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Wesley J. Simon
Wesley J. Simon, 71, New Ulm, died Thursday, June 12, 2003, at Divine Providence Community Home in Sleepy Eye. Funeral services were Saturday at St. Mary's Catholic Church, New Ulm, with interment in New Ulm Catholic Cemetery with Full Military Honors conducted by the New Ulm Veterans Organizations. Minnesota Valley Funeral Home handled the arrangements. The family prefers memorials be given in lieu of flowers.
Wesley was born Nov. 29, 1931, in Home Township, Brown County, the son of Joseph and Caroline (Reinarts) Simon. He served in the United States Army. Wesley married Lucille Goblirsch on Aug. 5, 1952, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in New Ulm. After marriage, they farmed in Cottonwood Township, Brown County, until 1967, when they moved to New Ulm. Wesley then worked as a meat cutter at City Meat Market in New Ulm, until retiring in 1984. He was best known for preparing "Grandpa's homemade horseradish." He enjoyed lecturing in church, gardening and visiting with people. Wesley was a member of the Disabled Veterans, the St. Patrick's Council #1076, Knights of Columbus and a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, New Ulm.
Wesley is survived by his wife, Lucille "Lucy" Simon of New Ulm; daughters and son-in-law, Mary and Raymond Lange of Morgan and Barbara Becker of New Ulm; sons and daughter-in-law, Joseph and Pamela Simon of Redwood Falls and Pat Simon of New Ulm; five grandchildren; sisters and brother-in-law, Gertrude Hegler of New Ulm, and Marian and Albie Zollner of Fairfax; brother and sister-in-law, Arthur and Loretta Simon of New Ulm; and sister-in-law, Veronica Simon of Willmar. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Willmar Simon; and a brother and sister in infancy.
Sheridan Harris "Shorty" Young
Sheridan "Shorty" Young, 95, Redwood Falls, died Wednesday, June 11, 2003, at Wood Dale Nursing Home in Redwood Falls. Funeral services were Saturday at St. John's Lutheran Church, Redwood Falls. Redwood Valley Funeral Home handled the arrangements. Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers.
Shorty was born May 30, 1908, in Courtland, the son of Philip and Emma (Weiland) Young. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Courtland. On June 11, 1932, Shorty was united in marriage to Rose Sperl in New Ulm. Together the couple lived in various towns where Shorty worked as a butter maker before moving to Redwood Falls on Nov. 11, 1941, during the Armistice Day blizzard. Shorty began his life in baseball at the age of 16, when he began playing ball in Courtland. He later started the baseball program in Redwood Falls in 1945. He was an amateur umpire and coached the Legion and VFW baseball teams for many years. In 1993, Shorty was inducted into the Minnesota Baseball Hall of Fame. He was also selected as the Redwood County Outstanding Senior Citizen, and was presented the WCCO "Good Neighbor" Award. Shorty used to travel by train from Redwood Falls to Sleepy Eye to attend practices for the Sleepy Eye Drum and Bugle Corps which he was a member of for many years. They were the state champions from 1947 to 1960. Shorty was a longtime member of St. John's Lutheran Church where he was very active serving as head usher for a period of time. He was an avid Detroit Tigers fan. Shorty also enjoyed bowling and served as league secretary for a number of years. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
Shorty is survived by his children, Neil and wife Carole Young of Springfield, Janice Schei and Sharon Hegdal of Fort Collins, Colo., Julie Thomas of Redwood Falls and Greg and wife Mary Young of Redwood Falls; many grandchildren; great-grandchildren; relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his wife, Rose; daughter, Janet; and brothers, Glen Young and Warren Stellmacher.
A. John "Jack" Hentges
A. John "Jack" Hentges, 76, Crystal, formerly of Sleepy Eye, died Sunday, June 22, 2003, at Crystal Care Center in Crystal. Funeral services were Wednesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Sleepy Eye, with interment in the church cemetery. The family prefers memorials be made to the St. Mary's Church Building Maintenance Fund. Sturm Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Jack was born Nov. 1, 1926, in Sleepy Eye, the son of Alois and Anna M. (Steffen) Hentges. He grew up in Sleepy Eye and attended St. Mary's Elementary School. Jack graduated from New Ulm High School in 1944, and enlisted in the United States Navy, serving during WWII. He attended Mankato Commercial College and worked as a bookkeeper and office manager at the Renville/Sibley and Brown County REA Offices. Jack retired from the Brown County REA in 1988, after 42 years of service. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and American Legion, St. Mary's Catholic Church and was also very active in committees for church preservation and restoration. Jack enjoyed traveling, especially to Acapulco during the winter months. He loved lawn work and gardening and spending time with his family and friends.
Jack is survived by his sisters, Lucille O'Malley of New Hope, Betty and husband Don Schmid of Sleepy Eye and Donna Schmelz of New Hope; sister-in-law, Eileen Hentges of Mankato; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Stanley; and brothers-in-law, Charles O'Malley and Neil Schmelz.
George H. Lochner
George H. Lochner, 92, Sleepy Eye, died Monday, June 23, 2003, at his home. Funeral services are Thursday, June 26, at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sleepy Eye, with interment in Home Cemetery, Sleepy Eye. Visitation is 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at the church and will continue one hour prior to the service. Minnesota Valley Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
George was born Oct. 26, 1910, in Home Township, Brown County, to William and Ida (Zimanski) Lochner. He married Esther E. Krenz on March 17, 1936, at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sleepy Eye. After marriage, the couple farmed in Prairieville Township, Brown County, and later farmed in Home Township. They retired in 1967, and moved to Sleepy Eye. George also did carpentry work. He was a member of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church.
George is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Eugene and Marlys Lochner of rural Sleepy Eye; granddaughter, Kay and husband Brad Ruden of Bruce, S.D.; great-granddaughter, Kaitlin Ruden; sister, Alice Zaske of Wadena; and sister-in-law, Inez Lochner of Sleepy Eye. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Esther E. Lochner on March 11, 1997; sisters, Hertha Deinken, Ida Watschke and Elma Neyers; and brothers, John Lochner, Edward Lochner, Arthur Lochner, Hugo Lochner and Elmer Lochner.
Rt. Rev. Msgr. Arnold Joseph Berg
Rt. Rev. Msgr. Arnold Joseph Berg, 94, Springfield, died Saturday, June 28, 2003, at Gil-mor Manor, Morgan. Services were held at St. Raphael's Catholic Church on Wednesday, with interment in the church cemetery. The Principle Celebrant was Bishop John C. Nienstad and he was assisted by the priests of the New Ulm Diocese.
Arnold Joseph Berg, the second son of Anton H. and Anna C. (Hillesheim) Berg, was born on Aug. 9, 1908, in Springfield. Because he was born with a defective heart, he was baptized the following day. At the age of seven, he began his primary studies at St. Raphael's School where in six years he completed his elementary education. For three years, he attended St. Raphael's High School, then attended Nazareth Hall for another three years. He began his final studies for the priesthood in 1927, at the St. Paul Seminary. In his deaconate year, he was appointed Seminary Master of Ceremonies, teaching his fellow students how to conduct themselves for liturgical functions. In that same year, he conducted all the Holy Week ceremonies at the St. Paul Cathedral. Also, he was offered the opportunity to sit with the faculty as a non-voting member in judgment on his fellow students. He turned down the offer. When offered the opportunity to do post-graduate work at Heidelberg University in Germany, he told the Arch-bishop that he wished to do parish work. He was ordained on June 3, 1933, by the Most Reverend John Gregory Murray, D.D. at St. Paul Cathedral. His First Solemn High Mass was sung at the Church of St. Raphael, Springfield, on June 6, 1933. His first appointment was to the Church of St. Matthew on the East Side in St. Paul, a parish with a large grade school, a two year high school and with 2100 families. In addition to regular priestly duties he was in charge of the parish picnic, the three day bazaar, directing plays and opperetas, and bowling alley. After nine years and eight months, in 1943, the Archbishop assigned him to the Church of St. Mary, Seaforth, a parish of some 70 families. His stay in Seaforth was of comparatively short duration. They were years of rest and relaxation amid kindly and loving parishioners. He remained there until June of 1947. It was his first parish and he loved it there. In June of 1947, he assumed charge of the Church of St. John the Baptist in Searles, a parish with a school and 120 families, a rural parish where families loved their church, school and pastor. He remained there until June 1960. When the parish celebrated its Golden Jubilee, he wrote a detailed history of the parish. As a part of his priestly duties, he visited the parishioners in their homes every year except during the last two years when he was already in the diocesan chancery. In addition to his priestly duties, he designed and had built a convent, an enclosed front porch for the rectory, a steam heating plant for the church and rectory, a new well and pump house and storage shed. Under his direction the church was decorated, a marble altar installed, new light fixtures placed, the church kitchen renovated and toilet facilities provided in the church basement. Along with his janitor, on hands and knees, they installed floor tile in the church, classrooms, kitchen and auditorium. Tile ceilings, light fixtures and wardrobes, and new windows were installed in all four classrooms. They were busy years and he loved them all. Late in 1957, the news broke that a new diocese of New Ulm had been created. Shortly after this news, a letter came appointing him Personal Master of Ceremonies to the new Bishop, and first Chancellor of the newly established diocese, a secret to be revealed on Jan. 30, 1958. From then until June 1960, he was both Pastor at Searles and Chancellor of the Diocese of New Ulm. On June 3, 1960, even before the new chancery and residences were completed, he left Searles for his new residence at the Chancery of New Ulm. On Sept. 1, 1963, His Holiness, Pope John XXIII conferred upon him the honor of Domestic Prelate with the title of Right Reverend Monsignor. Upon the death of the first Vicar General, Monsignor was appointed Vicar General on Feb. 20, 1964, a title he was to retain until June 30, 1978. At the close of twenty years of work for the Diocese he "wore these hats:" Vicar General, Chancellor, Director of the Propagation of the Faith, of the Holy Childhood Association, of the Diocesan Mission of San Lucas Toliman, of Worship, of Finance,of Investments (never having lost a penny in 20 years), of Property Maintenance, of the Diocesan Insurance, (both general and health), and Bishops Representative on the Pension Plan for Priests. He devised the DUF (Diocesan United Fund) formula and wrote the first specifications for the Diocesan Insurance Plan. A priest of the Diocese remarked atone of the many meetings - after the Bishop retired Monsignor Berg, he had to hire 11 people to replace him.
After Monsignor's retirement, he lived for 11 months in the Catholic Rectory at Lafayette. Shortly into the New Year of 1979, Monsignor was told by a compassionate member of the Personnel Board that in May of that year he would be notified by the Bishop to vacate the rectory. Two weeks to find a new home for himself and his faithful housekeeper. By the end of May, he was able to move into his new home at 107 W Lincoln in Springfield. There he spent his retirement years taking care of his "ranch" as he called it, in peace and quiet, caring for his lawn, flower gardens, doing much reading along with his domestic tasks. Monsignor enjoyed traveling, especially to Guatemala.
He is survived by his nieces, Carol and husband Russell Renberg of Comfrey; and nephew, James A. and wife Carol Berg of McHenry, Ill. He was preceded in death by his parents, Anton H. and Anna C. Berg; brothers, Leo A. Berg and Sylvester A. and wife Elinor Berg; and nieces, Charlotte Berg and Charlene Warmbier.
Joseph W. "Joe" Haas
Joseph W. "Joe" Haas, 91, Gibbon, died Saturday, June 28, 2003, at New Ulm Medical Center, New Ulm. Funeral services are 10:30 Thursday, July 3, at St. Willibrords Catholic Church in Gibbon, with interment in the church cemetery. Visitation is 7:30-10 a.m. at Minnesota Valley Funeral Home in Gibbon.
Joe was born Aug. 4, 1911, in Cashton, Wisc., to Joseph and Anna (Brueggeman) Haas. He attended country school in Cashton, Wisc. On Oct. 27, 1938, Joe married Cecelia Krzmarzick in Sleepy Eye. After marriage, they farmed in Home Township, Brown County, until 1948, when they moved to a farm in Severance Township, Sibley County. They retired in 1973 and moved to Gibbon. Joe was a member of St. Willibrords Catholic Aid Society and a past member of the Severance Township Country School Board.
Joe is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Patricia and Ed Dummer of New Ulm, Elaine and John Palmer of Fairfax, and Carol and Tom Penkert of Scottsdale, Ariz.; son and daughter-in-law, Donald and Connie Haas of Gibbon; daughter-in-law, Carol Haas of Gibbon; 19 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; sisters, Lucille Simons of Rockville, Md. and Bernadine Weishar of Wauwatosa, Wisc.; brother and sister-in-law, LaMont and Marie Haas of Cashton, Wisc.; and his dog, "Oscar." He was preceded in death by his wife, Cecelia on Feb. 9, 1991; son, Kenneth Haas on April 16, 1982; grandson, David Palmer on July 9, 1986; and brothers and sisters, Gertrude Hemmersbach, Martha Chicanick, Dorothy Gohres, Lawrence Haas, Aurelia Rogahn, Regina Ebert, Hildegard Schreier, Larry Haas and Anne Fishburne.
Timothy M. Welsh
Timothy Michael Welsh, 38, The Woodlands, Tex., died Thursday, June 26, 2003, at his home after a lengthy battle with Melanoma Cancer. Funeral services were Wednesday at The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Church in New Ulm, with interment in New Ulm Catholic Cemetery. Minnesota Valley Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Tim was born Oct. 2, 1964, in Mankato, the son of John and Mary (Patterson) Welsh. He was a 1983 graduate of Mountain Iron High School, Mountain Iron. On April 13, 1996, Tim was united in marriage with Kelly Helget at The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Church in New Ulm. After marriage, they lived in the Twin Cities area before moving to The Woodlands in 2001. Tim was self-employed as an auto wholesaler. He loved his family and friends and he loved to hunt, play golf and cars.
Tim is survived by his wife, Kelly Welsh and sons, Erik and Ryan, all of The Woodlands, Tex.; parents, John and Mary Welsh of Stillwater; sister and brother-in-law, Colleen and Ron Click of Stillwater; brothers and sisters-in-law, Thomas and Jodi Welsh of St. Michael, and Patrick Welsh of Brooklyn Park; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Carol and Martin "Mandy" Helget of rural New Ulm; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Tom and Ruth Welsh and Clyde and Angela Patterson.
Casket bearers were Thomas Welsh, Patrick Welsh, Kevin Finnerty, Brian Giorgi, Kip Elliott and Dean Lurkin.
Thomas P. "Red" Hittesdorf
Thomas P. "Red" Hittesdorf, 59, Garden Grove, Calif., formerly of Sleepy Eye, died Thursday, June 26, 2003, at his home. Funeral services were Thursday at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Sleepy Eye, with interment at the church Cemetery, with Full Military Honors. Sturm Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Thomas was born Sept. 27, 1943, in Sleepy Eye, the son of Magnus and Ruby (Clasen) Hittesdorf. He grew up in Sleepy Eye and attended and graduated from St. Mary's High School. He enlisted in the United States Navy and joined the Sea Bees, where he served three tours in Vietnam and the Gulf War during his military career. Red lived and worked for the city of Fountain Valley, Calif., for the past 30 years. He loved his wife and family and thoroughly enjoyed his grandchildren. He also enjoyed hunting, running heavy equipment and playing pinochle.
Red is survived by his wife, Angela; sons, Daniel and wife Kayleen Hittesdorf, Benedict and wife Tracy Hittesdorf, Michael Hittesdorf and Peter Hittesdorf; seven grandchildren; brothers, James and wife Marlene Hittesdorf, Patrick and wife Shari Hittesdorf, and Les and wife Gail Hittesdorf; sisters, Patsy and husband Jerome Weicherding, Carol Hittesdorf, Rosalie Hoeft, Claire and husband David McDowell, Marilyn and husband Gary Vait and Joanne and husband Gary Johnson; aunts, uncles and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister.
Julius E. Larsen
Julius Ernest Larsen, 78, Sleepy Eye, formerly of Morgan, died Sunday, June 29, 2003, at Immanuel St. Joseph's Hospital in Mankato. Memorial services were held Saturday at the Nelson-Martin Funeral Service in Morgan, with interment in the Morgan City Cemetery.
Julius was born Nov. 6, 1924, in Morgan Township, Redwood County, the son of Ernest and Pearl (Bryan) Larsen. He resided with his family in Morgan and attended Morgan schools. On March 11, 1943, Julius was united in marriage to Delores Kopischke in Redwood Falls. They farmed outside of Morgan for 30 years until moving into town. They later moved north to manage the Bear Trap Bay Resort and then moved back to Sleepy Eye in 1997. Julius was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist in Morgan. He enjoyed the lakes and being up in Northern Minnesota, the outdoors, hunting, fishing, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Julius is survived by his children, Barb Hewitt of St. Paul, Karen Larsen and husband Bernie of Lincoln, Nebr. and Connie Miller of Sleepy Eye; grandchildren, Danny Miller of Sleepy Eye, Denise Miller of Panama City, Fla., Kelly Hewitt and Tuesday Hewitt, both of St. Paul; sisters, Betty and husband George Knudsen of Park Rapids and Phillis and husband David Zummack of St. Paul; and step-sister, Julie Larsen of Hutchinson. Julius was preceded in death by his wife, Delores on Sept. 4, 1999, and three brothers.
Lorena Weber
Lorena (Schneider) Weber, 96, Sleepy Eye, died Friday, July 4, 2003, at Sleepy Eye Care Center in Sleepy Eye. Services were Tuesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Sleepy Eye, with interment in the church cemetery. Sturm Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Lorena was born Sept. 6, 1906, in Leavenworth, the daughter of Martin and Hanna (Koble) Schneider. Lorena attended grade school in Leavenworth and graduated from high school in Sleepy Eye in 1924. On April 23, 1929, Lorena married Leonard Weber in Leavenworth. They farmed in Leavenworth Township until 1963, when they moved into Sleepy Eye. Leonard died in 1965. Lorena belonged to the Catholic Order of Foresters and the St. Mary's CCW. She enjoyed traveling and visiting with people, watching television, and especially loved her flowers. Lorena moved to the Sleepy Eye Care Center on April 30, 1998.
Lorena is survived by sons, Gary Weber and special friend Ines Peter, Sleepy Eye, Donald Weber, Tucson, Ariz., and Kenneth and wife Evelyn Weber of Farmington; daughter, Charlotte Wall, Los Angeles, Calif.; 13 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Lillian Schneider; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; son, Duane Weber; daughter, Sharon Ibberson; and brothers, Rueben Schneider and Marvin Schneider.
