Leon H. Gehrking, 45, of Fountain
Leon H. Gehrking, 45, of rural Fountain, a salesman for Nortel Networks, died Sunday, Feb. 4, 2001, at his home.
Born March 20, 1955, in Rochester, he grew up at Washington in rural Spring Valley and graduated from Chatfield High School in 1973. He attended Rochester Community College for two years, also attended the University of Minnesota and lived in LaCrosse, Wis., before moving to rural Fountain in 1987. On June 24, 1989, he married Jane Hawks in Rochester.
Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Sydney at home; his parents, Leonard and Gladys (Rudlong) Gehrking of rural Spring Valley; and a brother, Lydell of rural Chatfield. A brother preceded him in death.
The funeral will be at 1 p.m. today (Thursday) at St. John's Lutheran Church in Wykoff, with the Rev. Robert Burmeister officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Riley Funeral Home in Chatfield and an hour before the service Thursday at the church.
George W. Geiger, 24, of S.V.
George William Geiger, 24, of Spring Valley, died unexpectedly at his home on Friday, Aug. 17, 2001.
He was born Nov. 5, 1976, in Hammond, Ind., to William George and Karen "Frankie" (Simone) Geiger. He graduated from high school and worked as a painter and general laborer for Red Man Construction in LeRoy.
He is survived by his fiancee' Maelene Brody; son, Cameron and daughter, Hailey, all of Spring Valley; his mother of Rochester; and three brothers, William of Greenleafton, and Joseph and Todd, both of Rochester; maternal grandmother, Bernice Simone of Houston, Texas; and paternal grandmother, Clara Geiger, of Hammond, Ind.
He was preceded in death by his father; a son, Nicholas; brother Timothy; and his grandfathers.
Services will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday at Masonic Park north of Spring Valley.
There will be no visitation. The body was cremated.
Hindt-Hutchins Funeral Home in Spring Valley was in charge of arrangements.
M. Geisler, 59, mother of Fountain man
Marcella A. "Marcy" Geisler, 59, of St. Charles, formerly of Rochester, died Sunday evening, Aug. 12, 2001, at her home.
Marcella A. Bemmert was born Jan. 9, 1942, in West Albany. On Feb. 20, 1960, she married Marlin Geisler in Rochester and they lived in Rochester until moving to St. Charles in 1967. She was secretary for Geisler Waste Removal and later was employed at Coast to Coast, Town and Country Men's Wear, VFW Club and Henry's Apparel, worked in dietary and laundry at Whitewater Healthcare Center, and most recently did day care. She was a member of St. Charles United Methodist Church and Women of the Moose.
Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Connie Geisler and Marcie (Rick) Dabelstein, both of St. Charles; two sons, Marlin (Laurie) of Fountain and Randy (Jessi) of St. Charles; three grandchildren; two brothers, Lyle Bemmert of Rochester and Ron Bemmert of St. Charles; and two sisters, Marlene Mahon and Darlene Mahon, both of Rochester. She was preceded in death by her parents and an infant daughter.
The funeral will be today (Thursday) at 2 p.m. at the St. Charles United Methodist Church with the Rev. Sharon Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery in St. Charles.
Friends may call at the church from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday.
Memorials are suggested to a hospice.
Hoff Funeral Homes-St. Charles Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Joseph C. Gildner, 81, of Preston
Joseph Clarence Gildner, 81, of Preston, a retired farmer, died Aug. 1, 2001, at the Harmony Nursing Home.
He was born March 29, 1920, in Hubbard, Iowa, the son of Robert and Margaret (Butler) Gildner, and was raised in rural areas of Blooming Prairie and Grand Meadow. He served in the United States Army during WW II from February 1942 through December 1945. He farmed in the Stewartville area and married Eveline J. Pew in October 1951. The couple farmed in the Stewartville area until 1958 and then farmed in the Preston area until retiring. She died Dec. 15, 1998 and he became a resident of Harmony Health Care in June 1999.
He was an active member in the National Farmers Organization and was a member of the Preston American Legion and St. Columban Catholic Church in Preston.
He is survived by three sons, Donald (Susan) of Preston, Kenneth (Paula) of White Bear Lake, Minn., and Raymond (Louise) of Bloomington, Minn., one daughter, Kathy Garcia of Sacramento, Calif.; six grandchildren; one brother, Cyril (Bette) of Minnetonka, Minn.; and one sister, Teresa (Wayne) Rauchenstein of Portland, Ore.
He was preceded in death by two brothers and one sister.
The funeral Mass was Saturday at St. Columban Catholic Church with the Rev. Thomas Loomis officiating. Burial with military graveside rites was in Calvary Cemetery in Preston.
Thauwald Funeral Home in Preston was in charge of arrangements.
Evelyn M. Gill, 79, once of Spring Valley
Evelyn M. Gill, 79, of Morristown, Minn., died Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2001, in the Pine Haven Care Center at Pine Island.
Evelyn M. Larson, daughter of Clarence and Stata (Ellis) Larson, was born Aug. 9, 1921, in Chester, Iowa. She married Donald W. Gill on June 24, 1938, in Spring Valley. They moved to Morristown in 1959 and owned and operated Gill Furniture Store and Gill Funeral Home there until their retirement. They built the current funeral home in Morristown in 1964. She was a member of Peace United Methodist Church, Morristown.
She is survived by her husband; two children, Marion (Donna) Gill of Perham, Minn., and Ann (Robert P.) Jensen of Byron, Minn.; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; four stepgreat-grandchildren; one sister, Elinor (George) Schell of San Rafael, Calif.; one brother, Calvin (Jurene) Larson of Roy, Wash.
She was preceded in death by twin great-granddaughters, Kristine and Kari Jensen and two brothers, Jerry and Mervin Larson.
The funeral was Friday, Feb. 9, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Morristown with the Rev. Janiece Redman officiating. Interment in Riverside Cemetery, Morristown.
Gill-Boldt Funeral Home in Morristown was in charge of arrangements.
Christopher Giltner, 11, of Harmony
Christopher Giltner, 11, of Harmony, died Sunday, March 25, 2001, at Saint Marys Hospital after a lengthy illness of seven years.
Christopher Giltner was born June 8, 1989, at Litchfield, Minn., the son of Gary and Mary (Pratt) Giltner. His parents moved to Harmony and Christopher attended Fillmore Central School where he was in the fifth grade.
Chris really enjoyed life and gave every spare moment its fullest. He captured many hearts and gave everyone a smile and when asked how he was feeling, his answer was always, "Good." He got to enjoy many things during his short life. Golfing, four-wheeling, fishing, camping and appreciating life to its fullest was his nature. His very special friends his age gave him some peace and happiness away from his pain. He also gave joy, strength and hope to the many other people in his life.
He is survived by his parents, Gary and Mary; his aunts and uncles, John and Linda Thiewes, Steve and Claudette Nelson, Bob and Helen Pratt, Sue Oie, Mike and Jean Clapper, Kevin Pratt and many cousins, along with his dog, Taffy, and his guinea pig, Oreo.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Robert and Helen Pratt, and his paternal grandparents, Sam and Gloria Giltner.
Memorial services were Wednesday at Greenfield Lutheran Church with the Revs. John Hagen and Warren Anderson officiating.
Lindstrom Funeral Home of Harmony was in charge of arrangements.
Leslie Glasrud, once of Spring Grove
Leslie Glasrud, 81, of Madison, Wis., and Mesa, Ariz., formerly of Spring Grove, died Friday, Feb. 23, 2001.
He was born Dec. 13, 1919, in Spring Grove and served in the Army during World War II. On April 27, 1940, he married Margaret Rud. He worked for Getty Oil Company for more than 40 years and for the last 17 of those years, he was a district manager.
Mr. Glasrud was a longtime member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison and its Usher Club, a member of the Elks Club and a past president of the LP Gas Association of Wisconsin.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, Bruce (Pearlene) of Alpine, Texas, and David (Jane) of Albuquerque, N.M.; three daughters, Judith Lynn of Sequim, Wash., Karen (Douglas) Wolf of Verona, Wis., and Camilla (Peter) Crawford of Watertown, Wis.; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a brother, Raymond (Darlene) of Rochester. A son and three brothers preceded him in death.
A private memorial service was held.
Gunderson East Funeral Home in Madison was in charge of arrangements.
Clara A. Griebenow, 100, mother of GM woman
Clara A. Griebenow, 100, of Stewartville, a former area farm homemaker, died Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2001, at Stewartville Care Center, where she had resided since March 1996.
Clara A. Ewert was born Jan. 5, 1900, in Normal, Ill., moved to Alden, Iowa, with her family as a child, grew up there and graduated from Alden High School. On Feb. 24, 1920, she married Carl L. Griebenow in Pleasant Valley near Lanesboro and they farmed in the Pleasant Valley, Rochester and Pine Island areas. After her husband's death in 1981, she moved to Stewartvilla Apartments. She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Stewartville, a charter member of the ladies aid at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Pleasant Valley, and enjoyed crocheting and gardening.
Survivors include two sons, Dale (Geraldine) of Rochester and Donald (Shirley) of Babbitt, Minn.; two daughters, Miriam Jacobson of Grand Meadow and Jean (Glen) Ellinghuysen of Stewartville; 14 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and 15 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a daughter, a great-grandson, two brothers and five sisters.
The funeral was held Saturday, Jan. 6, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Stewartville with the Rev. Lyle Kath officiating. Burial in the Pine Island Cemetery.
Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville handled arrangements.
Martha ‘Pete’ Griebenow, once of Harmony
Martha Tekla Rosie Schuler Griebenow, fondly known at "Pete," age 91, formerly of Harmony, died at Three Links Care Center in Northfield, Minn., on Jan. 29, 2001.
Martha Tekla Rosie Schuler was born to John and Anna (Senske) Schuler on Sept. 27, 1909, in Hendricks, Minn. She attended country school and Farmington High School. She was married to Raymond W. Griebenow in Farmington, Minn., on Aug. 1, 1931. Their three children were born while they lived in Farmington.
After moving to Harmony, Mrs. Griebenow owned and operated Ronnie’s Café for a number of years. In the late 1950s the couple moved to Decorah, where Mr. Griebenow was employed by White’s Transport. She opened up a restaurant in Decorah, "Ronnie’s Café," which she ran for a number of years. Following that, she worked at Oneota Country Club, and was the first night hostess in the dorm at Luther College. Besides enjoying cooking and baking, she liked to sew and crochet, play the piano and organ, travel, and spend time with family and friends.
She is survived by her three children, Darlene (Mrs. Joe) Lynch of Waseca, Joyce Lammers of Austin, Texas, and Ronald R. (Janet) Griebenow of LaMirada, Cali.; six grandchildren, Dr. David J. (Dr. Sue Ravenscraft-Lynch) Lynch of Edina, Dan M. (Edwina) Lynch of Flower Mound, Texas, Lisa (Mrs. Harry) Blair of Galveston Island, Texas, Michael (Monica) Lammers of San Antonio, Texas, Tania (Mrs. Kevin) Hurni of Los Osos, Calif., and Tiffany Trenholm of Norco, Calif; and 10 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Griebenow; son-in-law, James Lammers; and seven brothers and sisters, Erwin Schuler, George Schuler, Lawrence Schuler, Henry Schuler, Ruth Birdsall, Alice Falls and Esther Ehlers.
Funeral services were held Friday, Feb. 2, at Faith United Methodist Church in Farmington. Burial was in Emmanuel Cemetery in Farmington.
White Funeral Home of Farmington was in charge of arrangements.
Paul A. Groteboer, 89, once of Granger
Paul A. Groteboer of Rochester, died Tuesday, July 24, 2001.
He was born on Dec. 2, 1911, in Granger to John and Minnie (Ludwig) Groteboer. He was raised and attended school in Granger. He married Gynith Erickson and together they farmed near Cresco, until they moved to Rochester in 1957. He worked at IBM until his retirement. He was very active and was employed after his retirement at Billings Hardware and Andy's until 1999. He was a member of Christ United Methodist Church for over 44 years.
Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Beverly Katter of Milwaukee, Wis., and Marlys Kramer (Ken) of Stewartville; two sons, Merl (Marilyn) of Rochester and Dennis (Marcy) of Rochester; 13 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Gary, and a son-in-law, Dennis Katter.
A memorial service was held on Friday at Christ United Methodist Church in Rochester. Burial was at Oakwood Cemetery in Rochester.
Katelyn Guber, infant of Mabel couple
Katelyn Nicole Guber, daughter of Bryan and Melissa (Bradley) Guber of Mabel and formerly of Lanesboro, was stillborn on Tuesday, April 10, 2001, at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in LaCrosse, Wis.
In addition to her parents, survivors include a sister, Alexa, at home; maternal grandparents, Walter and Susan Bradley of Lanesboro; paternal grandparents, Susan and Gary Borgen of Chatfield, and Randy and Sandy Guber of St. Louis; maternal great-grandparents, Wallace and Gladys Bradley of rural Lanesboro, and Hiram and Lillian Danielson of Lanesboro; and paternal great-grandmothers, Nancy Petcu of Chatfield and Dorothy Marr of St. Louis.
A graveside service was held Thursday, April 12, in the Lanesboro cemetery. The Rev. Kerry Eversole of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lanesboro officiated.
Johnson-Riley Funeral Home in Lanesboro was in charge of arrangements.
Maxine Gunderson, 75, of Mabel
Maxine Delores Gunderson, 75, of Mabel, died Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2001, at the Green Lea Manor Nursing Home in Mabel.
She was born March 7, 1925, in rural Ossian, Iowa, the fourth and youngest child of George and Lettie (Strand) Wright. She grew up in northeast Iowa, graduating from Waukon High School in 1942. She married Jerome Gunderson on May 30, 1943, at the First Lutheran Church in Decorah, Iowa.
The Bible verse, "The Lord is my light and my salvation" carried her through many leadership positions in her lifetime. She was a Sunday School teacher both in Waterloo Ridge and Mabel First Lutheran churches and held offices in the women's groups in both churches. She was a 4-H leader in Iowa and Minnesota; held offices in a farm organization, a political party and an insurance agents' union at the time when women rarely did those things, all this while raising a family and helping with her husband's businesses. God truly gave her strength to do it all.
She is survived by her husband; four sons, Gary (Cheryl) of Canton, James (Sheree) and Tony (Myrna), both of Mabel, and Jerry Wayne (Sonya) of Des Moines, Iowa; one daughter, Jean (Terry) Ingvalson of Mabel; 14 grandchildren, Gary and Renee Gunderson, Desi Sherman, Travis, Sarita, Wayne Gunderson, Jennifer, Ian and Cory Gunderson, Quincy, Trista and Casey Ingvalson, Hunter and Benjamin Gunderson; her mother of Burr Oak, Iowa; two brothers Vernon (Bayonne) Wright of Burr Oak and Calvin (Jeanne) Wright of Dorchester, Iowa; and a sister, Norma Hopperstad of Decorah, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her father.
Memorial services were Saturday at the Mabel First Lutheran Church in Mabel with the Revs. Gene and Allen Hermeier co-officiating. Burial in the Mabel Lutheran Cemetery.
Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel was in charge of arrangements.
Robert Guy, 61, formerly of G.M.
Robert Wayne Guy, 61, of Austin, died Saturday, May 5, 2001, at his home in Austin.
He was born July 6, 1939, in Grand Meadow to Wayne Guy and Edith Olson Guy and was baptized at the Grand Meadow Lutheran Church and graduated from the Grand Meadow High School in 1957. He worked as a truck driver, working for Ben Wright in Grand Meadow, Ruan in Spring Valley, and McFarland of Austin. After his retirement from trucking he went to work for Hormel Foods in Austin.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling and his dog. He was an avid gun collector and operated Guy's Gun Shop. He was also a lifetime member of the NRA.
He is survived by two sons, Darwin (Tammy) Guy of LeRoy and Douglas (Peggy) Guy of Spring Valley; two daughters, Debra Back of LeRoy and Dawn (Norman) Elmore of Siloam Springs, Ark.; seven grandchildren: Levi, Destiny, Sarah, Shelly, Tyler, Trista and Justin; and one great-grandchild, Cameron. He is also survived by his parents of Ostrander. He was preceded in death by his sister, Kathy.
Graveside services were held Monday at the Grand Meadow Cemetery in Grand Meadow with the Rev. Elaine Siemsen and the Rev. Norman Bauer officiating.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Hindt-Hutchins Funeral Home in Grand Meadow was in charge of arrangements.
Violette Ione Guy, 93, of Spring Valley
Violette Ione Guy, 93, of Spring Valley, died Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2001, at the Spring Valley Care Center.
She was born Jan. 24, 1908, in Coleman, S.D., and graduated from Spring Valley High School.
On Nov. 9, 1935, she was united in marriage to Kenneth Guy in Spring Valley. He worked for a railroad. He died in 1966.
She enjoyed crocheting and her cats and dogs. She loved people and always rooted for the underdog. She was a self-employed sales lady for many different products.
She is survived by one daughter, Sharon (Larry) Collyer-Claude of Rochester; a foster daughter, Theresa Chesney of Oronoco, Minn.; and a sister, Bernyce (Wayne) Leonard of Truman, Minn. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Fae Mishke and Leota Boschert.
The funeral was Friday at the Assemblies of God Church in Spring Valley with the Revs. Joe Haynes of Spring Valley First Baptist Church and Steve Kuno of the Assemblies of God Church officiating. Burial was in Spring Valley Cemetery.
Hindt-Hutchins Funeral Home in Spring Valley was in charge of arrangements.
