we learned that a guy could! The sound of his deep voice, laugh and funny sayings will be greatly missed.
Butch is survived by his children, Bonnie (Tom) Kahlow, Cheryl (Kirk) Moret, Ron (Patty) Wick, and Sandy Wick; grandchildren, Ryan and Sean Kahlow, Kyle (Emily), Katie and Adam Moret, Brandon, Ben and Becky Wick, Brianna (Will) Robeck-Schwartz, and Sierra (Cameron Wilking) Robeck; great-grandchildren, Jack Moret, Riley Schwartz, and Luca Wilking; and special niece, Jenna Bastin, who Butch called his 4th daughter; siblings, Corrine Lenort, Carol (Mark) Bergo, Nancy (Doug) Wick, Janice (Brett) Peterson, and Greg (Lois) Wick; in-laws, Judy Gondreau, Bill (Lori) Gatzke, John (Jill) Gatzke, Mary (Cody) Coffey, Linda Gatzke; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.
Butch is preceded in death by his wife, Donna; his parents; mother and father-in-law, Melvin and Lila Gatzke; brothers, Kerry, Wayne, Jeff and Bruce Wick; sisters, Melissa Wick and Betty Fuhs; and other extended family members.
Celebration of Life is pending and will be announced later by the Mankato Mortuary.
2023-06-18 Sutter, Donald W 1962
Donald W Sutter
brother of Daryl
Donald Walter Sutter, 79, of Owatonna died peacefully on Sunday, June 18, 2023, at Traditions II in Owatonna.
Donald was born the son of John and Lucille (Polsfuss) Sutter on January 21, 1944, in Waseca. He grew up in and attended school in Waseca, graduating from Waseca high School in June of 1962. Following school he served in the US Marine Corp from July of 1962 until October of 1966. On February 26, 1988, he was married to Darlene (Jenkins) Enzenauer in Delray Beach, Fl. They had a successful landscaping business in Florida until they moved to Milaca in 1995. There they had a flower and vegetable farm and raised tropical birds. They moved to Waseca in 2019 and then to Owatonna in 2021. Don loved animals and all things in nature.
He is survived by his wife Darlene Sutter of Owatonna, daughter Rachel Kennedy; stepchildren Brenda Lowrey and Scott (Donna) Enzenauer; brothers Joel Sutter, Jim Sutter; four grandchildren; six great grandchildren, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Josh Sutter, grandson Josh Hanks, brother Darryl Sutter and son-in-law Keith Lowrey.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
2023-04-08 Barbknecht, Lester W 1957
Lester W Barbknecht
brother of Donald
LESTER “LES” WAYNE BARBKNECHT, age 83, of Waseca died on Saturday, April 8, 2023, at his home surrounded by his family, following a short battle with Pancreatic Cancer.
Born to Helmuth and Clara (Klinger) Barbknecht on April 18, 1939, in Waseca. Les attended Waseca Country School and Waseca Central High School. On August 12, 1961, he was united in marriage to Sue Johnson at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Waseca.
Les was raised on a farm in rural Janesville. He spent the majority of his career as an auto mechanic. He owned Les’ DX gas station in Waseca for two years. He then worked at Pure Oil/Union 76, Hasselquist Pontiac/Buick/GMC, Countryside Motors, and Gambles Hardware. In retirement, Les worked at Waseca Lakeside Club and First National Bank. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville. In his free time, he enjoyed collecting antique farm equipment and attending pioneer power shows. Les especially enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Les is survived by his wife of 61 years, Sue Barbknecht of Waseca; children, Lori Barbknecht of Waseca, Larry Barbknecht of rural Waseca, Robert (Andrea) Barbknecht of Eden Prairie; grandchildren, Amanda Balk, Brittany Henkensiefken, Sara Henkensiefken, Abbi Barbknecht, Anna Barbknecht, and Luke Barbknecht; siblings, Wayne (Rosanne) Barbknecht of rural Janesville, and Donald (Barbara) Barbknecht of Monmouth, OR; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; father and mother-in-law; two brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law.
Les’ family would like to offer a special thank you to the Allina Hospice Team for their compassion and care.
Visitation will be from 4 - 7 PM on Monday, April 17, 2023, at the Third Street Chapel of Dennis-Steffel-Omtvedt Funeral and Cremation Service in Waseca. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.
Funeral Service will be 11:00 AM on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville with Rev. Kristian Bjornstad officiating. Interment will be in St. John Trinity Lutheran in Iosco Township, Waseca County.
2023-03-18 Wendland Krassin, Margaret J 1960
Margaret J Wendland Krassin
sister of Ronald
MARGARET J. KRASSIN, age 81, of Waseca passed away at her home on Saturday, March 18, 2023 surrounded by her family.
Margaret was born to Roy and Helen (Gibson) Wendland on February 28, 1942 in Waseca, MN. She graduated from Waseca Public Schools. On September 10, 1960, she was joined in marriage to Kenneth Krassin, and together they raised four children. They were married for 47 years until Kenneth’s passing in 2008.
Margaret was a farm wife, and stayed at home when her kids were young. As they got older, she worked various jobs. She cleaned for service master, worked at Colony Court, volunteered for hospice, and helped with the ladies’ aid at Trinity Lutheran Church - Wilton. She was a member at Trinity Lutheran Church - Wilton and Red Hat Society. In Margaret’s spare time, she enjoyed old movies, music, bingo, crocheting, knitting, gambling, playing bridge at the Senior Center, fishing, camping, and spending time with her family. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
Margaret is survived by her children, Ron Krassin of Waseca, Dawn (Mark) Zuehlke of Eagle Lake, Diane Tester of Waseca; nine grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; one great great-grandchild; and brother, Jon (Janet) Wendland of Texas. She was preceded in death by husband, Kenneth Krassin; son, Kevin Krassin; parents, Helen and Roy Wendland; brothers, Robert, Donald, Ronald, Kenneth and Dick Wendland; sisters, Evelyn Kahnke and Mary Wendland.
Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at the Third Street Chapel of Dennis-Steffel-Omtvedt Funeral and Cremation Service in Waseca. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday.
Funeral Service will be 11:00 AM on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at Trinity Lutheran Church – Wilton with Rev. Larry Sipe officiating. Interment will be in Woodville Cemetery.
2022-12-25 Lechner Crumb, Barbara A 1958
Barbara A Lechner Crumb
sister of Sherri
Barbara Ann Crumb, age 82, of Freeborn, MN, passed away on December 25, 2022 at Mayo Clinic Heath System in Austin, MN. A Celebration of Life and burial will be held at a later date. Nasinec Funeral Home in Wells is entrusted with arrangements. Please see www.nasinecfh.com to leave online condolences.
Barbara Ann was born August 26, 1940 to Edward and Elvira (Larson) Lechner. She grew up in Otisco, MN. She graduated from Waseca High School in 1958. She was a long-time resident of Freeborn. She loved gardening, playing cards, Yahtzee, and socializing with friends and family with a cup of coffee or cappuccino. She was really into crossword puzzles especially ones from the newspaper. When most people could only figure out a couple of words, she was able to finish the whole puzzle. Barb was an avid Minnesota Twins fan. She could be found watching the game or listening to it on the radio.
Her favorite thing in life was music. She played the piano, organ, and accordion. She was proud to be a church organist for over 40 years. She played at The First Congregational Church of New Richland for several years until 2020. She loved to play for services at the New Richland Care Center so she could bring the life of music to the residents, and visit with them afterwards.
Barb was a phenomenal mother. She always put her daughters before anything else. She took great pride in being a grandmother and great grandmother. But she was especially proud to be called a great great-grandmother. She was able to be a part of a 5-generation picture that will be treasured forever. Her most prized possession in life was her family.
She was able to beat cancer during the pandemic. She had a lot of help during these times from her devoted companion Monroe. Throughout all her treatments and doctor appointments, she never once complained about being sick or losing her hair. She made the best of every circumstance in life, even at the end.
Barb is survived by her daughters: Sherri (Loy) Spies of Waseca, Tricia Bartz (Lonnie Irwin) of Freeborn, and Gina Crumb of Portland, Oregon. Grandchildren: Erin Yenish, Jeremiah (Stephanie) Yenish, Alex (Devin) Yenish. Brandon (Heather) Hoopengarner, Leah (Dakota) Farley. Fourteen great-grandchildren with another due in February, and one great-great-granddaughter. Brother Bill (Karen) Lechner of Waseca and sister Sherri Schumacher of Waseca. Last but not least, her beloved dog Monroe.
She is proceeded in death by her parents, brother Dean Lechner, and brother-in-law Joe Schumacher.
Florence L Hultgren Draheim
sister of John
Florence L. Draheim, a beloved mother and grandmother passed away on Saturday, December 3, 2022, at the age of 88.
Born on July 6, 1934, to Fredolph and Lillian (Nelson) Hultgren. Florence was the salutatorian of her Waseca High School class and continued her education at Mankato Teachers College where she graduated with honors in 1957. She went on to teach elementary school in Glenville, Mankato, and Waterville up until the birth of her son, Michael, in 1969. She cared deeply for her students, many of whom kept in touch with her long after leaving her class.
In 1967 she was married to Lynn Draheim and they lived and worked together on a small farm in Waseca. They were married for 54 years before Lynn’s passing in 2021. Her passion on the farm was caring for her many (up to 400) chickens each year, as well as helping Lynn tend their gardens. Her real joy however was with music and the church. For 50 years she served as choir director and organist for the former Evangelical United Methodist Church in Waseca. She and Lynn are fondly remembered for their annual Christmas decorations and music concerts at the church.
Florence was a selfless and caring mother and grandmother and is survived by her only son Mike, his wife Deb and their 3 children Jacob, Kaitlin and Meghan.
Preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother, Marvin Hultgren.
Funeral Service will be 10:30 AM on Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at the Third Street Chapel of Dennis-Steffel-Omtvedt Funeral and Cremation Service. Interment will be in Woodville Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral chapel on Wednesday.
Joan A Davidson Behsman
wife of John Behsman
Joan A. Behsman, age 75 of Grey Eagle, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family after a tough battle with cancer on Saturday, October 8, 2022 at the Tree of Life Assisted Living in New Munich, Minnesota.
A gathering of friends and family will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, October 15 at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Grey Eagle. A prayer service will begin at 5:30 p.m. Inurnment will be held at a later date at Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Swanville.
Joan Annette Davidson was born September 18, 1947 in Mankato, Minnesota to Marvin and Ellna (Schulz) Davidson. She was baptized on November 2, 1947 in Good Thunder, Minnesota. She attended school at Waldorf Elementary and graduated from Waldorf High School in 1965. She continued her education at Mankato Beauty School while working at the Truck Stop in Mankato. In January of 1967, she met John Behsman. They were united in marriage on June 22, 1968, at First Lutheran Church in Waldorf. From this union, three children were born. The couple moved to Swanville in 1971 to milk cows on her dad’s farm. Joan opened her beauty shop in 1976 in Swanville. After this they moved multiple times. Joan worked a variety of jobs from pig farmer to cashier to milking cows to factor worker. During that time, Joan and John ended up in Arizona for nine months then moved back to the same place they had left (kind of like a season of Dallas) she would joke.
Joan enjoyed fishing, gardening, baking, and spending time with family and friends.
Survivors include her husband, John Behsman of Grey Eagle; children, Lori Dittrich of Courtland, Kurt (Cindy) Behsman of Randall, and Lisa (Jason) Wehking of Eagle Bend; grandchildren, Tyler and Nikki Dittrich, Brandon and Gregory Behsman, and Erin and Jared Wehking; sisters, Rona (Mark) Bleess of Long Prairie, Shirley Davidson of Alexandria, Ingrid Olson of Stephen, Ardis Davidson of Holdingford, and Bev (Gene) Warzecha of Harvey, North Dakota.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Marvin Davidson on February 1, 1974 and Ellna Davidson on October 10, 1955; step parents; brother, Richard Davidson; and one infant brother.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Jude’s Children Hospital.
Leo H Kahnke
brother of Mark
Leo Herbert Kahnke, age 83, passed away peacefully at Mala Strana Rehabilitation and Assisted Living campus in New Prague on July 28, 2022.
Leo was born July 26, 1939, to Herbert and Ethel Kahnke, on the family farm near Waseca. He graduated from Waseca High School in 1957. He remained on the family farm for two years and then became employed by the Dairy Herd Improvement Association. In May of 1962, Leo joined the Army Reserves. In 1964, he attended the University of Minnesota and graduated with an Agriculture Business degree in 1967. Leo met Karen Swanson at the Prom Ballroom and two years later was united in marriage on September 11, 1965 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Red Wing. Following graduation from college, Leo became employed by Farm Services of Independence, Iowa. In 1969, he took a position with Production Credit Association in Mankato. In 1976, he became branch manager of Farm Credit Services in Kenyon. He left Farm Credit in 1988 and started his own insurance business and operated it until retirement. His interests included spending time at their Turtle Lake cabin, playing cards, listening to country music, dancing with Karen, hunting, trapping and raising silver fox. He was an active member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, serving as trustee for many years. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He loved his family and will be dearly missed.
Leo is survived by his wife of 56 years, Karen Kahnke of Kenyon, daughter Julie (Kevin) Nord, sons Brian (Kris) Kahnke of Melrose, WI, Paul (Sheila) Kahnke of Savage and Nathan (Amber) Kahnke of New Prague, nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren, three sisters and five brothers. He was preceded in death by his parents Herbert and Ethel Kahnke and a brother Bernard Kahnke.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 6, 2022, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Kenyon. Visitation will be from 9 AM to 11 AM at the church. If so desired, memorials may be given to St. Michael’s Catholic Church of Kenyon or Moments Hospice in Mankato.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Mala Strana and Moments Hospice for all the love and wonderful care they provided to Leo the past year.
Deborah A Olson
daughter of Mike Olson
Olson, Deborah Ann "Debbie" 58, died of a quick, unexpected illness on July 26, 2022, while surrounded by family.
After graduating from Prior Lake High School in 1982, she went on to be a dedicated Delta employee for nearly 40 years.
Debbie was a loving daughter, sister, and aunt that cherished her time with family. We know she was welcomed into Heaven with open arms by her mother, Judi Olson, and brother, Mikey Olson, and that her pets Sydney and Misty were eager to have belly rubs once again. Debbie's spitfire personality and contagious laugh will be missed by her father Mike Olson; siblings Lisa (Chris) Redson, Stacy Olson, Elizabeth (Tracey) Martin, and Rich Olson; nieces and nephews Tracey, Kwamaine, Vincent, Xavier, Shayla, Ethan, Abby, Jake, Saige, Brody, Nicholas, Ana, and Mikey; and grandniece and grandnephews Sophia, Abel, and Isaiah.
Debbie's life will be celebrated privately with immediate family. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Best Friends Animal Society in memory of Debbie and her love for her rescued pets.
Deborah K Fell Tesch
sister of Lois
DEBORAH KAYE TESCH, age 68 of Le Sueur, passed away on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at Ridgeview Hospital in Waconia.
Born in Waseca on November 17, 1953, Deb was the daughter of Stewart and Lila (Brooks) Fell. She attended school in Waseca before beginning her working years. In 1972 Deb married Jerry Tesch in Waseca. She liked crafting and used her abilities in sewing, crocheting, and quilting to create clothing, dolls, stuffed animals, and quilts for those she loved. She also enjoyed playing bingo, watching gameshows and Cash Cab, playing cards, collecting animal keepsakes, and spending time with her friends and family. Years ago she was also very gifted in mathematics and guitar. For the last fifteen years Deb worked in quality control at Truth Hardware in Owatonna where she made many lasting friends.
Deb is survived by her husband of nearly 50 years, Jerry Tesch of Le Sueur; son, Jeremy (Cynthia Gaylor) Tesch of Mankato; granddaughters, Montana (Robbie) Bigness of Mankato and Taylor Christiansen of Janesville; son-in-law, Todd Christiansen of Janesville, and six siblings. She was preceded in death by both of her parents; a daughter, Amie Christiansen; a son Jason Tesch; and four siblings.
Deborah’s family will hold a celebration of her life at a future date to be later announced.
Bernard J Kahnke
brother of Mark
Bernard "Bernie" Kahnke
January 12, 1938 - June 14, 2022
It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of Bernard Kahnke of Dayton, MN on June 14th, at M Health Fairview in Minneapolis. Bernie was 84 and is survived by his wife, Rose, of 61 years as well as their six children: Rick Kahnke, Kathlyn Friedrich, Kristine Spratt, Pat Kahnke, Brett Kahnke, and Sarah Collins. He found great joy in his children, eighteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Herb and Ethel Kahnke of Waseca, MN
Bernie received his Bachelor of Science in agriculture from the University of MN and his Master’s in educational administration from Mankato State University. He taught agriculture and led successful FFA chapters in Round Lake, MN and Mankato East and West High Schools. After receiving his private pilot’s license, he taught aviation at Mankato East. He retired after thirty years in the classroom.
In his early years, Bernie entertained with his guitar sometimes with his brothers. Bernie loved hunting, fishing, golf, the Twins, the Vikings, the Timberwolves and poker tournaments. He was an active partner in The Barn Restaurant in Madison Lake, MN and established his own fur business. He had a passion for growing the best tomatoes possible.
Visitation at the Evans-Nordby Funeral Home at 34 Second St. N.E in Osseo, MN will be held from 2-4pm on June 29, 2022. Bernie’s funeral will be at the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, 9100 93rd Ave N, Brooklyn Park at 10:30am June 30, 2022 with visitation one hour before.
Ivan T Flitter
husband of Sandra
IVAN THEODORE FLITTER, age 85 of Elysian, died on Friday, February 18, 2022 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato.
Born in Waseca on July 4, 1936, Ivan was the son of Ewald and Clara (Schuldt) Flitter. He attended school in Janesville before serving his country in the United States Army. On September 6, 1974 Ivan was married to Sandra Carson in Morristown, Minnesota. He worked for the railroad for many years, living in California, Tucson, AZ, and El Paso, TX before retiring in 2001 and returning to Minnesota in 2006. As a young man he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and attending Lutheran church services.
Ivan is survived by his wife, Sandra of Elysian; one daughter, Michelle Rousseau of Elysian, three grandchildren; and one brother, Delfon Flitter of Janesville. He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers, Ervin, Orville, Marvin, and Kenneth Flitter.
A private interment service will take place at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in the spring.
Jody J Musel
brother of John Musel
JODY JAY MUSEL, 57 of Waseca died on Saturday, September 4th 2021 in a Hospice Care Center following a long battle with many illnesses.
Jody was born March 3rd, 1964 in Waseca, the son of Clinton and Viola (Wilken) Musel. He lived in Waseca most of his life. He graduated from Waseca High School in 1982.
Jody enjoyed spending his time working on snowmobiles and mechanical small engine repair.
Survivors include his four children, Jody Jay Musel Jr. of TX, Venessa Musel Babcock of San Antonio TX, Jarrod Lee Musel of Marysville WA, Joseph Musel of Boston MA; and his five grandchildren. He was proceeded in death by his grandparents John and Alvina Wilken and Mr. and Mrs. Albert Musel; his parents Clinton and Viola (Wilken) Musel; and his brother John Musel.
Evelyn M Wendland Kahnke
sister of Ronald Wendland
EVELYN MAE KAHNKE, age 88 of Waseca, died on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at her home, Colony Court, surrounded by her family. She had suffered a stroke on Friday, August 20th.
Born in Waseca on September 9, 1932, Evelyn was the daughter of Roy and Helen (Gibson) Wendland. She attended Waseca public schools (Class of 1950). Evelyn married David James Kahnke on November 5, 1949. She worked at Brown Printing Company in Waseca prior to her 40 years with the E.F. Johnson Company where she replaced her mother’s position in the customer service department. Prior to her first stroke, Evelyn enjoyed volunteering. She sat with many as a hospice volunteer, supported the Special Olympics, and gave her time to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. She converted to Catholicism prior to her marriage, and was active within the Catholic Daughters for over 50 years including several years as Grand Regent, and was a Secular Franciscan, eucharistic minister, and reader at Sacred Heart in Waseca. She enjoyed fishing trips, playing cards – particularly bridge, bowling, and traveling. More than anything, though, Evelyn loved prioritizing her family’s lives and their events. She will be greatly missed.
Evelyn is survived by her children, Jane (Bill) Disher of Owatonna, Barb (Ed) Roesler of Waseca, Collette (Neil) Berg of Waseca, Duane (Wendy Muetzel) Kahnke of Waseca, Don (Brenda) Kahnke of Waseca, and Doug (Toni) Kahnke of Belle Fourche, SD; daughter-in-law, Kendra Kahnke of Faribault; twenty grandchildren; over 40 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by one brother, John (Janet) Wendland of Garland, TX; one sister, Margaret Krassin of Waseca; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a son, David Kahnke, Jr; four brothers; one sister; three grandchildren, Jennifer, Patrick, and Paige; and one great-granddaughter, Faith.
Visitation will be held from 4-7 PM on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at the Third Street Chapel of Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services in Waseca, with a parish prayer service lead by the Catholic Daughters and Franciscans to begin at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue for one hour before the service at the church on Thursday.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, September 2, 2021 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca, with Fr. Thé Hoang officiating. A private family interment will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Waseca.
Clarisse "Chris" G Kamrath Fretham
sister of Myron Kamrath
(Updated July 27, 2021)
CLARISSE “CHRIS” GENEEN FRETHAM, age 82 of Waseca died on Saturday, July 24, 2021 at Foxdale in Waseca.
Born on September 7, 1938 in Kiester, Minnesota, she was the daughter of Harold and Ruth (Powers) Kamrath. She graduated from Waseca High School with the class of 1957. Chris married Ludwig Fretham on June 15, 1959 in Waseca. They shared 61 years of marriage before Ludwig passed away on November 1, 2020.
Over the years, she worked as a waitress at the Pheasant Café and was a cook for many years for the Waseca Public Schools. Chris also worked as a crossing guard. She enjoyed canning, traveling during the summer, baking and especially spending time with her family. She was a member of North Waseca Lutheran Church.
She is survived by her daughter, Betty (Terry) Kunze of Waseca; three grandchildren: Courtney Tate (Bannon) of Waseca, Angela (Will) Zibert of Mesa, AZ, and Michael (Erin) Tate of Waseca; and six great grandchildren: Haylie, Kayla, Ashton, Layton, Willow and Titan. She is also survived by her siblings, Leon Kamrath, Myron (Brenda) Kamrath, and Harold (Ladene) Kamrath Jr.; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ludwig; sister, Karla (Arleigh) Schroeder; brothers, Dale and Wade Kamrath; sister-in-law: Mabel Kamrath; and niece, Jessica Schroeder.
Funeral services will be 11:00 AM on Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at North Waseca Lutheran Church. Burial will follow at North Waseca Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.
Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services of Waseca is handling arrangements. www.dennisfuneralhomes.com
Eva L Seewald Bickell
wife of Dennis Bickell
EVA LOUISE BICKELL, age 73 of Waseca died peacefully at her home on Thursday, February 4, 2021.
Born on August 29, 1947 in Waseca, Minnesota, she was the daughter of Orlando and Kathryn “Chick” (Stephan) Seewald. Eva graduated from Waseca High School in 1965. She married Dennis Bickell on May 9, 1970 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Waseca. Eva worked for the E.F. Johnson Co. and Sprengeler Oil Co. before she began working for Waseca Public Schools. She enjoyed hardanger embroidery, reading, and celtic music.
Eva is survived by her husband, Dennis and son, Matthew of Waseca. She is also survived by two sisters, Susan (Steven) Jewison of Janesville and Lana (Terry) Phillips of Waseca; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, David Seewald.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 8, 2021 at 11:00 AM at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Waseca. Visitation will be held on Monday, one hour before services at the church. Burial will take place at St. John’s Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Iosco Township at a later date. dennisfuneralhomes.com
Merlen H Gekeler
brother of Harlan Gekeler
MERLEN HAROLD GEKELER, age 79, of Waseca died on Thursday, February 4, 2021, at Methodist Hospital in Rochester.
Born on March 24, 1941, in Mankato to Harold and Beatrice (Steinke) Gekeler. He attended Waseca Central High School, graduating with the class of 1959. Following his education, Merlen enlisted into the United States Army, serving in the reserves from 1960 - 1966. Following his honorable discharge, he went to barber school and worked for Coca Cola in Minneapolis before moving back to Waseca. Merlen worked from Midwest Electric in Mankato for a couple of years and Schraeder Construction for a short time before starting Gekeler Roofing and Construction in Waseca, where he was able to provide employment for many over his 43 year career. Merlen loved dancing and music, especially “The King”. He began an Elvis Presley Collection in high school, beginning with one record album and grew it to include sets of plates, statues, and Elvis stamps. He was an avid fan of classic cars, collectables, and auctions. Merlen was a member of American Legion Post #228 in Waseca and Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville.
Survived by his siblings: Marlyn (Sue Clayton) Gekeler of Janesville, Harlan (Virginia) Gekeler of Waseca, Cheryleen Mullerleile of Waseca, Maureen (Dale) Sonday of Waseca, and Doreen (Robert) Hoffman of Waseca; and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents.
A public graveside service will be held on a later date at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca.
Eldor Vollbrecht
brother of Keith Vollbrecht
Eldor (Al) F. Vollbrecht 1942–2020 Murrieta—Eldor (Al) F. Vollbrecht, 78, of Murrieta, CA died Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at his home due to complications from Covid-19.
He was born September 24, 1942, son to Eldor and Viola (Schwartz) Vollbrecht. He attended school in Morristown through 8th grade and then Waseca, graduating from Central High School in 1960. Al furthered his education receiving a BS in Political Science from Mankato State University.
He spent four years in the Air Force spending most of his tour of duty in Duluth, MN and the Azores Islands. Most of his career was spent working in city government for the cities of Albert Lea, MN; Ann Arbor, MI; Longmont, CO; Carson, CA; and ending in Murrieta, CA, where he retired in 2005. In his earlier years, Al was very involved with the Jaycees and was a state vice-president. He was also a strong presence in the Rotary Club in Murrieta, where his most cherished memory was traveling on medical missions for surgical repair on cleft lips and palates for children in need in other countries. He was always very involved in whatever community he lived in. He loved to travel and has made many friends all over the world.
Al is survived by his brother, Keith (Marsha) Vollbrecht of Waseca; his sister, Carla (Tom) Southworth of Medford; nephew, Shaun (Heidi) Southworth of Pemberton; niece, Michelle Southworth of Blooming Prairie; great nephew, Jacob McHenry of Blooming Prairie; and special friends, Yojiro Iba and Annette Jennings of Murrieta, CA.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Eldor and Viola Vollbrecht. A private family service will be held at a later date with interment in the Woodville Cemetery, Waseca. Al was loved by many and will be missed!
Mark A Bartosch
son of Richard Bartosch
CSM (Ret) Mark Allen Bartosch, age 52 of Adams, passed away December 21, 2020 at his residence.
Mark was born August 4, 1968 to Richard Bartosch and Brenda Hall Bartosch. He is preceded in death by his son, Matthew Bartosch.
Mark was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved his family, the outdoors, his dogs and his Soldiers.
He is survived by his parents, Richard Bartosch and Brenda Hall Bartosch; his wife, Jennifer Bartosch; son, Zachary Bartosch; daughter, Elena Reil; brother, Michael Bartosch and mother-in-law, Joan Heston.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, December 31, 2020 at 11:00 AM at Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Chapel with Chaplain Brian Wright officiating. Visitation will be Thursday, December 31, 2020, from 9 AM until the hour of service. Interment will be held at a later date at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West.
In Lieu of flowers, please donate to a cause Mark strongly believed in: HOOAH Deer Hunt for Heros, P.O. Box 351, Stanford, IL 61774, https://www.hooahdeerhuntforheroes.com
Arrangements are entrusted to Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home, 1510 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN 37040; (931) 645-6488. Online condolences may be made at www.nealtarpleyparchman.com.
Elizabeth Ringhofer Witt
stepsister of Jeanette Hugill Cox
Age 86 Passed away peacefully on November 25, 2020. She is survived by her children Gretchen (Joe), Greg (Dianne) and Jamie (Jill); 7 grandchildren, Jillian, Megan and Katie Spear; Cody Witt; and Lauren, Isabelle and Sophia Witt; special niece Sue Hughes (Todd) and Amelia; special nephew Matt Ringhofer (Wendi), Josie and Addie. She is also survived by her brother Larry Ringhofer (Jane); sister Mary Lou Johnson (Dale); stepsister Jeanette Cox and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Lawrence and Luciele Ringhofer; stepmother Monna Hugill Ringhofer; sister Eileen McCarthy; stepsister Alice Veien; brother Jerry Ringhofer and stepbrother Bob Hugill.
Liz was born May 25, 1934 in Owatonna, Minnesota. She graduated from Owatonna High School, has undergraduate degrees from both the University of Minnesota and Metro State University, and a master's degree in Public Administration from Metro State. She had careers with the University of Minnesota, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Department of Human Rights, and the City of Eagan. She was an active council member for the City of Mendota Heights from 1979 through 1989. Her passions included family, family history, community, reading and writing. She was an avid traveler, visiting nearly all of the world with her sister Mary Lou and dear friend Marti Conlon. In retirement Liz was an Ambassador with the League of Minnesota Cities, visiting Minnesota cities in an assisting/consulting capacity. She was an active member of the Dakota County Park & Recreation Committee, helping to guide park preservation with compatible development. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorials preferred to Thompson Park Activity Center, Neighbors Inc. in South St. Paul, and Owatonna High School Museum.
MaryJane Winkler
mother of Mary Ann Winkler Keehn
and Berni Winkler Wabner
MaryJane passed away on August 11, 2020, surrounded by family with primary caretakers, twin daughters Becky and Berty at her side.
MaryJane McAlister was born May 13, 1923, to John Patrick and Mary Ann (Farley) McAlister in Knox County, Missouri (east of Adair). MaryJane was proud of her Irish heritage. Throughout her life, she was a devout Catholic and never without her rosary. She attended churches wherever she lived or traveled.
During War World II, she worked at the Curtis Wright factory in St. Louis, MO building (riveting) airplanes. MaryJane met Willis Wayne Winkler in 1942, while working in St. Louis and they were married on October 25,1944. After living in the Shelbina area, Mary Jane and Willis traveled north with their two young daughters (Mary Ann and Bernadette). Settling in Minnesota, they added four daughters to their family (Martha in Steele County, Rebecca, Roberta and Shannon in Waseca County). While in Waseca, MaryJane worked at Birds Eye and Delta Truck Body. In the fall of 1969, MaryJane and Willis with their three youngest daughters moved to Colorado Springs, CO. In Colorado Springs, MaryJane worked at Current and retired from Walter Drake.
MaryJane is survived by her daughters Bernadette Wabner (David) of Waseca, Martha Cox (John) of New Richland, MN, Berty Johns, Becky Lykens (Michael) of Colorado Springs, Shannon, son-in-law Donald Keehn of Woodland Park. Also, MaryJane is survived by thirteen grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Willis, eldest daughter Mary Ann Keehn, grandson Eric Keehn, her parents, two brothers, two sisters.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to Divine Redeemer Catholic Church or Holy Apostles Catholic Church, both in Colorado Springs.
Funeral services for family will be held in Colorado Springs with burial to follow. Arrangements are being handled by Memorial Gardens Funeral, Cremation & Cemetery, in Colorado Springs, CO.
Richard Lee Schultz, 70, of Medford, died Saturday, August 8, 2020 at Shager Park near Faribault.
He was born April 7, 1950 in Waseca the son of Wesely and Florence (Rosenbach) Schultz. Rick graduated from Waseca High School in the Class of 1968. Rick was a proud to have served in the US Army from 1969 – 1976 which included 2 years in Vietnam. Rick married Christine Schwartz and they had two children. Rick later married Tammy Wright, together they had a son. On July 21, 1986, Rick married Janice Wagner in Waseca. Rick and Jan had four children and recently celebrated 34 years of marriage. Rick worked and lived in various places before returning to the Owatonna area where he worked for Bird's Eye Foods and Lakeside foods for many years.
He was a proud member of AA enjoying 14 years of sobriety. He was also a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and the VFW. He previously served on the Steele County Military Funeral Unit, VFW color guard and as the VFW Chaplain. Rick enjoyed making leather goods, fishing, road trips, nature and pinball. He loved spending time with his family and was very proud of his children and grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Janice Schultz of Medford; children, SkiAnn (and Mark) Christiansen of Waseca, Rick Schultz of Bensonville, IL, David Schultz of Mankato, Heidi (and Nick) Ramirez of Owatonna, Heather (and Luke) Mueller of Owatonna, Brandon Schultz of Waseca, Ciara Schultz of Medford; grandchildren, Taylor Zinkle, Parker Christiansen and Spencer Christiansen, Patrick Schultz and Charlie Schultz, Jocelyn Schultz, Lilly Schultz and Olivia Schultz, Jasmine Ziegenhagen, Marina Ramirez and Adrienne Ramirez, Amelia Mueller, Hayden Schultz; sisters-in-law, Ann (and Leland) Estes of Emmons, Nancy (and Jamie) of Prior Lake and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Florence and Clyde Callahan; brothers, Roger Rosenbach, Jerry Schultz, David Schultz.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 13, 2020 at 10:30am at Trinity Lutheran Church with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Clinton Falls. Memorials are preferred to Rick’s family.
If you would like to make a donation in memory of Richard "Rick" L. Schultz, please visit the Tribute Fund.
Elizabeth Veigel McShane
wife of Dale McShane
ELIZABETH JEAN “BETTY” McSHANE, age 74 of Waseca, died oFriday, August 7, n 2020 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester.
Born in Mankato on May 4, 1946, Betty was the daughter of Thomas and Phyllis (Paegel) Veigel. She attended St. Peter and Paul School before graduating from Good Council High School. She married Dale T. McShane on October 29, 1977 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Janesville. Throughout her working years she was employed at Kato Corp, Lakeshore Inn Nursing Home for twenty years, Oak Lawn Rehabilitation Center, and after her retirement she worked for ICAN in Waseca. She enjoyed playing bingo and spending time with her family. Betty was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca.
Betty is survived by two children, Jason (Aubrey) McShane of Janesville, and Tammy McShane of Mankato; and two grandsons, Jackson and Max McShane. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and one sister, Delores.
A public visitation will be held from 4-7PM on Thursday, August 13, 2020 at the third street chapel of Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services in Waseca. A private family service will be held. Interment will follow at St. Jarlath Cemetery at a later date.
Yvonne M Carson D'Ambrose
Sister of Sandra Carson Flitter
YVONNE MARGARETTE (CARSON) D’AMBROSE, age 75, passed away on the morning of Monday, June 22, 2020 at Laurel’s Edge in Mankato.
Born in St. Paul on September 1, 1944, Yvonne was the daughter of Merrill and Margaret (Haider) Carson. She graduated from Waseca High School before completing secretarial training in Minneapolis. Yvonne was then married and had three children. Their family lived on Madison Lake but Yvonne’s career in hospitality also took her to Vermont, Colorado, and Florida over the years. She loved traveling and traveled extensively around the world. Yvonne was always ready for her next adventure. She enjoyed meeting new people, sailing, gardening, reading, event planning, fundraising, and her grandchildren and their families. She was also proud to have been a past “Miss Congeniality” for the Waseca Sleigh and Cutter Festival.
Yvonne is survived by two daughters, Tammy (Bruce) Foels of Waseca, and Debra (Bill) Meyer of Le Center; seven grandchildren, Shaun Harty, Kevin Harty, Matthew Foels, Mitchell Foels, Megan Landkammer, Michael Sheehy, and Brianna Sheehy; several great-grandchildren; and four siblings, Jean (Wendell) Howell of Amory, WI, Sandra (Ivan) Flitter of Elysian, Patricia Rhodes of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands; and Mary (Andrew) Goettl of Cleveland. She was preceded in death by her parents; and one son, Robert M. Sheehy.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30AM on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Waterville, with Rev. Michael Ince officiating. Visitation will be held for one hour before the service at the church. Interment will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca.
Allen D Spies
brother of Karen Spies Johnson
ALLEN DAVID (PAPA) SPIES, age 73, of Waseca peacefully passed away at his home on May 5th, 2020.
Allen David, the son of Arvin and Dorothy (Wood) Spies, was born on Oct. 16, 1946 in Waseca Mn. Allen graduated from Waseca High School with the class of 1964. He met the love of his life, Karen and they married on Dec 12, 1964 at Grace Lutheran Church in Waseca. Together they raised 3 children, Tori, David and Dodi in Waseca.
He started working at Brown printing company when he was 18 and continued to work there until he and Karen moved to Wisconsin in 1989.There he worked at St Croix Press until he retired from printing. In the 1970s he built houses and did business remodels with his dad, mom and his brother Ronnie. After his retirement they moved back to MN and worked for Neil Dornbusch and Associates from 2000 to 2019 in New Prague MN. He moved back to Waseca in 2017.
Al enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching MN sports, meeting old friends for dinner and baked goodies. He did beautiful woodwork including a complete nursery set for his grandbabies. Most of all he loved being Papa to his grand and great grandchildren. He loved Babies and we called him the baby whisperer. He was the absolute best at keeping secrets.
He is survived by his children, Tori (Rick) Larson of Lakeville, MN, David (Lisa) Spies of Dundee, MN, Dodi (Jim) Huston of New Prague, MN; by 10 Grandchildren, Ricky (Katie) Larson, Mitchel (Shawna) Larson, Alyssa (Ryan) Ulvi, Brock (George) Spies, Brady Spies, Brandt Spies, Bronson Spies, Brandi Spies, Jamee (John) Hopkins, Jess Huston; by 7 great grandchildren, Colton, Gracien, Thomson, Killian, Lachlan, Everett and Walker. Siblings, Karen (Richard) Johnson of Waseca, Cheri (Larry) Boucher of Elysian MN, Ronnie (Amy) Spies of Waseca MN.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 49 years and his parents.
A Celebration of Allen's Life will be held at a later date.
LeRay Webber
brother of LeRoy Webber
LeRAY “BLACKIE” WEBBER, age 76 of Waseca died on Thursday, April 16, 2020 at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato.
Born on February 7, 1944 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he was the son of Francis and Irene (Peek) Webber. He attended school in Waseca. He went on to serve in the U.S. Navy from 1964 until his honorable discharge in 1966. While in the Navy, he served on the USS Sellers. Blackie married Judy Gilster on March 30, 1985 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca. Following his time in the service, he was employed at the asphalt plant west of Waseca. After the plant closed in 1989, they moved to Le Sueur where he worked at Green Giant as a boiler operator until 1991 when they returned to Waseca. He then worked at the Waseca Medical Center until his retirement in 2003. He enjoyed camping, fishing, collecting coins and woodworking. He was a lifetime member of the VFW.
He is survived by his wife, Judy of Waseca; daughter, Tammy (Gilster) & Jason Buchmann of Avondale, AZ and son, Christopher & Kate Webber of Waverly; four grandchildren, Michael Spitzack, Natasha Spitzack, Crystal Gilster, and Jack Webber; and four great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, LeRoy “Blondie” & Arlys Webber of Moose Lake; one nephew; three nieces; and several great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and several aunts and uncles.
No services are planned at this time.
John P Priebe
son of Marcia Paulson Priebe
JOHN PATRICK PRIEBE, age 49, of Waseca, died on Friday, January 3, 2020 at his residence in Waseca County.
John was born on December 26, 1970, in Brooklyn Center to John and Marcia (Paulson) Priebe. He attended high school in Waseca where he graduated with the class of 1989. John furthered his education at the University of Minnesota – Waseca Campus and graduated with a bachelor degree in Ag Business from the University of Minnesota – St. Paul Campus. He served in the national guard for two years. Following his education, John worked as a sales representative for John Deere in Watertown, South Dakota for eight years before moving to Waseca to be a part of the family business “Priebe Financial”. He worked alongside his dad for a few years before becoming the sole operator. John was united in marriage to Jenny Delizo on August 23, 2014, at their home in Waseca County.
John enjoyed NASCAR, snowmobiling, 4-wheeling, and outdoor activities, especially tending to his property. He was a big supporter and enjoyed following his son’s various activities. John was active in the Waseca community as a member of the Chamber of Commerce and was a vital part of the Waseca Triathlon. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca.
John is survived by his wife, Jenny of Waseca; sons: Ben Priebe and Redzel Priebe both of Waseca; parents: John and Marcia Priebe of Waseca; brothers: Jim Priebe and Justin Priebe both of Waseca; two nieces: Jovae Priebe and her daughter, Kendyl of Waseca, and Jalea Priebe of Waseca; other relatives and many friends. Preceded in death by his sons: Noah and Samuel; grandparents: John and Mable Priebe and Henry and Marie Paulson.
Visitation will be held from 4-7PM on Tuesday, January 7, 2019 at Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services ~ 3rd Street Chapel of Waseca, and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:30PM on Wednesday, January 8, 2019 at Church of the Sacred Heart in Waseca, with Fr. Gregory Leif as celebrant. Memorials are preferred to Sacred Heart Catholic School, Waseca Hockey Association or Waseca Basketball Association.
Stephanie Crawford Kadrie
Sister of Mike Crawford
On December 21, 2019 Stephanie Sue Crawford Kadrie died peacefully surrounded by family and friends in Lilydale Senior Living Memory Care. She had moved back to Minnesota from Albuquerque, New Mexico eight years ago to be near her sons and their families.
Stephanie was born on November 19, 1942 to Harry and Ula (Schauer) Crawford in McPherson, Kansas. They owned Crawford Photography Studio in Almena, Kansas and moved to Waseca in 1955 where they owned Crawford Studio. Stephanie was active in Waseca High School, graduating in 1960. While in high school she played the oboe and snare drum in marching band and sang in a girls' quartet. She also played the organ at her church. After graduation she went to Abbott Nursing School in Minneapolis and was a nurse throughout her career, including working with drug abuse patients and transplant patients.
She is survived by her sons Todd (Susan) of White Bear Lake, Minnesota and Brett (Mary) of Minneapolis, Minnesota and grandchildren Matt, Anna Sophia and Will. She is also survived by her brothers Mike ( Barbara) of La Mesa, California and Eric (Laura Stocker) of the Big Island, Hawaii. She was preceded in death by her parents Harry and Ula Crawford.
Stephanie will be remembered for her many talents including art, photography, and rock hounding. She loved the Southwest and all of the colors of the rocks and the sky. She said she might have had the record number of photos of clouds. She loved listening to music and NPR.
Stephanie was gregarious and cheerful and loved to talk to others, wherever she met them. She loved to walk through the New Mexico back country in search of interesting rocks, many of which she collected for her house and garden. She was very creative, which included photographing and printing excellent black and white photos, decorating found objects with painted designs, making decorative cards and doing calligraphy.
Of all her talents and passions, she treasured her family the most. The family is grateful to the staff at Lilydale Memory Care for their loving care. Blessed be her memory.
Marjorie Kinkade
Mother of Dick Kinkade
MARJORIE L. KINKADE, age 104 formerly of Waseca, went home to heaven to have Christmas with Jesus, her husband Don, and other family members on Friday, December 20, 2019 at Arbor Lane Memory Care in Burnsville.
Born on January 28, 1915 in Winnebago County, Iowa, she was the daughter of Harvey and Mary (Wright) Kinder. She graduated from Kiester High School in 1933 and married Donald Kinkade on July 24, 1935 at the family farm in northern Iowa. They lived in Kiester until moving to Waseca in 1960. Marjorie was a housewife and she loved to clean. She also worked part time at a department store in Waseca. She was active with the Evangelical United Methodist Church in Waseca and all of the church activities, including women’s Bible study and visiting shut ins. Marjorie and her husband also enjoyed traveling with their motor home during retirement. She enjoyed all hand work including knitting, crocheting, quilting, and embroidery. Marjorie moved to Burnsville in 2011.
She is survived by two children, Donna (Wayne) Sagmoen of Burnsville and Dick (Becky) Kinkade of Breckenridge, TX; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and six siblings.
Memorial services will be held at a later date. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery in Kiester.
Richard (Rick) Wilkowske Son of Terance (Terry) Wilkowske
Richard Henry Wilkowske passed away, peacefully, on August 7, 2019.
As a child, Rick was very curious and eager to learn. Luckily, for him, he had his Father Terry, Mother Andrea, and Grandma Pauline as his main teachers.
With his Father Terry, Rick learned to build and fix everything. Terry taught and encouraged Rick to think outside of the box, which gave him immense problem solving skills, creativity, and artistic flair. Terry, also, taught Rick the fun of blowing stuff up – hence Rick’s love for the 4th of July fireworks displays he and his friends would put on!
With his Mother Andrea and Grandma Pauline, Rick learned the art and love of cooking. Rick especially loved cooking during the holidays when many family and friends were gathered together to enjoy the Greek Spaghetti and other delicious foods he would make. Rick always felt that there was no such thing as too many people or too much food during these get-togethers.
Andrea also taught Rick to have great compassion, respect, and love for all animals.
When Rick wasn’t building or blowing something up or cooking, he spent his time fishing with his overly protective German Shepard, Frieda or dirt biking with his friends.
Later in life, Rick passed on all of these loves to his children, Allie and Mike. Allie and Mike, have embraced the lessons taught to them by their Dad and will continue the tradition of passing them on for many generations to come.
Rick’s infectious laugh, fun loving nature, great sense of humor, friendship and love will always be fondly remembered and greatly missed.
Born: December 22, 1964 in Minneapolis, MN
Passed Away: August 7, 2019 in Farmington, MN
Preceded in Death by:
Mother: Andrea Wilkowske
Grandparents: Hank and Martha Wilkowske
Richard and Pauline Foster
Survived by:
Wife: Doreen Wilkowske
Children: Alexandra and Michael Wilkowske
Father: Terance (Debra) Wilkowske
Brother: Tom Wilkowske
Also by many other loving family and friends
Memorial Service was held 3 PM Friday, August 23, 2019 at White Funeral Home, 901 3rd St., Farmington, MN. Gathering of family and friends one hour prior to service.
Delora Kanne
Mother of Korrinne
Delora Kanne died peacefully at the age of 97 at The Emeralds of Faribault on November 21, 2019.
Funeral Service will be 10:30 AM on Saturday, December 14, 2019 at Starkson & Steffel Funeral & Cremation Service ~ McRaith Chapel of Waseca. Interment will be in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Blooming Grove Township.
Visitation will be from 4-7 PM on Friday, December 13, 2019 at Starkson & Steffel ~ McRaith Chapel in Waseca and continue for one hour prior to the service on Saturday.
Delora’s family requests that those attending the funeral wear her favorite color, purple.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Mankato Symphony Orchestra’s Kevin Kanne Young Artist Scholarship.
Delora Helen (Beese) Kanne was born on September 7th, 1922 at her family homestead in Deerfield Township to Herbert and Ella Beese. She was the youngest of three children, Donald, Dorothy and Delora. Using a weekly correspondence piano course, Delora taught herself how to play the piano her dad bought with egg money. From then on, she played for weddings and funerals and was a church organist for over 60 years. Delora graduated from Medford High School in 1940. She met Kennard Kanne through youth fellowship at Blooming Grove Immanuel, the church with two steeples. They took the train to Chicago and were married on October 16th,1943 by Kennard’s cousin Reverend Cecil Johnson. Delora and Kennard lived across from Trowbridge Park in Waseca for over 50 years, where they raised four children, Karen, Korrinne, Kevin, and Kendra, and hosted the annual Fourth of July Picnic. Delora was an avid reader, letter writer, concert goer, cookie baker, and traveller. She walked 3 miles a day, played pinochle and pfeffer, and loved Scrabble. She was a hard worker who never spent the day in her pajamas. She worked at Taylor’s General Store in Morristown as a teenager, Coast to Coast in her 40s, and most memorably at Charlie’s Hardware until she was 80 years old. Even after she left the hardware store, she still had dreams about it.
Delora is survived by daughters Korrinne Kanne and Kendra Kahnke; daughter-in-law Vicki Kanne; son-in-law Bob Kolas; sister-in-law Eunice Gasner; Grandchildren Brent, Roy, Craig (Libby), and Sam (Emily) Kahnke; Kathleen and Kenneth Kanne; Great-grandchildren Ian and Camryn Kahnke and countless cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Preceded in death by husband Kennard Kanne, son Kevin Kanne, and daughter Karen Kolas.
Richard (Dique) L. Edwards
Partner of Roy Osmundson
Born February 16, 1935 in Spring Valley, IL. Died peacefully at home November 16, 2019, Savage, MN. After a long struggle with lung cancer.
Dique was transferred to Minneapolis, MN in 1967 by Glemby International to manage the Dayton Hudson Beauty Salons. Previously he was divisional director for Glemby Salons in Los Angeles, CA, St. Louis, MO, Dallas, TX, Chicago, IL and Syracuse, NY.
After his retirement, Dique was a Blackjack Dealer at Mystic Lake, Shakopee, MN and later a Sales Representative for Godiva Chocolatier at Southdale Mall, Edina, MN
Dique was preceded in death by mother (Frances), father (Sylvester) and sister (Judith). Dique is survived by nieces Debra and Diane (of Spring Valley, IL) several nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles and lifetime partner Roy Osmundson of Savage, MN
Dique was buried at the foot of his mother’s grave in Illinois.
Memorials may be sent to Frauenshuh Cancer Treatment Center- Park Nicollet, Methodist Hospital, St Louis Park, MN
James Hunt
Husband of Nadine
At the age of 85, James E. Hunt died on 21 September 2019 in Fort Collins, Colorado. “Jim” was born on 6 December 1933, the son of Margaret (Sweeney) and Charles Edward Hunt in Bloomington, Illinois. He attended school at Trinity High School in Bloomington, St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana, as well as both Illinois State University and the University of Illinois, graduating with degrees in Latin and education. In addition, he was trained to interrogate Russian prisoners of war in the U.S. Army, spending a long, cold year on St. Lawrence Island off the coast of Siberia.
For 35 years he taught high school Latin, Russian, and history, first in suburban Chicago and then for 32 years in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. After his retirement he continued to pursue his love of languages by returning to college to study ancient Greek with the goal of being able to read the New Testament in its original language.
Jim is survived by his wife of fifty years Nadine (Wiechmann) Hunt; a daughter Rebecca (Jared) Orsi of Fort Collins; a son Matthew (Michelle Albers) Hunt of Michigan; grandchildren Rain and CJ Orsi; a sister Margaret Anderson of Normal, Illinois; as well as by nieces and nephews. His parents, two sisters, a niece and two nephews preceded him in death.
A funeral mass for Jim will be at noon on Thursday, September 26, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 5450 South LeMay in Fort Collins, preceded by visitation at the church at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers contributions are suggested to one of the following: the building fund of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton; the Father Don Willette Professor of Theological Studies program at Colorado State University (https://www.libarts.colostate.edu/willette/); or to the publisher of Jim’s favorite magazine: Commonweal Foundation, 475 Riverside Drive, Room 405, New York NY 10115 (https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/)
KENNETH LYLE MILLER, age 73 of Waseca died on Saturday, September 7, 2019 at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato.
Born on January 28, 1946 in Waseca, Minnesota, he was the son of George and Helen (Busek) Miller. He attended rural Waseca County school. He worked for various farmers and hauled milk for Medford Creamery. He also worked at Herter’s in the archery department making bows. Kenneth married Roxie Ann Raatz on June 27, 1969 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Waseca. He farmed for a number of years, worked at Birds Eye, and also at Waseca Ink until retiring in 2005. Kenneth raised Arabian horses and enjoyed hunting including coon, deer, turkey, fox, and coyote. He also enjoyed fishing, trapping, gardening, collecting firearms, and sausage making. Kenneth also enjoyed time spent with his grandchildren. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Waseca, National Wild Turkey Federation and the NRA.
He is survived by his wife, Roxie; children, Dawn Dickie, Kenneth M. Miller, John (Heather) Miller, Chad (Amanda) Miller, and Travis Miller all of Waseca; seven grandchildren, Bridgett, Alex, Riley, Kenneth William, McKenna, Jesse, and Jase; and two great grandchildren, Parker and Avaya. He is also survived by one brother, Robert (Jean) Miller of Waseca; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; nine siblings, four brothers-in-law, and one sister-in-law.
Visitation will be held at Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services in Waseca on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 from 4-7 PM and continue on Wednesday, one hour before services at the church.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at 11:00 AM at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Waseca. Burial will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca.
Douglas Lutgens (Class of 1970)
Brother of Donna Lutgens
Douglas Charles Lutgens was born on April 10, 1951 in Waseca, Minnesota to Albert and Wilma (Evans) Lutgens. He attended Waseca High School, graduating with the class of 1970.
On July 15, 1978 Douglas was united in marriage to Kim Mullenbach at St. Augustine’s Church in Austin, Minnesota. Their marriage was blessed with two children: Shelly and Darrin. Doug was employed at Brown Printing in Waseca. In 1999, Douglas and his family made their home in Baxter, Minnesota where Doug was employed at Bang Printing. Doug retired in 2013. Douglas enjoyed duck and pheasant hunting, fishing and gardening, especially his potatoes.
At the age of 68, Doug entered eternal rest on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 at his home in Baxter, surrounded by his loving family and the care of Heartland Hospice. Preceding him in death were his parents: Albert and Wilma; and his granddaughter: Shyanne.
Doug is survived by his wife: Kim; children: Shelly (Chris) Jacobs and Darrin (Meghan) Lutgens; grandchildren: Khloe; Alissa; Cody; Caleb; Gendtry; Kennedy; and Delaney; sisters: Debbie (Bob) Grant; and Donna Hansen; brothers: Larry (Ili) Lutgens; and Jack Lutgens; many other relatives and a host of friends.
Brother of Karen O'Malley Callahan and Sharon O'Malley Adams
Micheal (Mike) Charles O’Malley, age 67, of Elysian, MN (formerly of Le Center) died Wednesday, April 24 2019, peacefully at his home. Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2019 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Le Center Funeral Home in Le Center, with a prayer service at 2:30 p.m. Memorial service, with Military Honors, will be held on Sunday, April 28, 2019 at noon at the Le Center American Legion Post 108, Le Center, MN. Interment will be held at Greenwood Union Cemetery in Le Center, with fellowship to follow at the Le Center American Legion Post 108. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Rochester Ronald McDonald House or Andreas Cancer Center in Mankato.
Mike was born on April 7, 1952 in Waseca to Russell Francis and Betty Lou (Bartelt) O’Malley. Mike graduated from McKinley High School in Le Center in 1970. He served in the United States Army from 1972 to 1974. He attended Mankato Vo-Tech and Central Arizona College. Mike married the love of his life, Mary Jo Sinclair, on January 27, 1973 at the Methodist Church in Le Center. Mike worked for Mathiowetz Construction based out of Sleepy Eye, MN.
Mike enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was proud to be an original member of the Mille Lacs Lake Lunkers and the 7 Mile Yacht Club. He enjoyed watching birds and spending time with his family, grandchildren and close friends.
Mike is survived by his wife, Mary Jo O’Malley of Elysian; children, Mike (Kelly) O’Malley of Le Center, Kelly Jo (Eric) Closser of Le Center, Sara O’Malley (Adam Nelson) of Le Center, Shawn O’Malley (Eric Erickson) of Le Center. Grandchildren, Daniel, Megan, Dawson, Molly, Brenna, Nolan, Ruthie and Maggie; siblings Colleen (Paul) Fay of St. Peter, Patricia Boettcher (the late Denis Boettcher) of Le Center, Sharon Adams of Eagan, and Karen Callahan of Eden Prairie.
Mike is preceded in death by his parents, Father-in-law Daniel Sinclair, Brother-in-law Denis Boettcher, and many great friends.
Arrangements are with the Le Center Funeral Home in Le Center. 507-357-6116. On-line condolences may be left at www.lecenterfuneralhome.com.
James W Behsman (Class of 1962)
Brother of John Behsman
Sierra Vista—James "Big Jim" William Behsman, age 75, died at Cherry Creek Nursing Center in Aurora, Colorado, on Friday April 19, 2019.
Born February 20, 1944, to Paul and Eileen Behsman (Yess) in Minnesota, he lived in Sierra Vista, Arizona since 1975. He retired as a craftsman from Sierra Vista Public Schools in 2004 after 25 years, enjoying traveling, fishing, hunting, gardening and cooking with family and friends.
Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Jane Behsman (Berg) of Sierra Vista, Arizona, daughter Shelly (Basil) Lemon, granddaughter Brytany Wynne (Lemon), grandson Adam Lemon, great-granddaughter Adrianys Wynne, and siblings Mary Ann Mundt (Behsman), Donald Behsman, and John (Joan) Behsman. He was preceded in death by his parents Paul and Eileen Behsman.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday June 8, 2019, at Sierra Evangelical Lutheran Church, 101 N. Lenzner Ave., Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the medical research charity of your choice.
Randy C Allen
Brother of Dennis Allen
Randy Charles Allen of Circle Pines, passed away January 20th, 2019.
Randy was born to Charles Edward and Delores (Egan) Allen on August 26th, 1954. He was the fourth of six children. He graduated from Janesville High School in 1972. Enlisting in the United States Army. Serving in Korea. He married Kathy Bartelt and later divorced, he married Jill Anderson in 1988 and they later divorced.
Randy held many jobs in his life, working in Mankato as a counselor, as a roadie for various bands in the area. He had worked at various jobs in the Waseca area and at McNeilus in Dodge Center and most recently at nVent-Hoffman companies in Anoka.
Randy is survived by his brothers Donnie (Sharon) Allen, Michael (Maureen Green) and sisters Debbie (Bruce) Tappe and Darla (Tim) Dahnert. Daughter Jenny Dulas and many nieces and nephews. He was proceeded in death by his parents, brother Dennis and nephew Eric, and grandparents.
Randy was an animal lover, quick to make friends with people and had a great sense of humor. He was also a lost soul, hoping that he finds eternal peace.
Richard Wade Kamrath
Brother of Myron Kamrath
Richard Wade Kamrath, 76, of Owatonna, died Saturday, December 22, 2018 at Koda Living Community.
He was born February 24, 1942 in Florence, Minnesota the son of Harold and Ruth (Powers) Kamrath. Richard graduated from Waseca High School in 1961. Wade worked as a hired hand for the Frederick family farm in Waseca County for many years. Later Wade worked as a mechanic for Curts Truck and Diesel in Owatonna. He enjoyed fixing things, bike rides, traveling, painting and puzzles.
He is survived by his siblings; Clarisse “Chris” (Ludwig) Fretham, Leon (Mabel) Kamrath, Myron (Brenda) Kamrath, Harold Jr. Kamrath; sister-in-law, LeDene Kamrath; 9 nieces and nephews, Betty, LeAnn, Lisa, Laurel, Becky, Brian, Michael, Beth and Kari; 3 great nephews, Lewie, Barrett and Finley.
He was preceded in death by father, Harold and Ruth Kamrath; brothers, Dale Kamrath, Dean Kamrath; sister, Karla Schroeder.
Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home on Friday from 10:00-11:00 am. Funeral services will be held December 28, 2018 at 11:00am at Michaelson Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Owatonna Memorial Gardens in Owatonna. In Lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Koda Living Center
Jason C. Manke
Son of Craig Manke
Fort Collins - "I'm Jason. Nice to meet you. I'm a soloist emini trader learning the craft and navigating the mountains and canyons of this world with my wife and three children."
Jason C. Manke passed away November 23, 2018 at the age of 38 after a 10 year battle with brain cancer. He was born July 15, 1980 in Fort Collins, Colorado to Craig and Susan Manke.
Jason graduated from Rocky Mountain High School in 1999 and Colorado State University in 2003 where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resources. He worked as membership director for the American Alpine Club and later was media director at Community Shares in Denver. He was a strong supporter of the non-profit sector and philanthropic investment. In 2006 he married Rebecca George in Fort Collins and they have resided here since. The couple was blessed with a son, Jude, in 2010 and twin boys, Caden and Quinn, in 2013.
Jason had many varied interests. He was an alpinist, a mixed use ice and rock climber, and a photographer. North Carolina college basketball was a favorite passion.TAR! HEELS! He loved to trade and study the financial markets and focused mainly on Emini contracts. Jason enjoyed music of all genres but especially loved The Beatles.
He is survived by his wife, Rebecca, of Fort Collins, Colorado; his mother Susan, father Craig, brother Cole, and sons Jude, Caden and Quinn; mini-dachshunds Sgt. Pepper & Penny Lane, all of Fort Collins. He was preceded in death by a brother, Tyler, and grandparents Orton and Dorothy Manke, and Robert Paulsen.
"Find me in the high peaks with the sun on my face."
Published in The Coloradoan from Nov. 28 to Dec. 2, 2018
Everett W Madson
Brother of Linda Madson Enger (5th Grade Classmate)
Brother-in-Law of Myron Kamrath
Everett W. Madson, age 77 of Owatonna, MN and formerly of Medford, MN, passed away on Monday, November 19, 2018 at the Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis following an extended illness.
Memorial service will be held on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory, 1725 Lyndale Ave. N., Faribault, with Pastor Greg Ciesluk officiating. Interment will be held at the Meadow Ridge Memorial Park in Faribault.
Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home on Tuesday from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Everett William, the son of Arnold and Elsie (Barton) Madson, was born on May 24, 1941 in Albert Lea, MN. He attended school in Morristown and Waseca. Everett worked at Herter’s in Waseca for a short time and then worked for 17 years at Nutting Truck & Caster in Faribault and later delivered prescriptions for pharmacies in Owatonna for 18 years. Everett was an avid Minnesota sports team fan and especially enjoyed cheering for the Vikings. In his younger years he played in different softball leagues and over his whole life he enjoyed collecting eagles.
He is survived by his seven siblings, Jim (Irene) Madson of Waseca, MN, Darlene Steinberg of Faribault, MN, Maynard (JoAnne) Madson of St. Peter, MN, Linda (Paul) Enger of Owatonna, MN, Larry (Marian) Madson of Mankato, MN, Carol (Tom) Ericson of Farmington, MN and Brenda (Myron) Kamrath of Faribault, MN and by many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Randy and Richard Madson and by his sister, Delores Steinke.
Dorothy A (Kreuger) Felske
Sister of James Kreuger
Dorothy Anna 'Dorts' Felske 1929–2018 Waseca—Dorothy Anna 'Dorts' Felske, age 89 of Waseca went to her heavenly home Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at Lake Shore Inn Nursing Home.
Born April 24, 1929 in Austin, MN, she was the daughter of Herman and Anna (Kuhl) Kreuger (Labes Germany). Dorothy attended school in Austin, MN and later Janesville, MN. She was employed at Birds Eye, Waseca Hospital, Jostens, Owatonna and IBM, Colorado Springs, CO.
Dorothy was united in marriage to Edgar Felske November 30, 1951, where they farmed near Janesville before moving to Waseca, and then Colorado. A loving mother who cared for her family, she enjoyed crocheting, beading, gardening, fishing, and music. She was also an avid Vikings fan. While at Lake Shore Nursing Home, Dorothy made beaded necklaces for all the residents and enjoyed making craft items to decorate the resident's doors.
Dorothy is survived by her husband, Edgar of Janesville; children Carol (Blaine) Brooks of Waseca, Deborah (Charles) Scott of Falcon Heights, Betty (Tom) McShane of New Richland, Joyce (Leland) Schultz of Owatonna, Donald (Cathy Mahrholz) Felske of Florrisant, CO, and Allan (Sherrie) Felske of Rochester; 17 grandchildren; and 26 great grandchildren.
She is also survived by one brother, James Kreuger of Big Lake; sister in law Darlette (Leslie) Strand of Waseca and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Walltrout Jobe, Hildegarde Tesch, and Lillian Hoffman; two brothers, Herman Kreuger and Alfred Kreuger. Dorothy was a very giving person and will be sorely missed by her family. Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 21, 2018 at 11:00 AM at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Waseca.
Visitation will be held one hour before the service at church. Burial will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca. Arrangements are being handled by Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services.
Cheryl A (Burke) Bartosch
Sister-in-Law of Richard Bartosch
Cheryl A. Bartosch 1952–2018 Medford—Cheryl Ann (Burke) Bartosch 65, of rural Medford, passed away at Methodist Hospital in Rochester, MN on Sunday, May 20, 2018.
A memorial visitation will be from 9am – 11am followed by the funeral service at 11:30am at Trinity Lutheran Church in Medford on Saturday, June 2nd. Arrangements are being completed by the of Medford Funeral Home.
On October 31, 1952, Cheryl was born to LeRoy And Mary Ann (Jandro) Burke at District One in Faribault. She grew up in rural Faribault and spent her childhood playing with her sister and brothers, tending to the cows, pigs and sheep and chopping down sunflowers in the fields. While attending Faribault High School, she worked at a diner called The Chicken Coop. She graduated in 1970 and soon met Gary, the man should would marry in September of 1973. They were married for 45 years this fall. The following September, their first son, Todd, was born. A few years later, their second son, Jeff, was born.
Cheryl was a hard worker who, known to most, kept a very tidy home, enjoyed going to her sons' wrestling matches and football games. Throughout her career, she worked in retail and was most recently a medical billing specialist for Mayo Clinic in Owatonna. She also was one of the founding members of the family's business, G&J Transport. She loved to garden and grow many beautiful flowers, traveling in the semi with Gary and mostly, just spending time with her family whom she loved unconditionally. Her outstanding love for her dogs, Bailey, Peanut and Gizmo was very evident to her friends and family and will someday be reunited with her in Heaven.
Cheryl is survived by her two sons, Todd, of Medford, MN and Jeff (Elizabeth) of Waseca, MN. Her sister, Barbara (Craig) Ennis, brothers Gene (Gail) Burke and JP Burke, all of Faribault, MN. Her grandchildren, Derek, Dillon, Aysha, Andrew and Olivia Bartosch, nieces Jenny (John) Ryan, Ellie (Thomas Jr.) Katra, Amber Burke, Dustin (Yvonne) Burke, Ashley Burke, Ariel (Brandon) Wroe, Mark (Jenny) Bartosch, Michael (Melissa) Bartosch and Phillip Ingvaldson. Great nieces, Megan Ryan, Katlyn Katra and Vanessa Bartosch, great nephews, Andrew, Thomas and James Katra, Zachary and Myles Bartosch and many, many other family and lifelong friends who will miss her tremendously. Cheryl was preceded in death by her husband, Gary, her Mother and Father, brother James Burke, her Mother and Father-in law, Sister-in-law Nancy Bartosch, Daughter-in-law Margie (Brown) Bartosch and great nephew Matthew Bartosch.
Gordon Dumdei
Father of Darla Dumdei Hansen
Gordon Dumdei, 96 year old resident of Blue Earth and formerly of both Waseca and Janesville died peacefully Friday morning, April 13, 2018 at United Hospital District in Blue Earth.
Funeral Service will be 12:00 noon on Thursday, April 19th at Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville with Rev. Larry Griffin and Rev. Paul Muther officiating. Interment will be in Smiths Mill Cemetery. Visitation will be for two hours prior to the service at the church. Memorials are preferred to donor’s choice.
Gordon Dumdei was born August 26, 1921 in McPherson Township, Blue Earth County, Minnesota, to Frank and Augusta (Sievert) Dumdei. He was baptized September 18, 1921, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville by Pastor Martin Winter. He renewed his baptismal vows through confirmation on April 14, 1935, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville by Pastor Otto Krause.
He married LaJune Ziemke on February 19, 1944, at Trinity Lutheran Church of Smiths Mill by Rev. Netzke. Gordon and his wife farmed the family farm. In 1946, he started working at Sieverts Jewelry Store in Waseca. In 1956, Frank Stewart and Gordon bought Sieverts Jewelry Store. After retiring in 1982, Gordon and June moved to West Twin Lake, north of Brainerd. Together they shared 43 years of marriage before June died on September 2, 1987. They had three children: Darla Hansen, Donna (Marlin) Krupp and Gary Dumdei, three grandchildren: Joel (Katie) Hansen, Daun Rae (Jim) Egli and Kimber (Ben) Austin; three great grandchildren: Jace and Jodin Hansen and Ayden Austin.
On September 17, 1988, Gordon married Ella Stubbs, who had three children – Wayne Stubbs, Neal (Deborah) Stubbs and Chery (Harold) Lovell. Her children live in Florida where Ella and Gordon spent six months of the year while spending the other six months in Janesville. Ella passed away on July 25, 2015. Gordon was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville. His hobbies included golf, fishing, hunting and landscaping. He truly enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Blessed be his memory.
Gordon was survived by his children: Darla Hansen, Donna (Marlin) Krupp; three step-children, Neal (Deborah) Stubbs, Wayne Stubbs & Cheryl (Harold) Lovell, three grandchildren: Joel (Katie) Hansen, Daun Rae (Jim) Egli and Kimber (Ben) Austin; three great grandchildren: Jace and Jodin Hansen and Ayden Austin; siblings: Marvin Dumdei and Ruth Locke; nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his first wife June Dumdei, his second wife Ella Stubbs Dumdei; son, Gary Dumdei; brothers: Eugene and Everett Dumdei; and many other loved ones and friends.
Lorna McColley Larson
Sister of Cliff McColley
LORNA MARGARET LARSON, age 87 of Waseca died on Monday, April 9, 2018 at her home.
Born on October 21, 1930 in Waseca, Minnesota, she was the daughter of Grant and Freda (Haushahn) McColley. Lorna married Roger Larson on June 15, 1951 at her parents’ home in Waseca. Lorna worked as a teacher in area country schools and later worked at Birdseye Division of General Foods and Brown Printing in Waseca. She also provided childcare in her home for many years. Those families became extended family to Lorna and Roger. She was ‘Grandma’ to all, with loving connections to the end of her life.
Lorna enjoyed knitting and crocheting, sewing, reading and spending time with her family. She was a long-time member of the Evangelical United Methodist Church where she had been active in the church. She had also been active with 4-H, especially the dog program.
Lorna is survived by her husband, Roger of Waseca; children, Scott Larson of Waseca, Lorri Larson (Jerry Bruce) of Blue Earth, Sheri (Don) Koski of Bellevue, NE, Marie (Norm) Mehls of Bigelow, and Kerri (Todd) Kennedy of Waseca; grandchildren, Leanna (Ray) Hyatt, Emily (Ankit) Deshar, Alecia Koski, Bailey Koski, Cody Livingston, Dylan Livingston, Alysha Kennedy, and Nick Kennedy; and great grandchildren, Presley Deshar and Miles Hyatt. Lorna is also survived by siblings, Duane (Barb) McColley of Owatonna, Judy (Jim) Harlicker of Owatonna, and Cliff (Linda) McColley of Kentucky; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; granddaughter, Ashley Ellison-Kennedy; daughter-in-law, Tina Larson; and brothers, Harry, Dale, Marlin, Lyle, Lenard, and David McColley.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at 2:00 PM at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Waseca with Rev. Cary Larson officiating. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 12:00 PM until the time of services at the church. Burial will follow at Woodville Cemetery.
Karen Kanne Kolas
Sister of Korrinne Kanne
Karen K. Kolas, age 73 of Minneapolis and formerly of Waseca, died peacefully on Saturday afternoon, March 24, 2018.
Karen Kay, the daughter of Kennard and Delora (Beese) Kanne, was born on July 21, 1944, in Morristown. Karen attended Waseca Central High School and graduated with the class of 1962. She then continued her education at the University of Minnesota where she studied English, Music, and Art, before graduating in 1969. On March 4, 1978, she was united in marriage to Robert B. Kolas at St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church. They’ve spent forty wonderful years together in the same home in Minneapolis. Karen briefly worked for various companies before spending twenty-eight years at Dayton’s and Marshall Fields as an operations clerk. She enjoyed painting with water colors, gardening, and was a fabulous cook.
She was preceded in death by her father, Kennard K. Kanne; brother-in-law, David Kahnke; and by her brother, Kevin Kanne.
Karen is survived by her husband of forty years, Robert; mother, Delora Kanne; sisters Korrinne Kanne and Kendra Kahnke; sister-in-law, Vicki Kanne; and by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Private family graveside will be held in the Spring. Memorial services will be held in August, with details to be announced at a later date.
Karla Kamrath Schroeder
Sister of Myron Kamrath
KARLA MARIE SCHROEDER, age 68 of Waseca died on Monday, February 26, 2018 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato.
Born in Mankato on March 3, 1949, Karla was the daughter of Harold and Ruth (Powers) Kamrath. After graduating from high school in Keister, Karla worked as a machinist for the E.F. Johnson Company in Waseca for 27 years. Karla married Arleigh Schroeder on October 3, 1981 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Meriden. She enjoyed reading and playing cards, and was known to be an incredibly kind, generous, and helpful person. She was a long-time member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Meriden and she enjoyed being active in church events.
Karla is survived by five siblings, Clarisse “Chris” (Ludwig) Fretham of Waseca, Leon (Mabel) Kamrath of Owatonna, Richard “Wade” Kamrath of Owatonna, Myron (Brenda) Kamrath of Faribault, and Harold (LeDene) Kamrath, Jr. of Albert Lea; nine nieces and nephews, Betty, LeAnn, Lisa, Laura, Becky, Brian, Michael, Beth, and Kari and their families; and many friends. She was preceded in death by both of her parents; her husband; her daughter, Jessica Schroeder; one brother, Dale Kamrath; and both of her parents-in-law.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM on Thursday, March 1, 2018 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Meriden, with Rev. Cheryl Indehar officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:00AM until the time of the service at the church. Interment will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca.
Marvin Metzler
Brother of Karen Metzler Meister
Marvin "Marv" Metzler, age 79, of Mankato, died on Friday, February 23, 2018. Funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 1 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in North Mankato. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Northview-North Mankato Mortuary (2060 Commerce Drive) and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Pilgrim's Rest Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mayo Clinic Hospice, Mankato, or the donor's choice.
Marvin was born on April 15, 1938 in Waseca to Martin and Sybil (Herrley) Metzler. He attended High School in Waldorf. Marv served in the United States Army from 1961-1963. On May 3, 1964, Marv was united in marriage to Judy King in St. Clair. He worked for the State of Minnesota for 35 years. Marv worked for 17 ½ years for the DOT in Mankato and 17 ½ years for Mankato State University, before retiring in 1998.
Marv was a member of the Eagle Lake American Legion Post #617 for 39 years where he served as past commander. He formed the Eagle Lake Legion baseball team and managed it for 27 years. He also served on many boards and was very active in the legion's bingo program. Marv was an active member of St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church and served on several boards. After retirement, Marv enjoyed spending a lot of time at his lake home on Lake Ida in Alexandria. He loved fishing, hunting, and watching all of the University of Minnesota Gopher sports and Minnesota Vikings. He was a big supporter of his children and grandchildren and following their activities.
Marv is survived by his wife of 53 years, Judy of Mankato; son, Darryl and his fiancé Kathy Goettl of Eagle Lake and his children, Kate (Tim) Phillips of Mankato and Matthew Metzler of Eagle Lake; daughter, Paula Metzler of Mankato; daughter-in-law, Jana Metzler of Mankato; siblings, Melvin Metzler of CO, Karen (Jerry) Meister of Waseca, and Sandy (Gene) Matz of Waseca; sister-in-law, Gloria (Harold) Linde of Mankato; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, David; sister, Barb (Carroll) Schlueter; father and mother-in-law, Walter and Helen King; and nephew, Thomas Linde.
Lorraine Erwin
Mother of Pat Erwin
Lorraine Erwin, 95 year old resident of Mankato, formerly of Waseca, died peacefully on Monday morning, January 15, 2018, at Laurels Peak Rehabilitation Center in Mankato. Reviewal will be on Friday, January 19, 2018 from 4-6 pm with a rosary service beginning at 6 pm all at Starkson & Steffel Funeral & Cremation Service ~ McRaith Chapel (711 North State Street, Waseca, MN 56093). Reviewal will continue for one hour prior to the Mass at church on Saturday. Mass of Christian Burial will be 1 pm on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at Church of the Sacred Heart (111 4th St. NW, Waseca, MN 56093). Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to Waseca Area Senior Center, Sacred Heart Church, Waseca American Legion or Waseca VFW.
Lorraine was born on March 31, 1922 in her family's home in Stearns County, Minnesota to Harold and Luella (Bendickson) Skaalerud. Lorraine learned at an early age that she had a gift for baking and cooking, a gift that would serve her well throughout her life. The Skaalerud kids were all very hard workers. As the oldest of eleven, Lorraine was always helping care for her younger siblings. After high school she moved to Minneapolis and worked as a nanny for an attorney and his family. Even after moving away from home Lorraine remained very close to her family especially her sister, Alice. When Alice moved to Minneapolis the sisters maintained a standing weekly movie date with each other on their one half-day off every week. Lorraine always loved to dance, so it was only fitting that she met her future husband at a dance hall in Southeast Minneapolis in 1942.
She married Donald Patrick Erwin (b.1917) on April 21, 1943 in Hollister, California where he was stationed in the Navy. The couple moved back to Waseca after Don finished electrician school a couple of years later. They built their home across from Clear Lake Park in 1953. There they raised 6 children and many foster children. Indeed, a lot of friends and family passed through the doors on 8th Avenue NE over the years. After years of caring for children in her home, Lorraine began to share her talents in the kitchen by starting a private catering business, and later in the kitchen at the Southern School of Agriculture (University of Minnesota, Waseca).
In 1973 Lorraine lost her husband to a heart-attack. With 5 of her 6 children still at home she continued maintaining her home while working full-time at UMW. She retired from the University in 1990. In her retirement she enjoyed traveling, spending time with family, playing Bingo with friends, going to the casino, dancing, cocktails, cooking for her friends and family, and wintering in Maui where her youngest son lived for many years. Lorraine not only loved to entertain, she was great at it! It was quite common to see her sending home leftovers and good memories with each well-fed guest.
Lorraine leaves behind a legacy of 6 children: Patrick Erwin, Donna (James) Loken, David (Cynthia) Erwin, Nancy (Kimber) Prehn, Barbara (Duane) Perkins, Stephen (Amy) Erwin; 16 grandchildren; 8 step-grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren; Lorraine is also survived by two sisters: Alice (Howard) Akensen, Caren (Clarence) Carlson; one brother, James (Chick) Skaalerud; as well as sisters-in-law: Susan Skaalerud, Judy Skaalerud, Dorothy Skaalerud; brother-in-law, Tom Greenwood; many nieces and nephews whom remember her fondly.
Lorraine was preceded in death and welcomed to heaven by her parents, Luella and Harold Skaalerud; her husband Donald P. Erwin; one granddaughter, Laysha Lorraine Erwin; daughter-in-law; Diane Erwin, four sisters: Ione (Ollie) Olson, Barbara Phelps, Julie Skaalerud, and Tudi Greenwood; three brothers: Jerome, David, Gary; nephew, James Skaalerud Jr.; nieces: Judith Miller, Carol Sorenson; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Sherman and Dorothy Erwin, Francis and Harriet Miller, Stanley and Ruth Sorenson.
The family would like to thank the staff at both Laurel's Peak in Mankato, Colony Court in Waseca and St. Croix Hospice for their loving care and support these past five years.
Rodney Spooner
Son of Betty Wick Spooner Fuhs
Funeral services for Rodney J. Spooner will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, January 6, 2017 at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Following the service, the body will be cremated.
Rodney passed away of natural causes at his home on Saturday, December 30, 2017 in Albert Lea. He was 51 years old. Rodney Joseph Spooner was born on October 13, 1966 to David and Elizabeth (Wick) Spooner in Albert Lea, MN. He grew up in Hartland, and would graduate from New Richland-Hartland High School in 1985. Rodney enlisted and served for his country in the Minnesota National Guard for three years. On February 16, 1991 he was united in marriage to Tammi (Kreun) in Hartland. The couple would later divorce. Rodney began working at a young age for Hi Yield in Hartland. He would go on to own his own trucking company, Spooner Trucking. He would also work for EPCO as a regional manager, and most recently, drove truck for Waterford Oil out of Northfield.
Rodney was always working, and enjoyed the work he did. When Rodney wasn't working, he enjoyed snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, and was an avid Minnesota Vikings Fan, often saying he bled Purple and Gold.
He loved his grandchildren, and would always look forward to spending time with them. Rodney was a person with high morals. He would always treat you with respect. He was the most selfless person that there was, he would give the shirt off his back to help somebody else before he would think about helping himself.
Rodney is preceded in death by both parents; Dave Spooner and Betty Fuhs; and his granddaughter, Tanlyn Spooner. He is survived by his children, Aubrey Donlea, Taylor Spooner, Trevor Spooner, and Tanner Spooner; grandchildren, Gannon Donlea and Oakley Spooner; siblings, LeAnn (Jim) Brown, Jason (Jessica) Spooner; a step-father, Dave Fuhs; nieces and nephews, Josh (Christine) Goskesen, Timothy Goskesen, Joseph Goskesen, Chaz Mithun, Brittany Boyd, Aaron Goskesen, and Chloe Spooner; along with many other relatives and friends.
Eric Keehn
Son of Mary Ann Winkler Keehn
(Nephew of Berni Winkler Wabner)
Eric Wayne Keehn passed away on November 26, 2017 and is now with his beloved and sorely missed dog Brandy. Eric was born on June 23, 1968 in Rochester, Minnesota.
Beloved son of Don and Mary Ann (Winkler) Keehn, loving brother of Sarah McAleer and Shawn Keehn; cherished uncle of Brady and Charlie McAleer and Laila Keehn.
Eric graduated from Woodland Park High School in 1986. Shortly after graduating Eric joined the Navy where he learned how to be a Machinist aboard the USS Jason. After getting out of the Navy, Eric had a successful career as a Machinist at Tube Bending Concepts where he was instrumental in growing this small business. Eric had decided that he needed a change in his life and had spent the last couple of years working at Teller County Road division where he enjoyed learning lots of new things and really enjoyed the people that he worked with. He was very excited that the County had ordered a new truck and he was in hopes that it would be his to drive.
Eric really enjoyed riding his dirt bike and I am sure that there isn’t anyone in Teller county that knows all the trails like he did. If only he could keep his friends from running him into trees or landing on him, his dirt bike truly made him happy.
Being a great Uncle was something he took a lot of pride in and was always there to help.
Eric's Service will be at the Little Chapel in Divide, CO on Monday, December 4, 2017. Family will receive friends between 3:00pm and 4:00pm, with the service beginning at 4:00 pm concluding with military honors.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Eric's name to TCRAS as he really loved dogs. http://www.tcrascolorado.org/
Edna Marie Wells
Mother of Rose Mary Wells
EDNA MARIE WELLS, age 94 of Waseca died on Monday, November 27, 2017 at her home.
Born on October 5, 1923 in Deepwater, Missouri, she was the daughter of Leslie and Edna (York) Henry. She graduated from Osceola High School in Osceola, MO. Marie married Leland Wells on November 2, 1940 in Osceola. They moved to Waseca in 1949 where she worked at the E.F. Johnson Co. for several years and then managed the Minneapolis Star Tribune in Waseca until it closed. She also cared for her mother until she passed away. Marie was an active member of the Evangelical United Methodist Church in Waseca until its closing. She then joined Faith United Methodist Church. Marie also enjoyed quilting with the ladies at St. Paul Lutheran Church. She also enjoyed crocheting, quilting, and reading her bible. Marie tried to be a friend to all.
She is survived by one son, Leslie Wells of Waseca; two grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and two daughters, Rose Mary Mallicoat Murphy and Beulah Marie Rodney.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 1, 2017 at 2:00 PM at Faith United Methodist Church in Waseca. Burial will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca. Visitation will be held on Friday, one hour before services at the church.
Gary Bartosch
Brother of Richard Bartosch
Gary Lee Bartosch, 67, of rural Medford, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, October 13.
On September 17, 1950, he was born to Arlen and Harriet (Bilben) Bartosch at the Waseca Memorial Hospital. He lived in rural Deerfield Township from early on and spent most of his childhood on the farm, milking cows, riding horse and driving tractors with his two brothers. Gary graduated from Medford High School in 1969. Soon after graduation, he met the love of his life, Cheryl (Burke). Gary and Cheryl were united in marriage in September of 1973 and just recently celebrated 44 years of marriage. The following September, they welcomed their first son, Todd, and a few years later, their second son, Jeffrey, was born.
Gary was a hard worker for all his life and took great pride in all he did. In earlier years, he worked at McQuay, then became an over-the-road truck driver for OMC, eventually working for himself as an owner-operator. Gary also farmed with his father and soon took the lead and farmed with his sons. In 2005, Gary, along with his son Jeff, formed their own transport business, G & J Transport, Inc. and were able to spend much time together on the road.
Gary enjoyed vacationing in Mexico, as well as traveling to most of the lower 48 states, including hauling loads to Alaska. Gary's heart was full of love. Love for his Lord, his family and for his 5 young grandchildren, nephews, niece and great nephews and niece. Another piece of Gary's heart belonged to his dogs, Bailey, Peanut and Gizmo who never left his side when he returned home after many days on the road. Gary will always be remembered for his strong hands and big heart.
Gary is survived by his wife, Cheryl, sons Todd and Jeffrey (Elizabeth), grandchildren, Derek, Dillon, Aysha, Andrew and Olivia, brothers Richard (Brenda) and Bradley, nephews Mark (Jennifer), Michael (Melissa) and Phillip, great niece, Vanessa, great nephew, Zachary, great-great nephew, Myles and many other loving family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy, parents Arlen and Harriet, Father and Mother-In-Law, LeRoy and MaryAnn (Jandro) Burke, Brother-In-Law, James Burke, Daughter-In-Law, Margie (Brown) Bartosch, and great nephew, Matthew Bartosch.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 21 at Trinity Lutheran Church of Medford, beginning with a visitation from 9:30am to 11:00am. Immediately following the visitation, there will be a Christian service, officiated by Pastor Mark Biebighauser and a luncheon provided by the family. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Brick Meger Funeral Home of Medford.
Charles and Barbara (Strand) Decker
brother and sister-in-law of Judy Decker
Barbara Jean Decker 1950–2017 Canyon City, CO—Barbara Jean Decker (Strand), formerly of Waseca, died as a result of a motorcycle accident June 10, 2017 in Colorado. The accident also resulted in the death of her husband, Charles Lee Decker, June 12, 2017. They were residents of Canyon City, CO.
Barbara Jean was born in Steele County on April 28, 1950, and graduated from Waseca High School in 1968. Charles Lee was born on August 9, 1946, grew up in Waseca and graduated from Le Center High School.
Charles also served in the Marine Corps. Charles and Barbara were married in Colorado Springs, CO on August 7, 1976.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Dixie Strand and her brother Ronald. She was survived by her brother Douglas of Waseca, Uncles Melvin Strand and Clifton Strand (Mary), nephews and niece Nathan Strand (Theresa), Adam Strand (Joy), Cory Tangen, Alicia Strand and many cousins.
The bodies have given to science and funeral memorial arrangements will be made at a later date. Barb and Chuck were a big part of both families lives. They lived between CO and TX and spent as much time as they could with their friends and families in MN. Chuck always had a joke and Barb always had a smile and a hug. They will be missed everywhere.
Addition from Judy to obituary found in the Waseca County News: Chuck had five surviving sisters and two brothers: Judy Battig, Orville Decker, Carol Pregler, Gene Decker, Pearl Schimmet, Linda Wetzel, Charlotte Berry, and Barb had one brother Doug Strand.
Judy and Chuck were 11 !/2 months apart, so they always felt like twins and did everything together. Barbie was Judy's friend before she married Chuck and they were married 40 years.
Byron "Buster" Broughten
father of Gary Broughten
BYRON “BUSTER” BROUGHTEN, age 93 of Waseca died on Monday, June 19, 2017 at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato.
Born on March 8, 1924 in Waseca County, Minnesota, he was the son of Lars and Etta (Soule) Broughten. He attended school in rural Waseca County and served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. Buster married Marian Schneider on December 27, 1944 in Albert Lea. He farmed in Blooming Grove Township, Waseca County for several years and then worked at OTC in Owatonna for 20 years. In his later years, Buster enjoyed playing his guitar and harmonica and building scale model farm machinery such as steam engines and tractors. He was a member of Faith United Methodist Church in Waseca and the Waseca VFW.
He is survived by his wife, Marian of Waseca; children, Gary (Pam) Broughten of Waseca, Jerome (Joan) Broughten of Waseca, Tony (Monica) Broughten of Eagle Lake, Steve (Sandra) Broughten of Winston, OR, Linda (Fred) Eichorst of Waseca, Randy Broughten of Northfield, Daniel (Cheri) Broughten of Waseca, David (Teresa) Broughten of Waseca, Diane (Bill) Severin of Waseca, Cindy (Matt) Somers of Waseca, and Valerie (Brian) Broughten of Dayton; 20 grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren. He is also survived by three siblings, Bonnie (Felix) Wochnick of Owatonna, Burdette (Joan) Broughten of Owatonna, and LaDonna Turkbas of Edina; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Bert Broughten; and two sisters, Blanche Pitzner and Beatrice Nelson.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 23, 2017 at 11:00 AM at Faith United Methodist Church in Waseca with Rev. Victor Waters officiating. Burial will follow at Woodville Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday, one hour before services at the church.
Mary Jewison Caya
sister of Doug Jewison
MARY AGNES CAYA, age 74 of Waterville died peacefully on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at Pleasant Manor in Faribault surrounded by her loving family.
Born on September 6, 1942 in Waseca, Minnesota, she was the daughter of Kenneth and Evelyn (Hoffman) Jewison. She attended North Waseca Country School and graduated from Waseca High School. Mary was a homemaker, raising her two children, Sharon and Greg. She also worked at the Waterville Café for several years. She married Clifford “Tex” Caya on July 8, 1978 in Le Center. Mary was family oriented and loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She enjoyed playing cards, games, and bingo. She also enjoyed fishing, going for walks, biking, and water color painting. Mary was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Waterville.
She is survived by her children, Sharon (Neil) Miller of Le Center and Greg (Carol) Miller of Milwaukee, WI; five grandchildren, Travis Blaschko of Willmar, Jarred Blaschko of New York, NY, Shyla (Brandon) Kahle of Eagle Lake, Kirsten (Ash) and Zachary Miller both of Milwaukee, WI; and great grandchildren, Adelynn, Trevor, Gabriel, and Henry Blaschko and one expected in July. She is also survived by siblings, David (Gretchen) Jewison of St. John, MI, Suzanne Palubicki of Winona, Terry (Carol) Jewison of Waseca, Tim (Holly) Jewison of Waseca, Doug Jewison of Devils Lake, ND, and Chris Cawley of Waseca. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and siblings, Daniel and Donald Jewison and Johnny Cawley.
Visitation will be held at Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services in Waterville on Friday, May 12, 2017 from 4-7 PM and continue on Saturday, one hour before services at the church.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at 10:30 AM at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Waterville. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Waterville. dennisfuneralhomes.com
Dora L. Oney
Aunt of Linda Greeney Tetzlaff
DORA L. ONEY, age 106 of Waseca, died on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Waseca.
Dora Louise Leonhardi was born on March 9, 1911 on a farm north of Emmons in Freeborn County, Minnesota. She was the daughter of John Martin Louis “Lou” and Ella Marie Louise (Freemott) Leonhardi. She was baptized at the Bear Lake Church and Confirmed at Emmons Lutheran Church. Dora attended grade school at Nunda Country School and graduated from Emmons High School in 1927. after graduating from Winona State College in 1929, she taught country school at Freeborn then moved to Osage, Iowa where she taught the Palmer Method of Penmanship to 7th and 8th graders and then taught American History for 12 years.
During WWII, Dora worked for the Air Force teaching basic electronics in Madison, WI and was then transferred to Boca Raton, FL. After moving to California in the late 1940s, she ran into one of her former Air Force students, Richard Oney in a gas station. They started dating and were married on September 3, 1948. Dora got a job at Mather Air Base where Richard was serving and she worked there for 26 years. She and Richard bought acreage near Loomis, California, built a house and planted almond trees and sold almonds. Richard preceded her in death on December 14, 1991.
In the summer of 2005, Dora sold her home and moved to Realife Cooperative in Waseca where she made many good friends and in June of 2014, she moved to Lakeshore Inn following some health issues.
Dora was the oldest of five sisters. Three of those preceded her in death: Edna Olson of Mason City, IA and later Eden Prairie, Lillian Andersen of Lake Mills, IA and Lucille Greeney Anderson of Waseca.
She is survived by one sister, Nylene Sherman of Cambridge, MD and many nieces, nephews and friends.
A celebration of her life will be held at Grace Lutheran Church in Waseca on Sunday, June 4, 2017 at 3:00 PM.
May she rest in peace. Blessed be her memory.
Harlow Anderson
HARLOW (H.A.) ANDERSON, age 79 of Waseca died on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at his home in Waseca.
Born on July 12, 1937 in Waseca, Minnesota, he was the son of Alvin and Amanda (Schultz) Anderson. He attended school in Waseca and served in the Army Reserves. Harlow married Lois Berg in Waseca and they were later divorced. He was employed with Herter’s, E.F. Johnson Co., Sprengeler’s Oil, and as an engineer with the Chicago NW Railroad for 32 years. He also worked for Retrofit Lighting in Owatonna. Harlow enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, bowling, playing cards, socializing with friends, and he had a great sense of humor. He was a member of the American Legion Post 228 in Waseca.
Harlow is survived by two sons, Randy (Dianna) Anderson of Stillwater and Richard (Lori) Anderson of Owatonna; four grandchildren, Kristina Anderson, Christopher Anderson, Taryn Anderson, and Nicholas Anderson; and four great grandchildren, Codi Jenkins, Harlow Anderson, Silas Tate, and Zane Harman. He is also survived by siblings, Mary Fiebiger of Waseca, John Anderson of Waseca, and Connie (Stephen) Jiroch of Reno, NV. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter; sister and brother-in-law, Joan (Bill) Briley; brother, Richard in infancy; brother-in-law, Bill Fiebiger; and sister-in-law, Frannie Anderson.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 31, 2017 at 6:00 PM at Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services in Waseca. Visitation will be held on Friday from 3-6 PM at the funeral home.
Steven Bickell 1952–2017
Hayes, VA—Steven Craig Bickell, 64, died Thursday, January 26, 2017, at Riverside Regional Medical Center. Steven was born in Waseca, MN on October 19, 1952, to Irving and Eileen Bickell. He graduated in 1971 from Waseca High School and in 1972 went into the Navy serving his country for 20 years. Steven enjoyed woodworking and loved playing golf. He was a friend to everyone and will be missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his companion, Vivian Yvonne Holcomb; children, Carrie Lynn Bickell, Steven Bickell, Teresa Cooper (Brent), Vicki Holcomb, Ken Holcomb (Annette) and Denise Holcomb; brothers, Dennis Bickell (Eva) and Larry Bickell (Carol); and grandchildren, Ashley Holcomb, Kenneth Holcomb, Travis Holcomb, Alyssa Patrick, Brittany Clipper, Shelby Clipper, Cody Martin, Mackenzie Martin and Austin Cooper. The family received friends Saturday, January 28, 2017, from 3 until 4:30 p.m. at Hogg Funeral Home, Gloucester Point. Please visit www.hoggfh.com to share condolences and memories.
Dwight F. Sybrant
Sybrant, Dwight F. age 93, passed away Jan. 12, 2017. WWII Veteran. Preceded in death by parents; wife, Dorothy of 70 years; daughters, Chris and Cheryl; and 6 siblings. Survived by daughters, Cathy (Bruce) Friend and Carrie (Jeff) Leidner; son, Chuck (Lisa); grandchildren, Martin and Joel Pomije, Lindsay Lindner, Nicole Cretzmeyer, Lexi Wahl, Carson and Lecia Friend, Mitch, Matt and Jake Leidner; great-grandchildren and 3 siblings. Dwight's greatest joy was his wife and family. Private service at a later date.
Ruth Long Wiechmann
Ruth Wiechmann, 102 year old resident of Fort Collins, CO, Formerly of Waseca died peacefully on Thursday, November 10, 2016, at the Good Samaritan Fort Collins Village.
Funeral Service will be held on Friday, November 18, 2016 at 11:00 AM at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waseca. Interment will be in Woodville Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 – 11:00 AM at the church on Friday. Memorials preferred to St. John’s Lutheran Church Perpetual Fund in Waseca, and Good Samaritan Fort Collins Village, 508 West Trilby Road, Fort Collins, CO, 80525.
Arrangements are with Starkson & Steffel Funeral & Cremation Service ~ McRaith Chapel in Waseca.
Ruth Wiechmann was born on July 23, 1914, near Smith’s Mill, MN to Harley and Amy (Vandarwarka) Long. She grew up in rural Blue Earth County, moving to Waseca County as a teenager and graduating from Waseca High School.
In October 1939, she married Ernest Wiechmann at the Methodist Church in Waseca. An active partner in their strawberry farm, Ruth was also employed in food service work at the former Southern School of Agriculture in Waseca and Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter. She retired from Brown Printing in 1979.
Ruth was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church for all of her married life where she was active in Bible study, Women of the Church, and the Quilters. After Ernest’s death, she became one of the original residents of Realife Cooperative in Waseca, where she served on the board. In retirement, she became a skilled quilter, sharing her completed projects with appreciative family members. In 2011, she moved to Ft. Collins, CO at the foot of the Rockies to be closer to family.
Ruth is survived by her daughters: Karleen (Robert) Remington of Marshfield, WI, and Nadine (James) Hunt, of Fort Collins, CO; grandchildren: Rebecca (Jared) Orsi of Fort Collins, CO, and Matthew (Michelle Albers) Hunt of Wolverine Lake, WI; great grandchildren: Renata and Carlos Orsi of Fort Collins, CO. She is also survived by her brother, Bruce (Joyce) Long of Waterville and a number of nieces and nephews scattered across the United States.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ernest; and sisters: Helen Mollenhauer, Alice Wilson, Hazel Suemnick, and Mable Long.
Berthe E. Herter
April 11, 1925 - August 19, 2016
Age 91 of Shoreview
Formerly of Waseca, MN
Passed away Aug. 19, 2016.
Berthe owned, with her husband George, Herter’s, Inc. in Waseca for over 40 years. Preceded in death by husband, George. Survived by sons, Jacque (Kathy), Christian (Thanh Ha), Lance (Christy), and Joseph (Michelle); 8 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
A visitation will be 4:00 – 8:00 PM Wed. August 24 at HOLCOMB-HENRY-BOOM-PURCELL FUNERAL HOME, 515 Hwy 96 W., at Mackubin, Shoreview. Interment Ft. Snelling National Cemetery at a later date.
The family has requested that memorials go to the WCHS.
Information provided by Waseca County Historical Society
Judith Rose Olson
Apr. 24, 1943 - Jul. 1, 2016
Sarasota, FL---Judith (Judi) Rose Olson, age 73, passed away peacefully early Friday morning July 1, 2016 surrounded by loving family. She was a long-time resident of Sarasota and Minnesota.
Born on April 24, 1943 in Hopkins, MN, Judi studied at Globe University/Minnesota School of Business. She then moved on to work at Tempco Mfg. Corp. in St. Paul, MN. It was there that she met her future husband, Mike Olson. They would remain married for 46 years and raise a wonderful family.
Judi enjoyed spending time with her husband and family, traveling, and enjoying the Florida sunsets. She loved good food and spending time sharing stories and laughing with friends.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Mike Olson; children Debbie Olson, Lisa (Chris) Redson, Stacy (Chris) Haugan, Elizabeth (Tracey) Martin, Richard (Juana) Olson; 13 grandchildren; and brother, Tom Harrison. She is preceded in death by her son Michael, infant son Scott, grandson Santiago, brother Gary Harrison, and her parents Floyd and Rose Harrison.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Manatee 17 Order of the Eastern Star; c/o Bill Dunning, Secretary; 7224 Edenville Dr.; Sarasota, Florida 34243.
Celebration of her life will occur on July 10th at 3 PM at the Groover Funeral Home (1400 36th Ave. E., Ellenton, FL 34222.) Her body will be flown to Minnesota for final resting.
Mattoon, IL – Roger K Bathe, age 69, of Mattoon, IL, passed away at 12:49 p.m., Sunday, June 5, 2016, at his residence.
The funeral service in his honor will begin at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, June 9, 2016 at First United Methodist Church, 1601 Charleston Ave, Mattoon, IL 61938. Pastor Kenneth Hutchens will officiate. Interment will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Effingham IL. Visitation will be held Wednesday evening from 5:00-7:00 p.m., at Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral home, located at 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL.
Born in Decatur Illinois on August 9, 1946, Roger was the son of Jesse and Marjorie (Kenney) Bathe. He married Sharyl Erickson on April 29, 2006, in South Carolina. Survivors include his loving wife, Sharyl of Mattoon, IL; one daughter, Shannon Bathe and Doug Fagan of Mattoon IL; one son, Shad and Kim Bathe of Shelbyville, IL,; Step-son Dennis Bluhm and wife Anita of OshKosh, WI; step-daughter Shari and husband Tom Magee of Mascoutah, IL; two brothers, Terry Bathe, and Dan and Vicky Bathe of Sullivan Il; two grandchildren, Lexi Bathe of Mattoon, and Kiefer Bathe of Shelbyville, IL; four step-grandchildren, Kevin and Brian Magee of Mascoutah, IL, Matthew and Ryan Bluhm of OshKosh, WI. Roger was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Thomas Bathe; one sister Mable Ellen Bathe; and first wife Barbara Wheeler.
Roger was former owner of Shelbyville IL Dairy Queen, which had the largest volume in the U.S. He also was owner of Yes Motors in Sullivan IL. Most recently he was co-owner of luvracin.com, which is the largest racing website in the nation, and features local racing. He was also an Aflac Associate. He was past president of the Shelbyville Jaycees, and was a Jaycees senator. He was also a member of the Shelbyville Masonic Lodge. Roger had a lifelong love for racing, having raced wingless sprint cars. He was known as “Racin Rog” by many throughout the United States. Among highlights in his life was Petty Racing Experience where he drove 3 MPH below NASCAR average speeds.
A member First United Methodist Church, Roger’s faith was an important part of his life. His faith and his family were a source of comfort and strength. He adored his family and cherished time spent with them more than anything.
Memorials in honor of Mr. Bathe may be made to Aflac Children’s Cancer Center 5455 Meridian Mark Rd #400, Atlanta, GA 30342
Please visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com or www.facebook.com/mitchelljerdanfuneralhome to light a virtual candle in his honor or share a memory with his family.
Fred David Thamez
​Published in the Waseca County News
Fred David Thamez 1949–2016 Abilene TX— Fred David Thamez, 67, passed away Tuesday, May 17, 2016. Mass of Christian Burial was 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 27, 2016 at St. Francis Catholic Church, 826 Cottonwood Street, with Father Bhaskar Morugudi officiating. Burial followed at Abilene Municipal Cemetery, directed by Abilene Funeral Home. Praying of the rosary was at 6:30 p.m., followed by wake at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, at Abilene Funeral Home Chapel of Hope, 3349 N. 12th Street.
Mr. Thamez was born March 09, 1949, in Waseca, Minnesota to the late Manuel and Leonor Uresti Thamez. He lived in Abilene over 30 years working in construction. Fred married the love of his life Linda Rosales on May 15, 1998. Being in the middle of 9 brothers and 3 sisters, he always managed to be the one to keep the family laughing at gatherings.
Survivors include his wife Linda Thamez; a son and a daughter, David Thamez and Sylvia Garcia, all of Abilene; six brothers, Valentine Thamez of Hanover, PA., Tony Thamez (Roberta) of Waseca, MN., Steve Thamez (Ann) of Rochester, MN., Joseph Thamez (Paula) of Waco, TX., Richard Thamez (Sue) of Hanover,PA. and Lawrence Thamez (Sue) of Hanover, PA.; two sisters, Olivia Turrubiartez (Frank) of Waco, TX. and Rita Martinez (Alejandro) of Sweetwater, TX; and four grandchildren, Cynthia Thamez, Brandon Thamez, Bryan Thamez and Adora Garcia.
Mr. Thamez was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Louis, John and Gary Thamez; and one sister, Anna Thamez. Honored to be pallbearers include Richard Almanza, Tony Limones, Frankie Turrubiartez, Bobby Escobedo, Matthew Limones and Nicholas Limones. Honorary pallbearer will be Richie Almanza. Online condolences and guest book may be signed at www.abilenefuneralhome.com
Ruth Rosalind "Rosie" Peterson
Ruth Rosalind “Rosie” Peterson, age 96, of Waseca, died Thursday, October 8, 2015 at Colony Court Memory Care in Waseca.
Born in Waseca on February 13, 1919, Rosie was the daughter of Robert and Florence (Fowler) Sandretsky. She graduated from Waseca High School in 1936. Rosie married Wallace Peterson on October 4, 1938 at the Waseca Methodist Church and worked as a homemaker. Her interests included music, reading and sports. Rosie was a very active, long-time, member of Faith United Methodist Church in Waseca and Rebekah Lodge #160. She was deeply loved by and appreciated the excellent care of all the staff at Colony Court Memory Care.
Rosie is survived by three sons, David (Ruth) Peterson of Anoka, Stanley (Mary) Peterson of Bullhead City, AZ, and Dean (Barbara) Peterson of Indianapolis, IN; six grandchildren; nine great grandchildren, and two nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one grandson-David, and one sister-Annette Brown.
Funeral services will be on Monday, October 12, 2015 at 11:00 AM at Faith United Methodist Church in Waseca. Interment will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca.
Harvey A. Jobe
Harvey A. Jobe, a longtime resident of Waseca, Minnesota, went home on March 23, 2016 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was 95 years old.
Harvey Arthur Jobe was born on October 4, 1920 on a farm in New Richland Township to Arno and Clara (Neuman) Jobe. He had 4 brothers and 4 sisters. Dad went to school in Madelia where he finished 8th grade.
Dad was really a jack of all trades. He farmed, he was a factory worker, he cut wood, he was a carpenter, and in retirement he built birdcages and lamps that he sold at craft fairs. He was a Ford man, particularly his Ford trucks.
Dad met the love of his life Walltrout Krueger (sister of Jim) at the Wilton Lutheran Church. Dad was a quiet and shy kind of guy and tells of Mom saying not long after they started dating, "Well, are you going to marry me or not?" They were married on Feb. 7, 1942. They started married life with 2 pigs, a horse and a cow that Dad's parents gave them as a wedding gift. They farmed near New Richland. Farming was a hard life and to make things worse, their house on the Bullard Farm caught fire and burnt to the ground. Mom and Dad had just purchased a new Coronado refrigerator. Dad put that refrigerator on his back and carried it out of the burning house. They lost everything, except that refrigerator. They continued farming until 1952 when they moved to Waseca.
They rented the upstairs of a two story house on State Street and bought the lot that they would build their future home on. They saved until they had enough money for Dad and Jake Kredowski, who worked with Dad at EF Johnson's, to start building the basement house. When the basement house was finished, he moved his family in and lived there while they saved enough money to finish the main house. They lived at 804 4th Street until they built "the new house" across the street at 805 4th Street in 1976. They lived there until they moved to Latham Place in 2008. After Mom passed Dad moved to Colorado Springs to be closer to JoAnn and her family.
As Dad got older he lost a lot of his shyness, enjoyed meeting people and had a great sense of humor. He loved playing cards, especially Buck Euchre, Pfeiffer, pinochle, and bridge. At Mount Saint Francis Nursing Center in Colorado Springs, Dad was the bingo king. He loved playing, but he really loved winning! In his younger years he loved fishing for bullheads and crappies and traveling extensively with Mom. After retirement, they made many friends in Arizona where they wintered in their trailer around Apache Junction for almost 20 years. Wearing out three RVs, they also belonged to several RV groups, especially enjoying their Holiday Trailer group.
As he reflected on his life, he was extremely proud of everything he and Mom had accomplished. They started with very little and worked hard their entire lives. They had three children: sons Harvey Richard and William Arthur followed by daughter JoAnn Marie almost 13 years later. They were proud that all three of their children were college graduates.
Dad is survived by his children Harvey (Jannice Link), William (Lyn), JoAnn (Bill) Schmitz, five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. He is also survived by brother Norris (Lorraine) Jobe of Waterville and sister Shirley (Marvin) Schwartz of Alexandria. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Walter, Lester, and Clarence, and sisters Viola Jobe, Edna Mork, and Nora Schoenfeldt
A funeral will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at 10:30 AM at St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Waseca, Minnesota. Visitation will take place one hour before services at the church. Harvey will be buried at Woodville Cemetery next to his beloved wife of 67 years, Wally. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Harvey’s life.
Richard "Rick" Evanson
RICHARD “RICK” EVANSON, 47, died on Friday, September 4, 2015 at his residence.
Visitation will be held at Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services in Waterville on Sunday, October 4, 2015 from 2-5 PM.
A time of sharing will be at 7:00 PM on Monday, October 5, 2015 at Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Sauk Rapids. Visitation will be from 5-8 PM Monday, October 5, 2015 at the funeral home. Burial will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Little Falls.
Richard was born June 17, 1968 in Faribault to Gary Evanson and Lois Stangler. He grew up in southern Minnesota and later in central Minnesota. Rick served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps. He worked as a warehouse distributer for the St. Cloud VA Medical Center for the past two years and for Genmar Industries in Little Falls for many years. Rick loved working with veterans. He enjoyed mountain biking and fishing, and was a car enthusiast.
Survivors include his son and daughter, Leif Evanson of St. Cloud and Ashton Johnson of Alexandria; parents, Gary Evanson of Hillman and Lois Stangler of Morristown; sister and brother, Jennifer Evanson of Fairbanks, AK and Jeffrey Evanson of Duluth; and step-sisters, Sarah Vinge, Sheila Kadrlik and Michelle Keller. Rick was preceded in death by his grandparents.
Dorothy M. Wood Spies
DOROTHY MAE SPIES, age 90 of Waseca died on Monday, November 9, 2015 at her home.
Born on February 24, 1925 in Waseca, Minnesota, she was the daughter of Frank and Lydia (Draheim) Wood. She attended school in Waseca, graduating in 1943. Dorothy married Arvin Spies on November 27, 1944 at the First Congregational Church in Waseca. She spent her entire life in Waseca raising her family. She also worked at Rutledge Insurance, Mishek Supply, and Waseca Saving & Loan. Dorothy had also worked as matron and cook at the Waseca County Jail while her husband was in law enforcement. Upon their retirement, they bought their country home and set up a woodworking business. Dorothy loved life and was kind and loving to all she knew. She enjoyed woodworking, reading, watching TV, and spending time with family. She was a member of the First Congregational Church in Waseca.
Dorothy is survived by four children, Karen (Richard) Johnson of Waseca, Allen Spies of New Prague, Ronnie (Amy) Spies of Waseca, and Cheri (Larry) Boucher of Elysian; 10 grandchildren; 30 great grandchildren; and three great great grandchildren with one on the way. She is also survived by one sister, Frances (Lawrence “Bob”) Muedeking of Waseca; sister-in-law, Lois Wood of Waseca; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter-in-law, Karen Spies; three sisters, Marion, Edith, and Grace; and two brothers, Lyle and Orlando.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 13, 2015 at 11:00 AM at First Congregational Church in Waseca. Burial will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca. Visitation will be held on Friday, one hour before services at the church.
Beatrice Lorraine Gekeler
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Beatrice Lorraine Gekeler, age 93 of Waseca, died on Monday, August 10, 2015 at Koda Living Community in Owatonna. Born on March 27, 1922, in LeRay Township, Blue Earth County, she was the daughter of Carl and Loretta (Anderson) Steinke. She attended Blue Earth County rural school. She was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville.
Beatrice married Harold Gekeler, May 31, 1940, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville. They celebrated 50 years together. She and her husband farmed west of Janesville from 1940-1944 and then moved to a farm southwest of Waseca where they resided until 1968 when they moved into Waseca. Through the years she worked 10 years at Birdseye Division of General Foods and 21 years at E.F. Johnson Co. in Waseca, until her retirement. She enjoyed dancing, playing the card game Pfeffer, going to the casino, shopping for antiques, sewing, baking, and especially spending time with her beloved family and friends. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Janesville.
Beatrice is survived by six children, Merlen Gekeler of Waseca, Marlyn Gekeler (friend, Sue Clayton) of Janesville, Harlan (Virginia) Gekeler of Waseca, Cheryleen Mullerleile of Waseca, Maureen (Dale) Sonday of Waseca, and Doreen (Robert) Hoffman of Otisco; eighteen grandchildren, Kristine (David) Johnson, Kimberly Christenson (friend, Troy Murphy), Terry (Andrea)Gekeler, Kimberly (Kelly) Giblin, Jesse Pike III (Anna Tuma), Renee (Steve) Schmidt, Cindy (Brent) Chelgren, Julie (Mark) Van Den Bos, Andrew Gekeler (Lindsay Cooley), Lee (Kristy) Mullerleile, Lisa (Christopher) Schlueter, Danielle (Jason) Androli, Amanda (Adam) Vought, Christopher Sonday, Sarah (Douglas Carlson) Sonday, Jesse (Wanda) Hoffman, Richard (Angie) Hoffman, Brian (Jessie Shaffer)Hoffman; forty nine great grandchildren; five great great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harold in 1991; sister, Bernice and Harold Anderson; brother, Orville and Delores Steinke; daughter-in-law, Lois Gekeler; and great granddaughters, Larissa Androli and Makayla Pike.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 16, 2015 from 2-5 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville and continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. The funeral service will be held on Monday, August 17, 2015 at 11:00 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville with Rev. Larry Griffin officiating. Burial will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca. Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services of Waseca is handling arrangements. dennisfuneralhomes.com
Carl Swanson
Carl Albert Swanson, 99, of Owatonna, formerly of Waseca, died on Sunday, May 10, 2015 at Koda Living Community, Owatonna. He was surrounded by his children, daughter in law, and granddaughters Stacey, Julie, and Lori.
Carl was born July 25, 1915 to Carl Albert Julious Swanson and Emma Marie (Nee Chelberg) Swanson in Cannon Falls, MN. Carl graduated from the Cannon Falls area schools and then graduated from the University Of Minnesota School Of Agriculture.
On September 30, 1939 Carl and Berniece were married at Urland Lutheran Church in rural Sogn. They started their married life farming north of Kenyon, where their son Bruce was born. They moved their farming operation to a farm south of Kenyon and moved again to a farm in the Sogn Valley area at which time their daughter Phyllis was born.
In 1946 they moved to Red Wing. In 1956 Carl and Berniece moved to Waseca, where they made their residence for the next 46 years.
In their retirement years Carl and Berniece maintained their home in Waseca, spending significant amounts of time at Lake Francis at Elysian, which he enjoyed immensely and their winters in Alamo, TX, their home away from home. Throughout these years he enjoyed the company of his brothers-in-law and their wives, his brother, sister-in-law and husband, his grandchildren, great grandchildren and other friends and acquaintances. They all enjoyed many good times together.
He was preceded in death by his wife Berniece Swanson; his parents; and his brother Merlyn Swanson.
Survivors include his children, Bruce (and Sharon) Swanson of Pine Island and Phyllis Kaderlik of Owatonna; seven grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
Visitation will be at Trinity Lutheran Church on Thursday, May 14, 2015 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 14, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church with The Reverend Christopher Leach officiating. Interment will be in the Woodville Cemetery in Waseca. Arrangements by Michaelson Funeral Home.
Ella D. Krenke
ELLA DANEA KRENKE, age 91 of Waseca, died peacefully on Friday, April 17, 2015 at the Lake Shore Inn in Waseca.
Ella was born in Otisco Township, Waseca County on March 9, 1924, the daughter of Paul and Ella (Rudolph) Roeglin. She was the third of five children. She was baptized on April 13, 1924 by Rev. Geo H. Vollmer at the old St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca. She was confirmed on April 10, 1938 by Rev. Theo H. Hennings at St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca. She attended rural Waseca County School District #46 (the Otisco school) through eighth grade.
Ella married Harvey Krenke on July 11, 1945, at St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca by Rev. Walter J. Pilgrim. They lived and farmed in Otisco Township until moving to Waseca in 1972. Though she never worked outside the home, she worked hard on the farm from sun up until long after sun down. She was the typical farmer’s wife, helping with everything and raising chickens and other poultry, growing huge vegetable gardens, canning and freezing produce. She was known to have picked four dishpans of strawberries, butchered a chicken, and served these at the noon dinner to men working on their farm! She was very thrifty, always putting others before herself. She loved flowers of every type and planted them everywhere, having kept some growing for over 60 years. Even though she had several health issues in later years, she lived in her own home until a few months ago. When her eyes failed her, she still listened faithfully to her Twins baseball. She loved visiting on the telephone spending many happy hours with family and friends. She had the gift of remembering events in the past to the tiniest details. Her strong faith has been a great example to her family.
She will be sadly missed by two daughters, Darla (Larry) Kokoschke of Faribault, and Donna (Terry) Ewert of Delano; one son, Duane Krenke of Waseca; eight grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by both of her parents, Paul and Ella (Rudolph) Roeglin; her husband of 59 years Harvey Krenke in 2005; three brothers, Gerald Roeglin in 1991, Orville Roeglin in 2007, and Robert (Jean) Roeglin in 2013; and one sister, Helen (Walter) Suemnick in 1997.
Visitation will be held from 4-7 PM on Monday, April 20, 2015 at Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services in Waseca, and will continue for one hour before the service at the church on Tuesday.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca, with Rev. John Omans officiating. Interment will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca. In lieu of flowers, please direct memorial donations to the St. John Lutheran Church video fund.
Arvin Krassin
ARVIN E. KRASSIN, age 83 of Waseca died on Sunday, February 22, 2015 at the Lake Shore Inn in Waseca.
Born on July 27, 1931 in Waseca County, Minnesota, he was the son of John and Elsie (Priebe) Krassin. Arvin attended school in rural Waseca County and served in the US Army from 1953 until his honorable discharge in 1954. He married Barbara Gustafson on November 29, 1958 in Waseca. He worked at Rose’s Service Garage and then farmed with his father in St. Mary’s Township, Waseca County. He later worked at Jerome’s Turkey Farms near Claremont until retiring. He enjoyed gardening, baking, playing cards, fishing, hunting, reading and traveling. Arvin was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church – Wilton in Waseca County.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara of Waseca and one daughter, Kathy (David) Matz of Waseca. He is also survived by two sisters, Janice (Kenneth) Stendel of Owatonna and Shirley (Vic) Bailey of Spring, TX; sister-in-law, Margaret Krassin of Waseca; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Chris; and one brother, Kenneth.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 26, 2015 at 2:00 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church – Wilton with Rev. Larry Sipe officiating. Burial will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca. Visitation will be held on Thursday, one hour before services at the church.
Amanda B. Anderson
mother of Mary Anderson Fiebiger
AMANDA B. ANDERSON, age 98 of Waseca died on Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at Lake Shore Inn in Waseca.
Born on August 12, 1915 in Waseca County, Minnesota she was the daughter of Charles and Mary (Oldag) Schultz. She attended school in rural Waseca County. Amanda married Alvin Anderson on April 24, 1935. Over the years, she was employed at several places in the Waseca area including the E.F. Johnson Co., Sprengler’s Drive-In, and Herter’s. She enjoyed playing cards and games. Amanda was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca, VFW Auxiliary Post 1642 and the Waseca Senior Citizens.
She is survived by two sons, Harlow Anderson and John Anderson of Waseca; two daughters, Mary Fiebiger of Waseca and Connie (Stephen) Jiroch of Reno, NV; son-in-law, Bill Briley of Eagle Lake; 12 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; and 5 great great grandchildren. She is also survived by one sister-in-law, Betty Schultz; several nieces and nephews; and her dear friend, Lorna Sexton of Waseca. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Joan Briley; son, Richard in infancy; son-in-law, Bill Fiebiger; daughter-in-law, Frannie Anderson; 4 sisters; and 3 brothers.
Visitation will be held at Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services in Waseca on Sunday, June 22, 2014 from 4-7 PM and continue on Monday, one hour before services at the church.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 23, 2014 at 11:00 AM at St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca with Rev. John Omans officiating. Burial will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca.
Alvina M. Theelke mother of Mary Lou Theelke Kinkade
Alvina M. Theelke, age 87, of Waseca, died peacefully on Thursday, May 1, 2014, at the New Richland Care Center following a recent illness.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, May 4, 2014, at 2:30 p.m. at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Waseca, with Reverend David M. Baumgarn and Reverend Giles Zimmer officiating. Interment will be held at the St. John’s – Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Iosco Township, Waseca County.
Visitation will be held at the McRaith Funeral Home & Crematory of Waseca on Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and will continue at the St. Paul Lutheran Church from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, Alvina’s family requests donations be made to the St .Paul Lutheran Church, Waseca Area Food Shelf, New Richland Care Center, or to the donor’s choice in her memory.
Alvina Mathilda, the daughter of Frank and Martha (Volkman) Maas, was born on October 6, 1926, in Waseca. She attended rural country school near the family farm and on June 3, 1943, was united in marriage to Norman Theelke at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville. They were blessed with three children, Mary Lou, David, and Gary. Norman and Alvina first lived in Janesville before moving to Waterville and in 1956 they settled in Waseca. Alvina worked various jobs prior to working at both Birds Eye Foods and at E.F. Johnson Co. She loved singing in the choir, flower and vegetable gardening, working in her yard, fishing, and her grandchildren. Alvina was a longtime member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Waseca.
She is survived by her children and their families: Mary Lou Kinkade (Robert Schmidt) and their children and grandchildren, Jim, Jennifer and Trystin; David (Sandy) Theelke and their three children and five grandchildren; Gary (Terry) Theelke and their children and grandchildren, Trisha, Chris, Rayann, Trevor, Maria Amanda, Jacob, Garret, Mahala, Paul, Megan and Kendrick; her sister, Alice (Leo) Slechta and by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Ernie, Alfred, Lester, Mary, Gladys, Harold, Lawrence, Kenneth, Charles, Adeline, Caroline and Delores “Mickey”; her child in infancy, and by her four grandchildren, three in infancy and Little Danny.
Alvina’s family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at the New Richland Care Center for their wonderful care and attention they gave her, and to Pastor Quick and Pastor Zimmer for their prayers and visits.
Harriet Warner mother of Judy Warner Rausch
Harriet Lenore Kingsland Warner was born March 3, 1922, in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, to George and Amanda (Carlson) Kingsland. At the age of 12 moved with her family to Ashland, Wisconsin. In 1940, she graduated from Ashland High School and then attended the Minnesota School of Business in Minneapolis. Soon after she moved to Chicago where on November 1, 1941, she married William Warner. After marriage they lived in Plymouth, Indiana, until moving to Waseca, Minnesota, in 1953. In 1965, they moved to Spirit Lake, Iowa, and in 1976 to Hot Springs, South Dakota. In 1985, Harriet and Bill moved to California. Bill passed away on February 1, 2001. Following his death Harriet moved to Northfield, Minnesota, to be near her daughters.
Survivors include her children: Jerry (Ursula) of Grass Valley, California, Judy Rausch of Las Vegas, Nevada, Mary of Northfield, Pat (John) Clarke of Wausa, Nebraska, Anne (John) Anthony of Savage, Minnesota, Michelle Winston of Omaha, Nebraska, Michael (Kristy) of San Anselmo, California; her daughter-in-law, Mary Hoehl Warner of Kalispell, Montana; 17 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband William, her son Robert, her sisters Audrey Manns and Eva Haertel, and her brothers Gordon and James Kingsland.
Harriet passed away with her family by her side on Monday afternoon, September 29, 2014, at Three Links Care Center in Northfield, at the age of 92.
Interment will be in Fort Meade National Cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota.
Paul Behsman father of John Behsman
PAUL W. BEHSMAN, age 95 and long time resident of Waseca, died peacefully on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at the New Richland Care Center following an extended illness.
Born on March 13, 1918 in Steele County, Minnesota, he was the son of William and Martha (Radke) Behsman. He went to school in Meriden and worked for his dad on the farm. On June 9, 1937, he was united in marriage to Eileen Yess at St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca. He and his wife farmed for many years in Steele and Waseca Counties. In his later years, Paul also worked as a handyman. He was later a resident of Colony Court in Waseca before moving to the New Richland Care Center. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his sons and grandchildren. Paul was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca.
Paul is survived by his daughter, Mary Ann Mundt of Owatonna; sons, Donald (Louise) Behsman of Verndale, James (Jane) Behsman of Sierra Vista, AZ, and John (Joan) Behsman of Swanville; 10 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; 8 great great grandchildren; 7 step grandchildren; 14 step great grandchildren; 12 step great great grandchildren; and 2 step great great great grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother-in-law, Alvin Wobschall of Ellendale; one sister-in-law, Marge Behsman of Vermont. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Eileen in 1999; sisters, Ethel and Luella; brothers, Lavern, Herman, Harold, Lawrence, and Alvin; and two step great great great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services in Waseca on Sunday, February 16, 2014 from 3-6 PM and continue on Monday, one hour before services at the church.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 17, 2014 at 11:00 AM at St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca with Rev. John Omans officiating. Burial will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca.
Averill Candace Warburton Cutting
AVERILL CANDACE CUTTING, age 79 of Waseca died on Saturday, February 1, 2014 at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato.
Born on May 25, 1934 in Waseca County, Minnesota, she was the daughter of Paul and Candace (Warner) Warburton. She attended rural Waseca County Schools before graduating from Waseca High School in 1951. She later attended Mankato Teacher’s College. Averill married Gerald Cutting on June 13, 1954 at Grace Lutheran Church in Waseca.
Averill is survived by her husband, Gerald of Waseca; three children, Tim and Colleen Cutting of Port St. Lucie, Florida; Suzette and Nick Ambroz of Waseca and Suzanne Cutting of Waseca; and one grandson, Nicholas Ambroz. She is also survived by three sisters, Adrienne and Howard Feaselman of Las Cruces, NM, Janet and John Larva of Burnsville, and Jane and Duane Anderson of Elysian; one brother, Marvin and Robin Warburton of Janesville; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; step-mother, Mary (Gutknecht) Warburton; and an infant brother.
At Averill’s request, no public services are being held. Dennis Funeral and Cremation Services in Waseca is handling arrangements.
Lucille A. Greeney-Anderson mother of Linda Greeney Tetzlaff
LUCILLE ALMA GREENEY-ANDERSON, age 97 of Waseca, died on Friday, May 2, 2014, at Mayo Clinic Health System - Waseca.
Born on July 14, 1916, in Nunda Township, Freeborn County, Minnesota, Lucille was the daughter of Louis and Ella (Freemott) Leonhardi. Raised with her four sisters on the family farm north of Emmons, Lucille completed high school before attending nurse’s training at Naeve Hospital in Albert Lea. She then moved to Waseca for her first nursing position at the Waseca Hospital. She continued her career there for 29 years, helping deliver many of the town’s babies. On January 2, 1941, she married Howard Greeney at the Episcopal Church in Waseca, and they were later blessed with two children – Thomas Howard and Linda Lucille. Lucille retired from her nursing career after working at Lake Shore Inn Nursing Home, at which point she and Howard enjoyed baking bread, making wine, ice fishing, and spending time together. Following Howard’s death from cancer in 1986, she moved to Real Life and enjoyed reading, helping others, and traveling, often with one of her four sisters. On January 23, 1993, she married Lester Anderson, who had also lost a spouse. Together they traveled, enjoying local bus trips and once-in-a-lifetime trips to Alaska and the Holy Land. Lucille joined Les at Grace Lutheran Church and became active in the quilters group. After Lester’s death in 2006, Lucille took on the honor of making quilts for all the couples being married at Grace, as well as welcoming quilts for all staff members, and a few to send on mission trips to the reservation. In 2011, she moved to Latham Place and enjoyed welcoming new residents, attending Bible studies, winning a few bingo games, and instigating Yahtzee night. She also enjoyed night time walks in the hall delivering clementines or candy gifts to the shelves outside of the rooms.
Lucille is survived by her daughter, Linda (Henry) Tetzlaff of Apple Valley; daughter-in-law, Carol Greeney of Faribault; two step-children, Marlene (Mike) Donahue of Mankato, and Larry (Lu) Anderson of Waseca; eleven grandchildren; twenty six great-grandchildren; her oldest sister, Dora Oney of Waseca; and her youngest sister, Nylene Sherman of Cambridge, MD. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Howard; her second husband, Lester; her son, Thomas; and two older sisters, Lillian Anderson and Edna Olson. She will be missed by all the people she touched in her ninety-seven years.
Visitation will be held from 4-7 PM on Tuesday, May 6, 2014, at Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services in Waseca, and will continue for one hour before the service at the church on Wednesday.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, May 7, 2014, at Grace Lutheran Church in Waseca, with Rev. Howard White officiating. Interment will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca.
Gerald J. Kratochwill father of Lyndon Kratochwill
Gerald J. Kratochwill, age 94, died Sunday, December 1, 2013, in McAllen, Texas. He was born to Frank and Margaret (Dimick) Kratochwill on March 21, 1919, in Brule County, South Dakota, on the farm where his father and one of his sons were also born. He married Dorothy E. Zeman on November 13, 1940, and they resided for most of their lives in Waseca County, Minnesota. Gerald was a State champion Golden Gloves boxer, farmer, and operator of his business of grinding grain for livestock feed until his retirement. He and Dorothy enjoyed travel, winters in Texas, and helping their children with building and other projects. He enjoyed driving tractor for a Waseca area farmer in the spring and fall until two years ago.
Following Dorothy's death in 1998, Gerald married Lois Munson in 2000, and the couple resided in Howard Lake, Minnesota, in the summers and spent their winters in Pharr, Texas. After Lois' death in 2011, Gerald made Pharr, Texas, his permanent residence. He was a life-long member of the Catholic Church and a proud 4th Degree Knight of Columbus.
Gerald is survived by his special friend (companion) Dolores Bauer; children Karen (Bill Bonnstetter) Killoren, G. Wayne (Stephanie Feil) and Lyndon (Kay); step-sons Allan (Donna) Munson, Randall (Sharon) Munson and Tim Munson; 16 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; sisters Mildred Dorwart and Lorraine Reese; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Dorothy, his wife Lois, sisters Lucille Geppert and Marge Bonner, and an infant brother Everett.
A memorial service will be held at 1:30 pm on Saturday, May 24, 2014, at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Waseca with Fr. Gregory Leif as Celebrant. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be directed in Gerald's memory to Comfort House Services, 617 Dallas Avenue, McAllen TX 78501, or to the donor's preferred charity or church.
John David "Jack" Erwin
JOHN DAVID “JACK” ERWIN, age 88 of Waseca, died on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at Lakeshore Inn in Waseca.
Born in Waseca on October 12, 1924, John was the son of Rolland and Elnora (Arentsen) Erwin. As a young man he attended school in Waseca and graduated from Waseca High School. On December 19, 1944 Jack was united in marriage to Maxine Statham at the First Congregational Church in Waseca. Together they lived and worked on the family farm until 1966. At that time Jack began working at Bird’s Eye Foods in Waseca, a career he continued until his retirement in 1990. Jack was a lifelong resident of the Waseca area. He enjoyed gardening and caring for his lawn. He was a member of the Waseca Oddfellows for over 50 years and was a long-time member of the First Congregational Church in Waseca.
Jack is survived by his daughter, Peggy (Lyle) Scherff of Welch; one granddaughter, Tammy (Warren) Peine of Hastings; one step-granddaughter, Rachael Taxdahl of Northfield; two great-grandchildren, Samantha and Brett Peine of Hastings; three step-great-grandchildren, Arynn and Brayden Taxdahl of Goodhue and Cameron Delaney of Northfield; and two special friends, Marvel Miller and Gordon Foels both of Waseca. He was preceded in death by both of his parents; and his wife in 2001.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, May 7, 2013 at the First Congregational Church in Waseca, with Rev. Chris Meirose officiating. Visitation will be held for one hour before the service at the church on Tuesday. Interment will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca.
Emily "Polly" Matz Fleming Streitz
EMILY “POLLY” STREITZ, age 86 of Waseca, died on Sunday, April 21, 2013 at Colony Court Care Suites in Waseca.
Born in Waseca on October 21, 1926, Polly was the daughter of William and Mary (Erwin) Matz. She was baptized November 21, 1926 at the First Congregational Church in Waseca. She attended country school through grade five and later graduated from Waseca High School in 1944. She worked for R.C. Mishek in the mailing department as well as Birdseye Division of General Food in Waseca. She married Dean Fleming and they were blessed with four children. They later divorced. She then worked at Sears and the Waseca County Court House. Polly later married Herb Streitz on June 10, 1983. She enjoyed golfing, playing bridge, bird watching, Bible study, watching sports on television, and time spent with her family. She was a member of Lakeside Country Club for many years, the Eagles Auxiliary, the Sarah Circle Bible Study group, and was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca where she had been confirmed on October 14, 1945.
Polly is survived by two sons, Stephen (Lee) Fleming of Niceville, FL and Richard (Lynda) Fleming of New Richland; one daughter, Cathy (Craig) Johnson of Waseca; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; four step-children, Bill Streitz of Roseburg, OR, Bonnie Streitz of Minneapolis, Bob (Gail) Streitz of Shoreview, and Ben (Julie) Streitz of Fridley; nine step-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Ted Matz and his special friend Leona of Waseca, and John (Agnes) Matz of Waseca; one sister-in-law, Myrtle Matz of Waseca; and one brother-in-law, Don Rocek of Rochester; and several nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by both of her parents; one son, Jerry in 1967; her husband Herb in 2008; two sisters, Dorothy and Marian; and two brothers, Vince and Jim.
Visitation will be held from 4-7 PM on Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at Kinder-Dennis Home for Funerals in Waseca and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, April 25, 2013 at St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca with Rev. John Omans officiating. Interment will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca.
Irving William Bickell
IRVING WILLIAM BICKELL, age 86 of Waseca died on Friday, November 29, 2013 at Colony Court Memory Care Suites in Waseca.
Born on January 29, 1927 in Cordova Township, Le Sueur County, Minnesota, he was the son of Byron and Mabel (Elliott) Bickell. He married Eileen Bartelt on April 14, 1945 in Le Sueur County. Irv worked as a mechanic at Lewer Auto for over 40 years. He was a former member of the EUB Church in Waseca and was a 55 year member of the Waseca American Legion.
He is survived by three sons, Dennis (Eva) Bickell of Waseca, Larry (Carol) Bickell of Sartell, and Steve (Yvonne) Bickell of Hayes, VA; six grandchildren; and several great grandchildren. He is also survived by four sisters, Betty Kulas of Owatonna, Edith (Bill) Osborn of Winnebago, Violet Yerhot of Waseca, and Bonnie (Jerry) Lieberg of Brooklyn Center; one sister-in-law, Phyllis Bartelt of Waseca and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; brother, Walter Bickell; sisters, Mary Caswell and Virginia McColley; brothers-in-law, Dwayne Caswell, David McColley, Ben Yerhot, Elmer Kulas, Charles Bartelt, and Russ O’Malley; and sister-in-law, Betty O’Malley.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at 1:00 PM at Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services in Waseca with Rev. David Baumgarn officiating. Visitation will be held from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at the funeral home on Wednesday. Interment will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca.
Russell O'Malley
Lillian Mae Kreuger Hoffman
LILLIAN MAE HOFFMAN, age 81 of Waseca died on Saturday, March 2, 2013 at the Owatonna Care Center.
Born on June 14, 1931 in Austin, Minnesota she was the daughter of Herman and Anna (Kuhl) Kreuger. She grew up in Austin until the age of 13 when she and her family moved to Janesville and she attended Janesville Parochial School. Lillian married Leverne Hoffman on November 14, 1948. To this union five children were born. They later divorced.
Lillian worked for various employers in Waseca. Her employment began with Johnson’s Variety Store and continued with Waseca Canning Co., E.F. Johnson’s, Birds Eye, Brown Printing, Waseca Memorial Hospital, Waseca High School and ended with the Waseca Neighborhood Service Center.
She is survived by five children, Cheryl (Mike) Schuur, Harold (Patricia) Hoffman, and Anna Marie Hoffman (and special friend, Dean Meyer) all of Waseca, Robert (Doreen) Hoffman of Otisco, and David (Debra) Hoffman of Belle Plaine; 12 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren and one on the way; and 3 great great grandchildren. She is also survived by one brother, James Kreuger of Big Lake; one sister, Dorothy (Edgar) Felske of Waseca; one brother-in-law, Harvey Jobe of Waseca; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, two brothers, and one great great grandson.
Visitation will be held at Kinder-Dennis Home for Funerals in Waseca on Wednesday, March 6, 2013 from 4-7 PM and continue on Thursday, one hour before services at the church.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 7, 2013 at 1:00 PM at St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca. Burial will follow at Woodville Cemetery.
David McColley Southern School of Agriculture
Class of 1955
DAVID DON MCCOLLEY, age 75 of Waseca, died on Saturday, December 8, 2012 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester.
Born on May 25, 1937 in Waseca, Minnesota, he was the son of Grant and Freda (Haushahn) McColley. He attended rural Waseca County School District #22 and Waseca Public Schools before transferring to the Southern School of Agriculture where he graduated in 1955. He also attended the University of Minnesota.
Dave married Virginia Bickell on September 1, 1956 at the Evangelical United Brethren Church. In August of 1956 Dave began working in the component division of the E.F. Johnson Co. in Waseca. He continued working there until his retirement in June of 1999. Dave enjoyed fishing, bowling, golfing, reading, cooking, and spending time with his family and friends. He was a member of the Evangelical United Methodist Church.
He is survived by six children, Diane (Peter) Rohde of Burnsville, Debbie (Terry) Field of Pelican Rapids, Karen (Mark) Wilker of Waseca, Kevin McColley of Pinewood, Dan McColley of Pinewood, and Cheryl (Lanny) Viegut of Green Bay, WI; 12 grandchildren; and 2 great grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, Lorna (Roger) Larson of Waseca and Judy (Jim) Harlicker of Owatonna; three brothers, Lyle (Kathy) McColley of Milton, FL, Duane (Barb) McColley of Owatonna, and Cliff (Linda) McColley of Murray, KY; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and four brothers.
Visitation will be held at Kinder-Dennis Home for Funerals in Waseca on Friday, December 14, 2012 from 4-8 P.M. and continue on Saturday, one hour before services at the church.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 15, 2012 at 1:00 PM at Evangelical United Methodist Church in Waseca with Rev. Jon Schultz officiating. Burial will follow at Owatonna Memorial Gardens.
Mary Rudebeck Class of 1962
MARY LOUISE RUDEBECK, age 68 of Waseca died on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at the Faribault Care Center.
Born in Mapleton, Minnesota on February 24, 1943, she was the daughter of Elmer and Mary (Shanahan) Rudebeck. She graduated from Waseca High School in 1962. Mary was employed at Brown Printing Co. in Waseca for 30 years before retiring in 2003. Mary enjoyed craft work and spending time with special friend, Doug Sasse. She loved garage sales and travel. Mary was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Catholic Daughters in Waseca. She was also a member of many other clubs with Doug.
She is survived by two sisters, Frances Rudebeck of Waseca and Rita Rudebeck of Minneapolis; sister-in-law, Rozanne Rudebeck of Coon Rapids; two nieces, Cindy and Sandy Rudebeck; and one great niece, Makayla Rose. She is also survived by special friend, Doug Sasse of Waseca. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers-Norbert and John, and one sister-Rose Thompson.
Visitation will be held at Kinder-Dennis Home for Funerals in Waseca on Thursday, February 16, 2012 from 4-8 PM with a 6:30 PM Catholic Daughters’ Rosary and a 7:30 PM Parish Prayer Service. Visitation will continue on Friday, one hour before services at the church.
Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, February 17, 2012 at 10:30 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca with Rev. Marty Schaefer officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Waseca County.
Mary’s family wishes to thank the staff at the Faribault Care Center for the care they provided to their sister.
Robert 'Bob' Warner
KALISPELL, Mont. — Robert “Bob” Warner of Kalispell died May 12, 2012, after a fight with cancer.
He was born on Dec. 1, 1942, in Plymouth, Ind. to William and Harriet Warner. He was the oldest of their eight children. Bob spent his formative years in famed Waseca, Minn., where he pulled many a prank. The greatest gift he gave to this world is the lesson that life is too serious to be taken seriously. Bob professed his humor was a defense mechanism due to his inability to express emotion, but in truth, his humor was a gift in times of struggle. Bob left Waseca to join the Air Force in 1960, after serving nine years and two tours in Vietnam he was honorably discharged. Bob then took up residence in California and got in on the computer industry before it was a real industry. This profession fit him perfectly, as it called for attention to detail and orderliness.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years, Mary; children Benjamin of Clovis, Calif., Daniel of Seattle, Wash., Marcus of Pensacola, Fla., and Gretchen (Brown) of Kalispell; seven grandchildren; siblings Jerry, Judy, Pat, Mary, Anne, Michelle and Michael; and his mother, Harriet Warner.
He was preceded in death by his father, William Warner
Memorials preferred to the Liberty House at the Veteran’s Administration at Ft. Harrison, Mont.
Irving Koss
Koss, Irving "Irv" Age 94 of Edina, MN. Irv passed away peacefully on 04/15/ 2012. Born in Haverhill, MA, US Army Major serving in the Pacific Theater during WWII, Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate and Harvard University MBA. Irving had a sharp mind, strong faith, indomitable spirit, and loved dearly his family and his wife Betty. Preceded in death by his parents, Molly and Jack Koss; his sister, Ruth Koss Brownstein, and beloved wife, Betty. Survived by his children, Dr. Susan Gillis (Geoff), Barbara Koss, Dr. Paul Koss (Mary), John Koss, Virginia Youngblood and Alex Koss (Rebekah Nordstrom); his grandchildren, Dr. Margaret Gillis (Jeff Alt), LT Elizabeth Gillis, USCG, John and Paul Koss, Skye, Forrest and Simeon Rossi, Elizabeth and Alexandra Youngblood; his great-grandchildren, Alex, Charlotte and Ben Alt. Interment 11:30 AM FRIDAY, 5/4/2012, Assembly Area #2, Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Memorial Service to Celebrate Irv's Life, 12:30 PM FRIDAY, 5/4/2012, Colonial Church of Edina, 6200 Colonial Way, Edina, MN 55436, (952) 925-2711. colonialchurch.org Memorials preferred.
Betty Koss
Koss, Elizabeth "Betty" Age 91 of Edina, MN. Betty passed away peacefully on 2/27/2012. Born in Ohio, Navy WAVES during WWII, Carnegie Institute of Technology graduate. Active in her community and served Colonial Church over many years. Her capacities for joy, caring and courageousness were inexhaustible. Preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Mary Shanor; brother, Paul Shanor. Survived by husband, Irving Koss; children, Dr. Susan Gillis (Geoff), Barbara Koss, Dr. Paul Koss (Mary), John Koss, Virginia Youngblood, and Alex Koss (Rebekah Nordstrom); grandchildren, Dr. Margaret Gillis (Jeff Alt), LT Elizabeth Gillis, USCG, John and Paul Koss, Skye, Forrest and Simeon Rossi, Elizabeth and Alexandra Youngblood; great-grandchildren, Alex, Charlotte and Ben Alt; nieces and nephews; and many foreign exchange students. Interment 12 NOON, Monday, 3/19/2012, Assembly Area #5, Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Memorial Service to Celebrate Betty's Life 1:00 PM Monday, 3/19/2012, Colonial Church of Edina, 6200 Colonial Way, Edina, MN 55436 (952) 925-2711. www.colonialchurch. org Memorials preferred www.albinchapel.com
Carol Madigan Loney Class of 1959
Carol Ann Loney, age 70, of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, died on Tuesday, January 10, 2012, at Littleton Adventist Hospital in Littleton, Colorado.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 16th at 11:00 a.m. at Faith United Methodist Church in Waseca, with Pastor Victor Waters officiating. Interment will be in the Woodville Cemetery, Waseca.
Carol Ann was born on December 3, 1941, to Leroy W. and Frances H. (Dahnert) Madigan Sr. in Waseca, Minnesota. She graduated from Waseca Central High School in 1959. Carol then attended UCLA where she studied engineering. She worked in the telecommunications industry for many years.
On April 22, 1987,she was united in marriage to Montie C. Loney in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. After their marriage they resided in the Houston, Texas and Denver, Colorado areas. Carol enjoyed decorating and remodeling projects with her family. She especially enjoyed time spent with her husband, children, grandchildren and
great grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband Montie C. Loney of Highlands Ranch, CO; by her sons, Todd (Tammy) Weldon of Nisswa and Gordon Eugene (Denise Baer) Rye. Jr. of Janesville; by her daughters, Kelly Jo (Michael) Lynch of Fountain City, WI., and Michelle (Jerry) Beveridge of Janesville; by 21 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; by her stepdaughter Sheri Kay (Mark) Fernandez of Heth, AR; by her stepson Robert C. (Teresa) Loney of Lenexa, KS; by her brother Frank T. (Pamela) Madigan of Bainbridge, WA; by her sister, Joanne
(Dave) Egeness of Waseca; by her sisters-in-law, Shirley Madigan of Janesville and Constance (Samuel) Brito of Littleton CO; by her brother-in-law, Terry Johnson of New Ulm; by many nieces, nephews, cousins
and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; by her daughter Wendy in 1968; by her sisters Diane Nelson and Sharon Johnson; by her brother Leroy W. Madigan Jr; by two beloved nephews, Tony and Ty Johnson.
Louise Cole Osmundson
LOUISE E. OSMUNDSON, age 96 of Waseca died on Saturday, August 20, 2011 at Autumn Grace in Mankato.
Born on February 25, 1915 in Wilton Township, Waseca County, Minnesota she was the daughter of Albert and Lulu (Knight) Cole. She attended school at the “Pink Schoolhouse” in Wilton Township. Louise married James M. Osmundson on September 1, 1939 at the Methodist Church in Waseca. After raising her family, Louise worked at Mishek’s in Waseca for 14 years and later at the E.F. Johnson Co. for 15 years before retiring. She enjoyed traveling with her husband, knitting, crocheting, and crafting. Louise especially enjoyed spending time with her family. She was a member of Faith United Methodist Church in Waseca and the United Methodist Women.
She is survived by one daughter, Barbara Friedl of Waseca; one son, Roy Osmundson of Savage; three grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren. She is also survived by one brother, Bernard “Bud” (Betty) Cole of Waseca. Louise was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one son in infancy, one son-in-law, four sisters, and two brothers.
Visitation will be held at Kinder-Dennis Home for Funerals in Waseca on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 from 4-7 PM and continue on Wednesday, one hour before services at the church.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 24, 2011 at 10:30 AM at Faith United Methodist Church in Waseca with Rev. Victor Waters officiating. Burial will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca.
Virginia Bickell McColley Class of 1956
VIRGINIA LEE MCCOLLEY, age 73 of Waseca died on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at her residence in Waseca.
Born on March 30, 1938 in Le Sueur, Minnesota she was the daughter of Byron and Mabel (Elliott) Bickell. She moved to Waseca with her family and attended Waseca Public Schools, graduating in May of 1956.
On September 1, 1956, she married David McColley at the Evangelical Church in Waseca. Together they made their home in Waseca. She was a member of the Evangelical United Methodist Church where she served as a Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher. She enjoyed her family, grandchildren, reading and friends.
Virginia is survived by her husband Dave of Waseca; their children, Diane (Peter) Rohde of Burnsville, Debbie (Terry) Field of Pelican Rapids, Karen (Mark) Wilker of Waseca, Kevin McColley of Pinewood, Dan McColley of Pinewood, and Cheryl (Lanny) Viegut of Green Bay, WI; 9 grandchildren; and 2 great grandchildren. She is also survived by four sisters, Betty Kulas of Owatonna, Edith (Bill) Osborn of Winnebago, Violet Yerhot of Waseca, and Bonnie (Jerry) Lieberg of Brooklyn Center; one brother, Irving Bickell of Waterville; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother-Walter Bickell, and one sister-Mary Caswell.
Visitation will be held at Kinder-Dennis Home for Funerals in Waseca on Friday, December 2, 2011 from 4-8 PM and continue on Saturday, one hour before services at the church.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 1:00 PM at Evangelical United Methodist Church in Waseca with Rev. Jon Schultz officiating. Burial will follow at Owatonna Memorial Gardens.
Duane Dewey Myers
DUANE DEWEY MYERS, age 91 of Waseca, died on Friday, September 23, 2011 at the Fairview Care Center in Dodge Center.
Born on September 5, 1920, Dewey was the son of O.A. and Grace (House) Myers. After his family moved to Waseca in 1925, Dewey attended Waseca schools and graduated from Central High School in 1938. Dewey then worked for two years at E.F. Johnson Co. in Waseca before enlisting in the United States Navy. During his time in the service he was married to Lila Franzen on November 10, 1943 in Mundelein, Illinois. In 1945, Dewey was discharged from the Navy and went back to work at the E.F. Johnson Company. He continued his career there as the foreman of the assembly line until his retirement in 1985. During his retirement years in Arizona, he worked for a company called Rural Electric, where he organized and re-configured their warehouse and facilitated much of their field work. Dewey loved to walk and to sketch out ways to organize and re-imagine nearly everything with which he was involved. He also enjoyed playing bingo and was always one of the luckiest players in the room. Dewey was a long-time member of Grace Lutheran Church where he volunteered as an usher for many years.
Dewey is survived by his daughter, Julie (Rick) Frost of Wayne, PA; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Mel Jeddeloh of Waseca; and in-laws Marna and Daryl Nolte of Rochester; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by both of his parents; his wife, Lila; and one brother, George Myers.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, September 26, 2011 at Grace Lutheran Church in Waseca, with Rev. Roger Haug officiating. Visitation will be held for one hour before the service at the church. Interment will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca.
Ethel Ferch
ETHEL M. FERCH, age 91 of Waseca died on Monday, February 22, 2010 at Lake Shore Inn in Waseca.
Born in Blooming Grove Township, Waseca County, Minnesota on August 19, 1918, she was the daughter of Arthur and Inez (Schwanke) Schlossin. She attended rural school District #78 & #92 in Deerfield Township. She married Gordon Ferch October 31, 1936 at the Methodist Episcopal Church parsonage in Waseca. Ethel worked as a cleaning lady for both families and businesses for several years. She had also been employed with the Waseca Greenhouse. She enjoyed sewing, loved birds and had raised canaries. Ethel also enjoyed plants and flowers and was happiest at family gatherings. She was a member of Faith United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Church Women.
She is survived by one son, Vernon (Karen) Ferch of Waseca; one daughter, Jane (Lester) Kroeger of Waseca; six grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and two brothers.
Visitation will be a Kinder-Dennis Home for Funerals in Waseca on Sunday, February 28, 2010 from 3-7 PM and continue 1 hr. prior to the service at the church on Monday.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 1, 2010 at 10:30 AM at Faith United Methodist Church in Waseca with The Rev. Debra Collum officiating. Burial will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca.
Margaret Brown Cliff
MARGARET (BROWN) CLIFF, age 89 of Waseca died on Thursday, April 29, 2010 at her residence in Waseca.
Margaret Marion Brown Cliff, the first of three daughters of Rodney George and Vera Jeanette (Larson) Brown was born on February 27, 1921 in Waseca, Minnesota. She was baptized on April 20, 1921 by her uncle, the Reverend Levi Roseland and confirmed in the First English Lutheran Church on May 17, 1936 by the Reverend Iver Ramseth.
Margaret attended school in Waseca where she played oboe in the band and orchestra, sang in the glee club and wrote for the school paper while also doing all of the bookwork for her father’s business. She graduated in 1939 as salutatorian of her class. She went on to attend Mankato Teacher’s College (now Mankato State University) and the Minnesota School of Business. After her schooling was finished, she was employed as a secretary in the main office of the Red Owl Stores in Minneapolis and she also became the treasurer of the company’s credit union.
While still in school she met her husband to be – Thomas Keeley Cliff the son of McKinley and Frances Cliff of Lake City, Minnesota. They were married on February 7, 1943 at the home of her parents in Waseca. At the close of WWII they returned to Waseca where Margaret’s father asked the couple to become partners in R.G. Brown Electric Co. This was to be their life for the next 52 years until Tom’s death. While they anticipated that their two sons would take over the business, this was not to be as both sons preceded their father in death.
Margaret was a member of Waseca’s Lakeside Club. She and Tom were avid golfers. Many vacations were taken with their golf clubs in hand. Activities such as golfing, bowling and skiing with friends made for many hours of enjoyment.
Margaret is survived by her daughter, Barbara Cliff (Roberts) Mentzer of San Antonio, TX; two daughters-in-law, Barbara Cliff and JoAnn (Cliff) Earle of Waseca; 6 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; and her sister, Betty Sheeran of Seattle, WA. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband – Tom, two sons–Thomas Jr. and Richard, one great-grandson – Trae Daniel Peterson, and her sister – Bonnie Brown.
Visitation will be held at Kinder-Dennis Home for Funerals in Waseca on Monday, May 3, 2010 from 4-7 PM and continue on Tuesday, one hour before services at the church.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at 11:00 AM at Grace Lutheran Church in Waseca with Rev. Roger Haug officiating. Burial will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca.
Leone Fox
July 16, 2010 - July 16, 2010
Leone M. Fox, age 86 of Waseca, died on Friday, July 16, 2010 at her home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, July 20th at 1:00 p.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Waldorf with Fr. Peter Klein, Celebrant. Interment will be in the St. Joseph Community Cemetery, Waldorf. Visitation will be held on Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. at McRaith Funeral Home in Waseca, and will continue on Tuesday from 12:00 noon until the hour of service, at church.
Leone Marie was born on October 4, 1923 in Garner, Iowa to John and Lena (Miller) Spangler. She was a graduate of Pemberton High School. On November 29, 1944 she was united in marriage to Francis Joseph Fox at St. Ann Catholic Church in Janesville. Leone and Francis farmed and raised their family in Wilton Township, Waseca County. Over the years Leone worked for E.F. Johnson Co, Birds Eye, and Brown Printing in Waseca. Leone was an active member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Waldorf. She was also a member of the Waseca American Legion Auxiliary #228, and the Waseca V.F.W. Sweet-Sommers Auxiliary #1642.
Leone was very close to her family, enjoyed being with friends, and always willing to help people. She is survived by her son Terry Fox of Albert Lea, and her daughters Guynel (Jonathan) Reid of Northfield, and Victoria (Edward) Staheli of Lansing, IA; by her grandchildren Erika, Katelyn and Jon-Erle Reid, and Oliva and Julia Staheli. She was preceded in death by her husband Francis on December 12, 1990; by her parents, two sisters Bernadine Schmidt and Irene Schleusner, and by her brother Kenneth Spangler.
Kevin K. Kanne, age 58, of Faribault, passed away suddenly at his home on Sunday, December 12, 2010. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 18, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at the Paradise Center for the Arts, with Pastor Gary Wunderlich and Pastor Ray Ades from the Cannon City Community Church officiating. Interment will be held at the Cannon City Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home in Faribault on Friday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and at the Paradise Center for the Arts on Saturday for one hour prior to services.
Kevin Keith Kanne, the son of Kennard and Delora (Beese) Kanne, was born on September 10, 1952 in Waseca, MN. As a youth Kevin worked as a newspaper carrier for the Star Tribune. During his high school years he worked in Mishek’s mailroom and for Mishek Arabians and the Maplewood Cafe.
Kevin attended Waseca High School and graduated with the class of 1972 and then attended Mankato State University and earned his degree in Music Education. After college Kev had his own dump trucking company in Waseca in the 1980’s and ‘90’s and worked for Imaging Associates.
In 1985 he married Vicki Gould and they moved to Faribault. For the past 25 years he operated Kanne Orchard during weekends in September and October. Kevin was also a local REALTOR for Marketlink realty and occasionally drove for Clemons Bus Company in Waseca.
Music was a big part of Kevin’s life and he was a musician with the Mankato Symphony Orchestra for 35 years. He has played percussion and baritone horn with many local groups including community theatre productions, the Bandshell Brass, Cannon Valley Regional Orchestra, The Special Delivery Band of Mankato, and most recently Red Rock Canyon and Porchlight.
Kevin was an active member of the Cannon City Community Church, The St. Paul Area Association of REALTORS, committees for The Paradise Center for the Arts, and The Vintage Brass Festival. Kevin is survived by his wife Vicki of Faribault; by his children, Kathleen and Kenneth of Faribault; by his mother Delora Kanne of Faribault; by his sisters, Karen (Bob) Kolas of Minneapolis, Korrinne Kanne of Faribault, and Kendra Kahnke of Winnett, MT; by his sister-in-law, Mary (Glenn) Ellison of Springfield, MN; by nephews, Brent, Roy, Craig and Sam Kahnke, James Ellison and by his niece, Emily Ellison and many friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Kennard Kanne and his brother-in-law, Dave Kahnke.
Harvey Martin Samudio
Harvey Martin Samudio, age 87, formerly of New Richland, passed away on Wednesday, March 11, 2009, at St. Luke's Hospital in Florence, Kentucky.
Born in Pueblo, Colorado, on July 6th, 1921, Harvey was the son of Joseph and Rita Samudio. As a child migrant worker, he and his family followed seasonal crops around the United States. Later, while a teenager, he settled in the Waseca area. On January 18th, 1943, he married to Dorothy Mae Lindenburger in Owatonna. He and his wife raised four children on the north shore of Clear Lake in Elk’s Park. From then on, he developed both skill and reputation as an auto repairman and painter. He was a hard-working man with a strong sense of pride and of what was right. He loved to have fun and laugh, tell jokes, and pull your leg a bit if he could. He really understood life, being satisfied with what he had and where he was, making the most of each and every day, and thoroughly enjoying it. His family always came first, and he also loved fishing, gardening, and playing cards and dominos. Harvey will be long remembered by his family and all those who knew him.
Harvey is survived by four children: Sue Samudio (Jim Hale) of Waseca, MN; Linda Wright (Don Larison) of Burlington, KY; Ken (Noeline) Samudio of Elk River, MN; and Rita (Archie) Paulson of Eagan, MN; eight grandchildren: Dan Samudio, Alyssa Jacobson, Veronica Wright, Greg Samudio, Jason Samudio, Allison Samudio, Angie Paulson, and Audie Paulson; five great-grandchildren: RayAnn Samudio, Blake Borchardt, Chance Borchardt, Ava Samudio, and Ethan Samudio; and two siblings: Anita (Jerry) Brennan of Rochester, MN, and Tony Samudio of Albert Lea, MN. He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy; three brothers: Joe, George, and Raymond; and two sisters: Esther and Lucy.
A Memorial visitation was held from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, 2009 at Kinder-Dennis Home for Funerals in Waseca. Closing prayers were lead by Rev. Marty Schaefer.
Norma Tews Kugath
Norma LaMay Kugath, age 86 of Waseca died Friday, May 11, 2007 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester.
Born in Waseca, Minnesota on May 30, 1920, she was the daughter of Herman and Clara (Gutfleisch) Tews. She graduated from Waseca High School in 1938. Following her schooling, she worked for a short time as a pay clerk at the E.F. Johnson Co. in Waseca. Norma married Robert Kugath on July 10, 1943 at St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca. She later worked at Walter’s Cookbooks in Waseca. She enjoyed gardening, canning, golfing, playing bridge, dancing, and reading. She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca where she was involved with WELCA and bible study. Norma was also a member of Waseca Lakeside Club.
She is survived by her husband, Robert of Waseca; three children, Bruce (LeAnn) Kugath of Shakopee, Dale (Jennifer) Kugath of Waseca; and Gayle (Larry) Anfinson of Waterloo, IA; five grandchildren; and five great grandchildren. She is also survived by one sister, Ruth Bell of Mankato. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother-Glen.
Visitation will be held at Kinder-Dennis Home for Funerals in Waseca on Sunday, May 13, 2007 from 4-8 PM and continue on Monday, one hour before services at the church.
Funeral services will be held Monday, May 14, 2007 at 11:00 A.M. at St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca with Rev. Vicki R. Hultine officiating. Burial will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca.
Kennard K. Kanne
FARIBAULT - Kennard K. Kanne, 85, of Faribault, formerly of Waseca, died on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at the Pleasant Manor Nursing Home in Faribault.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 23 at 10 a.m. at McRaith Funeral Home in Waseca with the Rev. Ron Brey officiating. Interment will be in the Immanuel Blooming Grove Cemetery, Waseca County. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m. at McRaith Funeral Home in Waseca, and will continue on Monday morning for one hour prior to services, at the funeral home. There will be a 7:30 p.m. prayer service, Sunday evening at the funeral home.
Kennard Keith was born on March 2, 1922 in Waseca to Reuben and Lydia (Nelson) Kanne. He graduated in 1939 from Waseca Central High School. On Oct. 16, 1943. He was united in marriage to Delora Helen Beese in Chicago, Ill.
He is survived by his wife Delora of Faribault, formerly of Waseca; children, Karen K. Kolas of Minneapolis, Korrinne K. Kanne of Faribault, Kevin K. Kanne of Faribault, and Kendra K. Kahnke of Winnett, Mont.; six grandchildren; two sisters, Eunice Gasner of rural Waseca, and Lola (I.F.) Roesler of Burnsville.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Noel Kanne.
Robert J. Kugath
ROBERT “BOB” KUGATH, age 87 of Waseca died Thursday, October 18, 2007 at Colony Court in Waseca.
Born in Waseca, Minnesota on August 26, 1920, he was the son of Adolph and Martha (Lechner) Kugath. Bob graduated from Waseca High School in 1938. Following his schooling he served in the U.S. Army during WWII. Bob married Norma Tews on July 10, 1943 at St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca. After his discharge, Bob worked at the E.F. Johnson Co. in Waseca as a tool and die maker. He later became a partner with James Corchran in a small business in Otisco which later became Corchran Inc. For most of his career, Bob manufactured wood products in his shop for Herter's. He also worked as a real estate broker and partner in Tews Realty before retiring. Bob raised Arabian horses and he enjoyed woodworking, hunting, dancing, and singing. He was also an avid sports fan of the Waseca Bluejays and Shakopee High School Basketball. Bob was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca where he was a choir member, served on the church council, and sang at many funerals. He was also a member of the American Legion, VFW, Eagles, and Sheriff's Posse and a former member of the Barbershoppers, School Board, City Council, and Sleigh & Cutter Board all in Waseca.
He is survived by three children, Bruce (LeAnn) Kugath of Shakopee; Dale (Jennifer) Kugath of Waseca; and Gayle (Larry) Anfinson of Waterloo, IA; five grandchildren; and five great grandchildren. He is also survived by one sister-in-law, Ruth Bell of Mankato and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and one sister-Dorothy Tomaseski.
Visitation will be held at Kinder-Dennis Home for Funerals in Waseca on Friday, October 19, 2007 from 4-7 PM and continue on Saturday, one hour before services at the church.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 20, 2007 at 11:00 A.M. at St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca with Rev. Vicki R. Hultine officiating. Burial will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca.
Donald Kinkade
Berniece E. Swanson
1914-2004
Berniece Evelyn Swanson, 89, of Faribault formerly of Waseca, died Saturday, Aug. 7, 2004, at Pleasant Manor, in Faribault.
She was born Aug. 30, 1914, in Almont, N.D. the daughter of George and Severina (Oien) Ims.
She married Carl Swanson on Sept. 30, 1939, at the Urland Lutheran Church in rural Sogn. They farmed in Southern Minnesota for several years before moving to Red Wing. Carl and Berniece lived in Red Wing for 10 years. While living in Red Wing Berniece went to work for the Red Wing School System as a cook at the high school. She and Carl moved to Waseca in 1956, were she again worked for the public schools as a cook. She later became the manager of the Waseca School District's cafeterias, a position she held until her retirement in 1979. In their retirement Berniece and Carl enjoyed spending significant amounts of time at their cabin on Lake Francis in Elysian and wintering in Alamo, Texas. Berniece had a zest for life and loved to talk to people. More than anything she loved her family and cherished being able to spend time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Berniece is survived by her husband, of 64 years Carl Swanson of Faribault; her son, Bruce and Sharon Swanson of Pine Island; her daughter, Phyllis Kaderlik of Owatonna; her grandchildren, Wendy and Bruce Koenen, Kim and Jon Sanborn, Brent and Jan Swanson, Brian Swanson, Stacey and Andy Steele, Julie Kaderlik, Lori and Scott Proechel; 12 great-grandchildren; and her sister Darlene and Irven Rustad of Cannon Falls.
She was preceded in death by her parents George and Severina Ims, her sister Sylvia Prigge and her brothers Vernon, Eugene and Orie Ims.
Visitation will be held at Michaelson Funeral Home, Owatonna on Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. and on Thursday at Grace Lutheran Church from 1 to 2 p.m. Funeral services will be held Thursday, Aug. 12, 2004, at 2 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Waseca. The Rev. Roger Haug of Grace Lutheran Church will be officiating. Burial will be in the Woodville Cemetery in Waseca.
Margaret M. Wabner
1912-2003
WASECA -- Margaret M. Wabner, 91, of Waseca died Friday, Nov. 28, 2003 at the Lake Shore Inn Nursing Home in Waseca.
Born in Waseca on Sept. 2, 1912, she was the daughter of Gustav and Jennie (Bratdka) Wardien. She was baptized on March 23, 1913, at Salem Evangelical Church in Waseca and confirmed on March 28, 1926, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Waseca. She attended Waseca Public Schools. On Sept. 7, 1933, she was united in marriage to Elmer J. Wabner in Northwood, Iowa, by Pastor J.W. Ylvisaker.
She enjoyed quilting with groups from St. John and St. Paul Lutheran churches. She also enjoyed doing embroidery work, bingo, circle word books and playing cards. She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca where she was a member of the Mary Circle Bible Study.
She is survived by one daughter, Shirley Fette and her husband Leo; two sons, Dave Wabner and his wife Berni and Michael Wabner and his wife Linda, all of Waseca; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, Jeffrey (Mary) Fette of Waseca; Cathy (Joseph) Bruggenthies, Ryan and Colin Kimball of Kasson; William Fette of Waseca; Kellee (Jeffrey) Nelson, Kristyn, Alex, and Marisa of Fairmont; Becki (Michael) Weber, Joshua and Julia of Elgin; Jon Wabner and Beth Abraham of Waseca; Jenni (Chris) Caulk of Cambridge; Nicole (Chris) Ruedy, Austin, and Spencer of North Mankato. She is also survived by one sister, Ruth Ringdahl of Portland, Ore.; two brothers-in-law, Nathan Bourassa of Waseca and Claude Dale of Las Vegas, Nev.; three sisters-in-law, Agnes Wabner and Lillian Somers of Waseca and Violet Vollbrecht of Waterville; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and two sisters, Monetta "Ann" Dale and Josephine Bourassa.
Visitation will be held at Kinder-Dennis Home for Funerals in Waseca on Monday, Dec. 1, 2003, from 4-8 p.m. and continue on Tuesday one hour before services at the church.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2003, at 2 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca with Rev. Vicki R. Hultine and Rev. David A. Berg officiating. Burial will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca.
Joseph P Schumacher Jr
1943-2003
Joseph Paul Schumacher Jr., 59, of Waseca, died Saturday, Sept. 6, 2003 at Waseca Medical Center after a two-year battle with lung cancer.
Joe Schumacher was born on Nov. 5, 1943, in Marshall to Joseph and Lola (Bosacker) Schumacher. He married Sherri Lechner on Feb. 18, 1966 at Sacred Heart Church in Waseca.
Mr. Schumacher was employed by Brown Printing Co. in Waseca for 39 years and was manager of Plant Engineering and Environmental Safety.
He was a member of Waseca VFW Post 1642 and Sacred Heart Church and the adult choir.
Joe Schumacher is survived by his wife, Sherri; three daughters, Salleen Hoehn of Waseca, Stefanee Stafford of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Cristeen Schumacher of Waseca; a son, Joseph Schumacher III of Waseca; his mother, Lola Schumacher of Waseca; two sisters, Audrey Guion of Johnson City, Tenn., Nancy Burnham of DePere, Wis.; two brothers, James Schumacher of Springfield, Mo., and Charles Schumacher of Waseca; and eight grandchildren.
The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Waseca.
Visitation will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. today at the Kinder-Dennis Home for Funerals in Waseca with a 5 p.m. rosary service. Visitation will continue an hour prior to the service Wednesday at the church.
Sybil H. Metzler
1917- 2001
SYBIL HARRIET METZLER, age 84 of Waseca died Monday, October 22, 2001 at the Lake Shore Inn Nursing Home in Waseca.
Born in Blooming Grove Township, Waseca County, Minnesota on March 23, 1917, she was the daughter of John and Rosa (Hershliep) Herrley. She attended country school near Morristown. She married Martin "Mike" Metzler on February 28, 1938 in Waseca County. She was a housewife and worked for a number of years at Birdseye Division of General Foods in Waseca during the corn and pea packs. She was a resident of the Lake Shore Inn Nursing Home in Waseca since 1995. She enjoyed bingo, playing cards, Twins Baseball, activities at the nursing home and talking about her grandchildren. She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Waseca.
She is survived by two sons, Marvin (Judy) Metzler of Mankato, Melvin "Butch" Metzler and special friend Kris Headley of Arvada, CO; three daughters, Barbara (Carroll) Schlueter of Waseca, Karen (Jerry) Meister of Waseca, and Sandy (Gene) Matz of Waseca; eight grandchildren; and 11 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, three brothers and five sisters.
Visitation was held at Kinder-Dennis Home for Funerals in Waseca on Friday, October 26, 2001 from 4-8 PM with a 7:30 PM evening prayer service and continued on Saturday one hour before services at the church.
Funeral services were held Saturday, October 27, 2001 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Waseca with Rev. Armand J. Boehme STM, Rev. Victor Roth and Vicar Dale D. Boening officiating. Burial followed at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca.
Casket Bearers:
Scott Schlueter Kevin Meister
Darryl Metzler Troy Matz
Jay Harguth Jeff Kritzer
Jason Hinna Lenny Fitzlaff
Honorary Casket Bearers:
Kim Harguth Tammy Kritzer
Tracy Matz Paula Metzler
Holly Schlueter Jana Metzler
Lori Lentz Yolinda Meister
Nancy Fitzlaff
Ula Crawford
Harry Crawford
Stella Marie Taft Runge
Birth: June 18, 1918
Detroit Lakes
Becker County
Minnesota, USA
Death: Apr. 11, 1995
Waseca
Waseca County
Minnesota, USA
Stella M. Runge, 76, of Waseca, died Tuesday, April 11, 1995, at Lake Shore Inn Nursing Home, Waseca.
Mrs. Runge, daughter of Arthur and Anna (Rudolph) Taft,was born June 18, 1918, in Detroit Lakes. She moved to Waseca County as a young girl with her family and attended rural Waseca County school, graduating from Waseca High School in 1936. She then graduated from Mankato Commercial College in 1938. She was united in marriage to Martin Runge on Sept. 14, 1938, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Waseca. They farmed in Waseca County and later in Dodge County before moving to New Richland. She was employed at various locations in Waseca, including the University of Minnesota, Brown Printing Company, Dean's Specialty and Mishek's. They moved to Waseca in 1982, and she worked for Waseca County in the courthouse from 1982 to 1989. She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Waseca, and the Ladies Aid.
She is survived by one son and his wife; two daughters; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law; and cousins.
Mother of Diane Runge Albert
She was preceded in death by her husband, Martin, in 1993; by one sister and three brothers-in-law.
Burial: Woodville Cemetery
Waseca, Minnesota, USA
Note: Neither obituary from Percy or Irene Johnson has the correct wedding date:
March 25, 1939.
Emrys Price Thomas was born to William and Lucy Thomas and was the 7th son of a 7th son suggesting he had the luck of the Welsh. He was one of twelve siblings born to William and his two wives, both of whom were called Lucy. The second Lucy and most of the children joined William in Massachusetts in 1912, coming thence from Wales in the United Kingdom. William was in the insurance business both in Wales and in America.
To his Massachusetts family Emrys was known as Em or Emmy but to everyone he knew from college onward, he was Tommy. He attended Classical High in Worcester, was a Horace Mann Scholar at Clark University, and received his MDiv from Hartford Seminary. He also met his future wife at Hartford, Eleanor Baldwin, and his best friend and Best Man, the Rev. Donald A. Simpson.
Tommy was a minister in the Congregational Christian Church and then, after the merger of that body with the E&R Church, in the United Church of Christ. A mainline denomination, the UCC is largely progressive in its philosophy and Tommy and Eleanor were broad and open-minded exemplars of their church
They had four children, Terry Baldwin Thomas (b. 1945-d. 1984), Jeffry Parke Thomas (b. 1949), Gregory Baldwin Thomas (b. 1952, d. in his sixth month), and Parke Baldwin Thomas (b. 1955).
Tommy and Eleanor served churches in Blaine, WA, Waseca, MN, Everett, WA, St. Paul, MN, and, Walla Walla, WA. Tommy served churches after Eleanor's death in Pittsfield and Worcester, Mass.
Tommy was ordained at his childhood church, Chestnut Street Congregational Church in Worcester, Mass. and his funeral service there in 1983 was the last service held in the church before it merged with Central Congregational Church and closed its doors that same year.
Tommy served on every social action board in each of the cities in which he lived. He was named Waseca Man of the Year in the early-middle 1950s. He built new churches in Everett, WA and Waseca, MN. He was Chaplain of the Minnesota Legislature in 1961 and/or 1962. He was appointed by Gov. Dan Evans of Washington State to serve on a Select Committee on _______. He was a member of Inquiry Club in Walla Walla from 1963-1981, sitting as theological leader with Whitman College Presidents, medical and legal thought-leaders, and scientists such as Nobel Prize winner Walter Brattain.
Milo B. Olsen
Young Insurance Executive Dies
Milo B. Olsen Passed Away Suddenly Yesterday Afternoon
The many friends of Milo B. (Mike) Olsen, an executive of the State Farmers Mutual Insurance Co. Of this city, were shocked to learn of his sudden death shortly after 5 o’clock Wednesday afternoon. Although suffering from a heart disorder, his health was apparently good and he had been at the office throughout the day.
In company with Edw. B. Watland, he went for a ride and they stopped at Bem Von Sein’s oil station on the east shore of Clear Lake, where he had spent many happy hours during his fifteen years of residence here. Mr. Watland continued on into town and Mike decided to visit with Ben Von Sein and Wm. U. Miller and Ed. Von Sein of Minneapolis before going home. They stepped into the station and in a few minutes, he sat down in a chair and passed away without any warning. His brother-in-law, Lyle E. Rutledge drove up just as he suffered the attack and medical service was quickly secured but he could not be revived.
Mr. Olsen came to Waseca in 1930 to join the State Farmers Mutual Insurance Co. and advanced quickly in the firm. He served for many years as Supervisor of Agents and in recent years was elected to the Board of Directors. He was relieved of road work and recently took over an executive office position. He was one of the most popular young business men in the city and took an active part in the affairs of the Sportsmen Club and the Junior Chamber of Commerce.
Deceased was born on Feb. 28, 1911, at Storm Lake, Iowa, the son of Mr. and Mrs. A. P. Olsen. He attended the grade schools and graduated from Storm Lake high school, after which he attended Buena Vista college before coming to this city. On Aug. 6, 1936, he was married here to Miss Ruth Teckla Sommerstad, and she and two daughters, Judy and Patricia, survive. Also his parents, and one brother, Capt. Robert Olsen in the Marine Air Corps in the South Pacific, and four sisters, Mrs. Lyle Rutledge of this city, Mrs. G. G. Jarnagan and Mrs. J. F. Evans of Storm Lake, Iowa and Miss Frieda Olsen of Prescott, Ariz.
The remains will lie in wake at the C. P. Sommerstad residence, 608 Elm Ave. East, until the time of the funeral services in the home at 2 o’clock Saturday afternoon. Burial will be in Woodville cemetery.
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