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Mildred Johnson
Mildred I. Johnson, 89, of Isanti, died peacefully in her sleep June 6, 2001 at Grandview Christian Home.
Funeral services were June 11 at South Isanti Baptist Church with Rev. Robert Venneman officiating. The soloists were Mary Falk and Howard Doble. Corinne Johnson served as organist and Katy Gleason was the pianist. Honorary pallbearers were Amanda, Ann, Cindi, Dolly, Gina, Jody, Melissa, and Wendy. Pallbearers were Brant Grimes, Tim Knapp, Nick Mertes, Steven Packer, Darrin Rosnow, and Todd Rooney. Burial was in Isanti Union Cemetery.
Mildred Ingaborg Eklund was born February 25, 1912 on the family farm in rural Isanti to Magnus and Anna Eklund. She attended District 3 and District 53 public schools. Mildred accepted the Lord Jesus as her personal Savior and was baptized at South Isanti Baptist Church, where she served faithfully in many capacities throughout her life. Her early adult years were spent doing maid work and child care in Minneapolis. During this time she began a courtship with her childhood neighbor, Howard Johnson, whom she married May 23, 1942 at the home of her sister, Adelyn. To this union were born four children: Kathleen Packer, Keith, Linda Mertes, and Lowell. Mildred’s many jobs outside the home included chicken processor, Cambridge Egg Plant, Jiffy Tater, Isanti Milk Powder Plant, Anderson Nursing Care, Sundberg Nursing Home, and finally Grandview. Mildred spent the final eight years of her life at the Grandview Christian Home, a home-coming of sorts for her, as she spent 12 years of faithful service in the kitchen and as a nursing assistant, a job she dearly loved. She will long be remembered for her meticulous garden and yard work, but most of all for her many musical talents. Mildred sang in the church choir, countless solos, and with her sisters and many friends in numerous duets and trios which often included her dear friend, Beatrice Thunstrom.
She was preceded in death by two sisters, three brothers and by one granddaughter.
She is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, Howard; children, Kathy (Gary) Packer, Keith (Sandy) Johnson, Linda (Paul) Mertes, and Lowell (Linda) Johnson; grandchildren, Cindi Knapp, Wendy Rooney, Jody Rosnow, Steven Packer, Gina Johnson, Brant Grimes, Melissa, Amanda, Ann and Nicholas Mertes; great-grandchildren, Cara and Cati Knapp, Heather Lillion, Susan Rooney, Cassandra and Cody Packer, Jacob and Jordan Johnson, and Michael and Justin Rosnow.
Services were entrusted to the care of the Strike Funeral Home-Isanti Chapel.
Sondra (Lowry) Klug
Sondra (Lowry) Klug, 28, of Braham, peacefully passed into the arms of God on Saturday, May 26, 2001.
Funeral services were held June 4 at Braham Ev. Lutheran Church in Braham with Rev. Canon John Rettger officiating. Honorary pallbearers were Gary VanScoy, Theresa Wederath, Frank Higgins, Mike Miller, Paul Lowry and Larry Klink. Burial was in Rice Lake Lutheran Cemetery in Braham.
Sondra was born in Fridley July 24, 1972 to Steve and Dottie Lowry. The family moved to Braham when Sondra was in 11th grade. She was married after graduating from high school and moved to Osakis, MN. She was the mother of three beautiful children – Ashley, age 10; Paige, age 8; and Justin, age 6. Soni moved back to Braham in 1996 after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Soni loved to ride horse and show her coonhound “Bill”. She loved her family and family get togethers. She enjoyed her days at Grandview Adult Daycare and loved all those who spent their days there with her. Soni fought M.S. for five years. She died peacefully in a room full of love and family at Lynwood Nursing Home in Fridley.
She was preceded in death by maternal grandparents Lorraine Higgins Phildo and Ralph Higgins.
She is survived by her children Ashley, Paige, and Justin, Osakis, MN; parents Steve and Dottie Lowry, Braham; brother Jason Lowry; great grandparents Harvey and Virginia Lowry, Blaine, MN; and grandfather Lloyd VanScoy, Minnesota in Agricultural Economics, and, as a junior economist, began a distinguished career in government service in 1940, first with the Soil Conservation Service and then with the Farm Security Administration in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He qualified as an agricultural statistician in 1943 and worked for the Department of Agriculture in New Mexico, in Washington D.C., becoming Statistician-in-Charge for the state of New Mexico in 1958. In 1964 he was promoted to the position of Statistician-in-Charge for Pennsylvania, close to his daughter Jean, and his final month in hospice care at the home of his daughter Linda in Maryland.
Roger is survived by four daughters, ten grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
A graveside funeral service was held at the Stanchfield Baptist Church Cemetery on Monday, June 11, 200. After the service friends and neighbors provided a luncheon at the Grandy Union Church.
Local arrangements were made by Rock Mankie Burial and Cremation Service of Braham.
Lorraine Anderson
Lorraine C. Anderson, 82, of Coon Rapids, formerly of Walbo, died Wednesday, June 13, 2001 at the Cambridge Health Care Center.
Funeral services were held Monday, June 18 from the Carlson-Labatte Funeral Home with Ron Schley officiating. Pallbearers were Tom Anderson, Greg Anderson, John Anderson, Bruce Jernell, and Harold House. Interment was in the Long Lake Community Cemetery.
Lorraine C. Findell was born March 20, 1919 to John and Thilda (Erickson) Findell, in Springvale Township, OH; many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Arrangements were with the Carlson-Labatte Funeral Home.
Edna Gerdin
Edna Marie Gerdin, 92, of Cambridge, died June 13, 2001 at Grandview Christian Home.
Funeral services were held June 16 from Salem Lutheran Church in Dalbo with Rev. William Pearson officiating. Special music was provided by Lawrence Olson, Leslie and Meredith Gerdin. Organist was Roberta Erickson. Pallbearers were Harlan Vall, James Jendro, David Jendro, Jon Gerdin, Timothy Gerdin, and Matthew Gerdin. Burial was in Cambridge Union Cemetery.
She was born in Springvale Township, Isanti County, MN December 4, 1908 to Frost Erik and Marit Erickson, and was the last survivor of 14 children. Edna graduated from West High, Minneapolis, and attended Normal Teacher Training in Cambridge. She began her teaching career at Pine Brook in 1927 and served as teacher for several country schools including West Riverside, Moody, Dowling, and others for over 40 years. She also taught Sunday School and was active in her churches (Wyanett Evangelical Free and Springvale Baptist.) She married Milton Gerdin June 12, 1930 in Minneapolis and they celebrated 58 years together. They owned and operated three grocery stores in the Twin Cities in addition to the Walbo Store. They farmed in Wheatland and Alice, ND and in the Cambridge and Princeton areas. Edna was always ready to help and many were recipients of her generosity and hospitality. She enjoyed giving gifts of cooking and sewing to those in need. She was a tireless worker, always with a positive, gracious, and grateful attitude. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Edna was preceded in death by husband, Milton, grandson Michael Jendro, great-grandson Dan Denker, eight brothers and five sisters.
She is survived by children, Marjorie (Clayton Jendro) of Cambridge, Larry (Randy) Gerdin of West St. Paul, Leslie (Meredith) Gerdin of Fridley, Nancy (Harlan) Vall of Coon Rapids; eight grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild; sisters-in-law, Ada Gerdin of Princeton and Amy Erickson of Fargo, ND.
Arrangements were with Carlson-Labatte Funeral Home in Cambridge.
Joel W. Erickson
Joel W. Erickson, age 85, of Braham, died unexpectedly at Cambridge Medical Center on June 8, 2001.
Joel Warren Erickson was born on October 16, 1915, at home on the parental farm near Stanchfield the sixth child of Gust and Augusta Erickson. He attended school in Stanchfield, Lone Pine District #10 and graduated from the Braham High School in 1933 as salutatorian.
During grade school days he attended the Stanchfield Baptist Sunday School, as this church was within walking distance of his home. Joel accepted the Lord as his savior in 1928 and lived his life as one who loved his Lord. He was confirmed at the Mission Covenant Church Braham.
In 1938 he began work at the Braham Granite Works and continued with this firm in monumental design for the next 39 years. The year of 1942 saw Joel leave for a 39-month stint with the U.S. Navy, serving aboard the USS Laub, a destroyer, attaining the rank of Torpedoman First Class.
Joel was united in marriage to Mary Mae Klinka of Minneapolis in January 1944 and after service discharge in September 1945, they made their home in Braham. In 1946, Joel and Mary Mae began their new business venture, and the Erickson Piano Service was born and continued with piano sales and service in a wide area until retirement and beyond.
Mary Mae passed away in March, 1996. On October 10, 1996, Joel married Dora Rippey of Cambridge, a long time friend. They continued to reside in Braham.
Joel was a lifetime member of the Braham Evangelical Covenant Church. He served in various capacities of leadership, but was especially known for his outstanding service as the church’s head greeter and usher for many years.
He is survived by his wife Dora of Braham, nephews, nieces, other relatives and many friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents Gust and Augusta; his first wife Mary Mae; four brothers: Albert, Edgar, Oliver and Richard; and two sisters: Alice and Edna.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, June 13, 2001 at the Braham Ev. Covenant Church. Rev. Steve Jennisch and Rev. Erling Tungseth officiated. Music was provided by Sharon Carlson, organist and vocalists Lawrence Olson singing in Swedish, John Swanson singing “He Keeps Me Singing,” and the Braham Ev. Covenant Church choir singing “What A Day That Will Be.” Honorary pallbearers were Harold Forsberg, Leonard Lindblad, Art Marlton, Donald Larson, John Swanson, Barney Beise, Eldon Peterson, Bob Nelson, LaVerne Kelling and Paul Ryberg. Interment is in the Braham Mission Covenant Cemetery. Military Honors were provided by the Braham VFW Post.
Arrangments were made by Rock Mankie Burial and Cremation Service of Braham.
Gary Schmidt
Gary Schmidt, 51, of Isanti, died June 19, 2001, at his home.
Funeral services were held Friday, June 22, 2001, from the Strike Funeral Home-Isanti Chapel with Father Michael Kennedy officiating. Music was provided by St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Oak Grove. Pallbearers were Rick Bergman, Jim Eckel, Dean Englund, Jim Englund, Al Johnson, Chuck Jost, Rick Tilbury, and Irve Zettervall. Interment was in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery.
Gary Francis Schmidt was born November 23, 1949 at Siren, WI to Francis and Maryann Schmidt. He was raised at Webster, WI and graduated from Webster High School, class of 1968. On April 12, 1969, he married Diane Jarvis in Grantsburg, WI. They made their home in St. Paul In 1994, they moved to Ramsey and in 1990, they moved to Isanti. Gary was employed as a welder. He especially enjoyed his Harley and the rides with his friends. He also enjoyed water sports and deer hunting.
He is survived by his wife, Diane; son, Christopher (MaDonna) of Isanti; daughter, Jody (Marty) Goad of Ramsey; his mother, Maryann Schmidt of Webster; brother, Thomas (Connie) Schmidt of Webster; sisters, Linda (Ron) Radke of TX; grandchildren, Jeffery, Tristan, Megan, and Michaela; by many other relatives and friends.
Jean E. Koecher
Jean Elizabeth Koecher, 81, of Stacy passed away on Monday, June 18, 2001 at the Cambridge Medical Center.
She wag born March 9, 1920 in Bums Township, Anoka County, Minnesota.
She was an active member of the St. Francis United Methodist Church and later St. John Lutheran Church of Weber.
Jean married John R. Koecher of Stacy on August 29, 1970 at St. John Lutheran Church. Together they farmed for over 30 years.
She is survived by her husband John of Stacy, step brother Clifford Nutter and wife Patty of North Carolina, to Mary Ethel (Greene) and Robert Swofford. He resided in Minnesota, living in Minneapolis and later Brook Park. William worked at various machining jobs in Minneapolis, New Brighton, and Braham. Eighteen years ago, he was united in marriage to Margaret Schultz at First Baptist Church in Cambridge. The couple has made their home in Cambridge since that time. William was a member of First Baptist Church. He enjoyed fishing and creating cloth paintings.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Francis in 1986, infant sister, Maddie, brother Jim, and sister, Katie.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret of Cambridge; step-children, Vernon Schultz of Hinckley, Darlene (John) McDermeit of Bloomington, John (Marilyn) Schultz of Hastings, Beverly Nowling of Lake, CO; many step-grandchildren; brothers, Howard Swofford, Roy Swofford, and Lee Swofford, all of Washington, D.C. area. When he was in high school, his family moved to Iowa, the daughter of Albin and Alma Gustafson. She attended school in Alta, Arizona, formerly of the Cambridge-Rush City area, died June 27, 2001.
She was born in Harris and graduated from Hinckley High School. She lived and worked in Minneapolis, Texas. She and her husband lived in the Cambridge-Rush City area for 24 years prior to moving to Alabama to live with his sister and after 10 years moved back to Cambridge in February 1999. Del enjoyed woodworking, making furniture, spinning wheels, clocks, figurines, and many other projects, fishing, and traveling throughout the world. He was a member of Christ The King Catholic Church in Cambridge.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers, Wilbert and Francis.
Del is survived by sister, Alyce Kramer of Mobile, Alabama; brothers, Donald (Evelyn) Maslow, Vernon (Darlene) Maslow, and Jim (Darlyne) Maslow, all of Stanchfield.
Arrangements are with the Carlson-Labatte Funeral Home in Cambridge.
