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Gertrude C. Hillesheim
Gertrude Catherine Hillesheim, 80, Sleepy Eye, died Sunday, May 4, 2003, at Bethesda Hospital in St. Paul. Funeral services are Friday, May 9, 11 a.m., at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye. Visitation is Thursday, 4-8 p.m. and Friday, 7:30-10 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 on Thursday at the funeral home.
Gertrude was born May 3, 1923, in Mulligan Township, Brown County, the daughter of Joseph and Theresa (Schumacher) Fischer. She grew up on the family farm and attended District #42 Mulligan Township Country School and attended St. Mary's High School in Sleepy Eye. Gertrude married Kenneth Hillesheim on Nov. 18, 1947, at The Church of the Japanese Martyrs in Leavenworth. They resided in the Leavenworth area for several years and then moved to Sleepy Eye in 1960. Gertrude was a housewife and worked various jobs outside the home. She worked for Pietrus Foods Company until she retired. Gertrude was a member of the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye, the Christian Mothers, CCW and Divine Providence Auxiliary. Gertrude enjoyed knitting and crocheting, playing the guitar, sewing for her family and doing crossword puzzles. She collected angels and was a Medjugorje follower.
Gertrude is survived by her children, Barbara and husband Timothy Kleiter of St. Paul, Carol Hillesheim of Burnsville, Michael and wife Marian Hillesheim of Maple Grove, Patrick Hillesheim of Sleepy Eye, Marilyn and husband Mike Schauman of Sleepy Eye, Joanna and husband Jeff Schmid of Sleepy Eye, Kenwyn and husband Rich Evers of Olivia, Maggie and husband Jim Schroepfer of Sleepy Eye and Robert and wife Dana Hillesheim of Buffalo Lake; 15 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Elizabeth Fischer of Springfield, Josephine Lang of Springfield, Teresa Fischer of Minneapolis, Dorothy Fischer of Mankato and Valentine Fischer of Minneapolis; sister-in-law, Jean Fischer of Sioux Falls, S.D.; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kenneth W. Hillesheim; brothers, Alfred and John Fischer; and sister, Sr. Myrna (Margaret) Fischer.
Amalia "Molly" Neisen
Amalia "Molly" Neisen, 99, New Ulm, died Thursday, May 1, 2003, at the Sleepy Eye Care Center in Sleepy Eye. Funeral services were Monday at The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in New Ulm, with interment in New Ulm City Cemetery. Minnesota Valley Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Molly, the daughter of August and Anna (Dauer) Kalz, was born June 22, 1903 in New Ulm. She attended Holy Trinity Catholic School in New Ulm. Prior to her marriage, Molly had been employed at various jobs in St. Paul and also at the Wear Well Garment Factory in New Ulm. On May 2, 1929, she was united in marriage to Harry Neisen in Mankato. After marriage, the couple lived in New Ulm. Molly was a member of The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Church and loved to do yard work, take care of her flowers and spend time with her family. In November of 1998, she became a resident of Sleepy Eye Care Center.
Molly is survived by her daughter, Margaret Hoyer of New Ulm; son, Harry R. Neisen of New Ulm; grandchildren, Pamela Schneider of Cottage Grove, and Patricia and husband Blake Schaper of New Ulm; great-grandchildren, Jason Schneider, Matthew Schneider and Connor Schaper; and by many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harry Neisen, Sr. on Nov. 17, 1995; son-in-law, Gerald Hoyer on Dec. 28, 1993; great-granddaughter, Lauren Nicole Schaper on June 13, 1999; sisters, Clara Kalz, Anna Kalz, Mary Wimmer, Catherine Fleissner and Frieda Gulden; and brothers, August Kalz, Jr., Frank Kalz and John Kalz.
John F. Alt, Jr.
John F. Alt, Jr., 65, St. Peter, died Friday, May 9, 2003, at his home. Funeral services were Tuesday at St. Peter Funeral Home-Klein Chapel, with interment in Home Cemetery, Sleepy Eye.
John was born March 3, 1938, in Sleepy Eye, the son of John and Ruth (Ellanson) Alt. He attended school in Sleepy Eye and was a 1957 graduate of Sleepy Eye High School. He enlisted in the United States Army and spent most of his service time in South Korea, serving in the harbor patrol. While stationed in Korea, he received a citation of bravery by the president of South Korea for bravery rescuing people from a burning ship. John married Deloris Helget on Aug. 27, 1960, in Sleepy Eye, divorcing in 1997. They lived in Minneapolis until 1962, when they moved back to Sleepy Eye; he worked for the city of Sleepy Eye. In 1965, they moved to Staples, working as an electrical lineman for the city. In 1966, John went to work for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company in Minneapolis. In 1979, he transferred to St. Peter as supervisor of US West maintenance division, retiring in 1992. After retiring, John managed the VFW Club in St. Peter for several years. John was a member of St. Peter VFW and American Legion, St. Peter Red Men Club and a member of the Sleepy Eye Masons.
John is survived by his sons, John F. Alt III and his wife Teresa of Casper, Wyo., and Todd C. Alt of Ottawa; daughter, Brenda L. Alt of St. Peter; grandchildren, Rebecca, Andrea, Alexandra, Gary, Andy and Eric; brothers, Ronald and wife Betty Alt of Sleepy Eye, Charles and wife Sandy Alt of Sartell, and Raymond and wife Pat Alt of Sleepy Eye; sisters, Beverly and husband Tom Carnell of Bloomington, Shirley and husband Art Cannon of Sleepy Eye, Gail and husband Russell Sorensen of Sleepy Eye and Phyllis and husband Donald Thompson of Hillman; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; one niece and one nephew.
Margaret Rose Bernloehr
Margaret Rose (Rolstad) Bernloehr, 86, Springfield, died Wednesday, May 7, 2003, at St. John Lutheran Home, Springfield. Funeral services were Monday at Albion Lutheran Church, with interment in Albion Lutheran Cemetery. Sturm Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Margaret was born June 22, 1916, in Hanska, the daughter of John and Anna (Frederickson) Rolstad. On Sept. 25, 1937, Margaret married Arthur Bernloehr at the Lake Hanska Parsonage. The couple lived on Art's home farm place in rural Comfrey for many years. After the tornado in 1998, they moved to Sleepy Eye and in 2001, both Art and Margaret moved to Luther Memorial Home in Madelia. Margaret moved to St. John Lutheran Home in Springfield in September of 2001, where she has made her home until the present time. She was a member of Albion Lutheran Church and the Ladies Aid. She enjoyed gardening, handiwork, crocheting, playing cards, bowling and having coffee and cookies with neighbors and friends.
Margaret is survived by her children, Dennis Bernloehr of Bloomington, Jean and husband Leon Hudson of Two Harbors, Audrey and husband Dick Zinniel of Sleepy Eye, Darrel and wife Bonnie of Mankato and Cindy and husband John Hughes of Alexandria; 15 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; sister, Clarice Halvorson of Madelia; step-brothers, Dean Rolstad of Colorado, Nathaniel Rolstad of Michigan and step-sister, Ronda Rolstad of New Ulm. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Arthur; daughter-in-law, Ruth Bernloehr; brother, Sydney; sister, Mildred Rose Rolstad; step-mother, Julia Rolstad; and step-sister, Delphine Gwimmer.
Ruth "DeeDee" Jeanne Hornbrook
R. Jeanne "DeeDee" Hornbrook, 85, The Woodlands, Tex., formerly of Sleepy Eye, died April 4, 2003, in The Woodlands, Tex. Funeral services are Saturday, May 17, 2003, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Sleepy Eye, with private burial in Home Cemetery, Sleepy Eye. Friends may call on the family from 9 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. on May 17 at Trinity Lutheran Church. Lunch will be served by the ladies of Trinity Lutheran Church following the services in the basement of the church.
DeeDee was born Dec. 15, 1917, in Sleepy Eye, the daughter of H. Frank and C. Alma (Witt) Scobie. She grew up in Sleepy Eye and graduated from Sleepy Eye Public High School in 1935. She then attended the University of Minnesota and after graduation, taught high school in Iowa and Minnesota. DeeDee entered the United States Marine Corps in 1944, and was honorably discharged in 1945. On Nov. 20, 1945, she married Harry C. Hornbrook in Beaufort, S.C. The couple made their home briefly in Evansville, Ind. and moved to Sleepy Eye in early 1946. DeeDee taught grade school in Sleepy Eye and was later the bookkeeper for Hornbrook Ford from 1960, until they sold the business in 1985. The couple remained in Sleepy Eye until Harry's death in November of 2002, at which time DeeDee moved to The Woodlands, Tex., to be near her children. DeeDee was active in her community, quilting and sewing with a ladies group at Trinity Lutheran Church. She also served on the Dyckman Free Library and Brown County Historical boards for many years. She was active with the Brown County Red Cross Blood Drive and the Brown County Republican Party for many years.
DeeDee is survived by her daughter, Sara Hornbrook of Spring, Tex.; and son, Larry and wife Deborah Hornbrook of The Woodlands, Tex; granddaughter, Amber Hornbrook of Austin, Tex.; and step-grandsons, Jeremy Jones of Austin, Tex. and Lt. Jason Jones, USMC of Kanehoe, Hawaii; and brother, George and wife Phyllis Scobie of Rochester. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harry; sister, Elizabeth Scobie; and brother, Herbert Scobie.
Delrose Fiebiger Petersen
Delrose Fiebiger Petersen, 86, died March 14, 2003, at Brooklyn Center. Funeral services were March 18 at Rochester, First Baptist Church.
Delrose is survived by her daughter, Patty Lou Ketchum and family of Golden Valley; and brother, Donald Fiebiger of New Ulm. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hans D.C. Petersen in 1999; her parents, William and Lydia Fiebiger; sister, La Myra Grundmeyer; and brother, Clayton Fiebiger.
Emil Frank Reinarts
Emil Frank Reinarts, 90, Sleepy Eye, died Wednesday, May 7, 2003, at St. John Lutheran Home in Springfield. Funeral services were Monday at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Sleepy Eye, with interment in the church cemetery. Sturm Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Emil, the youngest child of John and Mary (Altmann) Reinarts, was born June 16, 1912, in New Ulm. He attended country school near the family farm in Hanska, continuing to work on the home farm until marriage. On Feb. 14, 1939, Emil married Helen Zander at Holy Trinity Cathedral in New Ulm. Following marriage, they moved to a farm in Prairieville Township, near Cobden, where Emil lived and worked until becoming a resident of St. John Lutheran Home, moving into the same room as his wife, Helen, in July 2002. Emil was a long time member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye. He enjoyed playing cards, especially sheephead and buck ucher, socializing with people of all ages and telling stories. He especially liked hunting ducks and pheasants in his younger years. In later years, Emil enjoyed going to Potato Lake at Park Rapids, sitting under the pine trees and listening to the loons calling from the lake.
Emil is survived by his wife, Helen of Springfield; daughter, Pauline and husband Beach Roberts of Sanborn; four grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, including: Paul and wife Beth Roberts and children, Michael, Katie, Andrea and Jon of Lawton, Iowa; Sherry and husband Brian Keck and children, Krista and Heather of Fairmont; Jo Karow and children, David, Ashtyn and Chelsey of Sleepy Eye; and Pat Roberts and children, Jennifer, Jordan and Miranda of Mankato. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Carrie (Mrs. Joseph) Simon, Rose (Mrs. John) Kapp, Bertha (Mrs. Alfred) Gag, Augusta (Mrs. Otto) Plautz; and brother in infancy, Herman Reinarts.
Sylvester Louis Helget
Sylvester Louis Helget, 82, of Sleepy Eye, died Friday, May 16, 2003 at his home. Services were Wednesday, May 21, 2003 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye. Interment is in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery.
Sylvester was born Feb. 19, 1921 in Stark Township, Brown County, MN, the son of Otto and Clara (Haala) Helget. He grew up and attended country school in Stark Township and later attended St. Mary's Catholic School in Sleepy Eye. He married Helen Hillesheim Oct. 6, 1941 at the Church of The Japanese Martyrs in Leavenworth. The couple made their home in Mulligan Township where they farmed until 1981 when they moved to Sleepy Eye. Sylvester was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye, the Catholic Aid Association and the Knights of Columbus. He was an active member of the Sleepy Eye Eagles Club for many years. Sylvester enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, gardening, playing cards, and baseball, especially the Minnesota Twins, and was a manager for Stark and the Bi-County Teams. Sylvester also enjoyed having coffee at Schultz Cafe for several years.
He is survived by his wife, Helen of Sleepy Eye; children: Darlene and Melvin Braulick, Jr., of New Ulm; Richard and Diane Helget of Comfrey; Gary "Bumps" Helget of Sleepy Eye; and Doris and Tom "Rabbit" Scheibel of New Ulm; 18 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and brothers: Victor and Valeria Helget of New Ulm and Delmar and Agnes Helget of Sleepy Eye. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Wendelin and Alvin.
William "Bill" Ibberson
William "Bill" Ibberson, 74, Sleepy Eye, died Friday, May 16, 2003, at his home. Funeral services were Tuesday, May 20, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sleepy Eye.
Bill was born Nov. 16, 1928, at Union Hospital in New Ulm, to William Ibberson and Hannah Foster-Ibberson. Hew grew up on a farm 5 1/2 miles north of Sleepy Eye in Home Township. He attended District #17 Country School through the eighth grade and graduated from Sleepy Eye High School. He served in the United States Military in Korea and on return, attended Gustavus Adolphus College. After graduation, Bill returned to Sleepy Eye to farm with his father until 1959. In 1959, Bill purchased the Cecil W. Berkner Agency. In 1969, his agency was merged with the First National Bank Agency. Bill became manager and managed the agency for 36 years until he semi-retired. The agency was then sold to First Security Agency of MN, Inc. where Bill worked on a part-time basis until the present. He served on the First Security Bank board of directors, the Sleepy Eye Hospital board, the Sleepy Eye Golf Club board, Chamber of Commerce, state board of directors of the Independent Insurance Agents of MN, president of the Southwest Association of Independent Insurance Agents and MN Bankers Insurance board. Bill was also an avid member and past president of the Sleepy Eye Lions Club. He was a member of the Union Congregational Church of Christ and served on the Church Council for over 40 years and presently was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. Bill was also a life member of the American Legion Post #7 and the VFW Post #100. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Zuhrah Shrine Temple and the Orient Chapter of the Eastern Star.
Bill is survived by his wife, Colleen Ibberson of Sleepy Eye; children, Lee and wife Beverly Ibberson of Sleepy Eye, Paulette and husband Greg Grausam of Sleepy Eye, Jeffery and wife Lisa Ibberson of Sleepy Eye, and Sue and husband Jerry Forster of Sleepy Eye; brother, Robert Ibberson of Sleepy Eye; sisters, Maurine Johnson of Mankato and Marlene Satre of Winthrop grandchildren, Chris Ibberson, Terry Ibberson, Faye Nelson, Matt Grausam, Mark Grausam, Anna Ibberson, Mya Ibberson, Kallie Forster and Megan Forster; great-grandchild, Kyle Nelson; and AFS daughter, Flavia Saufong Cheng. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William Sr. and Hannah (Foster) Ibberson.
Barbara Ellen Koepp
Barbara Ellen Koepp, 53, Morgan, died Tuesday, May 20, 2003, at her home. Funeral services were Friday at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Morgan, with interment in the church cemetery.
Barb was born July 23, 1949, in Sioux Falls, S.D., the youngest daughter of Eugene and Edna (Larson) Koepp. She was baptized and confirmed in Sioux Falls. In 1965, she moved with her family to Redwood Falls and graduated from Redwood Falls High School in 1967. After graduation, Barb moved with her family to Morgan. On June 1, 1968, she was united in marriage to Gary Welter at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Morgan. The union was blessed with two daughters. They were divorced on May 19, 1999, at which time Barb took back her maiden name. She had worked as a waitress, Title I Aide and baby-sitter. She had not worked the last few years due to a back injury. She was a member of St. Anne's CCW and Catholic Aid. Barb enjoyed arts, crafts, reading, baking and helping her daughter, Dana. She enjoyed making things and giving them away and especially enjoyed spending time with friends and family and precious granddaughters.
Barb is survived by her mother, Edna Koepp of Morgan; daughters, Stacy and husband Tom Hipskind of Cameron, N.C. and Dana and husband Mike Gohr of Clements; granddaughters, Candice, Ashly and Nikole Gohr of Clements, and Cameron Werner of Cameron, N.C.; sister and brother-in-law, Priscilla "Pat" Koepp and Tom Van Donselaar of Sioux Falls, S.D.; one niece; one nephew; and very special friends, Arlene Midtbruget of Morgan, Kathy Huseby of New Ulm, Dr. Dhami of Springfield and Chris and Bridget Werner of Indianapolis, Ind. Also surviving are her ex-husband, Gary Welter of Morgan. She was preceded in death by her father, Eugene Koepp; grandparents, Frank and Hazel Koepp and Edward and Mary Larson; and nephew, Darrell Herting.
Walter "Wally" Ambrose Forster
Walter Ambrose Forster, 95, Sleepy Eye, died Saturday, March 1, 2003, at St. John Lutheran Home, Springfield. Funeral services were held Wednesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Sleepy Eye, with interment in Home Cemetery, Sleepy Eye. Sturm Funeral Home handled the arrangements. Memorials are preferred to St. Mary's Catholic Church, Sleepy Eye, or St. John Lutheran Home, Springfield.
Wally was born Dec. 6, 1907, in Sleepy Eye, the son of Martin and Margaret Forster. He attended and graduated from St. Mary's Catholic High School and was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church his entire life. As a young adult, Wally helped his father, Martin, in the Forster Bar in Sleepy Eye. Wally married Helen Mo in 1933, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye, and they lived in Sleepy Eye until Wally became a resident at St. John Lutheran Home, Springfield. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, Catholic Order of Foresters and the Sleepy Eye Chamber of Commerce. Wally was instrumental in starting and managing the Sleepy Eye Golf Club. He enjoyed coaching basketball and football for St. Mary's High School, running the projections at Pix Theatre and owning and operating Forster Signs. Wally loved playing golf, badminton, ice sailing, card games, archery and fishing.
Wally is survived by his wife, Helen of Sleepy Eye; sons, John Forster of Crowfordsville, Ind., and Bob and wife Barb Forster of Park Rapids; daughters, Beverly and husband Mike Cleary of Plymouth and Marian and husband Tom Belle of Minneapolis; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Margaret Forster; and brothers, Raymond Forster and Sylvester Forster.
Casket bearers were Todd Forster, Jerry Forster, Colin Cleary, Aaron Bloom, Jeremiah Forster, Lisa Hoffmann, Kristy Forster, Sandi Sportelli and Vickie Neid. Honorary casket bearers were Rick Hoffmann, Brian Sportelli, ShyAnn Hoffmann, Megan Forster, Alyassa Neid, Gary Neid, Jesse Hoffmann, Kallie Forster, Vanessa Neid and Sue Forster.
