Latest Obituaries (573)
Funeral services for Ellis N. (Ollie) Reese of Ellendale, MN, will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 1, 2012 at the First Lutheran Church in Ellendale, MN. Pastor Richard L. Sliper will officiate. Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 29, 2012 from 4 until 7 p.m. at the Bonnerup Funeral Service in Ellendale and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the First Lutheran Cemetery, Ellendale, MN.
Ollie died on Saturday, February 25, 2012 at the Albert Lea Good Samaritan Center. She was 87 years of age.
Ellis was born June 13, 1924 in Waseca, MN, the daughter of Erick and Clara Wobschall. She attended public school in Waseca County. On July 11, 1941 she was united in marriage to Harold G. Reese at the LeSeuer River Lutheran Church.
Ollie was a resident of the Ellendale area all of her married life. She was an active member of the First Lutheran Church participating in the Altar Guild and Church Circle. Ollie worked for Red Snapper Co., Ollie Cole Dress Shop, Pete and Rub’s and Lerbergs. For over 25 years, she worked as a sales clerk for the JC Penny Store in Owatonna, MN. She was also a member of the Eagles Club.
Ollie enjoyed gardening, camping and would do sewing and alterations for others out of her home.
Ollie is survived by her daughters; Helen Schmidt of Ellendale, MN, and Darlene (Ronald) Christensen of Lincoln, NB. Grandchildren; Julie (DeWayne) Roberts, Jim (Mary) Brocker, Jane (Alan) Melander, Mike (Peggy) Christensen, great grandchildren; Cassandra, Nicolas, Jake, Jessica, Mercedes, Corbin, Caleb, Tyler and Brianna. Also surviving is one brother; Wallace (Marge) Wobschall of Austin, MN, and one sister Mae Hightshoe of Cannon Falls, MN.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Harold, son in law Chuck Schmidt, three sisters , five brothers, one brother in infancy and three grandchildren in infancy.
Avis Marie DeRaad, age 91 of Waseca, formerly of Clarks Grove, died Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at Mayo Health System Waseca.
Born in Clarks Grove on July 22, 1920, Avis was the daughter of Albert and Helen (Larsen) Larson. She attended school in Albert Lea, and graduated in 1937. She married Eldert DeRaad on January 10, 1944 in Clarks Grove. She had been a member of First Baptist Church in both Clarks Grove and in Albert Lea during her life. Avis enjoyed baking, decorating, and spending time with her family and friends.
Avis is survived by her children, Karen Nielsen of Waseca, Dale (Cindy) DeRaad of Waseca, Max (Sharon) DeRaad of Forest Lake, Lori (Terry) Fuller of Waseca, Keith (Cyndy) DeRaad of Bloomington, and Mary Ortiz of Stewartville; eleven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, Lorraine Larson, Maureen Larson, and June Larson; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by both of her parents; her husband; one son, Dennis; one son-in-law, Paul Nielsen; two granddaughters, Melissa and Sara DeRaad; and four brothers, Robert and his wife Deloris, Charles, Ralph, and John Larson.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 25, 2012 at First Baptist Church in Clarks Grove, with Rev. Jamie Cameron officiating. A private family interment will take place before the service at Clarks Grove Cemetery.
Ione Mae Schuster, age 83, passed away on February 17, 2012 at Bethany Good Samaritan in Brainerd, Minnesota. Ione was born on February 16, 1929 in Owatonna, MN to Henry and Mae (Natalie) Schoaf. Ione married George Schuster on September 29, 1948 at LeSuer River Lutheran Church in New Richland, MN.
Ione and her husband farmed for several years at Ellendale, MN. Ione worked at Owatonna State School for four-years as a counselor. She and her husband moved to Baxter, MN in 1970. Ione worked at the Brainerd Regional Human Services Center as a Human Services Specialist for 21 years.
Ione took part in 4-H, was president of PTA, secretary of Ladies Aid and was a member of Ladies of the Moose.
Survivors include her two children: Karen Sullivan (David) of Sheboygan, WI and Wayne Schuster (Jane) of Brownton, MN; five grandchildren; two great grandchildren; one brother, Marvin Schoaf of Owatonna, MN; and sister-in-law Leona Willert of Owatonna, MN.
She was preceded in death by her husband George, and her parents.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 24, 2012 at 1 p.m. at Bethany Good Samaritan chapel with visitation one-hour prior to services. She was a long-standing member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Brainerd.
Family being served by: Halvorson-Johnson Funeral and Cremation Care, Brainerd/Baxter 218-829-3581, www.halvorson-johnson.com.
Remembering the life of Alice D. Nelson...
Funeral Services for Alice D. Nelson, of Ellendale, MN, will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Ellendale. Pastor Diane Butler will officiate. Interment will be in the Berlin Township Cemetery, rural Ellendale.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Monday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Ellendale, and one hour before the service.
Alice died surrounded by her loving family on Friday, February 17, 2012 at the Homestead Hospice House in Owatonna. She was 79 years old.
She was born on January 5, 1933, in Cuervo, New Mexico, the daughter of John and Delta (Foster) Ashley. Alice was raised in California and in 1949 she made Ellendale her home.
On September 19, 1952, Alice married Edward James Nelson.
They lived in Ellendale and her family was her main focus. She was a “good cook,” an expert seamstress, making almost all the family clothing, and enjoyed needlepoint. Alice made and sold crafts at several area shows for many years.
She is survived by three sons: Edward J. Nelson Jr. and Wesley D. (Lori) Nelson, both of Ellendale, William C. Nelson of White Bear Lake, MN, grandson Tyler Nelson of Ellendale and sister-in-law Bert Ashley of California, long time friend Nola Roberts of Ellendale and her son Jeremie of Owatonna.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Edward, two brothers Norman and John Ashley.
Robert D. Tesch, age 82, of Waldorf, MN, died Saturday, February 18, 2012 at Mayo Clinic Health System-Mankato, MN. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Waldorf, MN. Visitation will be Monday, February 20, 2012 from 4-7 p.m. at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Pastor Michael Mathews will officiate the service and burial will be in the First Lutheran Cemetery in Waldorf. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells is assisting the family with arrangements.
Robert Dean Tesch was born October 6, 1929, the son and one of 6 children born to Wilhelm and Clara (Eichhorst) Tesch in Freedom Township, Waseca County, MN. He was a life-long member of First Lutheran Church in Waldorf. He was baptized Oct. 20, 1929 and was confirmed there on June 20, 1943. Bob had served on the Church's finance board, was involved in choir and Couple's Club.
Robert farmed his whole life near Waldorf. On April 18, 1954, he was united in marriage to Erna Esther Mathews at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Blue Earth, MN. He enjoyed farming and his family was important to him.
Robert is survived by one son, Bert (wife Stephanie) Tesch of Waldorf, MN; grandchildren: Michael Tesch and Christina Tesch, both of IL; Melissa Tesch (special friend Abner Berrios) of Fayetteville, NC; Brandi, Katlyn and Michelle Johnson, and Jack Tesch, all of Waldorf, MN; two great-grandchildren: Ayana Gastelum and Julian Berrios; one sister: Lois (Verle) Paul of St. Paul, MN; sister-in-law: Dorothea Tesch of SD; along with several nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Erna in 2001; two brothers: Marlyn and Wilfred; and two sisters: Luella Schlaak and Norma Marquardt.
Harriet E. Paulson, 95, of Hugo, formerly of Owatonna, Minnesota, died Tuesday, February 14, 2012, at St. John’s Hospital, Maplewood, Minnesota.
Harriet Hogaas was born July 31, 1916 in Berlin Township the daughter of Clarence and Lillie (Johnson) Hogaas. She graduated from OHS in 1935. Harriet was united in marriage to Clayton Paulson on June 22, 1937 in Pontoppidan Lutheran Church and the couple farmed in Lemond Township. Clayton died in May 1982. Harriet continued living on the farm until moving to Owatonna. In 2002 she moved to White Bear Lake to be closer to her family and later to Hugo where she made her home at Suite Living of Hugo.
Harriet’s heritage was important to her. Being of Scandinavian decent she enjoyed making pancakes and lutefisk to name just a couple of her favorites. She also enjoyed crocheting, quilting, bowling, watching and following sports. She had a strong faith and was a member at Pontoppidan Lutheran Church where she sang in the choir and served as a Sunday school teacher. She also volunteered at Cedarview Care Center. Mostly though, she was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend to many.
She is survived by a daughter, Joan Paulson of Forest Lake; three sons, Craig (and Karen) Paulson of White Bear Lake; Archie (and Rita) Paulson of New Richland; Mark (and Nancy) Paulson of Gilbert, AZ; seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Harriet was preceded in death by her husband Clayton, her parents, and a sister, Borghild Hatle.
Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home on Friday, February 17, 2012 from 5 to 7 p.m. and one hour prior to the service in the church. Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 11 a.m. at Pontoppidan Lutheran Church with The Reverend Sandy Miller officiating. Interment will be in the Pontoppidan Church Cemetery in Lemond Township. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Pontoppidan Lutheran Church, the First Presbyterian Church, White Bear Lake or donor’s choice.
Remembering the life of Vernon S. Thompson….
The funeral service for Vernon S. Thompson, of Albert Lea, formerly of New Richland, will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 18, 2012 at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Richland. The Reverend Scott Williams will officiate. Interment will be in Hartland Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by New Richland Veteran’s Organizations. Visitation will be one hour before services at the church on Saturday. Friedrich Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Vernon died on Monday, February 13, 2012 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester. He was 94.
He was born on January 30, 1918, in Hartland, Minnesota, the son of Arthur and Caroline (Sibilrud) Thompson. He attended rural country school and then proudly served our country He served in the U.S. Army from March of 1942 until his honorable discharge in December of 1945. When Vernon returned from the war he attended Dunwoody Institute where he attained training in auto body repair.
On May 21, 1950, Vernon married Bernice Kofstad in Hartland; they later made their home in New Richland. Vernon along with his brother Harold owned and operated Thompson Auto Body for more than 38 years before Vernon retired. He and brother Harold also owned a trailer park in New Richland.
He was a member of St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church and had also been a member of the American Legion.
He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping with his family, and loved lutefisk and lefsa.
Vernon is survived by his children Harriet (Jim) Dietz of Faribault, MN, Jeff (Dawn) Thompson of Byron, MN; four grandchildren: Karrie Dietz (Mike Galligan) of Thialand, Shane (Anita) Dietz of Fort Myers, Florida, Jason (Ikeda) Thompson of Las Vegas, Nevada, Megan (Isaac) Johnson of Stewartville, MN, greatgranddaughter Isis Thompson of Las Vegas, Nevada; sister Mae O’Neal of Cedar Rapids, IA; brother Harold (Helen) Thompson of New Richland; sister’s-in-law and brother’s-in-law: Florence Thompson of Waseca, MN, Florence Thompson of Utah, David Demmer of Owatonna , MN, LeRoy (Bonnie) Kofstad of Hartland, MN, John (Pat) Kofstad of Mantorville, MN, Harriet Light of Fargo, ND and many nieces and nephews.
Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Bernice; sisters: Alice Rosenthal and Clarice Hendricks, brothers: James, Arville, Elvern and George Thompson.
Vernon will be fondly remembered for his kind, gentle, easy-going spirit.
Kenneth Lee Sundve, 61, of Gilbert, Ariz., passed away Feb. 4, 2012. He was born in New Richland on Feb. 27, 1950. He moved to Mesa, AZ in 1988. Ken was a loving grandfather who was deeply devoted to his family.
Ken is survived by his wife Debra (Motschenbacher) Sundve, of 38 years; son, Jason Sundve, and his wife, Nonie Elliott Sundve; grandchildren Jaxon and Aiva Sundve; two brothers Steve (Diana) of Albert Lea and Bob (Pat) of Mount Ida, AR; and sister Judy (Hans) Jensen of Freeborn, MN.
Ken was preceded in death by his brother Ron, and his parents, Casper and Darlene Sundve.
A mass will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 17 at St. Mary Magdalene, 2654 E. Williams Field Road, Gilbert, AZ.
Richard “Dick” Amos Hendrickson of Virginia, MN, and formerly long-time resident of Rochester, MN. passed away February 1, 2011 at St. Mary’s Essential Health in Duluth, MN at the age of 73 due to complications of a fall.
Dick was born October 2, 1938 to Amos and Alvira (Paulson) Hendrickson in New Richland. He was baptized and confirmed at the Hartland Lutheran church, now known as Cross of Glory. He attended school in New Richland, MN.
Dick’s real estate career in the Rochester, MN area covered almost 35 years, working for various firms.
ln his younger years, he enjoyed playing softball, and snow skied until recently. He loved to travel, especially to ski in Europe, and taking many trips with Joan.
He is survived by his special friend Joan Horton of Virginia, MN and by his children Lisa, Richard ll (Rich) Hendrickson, and grandson Joshua Christianson.
He is also survived by a sister Ruth Ann (Ross) Severtson of Hayward, MN, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Patricia Janzen and Linda Lewis; grandparents Oscar and Anna Hendrickson, Peter and Pauline Paulson; and great niece Cara Jape.
A final “Open House” for Dick will be held in Rochester, MN on February 17, 2011.
Dick will truly be missed by Joan, family and friends.
Valeria Jane (Humburg) Cunningham died January 26, 2012, at the Hospice House on Midway Road, Ft Pierce, FL lovingly surrounded by her family. She slipped away peacefully to the tunes of one of her favorite musical groups, Peter, Paul and Mary.
She was born on January 21, 1935 on her grandparent’s farm in Blue Earth, MN and grew up on her father’s farm in Ellendale, MN. She was the third of Fred and Tina Humburg’s seven children: JoAnn, Robert, Valeria, Lowell, Verdel, Carole, and Steve. She graduated from high school in 1953 from Ellendale Consolidated School. Sometime later Valeria left for Washington, D.C. where she secured a job in the secretary pool at the Federal Reserve System.
While in the D.C. area she met her husband of 20 years Walter Cunningham, married and started a family. Her first son David was born in 1957. Later she moved to Eau Gallie, FL where she gave birth to Sandra in 1959, Stuart in 1960 and Jeanne in 1962.
Valeria transitioned from being a homemaker to working mother of four at various jobs in the area and settled at Tropicana, Fort Pierce where she worked for 15 years as a blend deck operator and tanker loader. She retired in 2001.
She was predeceased by her parents, Fred and Clementine “Tina” (Renkley) Humburg; her sister JoAnn Ramsey and her brothers Robert Humburg and Steve Humburg.
Survivors include her sons David (Josephine) Cunningham of Ft. Pierce; Stuart (Louise) Cunningham of Ft. Pierce; daughters Sandra (Barry) Love of Vero Beach; Jeanne (James) Moretti of Vero Beach. She was the proud grandmother of 10: Kristine, Lisa, Sarah, Jason, Samantha, Nicholas, Jessica, Andrea, Angela and Michael. And equally proud great-grandmother of seven: Hailey, Daniel W., Hayden, Tristan, Anthony, Daniel M. and Mia.
Val was well loved by her family and friends who will find comfort in the many wonderful and humorous memories she leaves behind. She will be missed by all.
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A visitation for Violet Callahan of Ellendale will be held from 3-6 p.m., Sunday, February 5th at Bonnerup Funeral Service in Ellendale. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, February 6th at St. Aiden Catholic Church in Ellendale with a visitation one hour prior. Father Swammi will officiate. Interment will be in the St. Aiden's Cemetery.
Violet died Wednesday, February 1st, 2012 at Homestead Hospice in Owatonna. She was 90 years old.
A Freeborn County resident all her life, Violet was born on May 9th, 1921 in Albert Lea, to Harold and Jessie Stieler. She graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1939. Violet married Edward Callahan on May 7th, 1941 at the St. Aiden Catholic Church in Ellendale where both were members. They had many happy years together and had 4 beautiful children that lead to 11 grand children and 13 great grand children. Violet's happiest moments were when she was surrounded by her family. She played the organ in the church for many years and was a waitress in the Ellendale and Geneva area. She enjoyed knitting, sewing, and crossword puzzles.
Violet is survived by three of her children, Mike (Carlotta) Callahan of Mable, Minnesota, Ron (Jacqui) Callahan of Ellendale, Ryan (Edna) Callahan of Ellendale; son-in-law, Art Alders of Clarks Grove; brother Rolland (Kay) Stieler of Calispell, MT; brother-in-law, Phil (Betty) Callahan of Albert Lea; sister-in-laws, Doris Callahan of Albert Lea, Anne A. Casterson of Albert Lea, Phyllis Stieler of Albert Lea; 11 grand children; 13 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Violet is preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Jessie Stieler; husband, Edward Callahan; daughter; Edona Alders; brother, Jack Stieler; and sister, Lorraine Babcock.
Daniel (Dan) Gilster age 71 of Albert Lea, MN died Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at his home in Albert Lea. Funeral service will be held Friday, Feb 3, 2012 at 1 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. Visitation Thursday evening from 4 until 7 and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Funeral services for Ferdinand (Fred) T. Phillips of New Richland, MN, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, February 4, 2012 at the All Saints Catholic Church in New Richland. Father Swami will officiate. Visitation will be held Friday evening from 4 until 7 p.m. at the Friedrich Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.
Mr. Phillips died Tuesday evening, January 31, 2012 at his home in New Richland. He was 94 years of age. His last days were spent surrounded by his loving family.
Fred was born January 1, 1918 in Jessop, Iowa, the son of Math and Angeline (Hubert) Phillips. He attended public school in Iowa and Minnesota. He made his home in Iowa then moving to Medford, MN, and to Hartland at the age of 14. On September 16, 1945 he was united in marriage to Marilyn Sondergard at the All Saints Catholic Church in New Richland.
Fred was engaged in farming all of his life. He was an active member of the All Saints Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Fred loved to play cards and was an avid pool player in his younger years. He was an avid Twins fan. All of his life, Fred was a hard working, honest man.
Fred is survived by his children; Dale and Valerie Phillips of Hartland, MN, Lori and Michael Frafjord of Rosemount, MN, Dann and Joanne Phillips of Hartland, MN, daughter in law Julie Phillips of Hartland, MN. Grandchildren include; Amy (Chris) Beausoleil, Aaron (Jeanette) Phillips, Anne Phillips, Dr. Alison (Chris) Sorensen, Matthew Phillips, Lucas Frafjord, Thomas Frafjord, Peter Frafjord, Abby Phillips and Kacie Phillips. Great grandchildren; Madeline, Morgan, Andrew and Faith Phillips, Alex and Emma Beausoleil, and Lily Sorensen. One sister Marjorie Mueller of CA, brothers Rudy Phillips of Hartland, MN, Robert (Beverly) Phillips of Ellendale, MN, Arnold (Mona) Phillips of Pensacola, FL, sister in law Wilma Zoeller of Albert Lea, MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Marilyn, son Neil, granddaughter Catherine Frafjord, brothers Hubert, Tony, Rayfield and Roman Phillips and sister Margaret Rebbe.
The memorial service for Donald Hamilton will be held at Country Neighbors in New Richland, Minnesota on Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 2 p.m. with Reverend Scott Williams officiating. Internment will be at St. Peter Cemetery outside of New Richland with military honors.
Donald, who was 100 years old, died Monday, January 30, 2012 at Country Neighbors, according to his wishes.
Donald was born December 14, 1911 in Parton, England to James and Sarah (Carr) Hamilton. He immigrated to the United States with his mother and 3 of his siblings in 1920 after his father died at age 52 in a drowning accident. He grew up in Rock Springs, Wyoming and for a few years enjoyed being a cowboy with his good friend, Alec. Donald later had a job with the Wyoming State Highway Dept shoveling and picking rocks which eventually led into surveying roads going into Yellowstone National Park. He met the love of his life, Esther S. Michaelis, in Big Piney, Wyoming, where Esther was the superintendent of the school. They were married on May 30, 1936. Donald started working for the United States Border Patrol in 1941 and continued until his retirement after 30 years of service. He attended college in Minot, North Dakota & also in Grand Forks, at the University of North Dakota. Don was a veteran of WW II and was stationed in the Southwest Pacific as a military policeman. He had entered the Army on September 15, 1943 and was honorably discharged as a 1st Lt on June 8, 1945. Over the 70+ years Don & Esther were married they lived in numerous areas of the United States but retired to New Richland to be closer to Esther’s family. Donald was a member of St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Richland. Donald was an avid golfer & he spent multitudes of hours reading to keep his mind sharp. He enjoyed driving his Cadillac to Florida where he and Esther spent many winters. Donald adored his wife, Esther, and was her devoted caretaker in her later years when her health declined. Don will be fondly remembered and missed by all the dedicated staff of Country Neighbor’s who cared for him.
Donald is survived by several nieces and nephews.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents, James and Sarah Hamilton; his wife, Esther; and all ten of his siblings, Andrew, Isabelle, Eva, Minnie, Sally, James, Jack, Roger, Ambrose, & Janet.