Elmer L. Forstrom, 80, of Lanesboro
Elmer L. Forstrom, 80, of Lanesboro, a longtime area farmer who was active in community organizations, died Saturday morning, Nov. 1, 1997, at his home. He had been ill with lung disease for several years.
He was born Feb. 17, 1917, near Sherburn, Minn., and attended District 49 School in the area. On Nov. 24, 1935, he married Ione G. Simpson of Sherburn. The couple and their family lived in Martin County, Minn., until moving to Lanesboro in 1950. Involved in farming most of his life, he was a pioneer in the introduction of Charolais cattle to Minnesota in the 1960s. His Charolais breeding stock was shown at many cattle exhibitions throughout the Midwest and won many awards.
Forstrom was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. He was an officer of the Lanesboro Fire Department, served on the Fillmore County Zoning Committee and the Board of Adjustment for many years, was a member of the Minnesota Township Officers Association, and served on the Holt Township Board for 36 years before retiring from that position in March. He enjoyed nature and wildlife, and was an avid birdwatcher. A lover of music, he played the accordion and harmonica, and in his younger years participated in choral singing.
Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Patricia (Mrs. Thomas) Heath of Cresco and Sharon (Mrs. Neil) Anderson of St. Louis Park, Minn.; a son, Dr. Lee Forstrom of Rochester; 15 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Mrs. Sigrid Meister of Riverside, Calif. A sister and a grandson preceded him in death.
The funeral was Tuesday at Bethlehem Lutheran in Lanesboro with the Rev. Kerry Eversole officiating. Burial was in the Lanesboro Cemetery.
Johnson-Riley Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Arnold T. Fossum, 76, of Peterson
Arnold T. Fossum, 76, of Peterson, died Saturday, Oct. 25, 1997, at his home.
He was born April 11, 1921, in rural Peterson. He grew up in the area and attended Gilbertson School in rural Peterson. Fossum worked on a number of farms until joining the Army during World War II. After the war, he returned to Peterson and worked at Peterson Trout Farm until his retirement. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Gilbertson-Rude American Legion Post in Peterson and the Rushford VFW.
Survivors include a brother, Ernest of Stewartville; and a sister, Olive Peterson of Peterson. Two sisters and two brothers preceded him in death.
Funeral services were Wednesday at Grace Lutheran Church in Peterson with the Rev. Frank Kerkemeyer officiating. Burial was in the West Grace Lutheran Cemetery in Peterson.
Hoff Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Sam Garness, 92, of Spring Grove
Sam Garness, 92, died Oct. 6, 1997, at the Lutheran Home in Caledonia, where he had been a resident for several years because of health problems.
He was born July 29, 1905, to Casper and Sophia Thoreson Raanrud Garness in Black Hammer Township. He grew up and attended school in the area known as Rooster Valley. He and Ellen Tweeten married and were later divorced. He farmed a few years and later worked as a farmhand and carpenter in the Spring Grove and Mabel areas.
He is survived by a brother, Ernest of Rushford; a sister, Myrtle of Spring Grove; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three brothers and four sisters.
A memorial service was held at the Roble Funeral Chapel of Spring Grove, on Friday, Oct. 10, 1997, with the Rev. William Horn officiating.
Interment
of the cremains will be at a later date at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Spring Grove.
Helen M. Gatzlaff, 78, of Lanesboro
Helen M. Gatzlaff, 78, of Lanesboro, a former waitress, died of complications of heart surgery Sunday, Nov. 2, 1997, at Lutheran Hospital in LaCrosse where she had been a patient for two weeks.
Helen M. Myhro was born July 29, 1919, in Spring Grove and graduated from Spring Grove High School in 1937. She married Harold Peterson Nov. 2, 1941. He was killed Oct. 17, 1944, while serving in the Army. On Sept 25, 1950, she married Edmund Gatzlaff in Lanesboro. He died Dec. 18, 1993.
Gatzlaff was a waitress at the White Front Cafe in Lanesboro for a number of years. She was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, its choir, WELCA, and the American Legion Auxiliary.
Survivors include a son, Frederick Gatzlaff of Lewiston; two grandchildren; a brother, Tilford Myhro of Rochester; and a sister, Valborg (Mrs. Jack) Silvey of San Jose, Calif. Two brothers and two sisters preceded her in death. Another sister, Audrey Holm of Spring Grove, did not precede her in death but has died since.
The funeral was Thursday at Bethlehem Lutheran in Lanesboro with the Rev. Kerry Eversole officiating. Burial was in the Lanesboro Cemetery.
Johnson-Riley Funeral Home in Lanesboro was in charge of funeral arrangements.
Odella Gjerdingen, 80, formerly of area
Odella H. Gjerdingen, 80, of Elgin, died Thursday, Oct. 9, 1997, in the hospice unit of St. Joseph's Hospital in St. Paul after a brief illness.
Odella Ostern was born Feb. 22, 1917, in Spring Grove and attended school there. On May 4, 1938, she married Bernard Gjerdingen in Spring Grove. He died in 1977. In addition to homemaking, Mrs. Gjerdingen was a nurses' aide at Rochester State Hospital, drove school bus for Elgin schools and was a talented seamstress. She was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church and the Elgin American Legion Auxiliary.
Survivors include two sons, Richard of Elgin and David of St. Paul; a daughter, Janice (Mrs. Don) Behrens of St. Charles; seven grandchildren; three step grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and eight step great-grandchildren. Two brothers preceded her in death.
The funeral was Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Elgin, with the Rev. David Henslin officiating. Burial was in the Elgin Cemetery.
Schad & Zabel Funeral Home in Plainview was in charge of arrangements.
Gladys Lucille Gjere, 82, of Spring Grove
Gladys Gjere, 82, of Spring Grove, formerly of Waukon, Iowa, died Monday, Nov. 10, l997, at Gundersen-Lutheran Medical Center in LaCrosse.
Gladys Lucille Halvorson was born Sept. 4, l915, in Preston and attended a Preston area rural school. In 1944 she married Floyd Beardmore and he preceded her in death. She married Harold Gjere Aug. 28, l964. He died Oct. 31, 1992. Mrs Gjere lived in the Waukon area before moving to the Spring Grove area in 1964. She was employed at Control Data and later was a waitress at the A & H Cafe, both in Spring Grove. She was a member of Big Canoe Lutheran Church of Decorah, its Rebecca Circle, and the Sons of Norway of Sping Grove. She was a former member of Mount Hope Church in Allamakee County, Iowa.
Survivors include two daughters; Dianne (Mrs. Virgil) Sherburne of Houston and Harriet (Mrs. Gary) Holland of Spring Grove; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a brother, Donald Halvorson of Ashton, Ill.; and a sister; Ruth Paus of Eitzen. A brother and two sisters preceded her in death.
The funeral was Thursday at Big Canoe Lutheran Church in rural Decorah, with the Rev. David H. Andreae officiating. Burial was in Mount Hope Cemetery in rural Eitzen.
Roble Funeral Home in Spring Grove was in charge of arrangements.
David F. Griggs, 70, father of SV woman
David F. Griggs, 70, of Rochester, a self-employed silk screen printer, died Sunday evening, Dec. 14, 1997, at his home following a short illness.
Born July 2, 1927, in North Branch, Minn., he served in the Navy during World War II and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor of science degree. He married Joan Rondeau in 1950 and they had lived in Rochester since 1956. Mr. Griggs was executive director of Ability Building Center in Rochester for a number of years, and since 1972 had been self-employed as a silk-screen printer with Hiawatha Graphics.
Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Debra L. Thauwald of Spring Valley; a grandson; and two sisters, Betty Gurley of Boston and Linda Eshner of Bizbee, Ariz. A sister preceded him in death.
A private family memorial service will be held for Mr. Griggs at a later date.
Macken Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Dr. Robert W. Gustafson, 67, once of SV
Dr. Robert W. Gustafson, 67, of Colorado Springs, Colo., once of Spring Valley, died on Sunday, Dec. 21, 1997.
Born on July 2, 1930, in Buhl, Minn., he grew up in Nashwauk, Minn., and graduated from high school there in 1948. He attended St. Olaf College and the University of Minnesota School of Medicine. He served in the U. S. Army Medical Corps from 1956 to 1958. He practiced at the Spring Valley Clinic in the early 1960s. He spent 17 years in general practice in rural and suburban Minnesota before embarking on a 22-year career as a medical director with several well known life insurance companies. Before his retirement in 1995, he spent 10 years as vice president and medical director with ReliaStar Life (formerly Northwestern National Life).
He is survived by his wife, Delores (Birkholz); children, Keith (Deborah), Carol (Timothy), and Gail (Jeff); and grandchildren, Erik, Lisa, Sarah and Naomi.
A memorial service was held on Tuesday, Dec. 30, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in St. Louis Park.
Memorials are preferred to the American Heart Association or Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.
Norma Hadland, 91, of Spring Valley
Norma Irene Hadland, 91, of Spring Valley, died Sunday, Nov. 23, 1997, at the Spring Valley Care Center.
She was born June 22, 1906, in Winona to George and Minnie (Waller) Mensing. She was married to Olaf "Melvin" Hadland. He died July 19, 1973.
Mrs. Hadland was a homemaker and a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Spring Valley.
She is survived by one son, David Hadland and his wife, Mary, of Spring Valley, five grandchildren, several great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Services were held Tuesday at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Spring Valley with the Rev. Marlene Pankonin and the Rev. Jon Olson co-officiating.
Burial was in Bloomfield Cemetery, Bloomfield Township, rural Ostrander.
Hindt-Hutchins Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Doris M. Hagen, 68, of Mabel
Doris M. Hagen, 68, of Mabel died Friday, Oct. 17, 1997, at the Green Lea Manor Nursing Home in Mabel.
The former Doris Lien was born Aug. 27, 1929, in Becker County, Minn., to Oscar and Luella (Storlie) Lien. She attended school in Yucatan and Spring Grove. On Oct. 16, 1950, she married Robert Hagen in Mabel. The couple has farmed near Mabel since. She was a member of the Mabel First Lutheran Church and the Mabel Legion Auxiliary.
She is survived by her husband Robert; one daughter, Karen Traufler of LaCrosse, Wis.; two grandchildren, Shannon and Shelby Vickerman, both of Mabel; two brothers, Alden of Mabel, and Harland of Caledonia; and three sisters, Mavis Larson and Ione Myhre, both of Mabel, and LaVonne Walhovd of Rice Lake, Wis. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Vernon.
Funeral services were Tuesday, Oct. 21, 1997, at the Mabel First Lutheran Church in Mabel with Pastor Lloyd Menke officiating. Burial was in the Mabel Lutheran Cemetery.
Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel was in charge of arrangements.
Douglas Charles Hahn, 62, of Spring Valley
Douglas Charles Hahn, 62, of Spring Valley, died Tuesday, Dec. 23, 1997, at his home.
He was born Nov. 6, 1935, in Preston. For 10 years he worked at Spring Valley Light Plant; he then worked for Chrysler Corporation in Illinois. He had also worked for Rochester Silo and Kark Rendering in Chatfield. He enjoyed fishing and hunting.
Survivors include four sons, Charles, David and William of Rockford, Ill., and Donald of Chatfield; a daughter, LaVonne Studier of Rockford; 11 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; a sister, Betty (Mrs. Dale) Viktora of Hollandale, Minn.; and two brothers, Jerry of Spring Valley and Kenneth of Rochester. Two brothers and a daughter preceded him in death.
The funeral was Saturday at Assembly of God Church in Spring Valley with the Rev. Tim Wilson officiating. Burial in Spring Valley Cemetery.
Hindt-Hutchins Funeral Home in Spring Valley was in charge of arrangements.
Ruby Halse, 92, of Burr Oak
Ruby Halse, 92, of Burr Oak, died Saturday, Nov. 8, 1997, at the Colonial Manor in Elma, after a long illness.
Ruby Henrietta Nelson was born Oct. 29, 1905, in Highland Township of Winneshiek County, to Nels and Flora (Darrington) Nelson. She attended the Grindeland School.
Ruby was united in marriage with Irvin Topness and they were later divorced. On Aug. 20, 1939, she married Raymond L. Halse.
Ruby's hobbies included dancing, crocheting, embroidery, playing cards, cats and visiting with family and friends. She had been a resident at the Colonial Manor for about a year.
Survivors include three daughters, Madonna and Melvin Mathison of Mabel, Ethel Quandahl of Decorah, and Carol Ann and Gerald Bullerman of Burr Oak; two sons, Stanley and Kay Nelson of Center Point, and Ernest and Darlene Topness of Cedar Rapids; 15 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; one sister, Nina Folkedahl of Hesper; one brother, Norville Nelson of Mabel and a sister-in-law, Bessie Ward of Burr Oak. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Raymond, who died Nov. 22, 1969; four brothers, Ernest, Murrel, Guy and Nels; four sisters, Hazel Thompson, Nora Sanden, and in infancy, Ethel and Odis; a son, Murrel; three great-grandchildren; and a son-in-law, Allen Quandahl.
Casket bearers were Ray Quandahl, Tim Quandahl, Mark Mathison, Mike Mathison, Tom Bullerman, Murrel Mathison and Steve Bullerman. Honorary bearers were Becky Brower, Joyce Bullerman, Marcia Nelson and Maureen Sorum.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the French and Balik Funeral Home in Decorah, with the Rev. Hans Floan officiating. Alan Sensor was the organist and David Haugen was the soloist. Interment
was at the Burr Oak Cemetery in Burr Oak.
French & Balik Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Archie Halverson, 82, once of Harmony
Archie T. Halverson, 82, of Scottsdale, Ariz., retired owner and operator of Prosper Lumber Co., died Tuesday, Dec. 9, 1997, in Scottsdale.
He was born Feb. 18, 1915, in Harmony. For the past 17 years he had resided in Scottsdale and spent time in Harmony in the summer. His first wife, the former Maxine Miller, died in 1973. He married Rose Costanzo on Aug. 23, 1980, in Scottsdale. She survives.
In addition to his wife, survivors include stepchildren, Russ Cannizzaro and April Cannizzaro, both of Scottsdale, and John Cannizzaro and Roseann White, both of Maryland; and 12 step-grandchildren.
The funeral was Saturday at the Harmony United Methodist Church with the Rev. James Purdham officiating. Burial was in Cedar Hill Cemetery in rural Cresco, Iowa.
Abraham-Lindstrom Funeral Home in Harmony was in charge of arrangements.
Byron Hanlon, 85, brother of Harmony man
Byron John Hanlon of Cresco died Wednesday, Oct. 15, 1997, at the Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital in Decorah, Iowa, after suffering a stroke. He was 85.
Hanlon was born December 2, 1911, in Winneshiek County, the son of Thomas and Mary Ellen (Snyder) Hanlon. He attended the rural school and had to help on the farm after his father died.
He was a perfectionist when it came to taking care of the farm and did so until he retired and moved into Cresco in February of 1977. He had many varied interests and hobbies. He liked golfing, fishing, and gardening - especially roses. He enjoyed his yard, watching the birds, reading, traveling, woodworking, and eating chocolate candies. He took a lot of pride in everything and enjoyed playing pranks on his friends. Most challenging of all was raising their six daughters and their families.
He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Farm Bureau for over 50 years, a former member of St. Agnes Church and recently a member of St. Joseph's Church.
Hanlon was united in marriage to Marjorie Gossman on Sept. 10, 1935, at St. Agnes Church at Plymouth Rock. They became the parents of seven children.
He is survived by his wife, Marjorie; six daughters, Jean Ann (Jack) Connolly of Prescott, Ariz., Janice (Jack) Roeder of Byron, Arlene Hengel of Rochester, Diane Beelendorf of Green Bay, Wis., Cathy (Garry) Elliott of Decorah, and Mary Jean (Dean) Smorstad of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 18 grandchildren, Tim Connolly, Kevin, Brian and Dan Roeder, Cathy Krueger, John, Steve and Machelle Hengel; Mike, Pat, and Chris Beelendorf; Bradley, Chad and Stephanie Elliott; Travis, Heidi, Chelsea and Derek Smorstad; 13 great-grandchildren, Sierra and McKenna Connolly; Rachel, Matt, Tom and Alex Roeder; Brianna and Brady Krueger, Dominique, Christopher, Alex and Nicholas Hengel; and Matthew Elliot. Also surving are two brothers, Paul of LaPorte City, Iowa, and Lyle of Harmony; three sisters, Ethel Sexton of Cresco, Mae Armstrong of Rochester and Delores Quinn of Allen Park, Mich. He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Thomas, in infancy, three brothers, Thomas, Joseph, and Francis; three sisters, Rita Kinglsey, Agnes Armstrong and Esther Carolan.
Funeral services were held on Saturday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Cresco. Burial was in the St. Agnes Cemetery at Plymouth Rock. Rev. Michael L. Tauke and Msgr. Donald Hawes concelebrated the mass of the resurrection.
Casket bearers were the sons-in-law and grandsons.
Conway Funeral Home in Cresco was in charge of arrangements.
Daniel Hanson, 31, grandson of local woman
Daniel Todd Hanson, 31, of Veseli, Minn., died Friday, Nov. 14, 1997, in Lonsdale, Minn., following a snowmobile accident.
He was born March 18, 1966, in Shakopee, Minn., to Ordell and Edna (Moen) Hanson. He attended New Prague schools and has worked for Strout Plastics in Bloomington for the past 10 years. He enjoyed working on cars and snowmobiles.
He is survived by three brothers, Ordell (Jenny) of Corcoran, Minn., Westly of Lakeville, Minn., and David of Veseli; seven sisters, Jean (Mrs. Todd) Kaisershot, Laurie (Mrs. Steve) Olson, and Pam (Mrs. Wade) Footh all of Farmington, Minn., Cheryl (Mrs. Joe) Buchite, Julie (Mrs. Dave) Thompson, and Janet (Mrs. Bob) Anvik all of Lonsdale, Minn., and Beth Hanson of Lakeville, Minn.; a grandmother, Gelina Moen of Spring Grove; 20 nieces and nephews; and 11 great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents, Orville and Irene Hanson and Clarence Moen; and two uncles Carlton Moen and Curtis Hanson.
Funeral services were on Tuesday, Nov 18, at the Scheie Lutheran Church in Mabel. Burial was in the Scheie North Cemetery.
Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel was in charge of funeral arrangements.
Howard Hare Sr., 67, once of area
Howard Hare Sr., 67, recently of Las Vegas, formerly of Fillmore, died Oct. 28, 1997, in Las Vegas.
He was born March 10, 1930, in Fillmore County and served in the Army during the Korean War. On Feb. 8, 1951, he married Anna Miller in Chicago. Mr. Hare was a retired Teamsters truck driver.
Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Deborah Love of Rochester, Patty Hare and Dawn Hare, both of California; a son, Howard Jr. of Rochester; 28 grandchildren; four brothers, Raymond of California, Lyle of Spring Valley, Floyd of Wykoff and Roland of Harmony; and two sisters, Eunice Trent of Dexter and Lucille Poppell of Plainview. Five brothers and sisters preceded him in death.
A memorial service was held Saturday at Rochester Faith Tabernacle. Burial was Oct. 30 in the Boulder City, Nev., cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to a charity of the donor's choice.
Josie E. Harkness, 90, formerly of Mabel
Josie E. Harkness, 90, formerly of Mabel, died Thursday, Nov. 20, 1997, at Oneota Riverview Care Facility in Decorah.
She was born Jan. 23, 1907, in Fillmore County, to Albert and Clara (Erickson) McCallson. She attended Newburg School in Newburg Township. On Jan. 23, 1923, she married Claude Harkness at the Newburg Methodist parsonage. They farmed in the Mabel area until 1947, when Claude started working for the county highway department. He died Dec. 9, 1978. Mrs. Harkness resided at Aase Haugen Home in Decorah for 11 years before entering the Oneota Care facitlity three years ago. She was a member of Mabel United Methodist Church.
Survivors include two sons; Merle and his wife Ethel of Central City, Iowa, and Robert and his wife Eleanore of Clark Fork, Idaho; two daughters, Rose Marie (Mrs. James) Grosser of Azusa, Calif., and Nancy (Mrs. Melvin) Macal of Decorah; 14 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; three brothers, Elmer of La Crosse, Wis., Conrad of Security, Colo., and Gordon of Caledonia, and three sisters; Louise Newhouse of La Crescent, Florence Peterson of LaCrosse and Pearl Shannon of Rochester. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Clifford, Alton, and Leonard and one sister, Esther Dahly.
The funeral was Saturday at United Methodist Church in Mabel with the Rev. Leonard Wildes officiating. Burial was in Mabel Public Cemetery.
Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel was in charge of arrangements.
James Michael Heckel, 3, of Wykoff
James Michael Heckel, 3, of Wykoff, died Friday, Oct. 24, 1997, at the Fairview University Medical Center, Minneapolis, following a lengthy illness.
He was born on May 21, 1994, the son of Jerry and Kay (Weisinger) Heckel in Olmsted Community Hospital in Rochester.
Survivors include his parents; two sister, Carmen and Sara, at home; maternal grandparents, Frank and Theresa Weisinger of Wykoff, and great-grandparents, Rena Weisinger of Winton, Minn., and Margaret Ryan of Ely, Minn.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Kilian's Catholic Church, in Wykoff, with the Rev. Russell Scepaniak officiating. Burial in St. Kilian's Cemetery in Wykoff.
Thauwald Funeral Home in Wykoff was in charge of arrangements.
Alyce D. Hess, 87, area native
Alyce D. Hess, 87, of Austin, a retired elementary schoolteacher, died Tuesday, Nov. 25, 1997, at Austin Medical Center.
Alyce Brandenberg was born Oct. 23, 1910, in Chester, Iowa, and moved to Spring Valley with her family as a child. She graduated from Spring Valley High School and received a teaching degree from Winona State College. She taught in Rose Creek for a short time and then at Neveln Elementary School in Austin for many years. On June 5, 1934, she married Walter Hess in Spring Valley. He died in 1956. Mrs. Hess was a member of First United Methodist Church and Unity Chapter 29 of the Order of the Eastern Star.
Survivors include a son, Dr. Sheldon of Bloomington, Minn.; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a daughter, five brothers and three sisters.
The funeral was Friday at First United Methodist Church in Austin with the Rev. Patricia M. Toschak officiating. Burial in Oakwood Cemetery in Austin.
Clasen-Jordan Mortuary in Austin was in charge of arrangements.
Memorials are suggested to First United Methodist Church.
Hazel Hettig, 77, formerly of Harmony
Hazel Hettig, 77, of Rochester, formerly of Harmony, died Dec. 6, 1997, at Seasons Hospice, Rochester.
Mrs. Hettig was born June 26, 1920 at Lehighton, Pennsylvania. She married Dr. Edwin Hettig in 1940. Following her marriage the couple lived in Philadelphia, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Pipestone and Chatfield. In 1948 they moved to Harmony, where Dr. Hettig was in veterinary practice for 20 years. Following his death Feb. 3, 1986, Mrs. Hettig moved to Rochester where she has resided since.
Mrs. Hettig was a homemaker, a member of the Eastern Star, American Legion Auxiliary and taught Sunday School at the Methodist Church in Harmony for 13 years.
She is survived by two sons: Ralph Hettig of Rochester and Steven Hettig of Olivia, Minn.; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild; one sister, Pauline Steigerwalt of Northhampton, Pa.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers.
The funeral was 11 a.m. Wednesday at Macken Colonial Chapel in Rochester with the Rev. John Bromeland of Evangel United Methodist Church officiating. The Rev. James Purdham of Harmony United Methodist Church officiated at the graveside service at Greenfield Cemetery.
Catherine Hill, 89, of Harmony
Catherine Winnifred Hill, 89, died Dec. 20, 1997, at the Harmony Nursing Home.
She was born April 18, 1908, in Winneshiek County, Iowa, to Walter and Winnifred (Cashman) Ryan. After graduating from Cresco High School she taught school in rural Cresco and Decorah for a number of years until her marriage to Joseph Edward Hill Jan. 2, 1937. They farmed on the Hill homestead all of their lives.
She is survived by seven children: Allan of Harmony, Arlene (Jim) Luzum of Apple Valley, Minn., Dorothy Elpert of Irvine, Calif., LaRita (Jim) Langen of La Crescent, Minn., Edward (Amy) of Montgomery, Ala., Mary (Ken) Nyberg of Eden Prairie, Minn., and Charles (Bonnie) of Harmony. Also surviving are 15 grandchildren: Mike (Barb) Luzum, Julie (Jim) Toombs, Steve Luzum, Kerrie Luzum, Tricia (Stephen) Park, Lindsay Elpert, Renae (Dave) Majewski, Doug (Kristi) Langen, Greg Langen, Savannah Hill, Ryan Hill, Mark Nyberg, Brian Hill, Kelly Hill, Darren Hill, and four great-granddaughters: Katherine Toombs, Emily Majewski, Kerri Lungen and Elizabeth Luzum. She is also survived by two brothers, Bill Ryan and Roger Ryan, and two sisters, Mercedes Ryan and Eileen Batelko.
Preceding Catherine in death were her husband, Joe, her parents, three brothers, Vincent, Donald and M. B. Ryan, and three sisters, Alice Ryan, LaVonne Addison and Betty Ryan.
Funeral services were held on Dec. 23 at Nativity Catholic Church in Harmony.
Jason R. Himmer, 16, of Canton
Jason R. Himmer, age 16, of Canton, Minn. died Thursday, Sept. 11, 1997, at the Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, Wis., from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Houston County, Minn.
Himmer was born on Oct. 7, 1980, in Decorah, Iowa, to Robert and Dawn (Nelson) Himmer. He was a junior at Mabel-Canton High School and participated in the FFA, 90 Club, band, jazz band, HOBY, Tech-Masters and Knowledge Bowl. He was a member of the St. Olaf Catholic Church in Mabel.
He is survived by his father, Robert of Spring Grove, his mother, Dawn of Canton; three sisters, Jaime (Mrs. Daniel) Hanson of Rochester and Jennifer and Jacqueline, both of Canton; maternal grandparents, Roland and Jean Nelson of Stewartville and maternal great-grandparents, Ralph and Irene Harnesk of Stewartville. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Donald and Mary Himmer.
Mass of Christian burial was held Monday, Sept. 15, 1997, at the Mabel-Canton High School Auditorium with the Reverend Steven Peterson officiating. Burial was in the Calvary Cemetery in Canton. The Mengis Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Wayne Hoag, 68, of Harmony
Wayne H. Hoag, 68, died on September 25, 1997, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester.
Hoag was born to Cleve and Gladys Hoag on May 30, 1929 in Cresco, Iowa. He was the eldest of the fifth generation to live on the Hoag family farm, which was homesteaded in 1853.
His education began at Rochne country school and continued at Harmony High School. He later served on the boards of each school. His formal education was completed with two years at the University of Minnesota School of Agriculture, where he furthered his knowledge of farming and land stewardship, vocations he loved to the end of his life.
On June 1, 1955, Hoag married Jeannine Polaschek of Cresco, whom he had met on a blind date arranged by friends. It was also in that year he assumed full control of the farm, following Cleve Hoag's death. He and his wife were blessed with six children.
A man of tremendous faith, Hoag became the first eucharistic minister at Nativity Catholic Church, served as trustee, lector, CCD instructor, and leader of Bible study groups. He also served on the board of the State Line Cemetery, and was active in Knights of Columbus, recently serving as Grand Knight.
Hoag will be remembered as a remarkable husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He was a man who gave, expecting nothing in return, had no enemies, and never questioned God's will. He possessed a marvelous sense of humor and a love of storytelling. He believed deeply in the importance of preserving and passing on family history. His long and vividly detailed stories of the past will be remembered as will his ability to see the good in everyone and to draw it out, if only in a five-minute conversation at a farm auction. He was an honest, hardworking, strong man who lived every day of his life to its fullest. His spirit, qualities, memory will live on in the lives of his children, grandchildren and the friends whose lives he touched.
Hoag was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Betty and Wanda, who died in infancy.
He is survived by his wife, Jeannine; brother Rev. Burton Hoag of Racine; sister Barbara Willford of Minneapolis; his children and their spouses, Daniel and Tami Hoag of Elgin; Debra and Barry Reburn of LeRoy; Brenda and Scott Rothering, Sandra and Allen Hanson, Jane and Kerry Kingsley, and Julie and Scott Lange, all of Harmony; and his fourteen grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at the Nativity Catholic Church in Harmony, Minn. on September 29, 1997, with Father Steve Peterson officiating. He was buried in the State Line Cemetery in Harmony.
Audrey Holm, 70, of Spring Grove
Audrey Holm, 70, of Spring Grove, died on Monday, Nov. 3, 1997, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in LaCrosse, Wisc., after a brave two-year battle with cancer.
She was born to Oscar and Olga (Halverson) Myhro on April 11, 1927, in Blackhammer Township. On Dec. 29, 1945, she married Laurence Holm in Spring Grove.
She farmed the Holm Family Farm with her husband for 52 years. She also worked several years at Control Data, and retired from Tweeten Lutheran Health Care Center five years ago. She was a member of Faith Lutheran in Blackhammer and the Faith WELCA. She was very active in church organizations, 4-H Club, and was a long-time member of the Blackhammer card club.
Survivors include her husband; four daughters, Kathryn (Bruce) Anderson of Spring Grove, Patricia (Leland) Buxengard of Rollingsone, Susan (Randy) Ellingson of Cresco, and Karen Morken of Winona; eight grandchildren, Michael Morken, Kimberly and Jaimie Anderson, Jessica and Lindsey Ellingson, and Travis, Jill, Lucas, and Kasey Buxengard; two great-grandchildren, Morgan and Noah Buxengard; one brother, Tilford (Virginia) Myhro of Rochester, Minn., and one sister, Valborg (Jack) Silvey of San Jose, Calif. Two brothers and three sisters preceded her in death.
The funeral was held Friday at Faith Lutheran in Blackhammer with the Rev. William A. Horn officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
It was noted that her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were a joy to her life and she showed her whole family and everyone she knew the meaning of love.
Audrey Hunt, 77, once of area
Audrey Hunt, 77, of Kingman, Ariz., formerly of Fillmore, north of Wykoff, died Wednesday, Nov. 19, 1997, at her home of a heart attack. She will be buried in Oregon. There will be no service.
Audrey Moon was born May 6, 1920, in Fillmore and graduated from high school in Chatfield. After her marriage to Frances Hunt she moved out of the area.
Survivors include two daughters; Dawn Baker and Sandy Hunt of Oregon; several grandchildren; two sisters, Shirley Schedin of Ortonville, Mich., and Patricia Dahley of Fillmore; and a brother, Darwin Moon of Wanamingo. Her husband preceded her in death.
Sutton Mortuary in Kingman was in charge of arrangements.
Byron Ingvalson, 78, of LaCrescent
Byron T. Ingvalson, 78, of LaCrescent, died in his home on Saturday, Nov. 22, 1997.
He was born on Nov. 10, 1919, in Spring Grove to Ole and Louise Emma (Grindeland) Ingvalson. He married Margie Steffes on April 23, 1960, in Mabel. He had been employed as a truck driver for Courtesy Distributors of Elmhurst, Ill., for many years before retiring in 1985.
Byron served with the United States Navy during World War II and was a member of Gittens-Leidel American Legion Post 595 of La Crescent. He served as treasurer for Lutheran Brotherhood Bluff Country Branch #8777 for several years and was a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in LaCrescent.
Byron loved golfing and bowling and enjoyed working out in the yard.
He is survived by his wife, Margie; his children, Kevin (Liang-Chun Tai) Ingvalson of Eau Claire, Wis., Robert (Lisa) Ingvalson of Lakeville, Minn., Neena Ingvalson of Burnsville, Minn., Dean (Roxanne) Ingvalson of Bloomington, Minn., and LoLetta (Jason Potter) Ingvalson of West Palm Beach, Fla.; ten grandchildren, Amanda, Brita, and Mitchell Ingvalson, Nathan and Spencer Ingvalson, and Don, Jackie, Casey, Heidi, and Sheila Conlan; two stepgrandchildren, Jeremy and Michael Erickson; three great-grandchildren, Kelly, Samantha, and Joseph Conlan; two sisters, Ilyn Musser of Spring Grove and Marie (Edward) Linderbaum of Ossian, Iowa; four brothers, Grant (Lelia) Ingvalson and Irvin Ingvalson, both of Spring Grove, Harlan (JoAnn) Ingvalson of Caledonia, and Ingolf (Sara Mae) Ingvalson of Sun City, Ariz.; one sister-in-law, Lillian Ingvalson of Spring Grove; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one brother, Leslie; and one grandson.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Nov. 26, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in LaCrescent with Rev. Mark A. Anderson officiating. Burial with military rites by Gittens-Leidel American Legion Post 595 was in Prospect Hill Cemetery, LaCrescent.
Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of LaCrescent was in charge of arrangements.
