Frances Scheevel, 78, formerly of area
Frances Marie Scheevel, 78, died Friday, Feb. 19, 1999, at the Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar.
She was born in Preston, on Dec. 7, 1920, the daughter of Frank and Minnie (Nohr) Bammert. She grew up in Preston, attended Preston High School, graduated from normal school and taught country school for two years. On Nov. 2, 1940, she was married to Merlin Scheevel and lived in the southeastern Minnesota area for over 32 years. In Spring Grove she was active in the American Legion Auxiliary, Ma-Cal-Grove Country Club, P.T.A., the Commercial Club and Bridge Club. She was also active at Trinity Lutheran Church, where she served as the secretary for seven years. In 1979 she moved to Spicer and was a member of the Spicer Lions Club, volunteered at the Rice Memorial Hospital in the gift shop and was active at Faith Lutheran Church for over 19 years, where she served in the Altar Guild, and was involved with the WELCA. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, cooking, spending time with her grandchildren and entertaining her family and friends.
She is survived by five children, Judy (Bill) Jensen, Phil (Rocky) Scheevel, Kay (Ed) Rauk, John (Connie) Scheevel, all of Spicer, and Janice (Ron) Szews of Plymouth; 10 grandchildren, one granddaughter-in-law and two great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, besides other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Merlin in 1971, two brothers, William and James, and one sister, Helen.
Funeral services were held on Monday at Faith Lutheran Church in Spicer. Funeral services were also held on Tuesday at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove. Interment was in the church cemetery.
Funeral arrangements were with the Green Lake Funeral Home in Spicer.
Lucille Scheevel, 86, formerly of Preston
Lucille Minerva Thacher Scheevel, 86, of Morgantown, W.V., and formerly of Preston, died Thursday, June 17, 1999, at the Madison Personal Care Facility in Morgantown, where she had resided for the past several years.
Lucille Thacher was born on March 9, 1913, in Bristol Township, Fillmore County, the daughter of Ray and Elsie (Heusinkveld) Thacher. In 1929 she graduated from Preston High School and then attended secretarial school in Winona. In 1936, she was married to Fay Harland Scheevel. From 1942 to 1948 the couple farmed in the Mabel area. The couple returned to Preston in 1948 when she was employed at the Fillmore County Courthouse in the secretarial department. After this she was employed as state supervisor for the Farmers Home Administration, traveling the state of Minnesota. The couple eventually located in Glencoe, Minn., until her retirement. In 1975 she and her husband moved to Winter Haven, Fla., until his death in 1978, when she moved to Morgantown and lived there until her death.
She is survived by her daughter, Mrs. James (Joan) Martin of Morgantown; three grandchildren, Robert (Kelly) Martin of Moorestown, N.J., Lance (Kim) Martin of St. Louis, Mo., and Taryn (Michael) Martin Brown of St. Louis, Mo.; three great-grandchildren; and one brother, Roland (Arlene) Thacher of Preston. She was preceded in death by one sister, Jean Wampler. The body was cremated.
There will be a memorial service at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 1, at Thauwald Funeral Home in Preston, with the Rev. Anthony Fink officiating. Burial will follow immediately after the service at Crown Hill Cemetery in Preston.
Ami L. Engan-Schmelzer, 30, of Spring Grove
Ami L. Engan-Schmelzer, 30, of rural Spring Grove, died Sunday, Nov. 28, 1999, from injuries she received in a motor vehicle accident north of Decorah.
She was born Dec. 7, 1968, in Decorah, the daughter of David and Mary (Janzer) Engan. She graduated from North Winneshiek High School in 1987. She attended Hamilton Business College in Cedar Rapids. She worked at IBM and at Corporate Travel in Rochester, Minn. She also worked in Decorah at Rockweiler Appliance, Sundance Travel and most recently at Minowa Travel as a travel agent. She also helped out weekends at the Elks Lodge.
She married Doug Schmelzer Sept. 23, 1989, at the Big Canoe Lutheran Church. She was a member of the church and its Rebecca Circle. She enjoyed her children, going on walks, traveling and people. Anywhere she went, she always made a friend and could get along with anyone.
Survivors include her husband, Doug Schmelzer of rural Spring Grove; her children, McKenzie and Zachary at home; her parents, Dave and Mary Engan of rural Spring Grove; one sister, Cindy (Dave) Smith of Bartlett, Ill.; grandmother Lorraine Zabojnik of Menominee Falls, Wis.; father and mother-in-law, Paul and Diane Schmelzer of Ridgeway; four sisters-in-law, Paula (Donald) McIntyre of Burr Oak, Pam (Jerry) McCabe of Preston, Denise (Kent) Stille of Decorah and Dana (Roy) Praska of Elma; two brothers-in-law, David (Jennifer) Schmelzer of Ridgeway and Patrick (Shannon) Schmelzer of Cresco; 18 nieces and nephews; two special cousins, Dana Novak of Minneapolis and Jon Garness of Rochester; several aunts and uncles; and her husband Doug's grandmother, Agnes Schmelzer of Harmony. She was preceded in death by her grandparents.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, Dec. 1, at Big Canoe Lutheran Church in rural Decorah with the Rev. David Andreae officiating. Burial was at the Big Canoe Lutheran Cemetery, rural Decorah.
The French & Balik Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Joseph Scholl, 87, formerly of Canton area
Joseph Orlando Scholl, 87, of Caledonia, died Thursday, April 22, 1999, at Lutheran Home at Caledonia.
He was born July 14, 1911, in Canton to Benjamin and Julia Scholl. He received his early education and Christian training at Henrytown and then attended two years at Canton High School. On June 11, 1943, he married Laura Isabel Buxengard, daughter of Helmer and Annette Buxengard of Caledonia. Together they farmed near Canton and belonged to Henrytown Lutheran Church where Joseph served as chairman of the congregation and taught Sunday school. In 1960, they moved to Caledonia and joined Immanuel Lutheran Church. Joseph was employed by Caledonia High School, Ma-Cal-Grove Country Club and Caledonia Hospital. In 1977, Joseph and Laura became office managers for the 126 unit Silver Lake Apartments in Rochester.
They retired back to Caledonia in 1990 and then went on to receive their GEDs at Western Wisconsin Technical College in LaCrosse.
Joseph is survived by his wife, Laura; a son, Terry Kevin of Caledonia; a daughter, Julie Ann (Brad) Freemole and their son, Cody Orion Freemole, all of Phoenix, Ariz.; a brother, Henry Scholl of Decorah; four nieces and two nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and twin sisters in infancy.
Funeral services were Monday, April 26, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Caledonia with the Rev. Rolf T. Storlie officiating. Burial was in Evergreen Cemetery in Caledonia.
Haugen-Roble-Jandt Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.
Paul Schonsby, 70, Spring Valley native
Paul Schonsby, 70, of Jennings, La., formerly of Spring Valley, died Monday, Dec. 21, 1998, at Veterans Hospital in Alexandria, La.
He was born Nov. 6, 1928, in Spring Valley, where he grew up and attended school. He served in the U.S. Air Force for 22 years until he retired and opened a lawn mower shop in Jennings.
He married Jennie Brewer on Feb. 7, 1953.
Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Cheryl Schonsby, of Jennings and a sister, Joyce McKee, of Henderson, Nev.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister.
A memorial service was Sunday at the Lutheran Church of Jennings, La.
Thauwald Funeral Home of Spring Valley was in charge of local arrangements.
Minerva Gladys Schoppers, 89, of Preston
Minerva Gladys Schoppers, 89, of Preston, a homemaker, died Wednesday, March 17, 1999, at her home.
Minerva Gladys Riehl was born June 5, 1909, in Preston, the daughter of Arthur and Emma (Wintz) Riehl. She graduated from Preston High School in 1929. On Sept. 24, 1930, she married Marvin Schoppers in Hendricks, Minn. They farmed in the Greenleafton area until moving to Preston in 1961. Her husband died in May of 1986. She was a member of Greenleafton Reformed Church, the women's society and was a past member of the former Evangelical United Brethren Church. She was a lifelong homemaker and enjoyed crocheting and quilting.
Survivors include a son, Gerald (Kathryn) of Preston; two daughters, Dorothy (Mrs. Eldon) Hellenga of Three Oaks, Mich., and Sylvia (Mrs. Donovan) Brink of Harmony; 11 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband, a grandson; a sister, Myra Riehl, and a brother, Milo.
Funeral services were Saturday at Greenleafton Reformed Church with the Rev. Jonathon Loper officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Thauwald Funeral Home in Preston was in charge of arrangements.
Myrtle E. Schuldt, 81, Spring Valley
Myrtle E. Schuldt, 81, a former Spring Valley-Wykoff area homemaker, died Tuesday, Feb. 2, 1999, at the Ostrander Nursing Home, where she had resided since 1989.
Myrtle E. Hare was born Dec. 28, 1917, in Fillmore County. She married John Schuldt on Oct. 9, 1940, in Decorah, Iowa. He died in 1974.
Survivors include a son, Darrell Hare of Lawton, Okla.; a stepgrandson; and a brother, Roy Hare of Austin. She was preceded in death by a sister.
The funeral was Friday at Hindt-Hutchins Funeral Home in Spring Valley, with the Rev. Scott Nupson of First Baptist Church officiating. Spring burial will be in Washington Cemetery.
Curtis Schultz, 43, of Lanesboro
Curtis Schultz, 43, died at his rural Lanesboro home on Jan. 2, 1999.
He was born May 20, 1955, in Fillmore County, the son of Otto and Leone (Soland) Schultz. He graduated from Mabel-Canton High School in 1973. Curtis farmed in partnership with his father and his brother, Gary. He was united in marriage to Denise Wilhelm on Sept. 13, 1980, and they resided on the family farm.
He is survived by his wife; two sons, Andy and Adam of rural Lanesboro; his parents,; two brothers, Gary of Canton and Norman of Stewartville; and six sisters, Sonja Erickson of Spring Grove, Carol Hahn of Houston, Nina Yunker of Lewistown, Mont., Gloria Liebenow of Elgin, Minn., Alice Knox of Kasson, Minn., and Lois Matzke of Stewartville, Minn.
Funeral services were Wednesday at the Assumption Catholic Church in Canton with burial in the Henrytown Lutheran Cemetery at Canton.
Lindstrom Funeral Home in Harmony was in charge of arrangements.
Russell C. Schultz, 54, Preston
Russell C. Schultz, 54, of Preston, died Sunday, July 18, 1999, at his home.
He was born Sept. 17, 1944, in Preston to Carl and Nona (Schaefer) Schultz. He graduated from Preston High School in 1964 and married Wanda Broadwater in May 1971. The couple farmed in the Preston area for 15 years and then were later divorced. He then worked for Reese's Logging and Root River Hardwoods.
Survivors include a son, Todd Schultz of Preston; a daughter, Raquel Schultz of Lanesboro; one grandson, Tyler Grover of Preston; one brother, Robert Schultz of Preston; one sister, Shirley (Mrs. Kenneth) Hanning of Preston; one niece; and three nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
The funeral will be 2 p.m. Thursday, July 22, 1999, at Christ Lutheran Church in Preston with the Rev. James Rushton and the Rev. Karen Grandall co-officiating. Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery in Preston.
Thauwald Funeral Home in Preston is in charge of arrangements.
Charles 'Chuck' Schwartz, 53, of Lanesboro
Charles W. "Chuck" Schwartz, 53, died of cancer on Tuesday, April 20, 1999, in LaCrosse, Wis.
He was born Oct. 24, 1945, in Green Bay, Wis. He served in the Army for five years, including Germany and Vietnam. He had lived in Lanesboro since 1989. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and old cars.
Survivors include his children, Andrea and Anthony Schwartz of Lanesboro; his mother, Louise (Krueger) (Mrs. Robert ) Larson of Appleton, Wis.; brothers and sisters, John Larson of Neilsville, Wis. and Cynthia (Mrs. Mike) Beson, Timothy Larson and Lori Larson, all of Appleton; and stepbrothers and stepsisters, Richard Larson of New Jersey, and Robert Larson, Karen Bruehl and Susan Krueger, all of Appleton. He was preceded in death by his father.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 1, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lanesboro.
Earl E. Schwartz, 71, father of GM woman
Earl E. Schwartz, 71, of Dexter, a farmer and construction worker, died Tuesday, April 13, 1999, at his home.
He was born Sept. 12, 1927, in Dexter Township, Mower County, and from 1950 to 1952 served in the Army in the Korean War. On July 23, 1954, he married Donna Petersen at St. John's Church in Elkton.
He worked for a number of construction companies and farmed near Dexter. He was a member of Dexter United Methodist Church, Union Workers Local 154 and the Grand Meadow American Legion. He enjoyed gardening, hunting, playing cards and biking.
Survivors include his wife; four daughters, Shelley (Mrs. Ron) Keifer of Elkton, Sherrie (Mrs. Terry) Anderson and JoAnn (Mrs. Gil) Flesner, both of Dexter, and Judy (Mrs. Steve) Thorsen of Grand Meadow; nine grandchildren; four brothers, Henry, Norman and Elmer, all of Austin, and Ray of St. Paul, and two sisters, Frieda (Mrs. Randall) Parrish of Albert Lea and Marion (Mrs. Don) Kasal of Russell, Iowa. Two brothers and a sister preceded him in death.
The funeral was Friday at the Dexter United Methodist Church with the Rev. Rob Gamble officiating. Burial was in the Dexter Cemetery with military graveside rites by the Grand Meadow American Legion.
Clasen-Jordan Mortuary in Austin was in charge of arrangements.
Mary Judd Scott, 63, of South Minneapolis
Mary Judd Scott, 63, of South Minneapolis, who has relatives in the Spring Valley area, died on March 7, 1999, surrounded by her family. She had survived breast cancer for 25 years.
She loved life, music, art, dance and people. Born in Minneapolis on Jan. 20, 1936, she attended St. Margaret's Academy and the College of Saint Catherine. She taught high school in Buffalo, Minn., before marrying and raising seven children. A gifted writer, she worked for 17 years for the Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis. Her work there led her to be recognized by the Minnesota State Bar Association as the 1998 recipient of the Bernard P. Beck Award for outstanding contribution in the service of low income clients.
She is survived by her children, her brother, Steven Judd and his wife of St. Paul, numerous nieces and nephews and six grandchildren. From the Spring Valley area she is survived by cousins, Fay and Art Maloney and Betty Simon. Mrs. Scott’s parents used to live in Spring Valley. Her mother, the former Rosalind Boch, was a high school teacher here.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Rosalind Judd of Minneapolis and her twin brother Phillip.
Alfred C. Seem, 91, formerly of area
Alfred C. Seem, 91, formerly of Lanesboro and Harmony, died Tuesday, March 16, 1999, at Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield where he had resided since Sept. 4, 1997.
He was born Aug. 23, 1907, in Eau Claire, Wis., and moved to Harmony at age one. He graduated from Harmony High School where he played basketball and was in the band. On June 16, 1931, he married Gladys Lawstuen at the Highland Prairie parsonage. He lived in Harmony until 1937, then farmed in rural Lanesboro until 1957, and then lived in Minneapolis for three years before returning to Lanesboro for 28 years and then returned to Harmony for 10 years before he entered the care center. He also was a salesman for Bolson Feed Co., was employed at the Harmony Insurance Agency, worked in a veterinarian's office and was a security guard at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. He served on the Elstad School Board and Amherst Town Board and was a trustee of Elstad Lutheran Church.
Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Dorothy Ann (Mrs. Jim) Ettinger of Minnetonka, Minn.; three grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. A brother preceded him in death.
Funeral services were Saturday at Elstad Lutheran Church in rural Lanesboro with the Rev. Stephen Fiksdal officiating. Burial was in Elstad Lutheran Cemetery.
Johnson-Riley Funeral Home in Lanesboro was in charge of arrangements.
Emmett H. Serfling, 79, of Spring Valley
Emmett H. Serfling, 79, Spring Valley, died Tuesday, Aug. 3, 1999, at the Preston Good Samaritan Home in Preston, where he had lived for approximately 16 months.
He was born Sept. 20, 1919, in Fillmore County, near Granger. He, along with his twin brother, Everett, were the third set of twins born to Herman Serfling and Clara Benson Serfling. He attended Daisy Valley country school through the 8th grade and on Sept. 25, 1940, he was united in marriage to Lucille Klomps at the parsonage in Hammond, Minn., by Lucille's uncle, the Rev. Dick Nagle. They farmed in Fillmore County area most of their married life. He was a director on the Granger Co-op Creamery Board, a director on the Ostrander Farmers Co-op Board and a member of the ADA. He served as a trustee for the Cherry Grove United Methodist Church and bowled on the church league for over 30 years. He was also an avid and talented card player.
Survivors include his wife; one son, Richard (Cheryl) of Preston; one daughter, Charlotte and husband, Vern Stryker of Prinsburg, Minn., six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Jewell Buss of Spring Valley and Doris Henry of St. Croix Falls, Wis.; two brothers, Vernon and wife, Mildred, of Harmony, and his twin brother, Everet, and wife, Lottie of Preston.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Hazel, twin sisters, Clarice and Eunice, two brothers, John and Donald, and one grandson.
The funeral was Saturday, Aug. 7, at Cherry Grove United Methodist Church in Cherry Grove with the Rev. Mark Rader officiating. Burial was in Cherry Grove Cemetery.
Hindt-Hutchins Funeral Home in Spring Valley was in charge of arrangements.
Everett Serfling, 80, Preston
Everett Serfling, 80, of rural Preston, died Thursday, Dec. 16, 1999, at his home.
He was born Sept. 20, 1919, in Daisy Valley, Fillmore County, Minn. He attended rural schools and worked for farmers. He entered the Army during World War II, shortly after Pearl Harbor. After his service, he returned to Minnesota and worked on area farms. On Oct. 16, 1949, he married Lottie Runge at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Big Spring. They lived north of Cresco, Iowa, until they bought a Fillmore County farm near Greenleafton.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, Danny and David, both of Preston; two daughters, Patrisha Serfling of Lakewood, Colo., and Ellen Skalsky of Waterloo, Iowa; 10 grandchildren; a brother, Vernon of Harmony; and two sisters, Jewell Buss of Spring Valley and Dors Henry of St. Croix Falls, Wis. He was preceded in death by four brothers and three sisters.
The funeral was held Monday, Dec. 20, 1999, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Big Springs, rural Harmony. Burial was in the Big Spring Cemetery with military honors by the Harmony American Legion and Preston Veterans of Foreign Wars post.
Lindstrom Funeral Home in Harmony was in charge of arrangements.
Leona Severson, 102, of Preston
Leona M. Severson, 102, of Preston, died Thursday evening, Sept. 2, 1999, at the Preston Good Samaritan Center.
Leona M. Linderman was born Sept. 16, 1896, in Bristol Township, Fillmore County, the daughter of Frank and Mary (Mark) Linderman. She was a graduate of Harmony High School and Normal Training. She married Anthony "Tony" Severson on Jan. 10, 1923, in Harmony and the couple made their home on a farm in Bristol Township until moving to Preston in 1944. She taught school for 16 years in Fillmore and Cook counties in Minnesota. He died Sept. 21, 1967. She became a resident of the Good Samaritan Center in 1991.
She was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Preston where she taught released time and Bible school. She was also a member of the Preston VFW and Legion Auxiliaries, serving as president of both.
She is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Madelyn and Lowell Huston of St. Cloud, Minn.; one son and daughter-in-law, Arlyn and Marion Severson of Mesa, Ariz.; four grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband; one son, Bernard; and two sisters.
The funeral was Monday at Christ Lutheran Church with the Rev. James Rushton officiating. Burial was in Crown Hill Cemetery in Preston.
The family prefers memorials be given to the Christ Lutheran Church organ or air conditioning fund, or the Preston Good Samaritan Center.
Thauwald Funeral Home in Preston was in charge of arrangements.
Earl S. Shaw, 70, Wykoff
Earl S. Shaw, 70, of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Wykoff, died Saturday, July 17, 1999, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids following a short illness.
He was born Aug. 21, 1928, in Wykoff. On Sept. 10, 1948, he married Betty Arnold in Cedar Rapids. During the Korean War he served in the Marines. Mr. Shaw worked for AT&T for 35 years and retired in 1990. He was a member of Telephone Pioneers, Edgewood Baptist Church and was a friend of Bill W. for 33 years. He enjoyed gardening.
Survivors include his wife; a son, Kevin of Naples, Fla.; three daughters, Julie Shaw of Galveston, Texas, Kathryn Witver of Redfield, Iowa, and Diane Kneeskern of Rochester; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two brothers, Ross of Seattle and Dennis of Phoenix; and three sisters, Fern Steinhagen of Seattle, Alice Dumenil of New Foundland and Carolyn Cranston of Lakeland, Fla. A son and a brother preceded him in death.
The funeral was Wednesday at Edgewood Baptist Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with the Revs. Robert Cranston and Mark Larson co-officiating. Burial was in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery in Cedar Rapids.
