Albert S. Smith, 84, formerly of Wykoff
Albert S. Smith, 84, formerly of Wykoff, died Tuesday, Oct. 6, 1998, at the Ostrander Care Center.
He was born June 28, 1914, in rural Spring Valley, the son of Nathaniel and Jennie (Richey) Smith. He was raised and attended school in Fillmore Township, Fillmore County. He farmed in Fillmore Township all of his life. He became a resident of the Ostrander Care Center in 1995.
He had an inventive mind. One of his projects was a pickup that ran on gas produced by wood. Also, he had invented, with his brother, a stove that would burn rubber tires without smoke.
He also donated to many charities.
He is survived by one brother, Harold of Spring Valley; and one sister, Edna Hazelton of Rochester. He was preceded in death by one sister.
No services are planned. His body has been cremated. Burial of his ashes will be in the Spring Valley Cemetery.
Thauwald Funeral Home in Spring Valley is in charge of arrangements.
Arthur 'Lloyd' Smith, 80, Spring Valley native
Arthur "Lloyd" Smith, 80, of Rochester, a former farmer, gas station attendant and truck driver, died Aug. 25, 1998, at his home after a lengthy illness.
Born Oct. 19, 1917, in Spring Valley, he grew up in the Washington area north of Spring Valley and later moved to Eyota, where he farmed. After moving to Marion in 1958, he was employed at a Marion gas station and by Tom Smith Trucking of St. Charles. On June 24, 1967, he married Dorothy Becker Newell in Viola. His wife did domestic cleaning. She died June 13, 1988.
He was a member of Pleasant Grove Masonic Lodge 22 for 57 years and a member of Royal Chapter 42 of the Order of the Eastern Star.
Survivors include four stepsons, Ira Newell of Wasioja, LeRoy Newell and John Newell, both of Eyota, and Jim Newell of Rochester; six stepdaughters, Gloria Newell, Linda Newell, Carol Watson, June Langton and Robin Amundson, all of Rochester, and Sharon Woudsma of Goldsboro, N.C.; 23 grandchildren; and 31 great-grandchildren.
The funeral was Thursday at the Marion Church of Christ with the Rev. James Milan officiating. Burial was in Washington Cemetery in Fillmore County.
Macken Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Marion Irene Smith, 62, mother of SV woman
Marion Irene Smith, 62, of Rochester, died Thursday at Rochester Methodist Hospital following a brief illness.
Marion Irene Hempen was born Oct. 28, 1935, in Bremerhaven, Germany, and lived her youth in Germany.
She married Ralph S. Smith at Bremerhaven on April 14, 1959. He is a retired IBM employee.
The couple lived in Evergreen, Minn., and Frazee, Minn., for two years following their marriage. They then returned to Heilbronn in Germany, where Mr. Smith was stationed with the U.S. Army. They moved to Rochester in May, 1965.
Mrs. Smith worked 10 years for Waters Connelly and held several other positions before joining IBM. She subsequently retired from IBM.
She enjoyed travel and gardening, as well as spending summers on the Mississippi River.
She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church.
Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Rebecca Smith of Rochester and Barbara Churchward of Spring Valley; two sons, Steven and Raymond Smith, both of Rochester; nine grandchildren; and a half sister, Ingrid Hempen of Bremerhaven, Germany. She was preceded in death by two infant brothers.
The funeral was Monday in Grace Lutheran Church of Rochester with the Rev. Greg Heidorn officiating. Burial was in Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis.
Macken Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Robert J. Snyder, 75, formerly of Preston
Robert "Bob" J. Snyder, 75, formerly of Preston, died Saturday evening, Sept. 26, 1998, at the Chosen Valley Care Center of pancreatic cancer.
He was born Nov. 28, 1922, in Preston, the son of Clair and Nellie (Gossman) Snyder. He graduated from Preston High School in 1940. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1941 achieving the rank of chief petty officer by the age of 21. He was a Pearl Harbor survivor. The ship on which he served, the USS Ogallala, was hit while docked in the harbor. For the remainder of the war he served on the USS Honolulu in the Pacific. During his term of service he was awarded nine battle stars. He was employed at the Fillmore County Courthouse as deputy registrar of deeds for several years and helped at the family orchard and nursery in Preston. He married Sadie "Blanche" M. Elliott on Feb. 14, 1954, at St. Columban Catholic Church in Preston. The couple made their home in Preston. He retired in 1973 due to ill health and resided at Town Hall Estates in Rochester in recent years.
He was a former member of St. Columban Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.
He is survived by his wife, Blanche of Utica, Minn; one son and daughter-in-law, Peter A. and Barb of Chatfield; one granddaughter, Kelsie; one brother, Howard Snyder of Byron; four sisters, Beth (Mrs. Joe) Alpert of Duluth, Bernice (Mrs. Bill) Nali of Burnsville, Minn., Kathleen Weigle of Waterloo, Iowa, and Merle (Mrs. Oscar) Krenzke of Rochester.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.
The funeral mass will be 11 a.m. on Friday at St. Columban Catholic Church with the Rev. Thomas Loomis officiating. Burial with military rites will be in the Saratoga Cemetery, rural St. Charles.
Friends may call at the Thauwald Funeral Home in Preston today (Thursday) from 4:30 to 8 p.m. and at the church on Friday one hour before the service. There will be a prayer service at the funeral home on Thursday at 7 p.m.
Thauwald Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Ivanelle Livingood Soland, 70, once of area
Ivanelle LeVon Livingood Soland, 70, of Houston, died Tuesday, Feb. 10, 1998, at the La Crescent Health Care Center.
She was born on June 6, 1927, to Kenneth and Mildred (Johnson) Livingood in Postville, Iowa. She married Marvin Soland on July 24, 1945. They were later divorced. Mrs. Soland lived most of her life in various towns in northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota.
She is survived by four sons, Larry, Roger (Carol) and Jeffrey (Susan), all of Hokah, and Brent of Dakota, Minn.; one daughter, Linda Soland of Houston; 13 grandchildren; eight great- grandchildren; four brothers, Robert of Fountain, Milton (Marlys) of Rochester, Paul (Janet) of Ripon, Wis., and Garland of Waterville, Minn.; four sisters, Donna Geerdes of Rochester, June Livingood of Redwood City, Calif., Mavis (Carleton) Vine of St. Cloud, Fla., and Mary Ann Virgilits of Red Wing; and her mother, Mrs. Mildred Livingood of Rochester. She was preceded in death by her father, one sister and one brother.
A memorial service was on Sunday at the Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Houston with the Rev. Mark M. Rydberg officiating. Burial will be in the spring.
Hoff Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Marilyn Soland, 45, formerly of Harmony
Marilyn Janice Soland, 45, of Pine Island and formerly of Harmony, died Sunday, May 10, 1998, at Zumbrota Community Hospital after a year-long illness with cancer.
Born July 30, 1952, in Spring Grove, she grew up in Harmony, graduated from Harmony High School in 1970, and attended Austin Area Vocational-Technical Institute. She moved with her parents to Pine Island in 1973 and worked in Rochester at Woolworth's for 18 years until the store closed in 1991. She worked at Kwik Trip in Pine Island for the past six years. Soland was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church and Charles Cowden American Legion Post 184 Auxiliary of Pine Island. She enjoyed bowling and cooking.
Survivors include her parents, Vernon and Janice (Fossum) Soland of Pine Island; one brother, Ronald of Cannon Falls, and one sister, Tammy (Mrs. Gene A.) Ryan of Zumbrota. She was preceded in death by an infant brother, an infant sister and her grandparents.
The funeral was Wednesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Pine Island. Burial was Wednesday in Henrytown Lutheran Church Cemetery in rural Canton.
Mahn Family Funeral Homes-Mahler Chapel in Pine Island was in charge of arrangements.
Milford M. Solem, 82, of Mabel
Milford M. Solem, 82, of Mabel, died Sunday, Feb. 8, 1998, at the Green Lea Manor Nursing Home in Mabel.
Milford was born on Jan. 16, 1916, in Pleasant Township, Winneshiek County, Iowa, to Ole and Ida (Nelson) Solem. He attended Highland Township country school and was confirmed at the Waterloo Ridge Church, rural Spring Grove. He farmed in the area his entire life. On Nov. 15, 1980, he married Gertrud Hancock Kroshus at the Highland Lutheran Church, rural Spring Grove. In 1994 he retired and they moved to Mabel. He was a member of the Highland Lutheran Church.
Milford is survived by his wife Gertrud of Mabel; two step-daughters, Beverly (Mrs. Dale) Cochran of Littleton, Colo., and Julie (Mrs. Jack) Kolka of Spring Grove; a step-son Gary (Barb) Kroshus of La Crosse, Wis.; four step-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; a sister Ileen (Mrs. Bill) Smith of Greensburg, Ind.; a brother Odell Solem of Mason City, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his twin sister Myrtle Gulbro and a brother, Orville.
Funeral services were Wednesday, Feb. 11, at the Highland Lutheran Church in rural Spring Grove with the Rev. David Andreae officiating. Burial was in the Iowa River Cemetery.
Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel was in charge of arrangements.
Gertrude Soltow, 90, formerly of Harmony
Gertrude Soltow, 90, of Cresco, died at the Howard County Regional Health Service on Sunday, April 19, 1998.
She was born on Jan. 10, 1908, in Winneshiek County, Iowa, the daughter of John and Angeline (Mosher) Easler. She attended rural school and was a graduate of Harmony High School and continued Normal Training. She taught school for several years.
On August 28, 1929, she was united in marriage to Oliver Soltow. They farmed northeast of Cresco for many years until 1969 when they retired and moved to Cresco. She was a lifelong and active member of the United Methodist Church.
She is survived by her husband; a son, Allen and his wife, Judy of Tulsa, Okla.; two grandsons, Soeren and Seth; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a sister, Bernice Goldsworthy.
Funeral services were Wednesday at the United Methodist Church in Cresco with burial in the State Line Cemetery of rural Harmony. The Rev. Lewis Flanigan officiated.
Lindstrom Funeral Home in Cresco was in charge of arrangements.
Grace Solum, 79, of Spring Grove
Grace Solum, 79, of Spring Grove, a former area farm homemaker, died Saturday, April 25, 1998, at Tweeten Lutheran Health Care Center in Spring Grove where she had lived for the past year.
Grace Flatten was born July 14, 1918, in Prairie Farm, Wis., grew up in the Sheldon, Minn., area and attended Sheldon schools. She married Elling O. Solum on June 20, 1936. They farmed in the Spring Grove area until moving into Spring Grove in 1980. Mrs. Solum was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove and a Bible study circle member.
Survivors include her husband; seven sons, Robert, Paul, Dale, John, George, Karl and David; 36 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; five sisters, Leve Johnsrud, Thelma Laine, Pearl Armanini, Lil Bowell and June Lambert. She was preceded in death by one brother.
Funeral services were Tuesday 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.
Hilary Soma, 77, of Harmony
Hilary Soma, 77, of Harmony, a former area farm homemaker, died Monday, March 9, 1998, at Harmony Community Nursing Home.
Hilary McKinney was born June 10, 1920, in Talledega, Ala., the daughter of Harold and Nella (Fancher) McKinney, and after graduating from high school attended a beauty school. She was a beautician in Harmony before her marriage. On Aug. 19, 1944, she married Alfred Soma in Harmony and they moved to a farm in the area shortly thereafter.
She was preceded in death by two brothers.
Survivors include her husband, Alfred of Harmony; a daughter, Pamela Soma-Mori of Spring Valley; a son, Jeffrey of Harmony; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
The funeral was Wednesday at the United Methodist Church in Harmony with the Rev. Michael Hopper officiating. Burial in Greenfield Cemetery in Harmony.
Lindstrom Funeral Home in Harmony was in charge of arrangements.
Susan Sonnabend, 44, formerly of Preston
Susan J. Sonnabend, 44, died Saturday, Sept. 26, 1998, at Saint Marys Hospital, Rochester, of cardiac arrest, where she had been a patient for one day.
She was born Dec. 3, 1953, in Preston, graduated from Preston High School in 1972 and attended vocational-technical school in Hutchinson, Minn. Before her marriage, she was a teacher's aide in Sleepy Eye, Minn., and worked at Lake Center Industries in Stewartville. On Aug. 4, 1979, she married Gregg Scott Sonnabend in Preston. After her marriage, she worked at Riviera Products in Red Wing and then in the dietary department at Chosen Valley Care Center for 18 years. She became a certified dietary manager at Aspen Care and Rehabilitation Center in Rochester in May 1998. Her husband is employed by Tuohy Furniture in Chatfield.
In addition to her husband, survivors include a son, Steven, and three daughters, Kimberly, Diane and Emily, all at home; her parents, Lewis and Mary Ellen Barth of Preston; four brothers, Robert Barth of Arcadia, Wis., Gary Barth of Newark, Ill., John Barth of Eden Prairie, Minn., and Richard Barth of Preston; a sister, Amy Barth of Richfield, Minn.; and her maternal grandfather, Robert Jefferis of Chatfield. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother and paternal grandparents.
The funeral was held Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Chatfield Lutheran Church with the Rev. Charles Akre officiating. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery in Preston.
Riley Funeral Home in Chatfield was in charge of arrangements.
Nansen Spande, 84, of Mabel
Nansen T. Spande, 84, of Mabel, a former partner in Mabel Motors, died Wednesday, Feb. 11, 1998, at his home.
He was born June 3, 1913, in Preble Township, Fillmore County, and was a graduate of Mabel High School. He married Alta Dahl on Sept. 26, 1934, in Decorah. He was a member of the Mabel First Lutheran Church and served on the Mabel City Council, the Mabel Telephone Board and the Mabel First Lutheran Church Council. He also was a member of the Mabel Sportsmen's Club and a life member of the Lions Club.
Survivors inlcude his wife; two sons, Dennis of Clarkston, Mich., and Dean of Managua, Nicaragua; three grandchildren; a brother, Earl of Mabel and two sisters, Maxine Thompson of Sun City West, Ariz., and Carmen Montgomery of St. Paul. He was preceded in death by a sister and an infant brother.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
The Mengis Funeral Home of Mabel is in charge of arrangements.
Memorial service set for Nansen Spande
A memorial service for Nansen Spande will be held on Tuesday, June 30, at 2 p.m. at the Mabel First Lutheran Church with the Rev. Lloyd Menke officiating.
A private family burial will take place in the Mabel Lutheran Cemetery.
Nansen, a former partner in Mabel Motors, died Feb. 11 at his home in Mabel at the age of 84.
He is survived by his wife Alta, two sons, three grandchildren, a brother and two sisters.
Mengis Funeral Home of Mabel is in charge of arrangements.
Ronald Dean Stegen, 55, of Mabel
Ron D. Stegen, 55, of Mabel, died Friday, July 17, 1998, at his home in Mabel.
Mr. Stegen was born Dec. 16, 1942, in Decorah, the son of Arnold and Mabel (Evanson) Stegen. He attended rural Winneshiek schools and graduated from Decorah High School. After high school he sold Rawleigh products door to door.
On Feb. 15, 1962, he married Marlene Ehde in Waukon. He owned and operated "Ron's Feed Service" and sold feed throughout southeastern Minnesota and northeastern Iowa for 27 years, the past 20 years in Spring Grove. He attended numerous training courses and educational seminars on sales and nutrition to keep current on new products.
He was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. He enjoyed hobby farming and raising sheep and exotic chickens. He was an avid antique collector, loved to write poetry and tell stories, and enjoyed music and being around people. He and his wife also cared for and helped raise 10 foster children.
Survivors include his wife Marlene; three sons, Mark and wife Becky of Nora Springs, Iowa, Marty and wife Mikki of Waukon and Loren and wife Stephane of Kissimmee, Fla.; seven grandchildren, Peter, Ryan, Dustin, Tyler, Kevin, Hannah and Morgan; three sisters, Lavonne and husband Jack Bussey of Sacramento, Calif., Dorothy and husband Dave Christian of Wadena, Iowa, and Arla Schmidt of Hazelton, Iowa; and two brothers, Arlan and wife Lois of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Lyle and wife Helen of Waukon. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Kenneth, and an infant brother.
Funeral services were Sunday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon with Pastor Doug Woods officiating. Burial was at English Bench Cemetery in rural Dorchester, Iowa.
Martin Funeral Home in Waukon was in charge of arrangements.
Raymond O. Stender, 84, of Wykoff
Raymond O. Stender, 84, of Wykoff, died Sunday, Oct. 18, 1998, at the Spring Valley Care Center in Spring Valley.
He was born Sept. 28, 1914, in rural Fillmore County, the son of John and Bertha (Timm) Stender. He attended country school at Watson Creek. After school he worked as a laborer on area farms before farming on the family farm. On March 25, 1942, he married Emeline C. Hemker in Chicago, Ill. The couple made their home on the family farm, where they farmed until the fall of 1959. The couple then moved into Wykoff. For 20 years, he worked as a custodian, boiler operator and bus driver for the Wykoff public school system. He retired in 1980. After his retirement he helped deliver Meals-on-Wheels for several years.
He was a lifelong member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wykoff, a past member of the Wykoff Community Club and enjoyed spending time with his family and being outdoors.
He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Sandra (Mrs. Richard) Chapman of Albert Lea, Donna (Mrs. Steven) Retter of Woodbury, Minn.; six grandchildren, Debra Chapman of Albert Lea, Brent Chapman of Mankato, Wade Chapman of St. Cloud and Brian Chapman of Albert Lea, Juliana Retter and Benjamin Retter of Woodbury, Minn. One great-grandchild, Kaytlyn Suchier of Albert Lea; two sisters: Francis Welter of Mesa, Ariz., and Marcella Paulson of Austin, Minn.
He was preceded in death by seven sisters and five brothers.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m., Oct. 21, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wykoff with the Rev. Karl Hollibaugh officiating. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery.
Thauwald Funeral Home in Spring Valley is in charge of the arrangements.
Clarice Sterling, 90, former Preston teacher
Clarice Mae Evenson Sterling, 90, of St. Paul and formerly of Preston and Mabel, died Friday, Feb. 6, 1998, at the Green Gables Home in St. Paul.
She was born March 28, 1907, in the town of Randall in Pierce County, the daughter of Henry Alfred Evenson and Anna Mae Barnes Evenson. Her birth came just 10 days after her sister, Burnis' first birthday. The girls were raised as twins, dressing the same until after high school. Burnis was even held back a year so they could go through school together.
She married the Rev. Donald Melvin Sterling on June 28, 1938, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in River Falls. They had three sons: Alfred, William and David. Donald died in 1972.
She attended the Wisconsin State Normal School at River Falls in 1927, completing the two-year primary course. She was an elementary school teacher at Polly with her sister, Burnis, from 1928 to 1930; at Wilson from 1930 to 1931; in Elroy from 1931 to 1938; in Sandstone, Minn., from 1954 to 1956; in Preston from 1961 to 1963 and at the Randall School.
She was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in River Falls, the Town and Country Art Club of River Falls, the Phipps Center for the Arts of Hudson, The Carter Center of Atlanta, a founding member of the National Peace Academy Campaign of Washington, D. C., and the National Peace Institute Foundation of Washington, D. C.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Burnis, in 1994; her husband, Donald, in 1972; her father, Henry Evenson, in 1971; and her mother, Anna Evenson, in 1966.
She is survived by her sons: Alfred Sterling of Cadot; William Sterling of Mankato, Minn., and David Sterling of St. Paul; six grandchildren; three nieces; and three great-grandchildren.
A time of prayer and remembrances will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the home of David and Mary Jo Sterling, 749 Hawthorne Ave. E., St. Paul.
The funeral was Tuesday, Feb. 10, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ with the Rev. Delbert Permann officiating.
Pallbearers were Alfred, William, David, Jeffrey, Robert and Matthew Sterling.
Burial was at Greenwood Cemetery.
Memorials are preferred to the memorial fund at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in River Falls.
Cashman Mortuary handled arrangements.
Gordon J. Storhoff, 82, of Lanesboro
Gordon J. Storhoff, 82, of Lanesboro, a self-employed carpenter and painter, died of cancer Saturday, Aug. 8, 1998, at Veterans Administration Hospital in Minneapolis where he had been a patient one month. He had been ill since October 1997.
He was born June 28, 1916, in rural Lanesboro and served in the army during World War II. On May 16, 1976, he married Elvira Lodahl Sorom in Lanesboro. She died Feb. 22, 1985. Mr. Storhoff was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and its choir, the Sons of Norway Lodge and VFW. Also, he was a member and past commander of the American Legion and a member of the Lanesboro Golf Club and the Rusty Five.
Survivors include three stepsons, Dr. Terry Sorom of Wenatchee, Wash., Richard Sorom of Reedsburg, Wis. and James Sorom of Germantown, Tenn.; a stepdaughter, Mary Ann (Mrs. Gregg) Kirkwood of Rochester; and eight grandchildren. Four brothers and a sister preceded him in death.
Funeral services were Wednesday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lanesboro with the Rev. Kerry Eversole officiating. Burial was in the Lanesboro Cemetery with military graveside rites by the American Legion.
Johnson-Riley Funeral Home in Lanesboro was in charge of arrangements.
Henry E. Stortz, 89, of Mabel
Henry E. Stortz, 89, of Mabel, died Sunday, May 17, 1998, at the Green Lea Manor Nursing Home in Mabel following a brief illness.
He was born on June 22, 1908, in Hesper Township, Winneshiek County, to Lawrence and Johanna (Broghammer) Stortz. He attended school in Hesper and then began working as a farm laborer. On July 3, 1929, he married Bernadine Gossman at the St. Agnes Catholic Church in Plymouth Rock, Iowa. Mrs. Stortz later died on Jan. 21, 1949. Mr. Stortz farmed and has resided in the Newburg area. He was a charter member and former Trustee of the St. Olaf Catholic Church in Mabel, he served on the Newburg School Board and was skilled in woodworking and card playing.
He is survived by four sons, Joseph (Leona) of Canton, Erwin of Mabel, Darrell (Sharon) of Independence, Iowa, and Lawrence (Gayle) of Mabel; three daughters, Marjorie (Mrs. Harley) Welscher, Sr. and Dorothy (Mrs. Harlan) Gjere, Sr. of Mabel and Nellie (Mrs. Ronald) Kruse of Fort Atkinson, Iowa; 36 grandchildren; and 49 great-grandchildren. Henry was preceded in death by a daughter, three grandchildren, four brothers and four sisters.
Funeral services were Wednesday at St. Olaf Catholic Church in Mabel with the Rev. Steven Peterson officiating. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery in Canton.
Mengis Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Byron 'Bob' Strom, 77, Fountain
Byron "Bob" Strom, 77, of rural Fountain, a longtime area farmer, died Monday, Sept. 28, 1998, en route to Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester.
He was born July 31, 1921, in rural Fountain and served in the Navy during World War II. Mr. Strom lived in rural Lanesboro and then the city of Lanesboro before moving to rural Fountain in 1949. On Sept. 23, 1953, he married Dorothy Ellingson in Lanesboro. She died Dec. 31, 1996. He was a member of the Fountain American Legion and Root Prairie Lutheran Church.
Survivors include a son, Donovan, of rural Fountain. A brother and two sisters preceded him in death.
The funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Root Prairie Lutheran Church in rural Fountain with the Rev. John Sime officiating. Burial in the church cemetery with military graveside rites by the Fountain American Legion.
Johnson-Riley Funeral Home in Lanesboro was in charge of arrangements.
Raymond Sween, 83, once of GM
Raymond E. Sween, 83, of Austin, a former longtime Grand Meadow resident, died of acute respiratory failure Sunday, Feb. 22, 1998, in Las Vegas.
He was born Aug. 17, 1914, in Pleasant Valley Township, Mower County, to Matthew and Ida Sween. He graduated from Grand Meadow High School and lived in Grand Meadow most of his life. In 1942 he married Ruth Lind of Warwick, N.D. During World War II he served with the Army First Cavalry infantry division and served 30 months in the Pacific Theater. Mr. Sween was employed in the retail grocery and meat business and later did custodial work for the Minnesota Highway Department until his retirement in 1981. He was a member of the American Legion, Grand Meadow Rod and Gun Club, and Grand Meadow Lutheran Church, where he was chairman for many years of the building and maintenance efforts.
Survivors include his wife; four sons, Mark of Park Rapids, Minn., Paul of Austin, Greg of Emmetsburg, Iowa, and Steven of Atlanta, Ga.; a daughter, Mari-Kay Dornack of Prior Lake, Minn.; seven grandchildren; and a brother, Lloyd of Grand Meadow. Three brothers and a sister preceded him in death.
The funeral was Saturday at Grand Meadow Lutheran Church. Burial was in Grand Meadow Cemetery.
Hutchins Funeral Home in Grand Meadow was in charge of arrangements.
James A. Sylling, 89, father of SV woman
James A. Sylling, 89, of Mabel, a retired farmer, died Wednesday, Jan. 7, 1998, at Green Lea Manor Nursing Home in Mabel.
He was born March 2, 1908, in Spring Grove Township, Houston County, and attended Spring Grove High School. On April 7, 1937, he married Dagny Peterson in Harmony. They farmed in Spring Grove Township for 45 years and then lived in Wilmington Township until moving to Mabel in 1986. In 1953 he and several friends started a threshing show on the Clausen farm near Hesper, and that show has grown in to the Hesper-Mabel Steam Engine Days. Mr. Sylling was a private pilot, and a member of the Minnesota Flying Farmers and of First Lutheran Church. He enjoyed restoring antique engines and airplanes.
Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Judith (Mrs. Eugene) Blomgren of Spring Valley and Shirley (Mrs. Richard) Rosenberg of Stewartville; a son, Donald of Spring Grove; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a sister, Marie (Mrs. Arnold) Skifton of Houston. A grandson and a brother preceded him in death.
The funeral was Saturday at First Lutheran Church in Mabel with the Rev. Lloyd Menke officiating. Burial in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Spring Grove.
Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel was in charge of arrangements.
