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Genevieve M. Erickson, 92
Genevieve Magdalen Erickson, 92, of Diamond Bluff died Saturday, Dec. 11, 1999, at the Ellsworth Care Center in Ellsworth.
She was born Sept. 15, 1907, in Clayfield, the daughter of Michael and Caroline (Baker) Huppert.
She attended country school in Conroy. She worked as a domestic in Red Wing, Minn. She married Harry Erickson in Clayfield on Sept. 8, 1931. They farmed in the Pierce County area.
She worked at the La Grange Shoe Company in Red Wing for 10 years. She worked at the Hager Heights Drive Inn.
She retired and was a homemaker in Diamond Bluff. She lived in the Ellsworth Care Center for the past year.
She enjoyed sending greeting cards, photography, dancing, singing and playing the piano.
She was preceded in death by an infant son, Albert; and one grandchild, David Erickson.
She is survived by one daughter, Caroline Rollo of Magalia, Calif.; two sons: Harvey J. Erickson of Hastings, Minn., and Wallace and "Dearie" Erickson of Hager City; 14 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; 13 great-great-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; and one step-great-great-grandchild.
Funeral will be Thursday, Dec. 16, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Big River. The Rev. John Beckfelt will officiate.
Burial will be in the Diamond Bluff Cemetery in the town of Diamond Bluff.
Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Wednesday, with a prayer service at 6 p.m., at Mahn Family Funeral Homes, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel, in Red Wing, Minn., and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Pallbearers will be Dan, Kevin, Mike, Wally and Nick Erickson, John Johnson, and Tim Magee.
Memorials are preferred to donor's choice.
Susan M. Rusch, 52
Susan M. Rusch, 52, a local artist from Hudson and formerly of River Falls, died Monday, Dec. 13, 1999, at St. Joseph's Hospital in St. Paul.
She was born March 7, 1947, in Minneapolis, the daughter of Robert W. and Irene (Lofberg) Christiansen. At a young age she moved to Hudson, where she attended grade school and graduated from Hudson High School. She was an art major at UW-River Falls.
She married James Rusch. The marriage ended in divorce.
At the time of her death, Susan was employed at Micklesen's Drug Store, Hudson, in the pharmacy department.
She was an artist and individualist to the core. She was supportive, gentle, non-judgmental, witty, honest and caring. She made great spritz cookies and horrible energy shakes. She often played "The Little Drummer Boy" while decorating the family Christmas tree.
She is survived by her partner, Bob Gaisbauer, of North Hudson; her daughter, Amy and Andrew Rusch Mack of Lake Nebagamon; her son, Anthony Rusch of Hudson; her parents: Robert and Irene Christiansen of Amery; four grandchildren: Leopold and Daisy Mack and Tyler and Avery Rusch; her sisters: Karen and Daniel Foust of Clayton, Diane and Roy Watson of Amery, Therese and Paul Christenson of St. Croix Falls; her brothers: Gerald and Becky Christiansen of Hudson, William Christiansen of New Port, Ore., Robert T. and Denise Christiansen of Amery, John and Janette Christiansen of Amery, and Patrick and Shelly Christiansen of Hudson.
Funeral will be Thursday, Dec. 16, at 11 a.m. at O'Connell Family Funeral Home in Hudson. Visitation will be Wednesday, Dec. 15, from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
There will be a private family interment.
Memorials are preferred.
Charles V. Gavin, 74
Charles V. "Chuck" Gavin, 74, of Hudson died Wednesday, Dec. 8, 1999, at the emergency room at Hudson Medical Center after being transported there from his residence.
He was born Feb. 14, 1925, in Ladysmith, the son of Howard and Mary (Deheck) Gavin. At a young age the family moved to River Falls, where he attended grade school. He graduated from River Falls High School in 1943.
After high school he assisted his parents with their farm. Then he worked as a mechanic in River Falls.
In 1951 he moved to Beloit, attended vocational school and worked as a machinist for the Fairbanks Morse Company. He moved back to the Hudson area in 1956 and was employed in St. Paul with the American Hoist Company.
Later he joined the Capital Gears Company, where he worked until his retirement in 1990 as the machine shop foreman.
He married Marjorie Ruemmele on Oct. 15, 1951, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Hudson.
In his family he was known as "Mr. Fixit" and was called upon to do many small jobs that needed fixing. He enjoyed doing woodworking projects around the house.
He also enjoyed sports - football, basketball, baseball and wrestling. His biggest love was his wife, children and grandchildren - especially supporting them in their accomplishments and participation in sports.
He was a devoted member of St. Patrick's parish in Hudson and was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus in Hudson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Mary Gavin; his brothers: John, Joseph, Arthur and William Gavin; his sisters: Mary Hanson, Mildred Berning and Helen Kalinaski; his brothers-in-law: Engewald Hanson, Orville Berning and Warren Kalinaski; sister-in-law, Katherine Gavin; nephew: Frank Kalinaski; and niece: Sandra Bell.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Marjorie; his daughters: Ann Gavin and Mary and Barry Preston of Hudson; his sons: Gary Gavin of Hudson, and Mike and Roxanne Gavin of River Falls; seven grandchildren: Emily, Abby, Stephanie and Scott Gavin and Jenny, Aimee and Drew Preston.
Mass of Christian Burial was Saturday, Dec. 11, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Hudson, with the Rev. Peter Szleszinski officiating and Elsie Sandquist, the organist, accompanying the Hope Choir.
Readers were Patti Waterman and Judy Reierson. Gift bearers were Robbie Marson and the John and Maureen Fassbinder family. Eulogy was given by Richard Kinney.
Interment was in St. Patrick's Cemetery in Hudson.
Pallbearers were: Bill Kalinaski, Dan Gavin, Gordy Gavin, Larry Berning, Larry Ruemmele, and Rich Ruemmele.
Honorary pallbearers were his grandchildren.
Visitation was Friday, Dec. 10, with a prayer service Friday and Saturday at O'Connell's Funeral Home, Hudson.
Memorials are preferred.
Blanche E. Collins, 86
Blanche Evelyn (Smith) Collins, 86, died at the Kinnickinnic Long Term Care facility in River Falls, on Saturday, Dec. 4, 1999.
She was born Nov. 11, 1903, in Clear Lake, Iowa, the daughter of Mary Elizabeth Pailing and Walter H. Smith. She moved to North Dakota at age 3, where her father was engaged in the farm machinery business.
In 1910 her father purchased a general blacksmith shop at Baldwin, where they remained until 1917 when they moved to Hudson. She graduated from high school in 1922.
After attending UW-River Falls a short time, she began working for the Omaha Division of C & NW Railroad at Hudson. She was transferred to Chicago, Sioux City, Iowa, and St. Paul over a period of 15 years or until 1934 when she was married to P. Howard Collins of River Falls, where they lived and farmed. He died Nov. 1, 1985.
She was a 50-member of Eastern Star, a 4-H leader for 20 years, and Pierce County Cancer chairperson for 10 years. She was a charter member of the business and professional women's club. She transferred memberships from the Presbyterian Church of Hudson to the First Congregational United Church of Christ of River Falls.
She was a member of the Homemakers of Glass Valley and served on the school board. She worked for attorneys J. F. Murry, William McEwen and Les Gaylord.
She was employed at UW-River Falls in various offices and departments for many years. She spent many years in Texas with her husband, Howard.
She worked for the Red Cross Bloodmobile, doing registrations. She was also a secretary for the women's bowling league and carried a high average.
She is survived by several cousins, Mrs. LeRoy Collins, nieces and nephews.
Funeral was Friday, Dec. 17, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ with the Rev. Delbert Permann officiating.
Interment was in Greenwood Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Bill Smith, Harley Halverson, Bob Bjerstedt, Al Timmerman, Jerry Peterson and Todd Bjerstedt.
Cashman Mortuary handled arrangements.
Herbert S. Yanisch, 81
Herbert S. Yanisch, 81, of Prescott, died Saturday, Dec. 18, 1999, at Regina Medical Center, Hastings, Minn.
He was born Oct. 9, 1918, in Herbert in the town of Salem in Pierce County, the son of Bernard and Maude (Herbert) Yanisch.
He married Dorothy Stern on Feb. 12, 1942, in Clayfield. They farmed in Ellsworth and Prescott for many years. While he was farming, he also worked for the Farmers Union, River Falls Creamery, Hove Automotive, Frank Brothers Grain Elevator and the St. Paul Pine Bend ammonia plant.
He enjoyed woodworking, playing cards, bird watching, fishing and hunting.
He was a member of Local 6-662 OCAW and St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Prescott.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Maude; two brothers and three sisters; and a son-in-law: Kenny Buss.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, of Prescott; three daughters: Frances Buss of River Falls, Faye Riley of Prescott, and Terri and Paul Hempel of Hager City; nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; two sisters and one brother: Delores and Allan Sathra of Apache Junction, Ariz., Bernadine and Vernon Riegelman of Red Wing, Eugene and Helen Yansich of Cottage Grove, Minn.; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial was Wednesday morning at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Prescott, with the Rev. Thomas Mannion officiating.
Interment was in the church cemetery.
Raymond W. Pechacek, 14
Raymond W. Pechacek, 14, of River Falls died Dec. 15, 1999.
He was born in Red Wing, Minn., on March 7, 1985, the son of Peter and Sheila Pechacek. He was a freshman at the River Falls High School. He played football on the freshman team.
He went to St. Bridget Parish School where he graduated in 1999. He was a member of the basketball team and played every year for St. Bridget. He was an altar boy at St. Mary's Catholic Church.
He went to Australia this summer with "People to People Student Ambassadors." He went to College for Kids and Teen University.
He liked to hunt and fish. He went to Canada with his grandpa, fishing. This fall he shot his first buck.
His favorite sport was football. He liked playing football with his cousins at a family get-together.
He was a Packer fan all the way and said "The Packers are the best team."
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Walter and Hattie Christiansen.
He is survived by his parents, Peter and Sheila Pechacek; his sisters: Rose and Rachel; his grandparents: Lawrence and Henrietta Pechacek; his great uncle: George Pechacek; his many aunts and uncles and several cousins, who loved him very much.
Funeral was Saturday, Dec. 18, at St. Mary's Big River Catholic Church, rural River Falls.
Interment was at Cherma Cemetery, River Falls.
Pallbearers were Bob Merta, Dennis Hildebrandt, Paul Schmidt, Donny Merta, Ronnie Hildebrandt, and Jeff Holts.
Honorary pallbearers are: Bob Buckner, Walter Schuck, Duane Chapman, Mikey Lubich, Mike Mathys, T.J. Christiansen, Leon Matthews, Lynn Berning, Brandon Cernohous, Brian Mathys, and Haven Schuck.
Altar boys were Chris and Jason Christiansen.
Cashman Mortuary handled arrangements.
Donald F. Parent, 68
Donald Francis Parent, 68, died Tuesday, Dec. 14, 1999, at United Hospital in St. Paul, with many loved ones present. He died of small cell lung cancer.
He was born Jan. 16, 1931, the son of Ernest James Parent and Mary Fern Palmer Parent. He earned his general education degree in the 1960s and attended WITC in New Richmond, studying small engine repair, tractor and RV repair. He retired from West Industries in 1992.
His wife, Sophie Julia Flynn, is deceased.
He served in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy for a total of 26 years. He earned the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) and was honorably discharged in 1978.
His lifelong hobbies include: his tomato garden, (which brought him lots of joy and much to talk about), card games with his family and friends (especially cribbage, his favorite pastime), and solving the puzzle of the Rubic's Cube.
He also loved to take boating trips down the Ohio and St. Croix rivers, visiting Willow River State Park, family picnics, visiting relatives, stopping at yard sales, watching football games on television and teaching children to play chess.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Sophie Julia Parent; his parents, Ernest James Parent and Mary Fern Parent; his brother, Joe Parent; his sister, Mary Schmidt; and a very dear friend, Lillian Boesch.
He is survived by his children: Marvin Parent, Martha Parent-Beller, Mary May, Monica Parent-Joyner, Molly Parent; his grandchildren: Christina, Blake, Dylan, Samantha, Kimberlie, Bryan, Jennifer, Brandon, Kimberly, Michael; his siblings: Rita, Jim, Gert, Barb, Bernie, Sharon, Shirley, Betty, Tommy, Billy and Gloria.
Services were held Friday, Dec. 17, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of New Richmond. A piano solo was played by Kimberlie May.
Pallbearers were: Marvin Parent, Michael Parent, Rodney May, Bryan May, Donald Larson, Tom Parent and Dennis Vesper.
