Marion Olson, 94, formerly of Canton
Marion Soland Olson, 94, died Jan. 14, 1999, at Cannon Falls.
She was born on Dec. 16, 1904, in Canton, the daughter of Engebret and Otillia (Roseth) Soland. She attended Canton High School and later graduated from Kenyon High School. For one year, she attended Mankato State, and then graduated with her teaching certificate from Winona State Teachers College. She taught at several schools. She married Merle S. Olson on Aug. 1, 1936, in St. Paul. After marrying, she substitute taught for many years in Cannon Falls.
She was very active in the First English Lutheran Church, where she served as Sunday school superintendent. Also, she served as treasurer for the Lutheran Women's Minnesota Synod and for the Lutheran Women's Northwest Synod. She was a Campfire Girls and Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout den mother and secretary of the C.F. Hospital and Nursing Home board. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, receiving her 60-year pin in January of 1998. She served as Worthy Matron in 1961. Mrs. Olson was involved in the Tuesday, project and bridge clubs.
Her husband died on Nov. 27, 1976, and Mrs. Olson lived in Hawaii with her daughter from 1982 until moving to Grand Forks to live with her son, Edwin. She received the Community Service Award while at Parkwood Place in Grand Forks. She moved back to Cannon Falls in April, 1997. Mrs. Olson loved her family, especially spending time with her grandchildren. She truly enjoyed her handwork and crafts.
She is survived by her children, Edwin (Bette), Merle Jr. (Marjory) and Maren (Alec) McBarnet; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, Beryl and Anders Olson; sister, Ruth (Bill) Altland; sister-in-law, Evelyn Soland, and five nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; brothers, Ellsworth "Dick," Raymond "Pinky" and Arnold Soland and sisters, Helen Cole and Geneva Soland.
Funeral services were Monday, Jan. 18, at First English Lutheran Church in Cannon Falls.
Hollis Norman Onsgard, 77, of Spring Grove
Hollis Norman Onsgard, 77, of Spring Grove, died Sunday, Nov. 21, 1999, at Franciscan Skemp Medical Center in LaCrosse.
He was born April 28, 1922, in Minneapolis, to Martin and Tena (Forsyth) Onsgard. He was a lifelong resident of the Spring Grove area. He was a 1940 Spring Grove High School graduate and a 1948 graduate of St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. He was in the Marine Corp during World War II and he fought in the Pacific Theatre and Iwo Jima.
On Aug. 31, 1947, he married Borghild O. Onstad in Spring Grove. He owned and operated the Onsgard Store of Spring Grove. He later was the hospital administrator at the Caledonia hospital. He retired in 1983. He later worked at the convenience store of Cenex Supply in Spring Grove. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove, the Spring Grove American Legion Post 249 and the VFW Post of Mabel. He served as a commander and District I commander. He was also a charter member of the Lions.
Survivors include his wife; one son, Mark of Spring Grove; one daughter, Brenda of Spring Grove and two grandchildren, Nicholas and Andrew of Middleton, Wis.
Funeral services were Wednesday 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.
Marie E. O'Shaughnessy, 93, of Rochester
Marie E. O'Shaughnessy, 93, of Rochester, a retired teacher, died Sunday, June 6, 1999, at Charter House.
Marie Elizabeth Mulroy was born July 20, 1905, in Fountain and graduated from Winona State College. On Nov. 5, 1929, she married John J. O'Shaughnessy at Lawrence O'Toole Church in Fountai and they farmed near Fountain until moving to Rochester in 1947. Her husband died in 1949. She taught in Fountain schools and at St. John's in Rochester and later at St. Francis from the time it was started. She was a member of the Study Club and rosary societies at St. John's and St. Francis Catholic churches.
Survivors include a niece and two nephews. A brother and a sister preceded her in death.
A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. today (Thursday) at St. John's Catholic Church with Monsignor Gerald Mahon officiating. Burial will be in Carrollton Cemetery in Fountain at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.
Friends may call an hour before the service Thursday at the church.
Macken Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials are suggested to a charity of the donor's choice.
Cecilia C. Overkamp, 89, formerly of GM
Cecilia C. Overkamp, 89, of New Hope, Minn., formerly of the Grand Meadow area and Rochester, died Saturday, March 20, 1999, at St. Therese Nursing Home in New Hope.
Cecilia C. McCann was born Nov. 22, 1909, in Ellsworth, Minn., graduated from Ellsworth High School and in 1932 graduated from Saint Marys School of Nursing in Rochester. In 1943 she married Clement Overkamp and they farmed near Grand Meadow. After her husband's death in 1951 she moved to Grand Meadow. She moved to Rochester in 1962 and was employed as a private care nurse until her retirement and then lived in Ellsworth until moving to New Hope in 1992.
Survivors include a daughter, Gretchen (Mrs. Carl) Larson of Plymouth, Minn.; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Three brothers and a sister preceded her in death.
The funeral was March 22 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.
Esther L. Palmer, 86, of Preston
Esther L. Palmer, 86, of Preston, died Saturday, Jan. 2, 1999, at the Preston Good Samaritan Center.
Esther Hill was born Oct. 14, 1912 at Brookings, S. D., the daughter of Henry Douglas and Lora (Towner) Hill. She graduated from Grand Meadow High School and attended a vocational school in Newhaven, Conn., where she studied home economics. She married John H. Palmer on Nov. 29, 1936, at Dodge Center. The couple lived in Kasson and Spring Valley before moving to a farm in rural Fountain in 1949. He died Jan. 8, 1961. In September 1964 she moved to Preston where she worked as a babysitter and house cleaner and at the Victory Café. She had been a resident of the Preston Good Samaritan Center since July 10, 1986.
She is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, John W. and Doris of Osborne, Kan., David E. and Nancy of Bison, Kan., and Charles H. and Karen of Ocala, Fla.; one daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Daniel Buchanan of Bennington, Kan., 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by five brothers, two sisters and three grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, Jan. 6 at 2 p.m. at Thauwald Funeral Home in Preston with the Rev. Anthony Fink officiating. There will be a spring burial at Watson Creek Cemetery in rural Preston.
Thauwald Funeral Home in Preston is in charge of the arrangements.
Alice Paulsen, 85, of Ostrander
Alice Paulsen, 85, a longtime Ostrander homemaker, died Thursday, Feb. 11, 1999, at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester.
Alice Howard was born June 5, 1913, in Spring Valley and was a teacher before her marriage. On Dec. 25, 1937, she married Hans Paulsen at her parents' home and they lived in the Ostrander area all their married lives. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and its ladies aid.
Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Carol (Mrs. Marv) Lenz and Sue (Mrs. Tom) Fowler, both of Spring Valley; a son, Kenneth of Tucson, Ariz.; 11 grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; five stepgreat-grandchildren; and a brother, Frank Howard of Englewood, Fla. She was preceded in death by two sons, two brothers and four sisters.
The funeral was Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ostrander with the Rev. Norm Bauer officiating. Burial was in the Ostrander Cemetery.
Hindt-Hutchins Funeral Home in Spring Valley was in charge of arrangements.
Doris Pederson, 87, of Harmony
Doris Pederson, 87, of Harmony, a homemaker and bookkeeper, died Monday, Nov. 29, 1999, at the Harmony Community Nursing Home.
Doris Olstad was born March 17, 1912, in Harmony, graduated from Harmony High School and completed a year of further education. On March 17, 1936, she married Carl Pederson in Harmony. Her husband operated lumberyards in Preston, Alexandria, S.D., Mitchell, S.D., Grundy Center, Iowa, and Lanesboro. She was a bookkeeper for her husband's business. They returned to Harmony in 1976.
Survivors include two daughters, Caryl Funk of Parker, Colo. and Doreen Allen of Brandon, S.D.; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Helen Ohlsen of Savoy, Ill. She was preceded in death by her husband and a brother.
Funeral services were Friday at Greenfield Lutheran Church in Harmony with the Revs. Jon and Ann Sorum co-officiating. Burial was in Greenfield Cemetery.
Lindstrom Funeral Home in Harmony was in charge of arrangements.
Florence I. Perkins, 93, Ostrander native
Florence I. Perkins, 93, died Wednesday, May 5, 1999, at her daughter's home in Austin.
Florence Isabell Hamsness was born Sept. 1, 1905, in Ostrander. She attended Ostrander and Spring Valley schools and Ostrander Lutheran Church and worked in Rochester before her marriage. She married Carroll H. Perkins and they made their home in Austin. Her husband died Jan. 26, 1977. She was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church and was active in the Mower County Senior Citizens' Center.
Survivors include two daughters, Shirley M. Trepanier of Schenectady, N.Y., and Joann Smith of Austin; 16 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a daughter; two sisters; and a brother.
The funeral was Saturday at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin with the Rev. James Mikkelson officiating. Burial was in Oakwood Cemetery in Austin.
Mayer Funeral Home in Austin was in charge of arrangements.
Dorothy L. Peter, 67, of Cresco, Iowa
Dorothy L. Peter, 67, died Saturday, March 20, 1999, at the Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital in Decorah following a courageous battle with cancer.
She was born July 7, 1931, to James and Florence (Lawson) Galloway in Fillmore County. After the untimely death of her mother, she was raised by her grandparents, Herbert and Alice Lawson of Chester, Iowa, and attended school through the ninth grade in Spring Valley.
On Sept. 3, 1952, she married Herbert E. Peter of Lime Springs, Iowa. Upon completion of his duties in the Navy they made their home near Lime Springs where they farmed and raised their three children. In 1969 the family moved near Cresco where they farmed until retiring and moving into Cresco in 1993.
She was a very dedicated worker at the Cresco Care Center for 11 years. She was also very dedicated to her family. She enjoyed crocheting, watching the beautiful birds in her backyard and baking her famous chocolate chip cookies for her grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband; three children: Charleen (William) Ferrie of Stewartville, Cherri (Gerald) Caffrey of Cresco, and James Peter of Cresco; a sister, Alice Marie Brady of Rochester and a brother, James Galloway of Chester; seven grandchildren and two stepgrandchildren.
Funeral services were held at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cresco, Iowa, on March 23 at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Bruce Hobert officiating and burial in the New Oregon Cemetery.
Lindstrom Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Esther A. Peterson, 79, of Mabel
Esther Peterson, 79, died Friday, July 30, 1999, at the Green Lea Manor Nursing Home in Mabel after a short illness.
Annet Esther Bernice Traaen was born June 24, 1920, in Spring Grove. She was the fifth child of Annie Gurina (Onsgard) and Edward Knute Traaen. She attended Kjome School in Highland Township through the eighth grade and attended Spring Grove High School for three years.
She married Edward Peterson on Nov. 25, 1939, at the Locust parsonage in Locust, Iowa. They had six children. They began their married life farming in Minnesota. In 1949, they moved to Iowa living in several locations. They were members of the Canoe Ridge Lutheran Church and attended there until moving to Highlandville in 1967. Although living close to and attending Big Canoe Lutheran, they remained members of Canoe Ridge.
Edward died in 1990 and Esther lived in Highlandville until March, 1992, when she moved to senior housing in Decorah. Earlier this summer, she moved to Green Lea Manor in Mabel due to failing health caused by cancer she had been fighting since 1993.
Esther enjoyed socializing with her family and friends, having coffee, doing crossword puzzles, embroidering, writing letters, taking pictures, dancing and playing the piano and singing. Although she never had lessons, she learned to play the piano by ear and entertained at many gatherings. She loved animals, especially dogs. Her family and friends will long remember her for her kindness, generosity and easy-going, caring and thoughtful manner.
She is survived by daughters, Betty Davie of Decorah, Lois Peterson of Colorado Springs, Colo., Edith (Dennis) Miller of Hokah and Donna (Rick) Rasmussen of Decorah; and a son, Douglas (Debra Becker) Peterson of Hokah; ten grandchildren, Michael Snitker, Michelle (Eric) Bolhuis, Mark Snitker and friend, Lynn Haedtke, Donelle Davie, Greg Giardina and fiance, Lenore Carpenter, Deanna Giardina, Rodney (Tammy Beach) Miller, Daniel Miller, Nels Rasmussen and Eric Rasmussen; and two sisters-in-law, Berthana Traaen and Florence Peterson.
She was preceded in death by her son, Allan, four older brothers, Kenneth, Myron, Ernest and George, who died as an infant.
A funeral was held Tuesday at the Canoe Ridge Lutheran Church in rural Decorah with burial taking place in the church cemetery. The Rev. Susan Debner officiated.
French and Balik Funeral Home of Decorah was in charge of arrangements.
Esther H. Peterson, 91, county native
Esther Henrietta Peterson, 91, died at Regional Health Services of Howard County, Iowa, on Saturday, Jan. 2, 1999.
She was born June 18, 1907, in Fillmore County, the daughter of Henry J. and Ella (Mikkelson) Elton. She was a life-long member of Henrytown Lutheran Church, where she was baptized and confirmed by the Rev. Gerhard Rassmussen.
She married Henry L. Peterson on Feb. 11, 1931. She was an honorary member of the ELCW of Henrytown Lutheran Church and a member of the Royal Neighbors of America. She was a devoted homemaker and enjoyed making beautiful handcrafts and playing cards.
She is survived by six children, Gretchen (Robert) Ziegman, North Ridgeville, Ohio; Dennis E. (Betty), Racine, Wis.; Helen (Paul) Rimarcik, Aitkin, Minn.; Evelyn (Wayne) Stapelkamp, Cresco; Nelda Bishop, Frederic, Wis.; Norma (Fred) Ringham, Minneapolis; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Orilee (Wm.) Kiehne of Harmony and Annette Oppegard of St. Paul, and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and one grandson.
Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. today (Thursday) at Henrytown Lutheran Church, rural Canton, with Revs. Bruce Hobert and Audree Catalano co-officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Lindstrom Funeral Home, Harmony, was in charge of arrangements.
John H. Peterson, 97, of Spring Grove
John H. Peterson, 97, of Spring Grove, a retired farmer, died Monday, April 26, 1999, at Tweeten Lutheran Health Care Center in Spring Grove where he had resided since 1991.
He was born Dec. 10, 1901, in rural Caledonia and grew up near Sheldon, rural Caledonia. On Oct. 4, 1943, he married Ruda Tufte. They farmed on Hauge Ridge until 1946 and then south of Spring Grove until moving to Spring Grove in 1969. His wife died in 1991. He was a member of Highland Lutheran Church. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and reading.
Survivors include a son, Allan, of Rochester; seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. A son, seven brothers and six sisters preceded him in death.
Funeral services were Thursday at Highland Lutheran Church in rural Decorah. Burial was in Highland Cemetery.
Roble Funeral Home in Spring Grove was in charge of arrangements.
Lawrence Peterson, 88, of Mabel
Lawrence Peterson, 88, a lifelong Mabel area farmer, died Sunday, Dec. 5, 1999, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in LaCrosse.
He was born Oct. 10, 1911, in Mabel to Joseph and Olava (Holland) Peterson. He was baptized and confirmed at the Scheie Lutheran Church in rural Mabel, where he was a lifetime member. He attended the Scheie rural school. Mr. Peterson lived and farmed on the family farm all his life until December of 1996 when he became a resident at the Green Lea Manor Nursing Home in Mabel.
Mr. Peterson is survived by a sister, Edith Sauers of Monterey Park, Calif.; two nieces, Barbara Ormiston of Abbotsford, British Columbia, and Patsy O'Connor of Covina, Calif.; and one nephew, James Sauers of Jakarta, Indonesia. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother Orville; and two sisters, Talley Housker and Mildred Peterson.
Funeral services were Wednesday at the Scheie Lutheran Church in rural Mabel with the Rev. Mary Waudby officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel was in charge of arrangements.
Margaret J. Peterson, 83, Grand Meadow
Margaret J. Peterson, 83, a longtime Grand Meadow homemaker and piano teacher, died Wednesday, Feb. 24, 1999, at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester.
Margaret J. Forbes was born Sept. 21, 1915, in La Crosse, Wis., graduated from Grand Meadow High School where she was a member of the state record-holding girls basketball team, and attended the University of Minnesota and Minnesota School of Business. On June 3, 1942, she married Francis "Pete" Peterson in Austin and they lived in Grand Meadow all their married lives. She taught piano for more than 25 years, was a Gray Lady at Meadow Manor Nursing Home for 20 years and was organist for the Congregational Church and United Church for more than 40 years. She was a member of United Church of Grand Meadow and enjoyed sewing, reading, knitting, crocheting, cross-stitch, and playing the piano and organ.
Survivors include her husband; three daughters, Nancy (Mrs. Dan) Scrabeck of Elkton, Georgia (Mrs. Bob) Eastvold of LeRoy and Carolyn (Mrs. Dan) Sween of Grand Meadow; a son, Jared of Chatfield; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a sister, Elizabeth Dahlgren of Minneapolis. She was preceded in death by a grandson, two brothers and a sister.
A memorial service was held Sunday at the United Church of Grand Meadow with the Rev. Rob Gamble officiating. Burial was in Grand Meadow Cemetery.
Hindt-Hutchins Funeral Home in Grand Meadow was in charge of arrangements.
Roger Peterson, 68, brother of local men
Roger W. Peterson (SMSgt., USAF Ret.), 68, a resident of Tuscon, Ariz., died July 14, 1999.
He was the son of the late Julius and Amanda Peterson of Mabel. He was a life member of VFW Post 4903, American Legion Post 38 and DAV 18 of Tucson, Ariz.
He is survived by his wife, Marjorie of Tucson; a stepson, Larry Kidwell of Bedford, Ind.; grandchildren Jason Kidwell and Paula Robb, also of Bedford, Ind.; three brothers, Merle (Jo) Peterson of Mabel, John Peterson of Preston, and Gary (Dianne) Peterson of Northfield, Minn. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Ardis Forde, and a brother, Clifford Peterson.
A private service arranged by East Lawn Palms Mortuary was held in Tucson. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to VFW Post 4903 in Tucson, Ariz.
Mary Ethel Pierce, 67, of Harmony
Mary Ethel Pierce, 67, of Harmony, died at her home on May 31, 1999.
She was born May 5, 1932, in Harmony, the daughter of Francis and Ethel (Thompson) Linstroth. She worked most of her life in the restaurant and bar business. She owned and operated a restaurant and catering business in Lanesboro for many years. She was a volunteer dispatcher for the Semcac volunteer driver program for many years.
She is survived by three daughters, Sue Rodgers of Lanesboro, Carmen Tibbals of Union Grove, Wis., and Denise Card of Waterloo, Iowa; two sons, Curtis Tibbals and Jerry Tibbals, both of Waterloo; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a sister, Kathleen Jetson of Spring Valley. She was preceded in death by three brothers and a son, Ronald.
Funeral services were Thursday at the Nativity Catholic Church in Harmony with burial in the Crown Hill Cemetery at Preston. Rev. Steve Peterson officiated.
Lindstrom Funeral Home in Harmony was in charge of arrangements.
M. Ploetz, 80, sister of Lanesboro woman
Marcella Agnes "Sally" Ploetz, 80, of St. Charles, a former area farm homemaker, died Wednesday, March 10, 1999, at her home following an eight-week illness.
Marcella Agnes Herrick was born May 4, 1918, in Eyota. On June 12, 1940, she married Lester Ploetz in St. Charles and they farmed in St. Charles Township until retiring to St. Charles in 1972. In addition to homemaking, she was a cook at Whitewater Healthcare Center in St. Charles. A member of St. Charles Borromeo Parish since 1934, she served on the first parish council, had belonged to St. Rita's Unit since 1940 and served as an officer for several years, and was a member and longtime president of the Rosary Society.
Survivors include two sons, John of Harris, Minn. and Julius of Blaine, Minn.; three daughters, Ellen (Mrs. Michael) Roles of Nevis, Minn., Anne (Mrs. Robert) Page of Winona and Christine Ploetz of the Twin Cities; 11 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a brother, Joseph Herrick of Lanesboro; and a sister, Dorothy Fisher of Winona. She was preceded in death by her husband, a son and a sister.
A funeral Mass was Saturday at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church with the Rev. Louis Cook officiating. Burial was in Hillside Cemetery in St. Charles.
Hoff Funeral Homes-St. Charles Chapel were in charge of arrangements.
