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Elnor Hulda Philipson, 91, formerly of Sleepy Eye, died on Wednesday, July 5, 2000, at Ebenezer Luther Hall in Minneapolis. A memorial service was held at Werness Brothers Funeral Chapel in Minneapolis. She was buried in Home Cemetery in Sleepy Eye.
She is survived by her sons, James of Minneapolis, Robert and his wife Dorothy of Swarthmore, Pa.; grandchildren, Tracey of Bakersfield, Calif., Bruce of Chicago, Beth of Los Angeles, and Andrew of Alexandria, Va.; brothers, Herbert of St. Paul, Harold and his wife Annabelle of Downingtown, Pa.; and many nieces and nephews.
Elnor was born June 24, 1909, to Jens and Hulda (Hansen) Jensen of Sleepy Eye. She was the eldest of seven children when her mother died in 1926 and much of the work of raising the family fell to her. She graduated from Sleepy Eye High School in 1927, then completed a Teacher's Normal Training course there and was certified to teach in Brown County rural schools. She married Art Philipson of Sleepy Eye on Dec. 4, 1933. She taught in rural schools around Sleepy Eye and after graduating from Mankato State Teachers College in 1959, taught fourth grade at the elementary school in Forest Lake, Minn., until her retirement in 1972. During her years in Forest Lake, she spent summers and holidays at her house in Sleepy Eye and stayed in Sleepy Eye until moving to Minneapolis in 1987. She enjoyed gardening, crafts, friends and the family for whose happiness and success she had struggled so long and hard.
Lila Torney, 68, of Wichita, Kansas, died Friday, July 7, 2000, at her residence. Services were July 11 at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, with interment in the Large Cemetery in Ft. Scott, Kansas.
She is survived by her husband, Jim of Wichita; daughters, Gina Bell and Diana Lewis, both of Wichita; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sons, Jay and Jeff.
Lila was born April 3, 1932, in Ft. Scott to John M. and Mattie M. (Crane) Lyden. She married James Torney on April 11, 1952, in Bentley, Kansas. She was a former resident of Sleepy Eye.
Memorials are preferred to the St. Andrew's Lutheran Church - Love Fund.
Wyat Layne Deming, age 6, of Evan, died Sunday, July 2, 2000, at Immanuel St. Joseph's Hospital in Mankato. Services were Sunday, July 16, at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Evan, with burial in Prairieville Cemetery, Evan. Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye handled the arrangements.
He is survived by his parents, Wade and Cheryl Deming; a sister, Cori Deming of Evan; grandparents, Tom and Cindy Basmoen of Hanska and Roger and Carol Deming of New Ulm; and great-grandmother, Ell Mae Wiborg of Hopkins.
Wyat was born June 20, 1994, in New Ulm, the son of Wade and Cheryl (Basmoen) Deming. He lived in Evan and attended kindergarten at Sleepy Eye Public Elementary School. He was a member of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Evan.
Sandra Jean Schroepfer, 38, Sleepy Eye, died Wednesday, July 12, 2000, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester. Services were Saturday, July 15, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye, with burial in the church cemetery. Sturm Funeral Home of Sleepy Eye handled the arrangements.
She is survived by her husband, Michael of Sleepy Eye; daughters, Jessica and Alyssa of Sleepy Eye; parents, Merle and Elaine Schueler of Sleepy Eye; brother, Leon and wife Stephanie Schueler of Sleepy Eye; sisters, Sharon and husband Tom Mages of New Ulm; and Suzanne and husband Allen Schumacher of New Ulm; grandmother, Florence Schueler of Morgan; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Beverly and Lee Ibberson of Sleepy Eye, Jo Ann Houge of Madelia, Sue and Paul Conners of Sleepy Eye, David Schroepfer of Madelia, Randy Schroepfer of Sleepy Eye, Joel and Marty Schroepfer of Sleepy Eye; nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Albert and Sophie Sellner and Waldemer Schueler; mother and father-in-law, Darrell and Florence Schroepfer; and brother-in-law, Chuck Schroepfer.
Sandra Jean was born on Dec. 11, 1961, in Sleepy Eye, the daughter of Merle and Elaine (Sellner) Schueler. She grew up and attended Evan School and Sleepy Eye Public School. Sandy graduated from Sleepy Eye Public High School in 1980. She was employed at Advertising Unlimited, Inc. as a machine operator. Sandy married Michael Schroepfer on Aug. 12, 1983, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Morgan. Mike and Sandy made their home in Sleepy Eye. Sandy was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye. She enjoyed Minnesota Vikings games at the dome and going to Mike's softball games. Sandy also enjoyed plastic canvas sewing, reading books, doing crossword puzzles and loved being with friends.
Casket bearers were Tom Sellner, Joel Schroepfer, John Sellner, Dominic Sellner, Mike Sellner, Dean Schumacher, Allen Schueler, Kenny Schumacher, Randy Schroepfer and David Schroepfer.
Lorand J. Zuhlsdorf, 81, of Franklin died Thursday, July 13, 2000, at Bethesda Pleasantview Nursing Home in Willmar. Mass of Christian funeral was Monday, July 17, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Franklin, with burial in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Eden Township. Nelson Funeral Home in Redwood Falls handled the arrangements.
Lorand James Zuhlsdorf was born Sept. 5, 1918, near New Ulm, the son of Emile and Marie (Schmitz) Zuhlsdorf. He grew up in the Sleepy Eye area where he received his education. Lorand farmed near Evan until the late 1960s. He then moved near Franklin and did farm labor. Most recently Lorand was a farm laborer in Brown and Redwood Counties and was involved in buying and selling cattle and horses. Lorand married Dorothy Krenz which later ended in divorce. He then married Mona Rohlick which ended in divorce. On Dec. 18, 1972, Lorand married Hazel Spielmann in Brown County. She died May 4, 1991. Lorand was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He enjoyed fishing and hunting and trained dogs and horses. Lorand loved to garden.
He is survived by a son, Gerald Zuhlsdorf and wife Mary of Tomah, Wis.; five daughters, Janette Krzmarzick and husband Ron of New Ulm, Mavis Hornick and husband Joe of Lake Park, Iowa, Diane Kiergaard and husband Tom of Redwood Falls, Marion Rothmeier and husband Ken of Evan, and Sara Duchene and husband Patrick of Sauk Centre; daughter in law, Peggy Zuhlsdorf of Lancaster, Wis.; 18 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a sister, Helen Luckhardt of Redwood Falls; and a brother, Clarence Zuhlsdorf and wife Lucille of Bird Island. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Hazel; a son, Mark; a daughter, Judy; and a sister in infancy.
Donald F. "Don" Steffl, 72, of New Ulm, died Tuesday, July 25, 2000, near his farm in Swift County, Minnesota. Mass of Christian burial was Saturday, July 29, at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm, with burial in the Catholic Cemetery in New Ulm. Minnesota Valley Funeral Home of New Ulm handled the arrangements.
Don is survived by his wife, Alice Steffl of New Ulm; daughters and sons-in-law, Terese Andersen and husband Mark of Wausau, Wis., Lisa Drazkowski and husband Dave of Onalaska, Wis., and Chris Palmer and husband Mark of New Ulm; sons and daughters-in-law, Ron Steffl of New Ulm; Pat Steffl and wife Maggie of New Ulm, Dan Steffl and wife Tammy of New Ulm, and Francis Steffl and wife Sue of Brooklyn Center; grandchildren, Jenny, Gretchen, Justin, Sarah, Rachael, Brady, Chad, Nicole, and Nathan; brothers and sisters-in-law, Lowell Steffl and wife Angie of Comfrey, Sylvester "Jim" Steffl of Starbuck, and Cyril Steffl and wife Carol of Springfield; and a sister-in-law, Carman Steffl of Littleton, Colo. He wa preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Kenneth Steffl.
Donald was born July 19, 1928, in Wabasso to Sylvester and Philomino (Matter) Steffl. He was a graduate of Springfield High School. After high school he owned and operated a well drilling business which he later sold to family members. In 1953, Don started working for the Men's Assurance Company where he worked for 43 years as a salesman and later as a district manager. He married Alice Fischer on June 1, 1954, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Morgan. Don also farmed in Swift county since the early 1960s. He had a passion for flying and was a licensed pilot for more than 45 years and he enjoyed genealogy. He was a member of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Catholic Order of Foresters, Turner Hall in New Ulm and was charter member of the Sertoma Club in New Ulm.
Theresa Josephine Tauer, 85, of Sleepy Eye, died Wednesday, July 26, 2000, at her home. Services were Saturday, July 29, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye, with interment in the church cemetery. Sturm Funeral Home of Sleepy Eye handled the arrangements.
She is survived by her children, Claudia and husband Bryan Klages of Good Thunder, Mike and wife Sandra Tauer of Burnsville, Tim and wife Lois Tauer of Sleepy Eye, Connie Tauer of New Ulm, Tom and wife Mary Tauer of Sleepy Eye, Kevin and wife Viviann Tauer of Plymouth, and Mark and wife Jeanne Tauer of Sleepy Eye; 26 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Jeanette Forster of Selah, Wash., Stella Rathman of Sleepy Eye, and Emelia Hammerschmidt of Springfield; and sister-in-law, Angie Sturm of Springfield. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Martin, in 1988; brothers, Roman in infancy, and Michael; and sisters, Elizabeth Hammerschmidt and Ardella Klucas.
Theresa was born on Sept.14, 1914, in Springfield, the daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Roiger) Sturm. She grew up and attended schools in Springfield and New Ulm. She married Martin G. Tauer on June 11, 1935, at St. Raphael's Catholic Church in Springfield. The couple made their home in Mulligan Township where they farmed for many years. In 1956 they moved to Sleepy Eye where they owned and operated Marty's Tavern until 1974. Theresa worked at Schultz Cafe for 15 years, retiring in 1990. She was active with the Sleepy Eye Senior Citizens Center and Meals on Wheels after she retired. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, the Christian Mothers and the Catholic Aid Association. Theresa enjoyed flowers, gardening, making patchwork quilts, playing cards, bowling and, most of all, her family.
Richard August Gramentz, 81, of Springfield, died Wednesday, July 26, 2000, at St. John Lutheran Home, Springfield. Services were Friday, July 28, at St. John Lutheran Home Chapel, with burial in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Springfield. Sturm Funeral Home of Springfield handled the arrangements.
He is survived by a sister, Emma (Mrs. Leonard) Lang of Sleepy Eye; and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Gertrude Hinton, Esther Bobsin, Ella Nelson, Laura Patterson, and Alvina Schewe; and brothers, William, Henry, Erwin, Herman, Arnold and Otto Gramentz.
Richard was born Aug. 25, 1918, in Burnstown Township to William and Alvina (Lawrenz) Gramentz. He attended country school District #40. Richard helped on the family farm and many area farmers through his working years. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church. He enjoyed watching TV and being outdoors.
Rita Ann Gorman, 57, of Arcadia, Calif.,a died Saturday, July 29, 2000, at her home. A celebration of her life was held Tuesday, Aug. 1, at the Monrovia Mortuary in Monrovia, Calif., with interment in Forest-Lawn Cemetery. The celebrant was Pastor Mark Sanford.
Rita Ann was born March 24, 1943, the daughter of Paul and Lucille Ann (Maurer) Rasmussen. She resided with her family in Eden Township. She was baptized and confirmed her faith at the Church of Christ in New Ulm. She attended rural School District 18 and graduated from the Sleepy Eye High School. She attended the University of Minnesota for one year. Rita did modeling for Daytons in Minneapolis. She also worked for the Graco Co. in Minneapolis, then transferred to Graco Co. in California. Rita Ann and William Sean Gorman were married on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, 1970, in California. Rita loved her family and people. She liked flower and vegetable gardening and traveling. She worked with her husband at their shop in Arcadia.
She is survived by her husband, William; son, Sean; daughter, Shannon and fiance Scott Bulick; her father, Paul Rasmussen and wife Jane W. of Sleepy Eye. Also surviving are brothers and sister, Paul Rasmussen Jr. and wife Linda of Benld, Ill., Fred Rasmussen and wife Jane M. of Evan, Mark Rasmussen of Sleepy Eye, and Sandra Johnson and husband Todd of of Spokane, Wash.; numerous nieces and nephews; step-sister and brothers, Judy Tompkins and husband Lloyd of Park Rapids, Alan Jacobsen and special friend Sharon Anderson of Morgan and Cosmos, David Jacobsen and wife Kathleen of Northfield, Curtis Jacobsen and wife Lisa of Prescott, Wis.; numerous step-nephews and nieces; and many other relatives. She was preceded in death by her mother, Lucille Maurer Rasmussen; her step-mother, Oradell Backer Rasmussen; an aunt, Alta Nelsen; an uncle, Eugene "Sonny" Maurer; great aunt, Laura Koehne; grandparents; and a step-sister.
Inez Marie Ludewig, 59, of Sleepy Eye, died Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2000, at her home. Services will be 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 11, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Sleepy Eye, with interment in Home Cemetery, Sleepy Eye. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on Friday at the Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye. Visitation will also continue for one hour prior to the service at the church.
She is survived by her son, Jeffrey and wife Nancy Ludewig of Sleepy Eye; daughter, Pamela and husband Don Hirsch of Sleepy Eye; five grandchildren, Douglas Hirsch, Deanna Hart, Stacy Hirsch, James Ludewig, Amber Fischer; great-grandsons, Brian and Matthew Hirsch, mother-in-law, Pearl Ludewig of Sleepy Eye; brothers, Claus Evers of Sleepy Eye, Ted and wife Madeline Evers of Bingham Lake, Herman Evers of St. Paul; sisters, Arlene Ebilsisor of Sleepy Eye, Margaret and husband Marvin Iverson of Lafayette, Donna Mae and husband Edwin Iverson of Buhl, Idaho, Mary and husband Norbert Ranweiler of Gibbon; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Sylvester Ludewig of Sleepy Eye, Irene Houghtaling of Carmichael, Calif., Delrose and Wilbert Seifert, Delores and Robert Guldan, Luverna and George Berg, and Robert Berg Jr., all of New Ulm; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, George, on April 27, 2000; father-in-law, Urban; sisters, Jennie Sellner, Dorothy Rockvam; sisters-in-law, Marion Berg, Mildred Evers; brothers-in-law, Paul Houghtaling, Herman Sellner Sr., Russell Rockvam, Leonard Mathiowetz, Ebbie Ebilsisor; half brothers and their wives, Joe and Ardis Evers, Fred and Violet Evers, and Hans and Helen Evers.
Inez was born on Oct. 18, 1930, in Sleepy Eye, the daughter of Claus and Marie (Peterson) Evers. She grew up in the Sleepy Eye area and attended school at St. John's and Sleepy Eye High School. Inez married George Ludewig on Feb. 11, 1947, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye. The couple farmed in Stark Township for 44 years before retiring and moving to Sleepy Eye in 1991. She enjoyed gardening, flowers, crafts, quilting, crocheting and especially her grandchildren. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and served on the WELCA Board and was a member of St. John's Lutheran Home.
Catherine "Kate" Brinkman, 90, of Somerset, Wis., died Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2000, at the Maple Manor in New Richmond, Wis. Memorial mass of Christian burial was Aug. 14 at St. Anne's Church in Somerset.
She is survived by sons, Don and wife Donna of Sleepy Eye, Tom and wife Eileen of Bayport, Minn.; daughter, Betty of New Richmond; daughter-in-law, Lucy of Somerset; 19 grandchildren; and 31 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harry; and a son, John.
She lived all her life in St. Croix County, Wis.
Dennis E. Lowther, 47, of Fargo, died Thursday, Aug. 10, 2000, at his lake home near Vergas. Services were Monday, Aug. 14 at Community Baptist Church in Fargo, N.D. A special memorial service will be Saturday, Aug. 19, at First Lutheran Church in Lake City. Immediately following, there will be a lunch at Waterman's Restaurant from 4-6 p.m. Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home of Fargo handled the arrangements.
Dennis Eugene Lowther, son of Myron R. and Elizabeth (Frie) Lowther, was born Dec. 20, 1952, in Winona. Raised and educated in Winona, he attended Moorhead Technical College, Moorhead, for two years and worked for NCR Corporation for two years. Dennis then formed Lowther Corporation, writing software for the sunflower industry. In 1994 he formed GET-LOW, Inc. and invented a unique software system for processing medical claims for union employees. After contracting the Allina Health systems for five years, he was currently licensing his software to Blue Cross Blue Shield of MN. He was a partner in and chief financial officer for Mississippi Jewel in Lake City. Dennis was married to Sharon M. Royal on July 12 1975, in Moorhead. They made their home in Moorhead for one year, then moved to north Fargo, where they lived for nine years until moving to their current residence in south Fargo.
Survivors include his wife, Sharon; his son, Andy; his daughter, Sarah; and four brothers, Mic of Anchorage, AK; Michael G . and fiancee Debbie of Lake City, Patrick. A. and wife Michal of Sleepy Eye; and Joseph A. and wife Linda of Winona. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Bette Frances.
Margaret Monica Roiger, 87, of Lamberton, died Sunday, Aug. 20, 2000, at Valley View Manor in Lamberton. Services will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 24, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Lamberton, with interment in St. Raphael's Catholic Cemetery, Springfield. Visitation will continue on Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at the Sturm Funeral Home in Lamberton, and one hour prior to the service at St. Joseph's Catholic Church.
Survivors include sons, Joseph P. and wife Delores Roiger of Springfield, and Clifford and wife Lela of Hutchinson; daughters, Arlette and husband Ray Heinen of Yankton, S.D., and Roxie and husband Calvin Bode of New Ulm; sons-in-law, Tony Riley of Lamberton and Milton Trebesch of Clements; 19 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; brother, Emil and wife Mary Haas of Springfield; sister, Leona and husband Bernard Wenisch of Springfield; and sister-in-law, Gladys Haas of Springfield. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, LeRoy, in 1990; daughters, Cynthia Trebesch and Rita Riley; brothers, Ted, Pete, Leo and Mike Haas; sisters, Freida Wersal, Ella Long, Maria Haas and Esther Wog; and a daughter-in-law, Janice Westerlund Roiger.
Margaret was born Aug. 25, 1912, to Peter and Katie (Kastner) Haas in Stately Township. On April 19, 1932, Margaret married LeRoy Roiger at St. Raphael's Catholic Church in Springfield. They farmed near Sleepy Eye, Springfield, Sanborn and Lamberton. She was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, the Altar Society, CCW, and Senior Citizens Centers in Sanborn and in Lamberton. Margaret enjoyed gardening, especially her strawberries, quilting, card playing, baking, cooking and her family.
Pall bearers are Sam Bode, Donald Roiger, Daryl Roiger, Jay Heinen, Dustin Kronbach, Katie Olson, Jeanna Olson and Judy Churchill.
Myra M. Franta, 93, formerly of Lafayette, died Monday, Aug. 21, 2000, at the. Fairfax Community Home in Fairfax. Mass of Christian burial will be 11 a.m., Thursday at St. George Catholic Church in West Newton Township, Nicollet County, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the time of service at the church on Thursday. Minnesota Valley Funeral Home, New Ulm, handled the arrangements
She is survived by her daughter, Joleen R. Franta of New Ulm; sons and daughters-in-law, Cletus and Rosemary Franta, Dennis and Dolores Franta, all of New Ulm; 15 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Sylvester Franta of New Ulm, and Fremont Franta of Winthrop. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Herbert P. "Herb" Franta on Dec. 20, 1997; daughter, Donna M. Pfeffer; granddaughters, Brenda Franta, Sharon Franta and Cheryl Franta; sisters, Minnie Franta, Rosalie Bushard; brothers, Alfred Bushard, Arthur Bushard, Wilfred G. "Spitz" Bushard; and also by sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.
Margaret was born Aug. 1, 1907, in West Newton Township, Nicollet County, to George and Rosa (Schwab) Bushard. She married Herbert P. Franta on June 5, 1929, at St. George Catholic Church in West Newton Township. After marriage they farmed in West Newton Township until the early 1930s and then moved to a farm in Lafayette, Township, Nicollet County. They retired in 1970, but continued to live on the farm, wintering in California and Arizona for the next 18 years. In 1994, Myra and Herbert both became residents of the Fairfax Community Home in Fairfax. She was a member of St. George Catholic Church and was a member of the Altar Society, St. Agnes Society, Catholic Aid Association and St. Cecelia Court #420, Women's Catholic Order of Foresters all of St. George.
Sister Michael Walch, 82, a Franciscan sister of the Congregation of Our Lady of Lourdes, Rochester, who served in domestic care, died on Sep. 3, 2000, at Assisi Heights, Rochester.
Born Annabelle Theresa Walch on March 27, 1918, in Minneiska, Minn., Sister Michael entered the Franciscan congregation in 1940 from Immaculate Conception Parish, Oak Ridge, Minn. She made profession of vows in 1943 and began her ministry of domestic care at Saint Mary's parish, Sleepy Eye. She ministered in various parishes in Minnesota including Rochester, Adrian, Johnsburg, Ellsworth, Austin and Winona, and also in Ironton, Ohio. From 1977-1993, Sister Michael was assigned to St. Mary's parish, Sleepy Eye, where she served as a Title I teacher's aide. She retired to Assisi Heights in 1993 and celebrated her golden jubilee that year.
Sister Michael is survived by her Franciscan community and by one sister, Sister Renata Walch, Assisi Heights; and by one brother, Michael Walch of Altura, Minn.
A mass of Christian burial will be held Thursday, Sept. 7, at 11 a.m. in the Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes, Assisi Heights, with the Reverend Jack Krough officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call at Assisi Heights at the wake service at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 6, and also until the time of service on Thursday.
Betty M. Rasmussen, 67, of Oakdale, died Sunday, Sept. 3, 2000, at home with her family after a lengthy illness. A memorial service was held Sept. 8 at House of Prayer Lutheran Church of Oakdale, with interment in Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. Sandberg Mortuary of North St. Paul handled the arrangements.
She is survived by her husband, Boyd, of 45 years; daughters, Cathie Johnson of Visalia, Calif., Julie Trudeau, Lorie, of Oakdale, and Vickie of St. Paul; three grandchildren; one-great-grandson; sister Jeanne Lewis of Mountain Home, Idaho; and a brother, Stan Hoffman, of Corinth, NY.
She was a veteran of the Korean Conflict.
Memorials are preferred to Hospice of the Lakes, 8100 34th Ave. So., Minneapolis, MN 55440.
