Michelle Marie Sands, 24, SV native
Michelle Marie Sands, 24, of Unity, Wis., formerly of the Adams-Johnsburg area, died Tuesday, March 3, 1998.
Michelle Lammers was born Jan. 24, 1974, in Spring Valley, attended Sacred Heart Catholic School in Adams and graduated as valedictorian of the Southland High School class of 1992. On Nov. 11, 1995, she married Aaron Sands at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Johnsburg. In 1997, she received a degree in agricultural education from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. She was a former Minnesota FFA state secretary and during her first year of college was Minnesota state pork ambassador. In 1997, she received the chancellor's award as outstanding ag student. She was active in 4-H and a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Colby, Wis.
Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Mariah Florence, and a son, Douglas Bryant, at home; her parents, Paul and Mary Lammers of Taopi; two sisters, Elizabeth Lammers and Katie Lammers; two brothers, Peter Lammers and Steven Lammers; paternal grandfather, Joe Lammers; and maternal grandmother, Bernadette Dvorak. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandmother and maternal grandfather.
The funeral was Saturday at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Johnsburg, with the Rev. Gregory Leif officiating. Burial in the parish cemetery.
Adams Funeral Home was in charge of local arrangements.
Corrine J. Schild, 79, Mabel native
Corrine J. Schild, 79, of Houston, a former area farm homemaker, died Sunday, Nov. 29, 1998, at her home.
Corrine J. Arneson was born Aug. 1, 1919, in rural Mabel, grew up in the Spring Grove-Caledonia area and graduated from Caledonia High School in 1938. On Sept. 12, 1948, she married Ralph Schild in Caledonia and they farmed in the South Ridge and Crystal Valley areas until their retirement in 1979. She then moved to her current home in Mound Prairie. Mrs. Schild was a member of South Ridge United Methodist Church and enjoyed sewing, gardening and baking.
Survivors include two sons, Steve of Winona and Richard of Money Creek; two daughters, Sandra Priebe of Winona and Rita Schild of Roseville, Minn.; nine grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; a brother, Herman Areneson of Fountain City, Wis.; and four sisters, Minerva Blegen of Spring Grove, Cora (Mrs. Art) Wheaton of Houston, and Esther (Mrs. Ray) Hahn and Gladys (Mrs. Art) Johnson, both of La Crescent. She was preceded in death by her husband, a brother and a granddaughter.
The funeral was Wednesday at South Ridge United Methodist Church in La Crescent with the Rev. Paul Kobi officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Hoff Funeral Homes-Houston Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
Memorials are suggested to a charity of the donor's choice.
Oscar Schmidt, 79, formerly of Spring Valley
Oscar Schmidt, 79, of rural Dover, died Saturday, July 11, 1998, at his home.
He was born Sept. 28, 1918 in Pemberton, Minn., to John August Schmidt and Augusta (Weigelt) Schmidt. He married Erma Buss on June 7, 1943, in Cresco, Iowa. The couple farmed in Spring Valley and Ostrander before moving to Dover to farm in 1959. He loved to work the land.
He attended Elmira Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, Walter John Schmidt of Dover and William "Bill" August Schmidt of Stewartville; a daughter, Priscilla Lee Schmidt of Carmel, N. Y.; six grandchildren, John, Mike, Shelly, Jamie, Kristopher and Farah; five great-grandchildren, Jeffrey, Jesse, Danielle, Tanner, Aaron and Kaitlynn; three sisters, Mildred Allen of Oakland, Minn., Irene Swartzenberger of Salem, Ore., and Genny Smith of Chatfield. He was preceded in death by three brothers; Lester, Carl and an infant brother; seven sisters, Leona, Martha, Sywella, Sadie, Rosella, Esther and an infant sister.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Hoff Funeral Homes, St. Charles Chapel with the Revs. Dan Mohler and Gary Uit de Flesch officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Dover.
Hoff Funeral Homes is in charge of arrangements.
Arthur R. Schultz, 85, of Fountain
Arthur R. Schultz, 85, a retired Fountain area farmer, died Saturday night, Aug. 22, 1998, at Saint Marys Hospital, Rochester.
He was born Feb. 5, 1913, in Preston, the son of Richard A.E. and Pauline E. (Bender) Schultz. He attended school and farmed in the Preston area. On Sept. 30, 1940, he married Muriel Stevens at Big Springs Lutheran Church in rural Harmony. The couple farmed near Lanesboro until moving to their farm near Fountain in 1945. Besides farming, he was also a seed corn dealer.
He was a lifelong member of Christ Lutheran Church and the former St. Paul Lutheran Church, both of Preston. He also served on a local country school board and helped organize and was a member of the Chatfield Farmers Union.
He is survived by his wife, Muriel; four sons and daughters-in-law, Donald of Minneapolis, Jerry and Janice of Preston, Steve and Kristi of Wykoff and Lyle and Sheryl of Chatfield; three daughters and sons-in-law, Diane and Earl Kinneberg of Rochester, Jane and Bruce Christensen of Rochester, and Mary and Lloyd Flint of Dodge Center; 11 grandchildren, Michael and Sheri Eickhoff, David and Doug Kinneberg, Jason and Laura Peaslee, Kelly and Richard Flint, Tara and Jodi Schultz, and Ethan Schultz; one step-grandson, Pete Houghtelin; four step-great grandsons, Bradley, Brady, Brandon and Braden Houghtelin; five brothers, Clarence of Preston, Kenneth of Wykoff, Otto of Canton, Richard of Harmony, and Philip of Remer, Minn.; five sisters, Ann Bush, Pauline Hanson and Margaret Hemker, all of Preston, Bernice Halverson of Ridgeway, Iowa, and Leona Grisham of Pasadena, Texas.
He was preceded in death by one sister, Florence Odden, and four brothers, Reuben, Walter, Paul and Carl Schultz.
The funeral was Wednesday at Christ Lutheran Church with the Rev. James Rushton officiating. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery in Preston.
Thauwald Funeral Home, Preston, was in charge of arrangements.
Herbert Schultz, 100, of Spring Valley
Herbert D. Schultz, 100, of Spring Valley, died Saturday morning, March 21, 1998, at the Rochester Health Care Center in Rochester.
Schultz was born May 5, 1897, in Fillmore Township, Fillmore County, the son of August and Minnie (Sturm) Schulz. He farmed with his family until his marriage to Esther Freiheit on March 21, 1923, at Dr. Martin Luther Lutheran Church in rural Spring Valley. The couple made their home on his family's farm in Bloomfield Township all their married lives. Mrs. Schultz died Aug. 10, 1992.
He was a past member of Dr. Martin Luther Lutheran Church where he served on many boards and was currently a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Spring Valley. He was a past District 91 school board member, a past director of the First National Bank in Spring Valley, was on the Spring Valley Creamery board, and was a longtime member of the Spring Valley Garden Club.
He is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Elaine and John Sheldon of Spring Valley; one son and daughter-in-law, Duane and Judy of Rochester; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by two sisters and five brothers.
The funeral will be today (Wednesday) at Our Savior's Lutheran Church with the Rev. Marlene Pankonin officiating. Burial will be in the Dr. Martin Luther Lutheran Cemetery.
Friends may call at the Thauwald Funeral Home in Spring Valley from 5 to 8 p.m., Tuesday and at the church today one hour before the service.
Marcella M. Schulz, 76, of Spring Valley
Marcella M. Schulz, 76, died Saturday, June 6, 1998, at the Spring Valley Care Center where she had resided since January.
She was born Sept. 24, 1921, in Sargeant, Minn., to Selmer Johnson and Cora (Martin) Johnson. On March 10, 1956, she married Lyle Schulz at the Evanger Lutheran Church in Sargeant. Together they farmed east of Spring Valley all their married life. She also worked as a beautician for many years. Her husband passed away March 9, 1995.
She is survived by five sisters, Jean Gronseth of Rochester, Audry Holine of Pine City, Shirley and (Orlyn) Gulbransen of Hayfield, Clarice Elverum of Austin and Gayle (Earl) Buchan of Minneapolis. She is also survived by brothers and sisters-in-law Melvin and Levern Schulz and Kermit and Blanch Schulz of Spring Valley. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and one brother, Orville.
Services were held Tuesday at Our Savior's Lutheran Cemetery in Spring Valley with the Rev. Jon Olson officiating. Hindt-Hutchins Funeral Home handled arrangements.
Victor Schutz, 90, brother of SG woman
Victor J. Schutz, 90, of Caledonia, died Tuesday, Oct. 6, 1998, at Franciscan Skemp Medical Center in La Crosse.
He was born Nov. 16, 1907, in Caledonia, graduated from St. Peter's High School in Caledonia and then worked at Dunnum's Hotel in Chicago before returning to the Caledonia area to farm. He later worked at a lumber camp in Washington state and after returning to Caledonia, worked at Weichert's Ford Garage for 30 years.
On Aug. 27, 1929, he married Ida Marie Nelson in Winona. She died Dec. 9, 1991. Mr. Schutz was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping and gardening.
Survivors include a son, Roger of Rochester; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Rose Schultz of Spring Grove, Henrietta Gould of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Wilma Sheehan of La Crosse. A daughter preceded him in death.
Funeral services were Saturday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Caledonia with the Rev. Donald J. Schmitz officiating. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery in Caledonia.
McCormick Funeral Home in Caledonia was in charge of arrangements.
A. Schwichtenberg, 77, father of local man
Alwin O. Schwichtenberg, 77 of Jordan, Minn., died on Saturday, Sept. 26, 1998 at his home.
He was born Jan. 25, 1921, at Morristown, Minn. On June 28, 1947, he married Wilma (Schmidt) at St. John's Lutheran Church in Lake Benton, Minn. He was a retired owner-operator of Triangle Texaco Wimpy's Cafe, Jordan, Minn.
He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, former treasurer of the church's council, a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, a member of the Jordan V.F.W., former Jordan city council member, former Jordan school board member and a member of the Jordan Commercial Club. He enjoyed fishing, traveling, camping and bowling.
He is survived by his wife, Wilma; three sons Steven (Anne), of Lanesboro, Arlen (Sharon), and David (Cheryl); two daughters, Elaine (Ralph) Miller and Wendy (Charles) Enter; 18 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brother Harvey (Della), and nieces and nephews.
The funeral was Tuesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Jordan. Interment was at Spirit Hill Cemetery, Jordan, Minn.
Ballard Funeral Home, Jordan, was in charge of arrangements.
Alvin H. Schwier, 91, of Fountain
Alvin H. Schwier, 91, lifelong Fountain area farmer, died Monday morning, Jan. 19, 1998, at the Ostrander Nursing Home.
Mr. Schwier was born Feb. 27, 1906 in Fillmore Township, rural Fountain, the son of Fred and Mary (Bicknese) Schwier. He farmed with his brother, Irvin, on the family farm all his life. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II, entering Oct. 2, 1942, and was discharged Oct. 22, 1945. He served with the 50th Engineers, 7th Division, and was stationed in the Aleutian Islands, Hawaii, the Philippines, Marshall Islands and Okinawa.
He was a lifelong member of St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wykoff, the Wykoff American Legion and the Spring Valley VFW.
He is survived by three sisters, Irene Niemeyer of Brainerd, Minn., Mildred (Mrs. Gerhardt) Grabau of Wykoff and Dorothy Nesler of Rochester; two brothers, Raymond of Wykoff and Irvin of Fountain; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by three brothers.
The funeral will be 2 p.m. Thursday at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wykoff with the Rev. Karl Hollibaugh and the Rev. Robert Burmeister co-officiating. Burial with military graveside rites will be in the church cemetery.
Friends may call at the Thauwald Funeral Home in Wykoff from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and at the church on Thursday one hour before the service.
Dorothy Gail Scothorn, 79, of Spring Valley
Dorothy Gail Scothorn, 79, of Spring Valley, a former teacher, died Wednesday, Dec. 31, 1997, at Spring Valley Care Center.
Born Oct. 7, 1918, in Spring Valley, she graduated as valedictorian of the Spring Valley High School Class of 1936. She graduated from Stout State University in Menomonie, Wis., with a bachelor of science degree with a double major in home economics and science, complemented by minors in English, social studies and history. She taught at a number of Minnesota schools, including Windom and Zumbrota, and retired from Kennedy High School. In 1966-67, she took a sabbatical to become a homemaking coordinator for the Northwest Community Action Council Inc., which covered Kittson, Roseau, Marshall and Lake of the Woods counties. During that year, she wrote and established the homemaking program to aid the elderly, as well as the disabled and young mothers in poverty income levels. She had also been a secretary-receptionist for the executive director of the Developmental Disabilities Planning Council for Region 10. In 1971 she retired due to health reasons and returned to Spring Valley to live with and care for her mother who died in 1987. She later resided at Hillside Apartments in Spring Valley until entering the care center in 1996.
The funeral was 2 p.m. Tuesday at Hindt-Hutchins Funeral Home in Spring Valley with the Rev. James Ross officiating. Burial in Spring Valley Cemetery.
Elvena M. Scott, 84, Grand Meadow native
Elvena M. Scott, 84, of Adams, formerly of Rochester and Grand Meadow, died this morning, Aug. 10, 1998, at the Healthcare Center.
Elvena M. Hanson was born Sept. 24, 1913, in Grand Meadow and graduated from Grand Meadow High School. In September 1952, she married Richard Scott and they lived in the Twin Cities most of their married lives. She was a longtime Woolworth's employee. Following retirement, they moved to Green Valley, Ariz. After her husband's death, she moved to Rochester to be near her family and later lived at Cedar Court Apartments in Adams until entering the care center. She enjoyed playing golf.
Survivors include a brother, Leonard Hanson of Rochester. Three brothers and nine sisters preceded her in death.
A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Little Cedar Lutheran Church in Adams with the Rev. Donna Joseph officiating. Burial in Bear Creek Cemetery in Grand Meadow.
Adams Funeral Home in Adams was in charge of arrangements.
Charmion M. Seekins, 62, of Caledonia
Charmion M. Seekins, 62, of Caledonia, an Avon representative, died Friday at the Gunderson-Lutheran Medical Center in LaCrosse, Wis.
Charmion Link was born Nov. 24, 1935, in Caledonia. In December of 1955, she married Everett Sinclair and they later divorced. She married Clyde Seekins Nov. 11, 1972. She also worked at the Countryside Cafe in Mabel, Mansfield Industries in Spring Grove and Schroeder Jewelers in Caledonia. She was a longtime member of Immanuel Lutheran Church where she served on several ladies groups and was an organist for more than 20 years. She also played organ for First Lutheran Church in Mabel before returning to Caledonia. She was a member of the Caledonia Library Board and the Aiden Chapter 86, Order of the Eastern Star of Caledonia.
Survivors include her husband; her mother, Eleanor Link of Caledonia; a daughter, Debbie Sinclair of Anchorage, Alaska; three sons, John of Anchorage, Steve of Aguadulce, Calif., and Robert of Rochester; a stepdaughter, Heather Vinson of Caledonia; a stepson, Todd Seekins of Miami, Fla.; eight grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; two sisters, Laurel Hutzenbuehler of Holmen, Wis., and Victoria Link of Caledonia, and three brothers, Harold, William and Michael, all of Caledonia. She was preceded in death by a brother.
A memorial service was held Monday at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Caledonia with the Rev. Rolf T. Storlie officiating. A private burial was at Evergreen Cemetery in Caledonia.
Haugen-Roble-Jandt Funeral Home in Caledonia was in charge of arrangements.
Dale Sergeant, 65, father of Racine woman
Dale Sergeant, 65, of Green Valley, Ariz., a former Rochester resident, died Saturday, June 6, 1998, at his home.
He was born Jan. 26, 1933, in Rochester, grew up there and graduated from Rochester High School. He was in the hotel management business and worked at a number of hotels and motels, including the Kahler Hotel. He had been working part time at a hotel in Tucson, Ariz.
Survivors include his wife, Rochelle; two daughters, Allison Johnson of Racine, and Becky Pepper of Mobile, Ala.; two sons, Brad of Antioch, Calif., and Stacy of Mobile, Ala.; a stepdaughter, Joy (Mrs. Craig) Sheets of Rochester; a stepson, Jay Kaufman of Ferndale, Mich.; seven grandchildren; a brother, Jim of Eden Prairie, Minn., and a sister, Shirley Tuomela of Carmel, Calif.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Lutheran Church of the Risen Savior in Green Valley.
Marvin A. Serum, 85, formerly of Preston
Marvin A. Serum, 85, of rural Modena, husband of Leone A. Forthun Serum, formerly of Preston, died Sunday, Aug. 2, 1998, at his home.
He was born Aug. 24, 1912, in Modena Township, Buffalo County, Wis. On June 5, 1943, he and Leone A. Forthun of Preston were married in Mondovi, Wis. He owned and operated Serum Lumber Co. from 1946 until selling the business to his son in 1990; he then was active in the business until the time of his death. He was a lifelong member of Modena Lutheran Church.
In addition to his wife, survivors include six sons, Jon, James, Jay, Jerry and Joel, all of Alma, Wis., and Justin of Mondovi; eight daughters, Janet (Mrs. Gordon) Hoffmann of Rochester, Judy (Mrs. Daryl) Hoch of Eleva, Wis., Jean Serum of Las Vegas, Jolene (Mrs. Roger) Ressie of Lewiston, Joyce Serum of Brookfield, Wis., Jill (Mrs. Robert) Olson and Jennifer (Mrs. James) Sundin, both of Eau Claire, and Jackie Serum of Mondovi; 32 grandchildren; a sister, Lillian Goss of Mondovi; and two brothers, Clarence of Modena and Clayton of Mondovi. Three brothers preceded him in death.
The funeral was at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Central Lutheran Church in Mondovi, Wis., with the Revs. Jack Olson and James Tallman co-officiating. Burial in Modena, Wis., Lutheran Cemetery.
Poeschel Funeral Home in Mondovi was in charge of arrangements.
Parnell Thomas Sexton, 73, of rural Mabel
Parnell Thomas Sexton, 73, of rural Mabel, died suddenly Oct. 6, 1998, at his home.
He was born Jan. 17, 1925, in Winneshiek County, rural Decorah, to Steven and Mary (McCormick) Sexton. He attended local schools in Winneshiek County. On Nov. 18, 1952, he married Betty Lou Koliha at St. Agnes in Plymouth Rock, Iowa. He farmed with his wife and family all his life in Winneshiek County and was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church.
He is survived by his wife; five children, Steven (Ellen) Sexton and Samuel Sexton of Decorah, Scott Sexton and Sheila Sexton of Mabel and Stella Mathieu (Dave) of Lakeville, Minn.; three grandchildren, Sarah and Seari Mathieu and Megan Hageman. He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers, Robert, Donald, Raymond and Marvin.
Funeral services were Friday at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Plymouth Rock with the Rev. Michael Tauke officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
French and Balik Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
V. Sharon, 43, daughter of former residents
ValRae Ann Sharon, 43, of Los Lunas, N.M., died at home Tuesday, Dec. 16, 1997, following a brief illness.
ValRae Ann Stoffregen Sharon was born July 20, 1954, in Waverly.
She was a 1973 graduate of North Winneshiek Community School near Decorah, and attended Allen School of Nursing, Waterloo. She worked as a registered nurse at Schoitz Memorial Hospital, Waterloo, before moving to California.
On Oct. 24, 1991, she was united in marriage to Larry Sharon at Des Moines.
She is survived by her husband; her parents, Rev. Virtus and Valerie Stoffregen of Titonka; a brother, Kori Stoffregen of Greencastle, Ind.; and three sisters, Kimberlee Motley of Lawton, Okla., Noel McClure of Sartell, Minn., and Stacie Weinschenk of Oelwein, Iowa.
Memorial services were held at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Titonka on Saturday, Dec. 20.
Eleanor M. Shofner, 79, of Peterson
Eleanor M. Shofner, 79, of Peterson, a homemaker and beautician, died Thursday, Aug. 27, 1998, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Rushford where she had resided about five years.
Eleanor M. Huston was born June 13, 1919, in Canton, grew up there, and attended Canton High School and a Minneapolis beauty school. In 1957, she married Donald E. Shofner in Mason City, Iowa. Before moving to Peterson 20 years ago, she lived in Rochester, Lanesboro, Preston and Harmony. She owned and operated beauty shops in Preston and Harmony. Mrs. Shofner was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Peterson and its ladies organization, was a foster mother and enjoyed gardening and crocheting afghans.
Survivors include her husband; two sons, Robert of Harmony and Larry of Weyauwega, Wis.; two stepsons, Wayne and Calvin, both of Blackduck, Minn.; a daughter, Jackie Shofner of Waterloo, Iowa; a stepdaughter, Mabel Shofner of Denver, Colo.; 14 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a brother, Robert Huston of Harmony; and a sister, Mary Groat of Sunnyvale, Calif. Three sisters preceded her in death.
Funeral services were Saturday at Grace Lutheran Church in Peterson with the Rev. Frank A. Kerkemeyer officiating. Burial was in the Lanesboro Cemetery.
Johnson-Riley Funeral Home in Lanesboro was in charge of arrangements.
Arthur E. Sholberg, 98, of Preston
Arthur E. Sholberg, 98, a resident of Preston Good Samaritan Center and father of Marilyn (Mrs. Robert) Thompson of Lanesboro, died Wednesday, March 11, 1998, at the care center.
He was born Jan. 17, 1900, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and lived in Canada until age 20 and then lived in Minneapolis and Chicago before moving to West Hartford, where he lived most of his life. In 1925, he married Ellen Johnson in West Hartford. She died Feb. 24, 1993. Mr. Sholberg was a home-builder contractor. He had resided in Preston since July 1995. He was a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge and a member of Norden Lodge No. 1, Order of Vasa.
In addition to his daughter here, survivors include a son, Paul of Haughton, La.; eight grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, two grandchildren, a brother and three sisters.
Funeral services were held Tuesday at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Hartford, Conn. Burial was in Fairview Cemetery in West Hartford.
Carlson Funeral Home in New Britain, Conn. was in charge of arrangements.
Allan Myrle Skrukrud, 66, Lanesboro native
Allan "Al" Myrle Skrukrud, 66, of Colorado Springs, Colo., died on July 15, 1998, of pancreatic cancer.
He was born Oct. 16, 1931, in Lanesboro to Clarence and Eva (Thorson) Skrukrud. He graduated from Lanesboro High School in 1949 and served as an electronics technician in the United States Navy for four years. He then completed a degree in mathematics at the University of Minnesota.
He married Beverly Beryl Bowersox on Aug. 24, 1953. He worked for over 35 years as an aerospace engineer. He loved antiques, genealogy, klezmer music, science fiction and crossword puzzles.
He was a charter member of the Sons of Norway Fjellheim Lodge in Colorado Springs, serving as president from 1981-82. Since 1995 he served as an AARP "55 Alive" driving instructor.
He is survived by his wife, and three daughters, Cynthia Louise (Thomas) von Geldern of Solon Mills, Ill; Dori Yvonne of Butte, Mont., and Elizabeth Ann (Stephen) Johnson of Colorado Springs. Additional survivors include many cousins.
A celebration of his life will be held at the Sons of Norway Viking Hall in Colorado Springs on Aug. 22. The body was cremated and the ashes will be scattered at the Skrukrud family farm in Fountain later this fall.
K. Skrukrud, 84, stepfather of area men
Kermit O. Skrukrud, 84, a resident of Ah-Gwah-Ching Center near Walker, Minn., formerly of Chatfied, died Tuesday, May 5, at the center.
He was born Sept. 24, 1913, in Fountain and attended Rice Creek grade school in rural Chatfield. During World War II he served in the Army. On Nov. 11, 1953, he married Ella Hoff Johnson Ruud in Peterson. She died April 8, 1987. Before moving to the Walker area in 1991, Mr. Skrukrud resided in Fountain, Chatfield and Peterson. He was a farm and construction laborer.
Survivors include two stepsons, Richard J. Johnson of Preston and Raymond Ruud of Lanesboro; a stepdaughter, Clara Krejci of Minneapolis; 17 stepgrandchildren; 38 stepgreat-grandchildren; a step-great-great-grandson; a half brother, Norman Skrukrud of Chatfield; and a half sister, Dora Kammer of Chatfield. A stepdaughter and a half brother preceded him in death.
Funeral services were Saturday at Grace Lutheran Church in Peterson. Burial was in Grace West Cemetery in rural Peterson.
Riley Funeral Home in Chatfield was in charge of arrangements.
Donald A. Slinde, 80, Grand Meadow native
Donald A. Slinde, 80, of Lyle died Friday, June 5, 1998, at his home.
He was born June 6, 1917, in Grand Meadow and married the former Charlotte Huartson Dec. 6, 1941, at Six Mile Grove Lutheran Church. They later divorced.
Mr. Slinde worked for his father on the family farm early in his life. He operated a sawmill during World War II and later continued to operate the mill and clear wooded areas for farmland until his retirement in the mid-1960s. After retirement, he enjoyed traveling, hunting and fishing.
Survivors include his son, Albin of Owatonna; three grandchildren, one great-grandchild; two brothers, Arthur and Virgil of Lyle; and special friend, Dolores Rasmussen of Rose Creek. He was preceded in death by an infant son and a brother.
The funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Six Mile Grove Lutheran Church in rural Lyle with the Rev. Russell Wangen officiating.
Friends may call at the Worlein Funeral Home in Austin from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and at the church an hour before the service.
Memorials are preferred to the donor's choice.
Ada M. Richardson Smart, 86, once of GM
Ada M. Richardson Smart, 86, of Golden Valley, Minn., formerly of Grand Meadow, died Tuesday, June 16, 1998, at Crystal Lake Care Center in Robbinsdale, Minn.
Ada M. Shaw was born April 3, 1912, in Keokuk County, Iowa. On March 28, 1932, she married Hervey Richardson. He preceded her in death. Her second husband, Damon Smart, also preceded her in death. She was employed at Medicine Lake Mission Farms for the Elderly, and after her retirement worked with handicapped children. She enjoyed crafts, making quilts and crocheting afghans.
Survivors include two sons, Laverne Richardson of Faribault and Donald Richardson of Brownsdale; two daughters, Norma Jean (Mrs. Kenneth) Fretty and Darlene (Mrs. Dick) Steinhorst, both of Grand Meadow; 19 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; six stepgreat-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Lawrence Shaw of Stewartville; a sister, Maxine Nicolsen of Ladysmith, Wis., and special friend, Archie Lene. She was preceded in death by three sisters, two brothers and a son.
A memorial service was held Saturday at the Grand Meadow Lutheran Church with the Rev. Diane Joseph officiating. The body was cremated. Burial in the Riceville, Iowa, cemetery.
Hutchins Funeral Home in Grand Meadow was in charge of arrangements.
Ora Mae Smiley, 91, of Spring Valley
Ora Mae Smiley, 91, of Spring Valley, formerly of Etna, died Sunday, Jan. 4, 1998, at Spring Valley Care Center.
She was born Aug. 24, 1906, in Shawano County, Wis., and lived in the Etna area before moving to Spring Valley in 1957. In 1937 she started the Etna Girls Club which is still active today. Miss Smiley formerly attended Cherry Grove United Methodist Church and served as its organist. After moving to Spring Valley she attended the United Brethren Church, which later merged to become Faith United Methodist Church.
Survivors include a sister, Doris Brumm of Monticello, Minn.
The funeral will be at 2 p.m. today (Wednesday) at Faith United Methodist Church in Spring Valley with the Rev. James Ross officiating. Spring burial will be in Etna Cemetery.
Friends may call an hour before the service Wednesday at the church.
Hindt-Hutchins Funeral Home in Spring Valley is in charge of arrangements.
