M. Robert Cooper, 74, father of SV man
M. Robert Cooper, 74, of Rochester, retired operator of B & C Vending Co., died Monday, July 26, 1999, of natural causes at Seasons Hospice in Rochester.
Born May 9, 1925, in Hamilton Township, Fillmore County, he grew up on the family farm and attended rural schools and Stewartville High School. During World War II he served in the Merchant Marines in the South Pacific. He married Dorothy L. House on Aug. 17, 1945, at the United Methodist Church in Stewartville. They lived in San Francisco for a short time and returned to Stewartville in 1948 and he was employed at the Stewartville creamery. After moving to Rochester in 1953, he was manager of the North Broadway Piggly Wiggly Supermarket, and later was a salesman for Reynolds' Wholesale of Rochester. He then started B & C Vending Co. in Rochester and operated the business until retiring in 1988. His wife was a longtime employee of C.O. Brown Insurance Agency in Rochester. He was a member of Christ United Methodist Church, the Stewartville Masonic Lodge, Fraternal Order of Eagles of Faribault and the Wm. T. McCoy American Legion Post of Rochester. Also, he was a Boy Scout leader, a Chapter Dad of the Zumbro Order of De Molay, a life and board member of Turn In Poachers, and a member and past president of Tri-County Pheasants Forever.
He is survived by his wife; one son, James A. of Spring Valley; one daughter, Karen (Mrs. Martin) Jensen of Rochester; five grandchildren; one great-grand-child; three brothers, Wesley of Roseburg, Ore., Lynn of O'Fallon, Ill., and Donald of Spring Valley; and two sisters, Ellen Starkovich of Babbitt, Minn., and Betty Dubbels of Spokane, Wash.
The funeral was Thursday at Christ United Methodist Church in Rochester with the Rev. Nancy Wheeler Handlon officiating.
Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville was in charge of arrangements.
Irene Roche Lofy Costigan, 94, of Harmony
Irene Roche Lofy Costigan, 94, of Harmony, died on Oct. 19, 1999, at the Harmony Community Nursing Home.
She was born April 23, 1905, in Cresco, Iowa, to Edward and Lucy (McCabe) Roche. Her parents moved to Harmony when she was a child. She graduated from Harmony High School in 1924. She then attended St. Mary's Hospital School of Nursing in Minneapolis and gained an R.N. degree.
After working for several years in Minneapolis, she moved to Los Angeles, where she met and married Henry Lofy on Aug. 21, 1936. For many years they lived in Honolulu. During their residency, she felt her greatest contribution was the rescuing and treating of injured and dying soldiers during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor 58 years ago. Following the death of her husband on June 5, 1971, she returned to Harmony. She met John Costigan and was united in marriage to him on Dec. 8, 1973. He died on Oct. 22, 1978.
Survivors include her sister, Mrs. Mary (Roy) Kurdelmeier of Harmony, and a brother, William "Del" Roche of El Cajon, Calif., along with numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Dr. Lyle Roche, Edwin L. Roche and Gerald Roche; and two sisters, Allyne Snyder and Myrtle Whalen.
Funeral services were Saturday at the Nativity Catholic Church in Harmony with burial in the Calvary Cemetery at Canton. The Rev. Steve Peterson officiated.
Lindstrom Funeral Home in Harmony was in charge of arrangements.
Joyce Cowan-Batt, 71, Grand Meadow
Joyce Cowan-Batt, 71, of Dexter was a longtime telephone company president, died Thursday, May 27, 1999, at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester.
Joyce Laverne Martinson was born March 30, 1928, in Wadena, Minn., and graduated valedictorian of her class at Grand Meadow High School. She attended Miss Woods Teachers College and St. Olaf College and then taught elementary school for a number of years. In 1973 she became president of Home Telephone Co. in Grand Meadow, a position she held until the time of her death. On Aug. 26, 1990, she married Don Batt. She enjoyed gardening and growing flowers.
Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Mary Cowan of Central Point, Ore.; two sons, Scott Cowan of Grand Meadow and Reed Cowan of Rochester; seven stepchildren, Paul Batt of Grand Meadow, Rodney Batt of Cass Lake, Minn., Dale Batt of Dexter, Tracy Batt of Eagan, Minn., Susan Batt of LeRoy, Jack Dunn II of Hopkins, Minn., and Tom Berg of Danbury, Wis.; 13 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a sister, Dorothy Jorgenson of Centuria, Wis.
The funeral was Saturday at St. John's Lutheran Church in Elkton with the Rev. Diane Joseph officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Hindt-Hutchins Funeral Home in Grand Meadow was in charge of arrangements.
Mabel Ella Coyle, 89, formerly of Harmony
Mabel Ella Coyle, 89, of LaCrosse and formerly of rural Harmony, died Wednesday, Dec. 30, 1998, at Lutheran Hospital in LaCrosse.
She was born Mabel Morem on July 26, 1909, in rural Harmony. She married Norman Coyle on Dec. 29, 1934, in Decorah and they farmed in the Harmony area.
Survivors include two sons, Howard and David of Harmony; a daughter, Norma Coyle of Harmony; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Irvin of Harmony and Robert of Miami, Fla.
She was preceded in death by her husband.
The funeral was held Saturday at Greenfield Lutheran Church in Harmony, with the Revs. Jon and Ann Sorum officiating. Burial was in the Greenfield Cemetery.
Lindstrom Funeral Home of Harmony was in charge of arrangements.
Ruth Ann Crawford, 57, sister of GM man
Ruth Ann Crawford, 57, of Rochester, a former Rochester city council member, died of cancer Wednesday, Oct. 27, 1999, at Rochester Methodist Hospital. She had been ill the past year.
Ruth Ann Waltman was born Feb. 23, 1942, in Ceylon, Minn., and graduated from Ceylon High School in 1960. On May 29, 1965, she married William H. Crawford in Ceylon and they lived in Denver before moving to Rochester in 1968. She was a legal secretary for the Rochester city attorney before being elected to the Rochester City Council from the 1st Ward for the 1991 to 1993 term. Her husband is section head of Mayo Foundation Financial Planning and Analysis. She graduated from Rochester Community College with an associate of arts degree in 1977 and from Winona State University with a bachelor of science degree in 1979. She served on the Library Building Committee, was a past board member of Volunteers in Education and Gift of Life Transplant House, served as a past president of the Friends of Mayowood Residence, and was serving on the Rochester City Charter Commission. She was an active volunteer in many community organizations and received the Medal of Honor from the office of the mayor in December 1994.
In addition to her husband, survivors include a sister, Norma Jean (Mrs. Harlan) Thiesse of Fairmont, Minn.; and three brothers, Ralph Waltman of Mesa, Ariz., Bobby Waltman of Grand Meadow, and Terry Waltman of Elgin. She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers.
A memorial service was held Saturday at Christ United Methodist Church in Rochester, with a graveside service at Oakwood East Cemetery.
Vine Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Memorials are suggested to the Gift of Life Transplant House.
George Crotty, Jr., 71, formerly of Harmony
George R. Crotty, Jr., 71, of Great Falls, Mont., died March 22, 1999, of natural causes at the local hospital.
He was born June 3, 1927, to George Sr. and Lulu Crotty at Harmony. He grew up and attended school in Harmony. He later attended the Marquette University in Milwaukee and then attended the University of Minnesota. He also attended the University of Montana Law School and received his juris doctorate degree. He entered the US Navy in 1945 and served during WWII. After the war, he went to college and through ROTC was commissioned an officer. He then served with the U. S. Army Signal Corp during the Korean conflict. After Korea, he was with the U. S. Army Reserve, serving until the 1960s. After the Korean War, he entered law school in Missoula and graduated in 1956. In 1952, he married Donna M. Leland in Minneapolis. He then came to Great Falls and was with the Swanberg and Colby Law Firm. He moved to Helena with The First Trust Co. and returned to Great Falls and became partners with James, Crotty, Corontzos and Fopp. He also served with the banking commission and the oil and gas commission for the State of Montana.
He was member of St. Lukes Catholic Church, taught CCD at St. Lukes and St. Joseph Catholic Church, was a member of MeadowLark Country Club and the American Legion (Post Commander). His hobbies were skiing, golf and map collecting.
He is survived by his wife, Donna; one daughter, Stephanie Walls of Whitefish, Mont.; two sons, Rob Crotty of Indian, Alaska and Daniel J. Crotty of Missoula; his mother, Lulu Crotty of Great Falls; one sister, Kathleen Crotty of Great Falls; and four grandchildren, Tom, Courtney and Taylor Walls and Whitney Crotty. He was preceded in death by his father in 1980.
Funeral Mass was Thursday at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Burial was in Mt. Olivet Cemetery.
O'Connor Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Mervin L. Crowson, 59, Wykoff native
Mervin L. Crowson, 59, of Lake City, a longtime IBM toolmaker, died of cancer early Tuesday morning, Aug. 10, 1999, at his home.
Born Oct. 28, 1939, in Wykoff, he graduated from Chatfield High School in 1957 and served in the Army from 1958 to 1961. On April 8, 1961, he married Arlone D. Lentz in Spring Valley and they made their home in Lake City. He was employed full-time at IBM in Rochester for 30 years and worked there part-time after his retirement. His wife is an antique dealer. He was a member of the Lake City United Methodist Church and enjoyed hunting, fishing and trapping.
Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Beth (Mrs. Steve) Bacon of Hastings, Minn.; two sons, Daniel of Wasilla, Alaska, and Mark of Las Vegas, Nev.; two grandsons; a sister, Jeanette Berge of Lanesboro; and two brothers, Vernon of Chatfield and Wayne of Delta Junction, Alaska. Two sisters preceded him in death.
The funeral was Saturday at the United Methodist Church in Lake City with the Rev. Paul Stambaugh officiating. Burial was in Lakewood Cemetery in Lake City with military graveside rites by the Lake City American Legion and VFW.
Schleicher Funeral homes, Lake City Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
Lloyd V. Crum, 74, Spring Valley
Lloyd V. Crum, 74, Spring Valley, formerly of Racine, died Friday, Oct. 15, 1999, at Spring Valley Health Care Center where he had resided for four years.
Born Dec. 16, 1924, in Ames, Iowa, he attended Grand Meadow schools and after graduating from high school in 1942 attended Upper Iowa University in Fayette until joining the Army. A staff sergeant in the infantry, he participated in Day Two of the Normandy invasion and the Battle of the Bulge with Patton's Third Army, and received the Silver Star and Purple Heart. He later enlisted in the weather branch of the Air Corps and served in northern Alaska for several years. After the service, he returned to Minnesota, farmed in the area and operated the Racine grain elevator with his father. After his father's death, he continued operation of the elevator and also diversified into other lines, particularly the piping of natural gas to Racine, Grand Meadow and Dexter. In 1995 he sold the elevator and gas company. He was a member of the American Legion and Masonic Lodge.
Survivors include two sisters, Mary Phoebe Smith of Ketchikan, Alaska, and Catherine Mealey of Laramie, Wyo.
The funeral was Tuesday at the United Methodist Church in Racine with the Rev. Jean Dumas officiating. Burial was in Grand Meadow Cemetery.
Hindt-Hutchins Funeral Home in Spring Valley was in charge of arrangements.
Clara Dahl, 96, formerly of Canton
Clara Dahl, 96, of Caledonia, Minn., and formerly of the Canton area, died Sunday, April 4, 1999, at the Lutheran Home in Caledonia.
She was born March 11, 1903, to Nels and Karen (Alstad) Johnson in Caledonia Township, Houston County, Minn. She attended the Beaver Ridge School and in 1933 she married Arland V. Dahl at the Black Hammer Lutheran Church, Black Hammer, Minn. The couple farmed in the Canton area until 1980 when he passed away and she moved to Caledonia and has resided there since. She was a member of the nondenominational Christian faith.
She is survived by a sister, Cecelia Stanfield of Shawnee, Kansas, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by five brothers and three sisters.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, April 7, 1999, at the Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel with the Revs. Ron Johnson and John Smart officiating. Burial was in the Prosper Cemetery.
Mengis Funeral home was in charge of arrangements.
Virginia Dahle, 93, of Spring Grove
Virginia Alice Dahle, 93, of Spring Grove, died Thursday, July 29, 1999, at the Tweeten-Lutheran Health Care Center in Spring Grove. She was a former teacher and pianist for silent movies.
Virginia Morgan was born March 6, 1906, in Grinnell, Iowa. She spent most of her youth in Decorah. She attended Decorah High School and Teachers Normal Training School. She was a teacher in rural Decorah schools and also played piano for the silent movies at the Decorah Theatre.
She married Obert K. Dahle on Dec. 12, 1931, and they lived in Spring Grove. She taught piano and served as church organist at Wilmington Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Church. Her husband died in 1983.
Surviving are three sons, Paul of Denver, Colo., John of Flint, Mich., and Kenneth of Denver; two daughters, Dorothy (Mrs. Ken) Wingard of Shoreview, Minn., and Laura Dahle of Oberlin, Ohio; five grandchildren; and one sister, Paula, of Cedar Falls, Iowa. She was preceded in death by one daughter, three brothers and two sisters.
The funeral was Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church with the Rev. Zane Anderson officiating. Burial was in the Trinity Church Cemetery.
Roble Funeral Home in Spring Grove was in charge of arrangements.
Donald Danielson, 81, formerly of Fountain
Donald L. Danielson, 81, of Okanogan, Wash., died July 20, 1999, at Valley Care Center in Okanogan.
He was born on Sept. 28, 1917, in Fountain and graduated from Preston High School in 1935. During World War II he served with the 7th Infantry on Attu, Leyte and Okinawa, and was awarded the Purple Heart for his service in the Philippines.
In 1944 he married NaDean Gerry and they made their home in Rochester. They moved to Burnsville in 1965 and he was employed by the Ford Motor Co., until moving to Bremerton, Wash., in 1969. He worked for Mazda in Bremerton. His wife died in May 1989. He moved to Hansen House in Omak, Wash., after suffering a stroke in 1998.
Survivors include a daughter, Jo (Mrs. Gary) Hoffman of Chatfield; a son, John, of Omak, Wash., and three grandchildren. A brother and two sisters preceded him in death.
A private burial service will be held in Rochester.
Donald Thomas Davis, 73, Grand Meadow
Donald Thomas Davis, 73, of Grand Meadow, a longtime area farmer, died Thursday, Dec. 16, 1999, at Grand Meadow Health Care Center where he had resided a short time.
Born Jan. 6, 1926, in Grand Meadow Township, he grew up there, and attended a rural school and Grand Meadow High School. From 1950 to 1952 he served in the Army. After his discharge he returned to Grand Meadow and farmed on the family farm.
Survivors include three sisters, Laurene (Mrs. Sheldon) Churchill of Dexter, Marcella (Mrs. Frank) Spellman and Teresa (Mrs. Truman) Nelson, both of Grand Meadow; and two brothers, Raymond and Glen, both of Grand Meadow. A sister and two brothers preceded him in death.
A funeral Mass was held Sunday at St. Finbarr's Catholic Church in Grand Meadow, with the Rev. Russell Scepaniak officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Hindt-Hutchins Funeral Home in Grand Meadow was in charge of arrangements.
Patricia M. DeCook, 46, Lanesboro native
Patricia M. "Pat" DeCook, 46, of Marion Township, rural Rochester, died Sunday, Jan. 17, 1999, as a result in injuries sustained in an automobile crash.
Patricia Margaret Lawstuen was born at Lanesboro Dec. 6, 1952 to Eleanor F. (Hennessy), deceased, and Donald R. Lawstuen. She was reared in Lanesboro and graduated from high school there in 1970. She attended Winona State College and graduated with her registered nurse degree in 1976.
She was married Sept. 9, 1978 at Lanesboro to Royce G. DeCook. Upon her marriage, the couple lived in Racine from 1978 to 1984 and have since lived in the rural Rochester area. Her husband survives.
She was a registered nurse for 25 years. She had worked in obstetrics and the adult drug dependence unit at Methodist Hospital and the Inpatient Addiction Program unit at Saint Mary's Generose Building. She was currently working in the Fibromyalgia Center at Generose.
She loved gardening.
Besides her husband, she is survived by her stepmother, Pearl and her father, both of Lanesboro; three sons, Daniel of LaCrosse, Wis. and Brent and Aaron at home; a daughter, Kathryn (Katie) at home; a stepdaughter, Sara Hollerich of River Falls, Wis.; seven brothers, Rodney of Alma, Wis., Robert of Preston, James of Casper, Wyo., Joseph of Preston, John of Lanesboro, Peter of Minneapolis and Paul of Bloomington; and one sister, Catherine (Mrs. Bill) Allen of Eagan, Minn.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held Thursday, (today) Jan. 21 at noon at St. Francis Catholic Church in Rochester, the Rev. Donald J. Lovas officiating. Burial in Lanesboro Cemetery.
Vine Funeral Home handled arrangements.
Eleanore DeSerre, 65, formerly of Harmony
Eleanore "Ellie" E. DeSerre, 65, a resident of Owatonna, Minn., formerly of the Harmony area, died Wednesday, Nov. 10, 1999, at Saint Marys Hospital, Rochester.
Eleanore Klingsheim was born Aug. 28, 1934, on her parents’ farm in Lime Springs, Iowa, the daughter of Arthur and Amelia (Olson) Klingsheim. She spent her childhood and adolescent years in rural Harmony, attended elementary school at Brokken School District #39 and graduated from Harmony High School in 1952.
She had worked for a number of years at the St. Paul Insurance Companies offices in Rochester prior to moving to the Twin Cities where she had worked for many years in various positions at 3M Maplewood before her retirement.
Following retirement, she moved to Owatonna to be near her son, Douglas Watson, his wife, Barbara, and two granddaughters, Tara and Tanya.
She had been married for a number of years to Roger Watson before they were divorced. In addition to working, she had enjoyed traveling throughout the United States. She also enjoyed collecting various items and had a large spoon collection. She was also interested in politics and was an avid reader.
Survivors include her son, Doug, and his family; a son, David; a sister, Shirley (Ray) Bentdahl of Edina, Minn.; a nephew, Craig (Stephanie) Bentdahl of Edina, Minn.; a niece, Ann (Jeff) Bentdahl Wessels of Chanhassen, Minn.; two aunts, Frances Stoskopf and Ida Klingsheim, an uncle and aunt, Earl and Hildegarde Klingsheim, and many cousins, including Betty Storlie of Harmony. She was preceded in death by a brother, Kenneth Klingsheim.
Funeral services were Saturday, Nov. 13, at Michaelson Funeral Homes and was officiated by her cousin, Rev. Robert Stoskopf of Duluth. Pallbearers were Craig Bentdahl, Norris Storlie, Gary Thomas, Wilton Thomas, Jerry Olson and Galen Klingsheim. Burial was in the St. John Cemetery in Owatonna.
Unless otherwise designated, memorials will be given to Greenfield Lutheran Church.
Donald DeYoung, brother of SV woman
Donald R. DeYoung, 76, of Rochester, a retired Mayo Clinic employee, died Saturday, March 20, 1999, at Saint Marys Hospital.
He was born Sept. 30, 1922, in Dexter. He grew up there and moved to Wykoff in 1941. From 1943 to 1946 he served in the Army Medical Corps. On Feb. 7, 1946, he married Lydia Horbatiuk in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. In 1948 he returned to southeast Minnesota and was a microbiologist at Mayo Clinic for 36 years until retiring in 1984. He was a member of the American Legion.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, Timothy of New York City and Lynn of Helena, Mont.; two daughters, Patricia Koukides of Rochester and Jan (Mrs. Michael) Haney of Austin, Texas; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two brothers, Everett of Austin, Minn, and Dallas of Apache Junction, Ariz.; and three sisters, Grace Lucas of Spring Valley, Janet (Mrs. Max) Swann of Morgan Hill, Calif., and Delores Gage of Milwaukee. A sister and a brother preceded him in death.
No services are planned. Burial will be in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.
Gladys Dickinson, 88, native of Harmony
Gladys Dickinson, 88, of Stewartville, a former farm homemaker, died of complications of a stroke Monday, Jan. 25, 1999, at the Stewartville Care Center, where she had resided since Nov. 3, 1998.
Gladys Klomps was born Jan. 4, 1911, in Harmony, and attended Harmony-area schools. On Nov. 4, 1931, she married Herman Vehrenkamp in Wykoff and they farmed west of Eyota and after retiring from farming owned and operated a grocery store in Chester, Minn., until 1976. He died Dec. 16, 1978. She married Robert Dickinson on Aug. 14, 1980, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. They lived east of Stewartville until moving into Stewartville in 1988.
Survivors include her husband; three sons, Floyd Vehrenkamp of Apache Junction, Ariz., and David Vehrenkamp and Clyde Vehrenkamp, both of Eyota; two daughters, Bernice (Mrs. Richard) McIntosh of Rochester and Mary (Mrs. Pete) Cummings of Dover; 17 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; a sister, Lucille (Mrs. Emmett) Serfling of Spring Valley; and a brother, Ernest Klomps of Chatfield. Three sisters and a brother preceded her in death.
The funeral was Friday at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Eyota with the Rev. Lyle Kath officiating. Burial was in Oak Grove Cemetery in Eyota.
Schad & Zabel Funeral Home in Eyota was in charge of arrangements.
