Manfred A. Skulstad
Manfred A. Skulstad, well-known in the Hamden-Audubon area, died at his home in Las Cruces, N.M., on Dec. 28 [1999]. He was 82.
Skulstad was born to Martin and Magna Skulstad on Sept. 25, 1917, at Velva, N.D. In May 1988, he married Mary Ruller Kolb at Kenyon. He is survived by his wife and one sister, Helen Houge of Detroit Lakes, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by one brother and two sisters. A memorial service will be held in the spring.

Erna Leuders
The funeral service for Erna Leuders, 80, of Frazee was held on Tuesday at 2 p.m. with Rev. William Aufdenkamp officiating. Burial will be in the Gorman Township Cemetery near Frazee. Visitation was held at Furey Funeral Home in Frazee.
She died at Saturday in the Frazee Care Center.
Erna Louis Erdman was born the daughter of Julius and Ernestine (Kriegel) Erdman on Aug. 6, 1919, in Embden, N.D. She was united in marriage to Ross Bighley in 1937. They made their home in Coleraine until his death in 1950. She moved to Frazee in 1950 and in 1952, she married Wilfred Leuders. They moved to Seaside, Ore., where they owned and operated a cafe. In 1980, they moved back to Frazee, where they retired. He died on Oct. 24, 1985.
She is survived by one son, John (Alexis) Bighley of Maplewood; a daughter, Barbara (Gary) Eckhardt of Eden Prairie; two sisters, Agnes Wothe of Frazee and Gerda (Joe) Walker of Melbourne, Fla.; two brothers, Bill Erdman of Dearborn, Mich., and Bob (Edna) Erdman of Lake Wales, Fla.; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Irene Matejka, two sisters and one brother.

Marion Thunstrom
Marion Thunstrom, 81, of Detroit Lakes, died Monday, Jan. 3, 2000, at St. Mary’s Nursing Center.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7, at the West-Kjos Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Matthew Vanissery officiating. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home and one hour prior to services on Friday. Burial will be at Richwood Lakeside Cemetery in Richwood Township.
Pallbearers are Todd Thunstrom, Joseph Thunstrom, Vincent Thunstrom, Jessi Holt, Nathan Stilke, Clifford Selck, and Ricky Nelson.
Marion Quinlan was born Oct. 26, 1918, in Richwood, where she grew up and attended school.
On Jan. 25, 1941, she married Nels G. Thunstrom in Detroit Lakes. After their marriage they lived in Seattle, Wash., where she worked in a defense plant. They moved back to the Detroit Lakes area, moved to Great Falls, Mont., and in 1953 moved back to the Detroit Lakes area. She has lived at St. Mary’s Nursing Center since June 12.
She is survived by a daughter, Norma Hedlund of Detroit Lakes; five sons, Paul (Carol) Thunstrom of Rochert, Duane (Dorothy) Thunstrom of Rochert, Jerry (Monica) Thunstrom of Detroit Lakes, Gary Thunstrom of Detroit Lakes and Timothy Thunstrom of Detroit Lakes; 14 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren and a sister, Margaret (Ben) Holtgrewe of Detroit Lakes.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Ione Caye Quinlan, her husband, Nels, in 1990, and two brothers.

Mona Laura (Jarvis) Crowell Ramsey
Mona Laura (Jarvis) Crowell Ramsey, Park Rapids, died Dec. 25 [1999], at St. Joseph Hospital in Park Rapids. She was 92.
The funeral service was held Wednesday, Jan. 5, at Jones-Pearson Funeral Chapel in Park Rapids, with Rev. Loren Bjornson officiating.
Interment was at Greenwood Cemetery, Park Rapids.
She was born May 28, 1907, in Park Rapids to William and Euphemia (Wilson) Jarvis. In 1912, her father bought a bakery and restaurant in Park Rapids.
Jarvis graduated from Park Rapids High School in 1924, then attended and graduated from Normal Training in Park Rapids in 1925. She received a bachelor of arts degree from Bemidji State College in 1956.
Jarvis began her teaching career at Shell Lake School, District 45, and continued at various schools in Becker, Hubbard, Freeborn and Wadena counties. She became the sixth grade instructor at Frank White School in Park Rapids in 1956, and continued until her retirement in 1969.
Jarvis married Clifford Crowell on Sept. 24, 1927, and lived on the Crowell homestead near Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge northeast of Detroit Lakes.
They moved to Otter Tail County in 1928, then to Washington state in 1929, where they worked various jobs. They returned to the Tamarac refuge area in 1931, and then moved to a farm south of Osage in 1939. In 1949, they moved to Park Rapids.
She married Rev. Leland Ramsey in March 1967. They enjoyed gardening and craft work.
Mona taught Sunday School and held several offices in the Free Methodist Church, Park Rapids. When that closed, she joined the Nazarene Church.
She also enjoyed reading, cooking, baking, traveling, and was active in senior citizens and the local TOPS chapter.
She is survived by: a son, Jim (Virginia), Bellevue, Wash.; a daughter, Patricia (Ben, Sr.) Safratowich, Aiea, Wis.; a stepson, Arden (Ester) Ramsey, Farmersbury, Ind.; a stepdaughter, Ramona Ramsey, Bagley; 11 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; 38 great grandchildren; six step-great grandchildren; seven great great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, son Fred, two brothers and two sisters.

Wayne K. Eliassen
Wayne K. Eliassen, Detroit Lakes, died Dec. 28 [1999], at his residence. He was 55.
A memorial service will be held Friday, Jan. 7, 7 p.m., at West-Kjos Funeral Home, Detroit Lakes, with Pastor Tim Cook officiating. Clint Felker will be the soloist.
Eliassen was born June 19, 1944, in Detroit Lakes to Ival and Mildred Eliassen. He graduated from Audubon Public School in 1962, and entered the U.S. Navy in May 1962.
After serving three years, Eliassen returned to the Audubon and Detroit Lakes area. He worked for Audubon Co-op Creamery for several years until becoming manager of the Audubon Liquor Store. He later worked for Butler Irrigation Systems and K&M Irrigation.
Eliassen married Karen Johnson in July 1969, but later divorced although always remaining friends. They operated the Hitching Post Drive-in the summer of 1981.
Eliassen completed the institutional cooking program at Detroit Lakes Technical School in 1984.
He worked for various employers in maintenance and painting until becoming disabled in 1995.
Eliassen is survived by: his mother, Lake Park; a brother, Gerald (Rita), Knightdale, N.C.; sisters JoAnne Lynchard, Hot Springs, Ark., and Gayle (Gary) Kaatz, Audubon; six nieces and many dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, a nephew and a niece.

Muriel Victoria Ashby
Muriel Victoria Ashby, Park Rapids, died Friday, Dec. 31 [1999], at St. Mary’s Health Care Center in Detroit Lakes. She was 84.
The funeral service will be held Saturday, Jan. 8, 11 a.m., at Riverside United Methodist Church, Park Rapids, with Rev. Kathy Arnold officiating.
Interment will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Park Rapids. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.
Pallbearers will be Alon Ashby Jr., Ila Ashby, Yalonda fix, Jeff Fix, Tami Myers, Bill Myers, Tracy Kruger and Scott Rethmeier.
Honorary pallbearers are Gerald and Ruth VanDeVenter, Karen VanDeVenter, Wayne and Sue Schroeder, John and Norma Luther and Lyle Luther.
She was born Sept. 19, 1915, to Grover and Edna (Connerly) Thompson in Rutland, Iowa. At age 10, she and her family moved to Dawson, Minn., where her parents farmed. She attended public school in Dawson.
Muriel moved to Magnolia where she did housekeeping for several area families. On Feb. 23, 1936, she married Gerald Ashby in Sioux Falls, S.D.
They purchased and moved to a farm west of Park Rapids in March 1951. Muriel worked as a cook at several Park Rapids cafes, as well as St. Joseph’s Hospital, in the 1950s. She purchased the Mileage Cafe in Park Rapids and operated that for several years.
She later worked at Northern Pines United Methodist Assembly Grounds, and advanced to the head cook position. In 1974, she leased the Great Northern Cafe and operated that for several years.
Ashby was a long-time member of Riverside United Church. She was also a member of the Otto Hendrickson American Legion Post 212 Auxiliary, Park Rapids Aerie 870 Auxiliary and the American Association of Retired Persons.
Ashby is survived by: a daughter, Barb, Detroit Lakes; a son, Alon, Webster City, Iowa; five grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; sisters Leota (Herman) Mammenga, Colorado Springs, Colo., and Naomi (Marvin) Kleppel, Minneapolis; a brother, Melvin, Phoenix, Ariz.; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by: her husband, her parents, five brothers, two sisters, daughter Yalonda and son Jim.

Marguerite “Sis” Hennessy
Marguerite “Sis” Hennessy died Dec. 21 [1999] at her home in St. Petersburg, Fla. She was 84.
No service was held at Hennessy’s request.
She was born Dec. 19, 1915, in Bemidji, the daughter of Robert and Inga (Johnson) Given, Detroit Lakes.
She graduated from Detroit Lakes High School in 1933, and from University of North Dakota, Grand Forks in 1938. She majored in education and taught home economics.
Hennessy was a member of Alpha Phi Sorority and the Feather Sound County Club in St. Petersburg. Hennessy was an active duplicate bridge player.
She lived in Fargo, N.D., (1948-77) and in Detroit Lakes (1932-48 and 1977-80). She moved to St. Petersburg in 1980.
Hennessy is survived by: sister Betty Risendal, Richmond, Va.; daughters Chris (Jim) Common, Apple Valley, and Betty, Cerritos, Calif.; four grandsons; and 18 nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Robert and Jack, and daughter Roberta Jo Riley.

Rosemary Johnson
Rosemary Johnson, Detroit Lakes, died Sunday, Jan. 2, at Dakota Heartland Hospital in Fargo, N.D. She was 73.
The funeral service will be held Thursday, Jan. 6, 1 p.m., at First Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes, with Rev. David Peterson officiating.
Pallbearers will be Duane Halvorson, Christopher Halvorson, Elizabeth Halvorson, Jacqueline Halvorson, Daoug Fagerlie, Brian Johnson and Tressa Johnson.
Friends may call at 4-8 p.m., Wednesday, at the David-Donehower Funeral Home, Detroit Lakes, and at the church one hour prior to the funeral service.
She was born March 6, 1926, in Flushing, N.Y., to Frank and Elizabeth (Marra) Coretta. She graduated from Forest Hills (N.Y.) High School.
Rosemary worked for Eastman-Kodak and for the Hour Glass Restaurant in New York.
She married Wesley Johnson, March 24, 1946, in Flushing. They resided there until moving to Detroit Lakes in 1947.
Rosemary attended Detroit Lakes Business College. They operated Detroit Paint & Glass from 1951 to 1980. Johnson was also treasurer for First Lutheran Church for a number of years.
Johnson is survived by: her husband, Detroit Lakes; son Jay (Ann), Detroit Lakes; daughters Joyce (Duane) Halvorson, New Hope, Janice (Sam) Hekkenen and Cheryl (Michael) Sagot, both of Oakland, Calif.; eight grandchildren, two great grandchildren; brothers Frank Cornetta, Jr., Garden City, N.Y., Matthew Cornetta, Long Island, N.Y., and Joseph (Ellen) Weber, Flushing.
Johnson was preceded in death by sister Emmanuella and brother Edwin.

Christopher L. Christiansen
Christopher L. Christiansen, Detroit Lakes, died Sunday, Jan. 2, at St. Mary’s Regional Health Center in Detroit Lakes. He was 27.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Jan. 8, 1 p.m., at the Thomastown Covenant Church in Staples, with pastors Mark Kelly and Michael Burns officiating. Registration will be one hour prior to the church service.
Christiansen was born Jan. 20, 1972, in Estherville, Iowa, to Terry and Patsy (Webber) Christiansen. He moved with his family to Staples in 1980, where he graduated from high school in 1990.
Christiansen attended technical school in Brainerd 1990-92. He moved to North Brookfield, Mass., for one year where he worked for UPS in Worchester.
He returned to Staples in 1994 and was employed as a section worker for Burlington Northern-Sante Fe (1995-96), and then as a conductor/fireman until present.
Christiansen is survived by his father, Detroit Lakes; his mother, Fargo, N.D.; brother Aaron, Fargo; grandparents Jim and Bev Beaver, Spirit Lake, Iowa; and great grandparents Mae Huntly of Marshalltown, Iowa, and Chuck and Gladys Beaver, Estherville, Iowa.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Wendell and Iola Webber.
 
 

Marion Faye Coleman
Marion Faye Coleman, Detroit Lakes, died Tuesday, Jan. 4, at St. Mary’s Regional Hospital in Detroit Lakes. She was 72
A memorial service will be held Friday, Jan. 7, 11 a.m., at First Lutheran Church, Detroit Lakes, with Rev. Mervin Thompson officiating.
Friends may call at the church one hour prior to the service.
She was born July 6, 1927, in Hallock to Oscar and Alvina (Muir) Gullander. She was raised and educated in Hallock, graduating from Hallock High School in 1945.
Gullander attended Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis and medical technical ttraining in Minneapolis.
She worked at Trinity Hospital in Jamestown, N.D., 1948-49.
She married John Coleman in Hallock, Dec. 26, 1948. They resided in Hallock, Crookston, Red Lake Falls and Rousu, prior to moving to Detroit Lakes in 1961.
Survivors include: her husband; sons John W. (Ann), St. Anthony; Robert, Jersey City, N.J., Dave, New York, N.Y., and Richard, Minneapolis; daughters Mary (Howie) Anderson, Pine city, and Kathleen and Betty, both of Minneapolis; five grandchildren; and sisters Betty (Henry) Fischer, Detroit Lakes, and Maxine (Harris) Johnson, Hallock.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Janice Gustafson.
 

Corinne O. Maneval
Corinne O. Maneval, Detroit Lakes, died Jan. 3, at the Pelican Valley Nursing Home in Pelican Rapids. She was 83.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, Jan. 7, 2 p.m., at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Detroit Lakes, with Father Jerry Rogers officiating.
Interment will be at the Vergas Village Cemetery.
Friends may call 4-8 p.m. Thursday at David-Donehower Funeral Home, Detroit Lakes. The Christian Mothers will pray the rosary at 4:30 p.m., and parish prayers will be at 7 p.m., at the funeral home.
There will also be visitation one hour prior to the funeral mass at the church.
She was born Jan. 23, 1916, in Minneapolis to William and Corinne (Newton) Robillard. She was raised and educated in Minneapolis.
She married Faye Maneval on Aug. 14, 1935, in Fort Dodge, Iowa. They lived in Minneapolis until moving to a farm near Vergas in 1945.
Corinne worked at Swift & Company in Frazee. Faye died in 1976. She subsequently lived in St. Cloud, Pelican Rapids and most recently Detroit Lakes until entering the Pelican Valley Nursing Home.
Maneval is survived by: daughters Gladys (Arlen) Nelson and Cheryl (Winton) Nelson, both of Pelican Rapids; sons Bill (Sherri), Harrington, Del., Gary (Pen), Salem Oregon, Robin (Barb), Vergas, Steven (Darlene), Detroit Lakes, and David (Marcie), St. Cloud; 32 grandchildren; and 33 great grandchildren.
Maneval was preceded in death by her husband, son Donald, daughters Janice Arntson and Donetta Dehn, and sister Laverne.

Casper R. McArthur
Casper R. McArthur, Detroit Lakes, died at his home Sunday, Jan. 2. He was 80.
The funeral service will be held Thursday, Jan. 6, 1 p.m., at the David-Donehower Funeral Home, Detroit Lakes, with Pastor Tim Cook officiating.
Friends and family may call for two hours prior to the service Thursday.
McArthur was born Feb. 16, 1919, to Clifford and Pearl (Hainer) McArthur at Callaway. He was raised and educated at Callaway and Detroit Lakes.
After completing his schooling, McArthur joined the U.S. Army, serving 1940-45.
He married Caryll Wollum at Fort Ord, Calif., on Aug. 3, 1943. He returned to Detroit Lakes and was employed as a realtor. He later married Lucy Mistelski.
McArthur was a member of the Elks, the American Legion and the Eagles.
McArthur was survived by: son Glenn, Phoenix, Ariz.; daughter Pamela, Glendale, Ariz.; sister Betty (Richard) Brandt, Madelia; and two grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Lucy.

Ruby L. Doran
Ruby L. Doran, Detroit Lakes, died Sunday, Jan. 2, at St. Mary’s Nursing Center in Detroit Lakes. She was 83.
The funeral service was held Wednesday, Jan. 5, at First Lutheran Church, Detroit Lakes, with Pastor David Peterson officiating.
Interment was at Oak Grove Cemetery, Detroit Lakes.
Pallbearers were Darrell Bakke, David Bakke, Jeff Eskierka, John Hellquist, Craig Holmstrom and Tom Miller.
She was born June 11, 1916, in Marshall County to Ole and Mary (Loseth) Hall. She was baptized and confirmed at Rindal Lutheran Church in rural Thief River Falls, and received her education in rural Thief River Falls. She graduated from Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls.
She went on to receive a teaching certificate and taught country school in rural Thief River Falls. She married John Doran on June 22, 1938, at Thief River Falls.
They lived in rural Thief River Falls before moving to Newfolden in 1942. They moved to Detroit Lakes in 1958. She has been a resident at St. Mary’s Nursing Center since October 1999.
Doran was active at First Lutheran Church and the First Lutheran Quilters. She also did volunteer work at Emmanuel Nursing Home and St. Mary’s Nursing Center.
Doran is survived by: daughters Myrna, Minneapolis, and JoAnn (Bill) Svendsen, Nisswa; son Rodney (Winnie), Buffalo, N.Y.; five grandsons; and three great grandchildren.
Doran was preceded in death by her husband, parents, three brothers (Clarence, Olaf and John), six sisters (Inga, Laura, Mary, Eleanor, Alice and Mildred) and two infant sisters.

Russell H. Moser
Russell H. Moser, Detroit Lakes, died Dec. 30 [1999], at MeritCare Medical Center, Fargo, N.D. He was 58.
The funeral service was held Jan. 4 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Detroit Lakes, with Pastor Ken Vollmers officiating.
Interment was at Upsala Cemetery, rural Detroit Lakes.
Pallbearers were Merlin Engen, Cy Field, Greg Moser, Daryl Nelson, Paul Cincush and Dale Nelson.
Moser was born Sept. 22, 1941, in Detroit Lakes to Fred and Inez (Warnke) Moser. He lived in Cass Lake until moving to Detroit Lakes at age 7.
He finished school in Detroit Lakes and then worked at Detroit Lakes Bottling Company.
Moser married Sharon Tong on Dec. 21, 1963, in Detroit Lakes. He then worked for Moen Brothers Construction and Green Construction in Detroit Lakes. For the past 26 years, he has worked for Anderson Gravel.
Moser was a member of the Eagles and the Minnesota Darkhouse Association. He loved to hunt and fish.
Moser is survived by: daughter Chris (Paul) Johnson, Detroit Lakes; sister Diane Field, Detroit Lakes; and brothers Stanley (Sharon) Moser, Kenosha, Wis., and Lloyd (Sandra), Detroit Lakes.
He was preceded in death by his wife and his parents.

Irene I. Kihn
Irene I. Kihn, Detroit Lakes, died Jan. 3 at St. Mary’s Nursing Center in Detroit Lakes. She was 95.
The funeral service will be held Thursday, Jan. 6, 1 p.m., at United Methodist Church, Detroit Lakes, with Pastor William Meier officiating.
Interment will be at Oak Grove Cemetery, Detroit Lakes.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.
She was born July 13, 1904, at Cleveland, Minn., to Edward and Hattie (Hurlburt) Reinhardt. She grew up and graduated from Cleveland High School, and then attended Mankato Teachers College.
Irene taught school in the LeSueur area until she married Emil Kihn on March 18, 1926. They moved to Ulen where they farmed until 1962 when they retired and moved to Detroit Lakes.
Irene worked as a nurse’s aide at Sunnyside Nursing Home, Lake Park, and Emmanuel Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes.
Emil died in 1966, and Irene completely retired in 1970. She enjoyed traveling, and was able to visit all of the Lower 48 states. Kihn also enjoyed board games, playing cards, crocheting and working with flowers.
Kihn is survived by: son Harlan (Pearl), Pelican Rapids; daughter Lorraine Johnson, Hibbing; sister Ruth Schwandt, St. Paul; five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Kihn was preceded in death by her husband, parents, one grandson, one brother and six sisters.

David Boit
David Boit, Borup, died Jan. 3 at MeritCare Hospital in Fargo, N.D. He was 57.
The funeral service will be held Thursday, Jan. 6, 11 a.m., at Winchester Lutheran Church in Borup. Pastor Ann NewGord Larson will officiate.
Interment will be in the Ada Municipal Cemetery.
Visitation will be at Winchester Lutheran Church on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 5-7 p.m., with a prayer service at 7 p.m.
Boit was born Nov. 25, 1942, in Beach, N.D., the son of Louis and Edna (Madson) Boit. He moved with his family to the Moorhead and Georgetown areas at an early age, where he grew to adulthood.
As a young man, he worked at the Grandin, N.D., elevator for several years.
Boit married Doris Krsnak in Ada on Nov. 5, 1966. They lived in Moorhead for several years before moving to Borup in 1971. He was a long-time employee of Alloway Industries in Fargo, N.D., as a painter.
Boit was a member of Winchester Lutheran Church, and a past Moose Lodge member. His interests included working on old tractors, especially Fords, and his Chevy pickup. He treasured spending time with his grandchildren, fishing, shopping, traveling, and displaying his cap and belt buckle collections.
Boit is survived by: his wife; son James (Teresa), Hawley; daughter, June (Paul) Zuk, Brainerd; two brothers, John (JoAnn), Vergas, and Arnold, North Carolina; two sisters, Roslie (Chester) Goble, Georgetown, and Marilyn (Ted) Askelson, Twin Valley; and three grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother.
 

Edith B. Meyer
Edith B. Meyer, 85, Detroit Lakes, died Thursday, Jan. 6, at St. Mary’s Regional Health Center, Detroit Lakes.
West-Kjos Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Joe F. Auginaush
Joe F. Auginaush, Rice Lake, died Jan. 3 at Clearwater County Memorial Hospital in Bagley. He was 77.
The funeral service was held Friday, Jan. 7, at the Sports Complex in Naytahwaush, with Rev. George Schulenberg and Rev. Lisa Smith officiating.
Interment was at Samuel Memorial Episcopal Cemetery, Naytahwaush.
Auginaush was born April 29, 1922, at Sugar Bush Camp near Roy Lake to John and Louise Auginaush. He attended the Wahpeton (N.D.) Indian School through the 8th grade. He later received his G.E.D.
He entered the U.S. Army in 1943, and served in the European and Asiatic theaters. In 1946, Auginaush was discharged.
From 1959-65, Auginaush was employed by the Minnesota Department of Forestry in the Forest Guard and Park Service.
He married Gertrude Summer on Dec. 10, 1951, at Bagley.
Auginaush was a White Earth Pow Wow Committee member 1981-84, served two terms on the Bagley School Board, drove a school bus 1965-71, served on JOM and Title V Board, Selective Serve Board, White Earth spiritual leader, Ojibwe Language instructor, past commander of Amvets Post No. 9, Red Lake VFW, Irvin Blix American Legion Post No. 16, and St. Phillip’s Episcopal Church where he served as a Bishop’s Committee delegate to the Regional Convention.
Auginaush loved to hunt, rice and was a traditional dancer. He taught family values to his children and grandchildren.
He is survived by: his wife; daughters Irene (Lee) Auginaush-Turney, Evelyn (Peter) Thompson and Melody (Mike) Auginaush, all of Bagley; sons William Sr. (Darla), Raymond Sr. (Karen) and Donald, all of Bagley; 16 grandchildren; four great grandchildren; sisters Isabell Thompson and Dorothy Stevens, both of Bagley, and Susie Headbird, Cass Lake; brothers Norman and George Auginaush, Alfred Raymond, and Richard, Earl and Louie Fox, all of Bagley.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two grandsons and two infant sisters.

Donald Charles Luptak
Donald Charles Luptak, Sebeka, died Thursday, Jan. 6, at Tri-County Hospital in Wadena. He was 66.
The funeral service was held Saturday, Jan. 8, at United Methodist Church in Sebeka, with Rev. Loren Ferch officiating.
Interment was at Sunrise Cemetery in North Branch. Honorary pallbearers were his grandchildren: Matthew, Jeremy and Amanda Markus.
Pallbearers were Harvey Engelmeier, Melvin Wischnak, Ray Anderson, Bottie Hansen, Joe Safar, Roger Luptak and Bob Markus.
Military honors were provided by Berg Nylund American Legion Post 456, Sebeka.
Luptak was born Feb. 15, 1933, to Charles and Rose (Svoboda) Luptak in South Hearth, N.D., where he was raised and attended school.
Luptak entered the U.S. Army in 1953 and was honorably discharged in 1955. On. Aug. 15, 1959, Luptak married Elaine Safar. Elaine died April 30, 1985.
Luptak worked for Champion Paper Products, 1956-98. He lived in Moundsview for 30 years. He married Jacqueline Flohrs in January 1994, and later that year moved to Sebeka.
Luptak is survived by: his wife; daughter Deanne (Robert) Markus, Ham Lake; brother Roger (Marilyn) Luptak, Brooton; three grandchildren; and many friends and relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife and a brother.
 

Russell Stanley Anderson
Russell Stanley Anderson, Ulen, died Monday, Jan. 3, at Dakota Heartland Hospital, Fargo, N.D. He was 79.
The funeral service was held Jan. 7 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ulen, with Pastor Jeff McCracken officiating.
Interment was at Bethlehem Lutheran North Cemetery, Ulen.
The pallbearers were JoNeil Schultz, Justin Klemetson, Duane Amundson, Donald Swenson, David Swenson and Glenn Knutson.
The honorary pallbearers were DeWayne Erickson, Mark Syverson, Eddie Forsberg, Eldon Raknerud, Wesley Anderson, Gene Petermann, LeRoy Petermann, Arnold Wold, Rick Anderson and Keven Anderson.
Anderson was born May 16, 1920, to Hans and Alvilda (Rushfeldt) Anderson at Pelican Rapids. He grew up near Rollag, and was baptized and confirmed in faith at Rollag Lutheran Church, and attended Country School District 29.
As a teenager, following the death of his mother, Anderson worked for Tony and Clara Aos of Lawndale.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, 1942-45, in the Signal Corps in England, France and Germany.
After his discharge from military service, Anderson returned to Rollag where he purchased the family homestead and started farming.
He married Lila Berland of Lake Park on June 13, 1948, in Houglum Lutheran Church. They farmed at Rollag until moving to Ulen with their children in August 1965.
After working at PV Lumber and Amoco in Ulen, Anderson was employed by Moorhead State University until retiring in 1985.
Anderson was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ulen, and served as Sunday School teacher, church superintendent, deacon, cemetery sexton and on the church council.
He was also a member of the Rollag Male Quartet. While farming, Anderson was honored with the Clay County Soil Conservationist Award.
He enjoyed gardening, yard work, mechanics, visiting and joking with friends, and spending time with his family.
Anderson is survived by: his wife, Ulen; sons Harlan (Nina), Brookings, Oregon, and Lonnie (Susan), Ulen; daughters Shirley Anderson, Tower City, N.D., and LoAyne (Robby) Voigt, Mohall, N.D.; sister Dorothy Hoffman, Anaheim Hills, Calif.; brother Helmer (Myrtle) Anderson, Rollag; eight grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.
Anderson was preceded in death by two brothers, Alvin and Norman.
 

Gerald O. Eliassen
Gerald O. Eliassen, formerly of Audubon, died Jan. 6. He was 61.
Eliassen was born Dec. 6, 1938, the son of Ival and Mildred Eliassen. He served 26 years in the U.S. Navy, serving in Vietnam and several other foreign countries.
He married his wife, Rita, at Argentia, Newfoundland, in August 1967. Following his retirement from the U.S. Navy, they made their home in Knightdale, N.C. Eliassen was employed by the Central Prison at Raleigh, N.C., until retiring in 1997.
A memorial service was held in his Knightdale home on Jan. 9, with Father Doninic (Rita’s brother) officiating.
Eliassen’s ashes will be brought to sea by the U.S. Navy at Norfolk, Va.
He is survived by: his wife; daughters Lisa, Renee and Sherri, all of Raleigh, N.C.; his mother, Mildred, Lake Park; sisters JoAnn Lynchard, Hot Springs, Ark., and Gayle (Gary) Kaatz, Audubon; and two grandchildren.
Eliassen was preceded in death by his father, brother Wayne, a niece and a nephew.
 

Howard V. LaVoy
Howard V. LaVoy, Mahnomen, died Sunday, Jan. 9, at Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home. He was 87.
The funeral service will be held Thursday, Jan. 13, 2 p.m., at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Mahnomen, with Father Rick Lambert officiating.
Interment will be at St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery, Mahnomen.
The pallbearers are Rick LaVoy, Tom LaVoy, Tim LaVoy, Greg LaVoy, Bruce LaVoy, Mark Stevens, Kevin Stevens, Jeff Mueller, Mike Mueller and Pat Mueller.
The honorary pallbearers are LaVoy’s grandchildren and great grandchildren, and Knights of Columbus Mahnomen Council 2573.
Visitation is 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, and 9 a.m.-Noon Thursday at Mattson Funeral Home, Mahnomen.
There is a Bible Vigil at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, with a K.C. Rosary at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
LaVoy was born Aug. 25, 1912, to Alphonse and Flora (Roy) LaVoy near Mahnomen.
He attended school in Naytahwaush before graduating from Flandreau (S.D.) High School in 1932. He continued his education at Wahpeton (N.D.) State School of Science, majoring in engineering.
LaVoy married Ruby Darco on May 15, 1934, in Moorhead. LaVoy worked as an assistant engineer for the Wahpeton Indian School, 1934-38.
In 1938, he bought a grocery store in Naytahwaush from his aunt, Clara Fairbanks, and operated it for 21 years.
He then owned and operated the Pinehurst Resort on Twin Lakes near Naytahwaush, 1959-69, when he sold it to his son, Dick.
In 1961, they moved to Bemidji where he was tribal manager for the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, and then employed with the Housing Branch of the Minnesota Agency of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. He retired in 1974 and they moved to Mahnomen.
Over the years, LaVoy served as guardian of Indian families during World War II, and was on the Selective Service registration board for Mahnomen County during World War II.
He served on the Mahnomen and Naytahwaush school boards, the Mahnomen County Reorganization Board, the district board of the Boy Scouts, and the Minnesota Governor’s Commission on Crime Prevention and Control.
He was also chairman of the Mahnomen County Fair Board, set up and served on the community council in Naytahwaush, and helped start the Naytahwaush Community Center.
Formerly a member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Naytahwaush, LaVoy belonged to St. Michael’s Catholic Church.
He is survived by: his wife; sons Donald (Ellis), Bemidji, and Dick (Audrey), Naytahwaush; daughters Sharon (Mike) Stevens, Eagan, and Linda (Richard) Mueller, Elk River; 15 grandchildren; and 22 great grandchildren.
LaVoy was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, one sister and a daughter-in-law.
 

Dorothy H. Dronen
Dorothy H. Dronen, Rochert, died Thursday, Jan. 6, at Emmanuel Nursing Home, Detroit Lakes. She was 87.
The funeral service was held Jan. 8 at United Methodist Church, Detroit Lakes, with Rev. William Meier officiating.
Interment was at Riverside Cemetery, Fargo, N.D.
She was born Dec. 22, 1912, at Lidgerwood, N.D., to Arthur and Ida (Yennie) Andrist. She grew up and graduated form Lidgerwood High School. She received her teaching degree from Moorhead State University.
She married Arthur Dronen on Aug. 16, 1940, in Moorhead.
Dorothy taught in various communities, but was remembered most for the time she taught in Moorhead public schools. She retired in 1974, and they moved to their home on Cotton Lake near Rochert.
Dronen had been a patient at Emmanuel Nursing Home since December 1998.
Dronen was a member of United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women, Retired Educators Association and Sons of Norway.
Dronen is survived by: daughters Jane (Bob) Hendrickson, Seattle, Wash., and Nancy (Scott) Wichmann, Rochert; son Don (Sandy), Rochert; six grandchildren; and one great grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and one brother.

Edith B. Meyer
Edith B. Meyer, Detroit Lakes, died Thursday, Jan. 6, at St. Mary’s Regional Health Center, Detroit Lakes. She was 85.
The funeral service was held Monday, Jan. 10, at West-Kjos Funeral Home Chapel, Detroit Lakes, with Chaplain Tim Cook officiating.
Interment was at Oak Grove Cemetery, Detroit Lakes.
The pallbearers were Steve Luptak, Frank Meyer, Duane Meyer, Don Ismil, John Ismil and Pam Fiebelkorn. Jeanne Luptak was honorary pallbearer.
She was born May 22, 1914, in Flom Township to Andrew and Caroline (Green) Vange. She grew up and attended Cheerful Nook Rural School near Flom, and then worked in the area.
She married Emmet Meyer on Oct. 1, 1940, in Flom Township. They lived and farmed northwest of Ogema. In 1959, they moved to a farm near Richwood. In 1967, they moved into Detroit Lakes. Emmet died in 1990.
Meyer is survived by: sons Wayne, Verndale, and LeRoy (Ingrid), Enumclaw, Wash.; daughters Darlene, Perham, and Lorraine (Raymond) Ismil, Verndale; seven grandchildren; five great grandchildren; brother Clarence Vange, Detroit Lakes; and sisters Beata Braaten, Twin Valley, and Clara Hendrickson, Minneapolis.
Meyer was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, five brothers and one sister.

Lucille M. Beckwith
Lucille M. Beckwith, Detroit Lakes, died Sunday, Jan. 9, at St. Mary’s Nursing Home, Detroit Lakes. She was 94.
The funeral service will be held in Gary, Ind., with interment at Mt. Mercy Cemetery, Gary.
She was born Aug. 1, 1905, to Guy and Laura (Workman) Blubaugh at Cleveland, Ohio. She was raised and educated in Mt. Vernon, Ohio.
After high school she moved to East Chicago, Ind., where she met and married Robert Beckwith in 1927.
They lived their entire married life in East Chicago. Lucille moved to St. Mary’s Nursing Home in 1996.
Beckwith is survived by: son James (Linda), Frazee; daughters Sandra Wilmot, Mesa, Ariz., and Linda (James) Phillips, Valparaiso, Ind.; 12 grandchildren; and 12 great grandchildren.
Beckwith was preceded in death by her husband, son Robert and sister Pat Hess.

Naomi Mildred Tostenrud
Naomi Mildred Tostenrud, Detroit Lakes, died Sunday, Jan. 9, in Madison, Wis. She was 82.
The funeral service will be Saturday, Jan. 15, 1 p.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes, with Rev. Ken Vollmers officiating.
Interment will be in Oak Grove Cemetery.
Friends may call from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at the church.
She was born Sept. 6, 1917, in Pipestone to George and Clementine (Wende) Rhode. She was raised and educated in Pipestone, graduating from high school there in 1928.
She worked for Silverberg Brothers’ Department Store prior to her marriage to Glenn Tostenrud on Sept. 5, 1938, in Estherville, Iowa.
During their marriage, they lived in Estherville, Pipestone, Willmar and Clara City prior to moving to Detroit Lakes in 1954.
Naomi was a homemaker and partner in Timberline Mink Ranch. Glenn died in 1974. Naomi then worked for Pamida in Detroit Lakes, 1974-87.
Tostenrud’s hobbies included crocheting, knitting, crossword puzzles, gardening and reading. She loved her children, and one of her greatest joys was spending time with them.
She is survived by: son Dr. Ed (Kristi), Maple Grove; daughters Dianna, Minneapolis, Sherry (Dr. Dean) Johnson, West Fargo, N.D., and Lee Ann Tostenrud, Seattle, Wash.; one granddaughter; and brother Duane, Mesa, Ariz.
Tostenrud was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, one sister and one brother.
Hubert A. “Sully” Sullivan, Mahnomen, died Monday, Jan. 10, at his home. He was 91.
The funeral service will be held Saturday, Jan. 15, 11 a.m., at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Mahnomen.
There will be a 7 p.m. vigil service and a 7:30 Knights of Columbus rosary, both Friday at the church.
Burnside Funeral Home of Mahnomen is in charge of arrangements.

William Louis Hoerner
William Louis Hoerner, formerly of Crookston, died Jan. 4 in Mesa, Ariz. He was 83.
A memorial service was held in Mesa. A spring memorial service is being planned in Minnesota.
He was born in Richardton, N.D., on Dec. 10, 1917, to Raphael and Caroline Hoerner. He attended school in Glen Ullin, N.D.
In the 1930s, he moved to Crookston and worked for several farmers.
In 1941, Hoerner enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and served on a destroyer in the Pacific Theater.
Hoerner married Norma F. Morgan on May 20, 1944, in Valle Jo, Calif. In 1945, they returned to Crookston where he farmed with Walter Morgan. Hoerner retired from farming in 1983 and went into insurance.
In 1984, they received the Red River Valley Farmer and Homemaker Award.
They resided in the Detroit Lakes area during the summer, and lived in Mesa during the winter. It was at this time that they were actively involved with the flea market.
Hoerner was a member of the Crookston VFW, DAV and served as past commander of the American Legion. He was a member of the Congregational Church, Detroit Lakes.
Hoerner is survived by: his wife; daughters Marilyn Sauve, Lake Park, Connie (Dan) Swartz, Fargo, N.D., and Jacalyn (Jerry) Januschka, Little Falls; sons Robert (Sheila) Grand Forks, N.D., and Gary (Lori), Crookston; 12 grandchildren; six great grandchildren; and several brothers and sisters.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Irvin and Otto.

John J. Koenig
John J. Koenig, III, formerly of Detroit Lakes, and residing in Las Vegas, Nev., died Saturday, Jan. 8, at University Medical Center of Las Vegas. He was 58.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Jan. 15, 11:30 a.m., at Caldwell-Raddatz University Chapel in Des Moines, Iowa.
Interment will be a later date.
Koenig was born in Detroit Lakes, and had been living in Las Vegas for about a year. He had been a facilities specialist for the State of Iowa.
Koenig resided in various places in Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota and California. He was an avid golfer.
Koenig is survived by: sons John IV, Daniel and David, all of Des Moines; sisters Carol and Lola, both of Washington, D.C., Karen Baxter, Eugene, Ore., and Lois Hejlik, Thief River Falls; brothers Loren and James, both of Detroit Lakes; and three grandchildren.

Gary D. Nelson
Gary D. Nelson, Graham, Wash., died Monday, Jan. 10, in Washington.
Nelson, 43, is formerly of Detroit Lakes. Arrangements are pending with West-Kjos Funeral Home, Detroit Lakes.

James H. Beckwith
James H. Beckwith, Detroit Lakes, died Monday, Jan. 10, at Dakota Heartland Hospital in Fargo, N.D. He was 77.
Visitation is Wednesday, 4-8 p.m., at West-Kjos Funeral Home and one hour prior to the church service.
The funeral service will be held Thursday, Jan. 13, 11 a.m., at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Detroit Lakes, with Pastor Bill Meyer officiating.
Interment will be at Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Greg Tesslier, Jay Hanson, Lee Hanson, Daryl Halvorson, Tim Sherman and Robert Chevalier.
Beckwith was born Feb. 18, 1922, at Glyndon to Frank and Edna Beckwith.
He grew up and attended school in Glyndon. Beckwith married Ann Kvarta on Dec. 6, 1941, at Crown Point, Ind.
Beckwith served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Following his discharge, they lived in Hammond, Ind., where he worked for Inland Steel.
In 1945 they moved to Moorhead where he worked excavating basements.
In 1949, they moved back to Hammond. In 1954, they moved to rural Detroit Lakes where he farmed until retiring in 1968. Beckwith loved to hunt and fish.
Beckwith is survived by: his wife; sons Ronald “Jim” (Margaret) and David, both of Detroit Lakes; three grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers and five sisters.

Lucille Hagen
Lucille Hagen, Detroit Lakes, died Monday, January 10 at Emmanuel Nursing Home, Detroit Lakes. She was 92.
The Funeral Services were held Friday, January 14, at 11:00 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church, in Detroit Lakes, with Rev. Ken Vollmers officiating.
Pallbearers were Paul Johnson, Rick Gunderson, Scott Gunderson, Steve Gunderson, Jamie Gunderson and Kelly Gunderson.
She was born August 15, 1907 in Lake Eunice Township (rural Detroit Lakes), to Peter and Emily Solberg Anderson. She grew up and attended school in Detroit Lakes, MN, graduating from Detroit Lakes High School. She was married to Ole Hagen in 1927 in Detroit Lakes, MN. She and her husband owned and operated Star Electric in Detroit Lakes for many years. She has been a resident at Emmanuel Nursing Home since July of 1998.
She is survived by: 1 son: Dale(Corky) of Detroit Lakes, MN. 2 Grandsons: Mark Hagen, of Detroit Lakes, MN; Tim Hagen, of Reno, NV. 3 Great Grandchildren: Mike, Lisa and Travis Hagen. 1 Sister: Ruby Johnson, of Audubon, MN.
She was preceded in death by: Husband, Ole (October 22, 1973). Parents: Peter and Emily Solberg Anderson. 4 Brothers and 5 Sisters.
Memorials are preferred to Emmanuel Nursing Home.

Kay St. Marie
Kay St. Marie, formerly of Detroit Lakes and most recently of Mesa, Ariz., died Friday, Dec. 17, 1999, in Mesa. She was 78.
The funeral service was held at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Mesa.
St. Marie was born in Grand Forks, N.D., and was a homemaker.
Survivors include: daughters Michelle Barbour, Sharon Chuh, Mary Pat and Janice; sons Robert, Dan and Steve; sisters Pat Lavin, Mary Marthaler, Esther Carey and Janice Buus; brother Richard Carey; 14 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
 

Hubert Allen “Sully” Sullivan
Hubert Allen “Sully” Sullivan, Mahnomen, died Monday, Jan. 10, at his residence. He was 91.
The funeral service was held Saturday, Jan. 15, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Mahnomen. Interment was at St. Michael’s Catholic Church Cemetery.
Sullivan was born Dec. 24, 1908, at Sauk Rapids to Jeremiah and Gertrude Sullivan. He grew up in Mahnomen, and graduated from Mahnomen High School in 1926.
He attended St. John’s University at Collegeville for two and a half years. Sullivan returned to Mahnomen and worked in the Mahnomen County Engineers Office before working for the Minnesota State Highway Department.
He married Edna Webber in Perham on July 17, 1937. Sullivan continued to work for the highway department until become a certified county engineer.
From 1947-52, he was the Traverse County engineer in Wheaton, and from 1952-57 he was the Dodge County engineer in Manterville.
Sullivan then owned and operated the Proctor Hotel, Bakery and Cafe in Detroit Lakes until 1972.
They moved to Mahnomen were Sullivan was the Mahnomen County engineer until his retirement in 1978. For two years following his retirement Sullivan worked part-time for that office.
He was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church and the Mahnomen Knights of Columbus Council 2573. He enjoyed baseball, football, playing cards, bowling and driving.
Sullivan is survived by: his wife; daughters Jeannine (Clayton) Arvison of Pine Island, Katherine (Goldie) Goldsmith of Duncan, Okla., Patricia (Gerald) Sullivan of Midway, Utah, Mary (William) Sullivan of River Falls, Wis., and Trudy (David) Mullin of Mahnomen; sons Jeremiah (Velma) of Menahga, Father Mike of Warren, John (Debbie) of Hayward, Calif.; 26 grandchildren; 41 great grandchildren; and four great great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Robert, a granddaughter and a great granddaughter.
 

Gary Nelson
Gary Nelson, Tacoma, Wash., died Monday, Jan. 10, in Tacoma. He was 43. Nelson is formerly from Detroit Lakes.
The funeral service will be held Monday, Jan. 17, 11 a.m., at Assembly of God Church in Detroit Lakes, with pastors Kurt Jacobson and David Sohl officiating.
Interment will be at Holmesville Cemetery, rural Detroit Lakes.
Visitation is Sunday, 4-8 p.m., at West-Kjos Funeral Home and one hour prior to the funeral service.
Pallbearers are Jon Stensgard, Gale Scott, Jason Graff, Doyle Thompson, Dan Anderson and Tim Nelson.
Nelson was born Oct. 26, 1956, in Detroit Lakes to Dean and Shirley Nelson, Detroit Lakes.
He graduated from Detroit Lakes High School in 1975. He then attended Trinity Bible Institute in Ellendale, N.D. In 1977, Nelson moved to Bethel, Alaska, where he worked as a youth pastor. In 1980, he moved to Palmer, Alaska, to serve as youth pastor.
Nelson received his minister’s license in 1980, and was ordained in 1983.
In 1986, Nelson moved to Houston, Alaska, where he became pastor of the Assembly of God Church. While serving as pastor, he was also the District Sunday School representative for the State of Alaska.
Nelson moved to the Tacoma area in 1993.
Nelson is survived by: daughter Christy (Randy) Simpkins of Quinalt, Wash.; son Michael of Aberdeen, Wash.; two grandchildren; his parents; sisters Joyce (Donald) Anderson of Detroit Lakes, Judy (Michael) Graff of Fargo, N.D., and Jeanne (Mack) Nason of North Pole, Alaska; and brother Rick (Nancy) of Detroit Lakes

Elder Christianson
Elder Christianson, rural Pelican Rapids, died Friday, Jan. 14, at his residence. He was 64.
The funeral service was held Tuesday, Jan. 18, at North Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Pelican Rapids, with Rev. August Ziegler officiating.
Interment was at Larson Funeral Home, Pelican Rapids.
Pallbearers were Kyle Christianson, Michael Christianson, David Johnson, Bradley Kallhoff, Bruce Loerzel, Joshua Loerzel, Tyler Olek and Joseph Tweed.
Christianson was born Nov. 29, 1935, in Fergus Falls to Berthel and Viola (Hovland) Christianson. He was baptized at home near Fergus Falls and confirmed at Ringsaker Lutheran Church, Pelican Rapids.
Christianson graduated in 1953 from Pelican Rapids High School. He married Marylyn Dillerud near Pelican Rapids on July 2, 1955.
He worked at Velo Turkey Farms near Pelican Rapids for several years, Stadum Well Works in Erhard for a few years, Martin Engineering in Pelican Rapids until 1977 and at the Dakota Boys Ranch in Wahpeton, N.D., for several years.
Christiansons owned and operated a ceramics and silk flower business. Marylyn died July 10, 1983.
Christianson volunteered at Pioneer Home in Fergus Falls and the Good Samaritan Center in Pelican Rapids, teaching woodworking, arts and crafts classes.
His hobbies were raising exotic birds and other animals, square dancing, woodcarving and gardening. He enjoyed auction sales, garage sales, fishing and hunting.
Christianson is survived by: sons Terrance (Vickie) of Kutztown, Penn., and Chad (Elizabeth) of Fargo, N.D.; daughters Pamela (David) Johnson of Felton, Janet (Mark) Tweed of Tolna, N.D., Cheryl (Bill) Kallhoff of Willmar and Lori (Mark) Olek of Blaine; 14 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; his parents; brother Jerome (Bonnie) of Pelican Rapids; sisters Carol (Dick) Olson of Hawley and Joanne (Bryce) Haarstick-Klinger of Fergus Falls; brother-in-law Manley (Arlene) Dillerud of Blaine; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife.

Robert J. Smith
Robert J. Smith, Jeffers, Minn., died Saturday, Jan. 15, at Avera McKennon Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D. He was 54.
The funeral service was held Tuesday, Jan. 18, at Jeffers Baptist Church, with Pastor Marvin Pederson officiating.
Interment was at Lakeview Cemetery, Windom.
Smith was born in Windom on July 16, 1945, to Ralph and Dorothy (Perius) Smith. He lived with his family in Windom, Verndale and Milwaukee, Wis. He received his public education in local schools.
Throughout his life, Smith lived in various communities, including Detroit Lakes and Jeffers. He was a mechanic, despite a serious disability since his teenage years.
He married Darlene Glander on Oct. 19, 1996, in Detroit Lakes. They resided in Jeffers since then.
He enjoyed time spent with family, feeding and watching birds, fishing and playing cards.
Survivors include: his wife; son Butch, Jeffers; daughter Karen, Jeffers; and brothers John (Ruth) of Windom and Donald (Linda) of Northbranch.
Smith was preceded in death by his parents.

Ruth J. Galbrecht
Ruth J. Galbrecht, Frazee, died Jan. 17 at the Emmanuel Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes. She was 81.
The funeral service was held Wednesday, Jan. 19, at St. John’s Height of Land Lutheran Church near Frazee, with Rev. E.R. Wippich officiating.
Interment was at the church cemetery.
She was born on May 3, 1918, at Finley, N.D., the daughter of Hans and Lena (Storebo) Thorson.
She was raised and attended school at Finley. After graduation, she married Roy Galbrecht on Oct. 25, 1941, in Finley.
In 1942, they moved to Height of Land Township where they farmed. Roy died Aug. 5, 1999. Ruth continued to live on the farm.
Galbrecht is survived by: daughter Lois (Wayne) Jenson, East Grand Forks; son Terry (Joan), Perham; 10 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, son LeRoy, brother Howard and her parents.
 

Condell W. “Con” Clark
Condell W. “Con” Clark, Sartell and formerly of Joliet, Ill., died Sunday, Jan. 16, at St. Cloud Hospital. He was 86.
The funeral service was held Wednesday, Jan. 19, at Celebration Lutheran Church in Sartell, with Rev. Thomas Wright and Rev. Elizabeth Strenge officiating.
Interment will be at Oak Grove Cemetery, Detroit Lakes.
Clark was born Nov. 24, 1913, in Glasgow, Mont., to Harry and Emilie (Weiss) Clark.
He married Lorraine Berg in 1941, who died in 1943. Clark then married Margaret Bezdeny in 1944. She died in 1970. Clark married Lenore Weiss Farley on Nov. 17, 1973.
Clark served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the Pacific Theater. He worked as a guard at Stillwater Correctional Facility in Stillwater, and for 26 years with Sears and Roebuck, Co. in Joliet.
Clark retired in 1979 and moved to Sartell. He was a charter member of Celebration Lutheran Church and the Disabled American Veterans.
Clark is survived by: his wife; daughters Anne Cuccia of Ft. Meyers, Fla., and Jane Dauterman of Norcross, Ga.; son David (Tracy) of New Ulm; stepsons Roger (Janis) Farley of Sartell and Kent (Marlene) Farley of Wahpeton, N.D.; eight grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and half-sister Alice Reynolds of Weippe, Idaho.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Loella.

Robyn Ann Lair
Robyn Ann Lair, Detroit Lakes, died at her residence Saturday, Jan. 15. She was 44.
The funeral service was held Wednesday, Jan. 19, at West-Kjos Funeral Home, with Pastor John Lee officiating.
Interment was at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Emmons, Minn.
The honorary pallbearers were Ruth Nelson, Rae Ann Bartz, Maggie Greenwood, Karen Whitehouse, Annette Petersen and Barbara Wurtzberger.
She was born June 8, 1955, in Albert Lea to Robert and Ida Paulson. Robyn grew up and received her education in Emmons, graduating from Emmons High School in 1973.
Lair attended the University of Minnesota, Waseca to study Equine Science. She lived in Texas for several years before moving to Detroit Lakes in 1983.
Lair was dedicated to her children’s schools and horse activities. She traveled with her children in 1997 to the American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio, where her children represented Minnesota as part of the Horse Judging Team.
For the past 15 years, Lair has been involved in local and state 4-H horse projects. She participated on the Minnesota State 4-H Horse Show Committee and the Becker County Horse Council. She assisted many 4-H horse members from surrounding counties.
Lair was the 4-H leader of the Frazee Trail Blazers for many years. She was also an active member of the Central Minnesota Horse Improvement Association.
Lair is survived by: son Zachary, Bemidji; daughter Jamie, Bemidji; her parents, Rochert; brothers Michael (Norene) of Lynnville, Iowa, and Terry (Karen) of Lakeville; and sister Kyle (Steven) Paulson of Bemidji.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, her grandparents and a cousin.

Theron E. Ellingson
Theron E. Ellingson, Fergus Falls, died Sunday, Jan. 16, at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Fergus Falls, He was 71.
The funeral service will be held Friday, Jan. 21, 11 a.m., at West-Kjos Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes. Chaplain Greg Hayek will officiate.
Visitation will be one hour before the service at the funeral home.
The pallbearers will be David Ellingson, Jim Kiehl, Jeremie Rosing, Wayne Ellingson, Joe Kiehl, Lester Kiehl Jr. and Keith Kiehl.
Interment will be at Lake Park Lutheran Cemetery.
Ellingson was born June 25, 1928, at Lake Park, the son of John and Alice (Oftelie) Ellingson.
He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and later served with the 136th Infantry Regiment of the Minnesota National Guard.
Ellingson returned to Detroit Lakes where he worked various construction jobs and then worked for Milton Swedberg until retiring in 1990. He entered the Veterans Home in 1998.
Ellingson enjoyed fishing and reading.
Ellingson is survived by: brother John, Fergus Falls; sister Mary (Lester) Kiehl, Audubon; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.

Leslie Ann Speer
Leslie Ann Speer, Lake Park, died Monday, Jan. 17, at her home. She was 52.
The funeral service will be held Thursday, Jan. 20, 11 a.m., at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Lake Park, with Father Bernard Friedl officiating.
Interment will be at Eksjo Lutheran Church, Lake Park.
Visitation will be Wednesday, 4-7 p.m., with a 5:30 p.m. prayer service at St. Francis Xavier Church. There will also be visitation one hour prior to the funeral service.
She was born Dec. 27, 1947, in Fargo, N.D., to Henry and Anna (McMullen) Westrum. She graduated form Dilworth High School in 1965.
After that, she moved to Las Vegas, Nev., and then returned to Fargo in 1972.
She married Richard Waxler March 24, 1972, in Fargo. They lived in various places prior to moving to Killdeer, N.D., in 1979 where she owned and operated food and beverage businesses until 1994.
She moved to Lake Park in 1994 and worked for the Lake Park Liquor Store, 1994-97. She married Bruce Speer April 19, 1997, in rural Lake Park.
Speer is survived by: husband Bruce, Lake Park; daughters Paige (Ryan) Ennen of Lake Park, Prentiss Waxler of Detroit Lakes, and Paizlee Waxler, Lake Park; step-sons Chris (Lisa) Speer of Ada, and Charles (Kari) Speer of Litchfield; step-daughters Donna Sheffey of Dowagiac, Mich., and Doreen Speer of Fargo; mother Jane Westrum of Killdeer; brothers Donald (Mona) Westrum of Lake Park, John (Sheila) Westrum of Fargo; sisters Stacy (Stein) Rommesmo of Fargo, and Dana (Paul) Cleveland of Killdeer.
Memorials should be sent to the Roger Maris Cancer Center, Fargo.

Ruth L. Alberts
Ruth L. Alberts, Emmanuel Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes, died at the care center Tuesday, Jan. 18. She was 89.
The funeral service will be held Friday, Jan. 21, 2 p.m., at Oak Grove Cemetery in Detroit Lakes, with Father Jerry Rogers officiating.
Interment will be at Oak Grove Cemetery.
Visitation will be Thursday, Jan. 20, 5-7 p.m., at West-Kjos Funeral Home of Detroit Lakes.
She was born April 6, 1910, in Mankato to George and Helen (Larson-Rude) Canfield.
She moved to Detroit Lakes as a young girl, and attended school here. She graduated from Detroit Lakes High School.
Canfield then attended McPhail School of Music in Minneapolis. She married Clyde Alberts in Crookston on May 10, 1930. They lived in Detroit Lakes where she worked for Montgomery Ward.
She moved to Denver, Colo., during World War II where she worked for a defense plant that manufactured artillery shells.
She moved back to Detroit Lakes and worked for the Selective Service.
They moved to Minneapolis in 1954 where Ruth and Clyde owned and operated Clyde L. Alberts Hearing Aid Centers in Minneapolis, Duluth and Sioux Falls, S.D.
They moved back to Detroit Lakes in 1974. She has been a resident at Emmanuel Nursing Home since 1991.
Alberts loved to travel and read. She was a member of the National Association of Federal Retired Employees, and a lifetime member of Does.
Alberts is survived by: son Richard, Audubon; sister Georgia Oslin, Hermitage, Tenn.; four grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.
Alberts was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and a sister.
 

Ernest W. Rasmussen
Ernest W. Rasmussen, Mesa, Ariz., died Monday, Jan. 10, at Valley Lutheran Hospital in Mesa. He was 68.
The funeral service will be held Saturday, Jan. 22, 11 a.m., at West-Kjos Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor James Erb officiating.
Interment will be at Canaan Fellowship Cemetery near Height of Land.
Military rites will be by the Frazee VFW Post.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Pallbearers are Richard Rasmussen, Danny Rasmussen, Jay Rasmussen, Jeff Rasmussen, Larry Lenius and Jeff Perrine.
Rasmussen was born Dec. 23, 1931, in Pelican Rapids to Ernest and Alma (Wahl) Rasmussen.
He grew up and graduated from Detroit Lakes High School. Rasmussen served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, 1951-54.
Rasmussen married Janice Perrine on June 27, 1957, at Sand Coulee, Mont.
After their marriage, they lived several years in Minneapolis. They then lived in Northern Illinois until 1996 when they moved to Mesa.
Over the years, Rasmussen worked in various types of sales positions.
Rasmussen is survived by: daughters Joyce (Leonard) Pesz of Island Lake, Ill., and Marquitta (Dennis) Geary of Wauconda, Ill.; sons Danny of Wauconda, Richard of Genoa City, Wis., and Jay (Audra) of Genoa City; eight grandchildren; sisters Marjorie Byrnes of Detroit Lakes and Betty (Kenneth) Wallace of Frazee; brothers Robert of Vergas and Duane (Karen) of Wheeling, Ill.
Rasmussen was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, a daughter, a great grandson and an infant brother.
 

Rev. E.G. (Elmer G.) Larson
Rev. E.G. (Elmer G.) Larson, formerly of Ada and Moorhead, died at Halstad Lutheran Memorial Home on Monday, Jan. 17. He was 98.
A memorial service will be held Monday, Jan. 24, 10 a.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead.
The funeral service will be held Monday, Jan. 24, 2 p.m., at Grace Lutheran Church in Ada. Visitation will be at the church one hour before the service.
Interment will be at the Ada Municipal Cemetery.
Larson was born July 1, 1901, in Rock County, Minn., to L.G. and Alma Larson. He graduated from Augustana Academy in 1923, and Augustana College, Sioux Falls, S.D., in 1926.
He married Luella Querness in 1929 at Madison, S.D.
Larson was principal and superintendent of schools at Garretson and Astoria, S.D., for six years before enrolling at Luther Theological Seminary at St. Paul.
After graduating from Luther Seminary, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Lutheran Church (1935-42) in Proctor, and Grace Lutheran Church in Ada, formerly First Lutheran and Petri, from 1942 until retiring to Moorhead and Bad Medicine Lake in 1969.
Larson remained active after retiring, serving as interim pastor at congregations in Buxton, N.D., Lockhart, Immanuel in rural Detroit Lakes, and visitation pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead.
The Larsons wintered in Mesa, Ariz., in the 1970s.
Larson held numerous offices in the Northern Minnesota District of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, later the American Lutheran Church, while serving as pastor in Ada.
He was a major force in organizing the Red River Valley Ministry for migrant workers in the valley, and the Minne-Wa-Kan Bible Camp Corporation.
Larson was active in Boy Scouts at the troop and council level, being awarded the Silver Beaver and the Lamb awards.
Larson is credited for revitalizing the Norman County Historical Society, serving as its first president.
He served on the boards of the Tri-Valley Council for the Office of Economic Opportunity and the Northwest Council on Alcohol Problems.
Larson was a member of Lions and Kiwanis.
Larson is survived by: daughter Alice (David) Hagen of Bad Medicine Lake; sons G. Paul (Barbara) or Grand Forks, N.D., Richard (Jackie) of Beloit, Wis.; nine grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; and sister Mable Edmundson of Garretson.
Larson was preceded in death by his wife, brothers Rueben and Herman and an infant sister.

Harvey Jasch
Harvey Jasch, Detroit Lakes, died Thursday, Jan. 20, at his home. He was 47.
The funeral service will be held Monday, Jan. 24, 1 p.m., at Zion Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes, with Rev. Dan Abrahams officiating.
Interment will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, Detroit Lakes.
Visitation will be Sunday, Jan. 23, 4-8 p.m., at David-Donehower Funeral Home, Detroit Lakes, with a prayer service at 7 p.m.
Friends may also call at the church one hour prior to the funeral service.
Jasch was born Oct. 3, 1952, in Detroit Lakes to Donald and Esther (Tovson) Jasch. He is a 1971 graduate of Detroit Lakes High School.
Following graduation, Jasch worked for Jeff’s Dock in Detroit Lakes. He married Mary Meyer Sept. 21, 1973, in Detroit Lakes.
Jasch later worked for Arrow Disposal Service, and eventually became co-owner of the company.
In 1985, the company was sold to Northern Waste, and Jasch continued to work there until 1996.
Jasch worked for S&M Mechanical of Moorhead until 1999, and has done a number of jobs around the community since that time.
His interests included hunting, fishing and trapping. Jasch was a member of the Cormorant Lakes and Mahnomen sportsmen’s clubs.
Jasch is survived by: his wife, Detroit Lakes; son Jeff, Detroit Lakes; daughter Jessica (Jeremy) Peterson, Detroit Lakes; his parents, Detroit Lakes; brother Jonathan (Becky), Detroit Lakes; and sisters Lois (Dennis) Plasschaert, California City, Calif., and Arlene (Rick) Helmer, Lawton, Okla.
Jasch was preceded in death by a brother, Arnold.

Ruth Elizabeth Helm
Ruth Elizabeth Helm, Ashland, Wis., died Saturday, Jan. 22, at Memorial Medical Center in Ashland. She was 76.
The funeral service was held Tuesday, Jan. 25, at Celebration Fellowship in Ashland, with Rev. J.D. Weber officiating.
Spring interment will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Ashland.
She was born Aug. 7, 1923, in Chicago, Ill., the daughter of Roy and Lucy (Cunningham) Rosser, Sr.
Rosser graduated from Fenger High School in Chicago, and attended St. Olaf College in Northfield. Rosser served in the U.S. Navy in 1943-45.
She married John Helm (Hjelmeseth) on Oct. 16, 1948, in the Nazareth Lutheran Church in Chicago.
She taught music at Presho (S.D.) High School, and Bear River, Minn. In 1954-63, she did private music lessons in Presho and Bear River.
Helm worked as a keypunch operator for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in Minneapolis, 1964-76. She moved to Ashland in 1997.
Helm is survived by: her husband; sons Arne of Beach Park, Ill., Eilert (Mary Lou) of Vergas, and Paul (Michelle) of Broken Arrow, Okla.; eight grandchildren; five great grandchildren; brothers Roy (Jeanette) Rosser, Jr. of Evansville, Wis., and Roger (Avis) Rosser of Beloit, Wis.; sisters Jan (Don) Miles of Delavan, Wis., Sue (William) Gartley of Stevensville, Miss., and Vivian (Luther) Larson of Langford, S.D.; and many nieces and nephews.
Helm was preceded in death by her parents.
Memorials may be made to Gideons International.

Jill R. Blauert
Jill R. Blauert, Detroit Lakes, died Sunday, Jan. 23, in Detroit Lakes. She was 28.
The funeral service will be held Thursday, Jan. 27, 2 p.m., at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Detroit Lakes, with Father Jerry Rogers officiating.
Interment will be at Holy Rosary Cemetery.
Visitation will be at the David-Donehower Funeral Home on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 4-8 p.m., with parish prayers at 7 p.m.
Persons may also call at the church Thursday for one hour prior to the service.
She was born Sept. 3, 1971, to Keith and Kathleen (Benson) Brekken at Grand Forks, N.D. That same year, she moved with her family to Rochert.
Brekken graduated from Detroit Lakes High School in 1990. She married Bruce Blauert at Snellman on May 3, 1997.
Blauert worked in Moorhead and Fargo, N.D., prior to working for Dog House Dye Works in Detroit Lakes in 1996. Blauert enjoyed needlepoint.
Blauert is survived by: her husband, Detroit Lakes; daughter Brianna; her parents; brother John of Moorhead; and her grandmother and step-grandfather Ervin and Pearl Stall of Detroit Lakes.

Gordon D. Jorgenson
Gordon D. Jorgenson, Moorhead and formerly of Vergas, died Sunday, Jan. 23, at MeritCare Hospital in Fargo, N.D. He was 66.
The funeral service will be held Thursday, Jan. 27, 2 p.m., in St. Paul’s Loon Lake Lutheran Church, Vergas, with Rev. Michael Wolters officiating.
Interment will be in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, 4-8 p.m., in the Furey Funeral Home Chapel, Vergas, and also one hour prior to the church service.
Jorgenson was born Aug. 14, 1933, in Fergus Falls, the son of Henry and Olga (Hansen) Jorgenson.
He moved with his family to the Vergas area, where he was raised and attended school.
Following school, he worked on the family farm and on the Iron Range in Chisholm.
Jorgenson married Llewellyn Erickson on July 15, 1966, in Vergas
They continued to live on the family farm. Jorgenson also worked at West Central Turkey Plant in Pelican Rapids for 33 years, retiring in 1996. Llewellyn died on Aug. 15, 1982.
Jorgenson is survived by: daughters Christie (Pat) Clarey of Moorhead and Carole Jorgenson of Fergus Falls; two grandchildren; brothers Dennis (Pam) of Detroit Lakes and Granville of Minneapolis; and mother-in-law Inez Erickson of Kerrville, Texas.

Michelle Jennifer Violet Samuelson
Skyler Shea Samuelson-Jacob
A joint funeral service was held Saturday, Jan. 22, in Menahga for Michelle Jennifer Violet Samuelson, 20, and her son, Skyler Shea Samuelson-Jacob, 23 months, both of Menahga.
The service was held at First English Lutheran Church, with Rev. Roger Michaelson and Rev. Loren Ferch officiating.
Interment was at the Menahga City Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Jeremy Zimmerman, Chad Blair, Shannon Jacob, Al Zimmerman, Dave Bunnell, York Blair, Michael Cannon and Laurie Brown.
Samuelson died Jan. 13 and Samuelson-Jacob on Jan. 18, the result of injuries suffered in an automobile accident Jan. 13.
Samuelson was born April 13, 1979, in Williston, N.D., the daughter of Wayne and Marion Samuelson.
During her first year, she moved with her family to Grand Rapids, Minn., and three years later to Minneapolis. She completed elementary school in New Hope.
The family moved to Menahga in 1992. Samuelson was an active member in the school and community. She participated in many school activities, such as Future Leaders of America, softball, golf and cheerleading.
Most recently, Samuelson was a student at Northwest Technical College in Detroit Lakes, enrolled in computer technologies.
Samuelson-Jacob was born Jan. 27, 1998, in Wadena to Samuelson and Sheyenne Jacob.
Samuelson is survived by: her parents; grandparents Onie and Violet Samuelson; and brothers Rick Brown and Michael Samuelson.
Samuelson-Jacob is survived by: his father; grandparents Steve and Sheila Jacob and Wayne and Marion Samuelson; great grandparents Daisy Jacob and Francis and Delores Cauley.
Both are also survived by many uncles, aunts, nieces, cousins and friends.
Memorial gifts may be made to the March of Dimes and Children’s Fund.

Sadie Turnbull
Sadie Turnbull, Detroit Lakes and formerly Frazee, died Monday, Jan. 24, at St. Mary’s Regional Hospital in Detroit Lakes. She was 86.
The funeral service will be held Thursday, Jan. 27, 10 a.m., at Emmanuel Community Chapel in Detroit Lakes. Chaplain Vicki Marthaler will officiate.
Interment will be at Lakeside Cemetery in Frazee.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral service. David-Donehower Funeral Home, Detroit Lakes, is in charge of arrangements.
Sarah Juanita Peronius was born May 12, 1913, to Wesley and Rosalia (Kappel) Peronius at Montrose.
Her father worked for the railroad, so she was raised and educated in various railroad towns in Minnesota and Iowa.
She moved to Frazee in 1931. She married Donald Turnbull on Aug. 5, 1932. He died in 1976.
Although the couple had no children, they raised their niece, Susan Johnson, when Sadie’s sister Maxine died.
Turnbull loved to travel the world, with her favorite places being Gibraltar, Monaco and Costa Rica.
Turnbull is survived by many nieces and nephews, and by a special friend, Barbara Heyer.

Minnie Henrietta Louise Radel
Minnie Henrietta Louise Radel, Frazee, died Monday, Jan. 24, at the Frazee Care Center. She was 97.
The funeral service will be held Thursday, Jan. 27, 11 a.m., at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Frazee, with Del Stohs officiating.
Interment will be at St. Paul’s Evergreen Lutheran Cemetery, rural Frazee.
Visitation is Wednesday at 3-8 p.m., with a prayer service beginning at 3:30 p.m. at Furey Funeral Home, Frazee., and also one hour prior to the service in the church.
She was born March 31, 1902, to Henry and Ann (Mattfield) Tobeck in Toad Lake Township near Frazee. Tobeck was raised and attended school there.
She married August Radel on May 6, 1920. They farmed in Evergreen Township near Frazee for many years. August died on Jan. 5, 1956.
Radel moved from the farm in 1965 and went to Minneapolis to work for Reuben K. Youngdahl. In 1972, she retired and moved to Grand Rapids, residing there until Oct. 10, 1987.
Radel then moved back to the Frazee area and resided with her daughter, Lorna. Radel entered the Frazee Care Center in October 1990.
Radel was baptized, confirmed and married in Zion Lutheran Church in Toad Lake Township. She was a member of St. Paul’s Evergreen Lutheran Church, Bethlehem Lutheran Church and First Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids.
Radel is survived by: daughter Lorna (Raymond) Beck, Frazee; sisters Esther Drieman of Grand Rapids and Alice Erkilla of Marble; eight grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; and three great great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, son Robert, daughter Inez, two brothers and five sisters.

Gertrude J. Riegert
Gertrude J. Riegert, Mahnomen, died Monday, Jan. 24, at Pioneer Memorial Care Center in Erskine. She was 91.
The funeral service will be held Thursday, Jan. 27, 11 a.m., at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Beaulieu.
Interment will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Beaulieu.
Visitation is Wednesday, 4-9 p.m., at Burnside Funeral Home in Mahnomen, with a vigil service at 7 p.m. and a Christian Mothers Rosary at 7:30 p.m.
Visitation will continue from 9 a.m. at the church until the service.
She was born March 19, 1908, at Humboldt, Sask., Canada to Paul and Catherine (Theisen) Ebnet. She grew up in Humboldt, and as a young girl moved with her family to Stearns County. They later moved to Mahnomen County.
She married Joseph Riegert at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Beaulieu on Oct. 27, 1931. They then lived in the Twin Cities, until returned to Beaulieu in 1937 to farm.
In 1957, they purchased a farm in LaGarde Township of Mahnomen County, where they farmed until 1987 when they moved into Valley View Commons in Mahnomen.
Joseph died in 1989, and Gertrude continued to live in Mahnomen until entering Pioneer Memorial Home in May 1999.
Riegert was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, its ladies aid and Christian Mothers. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, baking and bird watching.
Riegert is survived by: three daughters, Marion (Kenneth) Blaeser of Mahnomen, Carol Wendel of St. Paul, and Joanne (Milton) Ripley of White Bear Lake; son Leo (Germaine) of Waubun; 13 grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; sisters Mary Olstead of Mahnomen and Veronica Luebke of Lake City, Fla.; brothers Bill Ebnet of Minnetonka, Leo Ebnet of Hopkins and Paul (Bernice) Ebnet of Hoyt Lakes; and foster sons Larry Beaulieu of Mahnomen and Billy Nelson of Minneapolis.
Riegert was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, three sisters, three brothers and five grandchildren.
 

Betty J. Weber
Betty J. Weber, a resident at Emmanuel Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes, died at the care center Tuesday, Jan. 25. She was 70.
The funeral service will be held Saturday, Jan. 29, 1 p.m., at First Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes, with Pastor David Peterson officiating.
Interment will be at Oak Grove Cemetery, Detroit Lakes.
The pallbearers are Charlie Rew, Dale Makey, John Haack, Tom Haugen, Michael Beck and Don Beck.
Visitation will be Friday, 4-8 p.m., at West-Kjos Funeral Home, Detroit Lakes, and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Weber was born Aug. 22, 1929, in Burlington Township near Detroit Lakes to Albert and Hilda (Weum) Weber.
She grew up and attended District 29 Country School in Burlington Township. Weber then spent many years caring for her mother.
They moved into Detroit Lakes in 1954. She worked for Lindrud’s in Detroit Lakes from 1961 to 1984. She then did home care for a neighbor lady. Weber was an Emmanuel resident since 1992.
Weber loved flower gardening, especially roses.
Weber is survived by one niece and three nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother and three sisters.

Sullivan Adams
Sullivan Adams, Ponsford, died Monday, Jan. 31, at the Ah-Gwah-Ching Nursing Home. He was 73.
The funeral will be Friday, Feb. 4, 11 a.m., at the Pine Point School in Ponsford, with Father Mike Smith officiating.
Pallbearers will be John “Peak” Robbins, Rex Robbins, Ronald Butcher, Lewis Butcher, Jr., Harvey Bonga and Robert Bonga.
Interment will be at the Breck Memorial Cemetery in Ponsford.
Visitation will begin at 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, at the Pine Point School and continuing until the funeral service Friday.
Adams was born June 11, 1926, to John and Mary (Gravelle) Adams at Ponsford, where he was raised and educated.
After school, he worked as a logger until serving with the U.S. Army, 1942-46. After the service, Adams returned to Ponsford to continue logging.
He married Cathrine Croud in Ponsford on Aug. 11, 1952. Adams continued to work in the Ponsford area until 1965 when he began trucking. He retired in 1994.
Adams enjoyed family and friends, and playing and watching baseball.
Adams is survived by: sons Wayne Chesley of St. Paul, and Mike Chesley and Gerald (Lori) Adams, both of Ponsford; daughter Mary (David) Harper, Ponsford; brother Alfred (Irene), Jordan; sisters Darlene (John) Robbins and Rexine Adams, both of Ponsford; 17 grandchildren; and 10 great grandchildren.

Harry Peake
Harry Peake, Ponsford, died Tuesday, Feb. 1, at Ah-Gwah-Ching Nursing Home. He was 81.
Funeral arrangements are pending with the David-Donehower Funeral Home, Detroit Lakes.

Leona A. Ingram
Leona A. Ingram, Detroit Lakes, died Monday, Jan. 31, at St. Mary’s Nursing Center in Detroit Lakes. She was 82.
There will be a spring graveside service in Oak Grove Cemetery, Detroit Lakes. Interment will be at the cemetery.
She was born April 7, 1917, in Underwood to John and Ivy (Johnson) Jenson. She grew up and attended school in Audubon.
Jenson graduated from St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Fargo, N.D., in 1938. She married Gordon Ingram on May 18, 1940, at Northwood, Iowa.
Ingram worked over the years in various hospitals in St. Paul. When she retired in 1978, Ingram moved back to Detroit Lakes.
She has been a resident of Pleasant View Apartments the past 10 years.
Ingram is survived by: son Ross, Milwaukee, Wis.; grandson Jason Ingram, Culver City, Calif.; and sisters Ruby Gysler of Wolf Point, Mont., and Goldie Tilden of Seattle, Wash.
She was preceded in death by her parents.

Paul C. Anderson
Paul C. Anderson, Vergas, died Monday, Jan. 31, at his home. He was 59.
The funeral service will be held Thursday, Feb. 3, 11 a.m., at St. Paul’s Loon Lake Lutheran Church in Vergas, with Rev. Michael Wolters officiating.
Interment will be at the church cemetery.
Visitation is Wednesday, 5-8 p.m., at the church, and also one hour at the church prior to the funeral service.
Anderson was born Feb. 29, 1940, near Rothsay to Clarence and Myrtle (Moen) Anderson.
Anderson was raised and attended school there, graduating in 1957. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army.
Anderson married Marilyn Kukes on April 15, 1961, in Vermilion, Ohio. He worked for Standard Oil in Cleveland, Ohio.
In 1967, they moved near Vergas, and they owned and operated Perry’s Restaurant near Vergas. They sold the restaurant in 1975.
Anderson, along with Donald Zitzow of Vergas, owned and operated Paul’s Insulation in Vergas. Anderson sold the business in 1998.
Anderson is survived by: daughter Mindy of St. Cloud; son Greg (Kendell) of Chicago, Ill.; his mother, Rothsay; sisters Sharon (Robert) Flatin of Pelican Rapids and Virginia (Marland) Hoff of Detroit Lakes.
Anderson was preceded in death by his wife, father and a brother.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the American Cancer Society in the Paul C. Anderson Memorial Fund.

William J. Lane
William J. Lane of Upper St. Clair, Penn., and a Detroit Lakes summer resident, died Sunday, Jan. 23, at his home. He was 71.
The funeral service was held Thursday, Jan. 27, at Westminister Presbyterian Church, Upper St. Clair.
Lane was a business partner in a car dealership in Whitehall, Penn., at the time of his death. For all of his adult life, Lane was involved in the automobile business in Pennsylvania.
Lane grew up in Wilkinsburg, Penn., where his father was a plumber. The family moved to Cradock, Va., in 1940, when his father took a job at the U.S. Navy yard in Norfolk.
Lane enlisted in the U.S. Air Force after graduating from Augusta Military School. He served in Europe during World War II with the 12th Air Force B-29 Marauder Group, flying 50 missions.
Lane briefly attended the University of Pittsburgh after the war, transferred to Waynesburg (Penn.) College and graduated from there in 1950.
He married Katie Jo Chivers. Lane belonged to a number of community organizations, including the Syria Temple and Wilkinsburg Elks. His interests included golf and playing cards.
Lane is survived by: his wife; son Calvin of Upper St. Clair and Col. William Lane of Fort Huachuca, Ariz.; daughters Virginia Lane of Milwaukee, Wis., and Rachel Lane of Upper St. Clair; sister Verna Vachetta of Murrysville, Penn.; step-mother Lily Petrovic of Swissvale, Penn.; brother-in-law Jack Chivers, Detroit Lakes; nephews John and James Chivers, Detroit Lakes; former sister-in-law Cheryl Chivers, Detroit Lakes; two grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Arthur E. Benson
Arthur E. Benson, Wildomar, Calif., died Wednesday, Jan. 5, at the Devonshire Care Center in Hemet, Calif. He was 80.
The funeral service was held Jan. 11 at Evans-Brown Mortuary Chapel in Lake Elsinore, Calif., with Rev. Gary Martin officiating.
Interment was at Wildomar (Calif.) Cemetery.
Benson was born Feb. 9, 1919, to John and Lulu (Nelson) Benson in Detroit Lakes. He graduated from Detroit Lakes High School in 1936.
Benson was an engineer at Rockwell International Corp. in Downey, Calif., for 42 years before retiring in 1982. Benson was a design engineer for the space shuttle program at Rockwell.
For the past 20 years, Benson resided in Wildomar.
Benson is survived by: step-daughter Jodie Webster of Eustace, Texas; step-son Kenneth Benson of Orange, Calif.; six grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and several cousins, including Florence Kvamme of Pelican Rapids, and Mildred Malbick, Maynard Nelson, Dean Nelson and Paul Nelson, all of Detroit Lakes.
Benson was preceded in death by his wife Betty, his parents, and a brother, Stanley.

Bertha Schwanz
Bertha Schwanz, Portland, Ore., died Monday, Jan. 24, at Mount St. Joseph Home. She was 90.
A memorial service was held at the care center’s chapel Thursday, Jan. 27.
She was born Feb. 27, 1909, in rural Frazee to Fred and Emma Schwanz. After her schooling, Schwanz attended the College of Cosmetology in Minneapolis.
Schwanz continued in that field for many years, after which she moved to Portland and worked at the American Can Company. Schwanz also worked at a flower shop before retiring.
Schwanz is survived by: brother Fred of Princeton, Wis.; sister-in-law Agnes Schwanz of Perham; and 12 nieces and nephews.
Schwanz was preceded in death by her parents, brothers John, William and Albert, and an infant sister.

Marjorie A. Olson
Marjorie A. Olson, Detroit Lakes, died Wednesday, Jan. 26, at St. Mary’s Regional Health Center in Detroit Lakes. She was 77.
The funeral service was held Saturday, Jan. 29, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Detroit Lakes, with Father Jerry Rogers officiating.
Interment was at Holy Rosary Cemetery, Detroit Lakes.
Pallbearers were Loren Ramberg, Barry Ramberg, Stefan Olson, Ronny Olson, Jesse Reller and Robert Sato, Jr.
Honorary pallbearers were LeAnn Carteno, Vicki Borah, Gregory Reller, Anita Ramberg, Michelle Eide and Candace Amberg.
She was born Dec. 13, 1922, in Detroit Lakes to William and Emma (McDougall) Walz. She grew up and graduated from Detroit Lakes High School in 1942.
She married Eugene Olson on Dec. 28, 1942, in Moorhead. Olson worked at D.A.C. in Detroit Lakes for 16 years as a cook.
Olson was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.
Olson is survived by: son Michael (Fern), Detroit Lakes; daughters Barbara Ramberg of Tioga, N.D., Elizabeth (Wayne) Tank of Brainerd, Denise (Richard) Olson of Frazee and Patricia (Steve) Eide of Tioga; 13 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; and sister Jeanette Freiberg, Omaha, Neb.
Olson was preceded in death by her husband, parents, infant son Jeffery, one brother and three sisters.