Marcella Ann Juracek
Marcella Ann Juracek, 92, Fargo, N.D., died Thursday, Sept. 12, 2002, in Fargo. Funeral services were Monday at the Riverview Place Chapel in Fargo, with interment in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Sleepy Eye. Boulger Funeral Home of Fargo handled the arrangements.
Marcella was born July 28, 1910, in Sleepy Eye, the daughter of Michael Mathias and Mary (Faast) Radl. She grew up in sleepy Eye and graduated from high school in 1928. Marcella attended the College of St. Teresa in Winona and taught school in North Dakota and Minnesota for seven years. She then moved to San Diego, Calif., where she worked at Consolidated, producing B-24 aircraft during WWII. Marcella moved to Albuquerque, N.M. in 1949, and was united in marriage to George Juracek in Lawton, Okla., on Sept. 19, 1952. The couple made their home in Albuquerque, where they owned and operated the Albuquerque Monument Company for over 30 years. George died Dec. 26, 1974. After living in New Mexico for 49 years, Marcella moved to Fargo in 1998, where she resided at Riverview Place.
Marcella is survived by sisters, Marie Kuhlmann and Irene Klick; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; and brothers, Michael, Dr. Robert and Dr. Cyril.
Merrill "Mickey" D. Roberts
Merrill "Mickey" D. Roberts, 84, Sleepy Eye, died Thursday, Sept. 12, 2002, at Sleepy Eye Care Center in Sleepy Eye. Funeral services were Monday, Sept. 16, at Sturm Funeral Home, with interment in Home Cemetery, Sleepy Eye, with full military honors.
Mickey was born June 11, 1918, in Sleepy Eye, the son of William and Isabelle (McKenzie) Roberts. He grew up in Sleepy Eye and graduated from Sleepy Eye Public High School. Mickey entered the United States Army June 12, 1941, and served during WWII until he was discharged on July 6, 1945. He returned to Sleepy Eye and went to work for Roberts Brothers Concrete. Mickey married Mary Eckstein on May 31, 1947, in Aberdeen, S.D. the couple made their home in Sleepy Eye, where Mickey continued to work for Roberts Brothers, which later became Gopher Concrete. Mickey retired as manager in 1983. He was a member of the Sleepy Eye American Legion and the VFW. Mickey enjoyed traveling to Texas and Arizona in the winters and spending time at the family cabin. He also enjoyed woodworking, fishing and especially spending time with his grandchildren.
Mickey is survived by his daughter, Sharon and husband James Henrichs of Sleepy Eye; son Bill and wife Brenda Roberts of Sleepy Eye; daughter-in-law, Sharon Roberts of New Ulm; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; sisters, Mildred Eckstein of Sleepy Eye and Helen and husband Kenny Zobel of New Ulm; brothers, James and wife Alice Roberts of New Ulm, Tom and wife Joyce Roberts of Sleepy Eye, Beach and wife Pauline Roberts of Sanborn, Jack and wife Kathy Roberts of Nevis and Bob Roberts of Arizona. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Mickey was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary; son, Richard; daughter, Connie; and sisters, Lois Dannheim and Katherine Kirkpatrick.
Elsie T. Berdan
Elsie T. Berdan, 95, Sleepy Eye, died Saturday, Sept. 21, 2002, at the Sleepy Eye Municipal Hospital in Sleepy Eye. Funeral services will be Thursday, Sept. 26, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Sleepy Eye, with interment in the church cemetery. Visitation is Wednesday, 4-7 p.m., with a parish prayer service at 5 p.m., and at the church on Thursday, from 9-10:30 a.m. Sturm Funeral Home handled the arrangements. Memorials are preferred to Divine Providence Community Home and St. Mary's Building Fund.
Elsie was born May 27, 1907, in St. George, the daughter of Fred and Sophie (Reinhart) Berdan. She was a graduate of St. Mary's Hospital School of Nursing in Minneapolis, and received a B.S. in nursing education and her M.S. in nursing service administration and Public Health nursing from the Catholic University of America in Michigan, followed by 13 years at Providence Hospital in Washington, D.C. as an instructor, assistant director of nursing education and assistant director of nursing services. During this time, she also was a member of the faculty at Catholic University School of Nursing. Elsie entered the U.S. Public Health Service in 1943 and until 1947, served as nurse education consultant in the Cadet Nurse Corps program; assigned to New Orleans to serve 10 southern states. In 1947, Elsie was transferred to Washington, D.C., and appointed as assistant chief of nursing education, nursing branch, division of hospitals. She became chief of this branch in 1950 and continued in this position as a commissioned officer of the Public Health service until her retirement. Elsie retired June 1, 1971, from the Public Health service and has been a resident of Sleepy Eye and a member of St. Mary's Parish, the Catholic Aid and Divine Providence Auxiliary.
Elsie is survived by her brothers, Richard and wife Lucille Berdan of Sleepy Eye, and Roland and wife Lois Berdan of Fairfax; sister, Marcella "Buddy" McReady of Berwyn, Ill.; sisters-in-law, Genie Berdan of Sleepy Eye and Charlotte Berdan of Fairfax; as well as many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Hubert "Birdie," Ted, Henry, and Alfred; and sisters, Agnes and husband Pat Haas and Stella Berdan.
Sylvia Claire Morningstar
Sylvia Claire Morningstar, 71, St. Paul, formerly of Sleepy Eye, died Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2002. Funeral services were Monday at Mueller Mortuary in St. Paul with interment in St. Mary's Cemetery in Sleepy Eye. Memorials are preferred to Veterans groups or Salesian Missions. Sturm Funeral Home handled the local arrangements.
Sylvia was born April 30, 1909, the daughter of Al and Theresa (Schneider) Herriges. Her step-parents were Ethel (Morrison) Herriges and Al Firkus. Sylvia is survived by her sons, Jeffrey, Paul and Gerard; and daughter, Colleen Firkus; granddaughters, Claire and Sarah; sister, Mary Lou and husband Armin Vetter; brother, Joseph Herriges; and many nieces and nephews.
Gerald Otto Roiger
Gerald Otto Roiger, 65, Springfield, died Sunday, Sept. 22, 2002, at St. John Lutheran Home, Springfield. Funeral services were Wednesday at St. Raphael's Catholic Church, Springfield, with interment in the church cemetery. Sturm Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Gerald was born May 29, 1937, to Otto and Louise (Fischer) Roiger at the Springfield Hospital. On Dec. 6, 1955, Gerald entered the United States Army and served until Nov. 19, 1957. On Oct. 24, 1959, Gerald married Angeline Mathiowetz at the Church of the Japanese Martyrs in Leavenworth. He was a dairy farmer until 1969, worked as a manager of the elevator in Morgan and Springfield, was a bookkeeper and parts manager at Brown County Implement and a salesperson for Miller Sellner Implement. Gerald was a lifetime member of St. Raphael's Catholic Church in Springfield, where he served as a parish council member and an usher. He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Gerald and Angie moved into Springfield in September of 1988. Gerald enjoyed the Minnesota Twins and the Minnesota Vikings. He took pride in keeping up the farm and working. Gerald also enjoyed bowling, hunting, fishing, baseball and spending time with his family and especially his grandchildren.
Gerald is survived by his wife, Angeline of Springfield; children, Sandy and husband Tom Betlach of North Mankato, Greg and wife Linda Roiger of Springfield and Christine and husband Jan Davidson of Springfield; 9 grandchildren; sisters, Mary Alice and husband Frank Ziegler of Fairfax and Margie and husband Andy Hacker of Morgan; brother, Loren Roiger of Des Moines, Iowa; and step-mother, Phyllis Roiger. He was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Louise Roiger.
Chrys Ann Baarts
Chrys Ann Baarts, 46, Vernon Center, died Sunday, June 2, 2002, at Immanuel St. Joseph's Hospital in Mankato. Funeral services were held Wednesday at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Vernon Center with interment in Vernon Center Cemetery. Lake Crystal Mortuary handled the arrangements. Memorials are preferred to St. Peter's Lutheran Church or to the Vernon Center Fire and Rescue Squad.
Chrys was born Feb. 27, 1956, in Sleepy Eye, the daughter of Richard R. and Bobbie J. (Seidl) Stimpert. She graduated from New Ulm High School and later attended Mankato State University. Chrys married H. Calvin Baarts on Dec. 30, 1978. She worked at Lake Crystal Elementary School in Lake Crystal and Franklin Elementary School in Mankato, prior to owning and operating Vernon Center Lumber. She was also the bookkeeper for Baarts Construction for many years. Chrys was active with the First Responders Vernon Center Fire and Rescue Squad and was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Vernon Center. Chrys enjoyed quilting, ceramics, cross stitch and her dog, Frosty.
Chrys is survived by her husband, H. Calvin Baarts of Vernon Center; sons, Eric and Adam Baarts, both of Vernon Center; parents, Richard and Bobbie Stimpert of Simi Valley, Calif.; brothers, Scott Stimpert and wife Theresa Stone of Amherst, N. H., and Daniel Stimpert of Los Angeles, Calif.; niece, Lauren Stimpert of Amherst, N.H.; nephew, Ryan Stimpert of Amherst, N.H.; father- and mother-in-law, Harold and Florence Baarts of Vernon Center; and aunts, uncles and cousins. She was preceded in death by her grandparents; and a son, Scott in 1984.
Agnes Anna Fromm
Agnes Anna Fromm, 86, Sleepy Eye, died Saturday, June 1, 2002, at Sleepy Eye Municipal Hospital in Sleepy Eye. Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 6, 10:30 a.m., at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Sleepy Eye, with interment in the church cemetery. Visitation is Wednesday, 4-8 p.m., and Thursday, 7:30-9:30 a.m. at Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye.
Agnes was born Jan. 27, 1916, in Mulligan Township, Brown County, the daughter of Joseph and Otilia (Hickel) Neid. She grew up on a farm near Comfrey, and attended St. Paul's Catholic School in Comfrey. On July 6, 1938, Agnes married John Fromm, and together they raised 13 children. The couple farmed in Prairieville Township for many years. John preceded Agnes in death in 1964. Agnes moved into Sleepy Eye in 1976, where she was active in a number of activities. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, where she was involved in the quilting group as well as the Christian Mothers. Agnes also served as the secretary of the Catholic Aid Association for many years. She loved to travel and quilt, but mostly she loved spending time with her family and friends.
Agnes is survived by her children, Ervin and wife Dignora Fromm of Sioux Falls, S.D., Ed and wife Kathy Fromm of Sleepy Eye, David and wife Janis Fromm of Eagle Lake, Clete and wife Dawn Fromm of Owatonna, Michael and wife Gail Fromm of Claremont, Mark and wife Rolene Fromm of Mankato, Joel and wife Lois Fromm of New Ulm, Rose Fromm of Sleepy Eye, Doris and husband Leo Csukker of Fairfax, Carol and husband Michael Whitney of Mankato; daughter-in-law, Rosie Fromm of Sleepy Eye; brothers, Bernard Neid of St. James, Alois Neid of Glencoe and Joe and wife Joyce Neid of Sleepy Eye; and her sister, Marie and husband Tom Kelly of Frankenmuth, Mich. Agnes is also survived by 33 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John; brothers, Norbert and Roman; daughter-in-law, Judy in 1971; daughter, Joanne in 1972; son, Jerome in 1991; great-grandson, Matthew in 2001; and son, Eugene in December of 2001.
Frances Louise Johnson
Frances Louise Johnson, 92, Sleepy Eye, died Monday, June 3, 2002, at the Sleepy Eye Municipal Hospital in Sleepy Eye. Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 6, 11 a.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sleepy Eye, with interment in Minnesota Lake Cemetery, Minnesota Lake. Visitation will be held Thursday, 9:30-11 a.m. at the church. Arrangements were handled by Sturm Funeral Home of Sleepy Eye.
Frances was born May 17, 1910, in Verona, Pa., the daughter of George and Mary (Baldwin) Carter. She moved with her family, settling in Borup, where she graduated from high school. Frances attended Mankato State University, and taught country school in Red River Valley for a few years. She married Lawrence P. Johnson on Aug. 27, 1937, in Ada. The couple made their home and farmed in the Crosby-Ironton area. They moved to Minneapolis in 1943, and later to Wadena in 1946. Frances and Lawrence moved to Detroit Lakes in 1955, where they operated the Dairy Queen until moving to Sleepy Eye in 1961. While in Sleepy Eye, Frances was the librarian for the Sleepy Eye Public High School for 14 years. She was a member of the Eastern Star, the Sleepy Eye Senior Citizens and a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. Frances volunteered at St. John Lutheran Home in Springfield, and was Brown County Senior Citizen of the Year in 1982. She enjoyed reading, as well as reading to grade school children, needle art, bird watching, traveling and gardening.
Frances is survived by her daughters, Marilyn Stall of Litchfield, and DonnaRae and husband Gregory Sonnek of Easton; sister, Viola Kelly of Escondido, Calif., grandchildren, Douglas and John Sonnek and Theodore and Christopher Stall; great-grandchildren, McKenzie and Samuel Sonnek. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lawrence in 1970; and son, William in 1941.
Stella Mary Pyan
Stella Mary Pyan, 96, Sleepy Eye, died Monday, May 27, 2002, at Sleepy Eye Care Center, Sleepy Eye. Funeral services were held Friday at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Sleepy Eye, with interment in the church cemetery. Sturm Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Stella was born Nov. 15, 1905, in Edgar, Wisc., the daughter of Peter and Mary (Gretchen) Wagner. She grew up in Edgar, Wisc., where she graduated from high school. Stella married Fred Pyan on Oct. 10, 1924, in Edgar. The couple moved to Sleepy Eye in 1942, where Stella worked for St. Mary's School as a cook with the hot lunch program for over 20 years. Fred preceded her in death in 1988. Stella was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye, the Christian Mothers and the Sleepy Eye Study Club. She enjoyed playing cards and crocheting.
Stella is survived by her son, Douglas and wife Marian Pyan of St. Peter; daughter, Sally Ann and husband Thomas Forstner of Austin; daughter-in-law, Karen Pyan of Sleepy Eye; 14 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Fred; son, Rolland; four sisters and two brothers.
Casket bearers were Jeffrey Pyan, Steven Pyan, Daniel Pyan, Sanford Forstner, Blaine Pyan, Brad Pyan, Boyd Pyan and Michael Pyan.
Mary Lou Rogers
Mary Lou Rogers, 40, Hanska, died Wednesday, May 29, 2002, at her home in rural Hanska. Funeral services were held Saturday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Clements, with interment in the church cemetery. Sturm Funeral Home handled the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society.
Mary Lou was born Jan. 22, 1962, in Sleepy Eye, to Jerome and Arlene (Stock) Landkammer. She attended and graduated from Wabasso High School in 1980, after which she earned an associate degree in graphic arts at Willmar Vocational Technical College. Mary Lou began her career at Advertising Unlimited, now Norwood Promotional Products, in Sleepy Eye, where she worked for the past 17 years. On Dec. 7, 1996, Mary Lou married Ron Rogers at Faith United Methodist Church in Sleepy Eye. She was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Clements. Mary Lou's hobbies included making and tailoring clothing, sewing, and especially family gatherings during the holidays.
Mary Lou is survived by her husband, Ron Rogers of Hanska; parents, Jerome and Arlene Landkammer of Clements; brother, Ken and wife Virginia Landkammer of Clements; sisters, Kathleen and husband Roger Wall of Clements, and Susanne and husband Dave Elinerson of Cottonwood. She was preceded in death by her grandparents and a nephew, Chad Landkammer.
Casket bearers were Jeff Wall, Scott Wall, Scott Ness, Paul Landkammer, Chad Schwartz and Eric Wahlborg.
