Floyd Orville Gregg, 93, of Sleepy Eye, died Tuesday, April 17, 2001, at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis. Funeral services were held Saturday, April 21, 2001, at Faith United Methodist Church in Sleepy Eye, with interment in Home Cemetery, Sleepy Eye. Military rites were by Sleepy Eye Honor Guard in his honor.
Floyd was born Feb. 16, 1908, in Linden, Iowa, the son of Paul and Myrtle (England) Gregg. He moved with his family at a young age to a home near Sleepy Eye. After graduating from Sleepy Eye Public High School, he attended barber school in Minneapolis. Floyd returned to Sleepy Eye, where he owned and operated Floyd's Barber Shop. He entered the United States Army on Nov. 9, 1943, serving during WWII in central Europe until his discharge on Dec. 23, 1945. He returned to Sleepy Eye and continued to operate the barber shop until his retirement in 1980. Floyd married Hazel Heimann on Sept. 30, 1934, in New Ulm; she preceded him in death in 1965. Floyd married Gen Dysart on Aug. 31, 1979, in Springfield. He was a lifelong member of Faith United Methodist Church in Sleepy Eye. He was also a member of the American Legion, VFW, Sleepy Eye Golf Club and past Chamber of Commerce member. Floyd enjoyed many activities, including golfing, bowling, dancing, woodworking and in his youth, basketball, softball and tennis. He also ran the football downs markers at Sleepy Eye Public School for many years.
Floyd is survived by his wife, Gen Gregg of Sleepy Eye; her children and their spouses, Rear Admiral Noel and Karen Dysart of Silver Springs, Md., Dennis and Ginger Dysart of San Diego, Calif., Dr. Richard and Linda Dysart of Delta, Colo., and Mary Dysart of Apple Valley; 11 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Ida Gregg and Leona Gregg, both of Sleepy Eye; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel; brothers, Aaron, Gerald and Glenn; and sister, Fern Remus.
Rose Angeline Prokosch, 96, of Lamberton, died Monday, April 16, 2001, at Valley View Manor, Lamberton. Services were held Friday, April 20, 2001, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye, with interment in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery.
Rose was born Jan. 2, 1905, in Stark Township, Brown County, the daughter of Joseph A. and Margaret (Mertz) Hillesheim. She attended country school in Iberia and St. Mary's School in Sleepy Eye. Rose married John "Jack" Joseph Prokosch Jan. 15, 1924, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye. She farmed with her husband and family until 1958. She then became a housekeeper for several priests. Rose was also a cook at the Comfrey Hospital until her retirement. She lived in Stark Township, Comfrey, numerous other towns, and most recently at Valley View Manor in Lamberton. Rose was a member of the Christian Mothers Society, and enjoyed sewing, quilting, baking, cooking, gardening, crocheting and especially being with her family.
Rose is survived by her daughter, Elaine and husband Albert Reiner of Springfield; son, Tom and wife Margie Prokosch of Comfrey; 22 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; sister, Verna Rein of Shakopee; and sister-in-law, Leah Hillesheim of Forest Lake. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Margaret Hillesheim; husband John "Jack" Prokosch; son, John and wife Trudy Prokosch; grandson, Todd Prokosch; granddaughter, Connie Prokosch; brothers and sisters, Hubert Hillesheim, Kathryn Rubey, Leonard Hillesheim, Herman Hillesheim, Arthur Hillesheim, Henry F. Hillesheim, Nick Hillesheim, Margaret Busch and Edwin "Sam" Hillesheim.
Sena L. Klatt, 89, of Manitowoc, Wis., died Friday, April 20, 2001, at her home. Funeral services were held Monday, April 23, at First German Evangelical Church, with entombment in Knollwood Mausoleum in Kossuth.
Sena was born Dec. 19, 1911, in Leeds, Wis., to Thomas and Anna (Farness) Kvale. She received her early education in Columbus, Wis., and graduated in 1934 from the Milwaukee School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse. Sena married Harold A. Klatt Nov. 24, 1938. In 1944, the couple moved to Sleepy Eye, where Harold became the principal of St. John's Lutheran School. Sena worked as a head nurse at Sleepy Eye Municipal Hospital. In 1964, they moved to Manitowoc where Harold taught in the Lutheran High School and Sena worked at Memorial Hospital until her retirement in 1976. Sena was a member of First German Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Ladies Aid.
Sena is survived by daughters, Marianna and husband Robert McCrea of Plymouth, and Elizabeth and husband Robert Pietroske of Manitowoc, Wis.; son, Steven and wife Diana Klatt of Appleton, Wis.; grandchildren, John and wife Susan McCrea of Bloomington, Amy and husband Kelly Marrell of Spicer, Michelle and husband Andrew Malcore of Elgin and Christina Klatt of Milwaukee, Wis.; great-grandchildren, Andrew and Peter McCrea, and Lydia Sena Marrell; several nieces; nephews; and many special friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harold in 1992; and ten brothers and sisters.
Sena was loved by many people whose lives she touched. She taught us to live and showed us as Christians, how to die. She will be sadly missed by many people.
Wilbert C. "Bill" Kastens, 79, of Nicollet, died Saturday, April 28, 2001, at St. Peter Community Health Care Center in St. Peter. Funeral services were held Wednesday, May 2, at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Peter, with interment in Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in rural Nicollet. Minnesota Valley Funeral Home in Nicollet was in charge of the arrangements.
Wilbert Kastens was born Jan. 14, 1922, in Nicollet County to Fredrich and Othillie (Schwartz) Kastens. He married Alice L. Matzke on June 3, 1944, in Mankato. After marriage, they farmed in rural Nicollet for seven years and then moved to Mankato for six years where Bill worked in road construction. The couple moved to St. Peter where they owned and operated Alice and Bill's Cafe until 1988, when they moved to Nicollet. Bill moved to Wilds Apartments, St. Peter, six months ago, and then was a resident of St. Peter Community Health Care Center for the past six weeks. He was a member of St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in St. Peter and the Christian Labor Union.
Wilbert is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Lou Ann and Mark Blais of Nicollet; sons and daughters-in-law, Jerry and Sandy Kastens of Watertown, Wis., William and Beth Kastens of St. Peter, Gene and Karen Kastens of Sanger, Texas, and Wayne and Chris Kastens of Mosinee, Wis.; 15 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; and sister, Esther Kastens of St. Peter. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Alice Kastens on Sept. 9, 1996; daughter, Betty Ann Kastens; sisters, Alma Kastens, Anna Tahms, and Amanda Stolt; and brothers, Harold, Edward and Walter Kastens.
The family prefers memorials to St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in St. Peter.
Frieda Bertha Friedrich, 92, of Springfield, died Sunday, April 29, 2001, at Springfield Medical Center, Springfield. Services were held Wednesday, May 2, at Sturm Funeral Home in Springfield with interment in Home Cemetery, Sleepy Eye.
Frieda was born April 19, 1909, in Three Lakes Township, Redwood County, to Julius and Amelia (Block) Zamzow. She attended country schools, and on May 2, 1934, married Chester Hansen at St. John's Lutheran Church in Springfield. Following marriage, they farmed north of Springfield from 1934 until 1963, when they moved to St. Louis Park. Chester died in 1963. On July 3, 1965, Frieda married Lester Friedrich at St. John's Lutheran Church in Springfield. Following marriage, the couple lived in Springfield. Lester died in 1980. Frieda continued to live in Springfield until 1995, when she moved to Hutchinson and, in 1997, became a resident of St. John's Lutheran Home in Springfield. Frieda was a long-time member of St. John's Lutheran Church and Ladies Aid, and enjoyed flowers, gardening and embroidery.
Frieda is survived by son, Percy and wife Mary Ann Hansen of Hutchinson; daughter, Jeanette and husband Gene Hammermeister of St. Louis Park; daughter-in-law, Darlene Hansen of Morgan; five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Chester Hansen and Lester Friedrich; son, Alvin Hansen; sisters, Ida Hoppe, Ella Freitag, Emma Williams, Ann Johnson, Louise Zamzow, Lillian Gehrt and Mabel Mude; brothers, Emil, Edwin and William.
Casket bearers were Alan Hansen, Terry Hansen, Norbert Johnson, Todd Johnson, Dale Lange and Daryl Lange.
Harvey A. Steinhaus, 84, of New Ulm, died Thursday, April 26, 2001, at Franklin Healthcare Center of Franklin. Funeral services were held Monday, April 30, at Minnesota Valley Funeral Home in New Ulm, with interment in St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery in New Ulm, with full military graveside honors conducted by New Ulm Veterans Organizations.
Harvey was born Sept. 26, 1916, in Clements to Henry and Amelia (Zamzow) Steinhaus. He served in the United States Army during World War II in Alaska. After being discharged, Harvey was self-employed as a carpenter until he retired in 1992. He was a member of the Seifert-Bianchi American Legion Post 132, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Alfred Naegel Post 1648, both of New Ulm. Harvey had been a resident of Franklin Healthcare Center since November of 2000.
Pearl E. Ludewig, 100, of Sleepy Eye, died Monday, April 30, 2001, at the Sleepy Eye Care Center. Mass of Christian burial will be Thursday, May 3, 11 a.m., at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye, with interment in Japanese Martyrs Catholic Cemetery, Leavenworth. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. and Thursday from 7:30-10 a.m. at Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye. There will be a parish prayer service at 6 p.m. at the funeral home on Wednesday.
Pearl Elsie Ludewig was born Dec. 10, 1900, in Hanska, the daughter of George and Mary (Wellman) Mickelson. At a young age she moved with her family to Leavenworth where she grew up and attended school. Pearl worked on the family farm until she married Urban Ludewig on Jan. 7, 1919, at the Church of the Japanese Martyrs in Leavenworth. The couple made their home in Stark Township where they farmed for many years. Urban died on Feb. 7, 1976. Pearl continued to live on the farm with her son Bud until the fall of 1991, when she moved to Sleepy Eye Care Center. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye. Pearl enjoyed gardening, flowers, raising chickens and especially loved her family and grandchildren.
Pearl is survived by her son, Sylvester "Bud" Ludewig of Sleepy Eye; daughters, Irene Houghtaling of Carmichael, Calif., Delrose and husband Wilbert Seifert, Delores and husband Robert Gulden, and LaVerna and George Berg, all of New Ulm; son-in-law, Robert Berg of New Ulm; 20 grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Dolores Seifert of Sleepy Eye. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Urban; daughter, Marie in infancy; son and daughter-in-law, George and Inez Ludewig; daughter, Marion Berg; son-in-law, Paul Houghtaling; brothers, Fred and George; and sister, Minnie Huiras.
Casket bearers were Gary Berg, Linda Flor, Marly Berg, Doug Guldan, Audrey Baker and Jeff Ludewig.
Henry W. (Hank) Pankratz, 82, of Springfield, died Monday, April 23, 2001, at Springfield Medical Center in Springfield. Funeral services were held Friday, April 27, at St. Raphael's Catholic Church in Springfield, with interment in the church cemetery. Military honors were conducted by John Watson American Legion Post 257 of Springfield.
Henry Pankratz was born Nov. 10, 1918, in Brookville Township, Redwood County, to Alexander and Anna (Fernkes) Pankratz. He attended country school, and was employed in the aircraft factory in Inglewood, Calif., before enlisting in the US Navy during World War II in 1942. Hank was a metal smith at Camp Perry Va., Norfolk, Va. and at Chesapeake Bay, Md. He was discharged March 11, 1946. Hank married Angeline Kotten, the daughter of Teresa and Hubert Kotten, on Feb. 14, 1950, at St. Raphael's Catholic Church in Springfield. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary last year. The couple farmed three miles south of Springfield for 30 years, retiring to Springfield in 1980. Hank is a past commander of John Watson American Legion Post 257 and a 50-year member of St. Thomas Court, Catholic Order of Foresters. He was a supervisor on Burnstown Township Board for many years, and did field inspections for the State of Minnesota. He was also a life-long member of St. Raphael's parish. Hank enjoyed his family, having coffee with friends, hunting, fishing and his cabin on Lake Ida.
Hank is survived by his wife, Angeline of Springfield; son, Ronald and wife Cindy Pankratz of Alexandria; daughters, Jacuueline and husband Greg Wennes of Spring Grove, Debra and husband Steve Baumann of Marshall, and Gail and husband Thomas Hegland of Lino Lakes; daughter-in-law, Karen and husband Jo Kral of Springfield; 14 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brothers, Roman of Springfield, and Clarence and wife Elaine of Anoka. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Mark in 1990; grandson, Jason Pankratz in 1977; brother, Robert in 1996; and sister-in-law, Adeline Pankratz in 1990.
Casket bearers were Peter Wennes, Duane Roiger, Roger Bohlsen, Clifford Pankratz, Gordon Pankratz and Dr. Curtis Kreig.
John Albert Neal, 74, of Springfield, died Monday, Oct. 2, 2000, at Veterans Administration Hospital, Minneapolis. Services will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 5, at United Methodist Church in Springfield, with interment in Home Cemetery, Sleepy Eye. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday and 7:30 a.m.-9 a.m. on Thursday at Sturm Funeral Home in Springfield. There will be a service by Fides Masonic Lodge at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church.
John is survived by a sister, Rose Miller of Benson; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty, in 1995; sister, Violet Suess; and a brother, Bennie Neal.
John was born Nov. 3, 1925, in Medina Township, Peoria County, Illinois, to Elmer and Nellie (Forsyth) Neal. He moved with his family to the Sleepy Eye area as a child. Following graduation from high school, John joined the U.S. Navy in January 1944, serving in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre, the European-Middle Eastern-African Theatre and in the Philippines. After his discharge in 1947, John returned to the Sleepy Eye area. Following his marriage to Elizabeth (Betty) Kerr on Aug. 21, 1950, at St. Paul Lutheran parsonage in Springfield, the couple moved to Springfield. John worked at Och's Brick and Tile Company until his retirement. He then began raising sod, selling it to many area residents throughout the years. In recent years, John was the official collector of aluminum cans in this area. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Springfield, the Sherman-Bohn VFW Post #5771 in Morgan and the Fides Masonic Lodge #246 in Sanborn. John enjoyed fishing, his family gatherings, hunting and "putzing" around with machinery and odds and ends.
Casket bearers were Lenny Suess, Frank Suess, Stanley Neal, Richard Miller, Darlene Moline and Margie Williams.
Robert "Bob" Romberg, 56, of Sleepy Eye, died Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2000, at the Sleepy Eye Municipal Hospital. Services were Friday, Oct. 6, at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sleepy Eye, with interment in Home Cemetery, Sleepy Eye. Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye handled the arrangements.
He is survived by his wife, Karen Romberg of Sleepy Eye; son, Grant Romberg and special friend Heather Reddemann, both of Sleepy Eye; mother, Dorothy M. Romberg of Sleepy Eye; brothers, Glenn and wife Marion Romberg of Sleepy Eye, Charles and wife Sally Romberg of Sleepy Eye; and a sister, Jane and husband Richard Aukrust of Hanska. He was preceded in death by his father, Carl, in 1996; and an infant sister.
Robert was born on July 1, 1944, in Sleepy Eye, the son of Carl and Dorothy M. (Marti) Romberg. He attended District 30 country school near Sleepy Eye and St. John's Lutheran School in Sleepy Eye. Bob attended high school at Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm and Immanuel Lutheran High School and College in Mankato. Bob entered the United States Navy in 1964 and served during the Vietnam war until his discharge in 1966. After he returned from the Navy, he lived in Sleepy Eye and worked at Del Monte. Later, Bob started Romberg Repair and also hauled cattle for the Sleepy Eye Auction Market. Bob married Karen Haslip on Sept. 29, 1978, at an outdoor service near New Ulm. Bob worked at Case Sales and Service and Forster Electric. Bob and Greg Braulick started Countryside Electric and Gerald Gehrke later joined them in partnership. Bob also farmed throughout his years in Sleepy Eye. He was a member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sleepy Eye where he was active in choir and the church council. Bob was also a member and one of the founders of the Prairieland Flywheelers Two Cylinder Club and a past member of the Sleepy Eye Saddle Club.
Casket bearers were Tom Reicks, Phil Strike, Barry Towle, Harold Abbas, Lance Aukrust, Shane Aukrust and Kurt Augustin.
