Damon Junge, 51, formerly of Preston
Damon Dallas Junge, 51, of Maple Grove, Minn., died Thursday, July 9, 1998, at Fairview University Medical Center in Minneapolis.
He was born Jan. 31, 1947, in Preston. After graduating from Harmony High School in 1965 he went on to Rochester Community College and graduated from the University of Minnesota.
He married Patty Walker in Preston on Sept. 13, 1969. They moved to Minneapolis where he was the proprietor of Damon Homes Inc., a residential construction company.
He is survived by his wife, Patty; daughter, Sara, and son, Joshua, both of Maple Grove; six brothers, Dennis and LeRoy of Rochester, Ronald of Fountain, David of Lime Springs, and James and Adrian of Preston; and three sisters, Phyllis Berning of Kellogg, Alice Bigalk of Harmony and Barbara Wendt of Oronoco. His parents preceded him in death.
The Funeral Mass was held Monday at St. Thomas the Apostle in Corcoran, Minn.
Memorials are suggested to the Minnesota Medical Foundation for cancer research.
Elaine M. Kaess, 83, of Spring Valley
Elaine M. Kaess, 83, of Spring Valley, died Sunday, Feb. 8, 1998, at the Meadow Manor Nursing Home in Grand Meadow.
Elaine Raforth was born June 7, 1914, in St. James, Minn., the daughter of Henry and Amanda (Holte) Raforth. She attended St. James High School and also business school in Minneapolis. She worked as a dental assistant in Minneapolis during World War II and prior to her marriage. On Aug. 13, 1939, she married George W. Kaess in Mankato. Her husband worked as an electrician in Trimont, Minn., for a time and after his discharge from the U. S. Navy. In 1946 the couple moved to Spring Valley and Mr. Kaess operated Kaess Electric until his retirement in 1978. Mr. Kaess died March 13, 1988.
Mrs. Kaess was a charter member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, life member of WELCA and former president, a 50-year member of the Legion Auxiliary and past president. She was also on the Library Board for many years.
She is survived by a daughter, Susan (Mrs. Lowell) Johnson of Lake Oswego, Ore., one son, Peter and his wife, Peggy of Springfield, Ill. Two granddaughters, Kristen Kaess Johnson of Evanston, Ill. and Karyn Kaess Johnson at home.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. today (Wednesday) at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Spring Valley with the Rev. Marlene Pankonin officiating. Burial will be in Spring Valley Cemetery.
Friends may call at the Thauwald Funeral Home in Spring Valley on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and one hour prior to services at the church.
Thauwald Funeral Home in Spring Valley was in charge of arrangements.
Francis B. Kappers, 80, of Spring Valley
Francis B. Kappers, 80, of Spring Valley, died Wednesday evening, Jan. 21, 1998, at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester.
He was born April 11, 1917, in Bloomfield Township, Fillmore County, the son of Ben and Anna (Goodwinson) Kappers. He was raised in rural Spring Valley. He married Fae Kumm and the couple made their home in the Spring Valley area. He was a farmer and worked in the construction industry. Fae Kappers died Aug. 24, 1997.
Mr. Kappers was a member of Faith United Methodist Church in Spring Valley.
He is survived by five sons, Eugene of Spring Valley, Michael of Chatfield, Thomas and Leland, both of Spring Valley, and Steven of Prior Lake; two daughters, Linda Apenhorst and Carla Tart, both of Spring Valley; 18 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two brothers, his twin, Fred of Preston, and George of Cottonwood, Ariz.; and two sisters, Doris Riddle of Spring Valley and Pearl Funk of Rochester.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
The funeral was Saturday at Faith United Methodist Church with the Rev. James Ross officiating. Burial in the Etna Cemetery in rural Spring Valley.
Thauwald Funeral Home in Spring Valley was in charge of arrangements.
Merle D. 'Curly' Kaster, 75, brother of SV man
Merle D. "Curly" Kaster, 75, of Wabasha, formerly of Austin, died Wednesday, April 29, 1998, at his home.
Born Nov. 17, 1922, near Grand Meadow, he began working at Hormel in Austin when he was 18. An Army veteran, he served during World War II and the Korean Conflict as a sergeant instructor of the Paratroopers Division. While stationed in Fort Benning, Ga., he married Margaret "Marge" Davis on March 18, 1945, in Opelika, Ala. After his discharge he returned to Austin and continued to work at Hormel until his retirement in 1982. He was a Golden Gloves boxing champion and an exceptional bowler. He bowled in professional tournaments throughout the county for many years and operated a pro shop at Echo Lanes Bowling Center in Austin for 18 years. He raised champion retrievers for field trials and enjoyed fishing, hunting and golf. He was a member of the Wabasha American Legion and Olaf B. Damm VFW Post of Austin and was a past member of the Austin Eagles Club.
Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Judy (Mrs. James) Morgan of Nashville, Tenn.; two sons, Jerry Kaster of Burlington, Wis., and Dean Hovland of Albert Lea; eight grandchildren; a sister, Lucille Bartell of Austin; and three brothers, Floyd Kaster of Spring Valley, Mel Warner of Davenport, Iowa, and Larry Warner of Shelby, Ind. Two brothers preceded him in death.
The funeral was Saturday at the United Methodist Church in Kellogg with the Rev. Lyle Krumrie officiating. Burial was in St. Felix Cemetery in Wabasha with military graveside rites by Wabasha American Legion Post 50 and Burkhardt-Roemer Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4086.
Abbott Funeral Home in Wabasha was in charge of arrangements.
Memorials are suggested to the National Audubon Society.
R. E. 'Dick' Kempfert, 57, formerly of GM
Richard E. "Dick" Kempfert, 57, of Minneapolis, formerly of Grand Meadow, died Wednesday, Aug. 5, 1998, at University Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Minneapolis.
Born April 1, 1941, in Austin, he lived in Grand Meadow until moving to Duluth in 1957. He graduated from Duluth Central High School. On Aug. 1, 1964, he married Billy Ramona Ronning at Holy Rosary Cathedral in Duluth. Mr. Kempfert was part owner of Benna Ford in Two Harbors and was ranked one of the country's top salesmen by Ford.
Survivors include his wife of Two Harbors; two sons, Michael of Duluth and Richard "Dick" of Two Harbors; a grandson; his mother, Thelma Kempfert of Grand Meadow; two sisters, Mary Jane (Mrs. Gerald) Baugh of Friend, Neb., and Julie (Mrs. Michael) Kassner of Lino Lakes, Minn.; and three brothers, James of Golden Valley, Minn., John of Elko, Nev., and Eugene of Grand Meadow. He was preceded in death by a son and his father.
A funeral Mass was conducted Saturday at St. Finbarr Catholic Church in Grand Meadow, with the Rev. Russell Scepaniak officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Hutchins Funeral Home in Grand Meadow was in charge of arrangements.
Richard Maurice Kerns, 81, of Spring Valley
Richard Maurice Kerns, 81, of Spring Valley, a former dairy farmer and carpenter, died Friday, Oct. 9, 1998, at the Ostrander Care Center.
He was born July 29, 1917, in Corning, Kan. He attended schools in the Corning area and graduated from Corning High School.
On May 6, 1939, he married Doris B. Booth, and they farmed in Kansas until 1946 when they moved to Minnesota, where he continued to farm and do carpenter work until his retirement in 1978. They spent their winters in Arizona until 1996, when he was unable to return for health reasons.
He was a member of the Cherry Grove United Methodist Church, a member of the Men’s State Line Chorus, a member of the Spring Valley Creamery Board and was an avid horseman. He belonged to the Green Valley Riders Saddle Club of Greenleafton and took part in the Al Quie trail rides for many years. He enjoyed spending time with his family and his many friends.
He is survived by his wife; two sons, Lynn and wife, Pauline of Mabel, Minn., Shelby and wife, Mara of San Antonio, Texas; a daughter, Trudy (Mrs. Milo) Mathison of Rochester; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Marjorie Kerns of Humboldt, Iowa; and two cousins, Louise Barrett of Riley, Kan., and Richard Kemplay of Rantoul, Kan.
He was preceded in death by a twin brother, Dale
A memorial service was held on Oct. 17 at Cherry Grove United Methodist Church with the Rev. Mark Woodward officiating. Burial was in the Cherry Grove Cemetery.
C. E. Kindschy, 92, mother of SV man
Cecelia E. "Celia" Kindschy, 92, of Rochester, died Tuesday, May 5, 1998, at Aspen Care and Rehabilitation Center.
Cecelia E. Lorenz was born Aug. 11, 1905, in Milton Township, Buffalo County, Wis. On Oct. 1, 1932, she married Armin Kindschy at St. Martin's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Winona. They were later divorced. Mrs. Kindschy was a homemaker and also was a cook in several restaurants and hotels. She lived in Winona and Fountain City before moving to Rochester.
Survivors include six sons, Beldon Lorenz of LaCrosse, Wis., Milo Lorenz of Lamorre, Calif., Darrell Kindschy of Fort Wayne, Ind., Dale Kindschy of Lafarge, Wis., Armin Kindschy of Spring Valley and Emmett Kindschy of Byron; four daughters, Marilyn Moga of Trempealeau, Wis., Marlene (Mrs. Clarence) Schrader and Cynthia (Mrs. Wendell) Burt, both of Rochester, and Karen Clark of Wabasha; 32 grandchildren; 17 stepgrandchildren; 69 great-grandchildren; 10 stepgreat-grandchildren; and a sister, Carrie Bechley of Fountain City. She was preceded in death by a daughter, three grandchildren, a brother and two sisters.
The funeral was Monday at St. Martin's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Winona with the Rev. Ronald G. Dommer officiating. Burial was in the Fountain City, Wis., public cemetery.
Fawcett Funeral Home in Winona was in charge of arrangements.
Memorials are suggested to a charity of the donor's choice.
Walter Earl King, 53, formerly of GM
Walter Earl King, 53, of Stewartville, formerly of Grand Meadow, died Saturday, Sept. 5, 1998, at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester.
He was born Sept. 13, 1944, in Stewartville, He joined the U.S. Navy in 1959 and later transferred to the U.S. Army, serving in the Special Forces, the 101st Airborne and the 82nd Airborne. He was a Green Beret serving in Vietnam. He received two purple hearts and was discharged in 1965. On Aug. 19, 1974, he married Marsha Stackhouse in Sioux Falls, S.D. They lived in rural Grand Meadow until early this summer, when they lost their home in a tornado. He worked as an assembler for Crenlo in Rochester. He was a member of St. Ignatius Catholic Church, the Mower County Humane Society board, the Veteran's Committee for Local United Auto Workers 2125 in Rochester and was a charter member of U.A.W. 2125. He enjoyed horses and dogs, and spending time with his wife.
Survivors include his wife; a sister, Janice (Mrs. Bernard) Higgens of Sawyer, Ind.; a half sister, Penny (Mrs. Harold) Higgens of Austin; and a half brother, Harold "Pete" Smith of Hammond, Minn. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son and a sister.
The funeral Mass was Tuesday at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Spring Valley, with the Rev. Russell Scepaniak officiating. Burial was in St. Ignatius Catholic Cemetery.
Hindt-Hutchins Funeral Home was in chaarge of arrangements.
Mildred Kingsbury, 87, of Mabel
Mildred Kingsbury, 87, a longtime Mabel resident, died Friday, Jan. 23, 1998, at Green Lea Manor Nursing Home in Mabel.
She was born September 15, 1910, in Newburg Township to Nels and Gretha (Jacobson) Spande. She attended Newburg school and graduated from Mabel High School in 1928. In 1931 she married Harold Kingsbury at Mabel First Lutheran in Mabel. The couple lived in Mabel their entire lives except for a few years when they lived in Waseca and then returned to Mabel in 1948. Mr. Kingsbury died in 1986. She was a member of Mabel First Lutheran Church and WELCA.
She is survived by a son, Dale (Karolyn) of St. Paul; two daughters, Georgia (Mrs. Howard) Tollefsrud of Omaha, Neb., and Joanne (Mrs. Lee) Groth of Las Vegas, Nev.; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Georgia Larson of Mabel. She was preceded in death by two grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and five brothers, Burton, Abby, Victor, Buren and George.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, at Mabel First Lutheran Church in Mabel with the Rev. Lloyd Menke officiating. Burial was in the Mabel Lutheran Cemetery in Mabel.
Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel was in charge of arrangements.
Russella Kinneberg, 63, of Spring Grove
Russella "Sally" Kinneberg 63, of Spring Grove, died Thursday, Aug. 27, 1998, at her home on the Kinneberg Farm.
Russella Ober was born Jan. 30, 1935, in Chatfield. She was a 1953 Chatfield High School graduate and attended the University of Minnesota, St. Paul campus. On Sept. 24, 1955, she married Glenn Kinneberg at Pioneer Presbyterian Church in Chatfield, and the couple operated the Kinneberg Family Farm. Mrs. Kinneberg operated several businesses from the family farm. She had been president of the Caledonia Hospital Auxiliary, Spring Grove Legion Auxiliary and Trinity Lutheran Church Women's Group. She served as Houston County 4-H art and crafts leader for 15 years. She also served as Minnesota and International Flying Farmer Queen from 1974 to 1975, and obtained her Land-it certification for Piper Aircraft Cherokee 180 in 1975. She was the Houston County zoning officer and Houston County water coordinator. She was a soloist, and loved gardening and cooking.
Survivors include her husband; one son, Russell of Plymouth, Minn.; two grandchildren; and one sister, Betty (Mrs. Lowell) Wooner of Chatfield.
Funeral services were Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove with the Revs. Zane Anderson and Ted Hines co-officiating. A private family burial was in the church cemetery.
Roble Funeral Home in Spring Grove was in charge of arrangements.
Ethel Kirchgatter, 78, mother of Canton man
Ethel Kirchgatter, 78, formerly of Mapleview, died Wednesday evening, Feb. 18, 1998, at Good Samaritan Center in St. Ansgar, Iowa.
Ethel Heschke was born Dec. 18, 1919, in rural Mitchell County, Iowa, and attended an area country school. On June 26, 1938, she married Ellery K. Kirchgatter. They lived in Illinois where her husband was employed at a hardware store, and later returned to Mitchell County where they farmed for many years. Mrs. Kirchgatter enjoyed helping with the farm work, gardening, baking and canning.
Survivors include a son, Richard of Canton; a daughter, Violet Wick of Mapleview; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband, a son, two brothers and two sisters.
The funeral was Saturday at the United Methodist Church in St. Ansgar, Iowa, with the Rev. Ted W. Stowers officiating. Burial was in the St. Ansgar Cemetery.
Worlein Funeral Home in Austin was in charge of arrangements.
Olaf J. Kjome, 95, of Spring Grove
Olaf J. Kjome, 95, of Spring Grove, a retired dairy farmer, died Monday, Aug. 24, 1998, at Tweeten Lutheran Health Care Center in Spring Grove.
He was born June 3, 1903, in Spring Grove Township, Houston County, graduated from Spring Grove High School, and after graduating from Winona State Teachers College, taught in rural schools for four years. On June 25, 1925, he married Stella Doely. She died in 1946. He and Marie Kjome were married Aug. 14, 1959, at St. Anthony Lutheran Church in St. Paul. He lived in Excelsior, Minn., for 20 years and was a herdsman for Boulder Bridge Farm. In 1945, the family moved to Spring Grove and he began the Valleyland Farm dairy operation. He sold his herd of Guernseys in 1969 and retired in 1970. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove and had received numerous awards for his dairy husbandry skills and community service.
Survivors include his wife; three sons, Wesley of West Salem, Wis., Douglas of Spring Grove and David of Rochester; a daughter, Shirley (Mrs. William) Nesseth of Clawson, Mich.; 11 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; a brother, Ralph of Red Wing; and two sisters, Elizabeth Ellingson and Helen (Mrs. Carl) Muller, both of Spring Grove. A daughter preceded him in death.
Funeral services were Friday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove with the Rev. Jim Arends officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Roble Funeral Home in Spring Grove was in charge of arrangements.
Gordon M. Kjos, 76, formerly of Lanesboro
Gordon M. Kjos, 76, of Merritt Island, formerly of Rochester and the Lanesboro area, died April 10, 1998, at Cape Canaveral Hospital in Cocoa Beach, Fla.
He was born June 6, 1922, in Astoria, S.D., grew up in the Lanesboro area and graduated from Lanesboro High School. On May 8, 1945, he married Marilyn Torgenrud of Lanesboro at North Prairie Lutheran Church in rural Lanesboro. He was a retired logistics manager for RCA. He lived in Rochester before moving to Brevard County, Fla., in 1966. He was a World War II Navy veteran and a member of Cocoa Beach VFW Post 10148.
Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Marcia Wiste of Minneapolis; two sons, Ted of Franklin, N.C. and Paul of Jacksonville, Fla; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a brother, Kenneth Kjos of Bella Vista, Ark; and a sister, Marian Kjos of Rochester.
Funeral services were at Wylie-Baxley Funeral Home on Merritt Island, Fla. The body was cremated.
Joye Klein, 80, once of Preston
Joye (Kruegel) Klein, 80, died Thursday, April 9, 1998, at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Home, Rushford, after a lengthy illness.
She was born Aug. 20, 1917, to Walter and Alma (Ramaker) Kruegel. She attended Preston High School, graduating in 1936 as valedictorian. She attended Normal Training and taught in country school for two years. She attended Winona State University, receiving her four-year teaching degree. She taught fifth grade, music and was an elementary librarian in the Caledonia School System for 26 years.
On July 6, 1941, she married Robert Keehn. They were later divorced. She married Paul F. Klein on Dec. 17, 1960, and they made their home in Houston, Minn. He preceded her in death in l988.
She is survived by one sister, Vivian Evenson, Lanesboro; sister-in-law, Barbara Benson, Preston; two nephews, Kim and Eric Benson, and special niece, Lisa Wiebke.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, Houston.
Francis A. 'Frank' Knutson, 50, of Granger
Francis A. "Frank" Knutson, 50, of Granger, a truck driver, died Tuesday, July 21, 1998, at his home.
Mr. Knutson was born Aug. 28, 1947, in Preston, grew up there and attended Preston schools. On June 10, 1967, he married Arlis Jahnke at the Fountain Lutheran church. They lived in Preston and he worked for the city. After moving to Granger in 1980, he worked for Harmony Agri Service and Canton Farm Service and more recently was a truck driver for Louis Balk of Cresco, Iowa. Mr. Knutson was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Granger and enjoyed hunting and fishing.
Survivors include his wife; three sons, Francis P. of Fort Greely, Alaska, Michael A. of Harmony and Jeffrey A. of East Bethel, Minn.; four grandchildren; and his mother, Clara (Barber) Knutson of Preston. His father preceded him in death.
Funeral services were on Saturday at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Granger with the Rev. Keith Parker officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Thauwald Funeral Home in Preston was in charge of arrangements.
Leo O. Krahn, 79, Spring Valley native
Leo O. Krahn, 79, of Topeka, Kan., formerly of Spring Valley, died Tuesday morning, Jan. 6, 1998, at Colmery-O'Neil Veteran's Administration Medical Center in Topeka.
He was born June 9, 1918, in Spring Valley, and served in the Army during World War II. He married Marjorie Ann Kraling in Stockton, Kan. A Topeka resident most of his life, he was a farmer and also worked for Yellow Cab Co. Mr. Krahn was a member of the Lutheran Church and attended the Salvation Army Citadel of Topeka.
Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Leota Koon, Laura Porter and Frances Werst, all of Topeka; a son, Donald of Topeka; seven grandchildren; four brothers, Russell, Lloyd and Lawrence, all of Spring Valley, and Walter of Rochester; and three sisters, Frances Voeltz, Delores Howard and Violet Drinkall, all of Spring Valley.
There was a memorial service Thursday at Parker-Price Mortuary in Topeka. The body was cremated. Memorials are suggested to the Leo O. Krahn Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 2364, Topeka, KS 66601.
Paulette 'Polly' Kraling, 49, of Harmony
Paulette "Polly" Kraling, 49, of Harmony, died Wednesday, May 20, 1998, at Lutheran Hospital in LaCrosse, Wis.
Paulette Johnson was born Jan. 2, 1949, in Austin and married Gary Kraling there on Jan. 22, 1966. She was deli manager at the Harmony IGA, was of the Lutheran faith and at the time of her death was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church at Big Spring.
Survivors include her husband; two sons, Troy and his wife, Tracy, of Canton and Terry and his wife, Shelly, of Preston; four grandchildren, Mikel, Amber, Nicklaus and Maren; her parents, Darrel and Jarla Johnson of Rose Creek; three sisters, Sharon Kasten of LeRoy and Pam Meling and Cindy Graham, both of Austin; and two brothers, Rick Johnson of Austin and Randy Johnson of Milwaukee, along with many godchildren, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and many, many friends.
A Christian Service of Burial was held on Saturday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Big Spring, rural Harmony, with the Rev. Keith Parker officiating. The body was cremated. Burial will be in Big Spring Cemetery at a later date.
Lindstrom Funeral Home in Harmony was in charge of arrangements.
Shirley Kraling, 77, mother of SV man
Shirley Kraling, 77, of Harmony, died Friday at the Green Lea Manor Nursing Home in Mabel.
She was born Sept. 10, 1920, in Fillmore County, Minn. She graduated from high school and married Harvey Kraling on Oct. 19, 1941, at the Greenfield Church in Harmony. They living in the area and Shirley owned and operated the Countryside Inn Restaurant in Preston. Following her work there, she worked at the Harmony IGA.
Survivors include her husband; two sons, Gary of Harmony and Randy of Spring Valley; five daughters, Bonnie Casterton of Gilbert, Ariz., Sheree Gunderson of Mabel, Betty Storlie of Spring Grove, Peggy Knudsen of Eagan, Minn., and Tami Nerstad of Mabel; 14 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; a sister, Frances Daniels of Harmony; and four brothers, Curtis Elton of Harmony, Duane Elton of Preston, James Elton of Stewartville, and Carlyle Elton of Rochester. She was preceded in death by a brother.
The funeral was Monday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Big Spring, rural Harmony, with the Rev. Keith Parker officiating. Burial was in the Big Spring Cemetery.
Lindstrom Funeral Home in Harmony was in charge of arrangements.
William F. Kraling, 87, formerly of Wykoff
William Frederick Kraling, 87, of Dodge Center, a retired farmer, died Friday, Oct. 23, 1998, at Fairview Nursing Home in Dodge Center.
He was born Dec. 4, 1910, in Wykoff and grew up in rural Spring Valley and attended an area rural school. On May 15, 1934, he married Margaret Helgeson and they lived on the farm in Wasioja Township, Dodge County, all their married lives. He retired from farming in 1978. Mr. Kraling enjoyed gardening, roses and animals.
Survivors include his wife; a son, Stephen of Goodell, Iowa; two daughters, Kathryn (Mrs. John) Urch of West Concord and Linda (Mrs. Larry) Giersdorf of Mankato, Minn.; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a brother, Karl of Adams; and several half brothers and half sisters. Three sisters and two brothers preceded him in death.
The funeral was Tuesday at Trinity Lutheran Church in West Concord with the Rev. Todd Walsh officiating. Burial was in Concord Cemetery.
West Concord Funeral Chapel ws in charge of arrangements.
Memorials are suggested to Mayo Hospice or a charity of the donor’s choice.
