Helene E. Switzenberg
Oct. 23, 1913 - Oct. 17, 1997
GROVE CITY - Helene E. Switzenberg, 83, of Grove City, died Friday at the Emmanuel Nursing Home in Litchfield.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Grove City, with the Rev. Gary Cummings officiating. Burial will be in First Lutheran Cemetery in Grove City.
Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. today at the Johnson Hagglund Funeral Home in Litchfield and one hour prior to services at the church.
She was born Oct. 23, 1913, in Wahpeton, N.D., to Jacob and Cora (Hahn) Boomgaarden. She attended and graduated from high school in Wahpeton and also from the teachers college in Ellendale, N.D. She taught in rural schools in North Dakota for a few years. On April 15, 1940, she married Bruce Switzenberg in Crookston. She lived and worked in various towns in California and Texas while Bruce was in the service during World War II. After Bruce was discharged they lived in various towns in Minnesota and Wisconsin, settling down in 1951 in Grove City, where they lived ever since. Bruce was the owner and operator of the Northern Mattress Company and she was the bookkeeper until his death in December of 1996.
She is survived by her daughter Judy (and Robert) Schroeder of Howard Lake.
She was preceded in death by her husband and three sisters.
Dennis V. Stern
Oct. 3, 1955 - Oct. 18, 1997
GROVE CITY - Dennis V. Stern, 42, of Grove City, died Saturday at his home in Grove City.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church in Litchfield, with the Rev. Mary Ludvigsen officiating. Burial will be in Ripley Cemetery in Litchfield.
Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home in Litchfield and one hour prior to services at the church.
He is survived by his wife Cyndi of Grove City; daughters Rebecca and Tiah Stern both of Grove City; son Rhett Stern-Lundgren of Oak Harbor, Wash.; parents Marlene and Stan Radunz of Darwin; sister Kathleen (and Stephon) Coughlin of Minneapolis; brothers Todd (and Julie) Stern of Darwin and Eric Radunz of Brainerd; many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father Verl Stern, one brother and his grandparents.
Forrest Edward ``Jr.'' Rahn
June 30, 1928 - Oct. 16, 1997
DANVERS - Forrest Edward ``Jr.'' Rahn, 69, of Danvers, died Thursday at his home in Danvers, following an extended fight with cancer.
Funeral services are tentatively set for 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Zion Lutheran Church in Morris, with the Rev. Terry Small officiating. Burial will be in the Ponca City Cemetery in Ponca, Neb.
Visitation will be 5 to 9 p.m. today at the Jacobson-Zniewski Funeral Home in Benson and one hour prior to services at the church.
He was born June 30, 1928, in Arthur County, Neb., to Edward and Anna (Weller) Rahn. He lived in Nebraska until he was 15 years old and then moved to Minnesota. On April 9, 1949, he married Alice Fern Scherer in Johnson. Upon moving to Minnesota, he worked on farms until 1953. At the age of 25, he went to work on road construction, where he built roads throughout the state of Minnesota. They lived in Johnson for 26 years, and for a short time in Sioux City, Iowa, Arthur, N.D., and for the past 17 years in Danvers.
He is survived by his wife; son Monte (and Judy) Rahn of Johnson; daughters Connie (and Paul) Smith of Pineland, Fla., Sherrie Rahn of St. Louis Park and Lynn (and Bruce) Johnson of Alberta; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brothers Guy (and Jenny) Rahn of Quannah, Texas, Tim (and Alice) Rahn of Sioux City, Iowa, and Earl Rahn of Graceville; sisters Helen (and William) Thrantham of Burleson, Texas, and Gwendolyn Thomas of Witchita Falls, Texas; many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and one sister.
Ann Krogstad
Jan. 4, 1907 - Oct. 18, 1997
GRANITE FALLS - Ann Krogstad, 90, of Granite Falls, died Saturday at the Granite Manor, where she had been a resident for several years.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at Granite Falls Lutheran Church in Granite Falls, with burial in the Hillcrest Cemetery.
Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Wing-Bain Funeral Home in Granite Falls.
She was born Jan. 4, 1907, to Hjalmer and Elsa (Heglund) Berguam on the family farm near Dennison. She moved to the Granite area in the early 1930s and in 1934 she married Gilford Krogstad. They lived and farmed in the Granite Falls area until his sudden death, at which time she and her family moved into Granite Falls. She worked for many years in the local retail community until she retired in 1982.
She is survived by her sons Eugene (and Kay) Krogstad of Clearwater and DeWayne Krogstad of Minneapolis; five grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; sister Christine Mooney of Granite Falls; several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and two brothers.
Robert Peterson
Dec. 12, 1945 - Oct. 18, 1997
MONTEVIDEO - Robert ``Bob'' George Peterson, 51, of Montevideo, died Saturday at the Chippewa County-Montevideo Hospital.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Montevideo, with the Rev. Alvin G. Lewis Jr. officiating. Committal services will be 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Hendricks City Cemetery.
Visitation will be Tuesday afternoon and night and with the family from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home in Montevideo.
He was born Dec. 12, 1945, Hendricks to Pernie and Ecie (Eastman) Peterson. He graduated from Hendricks High School in 1963. On Aug. 14, 1992, he married Kathy Downing in Willmar. He was a truck driver for most of his life. He drove for Dwire Trucking in Marshall and Gibson Trucking in Montevideo before starting his own trucking business as a grain hauler in 1993.
He survived by his wife; son Robert Peterson of Brainerd; daughter Robbyn (and Brooks) Johnson of Willmar; stepsons Chris Simonson of Shakopee and Brian Simonson of Jordan; two grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; father Pernie Peterson of Hendricks; brothers Donald Schultz of Kansas and Pernie Ray Peterson of Minneapolis; many other friends and relatives.
He was preceded in death by his mother, grandparents and a sister-in-law.
Violet Christianson
May 30, 1910 - Oct. 17, 1997
MONTEVIDEO - Violet Ruth Christianson, 87, of Montevideo, died Friday at the Chippewa County-Montevideo Hospital.
Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. today at Our Saviors Lutheran Church with the Rev. Douglas Olson and Rev. Lois Knutson officiating. Burial will be in the Sunset Memorial Cemetery.
She was born May 30, 1910, near Lucan to Theodore and Ethel (Knable) Mielke. She attended rural schools in Lucan. On Aug. 25, 1932, she married Harold Christianson in Gary, S.D. She worked in Lottie's Cafe and Tise's Cafe for many years.
She is survived by her sons Ernie (and Kathy) Christianson of Montevideo, Gene (and Linda) Christianson of Brainerd and Harold Jr. (and Gail) Christianson of Park Rapids; daughters Alvina (and Harold) Pitt, Shirley (and James) Dukowitz and Darlene (and Delanoe) Anderson all of Montevideo, Emma (and John) Knutson of Granite Falls and Delores (and Marvin) Oakes of Atwater; 23 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; one great great-grandchild; sisters Velora (and Oliver) McClain of Parkers Prairie and Juen Starken of Wabasso; a sister-in-law; one nephew and three nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband in 1991, infant daughter LaVonne, two brothers and four grandchildren.
Verona Hauer
April 20, 1913 - Oct. 17, 1997
HECTOR - Verona Helen Hauer, 84, of Hector, died Friday at Woodbury Health Care Center.
Funeral services will be 2:30 p.m. today at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hector, with burial in the Hector City Cemetery.
Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church.
She was born April 20, 1913, in Brookfield Township to Alfred and Anna (Schlueter) Laffen. She grew up in the Hector area where she attended rural school. She marrid Joseph ``Jake'' Hauer in Hector. They lived in Hector until 1952 when they moved to Dawson, returning to Hector in 1984.
She is survived by her daughters Marlys (and Ervin) Niemeyer of Granite Falls, Karen (and Kenneth) Gerdes of Manning, Iowa, and Joanne (and John) Schneider of Oakdale; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; sisters Verlinda Lindquist of Lake Lillian, Eleanor Sing of Hector, Anita Doty of Belgrade, Luella Philipp of Hutchinson and Elvira Laffen of Willmar; many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one granddaughter, three brothers and four sisters.
Donald Peterson
May 6, 1920 - Dec. 9, 1997
KERKHOVEN - Donald E. Peterson, 77, of Kerkhoven died Tuesday at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Community Bible Church in Montevideo, with the Rev. Tom Flaherty officiating. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery in Kerkhoven.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home's 19th Avenue chapel in Willmar and for one hour before services Thursday at the church.
He was born May 6, 1920, in Pillsbury Township, Swift County, to Carl E. and Esther (Finstrom) Peterson. He grew up in the Kerkhoven area, attending district school. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. On He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister and his wife on July 10, 1997.
March 22, 1958, he married Phyllis Snare. They farmed in the Kerkhoven area until 1985, when he retired. They continued living on the farm up to the time of his death. He and his wife opened his home to several foster children over the years.
He is survived by sons David (and Laurie) Peterson, Rick (and Patricia) Peterson and Jonathan (and Jeanna) Peterson, all of Kerkhoven; six grandchildren; brothers Melvin (and Sally) Peterson and Maurice (and LaVina) Peterson; a sister-in-law; three nieces and one nephew.
Catherine Muller
Nov. 15, 1909 - Dec. 9, 1997
CLARA CITY - Catherine M. Muller, 88, of Clara City died Tuesday at the Clara City Care Center.
Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Bethany Reformed Church in Clara City with the Rev. Michael Scott officiating.
Visitation will be Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Chapel of Bethany Reformed Church and one hour before services Friday at the church. The Tri-County Funeral Home in Prinsburg is handling arrangements.
She was born Nov. 15, 1909, in Crate Township, Chippewa County, to William and Marie (Eckoff) Caspers. She attended country school. On Feb. 23, 1938, she married Fokko Muller at her home. They farmed eight miles north of Clara City until 1956, she she moved into Clara City. Fokko died in 1952. She worked as a clerk at Brix Drug for 10 years, retiring in 1974. She was active in the Garden Club.
She is survived by son Leon (and Bonnie) Muller of Willmar; daughter Mary Ann Hagemeyer of Marshall; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister Lena Barney; brothers George (and Evelyn) Caspers and Marvin (and Joan) Caspers, all of Clara City.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, infant son James, two brothers and two sisters.
Richard Gacke
GRACEVILLE - Richard "Dick" Gacke, 75, of Graceville, died Monday at Holy Trinity Hospital in Graceville.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Graceville. Burial will be in Graceville Consolidated Cemetery.
Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m., with a 7:30 p.m. prayer service, today at Larson Funeral Home of Graceville, and one hour prior to services at the church.
He is survived by his wife Phyllis of Graceville; daughters Denise (and John) Simpson of Seattle, Jean (and Bill) Fuhrman of Graceville; sons Richard (and Vickie) Gacke of Willmar, Terry (and Leslie) Markham-Gacke of Fairbanks, Alaska, Robert Gacke of Monroe, Wash., William (and Michelle) Gacke of Willmar; sister Jeanette (and Virgil) Meyer of St. Cloud; brother Roman (and Leone) Gacke of Everett, Wash.; six grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Raymond Carlson
Sept. 6, 1920 - Dec. 8, 1997
ALBERTVILLE - Raymond W. Carlson, 77, of Albertville, formerly of the Kerkhoven and Pennock areas, died Monday at his home.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at Evangelical Covenant Church in Buffalo with the Rev. Carl L. Taylor officiating. Burial will be 2:30 p.m. Friday at Salem Covenant Cemetery, rural Pennock.
Visitation will be 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, with 7:30 p.m. prayer service, at Peterson Chapel St. Michael-Albertville Funeral Home.
He was born Sept. 6, 1920, near Kerkhoven to Oscar and Cora Snare Carlson. He attended school in the Kerkhoven/Pennock area. On June 23, 1945, he married Arlene Engstrom in Willmar. He was proprietor of Ray's Body Shop & Towing in Pennock and later engaged in general repair and construction. They moved to Albertville nine years ago.
He is survived by his wife; children Darlene (and Daryl Pennington) Steiger of Gypsum, Colo., Daryl (and Denise) Carlson of Orono, Barbara (and Gene) Strait of Maple Grove, Vyla (and Martin) Puskala of Plymouth, Bryan (and Missy) Carlson of Albertville, Lisa (and Ken) Evavold of Albertville; 14 grandchildren; brothers Leslie (and Harriet) Carlson of Willmar, Kenneth (and Elaine) Carlson of Willmar; sister Sadie (and Ernest) Tilberg of Ogilvie; other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and three sisters-in-law.
Harold Ennenga
NEW LONDON - Harold Ennenga, 70, of New London, died Tuesday at St. Cloud Hospital.
Funeral services are pending with Johnson Funeral Home of New London.
Harold Kelly
CHASKA - Harold Kelly, 84, of Chaska, formerly of New London, died Tuesday at Auburn Manor in Chaska.
Funeral services are pending with Johnson Funeral Home of New London.
Helen Fischer
Feb. 9, 1916 - Dec. 8, 1997
COSMOS - Helen Fischer, 81, of Cosmos died Monday at Hutchinson Community Hospital.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at St. John's Lutheran Church in Cedar Mills, with burial in the St. John's Lutheran Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Hughes Funeral Home in Cosmos and continues Thursday for one hour before services.
She was born Feb. 9, 1916, in McLeod County to Adolf and Anna (Prieve) Bartels. She grew up in the Hutchinson area, where she graduated from high school. She married August Fischer on Oct. 24, 1939. They farmed near Corvuso in 1968, when the retired in Cosmos. She entered the Cosmos Healthcare Center in 1993.
She is survived by her husband; children Lorraine (and Delton) Bipes of Litchfield, Leona (and Gerald) of Grove City, Phyllis (and Vince) Ableidninger of Cosmos, LeRoy (and Jacque) Fischer of Litchfield, Marlys (and Delbert) Sturges of Brownton, and Larry (and Wanda) Fischer of Grove City; 24 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; sister Elsie (and Emil) Radunz; two sisters-in-law; many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother.
Willis Kennedy
Aug. 23, 1926 - Dec. 4, 1997
BENSON - Willis "Bill" H. Kennedy, 71, of Benson died Thursday morning at Meadow Lane Healthcare Center in Benson.
Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Francis Catholic Church in Benson, with the Rev. Steven Verhelst officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Murdock.
Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Jacobson-Zniewski Funeral Home in Benson, with a 4:30 p.m. rosary and a 7 p.m. prayer service. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Hospice.
He was born Aug. 23, 1926, in Kerkhoven to Edward Bernard and Christine Mary (Brogren) Kennedy. He grew up and attended school in Benson. On June 11, 1946, he married Catherine M. Krattemaker in Murdock. After their marriage, he worked for the railroad. He operated the Rangard's Cafe and owned the Big Dipper in Benson. Since the early 1950s, he owned and operated Kennedy Excavating in Benson. He was a member of the Benson Jaycees, Lions Club and Council of Catholic Men. He was a Boy Scout leader.
He is survived by his wife; daughter Barbara Naig of Benson; son John Kennedy of Benson; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sisters Myrtle Krysel of Minneapolis, Lucille Rutledge of Murdock and Dolores Flynn of Benson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one son-in-law, one grandson, three brothers and three sisters.
Margaret Davis
MONTEVIDEO - Margaret Davis, 63, of Montevideo died Tuesday at Weiner Memorial Medical Center in Marshall.
Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Friday at Our Saviors Lutheran Church with the Rev. Douglas Olson and the Rev. Warren Broughton officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Cemetery.
Visitation will be Thursday afternoon and night at Anderson Funeral Home in Montevideo with a prayer service at 7 p.m. The visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church Friday.
Rev. Jorge Vasquez
Sept. 2, 1940 - Dec. 8, 1997
WILLMAR - The Rev. Jorge Alberto Vasquez, 57, of Willmar died unexpectedly at his home Monday.
Funeral services will be Saturday in Laredo, Texas. Local funeral arrangements are pending with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar.
He was born Sept. 2, 1940, in San Antonio, Texas, to Jose and Minerva (Huertado) Vasquez. He grew up in San Antonio, graduated from high school and attended seminary in Laredo, Texas.
On Dec. 14, 1959, he was married to Virginia Vasquez and they lived in Laredo, where he worked as a minister in a jail.
They moved to the Willmar area in June 1990. He assisted as a minister at First Baptist Church in Willmar and at the Assemblies of God Church in Marshall. For the past three years, he was a minister at Casa Del Alfarero in Marshall.
He is survived by his wife; sons Jorge Jr. (and Anna Maria) of San Antonio, Jose of Laredo, Julio of Willmar and Marco of Willmar; daughters Minerva (and James) Butchard of Mesa, Ariz., Dora (and Victor) Aguirre of Laredo, Angela Vasquez of Willmar, Carmen (and Jesse) Hernandez of Laredo, and Anna (and Jesse) Arenano of Laredo; 12 grandchildren; and sister Carmela (and Mario) Trevino of Monterey, Mexico.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother.
