Walter Alton Jones
Walter Alton (Buck) Jones, 91, was born on May 15, 1906 in Naples, WI, to Myron and Grace (Crawford) Jones. He grew up in the LeSueur, MN area where he attended school.
After his marriage to Evelyn, he moved to New London, CT and was employed by the U.S. Engineers of Ft. Wright, NY. He entered the US Army, and was honorably discharged after serving in World War II.
He moved to the Hackensack area in 1949 where he made his home. He and Evelyn managed KeeNeeMooSha Lodge on Woman Lake until his retirement. Most of his spare time was spent hunting, fishing, and gardening.
He is survived by his wife, Evelyn; one daughter, Gracee Rudkin of Brainerd; three sons, Donald, St. Paul, MN; Allen, Daytona Beach, FL; and Thomas, Hackensack, MN. He has 10 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
His parents, two brothers and two sisters preceded him in death.
Walter was a life member of VFW Post 772, Longville, the DAV Veterans, and also a member of the American Legion 202, Hackensack.
He was a member and past deacon of the Union Congregational Church of Hackensack.
Services will be held at the Union Congregational Church in Hackensack on Saturday, July 5, at 11 am.
Visitation will be two hours before the funeral at the church, from 9 am 'til 11 am Saturday, with burial in Hillcrest Cemetery, Hackensack.
Arrangements were with the Northland Funeral Home in Pine River.
Herbert A. Smebak
Herbert A. Smebak, 76, Pequot Lakes, formerly of Pine River, died Tuesday, June 24, 1997, at St. Joseph's Medical Center.
He was born April 27, 1921, in North Dakota to Gust and Julia Smebak.
Survivors include his wife, Marjorie; two sons, Jon Smebak, Roseau, and Randy Smebak, Moorhead; two daughters, Gwen Sallberg, Roseau, and Julie Dooley, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; two stepsons, Herb May, Cedar, and Jim May, Phoenix, AZ; 14 grandchildren; a brother, Richard Smebak, Anoka; and two sisters, Ann Baumgartner, Roseau, and Joyce Baumgartner, Twin Valley.
A son, Glen, and a brother, Glen, died earlier.
Services were Friday, June 27 at First Lutheran Church in Pine River with Pastor David Barker officiating.
Northland Funeral Home in Pine River handled the arrangements.
Raymond P. Fitzer
Raymond P. Fitzer Sr., 87, Pequot Lakes, died Monday, June 23, 1997, at Whispering Pines Good Samaritan Center in Pine River.
He was born March 24, 1910, in Hennepin County to John and Anna (Eckes) Fitzer. He was on the Homebrook Township Board for 37 years. He was employed by Cass County Highway Department, was a deputy sheriff and a state fire warden before retirement. He was a member of St. Christopher's Catholic Church of Nisswa.
Survivors include three daughters, Deloris Berg, Brainerd, Shirley Stum-voll, Pequot Lakes, and Darlene Rodger, Bloomington; a son, Raymond Fitzer Jr., Pequot Lakes; two stepsons, John Nygren, Pequot Lakes, and Russell Nygren, Pillager; two stepdaughters, Diane Leahy, Fargo, N.D., and Juanita Wallin, Nisswa; 10 grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Helen Mrozek, Pillager.
His wife, Helen, an infant brother and an infant sister died earlier.
Services were Thursday, June 26 at St. Christopher's Catholic Church with Father Seamus Walsh officiating with burial in Wildwood Cemetery of Pillager.
Arrangements were with Halvorson-Johnson Funeral Home in Brainerd.
Muriel Hofstetter
Muriel Hofstetter, 83, Pequot Lakes, died Monday, June 23, 1997, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd.
She was born May 7, 1914, in St. Paul to Francis and Susan Jenne.
Survivors include two sons, Frank Adams, Eagan, and James Hofstetter, St. Paul; two daughters, Sue Stuesser, Thorpe, Wis., and Mary Vogt, Newport; and seven grandchildren.
Her husband, John Hofstetter, died earlier.
Services were June 27 at St. Alice Catholic Church in Pequot Lakes with Father Seamus Walsh officiating.
Arrangements were with Northland Funeral Home in Pequot Lakes.
Alice E. Hane
Alice E. Hane, 90, Pine River, died Friday, June 27, 1997, at Whispering Pines Good Samaritan Center in Pine River.
She was born July 31, 1906 in Borlange, Sweden to Carl and Amanda Friberg. She married Otto Hane.
Survivors include a son, Richard Hane, Bloomington; two grandchildren; five great-grandchildren.
Her husband died earlier.
Services were Tuesday, July 1 at Northland Funeral Home in Pine River with burial in Ponto Lake Cemetery in rural Pine River.
Joseph Lampert
Joseph Lampert, 80, of Bowlus, died Saturday, June 28, 1997, at the Country Manor in Sartell.
Services were Wednesday, July 2 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Bowlus with Father Silverius Schmitt officiating with burial in the parish cemetery.
Mr. Lampert was born Jan. 24, 1917, in Morrison County to the late Peter and Sophie (Bursey) Lampert. He farmed in the Bowlus area and married Helen Sobania in Opole on Sept. 22, 1936. He worked at the Bowlus elevator and worked at DeZuriks until his retirement.
Surviving are his special friend, Elenoar Sobiech of St. Cloud; four sons, Alois of Avon, Clarence of Bowlus, Jerome of Bowlus and Robert of St. Cloud; four daughters, Marian Schlicting of Rice, Margaret Grell of Nisswa, Rita Court of Sartell, Cathy Lampert of Sauk Rapids; 34 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; a brother, Albert of Glendale, OR; nine sisters, Agnes Dubiel of Pierz, Martha Stiller, Mary Brenny and Sister Mary Goretti, all of Little Falls, Charlene Lampert of Minneapolis, Patricia Frank of Brainerd, Betty Pollock of Opole, Cecilia "Chee Chee" Posch of Little Falls and Regina Lauermann of Waite Park.
His wife, Helen, died in 1985. A son, Tony Lampert and brothers, Roman, Peter and John died earlier.
Arrangements were with the Brenny Funeral Home of Little Falls.
Helen Harmon
Helen Harmon, 77, died Wednesday, Oct. 8, 1997, at St. Joseph's Medical Center.
She was born Aug. 2, 1920, in Czechoslovakia to Stefan and Mary Kosch. She was a resident of Breezy Point since 1968.
Survivors include her husband, Jim; a daughter, Alice Trainer; a son, Tom Lagace; a stepson, Jim Harmon Jr.; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a sister, Irene Dehn.
Two brothers, Steven and George, died earlier.
Services were Saturday at St. Alice Catholic Church in Pequot Lakes with burial in Pequot Lakes Cemetery.
Arrangements were with Nelson-Doran Funeral Home in Nisswa.
Marion S. Guida
Marion S. Guida, 62, of Lake Edward Township, Nisswa, died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 1997, at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby.
She was born July 4, 1935, in Minneapolis to Raymond and Josephine (Hoard) Bork. She lived in Minneapolis and Richfield. She attended Oliver Presbyterian Church and First Free Church. After moving to Nisswa, she married Paul Guida on April 25, 1964, in Nisswa. She taught Sunday School at Nisswa Community Church and at Ossipee Community Church.
Survivors include her husband; a son, John; and a grandson.
Her parents died earlier.
Graveside services were conducted at Lake Edward Cemetery with the Rev. David Strickland officiating.
Arrangements were with Nelson-Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd.
Grace Berry
Grace Berry, 60, a resident of Ideal Township, rural Pequot Lakes, died Monday, April 19, 1999, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd.
Funeral services will be Friday, April 23, 1999, at 11 am at Crosslake Lutheran Church with Rev. Len Anderson officiating with burial in the Pinewood Cemetery in Crosslake. Friends may call from 6 'til 8 pm on Thursday, April 22, 1999, at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Crosslake.
Grace Berry was born on May 28, 1938 in Minneapolis, daughter of Dale and Jennie (Nelson) Schaub. She worked during the summers at Timberlane Resort on Rush Lake. She was united in marriage to David W. Berry on February 22, 1958, in Bloomington. They lived in Bloomington, then Spring Lake Park. They moved to Ideal Corners in 1974. She was a homemaker. She was a member of the Ideal Fire Department where she also served as dispatcher. She was a member of the Crosslake-Ideal Lioness, Ideal Community Service where she served on the scholarship committee. She was a voting judge of Ideal Township. She volunteered at Pequot Lakes School and St. Joseph's Hospital. She enjoyed bowling, cooking, sewing, knitting and reading.
Grace is survived by her husband, David; three daughters, Jane Berry of Chicago, IL, Susan (David) Szymanski of Pequot Lakes, Connie (Cal) Nelson of Breezy Point; one son, David Berry of Ideal Corners; her parents, Dale and Jennie Schaub of Ideal Corners; two sisters, Joanne Almsted of Bloomington, Vivian Fahlin of Bloomington; one brother, Arthur Schaub of Ideal Corners; and 10 grandchildren.
Kenneth S. Cronk
Kenneth S. Cronk, 80, Nisswa, died Monday, April 19, 1999, at his home.
He was born July 29, 1918, in Menomonie, Wis., to Edward and Alice (Sanders) Cronk. He was a World War II veteran. He retired from the restaurant business. He was a member of American Legion Post of Nisswa.
Survivors include his wife, Christine; and two brothers, Lawrence Cronk, Menomonie, Wis., and Albert Cronk, Barneveld, Wis.
A brother, David Cronk, died earlier.
Services were Wednesday, April 21 at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery Chapel with Father Cletus Conners officiating with burial in Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery. Military rites were provided by Nisswa American Legion Post.
Arrangements were with Halvorson-Johnson Funeral Home in Brainerd.
Edith M. Gile
Edith M. Gile, 78, Pine River, died Friday, April 9, 1999 at Whispering Pines Good Samaritan Center in Pine River.
She was born Dec. 29, 1920 in Backus, MN to Roy and Alice Esler.
Survivors include, daughters - Betty Brunko (Larry) of Elk River, Diane Bradow (Alvin) of Pine River, Marilyn Caron (Dan) of Killeen, TX, Tina Adler (Tom) of Cedar; sister - Grace Johnson of Park Rapids; 10 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.
Services were Thursday, April 15 at the Church of the Nazarene in Backus with Rev. Terrill Haddix officiating with burial in Evergreen Cemetery in Backus. Friends may call one hour prior to services at the church.
Arrangements were with Northland Funeral Home in Pine River.
Lee Hanson
Lee Hanson, 74, Nisswa, died Wednesday, April 14, 1999, at her home.
She was born July 24, 1924, in Bowdoinham, Maine. She and her husband, Oliver A. Hanson, owned Brainerd Beverage Distributing. She was a member of Order of Eastern Star, Women of the Moose, American Legion Auxiliary and VFW Auxiliary.
Survivors include two sons, Oliver "Ollie" Hanson and Leslie "Boop" Hanson, both of Brainerd; one daughter, Carol Carlson, Zimmerman; four grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and two brothers, Ted Carass and Charlie Carass.
Her husband; three brothers, Louie, Stymie and Billie Carass, died earlier.
Services were Saturday, April 17, at Christ Community Church, Nisswa, with Pastor David Uhrich officiating with burial in Greenwood Cemetery, Nisswa.
Memorials may be given to the Arthritis Foundation.
Paul J. Kertzman
Paul Joseph Kertzman, 82, Emily, died Saturday, April 17, 1999, at Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby.
He was born Nov. 6, 1916, in Lastrup to Paul and Anna (Kammerer) Kertzman. He married Rosetta Ann Banks, on Oct. 3, 1946, in Crosby. He attended school in Onamia. He worked in the C.C.C. near Ely and then served in the Army Air Corps as a technical sergeant during World War II. He worked as a logger, bus driver and a mechanic in Crosby and Schroeder. In August of 1968, he opened his own repair business in Emily and was self employed until he retired. He was a former member of Knights of Columbus and a member and past trustee of St. Emily's Catholic Church.
Survivors include his wife; five daughters, Paula Fletcher, Emily, Rita Maruszak, Brandon, Fla., and Theresa Lovely, Enid, Okla., Sheila Kertzman, Minneapolis, and Lisa Winterowd, Brainerd; two sons, Kevin Kertzman, Carver, and John Kertzman, Minneapolis; 14 grandchildren; and a sister, Elizabeth Kertzman, Emily.
A grandchild, five sisters and eight brothers died earlier.
Services were Wednesday, April 21 at St. Emily's Catholic Church in Emily with Father Howard Eisel officiating with burial in Pine Ridge Cemetery of Emily.
Arrangements were with Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.
Peter Milli
Peter Milli, 82, Hackensack, died Saturday, April 10, 1999, at Birchwood Care Center in Forest Lake.
He was born Aug. 1, 1916, in St. Paul. He had been a switchman for the railroad.
Survivors include three daughters, Barbara Groess, Forest Lake, Betty Lou Kulhanek, Blackduck, and Kathy Pipes, Dallas, Texas; and 10 grandchildren.
His wife, Betty, died earlier.
Services were conducted at Kessler McGuire Funeral Home in St. Paul with burial in Resurrection Cemetery of Mendota Heights.
Harold L. Pearson
Harold L. Pearson, 59, Pequot Lakes, died Monday, April 19, 1999, at his home.
Arrangements are with Nelson-Doran Funeral Home.
John W. Sather
John W. Sather, 41, Brainerd, died Saturday, April 17, 1999, at his home.
He was born March 6, 1958, in Brainerd to Wayne and Ninada (Olson) Sather. He had been a cement contractor.
Survivors include three daughters, Linda Sather and Lissa Sather, Merrifield, and Kelly Fageroos, Shakopee; his father, of Lake Hubert; his grandmother, Evelyn Olson, Riverton, Utah; five sisters, Jaci Wildman and Jeri Sather, both of Villard, JoAnn Lovitz, Baxter, and Jody Dixon and Tonya Miller, Brainerd; two brothers, James Sather, Baldwinsville, N.Y., and Troy Sather, Omaha, Neb.; a stepsister, Wendy Compton, Pequot Lakes; three stepbrothers, Darrell Compton, Brainerd, Jeff Compton, Nisswa, and Bob Compton, Colton, Calif.; and a friend, Gretta Lougee, Merrifield.
His mother, Ninada Sather, his stepmother, Bev Sather, and grandparents, died earlier.
Services were Wednesday, April 21 at Halvorson-Johnson Funeral Home in Brainerd with Pastor Randy Ahlberg officiating with burial in Evergreen Cemetery.
Gervaise Helen Bailey
Gervaise (Gerry) Helen Bailey, 81, of rural Backus died April 21, 1999 at the Whispering Pines Good Samaritan Center in Pine River.
Gerry was born April 13, 1918 in Fargo, North Dakota, the daughter of Frank and Esther Warner. She grew up and attended school in Minneapolis. She married Ralph W. Bailey. They owned and operated Bailey's Resort of Walker until their retirement in 1991 when they moved to rural Backus. She was a painter, knitted and crocheted, and played the piano and organ.
Gerry is survived by her brother Oliver "Bud" (Alyce) Warner of Eden Prairie, Minn. and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and brother Rodney.
Funeral services were April 26 at the Backus Church of the Nazarene with Rev. Terrill Haddix officiating. Interment
was at the Minnesota Veterans Cemetery near Little Falls.
Arrangements were by the Thomas-Dennis Funeral Home of Walker.
Margaret Ann Blank
Margaret Ann Blank, 57, of Red Wing, died Friday, April 23, 1999 at St. Mary's Hospital, Roches-ter.
She was born March 7, 1942 in Pine River, the daughter of Donald and Signe (Ness) Young.
She was a 1959 graduate of Pequot Lakes High School and attended Bemidji State University. She married Joe Blank February 6, 1961 in Bemidji, and they moved to Red Wing in 1962.
She was a member of United Lutheran Church, Leo C. Peterson American Legion Post 54 Auxiliary and the Pocahontas of the Red Men Club.
She was known as "Granny B" for sewing of quilts, toys and clothes for Toys for Tots, the church, benefits and other people. She enjoyed cooking, sewing and karaoke.
She is survived by her husband, Joe; four children, Joseph (Deborah) Blank of Red Wing; Leonard Blank, Ellsworth; Jane (Lance) Morkwed; Lake City and Kenneth (Leslie) Blank, Sumerduck, VA; nine grandchildren; one sister, Dorothy (Dale) Brown, Jenkins; two brothers, Donald & John Young preceded her in death.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 27, 1999 at United Lutheran Church with Reverend Andrew Smith officiating with burial in Oakwood Cemetery in Red Wing.
Memorials preferred to Toys for Tots.
