Gregg Laging, 44, formerly of Spring Valley
Gregg Alan Laging, 44, died on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2001, at Saint Marys Hospital after a brief illness.
He was born on April 23, 1956, in Austin, Minn., to Clifford and Dorothy Laging.
He was employed at People's Natural Gas of Rochester up until 1987 when a traumatic brain injury accident left him severely disabled. He had been a resident at Samaritan Bethany Heights up until the time of his death. He was very active in the local theater community including being a founding member of the Rochester Repertory Theater, Rochester Civic Theater, "Feast and Footlights," and the Mantorville Melodrama. He was also an accomplished martial arts practitioner, avid runner and bicyclist, and gifted artist. His many talents and humorous and gentle spirit will leave a void in the lives he touched.
He is survived by his wife, Susan (Schleeter) Laging of Mantorville; his parents; and a sister, Jean Laging of Minneapolis. His paternal and maternal grandparents preceded him in death.
Two memorial services will be held on Thursday, March 1. A brief service will be held in the chapel at Samaritan Bethany Heights, 1530 11th Ave., NW, Rochester, at 10 a.m. and at 2 p.m. at First Congregational Church on Walnut Avenue in Mantorville. There will be no reviewal; his remains were cremated.
The family prefers memorials to the Ability Building Center, Inc., 1911 14th St., Rochester, MN 55901 or the Brain Injury Association of Minnesota, 43 Main St. S.E., Suite 135, Minneapolis, MN 55414.
Donald J. Lahmers, 84, once of Preston
Donald J. Lahmers, 84, of Rochester, a retired home builder, died Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2001, at his home.
He was born March 11, 1916, in Eyota. On Sept. 4, 1937, he married Oriet J. Hampel in Viola. He lived in Eyota and Preston before moving to Rochester 30 years ago. He was a member of Zumbro Lutheran Church and a master woodworker and woodsman.
Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Dana L. (Philip) Gartner of Lake City and Susan Kay (Thomas) Dunwell of Roseville, Minn.; a son, Thomas D. (Jeanne) of Marine on St. Croix, Minn.; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and a sister, Maxine Hoffman, of Pine Island.
A memorial service was held Saturday at Zumbro Lutheran Church. A private family burial service was in Oakwood Cemetery.
Ranfranz Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Shirley Landgrebe, 73, Spring Valley
Shirley A. Landgrebe, 73, of Spring Valley, died Monday, April 30, 2001, at Season's Hospice in Rochester.
She was born March 27, 1928, in Duluth, Minn., the daughter of Clarence and Alice (Hanson) Carlson. She graduated in 1946 from Two Harbors High School and attended Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn. She married Carlyle "C.A." Landgrebe April 16, 1949, in Two Harbors and the couple lived in various communities until moving to Spring Valley in August 1971. She was a homemaker, but also worked at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Spring Valley as a secretary for a number of years.
She was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Spring Valley's Cosmopolitan Club, and was an avid crafter.
She is survived by her husband; six sons, David (Laurie) of Barrington, Ill., Robert (Cynthia) of Eagan, Minn., Eric "Rick" (Maurita) of Burnsville, Minn., Ronald "Mark" (Brenda) of Stewartville, Gary (Pamela) of Racine, and Paul (Molly) of Plymouth, Minn.; nine grandchildren; and two sisters, Connie Gibson of Virginia Beach, Va., and Peggy (Ron) Fredson of Arroyo Grande, Calif.
She was preceded in death by a grandson.
The funeral was May 3 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church with the Rev. Kevin Woestehoff officiating. Her body was cremated.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to Season's Hospice, 5650 Weatherhill Rd., Rochester, MN 55902 or the American Cancer Society.
Thauwald Funeral Home in Spring Valley was in charge of arrangements.
Clara Miller Lange, 99, of Harmony
Clara Miller Lange, 99, of Harmony, died at the Harmony Healthcare on May 18, 2001.
She was born May 4, 1902, to August and Anna Miller in Big Springs, rural Harmony. She was baptized and confirmed in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and attended grade school in Big Springs. On June 24, 1920, she married Lester Lange and they farmed on the Miller place until 1935 when they purchased the farm north of them. To this union, three children were born: Emery, Alberta and Estella.
They farmed on this farm until 1949 when they moved to Harmony. She lived here for almost 40 years after the death of her husband in 1962. She was a member of WELCA and Faith Circle and in her earlier years held many offices in her church. She was church organist when first married and continued her love of music when she taught herself to play the accordian.
She lived in two centuries and had seen many changes. She loved to crochet and made doilies and afghans for friends and family. She helped compile records on her family, enjoyed babysitting and just helping on the farm or where needed.
She is survived by one son, Emery (Eyvone) Lange of Harmony; one daughter, Alberta Fishbaugher of Preston; three grandchildren, Tom Fishbaugher and Genny Hanson both of Preston; Caroyln Kuester of Kalamazoo, Mich.; four great-grandchildren, Joseph Fishbaugher of Brookings, SD, Sandi (Kyle) Miller of Kewaskum, Wis.; Keith Hanson of Harmony and Kyle Hanson of Cresco; a sister-in-law, Elmira Miller, and nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Monday at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at Big Spring, rural Harmony with burial in the Big Springs Cemetery, rural Harmony. The Rev. Keith Parker officiated. Lindstrom Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Eugene S. Larson, 77, of Lanesboro
Eugene S. Larson, 77, of Lanesboro, a carpenter, died Sunday, June 3, 2001, at his home.
He was born Oct. 17, 1923, in rural Peterson and graduated from Lanesboro High School in 1942. From March 29, 1943, to Jan. 2, 1946, he served in the Army with duty in Italy, and then attended vocational school for cabinet making in LaCrosse, Wis., for two years. On Sept. 18, 1948, he married Avis Peterson at the Highland Prairie Church parsonage. He was a carpenter until the time of his death and had worked for McNally in Winona for many years. He served three terms on the Lanesboro School Board, was custodian at Bethlehem Lutheran Church for a number of years, and served on the Property Committee, the Lanesboro Cemetery Board and Lanesboro Historical Preservation Association.
Survivors include two sons, David of Cresco, and Daniel (Heather) of Rushford; three daughters, Kathryn (Jim) Schwanke of Buffalo City, Wis., Sharon (Walt) Alms of Austin, and Laura (Dennis) Block of Blooming Prairie; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. A sister and a granddaughter preceded him in death.
The funeral was held Thursday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lanesboro, with the Rev. Kerry Eversole officiating. Burial in Lanesboro Cemetery with military graveside rites by the Lanesboro American Legion.
Johnson-Riley Funeral Home, Lanesboro, was in charge of arrangements.
Lillian Larson, 100, once of Fountain
Lillian Mae Larson, 100, of Rochester, a homemaker and former Mayo Clinic secretary, died Tuesday, March 20, 2001, at Samaritan Bethany Home on Eighth.
Lillian Mae Nelson was born Aug. 17, 1900, in Minnewaukon, N.D., and grew up in North Dakota and Fountain, Minn. On Oct. 22, 1946, she married George Lowell Larson in Waseca, Minn. He died Jan. 10, 1991. She had lived in Rochester since 1981.
She was preceded in death by a sister and a brother.
A graveside service will be held at a later date. The body was cremated. Interment will be in the Calvary Church columbarium.
Ricky Dean Larson, 36, of Mabel
Ricky Dean Larson, 36, of Mabel and formerly of Spring Grove died Friday, Jan. 12, 2001.
He was born Oct. 16, 1964, in Rockford, Ill., to Richard Larson and Pat Blagsvedt. He was a lifelong resident of the Spring Grove and Mabel area. He was never married. He was a 1983 graduate of Spring Grove High School and also held an associate degree in environmental health from Winona State University. He served in the Navy from August 1983 to August 1989. He had worked with Larson Well Drilling in Mabel, and was currently working for Ozzie’s Pipeline of Scottsdale, Ariz. He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove. He was also an active member of American Legion Post 299 of Mabel.
Survivors include his parents: Richard (Marcia) Larson of Mabel, and Pat (Kenneth) Blagsvedt of Spring Grove; two sisters, Renee Larson of Spring Grove, Lisa (Rick) Arneson of Racine, Minn.; one brother, Russell Larson of Mabel; four nieces, Amanda, Haley, Lauren and Paige. He was preceded in death by his grandparents.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove. Burial was in the Trinity Church Cemetery with the Rev. Jim Arends officiating. Roble Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Della Lawston, 93, once of rural Canton
Della Harriet Lawston, 93, a resident of the Harmony Healthcare Center, formerly of Lanesboro and Canton, died Wednesday, July 4, 2001, at the care center.
She was born Feb. 7, 1908, in rural Lanesboro, grew up there and graduated from Lanesboro High School in 1928. After completing normal teachers training in Winona in 1929, she taught in Fillmore County rural schools. In 1963 she received an elementary education degree from Winona State College and then taught second grade in Canton. On Sept. 9, 1936, she married Olney Lawston in Peterson. They farmed in Amherst Township, Fillmore County until Mr. Lawston's death on June 11, 1989. She continued to live on the farm until entering the care center in 1991. She was a member of Elstad Lutheran Church and the WELCA. She enjoyed rosemaling, sewing, crocheting and knitting.
Survivors include a son, Dr. Henry (Harriet) Lawston of Lanesboro; two grandsons; two great-grandchildren; and a sister, Effie Vigness of St. Paul. A brother and a sister also preceded her in death.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 22, at the Elstad Lutheran Church in rural Lanesboro, with the Rev. Rodney K. Nygren officiating.
Riley Funeral Home in Lanesboro was in charge of arrangements.
Clarence Leutink, 83, Wykoff native
Clarence "Abe" Leutink, 83, of Preston, died Monday afternoon, June 4, 2001, at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester.
He was born Nov. 22, 1917, in Wykoff, the son of William and Myrtle (Dumond) Leutink. He was raised in the Wykoff area and was a 1935 graduate of Wykoff High School. He married Ellen Young May 9, 1939, in Battle Creek, Iowa. The couple moved to Preston in 1941. He served during WWII in the U.S. Army in the Pacific Theatre from 1943 to 1946. He was employed by Preston Oil Products from 1941 until his retirement in 1984.
He was a charter member of Magdelene-Gilbertson Post #6893 and served as commander and adjutant. He was also a member of the Preston Volunteer Fire Department for 38 years, serving as chief for a number of those years; the Preston City Council and Christ Lutheran Church, serving as president of the congregation, many years as usher, and trustee. He enjoyed all sports, gardening, and the company of his grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife; a daughter, Judy (Paul) Bessingpas of Rochester; two grandsons, Todd (Polly) and Marc Bessingpas, all of Rochester; and two great-granddaughters, Rachel and Lindsey of Rochester.
He was preceded in death by two brothers.
The funeral was held on Friday at Christ Lutheran Church in Preston with the Rev. Bernard Daiker officiating. Burial with military graveside rites was in Crown Hill Cemetery in Preston. Thauwald Funeral Home in Preston was in charge of arrangements.
Julia Maxine Lewis, 79, of Spring Grove
Julia Maxine Lewis, 79, of Spring Grove, a former teacher, died of complications of a stroke on Friday, March 23, 2001, at Tweeten Lutheran Health Services in Spring Grove.
Julia Maxine Wieses was born Feb. 7, 1922, in Valley Springs, S.D., and after graduating from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D., taught in Valley Springs school. On April 21, 1945, she married Vernon E. Lewis. They lived in Comfrey, Minn., and White and Baltic, S.D., before moving to Spring Grove 45 years ago. She was a member of Waterloo Ridge Lutheran Church.
Survivors include her husband; a son, Richard (Joan) of Mabel; a daughter, Catherine (Richard) Lewis Carlson of LeCenter, Minn.; and four grandchildren. A brother preceded her in death.
A memorial service was held Thursday morning at Waterloo Ridge Lutheran Church in rural Spring Grove.
Roble Funeral Home in Spring Grove was in charge of arrangements.
Russell Lichty, 78, once of Preston area
Russell M. Lichty, 78 of rural Eyota, died Wednesday, June 13, 2001, at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester.
He was born Aug. 21, 1922, in Forestville Township, Fillmore County. On Feb. 12, 1944, he married Bernice Mensink in Cherry Grove Church. He farmed near Cherry Grove and Preston and in 1964 moved to the present farm near Eyota, where he was also employed as a construction worker with Weis Builders. He was a member of Evangel United Methodist Church, and enjoyed attending county fairs and auctions.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Richard (Barbara) of Rochester and Lyndon (Cynthia) of Stewartville; one daughter, Janice (James E.) Earley of Fountain; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two brothers, Keith (Mildred) of Newman, Ga., and Robert (Gena) of Mountain Home, Ark; and one sister, Ardis Grady of Waterloo, Iowa. He was preceded in death by one brother.
The funeral service was Saturday at Evangel United Methodist Church in Rochester. Burial was in Grandview Memorial Gardens.
Ranfranz Funeral Home, Rochester, was in charge of arrangements.
Roger D. Link, 57, brother of Preston man
Roger D. Link, 57, of Belvadere, Ill., and formerly of Spring Valley, died Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2000, at his home.
He was born Aug. 8, 1943, in Lime Springs, Iowa, to Alvin and Frances (Westphal) Link. He attended school in Spring Valley and was united in marriage to Barb Milburn of Grand Meadow. They were later divorced. He moved to Belvidere in 1967 and worked for the Chrysler Corporation for 30 years, retiring in 1998.
He is survived by one daughter, Crystal (Brad) Carlisle of Rockford, Ill.; two sons, Tim of Machesney Park, Ill., and Copper of Belvidere; two grandchildren, Brennan and Madison; his mother of Spring Valley; three brothers, Robert of Spring Valley, Ray (Connie) of Rochester and Ronald of Preston; and two sisters, Elaine (Dave) Horsman of Spring Valley and Linda (Dan) Strung of Princeton, Minn. He was preceded in death by his father.
The funeral will be Thursday at 1 p.m. the Hindt-Hutchins Funeral Home in Spring Valley with the Rev. Kevin Woestehoff of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church officiating.
Earl Liudahl, 81, of Spring Grove
Earl Julian Liudahl, 81, of Spring Grove, died June 24, 2001, at Lutheran Hospital in LaCrosse.
He was born Feb. 18, 1920, in the Spring Grove Hospital to Edwin and Minnie (Ellingson) Liudahl. He was a lifelong Spring Grove area resident. He was a 1938 Spring Grove High School graduate. On Feb. 18, 1942, he married Delores Dahle, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church Parsonage in Caledonia. He farmed in rural Spring Grove and later worked at Deters Implement of Eitzen. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove.
Survivors include his wife of Spring Grove; one son, Blaine (Sharon) Liudahl of Spring Grove; two granddaughters, Michelle (Chris) Voelker of Spring Grove, and Nicole Liudahl of La Crescent; two sisters, Melba Hill of Brooksville, Fla., and Esther (Marvin) Peacock of Spring Grove and one sister-in-law, Audrey (Bob) Atchison of Spring Grove.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Milton.
Funeral services were held Wednesday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove. Burial is at the Trinity Church Cemetery. The Rev. Jim Arends officiated.
G. Oliver Loken, 76, of Rushford
G. Oliver Loken, 76, a retired farmer, died Tuesday, April 24, 2001, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Rushford.
He was born March 22, 1915, in Canada. On Oct. 19, 1938, he married Lucille A. Pederson in Lanesboro and they farmed in the Houston, Hokah, Caledonia and Yucatan areas. In addition, he was custodian at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church and worked in maintenance at Valley View Nursing Home in Houston. He was a lifelong member of Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, which was formerly St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.
Survivors include five sons, Larry (Mary Ann Mohan) of Rushford, Roy (Dixie) of Rollingstone, Dennis (Cindy) of Mankato, Robert (Sue) of Dakota, Minn., and Jeffrey (Frieda) of Stewartville; 16 grandchildren; and two sisters, Amelia Stadtler of Caledonia and Eva Wright of Rochester. He was preceded in death by his wife, three brothers, a sister, and two grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Friday at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Houston, with the Rev. Louise Stromberg officiating with burial at the Stone Church Cemetery in Houston.
Lucille Loken, 82, once of Amherst
Lucille A. Loken, 82, of Rushford, a longtime area farm homemaker, died Tuesday, March 13, 2001, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Rushford.
Lucille A. Pederson was born April 21, 1918, in Amherst Township, Fillmore County. On Oct. 19, 1938, she married George Oliver Loken in Lanesboro. They farmed in the Houston, Hokah, and Caledonia areas before purchasing a farm south of Rushford. A member of Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, she was a Sunday school teacher, sang in the choir and belonged to ladies aid and ALCW.
Survivors include her husband; five sons, Larry (MaryAnn Moham) of Rushford, Roy (Dixie) of Rollingstone, Dennis (Cindy) of Mankato, Robert (Sue) of Dakota and Jeffrey (Freida) of Stewartville; 16 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a sister, Deloris (Harold) Blagsvedt of Spring Grove; and two brothers, Dale (Beverly) Pederson and Carroll (Gladys) Pederson, both of LaCrosse. She was preceded in death by two grandchildren, three brothers and a sister.
The funeral was held last Friday at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Rushford. Burial was in Stone Church Cemetery.
Hoff Funeral Home-Houston Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
Helen M. Lommen, 97, with ties to area
Helen M. Lommen, 97, of Minneapolis, died Dec. 23, 2000.
She was the daughter of Dr. A.P. Lommen, formerly of Lanesboro. She was a second grade school teacher for the Columbia Heights School District for many years, and a longtime member of Central Lutheran Church.
She is survived by a brother, Judge A. Paul Lommen and wife, Marguerite; sister-in-law, Norma Lommen; four nieces and one nephew. A brother, Robert M. Lommen preceded her in death.
A memorial service was held at the Minnesota Masonic Home Chapel in Bloomington.
Werness Brothers Funeral Home were in charge of arrangements.
E. Love, 79, son of late Preston couple
Ellsworth J. (Bud) Love, 79, died March 3, 2001, in Miami, Fla.
He was born June 15, 1921, in Carlos, Minn., the son of Dr. Frederick and Lydia Love, former residents of Preston. He attended high school in Alexandria, Minn., and Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. He served as a Lieutenant in the Navy in WWII and the Korean War. He operated a restaurant in South Miami, Fla., for many years.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Frederick.
Survivors include a sister, Mrs. Virginia (LeRoy) Dalton of Madison, Wis; two nephews, Gregg Dalton of Lodi, Wis., and Brian Love of Seattle, Wash; two nieces, Jill Dalton of Madison, and Karen Love of Detroit, Mich.
Graveside services will be held Saturday in Crown Hill Cemetery with the Rev. Anthony Fink officiating. Military rites will be by the Naval Reserve Force of LaCrosse, Wis.
Thauwald Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Ethel E. Love, 92, Harmony
Ethel E. Love, 92, of Harmony died Friday, June 15, 2001, at Harmony Care Center.
She was born April 28, 1909, in Fessenden, N.D., to Adolph and Mathilda (Mietz) Burgstahler. She grew up in North Dakota and received her degree in nursing from Northwestern Hospital School of Nursing. She then married Robert W. Love in 1935 in Minneapolis. After they were married they farmed in the Cherry Grove area until his death in 1963. She worked for a time as a school nurse in the Harmony area schools and later at Community Memorial Hospital in Spring Valley. She was a member of Cherry Grove United Methodist Church.
She is survived by one son, Robert (Marcia) of Preston; one daughter, Catherine (Harry) Ahnert of Edina, four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and one sister, Clara Strickling of Stockton, Calif.
She was preceded in death by two sisters and four brothers.
A private graveside service was held at Crown Hill Cemetery in Preston. A gathering of friends was held Tuesday at Bob and Marcia Love's farm in rural Preston.
Mahn Family Funeral and Cremation Services - Rochester Memorial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
Eric Lee Lund, 46, once of Lanesboro
Eric Lee Lund, 46, of Austin, and formerly of Lanesboro and Rushford, died Wednesday, April 5, 2001, at his home.
Born June 17, 1954, in Lanesboro, he grew up there and in 1979 moved to Rushford, where he farmed. From 1982 to 1995 he farmed near Lyle and then moved to Austin and was employed at an implement dealership. He was a member of Highland Church in Lanesboro and was active in Jaycees.
Survivors include a daughter, Tricia Ann Lund of Winona; a son, Jason Eric of Rochester; a granddaughter; two brothers, Mike (Deb) of Brooklyn, Mich., and Curt (Tricia) of Austin; and five sisters, Judy (Mike) Buenger of Waseca, Minn., Faye Lund of Cresco, Iowa, Linda (Dale) Grindahl of Roseau, Minn., Sandra (Eric) Nash of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Susan (Mike) Running of South St. Paul. His parents preceded him in death.
A memorial service was held on Monday at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin, with the Rev. Donald Budd officiating.
Worlein Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
L. Lund Jr., 61, Spring Grove native
Lawrence Lund, Jr., 61, of Lakeland Fla., died March 5, 2001, at Winterhaven Health Center in Lakeland.
He was born April 2, 1939, in Spring Grove, the son of Lawrence and Ella Lund. He was united in marriage to Norma Jean Dunn of Denver, Colo., on Oct. 25, 1958. They were later divorced. He served in the Marine Corps and was a self-employed contractor. He enjoyed traveling, camping and fishing.
He is survived by his mother, of Spring Valley; one daughter, Cindy (Terry) Coleman of Omaha, Neb., two sons, Wayne Lund and James (Lisa) Lund, both of Lakeland; tgwo sisters, Ramonia (Harvey) Entsminger of Anoka, Minn., and Patsy (Clifford) Van Tries of Gibbon, Minn.; one brother, Gary (Della) Lund of Spring Valley; five grandchildren; six nieces; four nephews; and a special friend, Georgia Barclay.
He was preceded in death by his father and one brother.
The body was cremated.
Mabel A. Lynch. 92, once of Lanesboro
Mabel A. Lynch, 92, of Rushford, a longtime Lanesboro resident and retired cook, died Monday, May 7, 2001, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Rushford, where she had resided since 1987.
Mabel A. Thoen was born May 14, 1908, in rural Lanesboro and graduated from Lanesboro High School in 1926. She lived in Chicago and Milwaukee before returning to Lanesboro in 1945. She married Thomas F. Lynch in 1943. He died in May 1971. She was a cook at several restaurants and in the Lanesboro Public School.
Survivors include a son, T.J. of Troy, Mich., and two grandchildren. Two brothers preceded her in death.
A funeral Mass was held Saturday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Lanesboro, with the Rev. Thomas Loomis officiating. Burial was in Holt Cemetery in rural Lanesboro.
Johnson-Riley Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
