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George Yonak, Jr.
George Yonak, Jr., 79 of Rice and formerly of Buffalo, passed away on Friday, October 12, 2007 at St. Benedict's of St. Cloud. Funeral services were held on Monday, October 15 at 1 p.m. at Peterson - Grimsmo Chapel of Monticello with Rev. Lee Evenson officiating. Interment at Riverside Cemetery of Monticello. Visitation took place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the funeral chapel. Funeral arrangements are with the Peterson - Grimsmo Chapel of Monticello.
George was born on May 7, 1928 in Buffalo to George, Sr. and Margaret (Moss) Yonak. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War. On May 12, 1951 he was united in marriage to Marjorie Oestreich. For 45 years George owned and operated Yonak Gravel with his father, brothers and son. He retired in 1991 and in 1999 the couple moved to the St. Stephen area.
George was a member of the American Legion, the Maple Lake Flying Club, Civil Air Patrol and the Wright County Car Club. He loved music, dancing, antique cars and flying. He also enjoyed making home movies of family events and his travels. He dearly loved spending time with all of his family and friends, and his great-grandchildren gave him great joy.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George Sr. and Margaret; stepmother Rose; brother Preston; and son-in-law Andy Stangler. He is survived by a close knit family including his wife of 56 years, Marjorie; son David of Rice; daughter Lorene (Tom) DeFord of Rice; grandchildren Daryl Stangler and fiance Sonja Sabraski, Lynnette Stangler (Josh Bauer), and Michelle Stangler; great-grandchildren Chevelle Lynn Bauer and Skyeler Sabraski-Orthman; nieces, nephews, other loving relatives and many friends.
Russell Holland
Russell Lawrence Holland, 70 of St. Michael, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 16, 2007 at home with his family by his side, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
On Christmas Day, December 25, in 1936 Russell was born in Rockford Township to William and Hazel (Fadden) Holland.
As a young boy his family moved to rural Buffalo. He attended country school in Maple Lake Township from first through eighth grade and went on to graduate from Maple Lake High School in 1954.
He honorably served his country in the U.S. Army for two years.
In 1959, Russell married Norma Peterson in Anoka at St. Stevens Catholic Church. Their marriage was blessed with five children.
After working a few years for a cement block company, he was hired by Honeywell. He began as a draftsman, and ultimately became a mechanical engineer. While at Honeywell, he attained a US patent in 1968 for one of the many products he helped develop. After 30 plus years, he took early retirement in 1993 at the age of 57.
He was baptized and confirmed into the Christian faith as an adult in 1991. He was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church in St. Michael.
Russ greatly enjoyed camping and vacationing with his family. In 1976, he and his brother, Les, converted an old school bus into a camper. They, along with their families (12 in all), set out on a month long adventure to Alaska.
He enjoyed golfing, and some of his favorite golf partners were his kids and grandkids. Deer hunting, fishing and skiing were also enjoyable to Russ. Bowling was a part of Russ' life for many years. He bowled on men's leagues as well as couple's leagues with Norma, and his brother and sister-in-law. He usually had a crossword puzzle going and a deck of cards and dice games ready for anyone who would drop by and be up for a game.
Russ was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He looked for ways to help others, everything from yard work to babysitting. He was a great role model and will be missed by many. We thank God for his life and for providing an eternal home for us all.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Leo, Max, Harold and Doug; sister-in-law Millie; brother-in-law Clarence and parents-in-law Melvin and Katherine Peterson.
He is survived by Norma, his wife of 48 years; sons: Bill (fiance, Linda) of Monticello, Wayne of St. Michael, Wesley (Jeanne) of St. Michael; daughters: Debra (Tim) Raab of Albertville and Dawn (Dave) Schmidt of Buffalo; 14 grandchildren: Eric, Andrea, Drew, Mitchell, Brent and Bryan Holland, Connie (Nick) Faue, Katie and Jeff Raab, Dani, Beau, Nikki, Maria and Ben Schmidt; great-grandson, Jarret Faue; former daughter-in-law, Tammy Holland; brother, Les (Edith); sisters, Laverne Scherr and Sally (Ed) Nemeth; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Marvin and Mary Peterson.
Visitation took place Tuesday, December 18 from 4-8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. led by Deacon Maynard. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, December 19 at St. Michael Catholic Church at 11:30 a.m. with a one hour visitation prior to the service. Father Gregory Abbott officiated. Interment in St. Michael Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Hanover Food Shelf.
His 14 grandchildren served as casket bearers, readers and gift bearers.
Peterson Chapel of St. Michael - Albertville served the family.
Robert Mattila
Robert Samuel Mattila was born March 9, 1967 to Jerald and Mildred (Wuollet) Mattila in Litchfield. Robert grew up in Dassel and graduated from Dassel - Cokato High School in 1985. Following graduation, Robert moved to Arizona and worked as a roofer for a few years.
Robert returned to Minnesota and attended Dunwoody to study carpentry. He was a member of Carpenter's Union #1644 and worked for Osborn Construction, Neil Halonen Construction, PCL, and was presently working with Timco Construction.
Robert was married to Mary Wittenberg on October 4, 1995 in Seattle, WA. Faith and family were most important to Robert and he loved spending time with everyone. Robert loved the outdoors and enjoyed hiking, running, hockey, hunting and camping with family and friends.
Robert passed away as a result of a car accident on December 12, 2007 at the age of 40.
Robert is survived by his wife Mary; children, Kevin, Allison, Hanna and Gretchen of Cokato and Jacob of Sierra Vista, AZ; parents Jerald and Mildred; brothers, Gary (Nancy), Phil (Caroline), Dan, John (Rita), Sam (Annika) and Eric (Juliana); sisters, Sue (Mike) Jurmu, Carol (Doug) Wuollet, Barb (Dave) Wuollet, Maria (Greg) Bratt, Mary (Joe) Lehtola, Nancy (Trevor) Simomson, Linda (Jon) Parks and Sara (Chuck) Wuollet.
Robert was preceded in death by his brother Steven.
Funeral Services were held on December 15 at the Rockford Laestadian Lutheran Church with George Koivukangas officiating. Music by Laura Bekkala.
Casket bearers were Kevin, Gary, Dan, Sam, Phil, John and Eric Mattila.
Swanson - Peterson Funeral Home, Cokato and Howard Lake served the family.
Irene McFadden
Irene Mildred McFadden, 98 of Buffalo, died peacefully Tuesday, November 27 at Park View Care Center.
George and Irene (nee Silverberg) Nelson, in West Rock, Minn., on May 6, 1909 were blessed with a daughter and named her Irene Mildred Nelson. On December 20, 1936, Irene married George McFadden. They were blessed with four children: Irma, Linda, Georgia and Gary.
According to Irene in a short interview about her life she said, "School was always difficult for me, but I worked hard and I graduated from Pine City High School. During my growing up years, we worked so hard on the farm that we had little time for hobbies; but I do remember sewing all my own clothes and embroidering everything and anything. I knitted mittens, scarves and other things for my children and grandchildren.
George and I went out west a couple of times, and every year we would go to Canada to visit his cousins.
I have many more good memories than bad memories. The hardest part of life is to see members of the family pass away. I am the last one in my family (regarding her and her siblings).
My advice to everyone is not to put off until tomorrow what you can possibly do today.
I believe it's important to love everybody. I want to be remembered as an ordinary gal who loved as many people as possible."
She is preceded in death by her husband George; parents George and Irene Nelson; siblings Agna, Myrtle, Dagmer, Arthur and Palmer; and grandchildren Joseph Jennissen and Wendy Pollock.
Irene is survived by her children Irma Warner of Minneapolis, Linda (William) Goulette of St. Paul, Georgia (William) Pollock of Buffalo and Gary (Beverly) McFadden of Buffalo; grandchildren Kristine Jennissen, Lori (Mark) Jordet, Keith Pollock, Gene (Angie) McFadden, Kimberly (Joel) Anderson, Grant (Brittany) McFadden and Garth McFadden; 12 great grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; nephews, nieces and friends.
Funeral service was Friday, November 30, 2007 at 11 a.m. at the Buffalo Covenant Church. Visitation was one hour prior to the start of the service. Pastor Brett Schmidt officiated the service. Dan and Karin Wickman were the soloist and organist.
Casket bearers were Mark Jordet, Keith Pollock, Gene McFadden, Joel Anderson, Grant McFadden and Garth McFadden.
Interment was at Greenwood Cemetery of Sauk Centre, Minn.
The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo served the family.
Ralph Miller Sr.
Ralph John Miller Sr., 75 of Hamel, died on Saturday, December 8, 2007 at the Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. He was born November 4, 1932 to Lawrence and Marie (Wiesmann) Miller in Medina, Minn.
Ralph was a lifelong farmer and sawmill operator in the Hamel area. He was preceded in death by his infant daughter Sharon; seven brothers and one sister.
Ralph is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sharon; children Barbara and Anthony Malecek, Ralph Miller Jr. and Brenda Miller; six grandchildren: Jay, Shari, Krystal, Amanda and Nicole Malecek and Angie Miller; two great-grandchildren Mercedes and Alexus; brother Joe Miller as well as four sisters-in-law.
Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, December 12 at the Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Loretto. Reverend Brian Fier officiated at the services with interment in the church cemetery. Casket bearers were Jay Amren, Tony Malecek, Kevin Miller, Martin Miller, Larry Miller and Ronnie Miller. Honorary casket bearers were Angel Miller, Nikki Malecek, Amanda Malecek, Krystal Malecek, Sharon Malecek and Nikki Werbelow.
Arrangements by the Iten Funeral Home in Delano.
Opal Spike
Opal Spike, 89 of Oakdale, and formerly of Buffalo, died peacefully Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at Woodwinds Hospital in Woodbury.
Opal Harriet Sandness was born on July 18, 1918 in La Moure County, North Dakota to Rasmus and Kari "Carrie" (Aarheim) Sandness. She was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith at High Prairie Lutheran Church near La Moure.
Opal attended rural school and graduated from La Moure High School. She then studied business at Interstate Business College in Fargo, North Dakota. During World War II, Opal worked at the Naval Supply Depot in Seattle, WA. While living in Seattle she was introduced to Raymond by her brother Teddy. They were united in marriage on July 21, 1946 at High Prairie Lutheran Church. They moved to Minnesota and together they owned and operated bakeries in Delano and Monticello.
Opal was very active in the Trinity Lutheran Church of Monticello where they were members.
In 1969, they moved to Buffalo and became members of Zion Lutheran Church where she was also very active. While living in Buffalo, Opal worked at Burkland's Department Store, then at the Wright County Courthouse. She retired in 1980. When Opal wasn't working, she enjoyed shopping and eating out, corresponding by mail, and traveling. After she and Raymond retired, they enjoyed going on bus tours.
Opal Spike is survived by her children: Dean (Kathy) Spike of Annandale, Cary (Bill) Estrem of Woodbury, and Kirby (Julie) Spike of Lake Elmo; grandchildren: Sarah (Steve) Yochum and Anders Spike, Colin (Kitsi) Estrem and Merrill Estrem and Rachel, Nathan and Hannah Spike; and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Raymond and nine siblings.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, December 15 at Zion Lutheran Church. Pastor Steve Svoboda officiated. The congregation sang: "How Great Thou Art" and "O, Come All ye Faithful." Phyllis Bengtson and Pastor Becky Sogge sang: "Beautiful Savior, " and "Great Is They Faithfulness." Diane Johnson played the organ.
Casket bearers were: Colin Estrem, Andes Spike, Nathan Spike, Gary Sandness, Jon Sandness and Ray Sandness.
Interment was in Zion Lutheran Cemetery.
Opal's visitation was held at The Peterson Chapel on Friday from 4-8 p.m. and resumed at church one hour before the funeral.
Memorials are preferred to: Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
The Peterson Chapel, Buffalo served the family.
Joy Swenson
Joy Ardelle Swenson died on December 13 at age 86, after a short illness.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Carl A. Swenson; by her parents, Oswald and Ardeth Rosenwald; and her siblings Wallace, Raynal and Marlys.
She is survived by her children, Karen of Saint Paul, Carl of Crystal and John (Linda) of Isanti; grandchildren, Kim, Erik and Sarah; great-grandchildren, Ashley, Kayla, Ryan and Tyler; and cousins from the Rosenwald and Mayer families.
Joy Rosenwald was born June 24, 1921 in Sebeka, Minn. and grew up in western Minnesota and in Minneapolis. She graduated from Edison High School in Minneapolis, and studied at the University of Minnesota and Metropolitan State University. She was a homemaker and an active community and civic volunteer throughout her adult life, including Girl Scouts, American Field Service, Anoka Community Concerts, various school's PTAs, and several county and state historical and historic preservation societies. She chaired the Otsego Heritage Preservation Commission and was a member of the original Brooklyn Park Charter Commission. She was active in Republican politics for many years and served as Sixth Congressional District Chairwoman for the party.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, December 20 at 11 a.m. at United Methodist Church of Anoka, 850 South Street, Anoka. Visitation from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, December 19 at Dare's Funeral Service, Elk River, and one hour before the funeral service at the church. Interment will be in Otsego Cemetery.
