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Agnes Dawson
The funeral service for Agnes Dawson, 100, of Aberdeen, will be 10:30 am Saturday, November 10, 2007 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, with Pastor Jeff Whillock officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Agnes died Monday, November 5, at Bethesda Home of Aberdeen.
Visitation will be from 3-7 pm Friday with a prayer service at 7 pm at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 S. Main St. Aberdeen.
Agnes was born on December 23, 1906, in New Effington, SD, where she attended high school. After graduating, she went on to attend Nettleton Business College in Sioux Falls, SD where she graduated with a business degree.
In December of 1926, Agnes married her life long partner, Delbert (Del) Dawson. They lived in Groton, SD where Del was employed. They later moved to Aberdeen where they would live for the rest of their lives.
Del was a Welfare Director and a Probation Officer before purchasing the White Cross Cleaners and Granger Cleaners and Apartments. Agnes was employed as a Bookkeeper at Brown and Saenger Printing Company of Sioux Falls, SD. She also worked at Beito Lumber Company, and Kresgie Dollar Store. Agnes later worked side by side with her husband at the White Cross Cleaners.
Agnes and Del had a summer home at Pickeral Lake. She enjoyed traveling, gardening, fishing, and spending time with her family.
Delbert passed away in 1993, forcing Agnes to find the strength, through her church, family and friends, to go on without him. Agnes moved from the home they shared into the Bethesda Retirement Home, where she had many friends. On October of 2005, she made her home at Bethesda Nursing Home.
Agnes and Del were both very active members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and enjoyed making Lefse and Lutefisk for their annual dinners there. Agnes remained active in Circle, Peace Makers, Bible Study, and many other activities until her death. Her faith and devotion to church and family were an inspiration to all the lives she touched. She will be deeply missed.
Grateful for having shared Agnes’ life are her son, Dale Dawson, Sioux Falls; her daughter, Marlys Sanders, Harlan, IA; seven grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, four brothers, three sisters, an infant daughter, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, and an infant grandchild.
The family prefers memorials to the American Cancer Society.
ROBERT JAPS
Services for Robert A. Japs, 87, Aberdeen are 2:00 pm, Thursday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Pastor’s Paul Svingen and Father David Janes officiating. Burial at Sunset Memorial Gardens with military honors by Sidney L. Smith American Legion Post 24. Robert died Sunday, November 4, 2007 at Manor Care Health Services.
Visitation: 1-7 pm Wednesday at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 S. Main St. Aberdeen.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials.
Robert Albert Japs was born October 28, 1920 in Minneapolis, MN to Albert W. and Mercedes (Sullivan) Japs. He moved with his parents to Aberdeen that same year. He attended St. Mary’s parochial school and graduated in 1938 from Aberdeen Central High.
He enlisted in the SD National Guard 147th FA in November 1937. They were nationalized into the Federal service in November 1940. He served in Ft. Ord, CA, the South Pacific , Australia, New Guinea, New Britain and in the European Theatre serving in France, Belgium and Germany with the 942 FA. He received six battle stars while serving from 1941-1945. Also the European-African Middle Eastern Theater Service Medal, American Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal and Marksman Medals.
He returned to the US in March 1944. On April 26, 1944 he married Arvella Anderson in Aberdeen, SD. In December 1944 he was shipped out to serve in the European Theater. In 1945 he returned to Aberdeen and was employed at the Aberdeen American News for 47 yrs. before his retirement in 1985. He worked in the ad composition dept.
He was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and served as congregational President, church council and on the board of directors of Bethlehem Lutheran Church men. Robert volunteered for the Human Society and they loved to volunteer for different events. He served as scouting coordinator for Boy Scout Troop 51, Aberdeen, Board of Directors of the Aberdeen men’s City Bowling Assoc. and the Aberdeen Junior Bowling Assoc. He was a member of the V.F.W., American Legion and Elks Lodge #1046, Aberdeen. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, bowling, softball, & pitching horseshoe. He was an avid Yankee and Green Bay Packers fan and he was an awesome dancer.
Grateful for having shared Robert’s life are his wife, Arvella Japs; two children, Trudy (Levern) Didreckson, Aberdeen; Bob (Jeanette) Japs, Sioux Falls; three grandchildren, Wendy (Ben) Godwin, Dothan, AL; David Didreckson, Aberdeen; Brenda Simon, Aberdeen; one step grandchild, Bryan Ponwith, Sioux Falls; and five great grandchildren, Josh Mitzel, US Marine Corp; Darren Didreckson, Haley Simon, Aberdeen; Isaac & Rebecca Godwin, Dothan, AL.
He is preceded in death by his parents and one infant brother, James Japs.
ALFRED MARVIN WALKER
Services for Alfred Marvin Walker, 74 of Fort Meade, SD will be at 10:30am Wednesday, November 7, 2007 at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home in Aberdeen with Dr. Harold E. Salem officiating. Burial will be at 1:30pm at Millard Cemetery near Faulkton, SD.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 S. Main St.
He was a disabled veteran. Alfred Marvin Walker was born to Lloyd and Martha (Stern) Walker in Faulkton, SD on February 21, 1933. His mothers health failed soon after he was born. He was raised by his uncle and aunt, Clarence and Phyllis Walker. With his foster parents he lived in Mobridge, Loyalton, Ipswich and Faulkton SD. From 1948-1950 he worked as a tractor operator for Harris Construction Company. He enlisted in the US Army in December of 1950. He served his country in Korea during the Korean War. He received the rating of Sgt. in March of 1953. He was injured in a practice parachute jump while he was in the service. He was discharged in December 1953. Alfred received the Korean Service Medal with 2 bronze stars, UN Service Medal, CI badge, National Defense Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal.
Alfred was married to Jessie Janes in Missouri in 1953.
Grateful for having shared Alfred’s life are his two sisters Bertha Nally of Minneapolis, MN Bernice and Melvin Jeschke of Aberdeen, four nephews and six nieces.
He is preceded in death by his birth parents and his foster parents, two brothers Jess and Orvin Walker and one sister Margaret Graham.
KENTON GELLHAUS
The service for Kenton Lee Gellhaus, 81, of Aberdeen, will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday November 3, 2007, at the First United Methodist church with Pastor Eldon Reich officiating. Kenton passed Tuesday October 30, 2007 at his home in Aberdeen.
Visitation will be from 1-5 p.m. Friday, November 2, 2007. Family will be present from 5-6 p.m. with a prayer service at 6 p.m. at the Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 111 South Main Street, Aberdeen.
Kenton was born March 25, 1926 to Henry & Julia Gellhaus, growing up in Frankfort, SD. He learned firsthand the art of the grocery business by working in his parents’ store. Ken played basketball for the Frankfort Falcons and graduated from High School in 1944. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served on a small “jeep” carrier called the USS Nehenta Bay in the South Pacific Theatre. Following his discharge in 1946 he went to work for the National T. grocery store in Redfield. He married his high school sweetheart, Marilyn Battey, in 1948 and they spent nearly sixty years together.
In 1952 they moved to Aberdeen where Ken purchased a corner grocery store on 7th and South Main Street naming it “Ken’s Buy-Rite.” Later, when his brothers came back from the Korean War, they joined Ken in becoming “Four Brothers Market,” which was an Aberdeen landmark for thirty-three years. Ken spent long hours working and expanding Four Brothers Market and had a great love for his work. Ken also enjoyed horseshoe pitching and his teams won city championships in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. A serious heart attack forced him to slow down from the grocery business in 1982. In 1992 he and Marilyn began a new venture with the opening of the Gellhaus Carehaus, a residential care facility for the elderly, which continues to serve the needs of its residents. They are also co-owners of Angelhaus, built in 2000, which also cares for the needs of the elderly in an assisted living environment.
Ken’s greatest joy was participating in the lives and activities of his four sons and seven grandchildren.
Ken was a member of the First United Methodist Church. Ken was also a member of the Redfield Lodge #34, Scottish Right, Yelduz Shrine of Aberdeen, VFW, and the American Legion Sidney L. Smith #24.
Grateful for having shared in Ken’s life are his wife, Marilyn; three sons: Lonald (Marva) Gellhaus of Groton, and their children Nathan Gellhaus and Alissa (Michael) Wells; Rev. Dennis (Robbie) Gellhaus of Aberdeen, and their children Stephen Gellhaus and Aaron Gellhaus; and Jay (Linda) Gellhaus of Aberdeen, and their children Jacob Gellhaus, Jacynda Gellhaus, Jianna Gellhaus; three brothers, Harvey Gellhaus, Glenn Gellhaus, Hurley (Shirley) Gellhaus; two sisters, Leona Kirkgasler and Bonnie (Gene) Loken; and one daughter-in-law, Niki Gellhaus.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Gary Gellhaus; and one sister, Verna Leigh.
Memorials can be sent to Yelduz Transportation Fund, P.O. Box 1066, Aberdeen, SD.
VELMA R. SCHULTZ
Services for Velma R. Schultz, 85, Aberdeen, are 2:00 pm, Wednesday at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, Pastor Tanya Rist officiating. Burial: Fairview Memorial Park, Fairmont, MN. A memorial service is planned at Kramer Funeral Home, Welcome, MN. Velma died Monday, October 29, 2007 at Bethesda Home of Aberdeen.
Visitation: 9am-2pm Wednesday at the funeral home.
Velma was born May 19, 1922 at Hoffman, MN to Arthur & Tena Schultz. She was baptized in the Lutheran Church at Hoffman. At age thirteen she moved with her parents and sister to Welcome. She was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Welcome.
From birth until age thirteen Velma’s eyesight was gradually deteriorating but was still able to work 8 ½ yrs. for Central Telephone Company in the cities of Welcome, New Richland, Slayton, MN, and Sioux Falls, SD. During this time she did learn to read and write Braille. She attended Nettleton College and was taught typing as well as how to care for herself as a blind person. Upon completion, Velma worked for Aberdeen City Hall on the 556 cord board with telebraille attachments. She was the world’s first telebraille switchboard operator. On opening day, she received a telephone call from Atty general Robert Kennedy calling in place of President John F. Kennedy. After nineteen years, City Hall switched to a computer system called dimension. Velma trained many blind people from all over the country on the Aberdeen switchboards. After twenty-one years at City Hall, Velma retired July 1, 1984.
After retirement, Velma did peer counseling with individuals who had loss of sight and was a member of the South Dakota Assn for the Blind and American Council of the Blind. She attended many State and National conventions.
Velma’s hobbies were traveling, crafts, dancing, playing chord organ, music and just plain enjoying life. Some of Velma’s travels were to the Rose Bowl, Mexico, Alaska, Florida, Nova Scotia and four trips to the Hawaiian Islands.
Velma has been a member of Zion Lutheran Church of Aberdeen since 1963. Velma had been self sufficient until entering Bethesda Nursing Home of Aberdeen in 1999. At that time she stated that she would like all to know how thankful she is to both her parents for giving her love and making her cook, clean, bake, and function on her own. She also thanks all her family and friends for the love, fun, support, and travels in life.
Grateful for having shared Velma’s life are nephews, Roger (Anita) Montgomery, Dennis (Dorann) Montgomery; two great nieces, four great nephews; two great-great nephews; four great-great nieces; other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Arthur & Tena Schultz, sister & brother-in-law, Harvey & Ethel Montgomery.
Sister Owen Greene, 80, a Sister of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, died on October 26, 2007 at Presentation Convent.
The Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Owen will be Monday, October 29, 2007 at 9:45 a.m., in Blessed Sacrament Chapel at Presentation Convent, Aberdeen, SD. A Scriptural Wake Service will be held Sunday, October 28, 2007, at 6:00 p.m. in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. Visitation will be from 3:30 to 7:00 p.m.
Reverend Joseph Sheehan, will be celebrant and homilist.
Burial will be at the Sacred Heart Cemetery with Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 S Main Street, in charge of arrangements.
Mary Jane Greene was born to life December 15, 1926 in Estelline, SD to Ruth Lena (Durkin) and Theodore Platt Greene. She graduated from Estelline High School in 1944 and entered Presentation Convent on September 8, 1950 and made the profession of first vows on August 10, 1953. Sister Owen worked in domestic service at the motherhouse from 1951 to 1962. She served at Holy Rosary Hospital from 1962-1966 in the dietary department. Her ministry from 1966 to 1978 was in Day Care and as an aid in St. Thomas School at Madison, SD. She took undergraduate correspondence classes from the school of Chicago Watch Repair from 1969-1972 and Child Care courses between 1972 and 1974. From 1988 to 2004 Sister Owen worked in the Foster Grandparent program and visited many shut-ins in Aberdeen. She retired to the motherhouse in 2004.
Sister Owen is survived by her community family of Presentation Sisters and a number of cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents Ruth and Theodore Greene.
Members of the Aberdeen Knights of Columbus will serve as casket bearers.
FRANCIS “JACK” FISCHBACH
Mass of Christian burial for Francis “Jack” Fischbach, 91, of Aberdeen, will be 10:30 am, Monday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Ed Pierce, Father Charles Emezie and Father Christopher Hughes celebrants. Burial will be at Mellette Cemetery at 2 pm. Jack died Friday, October 26, 2007 at Avera Mother Joseph Manor in Aberdeen.
Visitation will be from 2-7 pm, Sunday with a wake service at 7 pm at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 S. Main St. Aberdeen.
The family is requested to meet at the church at 10 am on Monday.
Francis was born on August 28, 1916 at rural Mellette, SD to Fred & Barbara (Von Ruden) Fischbach. This is the area where he grew up and attended school. He graduated from Mellette High School with the class of 1934. He then worked on the family farm. On November 9, 1944 he married Doris Gould at Mellette, SD. They made their home on a farm near Mellette until 1983 when they moved to Aberdeen.
Francis liked to attend the Livestock Sale Barns and loved playing cards. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren and going to sporting events. Francis served on many local boards. He enjoyed sharing his sweet corn with others.
Grateful for having shared Francis’ life are his wife, Doris Fischbach; one son, Mark (Terri) Fischbach; grandchildren, Jodi (John) Melius, Shari Fischbach, and Kara Fischbach.
He is preceded in death by his parents, son, Michael Fischbach; four brothers, Fred, Paul,
James, and Richard, two sisters, Katherine Weber and Helen Rogers.
Casket bearers will be Greg Fischbach, Chad Fischbach, Owen Fischbach, Andrew Fischbach, Austin Fischbach and Kurt Hoeft.
HENRY HOFFMAN
The service for Henry Hoffman, 84, of Aberdeen, will be 2:00 pm Monday, October 29, 2007 at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home with Pastor Randy Battey officiating. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Henry died Wednesday, October 24 at Manor Care in Aberdeen.
Visitation will be from 1-4 pm Sunday at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 S. Main St. Aberdeen.
Henry William Hoffman was born on July 15, 1923 at Ashley, ND to John and Caroline (Retzer) Hoffman. He attended country school in rural Ashley, where he completed the eighth grade.
He farmed on the family farm until his marriage to Marcella M. Hoff on September 23, 1951 at Ashley, ND. They lived on a farm, seven miles west of Venturia, ND and farmed there until 1978, when they moved to Aberdeen. Together Henry & Marcella had two daughters, Sandra and Marie.
Grateful for having shared Henry’s life are his two daughters, Marie (Kent) Voegele, Springboro, OH, Sandra (Kevin) Jensen, Langford, SD; two brothers, Christ Hoffman, Ashley, ND, Alvin Hoffman, Ashley, ND; two sisters, Marie Rudolph, Moorehead, MN, and Ida Cohen, Anoka, MN; and four grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Otto & Walter Hoffman, and one sister, Anna Wilson.
REINHOLD SPITZER
Services for Reinhold Spitzer, 76, Lake Norden will be 11:00 am, Saturday October 27, 2007 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Leola, SD with Pastor Nathan Henschen officiating. Burial at Green Mound Cemetery in Leola, SD with Military Honors by American Legion Post 78. Reinhold passed away Wednesday, October 24 at Prairie Lakes Hospital in Watertown, SD.
Visitation: 4-7pm Friday, October 26 at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 S. Main St. Aberdeen.
Reinhold Spitzer was born on November 30, 1930 at Long Lake, SD to Fred & Katherina (Heyd) Spitzer. This is the area where he grew up and attended school. On March 14, 1953 he entered the US Air Force and was honorably discharged on November 30, 1954.
In 1954 he was in the US Air Force Reserves and was honorably discharged in 1961.
On March 20, 1960 he married Judith Leberman at Leola, SD. They made their home on a farm near Westport, SD until 1971 when they moved to a farm near Nimrod, MN. Over the years they farmed in Verndale, Parkers Prairie, MN, and Mercer, MO. They then moved to Lake Norden, SD in 2006.
Reinhold was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lake Norden, a life member of American Legion in Mercer, MO. He played the guitar with different bands, Arnie Berreth and His Old Timers, The Night Hawks, The New Happy Dutchmen, and The Commancheros. Reinhold enjoyed polka and old time country music, hunting, and fishing. He especially enjoyed his children, grandchildren, and family gatherings.
Grateful for having shared Reinhold’s life are his wife, Judy Spitzer, Lake Norden, SD; son, Wade (Debbie Soper) Spitzer, Osceola, IA; daughters, Jenny (Rick) Pederson, Nimrod, MN; Penny (Rick) Kramer, Monticello, MN; Sandra (Joe) Malecki, Severn, MD; grandchildren, Bryan & Bethany Pederson, Danielle & Paige Kramer, Nicole and Colleen Harrison, & Heather Sylvester, step grandson, Sully Cobb; brothers, August (Wilma) Spitzer, Leola; Ervin (Lenora) Spitzer, Seattle, WA; sisters, Wilma (Raymond) Schnabel, Aberdeen; Edna (Dan Schaefbauer) Kurtz, Aberdeen.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Alvin, Harold, and Henry Spitzer; and one sister, Ida McKittrick.
