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Elsie T. Berdan
Elsie T. Berdan, 95, Sleepy Eye, died Saturday, Sept. 21, 2002, at the Sleepy Eye Municipal Hospital in Sleepy Eye. Funeral services will be Thursday, Sept. 26, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Sleepy Eye, with interment in the church cemetery. Visitation is Wednesday, 4-7 p.m., with a parish prayer service at 5 p.m., and at the church on Thursday, from 9-10:30 a.m. Sturm Funeral Home handled the arrangements. Memorials are preferred to Divine Providence Community Home and St. Mary's Building Fund.
Elsie was born May 27, 1907, in St. George, the daughter of Fred and Sophie (Reinhart) Berdan. She was a graduate of St. Mary's Hospital School of Nursing in Minneapolis, and received a B.S. in nursing education and her M.S. in nursing service administration and Public Health nursing from the Catholic University of America in Michigan, followed by 13 years at Providence Hospital in Washington, D.C. as an instructor, assistant director of nursing education and assistant director of nursing services. During this time, she also was a member of the faculty at Catholic University School of Nursing. Elsie entered the U.S. Public Health Service in 1943 and until 1947, served as nurse education consultant in the Cadet Nurse Corps program; assigned to New Orleans to serve 10 southern states. In 1947, Elsie was transferred to Washington, D.C., and appointed as assistant chief of nursing education, nursing branch, division of hospitals. She became chief of this branch in 1950 and continued in this position as a commissioned officer of the Public Health service until her retirement. Elsie retired June 1, 1971, from the Public Health service and has been a resident of Sleepy Eye and a member of St. Mary's Parish, the Catholic Aid and Divine Providence Auxiliary.
Elsie is survived by her brothers, Richard and wife Lucille Berdan of Sleepy Eye, and Roland and wife Lois Berdan of Fairfax; sister, Marcella "Buddy" McReady of Berwyn, Ill.; sisters-in-law, Genie Berdan of Sleepy Eye and Charlotte Berdan of Fairfax; as well as many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Hubert "Birdie," Ted, Henry, and Alfred; and sisters, Agnes and husband Pat Haas and Stella Berdan.
Sylvia Claire Morningstar
Sylvia Claire Morningstar, 71, St. Paul, formerly of Sleepy Eye, died Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2002. Funeral services were Monday at Mueller Mortuary in St. Paul with interment in St. Mary's Cemetery in Sleepy Eye. Memorials are preferred to Veterans groups or Salesian Missions. Sturm Funeral Home handled the local arrangements.
Sylvia was born April 30, 1909, the daughter of Al and Theresa (Schneider) Herriges. Her step-parents were Ethel (Morrison) Herriges and Al Firkus. Sylvia is survived by her sons, Jeffrey, Paul and Gerard; and daughter, Colleen Firkus; granddaughters, Claire and Sarah; sister, Mary Lou and husband Armin Vetter; brother, Joseph Herriges; and many nieces and nephews.
Gerald Otto Roiger
Gerald Otto Roiger, 65, Springfield, died Sunday, Sept. 22, 2002, at St. John Lutheran Home, Springfield. Funeral services were Wednesday at St. Raphael's Catholic Church, Springfield, with interment in the church cemetery. Sturm Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Gerald was born May 29, 1937, to Otto and Louise (Fischer) Roiger at the Springfield Hospital. On Dec. 6, 1955, Gerald entered the United States Army and served until Nov. 19, 1957. On Oct. 24, 1959, Gerald married Angeline Mathiowetz at the Church of the Japanese Martyrs in Leavenworth. He was a dairy farmer until 1969, worked as a manager of the elevator in Morgan and Springfield, was a bookkeeper and parts manager at Brown County Implement and a salesperson for Miller Sellner Implement. Gerald was a lifetime member of St. Raphael's Catholic Church in Springfield, where he served as a parish council member and an usher. He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Gerald and Angie moved into Springfield in September of 1988. Gerald enjoyed the Minnesota Twins and the Minnesota Vikings. He took pride in keeping up the farm and working. Gerald also enjoyed bowling, hunting, fishing, baseball and spending time with his family and especially his grandchildren.
Gerald is survived by his wife, Angeline of Springfield; children, Sandy and husband Tom Betlach of North Mankato, Greg and wife Linda Roiger of Springfield and Christine and husband Jan Davidson of Springfield; 9 grandchildren; sisters, Mary Alice and husband Frank Ziegler of Fairfax and Margie and husband Andy Hacker of Morgan; brother, Loren Roiger of Des Moines, Iowa; and step-mother, Phyllis Roiger. He was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Louise Roiger.
Martha Schmidt
Martha Schmidt, 96, of Sleepy Eye, died Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2002, at Divine Providence Community Home in Sleepy Eye. Funeral services were Monday at the Divine Providence Home Chapel, with interment in Home Cemetery, Sleepy Eye. Minnesota Valley Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Martha was born May 28, 1906, in Prairieville Township, Brown County, to John and Johanna (Riebel) Fritz. She married Arthur Schmidt on Jan. 7, 1930, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye. After marriage, they resided in Sleepy Eye. Martha was employed by Pietrus Foods in Sleepy Eye for 32 years. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church.
Martha is survived by her daughter, Sally (Larson) Peterson of Savage; son and daughter-in-law, Lyle and Lois Fritz of Vancouver, Wash.; granddaughter, Debra and husband James Cizinski of Minneapolis; grandsons, James and wife Mary Larson of Richfield, Joel Larson of Farmington, and John and wife Renee Larson of Prior Lake; eight great-grandchildren; and sisters-in-law, Doris Fritz and Hilda Fritz, both of Sleepy Eye. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Arthur Schmidt on Nov. 10, 1988; sisters, Louise Klaussen, Veronica Greenwaldt, and Susan Peterson; and brothers, Lawrence Fritz and Alfred Fritz.
Inez Sylvia Sucker
Inez Sylvia Sucker, 77, Sleepy Eye, died Friday, Sept. 20, 2002, at her home. Funeral services were Monday at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sleepy Eye, with interment in Home Cemetery. Sturm Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Inez was born Sept. 6, 1925, in Lin Grove, Iowa, the daughter of Walter and Elsie (Remmele) Hale. She moved to Sleepy Eye with her parents in 1926. Inez attended Sleepy Eye Public School, graduating in 1943, and then attended Teacher's Training in New Ulm. After graduation, Inez was a teacher at District #30 and #17 rural schools until her marriage to Robert Charles Sucker on Dec. 23, 1945, in Framingham, Mass. Inez was the bookkeeper for Sucker Plumbing and Heating, Sleepy Eye Grain and Feed and Haas Stationary and Office Supply. She was also an Avon representative for many years. Inez was on kidney dialysis for 11 1/2 years. She was a member of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sleepy Eye and a member of the Legion Auxiliary. Inez enjoyed knitting, gardening and reading.
Inez is survived by her husband, Robert Sucker of Sleepy Eye; sons, David and wife Kathy Suker of Sleepy Eye, Donald and wife Rosemary Suker of Apple Valley and Dean and Barbara Sucker of Hill Air Force Base, Utah; 7 grandchildren; and sister, Margaret and husband Frank Fisch of Fort Collins, Colo. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Charles Hale.
Casket bearers were Gene Suker, Greg Suker, Virginia Suker, Ben Suker, Annie Suker and Danielle Sucker.
Mary Wooldrik
Mary Wooldrik, 89, St. Paul, formerly of Minneapolis, died Friday, Sept. 20, 2002, in St. Paul. Funeral services were Monday at St. Therese Catholic Church in St. Paul, with interment in Sleepy Eye. Sturm Funeral Home handled the local arrangements. Memorials are preferred to Home Once More, a service of Franciscan Health Community in St. Paul.
Mary grew up in Sleepy Eye and graduated from Mankato State College. She taught in the lower grades for 43 years, 30 years in Minneapolis at Hale and Keewayden Schools. During her career, Mary taught many hundreds of children to read and write.
Mary is survived by her brothers and sisters, Robert, Donald, Marvel and Ruth Wooldrik and Frances Dimmerman. She was Aunt Mary to many nieces and nephews and their children. She was preceded in death by her parents, Sol and Georgina Wooldrik; sister, Carol Kruzich; nephews, James Kruzich and Richard and Robert Hoelscher.
Lyle Henry Hillesheim
Lyle Hillesheim, 68, Gaylord, formerly of Emily, died Thursday, Sept. 26, 2002, at his home. Funeral services were Monday at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Gaylord, with interment in the Gaylord Municipal Cemetery, with full military honors by the Gaylord Manthey-Asmus American Legion Post #433.
Lyle was born Dec. 1, 1933, in Leavenworth Township, Brown County, to Hubert Sr. and Katherine (Schunk) Hillesheim. He married Betty Schneider on Aug. 26, 1953 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in New Ulm. Lyle attended Japanese Martyr Parochial School in Leavenworth. From 1953-1955, Lyle served in the United States Army, serving in Germany and France. From 1971-1984, he was manager of the Gaylord Coop. Lyle and Betty moved to Emily in 1984, where they owned and operated the Call of the Loon Resort until selling it in 1994. Lyle also managed the Deer River Coop. In January of 2002, Lyle and Betty moved to Gaylord to be closer to family and friends. Lyle was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Gaylord and the Knights of Columbus. He was a present member of the Gaylord Manthey-Asmus Post #433 and a member of the Disabled American Veterans. Lyle was an active member of the Emily Lions Club and enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards, golfing and visiting with family and friends.
Lyle is survived by his wife, Betty Hillesheim of Gaylord; children, Mark and wife Deb Hillesheim of Buffalo, Greg and wife Reg Hillesheim of Eagan, Vicky and husband Joe Goettl of Mankato, Lynn and husband Tom Tommelleo of New Castle Penn., Lori and husband Kevin Martens of Gaylord, and Jan and husband Everett Bratsch of Glencoe; brothers and sisters, Juliet and husband Eldor Sprenger of Winthrop, Jerome Hillesheim of Sleepy Eye, Gilbert and wife Janet Hillesheim of New Ulm, Gildard and wife Lois Hillesheim of St. Peter, Rose and husband Glen Zollner of New Ulm, Ruth Prokosch of New Ulm, Kathy and husband Gene Fegie of Hector, Annette and husband Art Helget of Hanska, Jo and wife Alice Hillesheim of Leavenworth, Mary and husband Dennis Stadick of New Ulm and Steve and wife Sandy Hillesheim of New Ulm; 18 grandchildren; one great-grandson; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Regina Hillesheim; and brothers, Hubert Hillesheim, Jr. and Frank Hillesheim.
Casket bearers were Kyle Stadick, Duane Hillesheim, Leon Hillesheim, Dean Schneider, Brian Wiltscheck and Jeff Halvorson. Honorary casket bearers were Mel Stern and Al Odenthal.
Stella M. Neyers
Stella M. Neyers, 92, Sleepy Eye, died Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2002, at the Sleepy Eye Care Center. Funeral services were Saturday at the Divine Providence Community Home Chapel, with interment in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Sleepy Eye.
Stella was born Sept. 24, 1910, in Granville, Iowa, to Paul and Margaret (Arens) Neyers. She moved to the rural Sleepy Eye area as a young girl, attending District #29 Country School and St. Mary's School. When the family retired from farming, they moved into Sleepy Eye, where Stella worked as a clerk at the McKnight Store in Sleepy Eye. Later, she worked as a receptionist for Dr. Rounds and Dr. Kiefer in their dental clinics. Stella lived at Ross Park Apartments until she moved to the Sleepy Eye Care Center. She loved to read and listen to the radio.
Stella is survived by her sisters, Frances Steffen and Marie Paulson, both of Sleepy Eye; sister-in-law, Elma Neyers of Winthrop and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Norbert Neyers, Elmer Neyers, and Raymond Neyers; sisters, Martha David and Sister Anna Mary Neyers; sisters-in-law, Martha (Hillesheim) Neyers and Elva (Grundmeyer) Neyers; brothers-in-law, Peter David, Raymond Steffen and Ivan Paulson; and nephews, Jim Steffen, Philip Steffen, Robert David, Loyal David and Sylvester Volz.
Darrell "Butch" Skunes
Darrell Skunes, 62, Sleepy Eye, died Saturday, Sept. 28, 2002, at the Sleepy Eye Municipal Hospital in Sleepy Eye. Funeral services were Wednesday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Sleepy Eye, with interment in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Sturm Funeral Home handed the arrangements. Memorials received by the family will be donated to Redwood Area Hospice, Sleepy Eye Municipal Hospital Building Fund and Trinity Lutheran Church. If anyone prefers to donate to one of these organizations directly, it would be appreciated.
Butch was born July 24, 1940, in Warren, the son of Edwin and Othelia "Tillie" (Moen) Skunes. He graduated from Warren High School and enlisted in the United State Navy where he served three years, stationed in Boston, Mass. Butch graduated from Moorhead State College in 1964, with degrees in mathematics, physical education and coaching. He taught one semester at Sitka, Alaska, and then four years at Madison. Following that, Butch worked one year as a computer programmer for Univac. He learned that teaching was his love and taught secondary math at Sleepy Eye Public School for 28 years, until his retirement in 1998. While there, Butch was an active member of the Sleepy Eye Education Association, where he served in several offices. He was a strong advocate of teacher's rights. Butch married Sharon Hagemeister at Detroit Lakes on June 8, 1971 and following marriage, they resided in Sleepy Eye. Butch was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sleepy Eye. Besides teaching, he was a beekeeper from 1975 through 1988. He was an avid fisherman, hunter and bridge player. Butch was an accomplished wine maker and enjoyed teaching this art to several others.
Butch is survived by his wife, Sharon Skunes of Sleepy Eye; brothers, Harold and wife JoAnn Skunes of South St. Paul, Orrin and wife Emily Skunes of Helena, Mont., and Lee and wife Maxine Skunes of Bagley; many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Fern.
Casket bearers were Cliff Anderson, Larry Baumgardt, Ed Blackstad, Bob Novotny, Trent Pearson, Bob Pederson, Dean Ristau and Gary Vettleson. Honorary casket bearers were Marian Anderson, Cathy Blackstad, Gloria Pearson, Judy Ristau, Sherry Baumgardt, Doris Novotny, Diana Pederson and Patricia Vettleson.
Donald "Don" Eugene Christiansen
Donald "Don" Eugene Christiansen, 70, Sleepy Eye, died Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2002, at Veteran's Administration Medical Center in Minneapolis. Funeral services were Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Sleepy Eye, with interment in Gilfillan Cemetery, Gilfillan. Sturm Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Donald was born Aug. 30, 1932, in Cobden, the son of Holgar J. and Esther (Jensen) Christiansen. Donald grew up and attended country school in Cobden until the eighth grade. He later attended Sleepy Eye Public High School. After graduation, Donald served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. On Nov. 20, 1953, Don was united in marriage with Annabelle Webskowski at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sleepy Eye. Don was employed by Mathiowetz Body Shop, doing body work and painting in Sleepy Eye. He later was employed by Marti Farm Center in New Ulm and the Chevrolet dealership in Sleepy Eye. He also worked in the parts department at Bob Pelzel Implement in Sleepy Eye. Don was a long-standing member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sleepy Eye. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, as well as fishing, hunting and playing cards. He was also very fond of horses in his younger years.
Don is survived by his wife, Annabelle Christiansen of Sleepy Eye; son, Dean and wife Sheila Christiansen of Sleepy Eye; daughter, Denise and husband Gary Walter of Sleepy Eye; grandchildren, Dustin and David Christiansen and Cody, Joey and Paige Walter of Sleepy Eye; sisters-in-law, Joyce and Joe Neid of Sleepy Eye and Margie Christiansen of Glenwood. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Dale and Dalwayne "Hump" Christiansen.
Raymond Peter Koll
Raymond Peter Koll, 82, Springfield, died Friday, Oct. 11, 2002, at St. John Lutheran Home, Springfield. Funeral services were Monday at St. Raphael's Catholic Church in Springfield, with interment in the church cemetery. Sturm Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Ray, the son of Herman and Cecelia (Reding) Koll, was born June 23, 1920, near Elrosa. Ray moved with his family in the early 1930s to the Morgan area. He attended District 92 Country School near Morgan, and later St. Michael's School in Morgan. Ray worked for the Jerome Green and Ray Reding families on the farm and in the Tempel Grocery Store in Morgan. Ray served in the United States Army from Oct. 14, 1942, until Oct. 7, 1943. On Nov. 15, 1943, Ray married Agnes Reiner at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Morgan. The couple farmed in Bashaw Township from 1948 until 1978. Ray and Agnes moved into Springfield in 1980. Ray worked at Augustin's Butcher Shop for 17 years and served as a Bashaw Township Board member for 15 years as supervisor. He had worked with Sturm Funeral Home since 1979. Ray was a former member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Morgan, St. Paul's Catholic Church in Comfrey, where he was a reader for 15 years, and a current member of St. Raphael's Catholic Church in Springfield. Ray was a life long member of the K.C. Council #2769, a 50-year member of the Catholic Aid Association, a member of John Watson American Legion Post #257 and a member of the Springfield Honor Guard. He enjoyed playing cards, working in his yard and visiting with people.
Ray is survived by his wife, Agnes Koll of Springfield; children, Pat and husband John Ryan of Springfield and Ken and wife Shari Koll of Springfield; grandchildren, Shawn and wife Faith Ryan of Springfield, Kerry and husband Mike Klemm of St. Louis Park, Tom and wife Kori Ryan of Brooten, Angie Koll of Mankato and Katie Koll of Lakeville; brothers, Leo and wife Gertrude Koll of Olivia, Roman and wife Hazel Koll of Morgan, Jerome and wife Marion Koll of Sleepy Eye and Leroy and wife Joy Koll of Austin; sisters, Florence Weber of Morgan, Dorothy Kalkhoff of Morgan, Delores Rothmeier of Olivia and Mary Lou Mathiowetz of Leavenworth; and sister-in-law, Florence Koll of Morgan. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ed Koll; sister, Loretta Heiderscheidt; brothers-in-law, Richard Mathiowetz, Alois Heiderscheidt, Ernest Kalkhoff, Clarence Weber and Lawrence Rothmeier.
Casket bearers were Tom Koll, Dean Mathiowetz, Lowell Mathiowetz, Doug Kuelbs, Luverne Kalkhoff and Barry Weber.
Verena "Dottie" Bertha Krebs
Verena "Dottie" Bertha Krebs, 79, Sleepy Eye, died Monday, Oct. 14, 2002, at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. Funeral services will be Friday, Oct. 18, 10:30 a.m., at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye, with interment in the church cemetery. Visitation will take place Thursday, 4-8 p.m. and Friday, 7:30-9:30 a.m., at Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye. There will be a Christian Mothers rosary at 4 p.m. and a Parish Prayer Service at 7 p.m., both Thursday at the funeral home.
Dottie was born Sept. 4, 1923, in Mulligan Township, the daughter of Michael and Rose (Haala) Helget. She moved with her family to Leavenworth Township where she attended Quail Trap School. She married Donald H. Krebs on Aug. 19, 1946, in Sleepy Eye. The couple farmed for 35 years in Leavenworth Township until they retired and moved to Sleepy Eye in 1982. Dottie was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye and the Christian Mothers Society. Dottie enjoyed gardening, canning baking, cooking, embroidering and especially spending time with her family and visiting with children in the neighborhood.
Dottie is survived by her son, Ronald W. Krebs of Minneapolis; daughters, Aleda and husband David Beranek, and Colleen and husband Steve Zeig, all of New Ulm; grandchildren, Bradley Beranek, Andy Beranek, Angie Beranek, Amanda Beranek and Kyle Krebs; sisters, Lorraine Haecherl of Sleepy Eye, Marion and husband Val Rathman of Comfrey, Ivona and husband Edwin F. Windschitl; and brother, LaMonte and wife Elaine Helget of Sleepy Eye. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Donald.
