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Marlene Keefe, 68
Marlene Ann “Muzz” Keefe, 68, of rural Frazee, Minn., former long-term resident of Buffalo, Minn., came to her final rest with her loving family by her side on April 18, 2016.
Muzz, as she was affectionately called, grew up on the family farm on Long Lake in rural Frazee and graduated from Perham High School. She was a loving mother, homemaker and longtime flight attendant for Sun Country Airlines until her retirement in 2011.
Marlene loved her family very much and especially enjoyed her grandchildren, pets, gardening, the outdoors, friends, and traveling. Many of her travels took her to places with her husband, friends and family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Warren; mother, Agnes (Schwanz) and father, Albert (Schwanz).
Muzz is survived by: her two sons, John (Kim) Keefe and Joe (Jeni) Keefe; brother, Ken Schwanz; and grandchildren, Sarah, Emilee, Mark, Haley, Finley, and Charlee. Her constant companions, a dog named Rocky and cats named Annie and Buffy, will miss her greatly.
Memorial service will be held Friday, April 22, 3:00 p.m., at St. Henry’s Catholic Church in Perham, Minn. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.
Schoeneberger Funeral Home, Perham made arrangements.
Elaine Kimmer, 76
Elaine Jean Kimmer, 76, of Buffalo passed away at her home on April 12, 2016.
Funeral service was scheduled on Monday, April 18 at First Presbyterian Church, Howard Lake, with visitation on Sunday, April 17 at the Peterson Chapel, Buffalo, and further visitation an hour prior to service at the church on Monday. Internment was planned at Faith Presbyterian Cemetery, Hopkins.
Elaine was born on Sept. 30, 1939 in Hopkins to John and Loretta (Bren) Pavelka.
She attended Hopkins High School. She married Milton Kimmer on May 2, 1959 in Hopkins. They owned and operated cafes in the Hopkins area before moving to Cokato in 1967. Upon her husband’s death in 1988, Elaine moved to Montrose, where she resided until 2013. She moved to Buffalo in 2014. She worked at the Wright County Courthouse for over 20 years. She truly enjoyed singing and music. She was a member of the Wright County Chamber Chorus in Buffalo.
Preceded in death by: her parents, John and Loretta; husband, Milton; and brother, Harold.
Survived by: her children, Ricky (Nancy) Kimmer of Monticello and Sherry (Angie) Kimmer of Rogers; grandchildren, Erik Barthel, Michael Barthel, David Kimmer, Daniel Kimmer, and Christina Kimmer; brother, Robert (Joanne) Pavelka of Hopkins; sister-in-law, Dorothy Pavelka of Hopkins; and her beloved cat, Pixie.
The Peterson Chapel, Buffalo served the family.
James Kunz, 86
James Edward “Jimmy” Kunz, 86, of Delano, Minn. passed away on Saturday, April 16, 2016.
He was born on Nov. 20, 1929 in Victoria, Minn. to Carl and Hulda (Lass) Kunz.
Jimmy was a longtime farmer with his parents in Watertown Township. He later went to work at Tonka Toys and eventually went on to Delano High School as a custodian. He was known for his keen sense of humor. A lot of people called him “Uncle Jimmy.” He enjoyed gardening, growing an expansive garden that led to running a fruit and vegetable stand in Mound, Minn. for many years. He was known for growing the best carrots and tomatoes. He was a longtime member of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Delano.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Curtis. He is survived by: sisters, Wanda “Sissy” Petersen and Betty (Floyd) Kuntz; sister-in-law, LaVonne Kunz; godchild, David Kuntz; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were scheduled at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 20 at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Delano, with visitation Tuesday at the Iten Funeral Home in Delano and further visitation Wednesday at the church prior to services.
Arrangements were by the Iten Funeral Home in Delano.
Douglas Lee, 73
Douglas Jack Lee, 73, of Buffalo, Minn. passed away unexpectedly due to complications from surgery on April 12, 2016 at North Memorial Medical Center.
Doug was preceded in death by his infant son, Tony, both parents and a brother, Roger. Survived by: his wife of 50 years, Bobbie; sons, Brian (Penny) and Jeff (Misty); grandchildren, Bret, Grace, Tayler, Jayci, Nathan, and Jacob; brother, Bob (Janet) Lee; sisters-in-law, Debbie (Dave) Kari and Fran Lee; lifelong friends, Gus (Pam) and Larry (Nita); and many loving nephews, nieces, relatives, and friends.
Memorial service was scheduled on Wednesday, April 20, noon, Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel, with visitation an hour prior to service and burial promptly following service at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
James Mueller, 88
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 23 at the Daniel Funeral Chapel in Clearwater, Minn. for James Henry Mueller, 88, who passed away peacefully in his sleep on Feb. 23, 2016 in Mesa, Ariz. Fr. Frank Tomasiewicz will gather with family and friends to remember Jim and celebrate his life. Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m. Military honors will be provided by Clearwater American Legion Post 323.
Jim was born on March 10, 1927 in Gaylord, Minn. to Alvin and Mary (Huffman) Mueller. The middle child of three brothers and two sisters, Jimmy grew up doted on by his ma and arguing with his pa. He graduated from Gaylord High School in 1945 and served his country in the U.S. Navy near the end of World War II. He was stationed and served as Seaman First Class on the island of New Caledonia in the South Pacific.
Arriving state side, he worked at the W. K. Kellogg Arab Horse Ranch in Pomona, Calif. Upon returning home, with fully loaded horse trailer in tow, he took his place alongside his brothers, father and uncle in the family well drilling business. After a time, he broke out into ventures of his own, including moving grain bins and corn cribs. He had a massive boom truck, and it was an amazing event to watch.
During this time, he met and married Joyce Mavis Chaput. Together they raised six outstanding children, two boys and four girls, each of whom he loved dearly. He moved the family around a bit, living in Paynesville, where he drove truck as a beer distributor, and eventually coming back to settle in Gaylord. He started his own family business, insulating houses throughout southern Minnesota, with his older children helping out.
Jim decided to look for an inside job and picked up a position as a clerk with the Gaylord Post Office. After learning the ropes of the USPS, his career as public servant handed him a promotion as Postmaster with his own tiny office in Clearwater, Minn. So, in 1973, he began the transition to relocate the family “Up North.”
He retired from the USPS in March of 1987 and embraced his retirement with gusto. He became a “snowbird” almost immediately, soaking up the warm winter sun in Mesa, Ariz. During retirement, he was not one to sit still. He attended elder hostels, postmasters’ conventions and traveled through Germany (land of his ancestors), Saudi Arabia and southern Asia. He spent a little time on the road, traveling this country as a delivery agent of RVs, which afforded him time to catch up with relatives spread out all over the U.S. His family heritage was very important to him. His main purpose at this time was Keeper of the Family’s History, and he loved to spend time telling stories. He was well known among the senior dance crowd and was a regular at several bridge card clubs. He was active in many breakfast and lunchtime social groups.
Jim is survived by: five children, Tony (Janet) of Denver, Cathy (Steve Dresler) of Chico, Calif., Jamie (Rick) Thiessen of Clearwater, Marti (Paul) Marrinan of Sauk Rapids, and Julie of Minneapolis; daughter-in-law, Andrea Kingston of Mesa; and former wife, Joyce Mueller. He was proud to be Grandpa Jim to 13 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. He has two surviving sisters, Sally Webster and Kathleen Peterson. He was Uncle Jimmy to many nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by: his oldest child, Mike; his parents; three brothers, Joe, Donnie and Robert; as well as his longtime friend and companion, Loretta Pflepson.
He donated his body to science; he will be buried alongside family members in St. Paul’s Cemetery in Gaylord, Minn.
Jim’s many hats included: Veteran Navy Man, Well Driller, Grain Bin Mover, Beer Seller, Horse Wrangler, and Postmaster. He was a smooth dancer and an ace at bridge. He will be fondly remembered as a Teller of Tales, a Spinner of Yarns and a Preacher of Sermons.
Ruth Patnode, 85
Ruth Sarah Patnode, 85, of Corcoran passed away on Monday, April 11, 2016 at St. Benedict’s Senior Community in Monticello.
She was born on March 28, 1931 in Minneapolis the daughter of Charles and Sarah (Dixon) Phillips.
On June 23, 1951, Ruth S. Phillips and Gilbert R. Patnode were joined in holy marriage at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in North Minneapolis. God blessed their marriage with four children.
Ruth and Gilbert engaged in dairy farming for many years on the Patnode family homestead.
She enjoyed crossword puzzles and watching sports, especially high school sporting events. Ruth especially enjoyed her grandchildren and great grandchildren!
Ruth was a faithful member of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Corcoran. She also belonged to the Rosary Society and was on the funeral lunch committee for many years.
Survived by: her loving children, Beverly (Ken) Klein, Barbara Frappier (friend Roger), Duane (Terri) Patnode, and Donald (Margaret) Patnode; seven grandchildren, Jeffrey Klein, Jennifer Jones, Kevin Klein, Justin Olsen, Derek and Darin Patnode, and Katy Jennings; eleven great-grandchildren; a sister, Margaret Schleeter; a sister-in- law, Marcella Bauman; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Preceded in death by: her husband, Gilbert R. Patnode; a son-in-law, Donald Frappier; her parents; two sisters, Dorothy Heyen and Edith Schroepfer; and by three brothers-in-law, Glenn Schleeter, Earl Heyen and Melvin Schroepfer.
A Mass of Christian Burial was scheduled on Saturday, April 16 at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, with Father Thomas McCabe as the celebrant and interment following at St. Jeanne de Chantel Cemetery.
A visitation was scheduled on Saturday at the church prior to Mass.
Casket bearers were seven grandchildren: Jeffrey Klein, Jennifer Jones, Kevin Klein, Justin Olsen, Derek and Darin Patnode, and Katy Jennings.
The Peterson Chapel St. Michael-Albertville Funeral Home served the family.
Gerald Reents, 80
Gerald George “Jerry” Reents, 80, of Delano passed away on Monday, April 11, 2016.
He was born March 7, 1936 to George and Othelia “Tilly” (Nelson) Reents in Minneapolis.
Jerry was loved by all and will be missed by many. He had a love for life, including family, many friends and the animals. He spent the majority of his life caring for horses in the Farrier business, as well as working at the Ghermans Animal Hospital. He loved to farm, rodeos and spend time in the outdoors. He had a special place in his heart for his country, having served in the Army during the Korean War as a medic.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Tilly Reents, and brothers, Robert and Richard.
He is survived by: his children, Bradley (Renee) Reents, DeeDee Smith (and fiancé, Will Bastian), Denise (Gary) Packer, Mark Reents (Theresa Dale), and Jim (Lori) Reents; many loving grandchildren; siblings, George Reents, John (Sharon) Reents, Mitchel (Cindy) Reents, and Elaine (Kevin) Lindberg; his soul mate Sharon Oberaigner (her children, Scott Oberaigner, Sue (Dick) Gallus and families); sister-in-law, Joann Reents; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Celebration of life was scheduled on Saturday, April 16 at the Delano American Legion Post.
Arrangements were by the Iten Funeral Home in Delano.
Marcella Bauman, 91
Marcella M. Bauman, 91, of Delano passed away April 25, 2016.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, April 30, 11 a.m., at St. Peter Catholic Church in Delano. Visitation will be Friday from 4-8 p.m., with 3:30 p.m. Rosary and 7:30 p.m. prayer service, and continues Saturday, 9:30-11 a.m., prior to Mass, all at Martha’s Hall of St. Peter Catholic Church. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Delano. Memorials are preferred.
Arrangements are by the Iten Funeral Home in Delano.
A complete obituary is forthcoming.
