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Adam D. Strack
Adam D. Strack, age 24, a resident of Randall, MN, died October 4, 1998, at the St. Cloud Hospital.
A memorial gathering was held October 6 at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Randall.
Adam Dale Strack was born on February 3, 1974, in Little Falls, MN, to Dale and Susan (Schmidt) Strack. He grew up near Randall and attended the local schools. He enjoyed working as a mechanic.
Survivors include his parents, Dale and Susan; one sister, Peggy Strack of Randall and two brothers, Patrick Strack and Russell Strack at home; his grandmothers, Lucille Schmidt of Randall and Isabelle Strack of Little Falls, as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Stella Siminski
Stella Siminski, age 88, a resident of Little Falls, MN, died October 3, 1998, at her residence in Little Falls.
Mass of Christian Burial was held October 8 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls with Father Leroy Kremer officiating. Burial was in the St. Stanislaus Parish Cemetery in Sobieski, MN.
Stella was born February 27, 1910, to Felix and Pauline (Ringwelski) Shippritt of Sobieski. In 1926, she moved to Flint, MI, at the age of 16. Stella was united in marriage to John Siminski in Flint, in 1929. They moved back to the Little Falls area in 1946, where they farmed until John’s death in 1996. Stella was a cook in a local restaurant for 15 years. She was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Stella enjoyed cooking, baking and sewing.
Survivors include daughters, Marguerite M. Lund and husband Jerome of Maple Grove, MN, and Doris Skwira and husband Ed of Little Falls; brother Edmund Shippritt and wife Ann of Flint; seven grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband John, four brothers and four sisters.
Jerry Wallace
Jerry Lee Wallace, age 57, a resident of rural Browerville, MN, died October 3, 1998, at home.
A family gathering was held October 8 at the family’s residence. A private burial took place in Montana.
Jerry was born July 5, 1941, in Floyd County, IA to Frank and Ruth (Baker) Wallace. He married (Margaret) Peggy Heronimus November 29, 1972, in Galina, IL. He grew up in Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery by Camp Ripley with Military Honors provided by Brainerd VFW Post #1647.
Edward J. Vopatek was born December 4, 1913, in Lonsdale, MN, to Joseph and Anna (Rezac) Vopatek. He married Helen Dircks at St. Mathias Catholic Church on January 31, 1942. He served in the US Navy SeaBees during World War II.
Survivors include his wife Helen; one son, Ken and daughter-in-law, Lori Vopatek of Brainerd; five grandchildren, Jim Vopatek, Terri Bulanek, Tracy Vopatek, Mark Vopatek, and Dan Vopatek; one great-granddaughter, Catheryn Bulanek; and one sister, Emma Peterka of Montgomery, MN.
Jack Fitzgerald
Jack Fitzgerald, age 73, a resident of Little Falls, MN, died September 30, 1998, at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, MN.
A graveside service was held on October 6 at Oakland Cemetery in Little Falls.
Jack Fitzgerald was born on November 2, 1924, in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, MN, to the late Clarence and Ruth (Lilgenberg) Fitzgerald. He grew up in Minneapolis where he attended and graduated from South High School in the class of 1942. He worked at at hardware store and at Cook Paints in Minneapolis. He was united in marriage to Harriet Nora Nelson on October 11, 1952. The couple moved to Little Falls in 1984 where he resided until his death.
He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Harriet Fitzgerald (November 25, 1994).
Col. Harold M. Hammerbeck
Col. Harold M. Hammerbeck, age 81, a resident of Little Falls, MN, died September 30, 1998 at his home.
Funeral services will be held October 5 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Little Falls with Rev. Nicholas Landsberger and Rev. Harold J. Kost officiating. Burial will be in the Minnesota National Guard on October 4, 1938, with assignment to the 109th Quartermaster Company. He was called to active duty on February 10, 1941, and shipped to Camp Claiborne, New Jersey for overseas duty. He was on the first convoy to leave the United States for Europe in January, 1942, where he trained in Ireland until December, 1942. In January, 1943, he was shipped to North Africa, arriving in Algeria. His unit then crossed the AlgerianDesert and participated in the Tunisia Campaign. He received a Battle Field Commission on August 30, 1943. In September, 1943, he went on to participate in the Invasion of Italy, landing at Salerno. He distinguished himself during action in the Apinine Mountains while serving as the Assistant Division Ordinance Maintenance Officer. He was united in marriage to Leone E. Stein on May 7, 1946, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Royalton. Following their marriage, the couple made their home in Little Falls.Col. Hammerbeck returned to the Nevada in 1952. He was released from active duty on October 20, 1952, and returned to the National Guard. Col. Hammerbeck served in a number of full time positions with the National Guard. Twoof the mostnotable were as Camp Engineer and State Maintenance Officer. Col. Hammerbeck received several military assignments at the Pentagon and then retired from the military in September 27, 1977. Col. Hammerbeck was directly involved in the establishment of the Camp Ripley Military Museum and served on its Board of Directors. He designed and constructed many of the exhibit cases at the museum. Hammerbeck was very interested in preserving history and served on the TX, Linda Ewald and husband Paul of Monticello, MN, Karen Clizbe of Memphis, TN, Diane Slimmer and husband Dan of Rice, MN, Laurie Gradin and husband Dan of Swanville and Brenda Van Heel of Minnetonka, MN; mother, Agnes Van Heel of Sauk Centre, MN; sisters, Leona Schloegl and husband Bernard of Sauk Centre, Val Schrantz and husband Don of Sauk Centre, Louise Minette and husband Al of Sauk Centre, Marian Huschle and husband Jerry of Bagley, MN, Lorraine Bierschbach of Melrose, MN, and Bernice Roering of Melrose; brothers, Art Van Heel and wife Dorothy of Freeport, MN, Francis Van Heel and wife Joan of Roseville, MN, Robert Van Heel and wife Janice of Freeport and Virgil Van Heel and wife Joann of Shakopee, MN; 15 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
He was preceded in death by his father, Frank in 1961 and a daughter, Eileen Vanselow in 1973.
Pallbearers were David, Mark, Shawn and Michael Van Heel, Paul Vanselow and Stan Dorris.
Sister Mary Leone Furnstahl
Sister Mary Leone (Mary Bede) Furnstahl, age 75, died October 12, 1998, at St. Francis Convent, Little Falls, MN.
A Mass of Christian Burial took place at St. Francis Convent on October 16.
Sister Mary Leone received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the College of St. Catherine, St. Paul, MN, and a bachelor’s degree in theology from St. Joseph’s College, Rensselaer, IN. She also studied at Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, the College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph, MN; University of TX, and then in Amarillo, TX, where she attended school. She was married to Daniel Nitschke. She later married Fred Schofield in Amarillo, where the couple made their home and Ruth worked as a seamstress. Fred died in 1973. Ruth continued to live in Amarillo until 1989 when she moved to Little Falls and became a resident of the Lutheran Care Center where she resided until her death.
Survivors include daughters, Mary McKierman of Rice, MN, Mae Stapp and Kathy Tidell both of Amarillo, Dr. M.L. Nitschke of Portland, OR; brother, Sid Davis of Buckeye, AZ; sisters, Peggy and Joy Davis of Amarillo, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Fred; parents and brothers, Harley and Alfred Davis.
