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Norma G. Arns
Norma G. Arns, 86, of Winona, died Tuesday (April 17, 2002) at Saint Anne Extended Healthcare, Winona.
She was born Feb. 4, 1916, in Jordan. Her parents are Dr. Henry and Clara Greenwald.
She graduated from the University of Minnesota as a registered nurse and married Edward J. Valentine. They had two daughters, Pat (Don) Tropple and JoAnn (Stan) Hawkins.
For many years she was the administrator of Braewood Convalescent Home in South Pasadena, Calif., where she resided with her second husband, Lyle M. Arns. She had two step-children, Janet (Leroy) Humble and Shirley Seales.
She leaves behind her children and step-children; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren.
Memorial services were at the Chapel at Saint Anne Extended Healthcare, Winona.
James Harlan Johnson
James Harlan Johnson, 82, of Rushford died Wed. (Sept. 17, 2003) at his home following a short and courageous battle with melanoma cancer.
He was born on June 2, 1921, in Preble Township of Fillmore County to Selmer and Hannah (Hilden) Johnson. He was baptized on June 26, 1921, at the First Lutheran Church in Mabel, Minn. and was confirmed on Oct. 11, 1936 at the Hauge Evangelical Lutheran Church. He attended Choice School and graduated from Fillmore County Schools on July 8, 1936, in Preston, Minn.
Mr. Johnson was drafted on October 22, 1942, to World War II and was sent to New Guinea with K Company of the 127th Army Infantry, a part of the Michigan - Wisconsin. He was Gunner in a rifle company and made many beach landings in route to the Philippines, where the fighting was daily. He had ended a 118 day assault on the Bagulo Trail of Luzon when the war ended. He was seriously wounded on Mar. 20, 1944, on Luzon Island. Mr. Johnson was in a New Guinea hospital for nine months. He was awarded a Purple Heart and Good Conduct Medal. Harlan returned to the United States on Oct. 13, 1945 and discharged on November 7, 1945, at Camp McCoy, Wis.
He returned home to farm with his brother Allen for seven years. In 1952, he worked as a carpenter for Himlie Construction in Rushford for several years, and later worked as a carpenter for Ralph Scharmer and Sons, Inc. for 24 years.
Mr. Johnson served on the Rushford Fire Department for 24 years. He was a member of the Rushford Lutheran Church, was Quarter Master and Commander of the Rushford V.F.W., charter member of the Mabel V.F.W., and was a member of the Mabel American Legion for 58 years.
He married Delaine Johnson on Aug. 30, 1968, at Rushford Lutheran Church.
He is survived by his wife, Delaine; two step-children: Fay (Charles) Olson of Spring Grove, Minn. and Gary Dean Davidson of Minneapolis, Minn.; three step-grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one brother, Allen (Eunice) Johnson of Mabel, Minn.; one sister, Charlotte (James) Slifka of Medford, Minn.; one sister-in-law, Beverly Johnson; many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his sister Stella and her husband Carl Tudahl and his brother LeVerne Johnson.
Funeral services were Sept. 19 at Rushford Lutheran Church, the Rev. Roger Michaelson officiated. Burial was in the Choice Community Cemetery in Choice, Minn.
Milda Irene Olson
Milda Irene Olson, 83, of Sparta passed away Monday (Sept. 15, 2003) at her home. She was born on Oct. 30, 1919, to Andrew and Bertha (Tolstad) Tudahl in Peterson.
She is survived by her husband, Herman of Sparta; four children, Ronald (Faye) Larson of Cashton, Carol Larson of Hillsboro, Mavis Gaffney of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Alice (Gary) Vedum of Kenosha, Wis.; one daughter-in-law, Alice Seddon of Kendall, Wis.; one sister, Helen Hoff of Rushford; one half-brother, Tom Tudahl; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two sons, James and infant son Roger Larson; one brother, Herman Tudahl; one half brother Arthur Tudahl; and two half-sisters, Ovedia Oelke and Martha Dolalie.
Funeral services were Sept. 19 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Sparta, the Rev. Jeffrey Miller officiated.
Mearl Janet Ellestad
Mearl Janet (Jenson) Ellestad died Thursday, (Sept. 18, 2003) at St. Anne Extended Healthcare where she has been a resident since Aug. 1999. Formerly she was a resident at Callista Court and 905 E. Broadway, Winona.
She was born Apr. 4, 1915, in Bowman County, North Dakota to Martin and Julia (Mathison) Jenson.
She married Leonard A. Ellestad Oct. 20, 1934, in Rushford. He died July 4, 1999.
She worked at several occupations during her life including 19 years as Department Manager at W.T. Grant and retiring from H.Choate’s as Department Manager of Women’s Clothing. She enjoyed meeting people and being able to assist them in their purchases.
She is survived by two daughters, Marlene (Chuck) Flanagan and Betty Lou (Jim) Pries and a son Arthur (Kay) Ellestad of Winona; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a brother Irvin (Elaine) Jenson of Waukesha, Wis.; sister-in-law Gertrude (Trudy) Ellestad of Harmony and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a daughter, Arlene JoAnn; sisters, Mabel Jenson and Otilia Johnson; and a brother, Archie Jenson.
Funeral services were Sept. 23 at Central Lutheran Church in Winona, The Rev. Scott Olson officiated. Burial was in Rushford Lutheran Cemetery.
Ron D. ‘King’ Simpson
Ron D. “King” Simpson, 50, of Bangor, died suddenly Saturday (Sept. 20, 2003) at his home of an apparent heart attack.
He was born July 23, 1953, in La Crosse to Darrel and Arlene (Streeck) Simpson. He graduated from Bangor High School in 1971.
On Sept. 19, 1981, he married Connie Johnson in Minnesota.
He worked at Webster Industries in Bangor for 20 years and was presently employed by Coulee Region Enterprises, also in Bangor. He was a veteran, having served with the U.S. Army for six years. He was a member of Anderson-Good American Legion Post 40 of Bangor. He also was a member of the Bangor Fire Department.
Survivors include his wife, Connie; his mother, Arlene Simpson of Bangor; three sisters, Laurie (Ed) Solberg of Sparta, Wis., Lynette (Jeffrey) Ikert and Joanie (Darrell) Wilcox, both of Bangor; father and mother-in-law Carmen and Phyllis Johnson; brother-in-law Steve Johnson; and sister-in-law, Fay (Ross) Himlie of Rushford; nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father.
Funeral services are today at First Presbyterian Church, Bangor. The Rev. Louis Stoker will officiate. Burial will be at a later date in Rockland Cemetery.
Ellen Eliza Bolles
The funeral for Ellen Eliza Bolles was Sept. 21 at First Baptist Church in Preston, the Rev. Ron Hanson officiated. Burial was in Chatfield Cemetery.
Miss Bolles, 100, of Preston, formerly of Fountain, died Tuesday evening (Sept. 18, 2001) at Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby, Minn.
Born Feb. 17, 1901, in Fountain Township, Fillmore County, she graduated from Chatfield High School and Chatfield Normal Training, and received of bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Winona State University. Miss Bolles taught in rural Fillmore County schools and in Fountain and Rushford. She lived at Preston Good Samaritan Center from 1994 until entering Cuyuna Regional Care Center. She was a long time member of First Baptist Church in Preston and its women’s society, and was a member of the Preston Browning Club, Preston Homemakers and Preston Senior Citizens. She enjoyed traveling.
Survivors include a nephew and three nieces.
A brother preceded her in death.
Orville R. Fossum
Orville R. Fossum, 92, of Winona died Friday (Sept. 21, 2001) at the intensive care unit of Community Memorial Hospital.
He was born Sept. 8, 1909, to Christian and Clara Holle Fossum in Houston County. He was a self-employed painter and decorator in the Winona area.
He married Edna Gravos Nov. 22, 1932, at Peterson. He was a member of Central Lutheran Church, the FOE No. 1243 and the Painters and Decorating Union, and was a past officer in the Musicians Union.
Mr. Fossum had a passion for fiddle playing, and he entertained with many bands in the Winona area for 65 years. He also loved to walk in the woods and hunt ginseng.
He is survived by his wife, Edna; sons, LaVern (Barbara) Fossum of Austin, Texas, and James (Pam) Fossum of Green Bay, Wis.; daughters, Judy (Richard) Hanson of Winona and Shirley (Harvey) Kieffer of Robbinsdale; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and three sisters.
Funeral services were Sept. 24 at Central Lutheran Church, the Rev. Scott Olson officiated. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery.
Casketbearers were grandsons Thomas Hanson, William Hanson, Justin Fossum, Andrew Fossum, and Mark Kieffer.
Lawrence J. B. Aakre
Lawrence J.B. Aakre, 87, died Wednesday (Sept. 26, 2001) at Mercy Medical Center. Funeral services were Sept. 29 at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories, the Rev. Michael Kleeberger of Squaw Creek Baptist Church, Marion, officiated. Burial, with military honors, was at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
Survivors include a brother, Ray, of Rushford; two sisters, Inez Essery of Sun City, Ariz., and Eleanor Wilkes of Anderson, Calif.; cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and three brothers, Ernest, Knute and William Aakre.
He was born Sept. 18, 2001, on a farm in Winneshiek County, Iowa, to Andrew and Ella Jean Aakre.
He married Nancy Jean Endsley on Oct. 28, 1939, in Cedar Rapids. She died Jan. 5, 1986.
Mr. Aakre had worked for the Crandic Railroad, Iowa Electric and had farmed. He was a member of VFW Post 788, Iowa Branch of the 2nd Indianhead Infantry Division Association Inc. and the Fairfax American Legion Post 572. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II.
Military honors were by VFW Post 788.
Werner J. Bunke
Werner J. Bunke, 95, died on Thursday (Sept. 27, 2001) at Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Rushford.
He was born on Dec. 31, 1905, to Ferdinand and Elizabeth (Brand) Bunke in Hart. He was the youngest of 11 children. On Nov. 2, 1929, he married his grade school sweetheart, Helen Heiden. In 1934, the couple relocated to Bratsburg. Mrs. Bunke passed away on Sept. 1, 1990.
Throughout his life, Mr. Bunke was a farmer. He loved farming and did all he could to keep up-to-date and educated in the industry. He also loved horses, hunting, and reading. He served his church and community in many various ways.
He is survived by his children: Phyllis (August) Lechner of Valders, Wis., Norbert (Jeannette) Bunke of Winona, Myron (Helen) Bunke of Rushford, and Vickie (Ken) Talbort of Stacy, Minn.; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; siblings, Arthur, Paul, Walter, George, Clara, Anna Adina, Emma, Frieda, and Elizabeth; and a son-in-law, Charlie Crawford.
Funeral services were Oct. 1 at Rushford Lutheran Church, the Rev. Michaelson officiated. Interment was in Rushford Lutheran Church Cemetery.
