Robert Benson, brother of area residents
Robert Benson, 69, of Tacoma Wash., died at his home of cancer on Thursday, Sept. 30, 1999.
He was born Feb. 8, 1930, in Hettinger, N.D., to Orlando and Tena (Dahle) Benson. He served in the Army Air Force during the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. In 1953 he married Reiko Tumoto of Japan. They had three children. He retired from the military after 20 years. Later he was employed with the Fort Lewis Air Force Base in Tacoma, Wash., for several years.
He is survived by his wife, Reiko; one son, David and Sylvia Benson of New Jersey; two daughters, Wanda and Greg Schmatterly of Oregon and Sharon and Steve Poindexter of Tacoma, Wash.; and five grandchildren. Other survivors include three brothers, Arnold, Jimmie and Larry of Mabel; three sisters, Lorraine (Mrs. Jarvis) Peterson of Mabel, Lois (Mrs. Dale) Honsey of Lanesboro and Mary (Mrs. Curt) Bakke of Mabel. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.
He was cremated and his burial was at Tacoma National Cemetery in Kent, Wash., along with other military veterans.
Louis P. Berg, 80, formerly of Harmony
Louis P. Berg, 80, of Elgin, Ill., died Feb. 9, 1999, in Sherman West Court, Elgin.
He was born Jan. 29, 1919, in Burlington, N. D., the son of Peter and Gertie Benson Berg. When he was 3 years old his mother died and the family of three boys and two girls moved to Harmony where their aunt raised them. He had been a resident of Harmony for many years and had been a resident of Elgin for the past 26 years. He was employed as a janitor at St. Edward High School for 20 years before retiring. He was a veteran of W.W. II, serving in the Army stationed in the South Pacific for three years. He was a member of the American Legion and the VFW for 53 years.
Survivors are his wife, Leona Weiss Berg; two stepdaughters, Marcelene (Gary) Gough of McHenry, Ill., Kathryn (Larry) Lippincott of Chesapeake, Va.; one brother, Richard (Margaret) Berg of San Antonio, Texas; one sister, Elizabeth Rostvold of Harmony; one sister-in-law, Violet Rostvold of LaCrescent; a stepdaughter, Cynthia Sadler of Chesapeake, Va.; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, five nephews and two nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents; foster parents, J.M. and Emma Rostvold; three brothers, Elsworth and Eddie Berg and Joseph Rostvold; two sisters, Maybelle Berg and Ruby Hoyem; and one stepson, Richard Sadler.
Funeral services were Saturday in the Greenfield Lutheran Church in Harmony, with the Revs. Jon Sorum and Ann Sorum officiating. Burial was in the Greenfield Cemetery. Memorials may be given to St. Edward High School Foundation or Greenfield Lutheran Church.
Laird Funeral home in Elgin was in charge of arrangements.
Sigmund 'Sig' Bergrud, 88, of Spring Grove
Sigmund "Sig" Benjamin Bergrud, 88, of Spring Grove, died Tuesday, Dec. 21, 1999, at Tweeten Lutheran Health Care Services in Spring Grove.
He was born Aug. 18, 1911, in Spring Grove to Peder S. and Hannah (Henderson) Bergrud. He was a lifelong Spring Grove resident. He graduated from Spring Grove High School in 1931. On June 11, 1942, he married Inga C. Peterson at Winona. She died April 5, 1973.
He farmed in the Spring Grove area. He also worked as a projectionist for the Spring Grove Theatre for many years. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Spring Grove. He was active in the ASCS county committees and was a Farmers Union member. He was also on the FHA board and the Tweeten Hospital board, the Sons of Norway, the Houston County Historical Society and the Vesterheim Historical Group in Decorah. He was a Ye Olde Opera House cast member, a member of the Flying Farmer Association, an active DFL member and was a Spring Grove Commercial Club member. He was awarded the "King of Trolls," was a Century Farm owner and was named Outstanding Citizen of the Year.
Survivors include two sons, Steve (Joyce) Bergrud of Spring Grove and Dennis (Karen) Bergrud of Stewartville, Minn.; and four grandchildren, Katie, Andy, Angela and Peter. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Sara, and two sisters, Ruth and Minerva.
Funeral service was Friday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove. Burial was in the Trinity Church Cemetery. The Rev. Jim Arends officiated.
Roble Funeral Home in Spring Grove was in charge of arrangements.
Alfred E. Berland, 76, of Lanesboro
Alfred E. Berland, 76, of Lanesboro, died Friday, Aug. 20, 1999, in Saint Marys Hospital emergency room in Rochester.
He was born Dec. 1, 1922, in rural Preston. In 1941, he graduated from Preston High School. On Sept. 11, 1949, he married Dorothy Peterson in Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lanesboro. She survives. He lived in rural Lanesboro and the rural Peterson area for 42 years and moved to Lanesboro in 1994. Mr. Berland was a retired farmer, and currently was working for the Green Thumb Program as a janitor in the Lanesboro schools. He was a member of the North Prairie Lutheran Church and the state and local Guernsey Cattle Association.
Additional survivors include two sons, Dennis of Peterson and Steve of Rochester; one grandson; one brother, Lawrence of Preston; and one sister, Marie (Mrs. Henry) Holmen of Lanesboro. Three brothers and one sister preceded him in death.
The funeral was held on Monday at North Prairie Lutheran Church in rural Lanesboro and burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the church.
Johnson-Riley Funeral Home in Lanesboro was in charge of arrangements.
Theodore Betsinger, 61, brother of SV man
Theodore G. "Ted" Betsinger, 61, of Austin, a handyman, died Wednesday, Aug. 4, 1999, at Austin Medical Center.
He was born July 7, 1938, in New Hampton, Iowa. On June 29, 1957, he married LaVonne Helmers at Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Austin. He was an Air Force veteran and enjoyed fixing things and working on his computer.
Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Rose (Mrs. Dan) Srock of Austin; three grandchildren; six brothers, Lester of Thomson, Ill., Robert and Virgil of Aurora, Ill., Russell of Spring Valley, Richard of Brooklyn Center, Minn., and William of Blaine, Minn.; and two sisters, Nancy (Mrs. Emery) Eckert of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Betty (Mrs. Richard) Finkelson of Austin. Two brothers and a sister preceded him in death.
A funeral Mass was Saturday at Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Austin with the Rev. Virgil Duellman officiating. Burial was in the London, Minn., Cemetery with military graveside rites by American Legion Post 91.
Worlein Funeral Home in Austin was in charge of arrangements.
Kathryn I. Bezdicek, 84, mother of SV man
Kathryn I. Bezdicek, 84, of Jackson, Minn., died Friday, July 9, 1999, at Jackson Medical Center in Jackson.
Kathryn Isabell Hepp was born July 11, 1914, in Estherville, Iowa, the daughter of Thomas and Mae (Kennedy) Hepp.
She graduated from Jackson High School in 1932, and from McKennon Nursing School in Sioux Falls, S.D., in 1935.
On Dec. 30, 1936, she married Frank J. Bezdicek in Jackson. They lived on a farm in Des Moines Township, Jackson County, until 1988, when they moved into Jackson. She had been a nurse at the Jackson Hospital, retiring in 1979. She was a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd, was a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and the Altar Society. She had been a 4-H leader and loved to raise roses and gladiolas.
Survivors include three sons, Joe (Rita) Bezdicek of Spring Valley, Ken (Marie) Bezdicek, Arden Hills, Minn., and Frank Bezdicek of White Bear Lake, Minn.; two daughters, Frances Ann Bezdicek of Kihei, Hawaii, and Mary (Larry) Pravecek of Beresford, S.D.; seven grandchildren; one brother, Thomas Edward (Beverly) Hepp, Jackson; four sisters, Beatrice O'Brien, Santa Barbara, Calif., Virginia (Alan) Vinson, Seattle, Wash., Chloe (Robert) Sundae, Nipomo, Calif., and Pat (Don) Webster of Zumbrota. She was preceded in death by her husband on Dec. 24, 1991, and one granddaughter.
The funeral was Monday, July 12, at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Jackson.
Sathe & Son Funeral Home in Jackson was in charge of arrangements.
Walter W. Bicknese, 87, Wykoff native
Walter W. Bicknese, 87, of Chatfield, an area farmer, died Tuesday, March 16, 1999, at Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield, where he had been a patient since Feb. 23.
He was born Feb. 22, 1912, in Wykoff. On Nov. 1, 1933, he married Dorothy Boland in Wykoff. She died in 1971. He married Marion Pesek Hutton Oct. 16, 1971, in Chatfield and she survives. In addition to farming, he managed the Chatfield City Liquor Store, was a milk hauler for the Wykoff Creamery and a seed corn dealer for Funk Seed Co. He served on the church council of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Wykoff and Chatfield Lutheran Church, was supervisor of the Chatfield Town Board and served as treasurer of the Fillmore County Lutheran Brotherhood Insurance Co. Also, he served on the Watson School District 77 School Board, Wykoff Co-op Creamery Board and the Fillmore County Committee on Aging, and was fire warden for Chatfield Township. He was a member of the Wykoff Lions, Farmers Union of Wykoff and the Fillmore County Historical Society. He organized the Blue Denim Farmers Band and was named Fillmore County Outstanding Senior Citizen in 1985.
In addition to his wife, survivors include a son, Wayne, of rural Fountain; seven stepsons, Donald Hutton of Longview, Texas, James Hutton of Flatwoods, Tenn., Gary Hutton of Tellahoma, Tenn., Peter Hutton of Breakwater, Texas, Dennis Hutton of Lake Wales, Fla., Robert Hutton of LeSueur, Minn., and Douglas Hutton of San Jose, Calif.; four stepdaughters, Judith Ristau of Preston, Cheryl Kay Pheetplace of Kallispell, Mont., Mary Jo Manahan of Bistell, Tenn., and Susan Hutton of New Prague, Minn; five grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; 52 stepgrandchildren; 34 stepgreat-grandchildren; six stepgreat-great-grand children; and two sisters, Adeline Harrison of Austin and Doreen Moore of Rochester. He was preceded in death by a son, a great-granddaughter, five brothers and a sister.
The funeral was Friday at Chatfield Lutheran Church with the Rev. Elmer Sterner officiating. Burial was in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Wykoff.
Riley Funeral Home in Chatfield was in charge of arrangements.
Christopher Lee Bishop, 13, of Harmony
Christopher Lee Bishop, 13, of Harmony, died Wednesday, Nov. 24, 1999, in St. Marys Hospital, Rochester, after a lengthy illness.
He was born March 4, 1986, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Mark and Jennifer Bishop. He was a student in the eighth grade at Fillmore Central Middle School in Preston. He was a member of Peace United Church of Christ in Rochester, and was a nature lover and active in the Boy Scouts.
He is survived by his parents of Harmony; paternal grandmother, Dorothy Bishop, of Rochester; maternal grandparents, Donald and Gladys Morgan, of Rose Creek; maternal great-grandmother, Anna Booth of Austin; three brothers, Eric of Fort Myer, Va., and Ryan and Aaron, both at home. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather.
A memorial service was held Saturday at Peace United Church of Christ in Rochester, and another was held on Monday at Greenfield Lutheran Church, Harmony. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society or Minnesota Make a Wish.
Ranfranz Funeral Home, Rochester was in charge of arrangements.
Edna Bjertness, 94, of Harmony
Edna Bjertness, 94, a longtime Harmony-area resident, died Friday, Aug. 13, 1999, at Auburn Manor Care Center in Chaska, Minn.
She was born May 3, 1905, to Anton and Julie (Gronvold) Erickson and grew up on a farm north of Canton. In 1931 she married Art Bjertness of Canton and they lived in the Harmony-Canton area. He preceded her in death. She was a lifelong member of Henrytown Lutheran Church. She resided at Green Lea Manor for a number of years before moving to Chaska 11 years ago to be near her daughters.
Survivors include a son, Ronald (Nelda) of Harmony; three daughters, Mavis (Bob) Hendrickson and Lorraine Reichert, both of Eden Prairie, Minn., and Doris (Barry) Franke of Mound, Minn.; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; a sister, Ada (Clarence) Bigalk of Charlotte, N.C., and nieces and nephews. Two sisters, Marie Haugen and Alice Bigalk, and three brothers, William, Alfred and James Erickson, preceded her in death.
The funeral was Tuesday at Henrytown Lutheran Church in rural Canton. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Lindstrom Funeral Home in Harmony was in charge of arrangements.
Charles 'Bill' Blade, 64, brother of SV man
Charles W. "Bill" Blade, 64, formerly of LeRoy, Minn., died Friday, Feb. 26, 1999, at St. Olaf Hospital in Austin, Minn., following a lengthy illness.
He was born Jan. 31, 1935, in Chester, Iowa, the son of George E. and Verda (Sproul) Blade. He was raised in the LeRoy and McIntire, Iowa areas. He served in the United States Navy from 1952-56 with time spent in Korea. He married Pat Cloninger in 1957 in Long Beach, Calif., where the couple made their home. They were later divorced. He worked for McDonnell Douglas in California for many years. He returned to Minnesota in 1989 making his home in LeRoy and Plainview, Minn., where he worked for Lakeside Packing and Libby's in Rochester. He became a resident of Spring Valley Care Center in Spring Valley in December 1998.
He was a member of the Plainview American Legion.
He is survived by two sons, Steven and David, both of Long Beach; one daughter, Linda Blade of Long Beach; two grandchildren; his mother, Verda Errington of the Riceville Community Nursing Home in Riceville, Iowa; one brother and sister-in-law, George and Lorraine Blade of Spring Valley; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Edna and Glen Erie of Marion, Iowa, and Kathaleen Swancut of Osage, Iowa.
He was preceded in death by his father and stepfather.
A graveside service with military rites was held Monday, March 1, at the Wayne Cemetery in rural Mcintire, Iowa, with the Rev. Steve Elderbrook of the First Presbyterian Church of LeRoy officiating.
Thauwald Funeral Home in Spring Valley was in charge of arrangements.
Robert Blakley, 78, father of SV woman
Robert Blakley, 78, died Tuesday, May 11, 1999, at his home in Wabasha, Minn.
He was born to Carl and Ora May Blakley at Chester, Iowa, on Jan. 15, 1921.
He served in the Army in World War II. He was employed at the Rochester State Hospital until he became city poundmaster. He worked for the city until his retirement in 1978. He was a member of Meadow Park Church of Christ.
Survivors include two brothers, Ralph and Joe, both of Rochester; two daughters, Susan (Mrs. Gerald) Myers of Spring Valley and Margaret (Peggy) Blakley of Wabasha; two sons, Commander Robert Blakely, USM, of Oak Harbor, Wash., and James Blakley of Pine Island; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren
His wife, Marjorie, five brothers and four sisters preceded him in death.
The family is planning a private memorial service.
Arrangements were by Cremation Society of Minnesota.
James F. Bleifuss, 83, Spring Valley
James Bleifuss, 83, of rural Spring Valley, a farmer and former Mayo Clinic employee, died Tuesday, May 25, 1999, at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester.
Born Oct. 21, 1915, in Elgin, he moved with his family to Sumner Township at age 9 and graduated from Stewartville High School in 1935. On June 12, 1943, he married Helen V. Olson at Zumbro Lutheran Church in Rochester. They farmed in Sumner Township and continued to live there until the time of his death. In addition to farming, he worked at Mayo Clinic for 14 years before his retirement. His wife is a homemaker. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, a 60-year member of the Odd Fellows Lodge of Rochester, and a member of the Spring Valley Historical Society and Cast Iron Seat Collectors Association. He enjoyed collecting antiques.
In addition to his wife, survivors include a son, Mark J. of East Bethel, Minn.; three grandchildren; and three brothers, David of Wyoming, Minn., William of Fulton, Mo., and Rodney of Grand Rapids, Minn.
The funeral was Saturday at Zion Lutheran Church in Stewartville with the Rev. Ron Allen officiating. Burial was in Grandview Memorial Gardens in Rochester.
Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville was in charge of arrangements.
Mary Lou Blood, 57, mother of GM woman
Mary Lou Blood, 57, of Dodge Center, a homemaker, died Thursday, Jan. 21, 1999, at her home of natural causes.
Mary Lou Worden was born Oct. 9, 1941, in Medford, Minn., and grew up in the Dodge Center area. In February of 1958, she married William Charles Blood in Mantorville. She was a member of St. John's Catholic Church.
Survivors include her husband; three sons, William Blood of West Concord, and Edward Louks and Rich Blood, both of Farmington, Minn.; two daughters, Mary Faye (Mrs. David) Shadow of Dodge Center and Dorothy Marie (Mrs. Steven) Gehling of Grand Meadow; 13 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; three sisters, Daisey (Mrs. Harold) Eastman and Rosie Meyer, both of Dodge Center, and Shirley Ann Bartlett of Hayfield; and two brothers, Dean Worden of Branson, Mo. and William Worden of Hayfield.
The funeral was Tuesday at St. John's Catholic Church in Dodge Center with the Rev. James Seitz officiating. Burial was in Riverside Cemetery in Dodge Center.
Dibble Funeral Home in Kasson was in charge of arrangements.
Ila L. Bloom, 87, of Preston
Ila L. (Hahn) Bloom, 87, of Preston, died Friday, July 16, 1999, at her home.
She was born Sept. 13, 1911, in rural Preston, the daughter of G. Richard and Susan (Ogg) Hahn. She grew up in the area, attending the South Windy Ridge school and graduated from Preston High School in 1930. Following normal training, she taught school in rural Fillmore County and, in 1939, in Warroad, Minn. She later continued her education by attending summer sessions at Bemidji State Teachers College, getting a BA degree and graduating magna cum laude in 1961.
She married Leonard W. Bloom on Nov. 23, 1941, in Williams, Minn., and they lived in Warroad. Following retirement, the couple moved to Preston in 1977. He died Jan. 19, 1995. She was a member of Christ Lutheran Church, the Root River Artists Club and Minnesota Retired Teachers Association. Her hobbies were painting and reading.
She is survived by a son, Richard, of Paradise Valley, Ariz.; and three grandchildren, Michael of Tulsa, Okla., and David and Catherine Bloom of Paradise Valley, Ariz. She was preceded in death by a brother, Roger Hahn, and a sister, Vera Morey.
The funeral was Tuesday at Christ Lutheran Church in Preston. Burial was in Crown Hill Cemetery.
Thauwald Funeral Home, Preston, was in charge of arrangements.
Phyllis Jean Bluske, 76, Preston native
Phyllis Jean Bluske, 76, of Rochester, a homemaker, died Sunday, Oct. 31, 1999, at Maple Manor Nursing Home.
Phyllis Grebin was born March 24, 1923, in Preston, and lived in Rochester most of her life. On Dec. 21, 1946, she married Leslie P. Bluske in LaCrosse, Wis. He is a retired salesman.
In addition to her husband, survivors include two sons, Tony of Rochester and Randy of Scottsdale, Ariz.; two grandchildren; a brother, Wally Grebin of Rochester; and a sister, Bonnie Lubinsky Hovelson of Preston. A sister preceded her in death.
A private family service is planned. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens.
Ranfranz Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Ernest O. 'Ernie' Boe, 94, formerly of GM
Ernest O. "Ernie," Boe, 94, of Rochester, died Friday, July 23, 1999, at the Charter House, where he had resided since 1992.
Born June 24, 1905, in Clayton Township, Mower County, Minn., his family moved to Grand Meadow and then to Adams. He graduated from Adams High School, then spent two years at St. Olaf College in Northfield. He worked at Farmers Implement in Adams until 1932, then for Osmundson Brothers Construction until 1946. On Sept. 1, 1945, he married Marcella E. Bhend in LeRoy. The couple then moved to Rochester, where he was employed by Rochester Sand and Gravel, Inc. as an operating engineer. He retired in 1970. He was an elder, trustee and deacon of the First Presbyterian Church in Rochester.
He is survived by his wife and his son, Brian D., of St. Paul. He was preceded in death by two sisters.
The memorial service was Tuesday at the First Presbyterian Church in Rochester.
Memorials are suggested to the First Presbyterian Church or the American Lung Association.
Vine Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
