Bernice E. Sherman, 71, of Lanesboro
Bernice E. Sherman, 71, of Lanesboro, died Sunday, June 20, 1999, at Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield, where she had resided since May 12, 1999.
The former Bernice E. Mitchell was born Sept. 15, 1927, in Dresbach. On March 3, 1945, she married Anthony Sherman in LaCrosse. He died Nov. 24, 1988. They had lived in a variety of southeastern Minnesota communities, including Rochester. She had lived in Lanesboro for the past year and one-half. She and her husband had owned and operated Sherman Shampoo Co., a cleaning firm.
Survivors include three sons, Allen of Lewiston, David of Rochester and Robert of St. Charles; four daughters, Margery Kruger of Houston, Debbie Voeltz of Lanesboro, Marcella Roth of Utica and Bernice Neldner of St. Charles; 20 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; one brother, Bernard Mitchell of LaCrescent and one sister, Delores Duell of St. Charles. She was preceded in death by two sisters.
A memorial service was conducted Wednesday with the Rev. Marilyn Loken officiating. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery in LaCrosse, Wis.
Johnson-Riley Funeral Home in Lanesboro was in charge of arrangements.
Mildred Sherwin, 61, of Harmony
Mildred "Millie" Sherwin, 61, of Harmony, died Friday, July 9, 1999, in Rochester.
Mildred Jech was born May 20, 1938, in Grand Meadow to Henry and Elsie (Boehm) Jech and graduated from Grand Meadow High School in 1956. She married Milton Sherwin on Aug. 22, 1959, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Rochester. They farmed in York Township in Fillmore County and following his death in 1996, she moved into Harmony.
She was active in her church and taught Sunday school and was in the choir. She did volunteer work, including volunteering at the Harmony Nursing Home.
Survivors include one son, David of Rochester; one granddaughter; three sisters, Edna Farmer of Rochester, Lillian (Mrs. Harlan) Schmidt of Wykoff, and Leona "Beezie" (Mrs. Willis) Cambern of Fountain; and five brothers, Clarence of Elgin, Albert of Sargeant, Robert and Loren of Chatfield and Kenny of Rochester.
The funeral was held Monday at Saetersdal Lutheran Church in rural Lime Springs, Iowa. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Lindstrom Funeral Home in Harmony was in charge of arrangements.
Arden W. Sikkink, 97, York township native
Arden W. Sikkink, 97, of Zumbrota died early Sunday morning, July 25, 1999, at the Zumbrota Health Care Nursing Home.
He was born Aug. 2, 1901, in York Township, rural Greenleafton, Fillmore County, to John and Wilhemina (Dornink) Sikkink. He married Ruth Bjortomt Jan. 28, 1939, in Harmony. The couple farmed in the area until moving to Zumbrota in 1956. They owned and operated the Zumbrota Bakery until 1965 when he went to work for Roll-Kari in Zumbrota until his retirement in 1976.
He was a member of United Redeemer Lutheran Church in Zumbrota where he served on the church council. He was also a member of the Zumbrota Senior Citizens.
He is survived by his wife; two daughters and sons-in-law, Sharon and Arnie Groszbach, and Karen and Francis Pflibsen all of Zumbrota; one son and daughter-in-law, Alan and Arlys Sikkink of Zumbrota; six grandchildren, Amy Turk-Groszbach, Louise Durst, Stacia Pflibsen, and Laura, Mark and Kathy Sikkink; one brother and sister-in-law, Verl and Lorraine Sikkink of Mesa, Ariz.; one sister and brother-in-law, Pauline and Richard Wilson of Greenleafton; and one sister-in-law, Arlo Sikkink of Des Moines, Iowa.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.
There was a memorial service Wednesday, July 28, at United Redeemer Lutheran Church with the Revs. Wayne Radke and Darin Easler officiating. His body has been cremated and burial of his ashes will be in Crown Hill Cemetery in Preston.
Thauwald Funeral Home in Preston was in charge of arrangements.
Melvin Sikkink, 92, once of area
Melvin I. Sikkink, 92, of Des Moines, Iowa, died of complications of Alzheimer's disease Jan. 4, 1999. The body was donated to University Hospitals in Iowa City. Memorial services were held Saturday at Grace United Methodist Church in Des Moines, of which he was a member.
He was born in Fillmore County, Minn., and graduated from the Prairie Queen rural school two miles east of Greenleafton. After high school he graduated from Central College in 1931. He lived in the Iowa towns of Maquoketa, Little Rock and Mount Vernon before moving to Des Moines in 1976. He was a retired school superintendent and a member of the Iowa State and National Education associations.
Survivors include his wife, Arlo; a daughter, Kathleen Heinzel of Des Moines; two brothers, Arden of Zumbrota, Minn., and Verl of Mesa, Ariz.; a sister, Pauline Wilson of Preston; three grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.
Memorial contributions may be made to Wesley Acres Good Samaritan Fund or his church.
Dunn's Funeral Home in Des Moines was in charge of arrangements.
Angelo Simone, Jr. (Michael Law), of SV
Angelo Simone, Jr., 47, also known as Michael Law, of Spring Valley, died Friday, Sept. 24, 1999, at his residence.
He was born Nov. 12, 1951, in Duluth, to Angelo and Myrtle (Thompson) Simone. He worked as a nurse and was never married.
He is survived by two sisters, Eva (Glen) Bridgewater of Milwaukee, Wis., and Melanie Lubelski of Houston, Texas.
A memorial service was held Wednesday, Sept. 29, at Hindt-Hutchins Funeral Home in Spring Valley with the Rev. Pete Ortega officiating. The body was cremated.
Ralph Simonson, 89, Lanesboro
Ralph Simonson, 89, of Bowman, N. D., formerly of Lanesboro, died Wednesday morning, Sept. 15, 1999, at West River Regional Medical Center in Hettinger, N. D.
He was born Oct. 24, 1909, in Scranton, N. D., and grew up on the family homestead near Scranton and attended Hemmah rural school. He worked for neighboring farmers and ranches before moving to Lanesboro in 1929 and then worked on Lanesboro area farms and was a mechanic for the John Deere dealership. In 1941 he married Ella Peterson in Lanesboro. He served in the Army from 1942 to 1945 and returned to Lanesboro following his discharge and was employed as a mechanic. In the fall of 1972 following his wife's death, he moved to Bowman and worked for Old Reliable Tractor and at Sunset Home in maintenance. On Nov. 8, 1974, he married Pearl Plett at Bowman Lutheran Church. He retired in 1976. He was a member of Bowman Lutheran Church and sang in the choir for a number of years. Also, he was a member of Frank Gordhammer American Legion Post 48 of Bowman and the Sons of Norway. He enjoyed horseback riding, traveling, playing cards and gardening.
Survivors include his wife; a son, Bob of Rhame, N. D.; a daugher, Elaine Smith of Bloomington, Minn.; two stepsons, Russell Long of Florida and Ivan Plett of Pierre, S. D.; two stepdaughters, Lucille (Mrs. Howard) Humphries of Hebo, Ore., and Sharron (Mrs. Dick) Evetett of Gresham, Ore.; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren, and four step-grandchildren. Two sisters and a brother preceded him in death.
The funeral was Friday at the Lutheran Church in Bowman, N. D., with the Rev. Galen Stand officiating.
There was a memorial service Monday at Elstad Lutheran Church in Lanesboro with the Rev. Don Block officiating. Burial was in Elstad Lutheran Cemetery in Lanesboro with military graveside rites by the Lanesboro American Legion.
Kresbsbach Funeral Service in Bowman and Johnson-Riley Funeral Home in Lanesboro were in charge of arrangements.
Lucile E. Simpson, 94, mother of SV man
Lucile E. Simpson, 94, of Racine, died Saturday, May 29, 1999, at Stewartville Care Center in Stewartville.
She was born Lucile Elizabeth Chapman on July 8, 1904, in Echo, Minn., and graduated from Echo High School. On April 18, 1923, she married George Simpson at Echo and they lived in Belview, Minn., until 1928 when they moved to Racine. He started the Racine Oil Co. and operated it for 37 years; he died in 1976. She was a homemaker. She was a member of the Racine United Methodist Church and was an active member of the Women's Society of Christian Service. She was a past matron of I.O.O.F. Lodge of Racine, a past member of the Mower County Nursing Advisory Board, a longtime quilter with the Racine Quilters and was active in the Wednesday Study Club. She and her husband were also active in the State Antique Car Club.
Survivors include a daughter, Carol (Mrs. Robert) Peterson of Racine; two sons, George Jr. of Rochester and Roger of Spring Valley, Minn.; 11 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren, and one sister, Marvel Franta of Sun City, Ariz. She was also preceded in death by one grandson, two brothers and three sisters.
The funeral was Wednesday at Racine United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jean Dumas officiating. Burial was in Hamilton Cemetery, rural Racine.
Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville was in charge of arrangements. Memorials are preferred to the church.
Agnes Sims, 96, of Lanesboro
Agnes Sims, 96, of Lanesboro, formerly of Granger, died at Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Rushford, on June 3, 1999.
She was born Nov. 9, 1902, in Lanesboro. She spent a short time working as a nanny in Rochester. She was united in marriage to George Sims and they moved to Granger where she lived for many years helping Mr. Sims in the Sim's Mercantile and the Granger Creamery. When Mr. Sims died in 1988, she moved to Lanesboro and lived there until 1997 when she moved to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Rushford.
She is survived by her son, Charles of Pleasanton, Calif.; a granddaughter, Christina Sims of Medford, Ore.; and a brother, Lester Olson of Winona. She was preceded in death by her husband, George; three brothers, Carl, Marcus and Samuel Olson; and five sisters, Nora, Mabel, Ruth, Helen and Hilda.
Funeral services were Tuesday at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lanesboro with burial in the Lanesboro Lutheran Cemetery with the Rev. Kerry Eversole officiating.
Lindstrom Funeral Home in Harmony was in charge of arrangements.
Gladys G. Sinland, 93, of Preston
Gladys G. Sinland, 93, of Preston, died Friday, Oct. 22, 1999, at the Preston Good Samaritan Care Center.
Gladys Geneva Martin was born Sept. 5, 1906, in Bristol Township, Fillmore County, the daughter of Charles and Bertha (Wilbrecht) Martin. She attended country school in Fillmore County.
On Jan. 30, 1929, she was united in marriage to Arnold Sinland in Preston. Following their marriage the couple lived in the Preston area. She worked as a homemaker and also at Gartner's Grocery Store and the Victory Café. He died Aug. 17, 1966. After his death she moved to Preston.
She was a life-long resident of the Preston and Harmony area and a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Preston. She entered the Preston Good Samaritan Care Center in September 1993.
She is survived by a nephew, David (Geneva) Martin of St. Charles; two great-nephews, one great-great-nephew and one great-great-niece.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Clarence and Loren.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Oct. 26, at Christ Lutheran Church in Preston, with the Rev. James Rushton officiating. Burial in Greenfield Cemetery at Harmony. Memorials may be directed to the Preston Good Samaritan Care Center.
Thauwald Funeral Home in Preston was in charge of arrangements.
Alice E. Sizer, 74, mother of Preston woman
Alice E. Sizer, 75, of Rochester, died Wednesday morning, Nov. 10, 1999, at Saint Marys Hospital of complications of surgery following a lengthy illness.
She was born May 29, 1924, in Rochester, grew up there, graduated from Rochester High School and lived most of her life there. In 1943, she married Myles S. Hendricks in Rochester and they were later divorced. On June 25, 1963, she married Vernon B. Sizer in New Hampton, Iowa. He died Nov. 5, 1995. She was a hostess and waitress at Wong's Café in Rochester for more than 30 years before her retirement in 1988. She was a member of Christ Community Church.
Survivors include four daughters, Diane (Mrs. Tom) Saterdalen of Bloomington, Minn., Suzie (Mrs. Willie) Wallace of Aurora, Mo., Jane (Mrs. Doug) Snyder of Preston, and Kaye (Mrs. Al) Jacob of Rochester; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Luella, Marion and Judy; and a brother, Edward. Three brothers and a sister preceded her in death.
A memorial service was held Saturday, Nov. 13, at Christ Community Church. Burial was in Oakwood Cemetery.
Vine Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
P. Skaaren, 91, sister of Spring Grove women
Pearl E. Skaaren, 91, of Rochester, died Thursday, Dec. 31, 1998, at the Charter House Health Care Center after a lengthy illness.
She was born Pearl Edna Rauk on Oct. 17, 1907, in Spring Grove and attended country school there. On June 25, 1938 she married Morris E. Skaaren at Nashua, Iowa; he died Aug. 2, 1996. They lived briefly in California before moving to Rochester in 1945. She was a homemaker and a member of Zumbro Lutheran Church.
Survivors include three sisters, Frances Boe of Decorah and Florence Sollien and Lila Anderson of Spring Grove. She was also preceded in death by one son and four brothers.
The funeral was held Tuesday at Zumbro Lutheran Church Memorial Chapel. Burial was in Grandview Memorial Gardens.
Anton T. 'Tony' Slettum, 83, Grand Meadow
Anton T. "Tony" Slettum, 83, of Grand Meadow, a retired electronics technician, died Friday, Jan. 8, 1999, at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester.
He was born April 6, 1915, in Grand Meadow Township in Mower County. From 1941 to 1945 he served in the Army with duty in the western Pacific. On Nov. 14, 1945, he married Irene Abram in Glencoe, Minn. She died in July 1993. Mr. Slettum was a member of Grand Meadow Lutheran Church.
Survivors include two sons, Gerald of Rochester and David of Minnetonka, Minn.; four grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one sister and one brother.
The funeral was Tuesday at Grand Meadow Lutheran Church with the Rev. Wayne Vogt officiating. Burial in Grand Meadow Cemetery.
Hindt-Hutchins Funeral Home in Grand Meadow was in charge of arrangements.
Lyle E. Smith, 80, formerly of Spring Valley
Lyle E. Smith, 80, of Winona, formerly of rural Chatfield and Spring Valley, died Wednesday, March 3, 1999, at Watkins Home in Winona, where he had lived since May 21, 1998.
He was born June 3, 1918, in Mahnomen, Minn. On April 14, 1944, he married Violet Mae Raveill in Chatfield; she died July 10, 1987. He was a farmer and disk sharpener.
Survivors include five sons, Paul of Stewartville, Melvin of Gladewater, Texas, Leon of San Diego, Calif., Clarence of Oronoco and Robert of Altura; four daughters, Ruth (Joseph) Grulkowski and Diannia (LeRoy) Scherbring, both of Minnesota City, and Judy (Kenneth) Dickson and LaVonne (Michael) Selden, both of Winona; 19 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, seven brothers and two sisters.
The funeral was Saturday at Riley Funeral Home Chapel in Chatfield with the Rev. Dennis Cox-Townsend of Chatfield United Methodist Church officiating. Spring burial will be in Chatfield cemetery.
Cora A. Soberg, 90, of Mabel
Cora A. Soberg, 90, of Mabel and formerly of Hesper, died Tuesday, Oct. 5, 1999, at the Green Lea Manor Nursing Home in Mabel.
She was born June 23, 1909, in Spring Grove to Julius and Inga Rollie. She attended area country schools until moving to Minneapolis with her parents. On Feb. 4, 1930, she married Delvin C. Soberg in Minneapolis and to this union one daughter, Arlene, was born. They farmed in the Mabel area until 1945 when they moved to Hesper. Mrs. Soberg worked at the Hesper Locker and at the Winneshiek County Courthouse in Decorah. In April 1996, she and and her husband moved to the Green Lea Manor Nursing Home in Mabel. Mr. Soberg died Dec. 10, 1998.
She was a member of the Hesper Lutheran Church, the American Legion Auxiliary and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary. She enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, Norway and Sweden.
Mrs. Soberg is survived by a daughter, Arlene (Mrs. Robert) Bacon of Brownsville; two granddaughters, Rebecca Bacon of LaCrosse, and Joan (Mrs. Tim) Morrall of Geneva, Ill; one great-granddaughter, Amanda Morrall; one brother, Harold Rollie of Caledonia; one sister, Margaret McKenna of Englewood, Fla., and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, three sisters, one brother, three nephews and one niece.
Funeral services were Monday at the Hesper Lutheran Church in Hesper with the Rev. Hans Floan officiating. Burial was in the Hesper Lutheran Cemetery.
Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel was in charge of arrangements.
Florence Soffa, 88, of Preston
Florence Soffa, 88, of Preston, died Wednesday, Jan. 27, 1999, at the Preston Good Samaritan Center in Preston.
Florence L. Keehn was born March 2, 1910, in Lanesboro, the daughter of Charles and Mary (Eithun) Keehn. The family moved to Preston in 1924, and she spent the rest of her life in Preston. She graduated as valedictorian from Preston High School in 1927 and in 1928 studied business at the school.
She married George Soffa May 23, 1928, in Lanesboro, and the couple made their home in Preston. She was employed by F & M Bank in Preston as an assistant cashier from 1929 to 1944, when she retired from the bank to be office manager for her husband in the Chrysler-Plymouth Garage until it was sold in 1967. She was also a self-employed income tax practitioner from 1941 to 1971, when she retired to help her husband in his realty business until his death Jan. 4, 1995.
She led a full and interesting life and enjoyed gardening, bowling, golf, and especially fishing at their cabin on Big Boy Lake. She was a member of Christ Lutheran Church, WELCA, and the Order of Eastern Star.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Bob, and two infant brothers.
Funeral services were Monday at Christ Lutheran Church with the Rev. James Rushton and Rev. Joe Schularick co-officiating. Spring burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery.
Thauwald Funeral Home in Preston was in charge of arrangements.
Lyle Solberg, 88, formerly of Spring Grove
Lyle C. Solberg, 88, of Caledonia, a retired Blackhammer farmer, died Monday, Feb. 1, 1999, at his home.
He was born Aug. 15, 1910, in Spring Grove. On June 8, 1940, he married Alma Nelson in Decorah, Iowa. He worked on the family farm at Blackhammer until retiring and moving into Caledonia about 20 years ago. He then worked at a LaCrescent apple orchard, for the Houston County Green Thumb Program, and helped out on area farms as a tractor driver. He enjoyed baseball, picnics and animals.
Survivors include his wife; five daughters, Lois (Mrs. Bill) Steele of Mabel, Nina (Mrs. Rod) Lee of Rochester, Audrey (Mrs. Roger) Skauge and Dianne (Mrs. Dennis) Vesterse, both of Spring Grove, and Karen Solberg of Brownsville; a son, Tom of Spring Grove; 13 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren, and a sister, Mildred Meyer of Caledonia. Three sisters and four brothers preceded him in death.
The funeral will be 11 a.m. today (Thursday) at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Caledonia with the Rev. Rolf T. Storlie officiating. Burial will be in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Spring Grove.
Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Haugen-Roble-Jandt Funeral Home in Caledonia and an hour before the service Thursday at the church.
Gabriel Solie, 87, brother of SG woman
Gabriel Solie, 87, of Richfield, died Friday, Feb. 19, 1999.
He was a retired employee of Jefferson Transportation Company.
He is survived by two sisters, Clara (Paul) Roverud of Spring Grove and Louise Baumgardner of Peoria, Ill.; two sisters-in-law, Thelma Blakkestad of Richfield and Borghild Rusert of Caledonia; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Hilda.
Memorial services were held on March 4 at the Richfield Lutheran Church. There will be a graveside service at the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery at a later date.
Florence Lucille Sollien, 89, of Spring Grove
Florence Lucille Sollien, 89, of Spring Grove, died Friday, Nov. 19, 1999, at Tweeten Lutheran Health Care Services in Spring Grove.
She was born March 26, 1910, in Spring Grove, to Edward and Pauline (Pederson) Rauk. She was a lifelong Spring Grove area resident. She attended Spring Grove High School. On Jan. 3, 1929, she married Syver C. Sollien. He died March 14, 1973. She and her husband farmed in rural Spring Grove until 1957 when they moved to Spring Grove. She then worked as a clerk in the Quinnell Store, as well as Skiftons Grocery Store, both in Spring Grove. She was a member of Highland Lutheran Church, rural Spring Grove, and the Highland WELCA.
Survivors include three sons, Everett (Lois) Sollien of Mabel, Floyd (Mary Lou) Sollien of Decorah and Arden (Pat) Sollien of Rochester; 11 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Lila (Enoh) Anderson of Spring Grove and Frances Boe of Decorah. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by four brothers, Orlando, Eldred, Lloyd and Raymond and a sister, Pearl Skaaren.
Funeral services were Wednesday at Highland Lutheran Church, rural Spring Grove. Burial was in the church cemetery. The Rev. David H. Andreae officiated.
Roble Funeral Home in Spring Grove was in charge of arrangements.
