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Reinhard Motschke
Reinhard Motschke, age 65, a resident of Waite Park, MN, formerly of Buckman, MN, died September 15, 1998, from injuries received in an automobile accident.
Mass of Christian burial was held September 19 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Waite Park.
Reinhard was born February 24, 1933, in Buckman to Albert and Mary (Pauser) Motschke. He married Elizabeth “Betty” Novak on October 20, 1958, in St. Peter’s and Paul Catholic Church, Gilman, MN. He was a member of Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 622, Waite Park Moose Lodge 1400 and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. As a young man, Reinhard’s love of music began early in life. Knowing this, his father bought him an accordion and later a concertina. His band, The Jolly Vagabond, was later Rein’s 4-Piece Concertina Band. He was employed by the St. Cloud VA Medical Center for 30 years in dietetic service before retiring in 1992. Reine performed in various musical groups. They included Reine’s Concertina Band from1954 to 1962 and the Graniteers Orchestra from 1962 to 1981. As of late, he entertained as Reine’s One-Piece Band. A few years ago, Reine and his wife purchased a home in Texas, where they entertained senior citizens in the winter months.
Survivors include his wife, Betty; children, Kevin of St. Cloud, MN, Ken and Douglas of Rockville, MN, Robert of Sartell, MN, Russel of St. Joseph, MN, and Dale of Waite Park; four grandchildren; brothers, Joseph Motschke of Pierz, MN, Sylvester and Leola Motschke of Little Falls, MN, and Leander and Matthew of St. Cloud; sisters, Lauretta (Wilfred) Meyer, Regina (Ralph) Britz, Marcella (Herb) Leeb of Pierz, Dorothy (Leo) Thielen of Little Falls, Delores (Wilfred) Virnig of Pierz and Luella (Willis) Schlegel of Harding, MN, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Mary Motschke.
Earl Pixley
Earl Pixley, age 61, a resident of Little Falls, MN, died September 19, 1998, at the VA Hospital in St. Cloud, MN.
Memorial services were privately held.
Earl was born February 18, 1937, in Waterbury, VT, to Earl Sr. and Ami (Teich) Pixley. He worked at Gresen Manufacturing in Minneapolis, MN, for 20 years. He then took on an adventure of a clothing store and restaurant. Earl then moved to Little Falls and worked at several different places in town, one of which being the Lutheran Care Center. He enjoyed working with wood which led him to his job at Designer Woods. He also enjoyed visiting with people, watching birds and watching his dogs.
Survivors include his wife, Laverne Pixley of Foley, MN; sons, Joe Pixley of Little Falls and Mike Pixley and wife Margo of Little Falls; daughters, Michelle Pixley of Sauk Rapids, MN, Cindy Severson and husband Dan of Deer River, MN, and Dawn Kroll and husband Kim of Little Falls; brothers, Vincent Pixley of Pine City, MN, and Chuck Pixley of Texas; sister, Alice Court of Pine City, MN, and nine grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one granddaughter, Danielle Dawn Kroll and a good friend, Dorothy Hoffman.
Joseph Rudnitski
Joseph J. Rudnitski, age 84, a resident of Gilman, MN, died September 24, 1998, at Princeton Fairview Hospital, Princeton, MN.
Funeral services were held September 26 at SS. Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church, Gilman. Burial was in the parish cemetery.
Joseph Rudnitski was born July 21, 1914, in Alberta Township, Benton County, to John P. and Pelagia “Polly” (Rosemark) Rudnitski. He married Rose Pekarek July 25, 1939, at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church, Brennyville. He had worked as a logger and a milk and cheese hauler for many years. He also farmed in Alberta Township, for 36 years until his retirement in 1975 when he moved to Gilman. Joseph was also a past member of the District 51 and 118 school board, past supervisor of Alberta Township, and a past member of the Gilman City Council. He was a member of SS. Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church, Gilman.
Survivors include his wife Rose of Gilman; sons and daughters, June Moshier, St. Cloud, Rodney Rudnitski of Gilman, Janice and Dutch Shisler, Seattle, WA, Jean and Sylvester Helmin, Foley, Loree of St. Cloud, MN, Ione and Bill Winter of Wayzata, MN, Gordon and Judy of Foley, Wayne of Hamilton, MT, Neil and Jill of St. Cloud, Faith and Leon Johnson of Barrett, MN, Jo of New York Mills, MN and Russell and Nancy of Gilman; sisters, Bridget Rudnitski, Gilman, Delphine Zawacki of Gilman; 26 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Benjamine, S. Herman; sisters, Elizabeth, Clara and Genevieve and one grandson, Ryan.
Pallbearers were Joe Helmin, Terri Chmielewski, Leon Rudnitski, Kamille Rudnitski, Torey Winter, and Jennine Rudnitski.
Verna Christensen
Verna Mae Christensen, age 93, died September 23, 1998, at the Issaquah Care Center in Issaquah, WA.
A funeral service for her will be held at the Shelley - Gibson Funeral Home in Swanville, MN, on October 3. Burial will follow at the Springbrook Cemetery.
Verna was born on August 5, 1905, in Akeley, MN, to Frank and Annie Close. The family moved to Garden City, MN, in 1907 and later they moved to a farm near Swanville in 1917. She graduated from Swanville High School in 1925. She married Herbert M. Johnson in 1936 who preceded her in death in 1958. She worked at the Swanville Newspaper and also worked as a dark room technician for Silker Studio in Little Falls. She moved to Bellingham, WA, in 1960 where he married Norman Christiensen. He passed away in 1965. In 1979 she moved to Renton. She attended the Renton Bible Church and in her leisure time she enjoyed reading and crocheting.
Survivors include her son, Douglas of Renton; a brother, Elsworth Close of Greenleaf, ID; and three sisters, Ruth Johnson of Little Falls, Fern Anderson of Minneapolis, MN and Lois Sauter of Bethany, OK.
The family suggests remembrances to the Renton Bible Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 2580, Renton, Washington, 98056.
Brian Raustadt
Brian A. Raustadt, age 37, a resident of Little Falls, MN, died September 24, 1998, at his home.
A funeral service was held on September 28 in the Lincoln Evangelical Free Church with Reverend Brian Burton officiating. Burial followed in the Scandia Valley Cemetery.
Brian Allen Raustadt was born on August 18, 1961, in Robbinsdale, MN, son of Dale and Jessie (Cheney) Raustadt. He grew up in Blaine, MN and at the age of 12, he moved with his family to Lincoln. Brian graduated from Motley High School. Following high school, he joined the National Guard, serving his basictraining at Fort Jackson, SC. Brian served with the National Guard in the motor pool and was an ammunition handler for fifteen years. He graduated from Anoka Technical School as a certified automotive mechanic. He worked as a mechanic in Bloomington, MN, for seven years and had recently been employed by Best Buy Auto in Little Falls. Brian was united in marriage to Sally Dvorak on September 2, 1997, in Little Falls. During his spare time, Brian enjoyed riding motorcycles, snowmobiles and listening to music. He attended Lincoln Evangelical Free Church. His special sense of humor will be missed by all.
Survivors include his wife Sally; his parents, Dale and Jessie Raustadt of rural Staples, MN; two brothers, David (Jodi) Raustadt of Lakeville, MN, and Charles “Chuck” Raustadt of rural Staples; two nephews, Jay and Daniel Raustadt; paternal grandmother, Mildred Raustadt and maternal grandmother, Mary Cheney; four uncles, Dean and Lyle Raustadt, Robert and Thomas Cheney; two aunts, Julie Bauer and Jacqueline Johnson; many cousins; mother-in-law, Marjorie Dvorak and several brothers- and sisters-in-law. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Stanley Raustadt and his maternal grandfather, Robert Cheney; his father-in-law, Arnold Dvorak.
Joseph Ringwelski
Joseph Ringwelski, age 72, a resident of Flensburg, MN, died August 29, 1998, at the St. Cloud Hospital, in St. Cloud, MN.
Mass of Christian Burial was held September 2, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Flensburg with Father Tony Kroll officiating. Burial was at Sacred Heart Parish Cemetery.
Joseph was born April 30, 1926, in Little Falls, MN, to the late Frank and Veronica (Lashinski) Ringwelski. He served in the United States Army during WWII, based in the Philippines. Joseph was united in marriage to Leona (Hlad) on June 28, 1949, in Flensburg. After marriage, they moved to Brainerd, MN, then moved to Little Falls where Joseph worked at Hennepin Paper and also for Crestliner Boats. He was a member of the Flensburg American Legion and the Little Falls V.F.W.
Survivors include his wife, Leona Ringwelski of Flensburg; sons, Dave Ringwelski and wife Diane, and Alan Ringwelski, all of Little Falls; brothers, George Ringwelski and wife Adeline of South St. Paul, Edward Ringwelski and wife Lucille of South St. Paul, and Al Ringwelski of Little Falls; and sisters, Barbara Ringwelski of Little Falls and Margaret Wyatt of Kansas.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers Henry, John, and Raymond Ringwelski; and three sisters, Helen Ringwelski, Martha Ringwelski and Gerti Pestka.
Casketbearers were Stanley Zilka, Jerry Blaine, Jay Backowski, Chuck Ringwelski, Bill Block and George Posterick.
Jerald H. Bonnett
Jerald H. Bonnett, age 35, a resident of Little Falls, MN, died September 20, 1998, at St. Gabriel’s Hospital in Little Falls from injuries received in an accident.
Funeral services were held September 25 at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls with Rev. Mark Erickson officiating. Burial was in the Oakland Cemetery.
Jerald H. Bonnett was born October 17, 1962, in Princeton, MN, to Darwin and Janet (Deranian) Bonnett. At the age of six months his family moved to Hawthorn, CA. He grew up there and attended elementary school at Lockhaven Christian School and York Public School in Hawthorn. In 1973, his family moved to Cushing, MN. He attended Little Falls Middle School and Little Falls High School, graduating in 1980. He worked in Minneapolis in a tool and die shop. Jerald moved to Little Falls where he resided until his death. He was a member of the Christian Baptist Church in Cushing, MN.
Survivors include his parents, Darwin and Janet Bonnett of Little Falls, MN; brothers, Jene and wife May Bonnett of Huntington Beach, CA, Jerome Bonnett of Redondo Beach, CA; sisters, Aeron Baum and husband Tom of Little Falls, Armen Swanson and husband Don of Redondo Beach, CA and four nephews and three nieces.
Casketbearers were Jene and Jerome Bonnett, Shane and Nathan Baum, Todd, Tony and Vincent Wendt, and Johnny Stolz.
Charles R. Theis
Charles R. Theis, age 66, a resident of North St. Cloud, MN, died at home on September 29, 1998.
Funeral services were held October 2 at St. John Cantius Catholic Church in St. Cloud. Burial was in the Minnesota Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls, MN.
Charles was born April 14, 1932 in Buckman, MN, to John and Mamie (Anderson) Theis. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran of WWII. He was employed as a yard man for the Milwaukee Railroad in St. Paul for many years. He has been a resident of St. Cloud since 1990 where he was a member of St. John Cantius Catholic Church and the Waite Park American Legion Post 428.
Survivors include his brothers and sisters, Joseph, Brooklyn Park, MN, Ted, Minneapolis, Frank, Upsala, MN, James and Curtis, Buckman, MN, Christine Kirkeby, Binford, ND, Regina Heid, Waite Park, Ruth Bollig, Sartell, Frances Sahr, Little Falls, Alice Przybilla, Little Falls, and Anne Lubich, Prescott, WI.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Bill, and Peter and one sister, Mary Alvord.
Esther E. Olson
Esther E. Olson, age 85, a resident of Motley, MN, died November 27, 1998, at the Greater Staples Care Center.
Services were held November 30 at Faith Lutheran Church in Staples, with Reverend Stephen Sveom and Reverend Bradley Skogen officiating. Burial followed in the Motley Public Cemetery.
Esther Evelyn Olson was born on February 25, 1913, on a farm near Webster, SD, the daughter of Peter and Elisabeth Lindholm. At the age of seven months, she moved with her parents to a farm near Holmquist, SD. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. She attended country school and country church, and grew to young womanhood in Kidder Township of Day County, SD. Esther married Oscar Olson at the Bergan Church in Bristol, SD, on December 18, 1937. They lived on a farm near Holmquist, SD, until they moved to a farm in the Motley, MN, area in 1954, where they lived until her husband passed away in 1981. She continued to live on the farm until October 13, 1998, when she entered the Staples hospital and later the Care Center. Esther was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church of Staples, MN. She had multiple talents, including being an artist and poet. She is the author of the book “Unforgettable Memories,” in which some of her poems are published. She was also the artist that illustrated the book. The monument that stands up in the Motley Cemetery for Oscar and herself is beautifully carved from the pictures she drew of their home on one side, and their hill, trees, fence and rock on the other side.
Survivors include one son, Glenn Faris Olson of Philbrook, MN; two daughters, Bonnie Lou (Virgil) Meacham of Motley, and Carlyce (Billie) Remmers of Anoka, MN; two brothers, Oscar Lindholm of Green Mountain Falls, CO, and Arthur Lindholm of Wilmington, DE; two sisters, Virginia Anderson and Vendella “Babe” Gruby, both of Webster, SD; six grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her son; Maynard; her brothers, Harry, Gustave and Alvin “Bud” Lindholm; and her sisters, Hilda Holliday and Agnes Rogers.
Casketbearers were Bill Kavanaugh, Dr. William Mennis, Dr. Gerald Kvistberg, Mark Rettig, Dale Raustadt, and Vern Drake. Honorary casketbearers were Clarence Resch and Lawrence Smith.
