Emil Eickhoff, 95, of Wykoff
Emil Eickhoff, 95, of Wykoff, a retired farmer, died on Thursday, June 14, 2001, at Season's Hospice in Rochester.
Emil Fred Eickhoff was born on April 5, 1906, in rural Fountain, the third of seven children. His father, William Eichoff, emigrated from Kirchdorf, Germany, as a youngster, and his mother, the former Sophie Bicknese, was from rural Fountain. He attended country school near his home and drove a team of ponies to Wykoff to attend seventh and eighth grades at St. John's Lutheran School under the direction of Mr. Wallman.
On Aug. 31, 1927, he married Irene Biel of Wykoff. For the first 56 years of their marriage they lived in a house on his parents' farm.
In 1933, during the heart of the Depression, the Eickhoffs bought a 160-acre farm, also in rural Fountain, from Fred Garvis. They began farming with 10 horses, 20 milk cows, 50 ewes and an indeterminate number of pigs, which became the mainstay of the farming operation in later years. In 1941, he bought his first tractor, a John Deere B.
He was known for his loyalty to friends and family, his work ethic, his competitive spirit, his optimism, his wry sense of humor and his Buick cars. He took great pleasure from traveling with his wife, even in the lean years. "We'd just pack up the trunk with canned food and take off somewhere for two weeks," he said. "If a fellow doesn't drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes, he can afford to take a vacation every year."
He and his wife visited all 50 states and in later years traveled to Germany, Scandinavia, the Holy Land, Kenya, Japan, the U.S.S.R., and many other countries. In 1969, they moved to Wykoff, and in 1971, they sold their farms to their son, Donald, and retired. During his retirement, he was a faithful participant in senior citizen functions in Wykoff, playing a mean game of 500 right into his 90s, was a member of the Lions Club and a volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels.
He was a lifelong, active member of St. John's Lutheran Church of Wykoff, where he was baptized and confirmed. To his family, he gave this recipe for a good life: "Work hard, have a lot of fun, and do the right thing."
He is survived by two sons, Donald (Lila) Eickhoff and Virgil (Marva) Eickoff, both of Wykoff; two daughters, Dr. Myrna (Dr. Robert Butler) Lewis of New York City and Diane (Aaron) Barnhart of Kansas City, Mo.; 15 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; a sister, Linda Vehrenkamp, and a brother, Everett Eickhoff, both of rural Fountain; and a brother, Emery Eickhoff of Wykoff; and numerous relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife in 1985; two brothers, Elmer and Edwin Eickhoff; and a sister, Lucille Schultz.
The funeral was Saturday at St. John's Lutheran Church in Wykoff, with the Rev. Leroy E. Vogel and the Rev. Robert Burmeister officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Thauwald Funeral Home in Wykoff was in charge of arrangements.
Troy A. Eidenschink, Harmony woman’s grandson
Troy A. Eidenschink, 31, of South St. Paul, son of Robert and Carolyn Eidenschink of Plainview, died May 25, 2001.
He graduated from Hamline University in 1992 and had worked for Graco for five years.
Survivors include, besides his parents, his wife, the former Jennifer Leitner; a son, Nicholas; a daughter, Emily; two sisters, Chris (Allen) Carney and Stacey (Erik) Feig; a brother, Paul (Heather), and his grandmother, Anna Evenson of Harmony.
The funeral was held Friday at First Presbyterian Church in South St. Paul. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery.
J.S. Klecatsky & Sons-Southern Funeral Home in South St. Paul was in charge of arrangements.
Elizabeth Ellingson, 85, of Spring Grove
Elizabeth Ellingson, 85, of Spring Grove, a longtime Spring Grove Livestock Exchange employee, died Monday, May 21, 2001, at Lutheran Hospital in LaCrosse, Wis., of injuries suffered in an auto accident.
Elizabeth Kjome was born April 7, 1916, in Spring Grove. She graduated from Spring Grove High School in 1933 and and from its teachers training department in 1934. On Aug. 2, 1937, she married Ernest Ellingson in Excelsior, Minn. He died Aug. 2, 1972. She taught in rural schools for six years, then worked at the livestock exchange for 40 years, and for several years was a substitute clerk at the Spring Grove Post Office. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and its women's group, and the Spring Grove American Legion Auxiliary.
Survivors include a son, Stephen (Peggy) of Roseville, Minn.; two daughters, Nancy (K.C.) McCoy of Plymouth, Minn., and Luann (Dennis) Ackerson of Minnetonka, Minn.; four grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. She was preceded in death by an infant son, three brothers and three sisters.
The funeral is at 11 a.m. today (Thursday) at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove with the Rev. Zane Anderson officiating. Burial in the church cemetery.
Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Roble Funeral Home in Spring Grove and an hour before the service Thursday at the church.
Stella H. Ellingson, 96, of Spring Grove
Stella H. Ellingson, 96, of Spring Grove, a former area farm homemaker, died Monday, Jan. 15, 2001, at Tweeten Lutheran Health Services in Spring Grove, where she had resided since February of 1992.
Stella H. Sanness was born Nov. 29, 1904, in Wilmington Township, Houston County. She attended Bunge Grade School and Spring Grove High School, and lived in the area all her life. On March 27, 1928, she married James E. Ellingson in Caledonia. They farmed in Wilmington Township for 51 years and moved to Spring Grove in the fall of 1977. Her husband died Jan. 18, 1992. She was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, was active in St. Peter’s Ladies Aid, church circles, and was a 50-year member of the Spring Grove Sons of Norway Lodge.
Survivors include a daughter, Deloris (Wayne) Jacobs of Caledonia; two grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one sister, Olga Ellingson of Spring Grove. She was preceded in death by her husband, three sisters, four brothers, and a half sister.
The funeral was Friday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove with the Rev. Zane Anderson officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Roble Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Loren Emery, 66, of Mabel
Loren Maynard Emery, 66, of Mabel, died Thursday, Dec. 28, 2000, at his home in Mabel.
He was born Jan. 10, 1934, at home in Winneshiek County, Iowa, to Thomas and Margaret (Falck) Emery. He was confirmed at the Burr Oak Lutheran Church. He moved to the Mabel area with his parents and graduated from the Canton High School in 1952. He lived and farmed in rural Mabel the rest of his life.
He is survived by two brothers, Gary (Judy) of Mabel and Thomas (Ann) of Caledonia, and one sister, Arlene (Dean) Austin of Mabel. He is also survived by seven nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas, in 1981 and his mother, Margaret, just one year ago.
Funeral services were Tuesday at the Burr Oak Lutheran Church in Burr Oak, Iowa, with the Rev. Hans Floan officiating. Burial was in the Burr Oak Cemetery. Mengis Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Rollin Engen, 75, of Lanesboro
Rollin Engen, 75, of Lanesboro, died Wednesday, June 13, 2001, at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in LaCrosse, Wis.
He was born July 5, 1925. He worked as a farmer, at the lumberyard in Lanesboro and at Winona Monument. He enjoyed farming, fishing and yardwork.
Survivors include two daughters and longtime companion, Bonnie Hondorf.
He was preceded in death by four brothers and one sister.
The funeral service was held Monday, June 18, at Whalan Lutheran Church.
Hoff Funeral Home - Cook Chapel in Rushford was in charge of arrangements.
Ardene E. Erickson, 69, of Mabel
Ardene E. Erickson, 69, of Mabel, died Saturday, Feb. 24, 2001, at the Green Lea Manor Nursing Home in Mabel.
He was born Nov. 16, 1931, in Black Hammer, Minn., to Arnold and Evelyn (Hermanson) Erickson. He attended country schools and in 1952 he entered into the United States Army. He achieved the rank of sergeant while serving in the Army's Signal Corps until 1960. He worked as a farm laborer, for the O. T. Spande Nursery, the telephone company, for the Donald Johnson Livestock, and as a carpenter. He had been a resident of the Green Lea Manor Nursing Home since 1990. He was a member of the American Legion Post 299 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
He is survived by three brothers, Junnell, Larry and Dennis, all of Mabel; three sisters, Marie Muller of Rapid City, South Dakota, Patricia Rollins of Mabel, and Darla Mauer of Charles City, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, David, Joe and Llewellyn.
Funeral services were held Wednesday at the Mabel First Lutheran church in Mabel with the Revs. Allen Hermeier and Gene Hermeier co-officiating. Burial in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Spring Grove with military rites by the American Legion Post 299 and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel handled arrangements.
Gladys Evenrud, 94, of Harmony
Gladys Evenrud, 94, of Harmony, died Friday, Feb. 2, 2001, at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Preston.
She was born April 14, 1906, in Fillmore County. She married Edward Evenrud on Sept. 26, 1936, in Preston and they farmed north of Harmony until retiring and moving into the city of Harmony.
There are no immediate survivors. She was preceded in death by her husband.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. today (Thursday) at the Canton Scotland Presbyterian Church in Canton with the Rev. James Scaife officiating. Friends may call one hour before services at the church on Thursday. Burial will be in the Henrytown Lutheran Cemetery in rural Canton.
Lindstrom Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
LaVerne J. Faa, 78, of Mabel
LaVerne J. Faa, 78, of Mabel, died Wednesday, July 11, 2001, at the Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital in Decorah, Iowa.
He was born June 13, 1923, in Caledonia to Julius and Minnie (Veum) Faa. He lived with his parents in Riceford, Minn., and attended the Riceford School. He lived in Prosper and Lanesboro for a short time before entering the United States Army in 1942. During his duty he was stationed in California and also in India for 13 months. After separating from the Army in 1945, he moved back to Mabel for a short time before moving to Great Falls, Mont., where he worked construction until moving to Idaho Falls, Idaho, and then Seattle, Wash. He continued to work in construction until 1982 when he moved back to the Harmony and Mabel area. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Warms.
He is survived by three sons, Vernon of Bothell, Wash., Lennart of Sweden and Robert of Great Falls, Mont.; two daughters, Barbro Hedman of Sweden and Lillian Smith of Billings; four grandchildren; a brother, Lennie of Austin and two sisters, Violet Dahl of Evansdale, Iowa, and Gloria Minikus of Cedar Falls, Iowa. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Leslie, Leland and Walter and a sister, Marion Hartley.
Funeral services were Monday at Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel with the Rev. Mary Waudby officiating. Burial was in Scheie Lutheran Cemetery with military rites by the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Memorials are preferred to the Scheie Lutheran Cemetery.
Eldora C. Fairbairn, 84, of Preston
Eldora C. Fairbairn, 84, of Preston, a former American Soil Conservation Service employee, died Thursday, March 1, 2001, at the Preston Good Samaritan Care Center, where she had lived since October 1999.
Eldora C. Driscoll was born Aug. 17, 1916, in Preston, attended area schools and graduated from Preston High School in 1934. On July 23, 1938, she married Ralph W. Fairbairn in Preston and they lived in Preston all their married lives. Her husband died Aug. 22, 1993.
She worked for the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service in Preston for a number of years. She was a member of St. Columban Catholic Church and the Council of Catholic Women, Preston Saddle Club and American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed reading, music and antiquing.
Survivors include two daughters, Barbara J. (Dale) Montang of Mason City, Iowa, and E. Frances (Robert L.) Sauer of Preston; two sons, Douglas J. (Peggy) of North Olmsted, Ohio, and James D. (Carol) of Preston; 14 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Elizabeth "Betty" Blakeslee of Spring Valley; two nieces; two nephews and many friends. She was preceded in death by her husband and one sister.
A funeral Mass was held Sunday at St. Columban Catholic Church in Preston, with the Rev. Tom Loomis officiating. Burial was in Crown Hill Cemetery in Preston.
Thauwald Funeral Home, Preston, was in charge of arrangements.
Alice M. Fairclough, 83, of Chatfield
Alice M. Fairclough, 83, of Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield, a homemaker, died Friday, July 13, 2001, after a brief illness.
Alice M. Erickson was born Sept. 7, 1917, in Lanesboro. She married Thomas Henry Fairclough on Sept. 21, 1940, at Pilot Mound Lutheran Church. They lived in Lanesboro, the Twin Cities, Rochester and Chatfield. Her husband was a postal worker for 30 years. She was an active church member and enjoyed handiwork.
Survivors include three sons, Tom (Kathy) of Red Wing, Dick (Pam) of Faribault and Tim (Kari) of Rochester; a daughter, Barb (Jack) Stocky of Pasadena, Calif.; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a brother, Willard (Betty) Erickson of Chatfield.
The funeral was Monday at Pilot Mound Lutheran Church with the Rev. Christine Finsang officiating. Burial in the church cemetery.
Riley Funeral Home in Chatfield was in charge of arrangements.
Gerhard I. Ferden, 81, of Harmony
Gerhard I. Ferden, 81, of Harmony, formerly of Lanesboro and Fountain, died Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2001, at his home following a brief illness.
He was born Feb. 1, 1920, in Saratoga Township, Winona County, and grew up in rural St. Charles. On April 22, 1950, he married Helen Lentz in Winona. They lived in Whitehall, Wis., after their marriage and later in rural Fountain and rural Lanesboro before moving to Harmony 13 years ago. He was a retired farmer. He enjoyed auctions, reading and driving for the Amish.
He is survived by his wife; five daughters, Joanne Smith of Springfield, Ore., Sharon Giesler of Lincoln, Neb., Karen (Allan) Haugen of Lanesboro, Linda (Richard) Swearingen of Eugene, Ore., and Yvonne Ferden of Mercer Island, Wash.; 12 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a brother, Leland of Utica; and three sisters, Marion Wiskow and Bernice (Wayne) Harrison, both of St. Charles, and Irene Ferden of Milwaukee. Three grandchildren and a sister preceded him in death.
The funeral was held Saturday at North Prairie Lutheran Church in rural Lanesboro. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Johnson-Riley Funeral Home, Lanesboro, was in charge of arrangements.
Corolla Fingerson, 95, once of Fountain
Corolla R. Fingerson, 95, of Chatfield, a former farm homemaker, died Sunday morning, July 8, 2001, at Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield, where she had resided since 1998.
Corolla R. Sundet was born March 10, 1906, in rural Fountain, grew up in the area and graduated from Chatfield High School in 1925. On June 5, 1928, she married Malvin Fingerson in Lanesboro. They farmed in the Fountain area until moving to Chatfield in 1955. Her husband died in 1988. She was active in the Fountain and Root Prairie churches, was an associate member of Chatfield Lutheran Church, and was a past Sunday school superintendent. She enjoyed needlework and crafts.
She was also preceded in death by a brother.
The funeral was held Tuesday, July 10, 2001, at Root Prairie Lutheran Church in rural Fountain, with the Rev. Curtis Fox officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Riley Funeral Home in Chatfield was in charge of arrangements.
Raymond Finke, 95, Cherry Grove
Raymond John Finke, 95, of Cherry Grove, Minn., died Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2000, at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester
He was born Jan. 9, 1905, at Wealthwood, Minn., the son of Emil and Mabel (Michener) Finke. He moved with his family to the Cherry Grove area as a child and attended Spring Valley High School.
He married Jessie Hebrink on July 26, 1923, in Wykoff. The couple farmed in the Cherry Grove and Spring Valley areas and also ran a portable custom sawmill. They sold their farm in 1981, but continued to live on the farmstead where they had resided since 1942. She died July 13, 1985. He moved to Cherry Grove in 1989, and moved to the Chosen Valley apartments in Chatfield in 1998 and then the Chosen Valley Care Center in October, 2000.
He was a lifelong member and the oldest member of the Cherry Grove United Methodist Church, was the county manager for the Archer Oil Co. and McNess Feed. His most memorable experience was traveling to Poland with the Rev. Zahl on the Heifer Project in 1946.
He is survived by three sons and three daughters-in-law, Kenneth of Douglas, Wyo., John (Bernis) of Cherry Grove, Paul (June) of Boynton Beach, Fla,. and Lucille Finke of Mounds View, Minn.; two daughters and sons-in-law, Thelma "Terry" Hur of Houston, Texas, and Beth (Eugene) Mulhern of Spring Valley; 19 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; 13 great-great-grandchildren; one sister and brother-in-law, Bernice (Loyal) Brusse of Canton, Minn., and one sister-in-law, Audre Finke of Chatfield.
He was preceded in death by one son, Russell; one great-grandson, Bradley Mulhern; and three brothers, Herb, Don and Emerson.
The funeral was Saturday at the Cherry Grove United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Mark Rader officiating. Burial was in the Cherry Grove cemetery.
Thauwald funeral Home in Spring Valley was in charge of arrangements.
Gladys Flanagan, 94, once of Lanesboro
Gladys L. Flanagan, 94, formerly of Austin, died Monday, June 25, 2001, at Beverly Healthcare Center in Bloomington, Minn. She had been ill since suffering a stroke on June 1.
Gladys L. Lynch was born Feb. 17, 1907, on a farm west of Lanesboro. She attended Lanesboro schools, graduated from high school in 1925, and after attending college for a year returned to the farm to help her father following her mother's death. On Sept. 7, 1931, she married Leonard Flanagan in Lanesboro. They lived in Cleveland while her husband completed his medical training, and in 1932 moved to Austin, where he began his medical practice. He died in 1963. She moved to Edina in 1998.
Survivors include two sons, Michael (Marguerite) of the Twin Cities, and James (Kathy) of Fresno, Calif.; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. A brother and a sister preceded her in death.
A funeral mass was held Sunday at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Austin. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery in Austin.
Mayer Funeral Home, Austin, was in charge of arrangements.
Lester Flaten, 78, of Spring Grove
Lester Morris Flaten, 78, of Spring Grove, died Jan. 3, 2001, at his home.
He was born April 24, 1922, in Spring Grove to Theodore Alfred and Hilda Louise (Sivesin) Flaten. He was a lifelong Spring Grove area resident. He attended rural school in Spring Grove. He never married. He farmed in rural Spring Grove on the family "Oakdale Farm" until retiring in 1998 and moving to Spring Grove.
He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove, where he was an active member. He was a member of the Spring Grove Commercial Club and he was the "2000-2001" King of Trolls at the Syttende Mai celebration.
He is survived by a nephew, David (Dawn) Sheehan of York, Pa.; a niece, Bonnie (Russ) Riely of Madison, Wis.; five great-nieces and nephews, and five great-great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Betty Sheehan.
Memorial services were held on Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove with the Rev. Jim Arends officiating. A private family graveside service was held on Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Spring Grove. Roble Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.
Victor H. Flattum, 83, of Lanesboro
Victor H. Flattum, 83, a retired Lanesboro-area farmer, died Tuesday, June 19, 2001, at Preston Good Samaritan Center where he had resided for two and a half years.
He was born July 2, 1917, in Thief River Falls, Minn. On Sept. 21, 1940, he married Vilda G. Bladsvedt at the Highland Prairie Lutheran Church parsonage. They farmed in rural Lanesboro and he also worked at the state fish hatchery in Lanesboro in 1984. His wife died Oct. 29, 2000. Mr. Flattum was a member of the National Farmers Organization and Elstad Lutheran Church where he served on the council and as an usher. He enjoyed fishing and watching sports.
Survivors include a son, Loren (Connie) of Maplewood, Minn.; three daughters, Sharon (Robert) Knutson of Whalan, Deborah (Dennis) Jones of Fort Wayne, Ind., and Sandra (Mark) Everson of Rochester; 13 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. A brother and two sisters preceded him in death.
The funeral was Friday at Elstad Lutheran Church in rural Lanesboro with the Rev. Rod Nygren officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Joann Franzen, 46, formerly of Lanesboro
Joanne M. Franzen, 46, formerly of Lanesboro, died Feb. 9, 2001, at the residence of her sister in Loretto, Minn.
She was born March 10, 1954, in Minneapolis to parents Anthony and Harriette Franzen. She was married to Charles "Chuck" Schwartz. They moved to Lanesboro in 1989 and were later divorced. He preceded her in death in 1999 at which time she moved back to Lanesboro to be with her two children.
She is survived by a daughter, Andrea Louise Schwartz and a son, Anthony Robert Schwartz, both of Lanesboro; her fiance, James W. Carlson, of Buffalo, Minn.; two brothers, Jerry and wife Laurene of Crystal, Minn., and John of Minneapolis; three sisters, Judy Waddell of Delano, Minn., Janet Kruger and husband Gordy of Loretto, Jeane Franta and husband Steve of Wayzata, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a baby sister, and brother-in-law, Clyde Waddell.
A funeral Mass was held Tuesday at the Church of The Holy Name of Jesus, Medina, Minn. A private burial service will take place at a later time in Delano, Minn.
Arrangements were by Gearty Delmore Funeral Chapel, Plymouth, Minn.
Richard Frazer, 60, of rural Preston
Richard W. Frazer, 60, of rural Preston, died Thursday, Jan. 18, 2001, at his home following a short illness.
He was born Oct. 29, 1940, in Fillmore County, the son of Christian and Delma (Yaste) Frazer. He attended schools at both Preston and Spring Valley. Following school he worked a number of jobs throughout the state, including with the highway department in Preston.
On June 17, 1977, he married Sandra Meyer at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa, and they lived in the rural Preston area. He was employed at AFC in Chatfield, Gauthier Industries in Rochester, and for the past 12 years at Featherlite in Cresco. He enjoyed making metal lawn ornaments, which he sold at craft shows. He also made cement fish ponds and loved to watch his goldfish and was an avid bird watcher.
He is survived by his wife; three sons, Tracy (Susan) Serfoss and William and Robert Frazer, all of rural Preston; one grandson, Dallas Serfoss, rural Preston;one sister, Pearl Wrase of River Falls, Wis.; and many nieces and nephews.
The funeral was held Monday at Christ Lutheran Church in Preston with the Revs. James Rushton and Bernard Daiker officiating. Burial will be in the spring.
Thauwald Funeral Home, Preston, was in charge of arrangements.
Nelda Frogner, 93, of Harmony
Nelda Frogner, 93, of Harmony, died Thursday, June 7, 2001, at Harmony Healthcare.
Nelda Achatz Frogner was born April 22, 1908, in Harmony. She graduated from high school and business college. She married George E. Frogner on Sept. 10, 1940, in Harmony, where they made their home.
Survivors include two sons, Fred of Minneapolis and Bill (Linda) of Lino Lakes, Minn. She was preceded in death by her husband.
The funeral was Monday at the United Methodist Church in Harmony, with the Rev. David Laechel officiating. Burial was in State Line Cemetery in rural Harmony.
Lindstrom Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
