Elwood "Woody" Habeger
Elwood "Woody" Habeger, 88, Winnebago, died Aug. 3, 2002, at St. Luke's Nursing Home in Blue Earth. Memorial services were held Wednesday at Lutheran Church of Our Savior in Winnebago with interment in Woodland Hills Memorial Park. Memorials are preferred to Alzheimer's Research Fund, Foundation Fighting Blindness or to the donor's choice. Woodland Hills Funeral Home of Mankato handled the arrangements.
Elwood was born Nov. 3, 1913, in Ideal, S.D., to Edward G. and Louisa E. (Moser) Habeger. He graduated from Ideal High School and after working on the family farm for five years, he moved to Minnesota and attended Mankato Teachers College. Elwood served in the United States Navy as an aircraft maintenance inspector. He worked for eight years at the Mankato Airport as a foreman and aircraft inspector. On Oct. 13, 1940, Elwood married Lucille Zuhlsdorf in Mankato. In 1952, the couple moved to Garden City, where Elwood set up his own business in insurance and real estate. They later moved to Winnebago where they owned and operated Habeger Insurance and Real Estate until retiring in 1979. Woody worked with the DNR on lake projects and was a DNR firearm instructor for 30 years. In 1996, he was inducted into the Winnebago Hall of Fame. Woody also enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening and bowling. He was a member of American Legion Post #82 in Winnebago, past president of Winnebago Kiwanis Club, Lutheran Church of Our Savior in Winnebago and a former officer of the Winnebago Sportsman's Club.
Woody is survived by his wife, Lucille; sons, Edward of Anchorage, Alaska, and Wesley and wife Paula of Duluth; daughters, Sandy and husband Arlo Jaeger of Garden City, and Carol and husband Mike Rollings of Dalton, Nebr.; eight grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; sisters, Esther Bokrosh of Greeley, Colo., and Etheline and husband Charles Ley of Mankato; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; one grandson; two granddaughters; one great-grandson and one brother.
Fred P. Riebel
Fred P. Riebel, 73, formerly of Sleepy Eye, died Sunday, Aug. 11, 2002, at Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia. Funeral services are Thursday, Aug. 15, noon, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye, with interment in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 10:30 a.m. to noon, prior to the service. Sturm Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Fred was born Nov. 26, 1927, in Prairieville Township, Brown County, the son of John and Emma (Weber) Riebel. He grew up and attended St. Mary's School in Sleepy Eye. Fred graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1946. Following his graduation, Fred moved to East St. Louis, Ill., where he apprenticed and worked as an electrician until the early 60s. He moved to the Twin Cities area where he worked as a master electrician until he retired in 1989. Fred later moved to Long Lake, where he lived on a small hobby farm and raised cattle and other livestock. He was a member of the Moose Lodge, Catholic Aid Association, Knights of Columbus, Electrical Workers Union (IBEW). Fred was an avid deer and pheasant hunter with his faithful companion, Smokie. He also loved reading Zane Grey novels.
Fred is survived by his sister, Pauline "Polly" and husband John Guemmer of Apple Valley; sisters-in-law, Barbara Riebel of Bloomington, and Audrey Riebel of Burnsville; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Charles and Neil; and nephew, Daniel Riebel.
Francis F. Hillesheim
Francis F. Hillesheim, Sleepy Eye, died Friday, Aug. 16, 2002, at Divine Providence Home in Sleepy Eye. Funeral services were held Monday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye, with interment in Home Cemetery, Sleepy Eye. Sturm Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Francis was born May 7, 1931, to Hubert and Katherine (Schunk) Hillesheim in Leavenworth. On Nov. 28, 1950, Francis entered the U.S. Armed Forces and served in the Korean War, where he received a Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged from service on Nov. 27, 1953. Francis married Marie Giammetta in New Jersey and spent 38 years there and they had four children. In 1985, Marie died and Francis decided to move back to his "home town." Francis enjoyed fishing, gardening, hunting and being with his friends. He was always a loving father and grandfather.
Francis is survived by his children, Rebecca and husband Steve Spallone on Toms River, N.J., Nadine and husband Dale Creamer of Ramsey, N.J., Darcy and husband Andy Molden of Klossner and Drew Hillesheim of East Rutherford, N.J.; grandchildren, Sergio, Nicole, Jason, Samantha, Bryan, Blake, Jacob and Nicholas; great-grandchildren, Alexis and Sergio IV; brothers and sisters, Juliet and husband Eldor Sprenger of Winthrop, Jerome Hillesheim of Sleepy Eye, Gilbert and wife Janet Hillesheim of New Ulm, Lyle and wife Betty Hillesheim of Gaylord, Gildard and wife Lois Hillesheim of St. Peter, Rose and husband Glen Zollner of New Ulm, Ruth Prokosch of New Ulm, Kathy and husband Gene Fegie of Hector, Annette and husband Art Helget of Hanska, Joe and wife Alice Hillesheim of Leavenworth, Mary and husband Dennis Stadick of New Ulm and Steve and wife Sandy Hillesheim of New Ulm. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marie; brother, Hubert Hillesheim and sister, Regina Hillesheim.
Casket bearers were Kyle Stadick, Scott Hillesheim, Leon Hillesheim, Keith Block, Wade Hillesheim and Tim Hillesheim.
Lonnie Lee Brey
Lonnie Lee Brey, 40, Chaska, formerly of Sleepy Eye, died Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2002, at his parent's home in Sleepy Eye. Funeral services were held Saturday at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Sleepy Eye, with interment in the church cemetery. Sturm Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Lonnie was born March 9, 1962, in New Ulm, the son of Leon and Dorothy (Gilman) Brey. He grew up and attended Sleepy Eye Public School, where he graduated in 1980. Lonnie currently resided in Chaska, where he was employed as shipping and receiving administrator for Parker Hannifin Corporation. He enjoyed snowmobiling, golf and other sports.
Lonnie is survived by his parents, Leon and Dorothy Brey of Sleepy Eye; sister, LuAnn and husband John Haas of Sleepy Eye; brothers, Butch and wife Nancy Brey of St. Peter, Larry and wife Janet Brey of Shelby, N.C., and Lance and wife Shannon Brey of Raymond. He is also survived by his nieces, Nichole, Kaitlyn and Mackenzie Brey and Kalyn Haas, and special friends, Shelley, Vanessa, Cara and Ritchie, all of Chaska. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Alfred and Agnes Brey and Louis and Marguerite Gilman.
Ronald J. Hornick
Ronald J. Hornick, 57, Comfrey, died Monday, Aug. 19, 2002, at Madelia Community Hospital, Madelia. Funeral services were held Friday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Madelia, with interment in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Sleepy Eye. Pilgrim Funeral Home of Madelia handled the arrangements.
Ronald grew up in Comfrey and graduated from high school there in 1963. He attended South Central Technical College for accounting. He married Cheryl Weicherding on May 20, 1967, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye. They lived in St. James and Ronald worked for Scherr Tumico Company for a time before moving to Arlington Heights, Ill., where he worked for Rank Precision Industries. In 1978, they returned to Minnesota and moved to Madelia. He worked for periods at Malmgren Implement, St. James and Van Den Bergh Foods, Madelia and was currently working for Mico Company in North Mankato. Ronald was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Madelia and the German Bohemian Society in New Ulm. He enjoyed gardening and woodworking.
Ronald is survived by his wife, Cheryl; daughter, Michelle and husband Glen Ebeling of Mankato; sons, Bryon and Jason, both of N. Mankato; grandchildren, Evan and Madeline; and sister, Beatta and husband Roland Kunz of Mapleton. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Merlin "Bud" Burghart
Merlin "Bud" Ross Burghart, 81, Dodge Center, and formerly of Fairfax and rural Sleepy Eye, died Monday, June 24, 2002, at Fairview Nursing Home in Dodge Center. Funeral services were held Monday, at Hauser-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Fairfax with interment in Ft. Ridgely Cemetery in Ridgely Township, Nicollet County.
Bud was born April 30, 1921, in Renville County, the son of Byron and Mamie (Cummings) Burghart. He attended school in rural Renville County and then public schools in Fairfax and also Billings, Mont. Bud graduated from Fairfax High School in 1939. He served in the Medical Corp of the U.S. Army for three years from 1942-1945, where he attained the rank of T4 sergeant. On May 9, 1946, Bud was united in marriage with Dorothy Kallemeyn. They made their home in Brown County. During his lifetime, Bud farmed and did construction work. When he retired from farming and construction, he was employed by Brown County, 1962-1972, working with mentally retarded people. Bud was a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Morgan. He was also a member of the Fairfax V.F.W. Post #8459 and the Mayflower Country Club. He loved spending time with his family and he also enjoyed golf, trapping, hunting and fishing. In 1993, Bud was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. When he needed assistance with daily care, he entered the Fairview Nursing Home in Dodge Center, in March of 1994.
Bud is survived by his wife, Dorothy Burghart of Little Rock, Ark.; son, Mark Burghart and wife Debbie of Little Rock, Ark.; daughter, Marybeth and her husband Barry Mosier of Tanzania, East Africa; grandchildren, Laura (Mosier) Abbott of Lincoln, Nebr., Daniel Burghart of Lincoln, Nebr., Keith, Jared and April Mosier of Tanzania, East Africa and Becky Burghart of Little Rock, Ark.; sister, Evelyn Billing of Jordon, Mont.; and many nieces; nephews; in-laws; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Byron and Mamie Burghart; sons, Kenneth Burghart at age 12 and Bruce and Rodney Burghart in infancy; and a sister, Hazel Kerr.
Wallace "Wally" R. Pedersen
Wallace "Wally" Raynard Pedersen, 83, Sleepy Eye, died Thursday, June 27, 2002, at Buffalo Hospital in Buffalo. Funeral services were held Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Sleepy Eye, with interment in Home Cemetery, Veterans Memorial Garden Section, Sleepy Eye. Military rites were performed by the Sleepy Eye Honor Guard. Sturm Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Wally was born March 4, 1919, in Hope, N.D., the son of Fred and Marie (Madsen) Pedersen. He was raised in Daisey, N.D., and later attended Valley City State Teachers College in Valley City, N.D. Wally served in the United States Navy for four years during WW II. Wally married Helen Weidenhoeft in 1951, at St. Peter. He worked for Minnegasco in Sleepy Eye as a serviceman for 33 years. Wally married Dorothy Olson on Oct. 5, 1973 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sleepy Eye. Wally was a gifted athlete, playing baseball for the St. Peter Saints in the Western Minnie League. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, the Sleepy Eye VFW and American Legion, and the Sleepy Eye Gold Club. Wally enjoyed reading western books, country music, bowling, shaking dice at Schultz's and especially spending time with his family and grandchildren.
Wally is survived by his wife, Dorothy Pedersen of Sleepy Eye; son, Wade and wife Susie Pedersen of Sleepy Eye; step-sons, Dillon and wife Josie Olson of Clear Lake, Iowa, Donnie and wife Connie Olson of Andover, and Dennis and wife Diane Olson of Maple Lake; sisters, Phyllis Undseth of Orlando Fla., and Marilyn and husband Lyle Dahl of Coon Rapids; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Gordon, James and Clifford.
Casket bearers were Matthew Pedersen, Lee Olson, Mike Olson, Ryan Olson, Bobby Olson, Jeremiah Olson and Steven Olson. Honorary casket bearers were Bill Horne, Bob Appel, Richard Callanan, Ivan Sandman, Herm Sellner and Bob Novotny.
Richard Thomas Addy
Richard Thomas Addy, 80, Osceola, died June 19, 2002, at his home. A private ceremony will be held at a later date, with interment in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Osceola, Wis. Memorials are preferred to University of Wisconsin, River Falls Foundation, in the name of Marian Addy Popov, 410 S. Third St., River Falls, WI 54022.
Richard was born Jan. 31, 1922, to Caroline (Herreman) and Percy Rowe Addy. He attended school in Chicago, Ill., and Sleepy Eye, and later the University of Minnesota. Richard earned a bachelor of science degree in political science. After completing the Army Specialized Training Program, Richard entered the United States Navy and served on both coasts in WWII. He completed his doctor of dentistry degree in 1948, and wed Mildred Priscilla Ouren on June 14, 1948. Dr. Addy's dental practice in Osceola, was interrupted in 1952, when he was recalled to serve at Kadena AFB in Okinawa during the Korean Conflict. Though he was the lone dentist in the Osceola area for many years, he continued to serve in the Wisconsin National Guard and Hospital Evacuation Unit. Richard was an active volunteer for the Boy Scouts, the U Methodist Church, Mt. Hope Cemetery president and Osceola Main Street Association. He enjoyed trout fishing, Canada lake fishing, golf and deer hunting. In the United States Army Reserve, he evaluated dental sites yearly, until retirement at the rank of Colonel after serving 38 years in the military.
Richard is survived by his wife, Millie; sons, Daniel and wife Michelle of Portland, Ore., and Michael and wife Nancy of Minneapolis; and grandchildren, Maren and Laura. He was preceded in death by his daughters, Louise in 1949, and Marian Addy Popov in 1981.
Alfred J. Brey
Alfred J. Brey, Hutchinson, formerly of New Ulm, died Monday, July 1, 2002, at the Burns Manor in Hutchinson. Funeral services were held Friday at Minnesota Valley Funeral Home in New Ulm.
Alfred was born Aug. 13, 1907, in Nicollet County, to Wolfgang and Frances (Gruber) Brey. He married Agnes Gleisner on Oct. 4, 1938, at St. George Catholic Church in West Newton Township, Nicollet County. After marriage, the couple farmed various farms in Nicollet County. They moved to a farm in Lafayette Township in 1951, and farmed there until retiring. Alfred became a resident of Burns Manor in 1996. He was a member of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm. Alfred enjoyed playing cards and restoring antique furniture.
Alfred is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Marian and Larry Krebs of Hutchinson; sons and daughters-in-law, Leon and Dorothy Brey of Sleepy Eye and Hilarian and Diane Brey of New Ulm; 12 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Savera Brey of New Ulm; and brother-in-law, Norbert Gleisner of Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Agnes Brey on Dec. 29, 1997; brothers, Frank and Harold Brey; sisters, Annie Hoffman, Gisella Wendinger, Bertha Brey, Apolonia Beranek and Adelia Rueckert.
Cyrilla B. Hurley
Cyrilla B. (Cy) Hurley, age 64, of rural Sunburg, died Tuesday, July 2, at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar. Funeral services were held Friday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Willmar. Private internment will be held at a later date. Peterson Brothers Funeral Home of Willmar handled the arrangements.
Cy was born April 21, 1938, near Comfrey, the daughter of Mary T. (Mathiowetz) and Valentine R. Poss. She attended rural schools and graduated from St. James High School. On May 2, 1959, Cy married Darrell (Joe) Hurley at St. James Catholic Church. In February of 1969, the couple moved to Granite Falls, where for many years, she was employed by the local school. Following their retirement in 1994, Cy and Joe moved to a lake home on Norway Lake. Until her illness, Cy worked for Rambow, Inc. of New London.
Cy is survived by her husband, Joe; daughters, LaNaye and husband Keith Hennen of Clarkfield, Laurie and husband Steve Bednarek of Glencoe, and Lynn and husband Bruce Flaata of Granite Falls; son, Dan Hurley of Bismarck, N.D.; 10 grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; and one great-grandchild; brother, Roger and wife Ann Poss of New Ulm; and sister Leola Poss of St. Louis Park. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers; and two sisters.
