Nicholas B. Hillesheim, 86, of Sleepy Eye, died Saturday, Jan. 22, 2000, at St. John's Home in Springfield. Services were Tuesday, Jan. 25, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Sleepy Eye, with interment in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Sleepy Eye. Arrangements were handled by Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye.
He is survived by his children, Sharon and husband Lester Malecha of Lonsdale, Ronald "Butch" and wife Nancy Hillesheim of Nashua, Iowa, Gary and wife Rosie Hillesheim of Sleepy Eye, Dean and wife Margaret Hillesheim of Minnetonka, Susan and husband Tom Schewe of Sleepy Eye; 20 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and sisters, Verna Rein of Shakopee and Rose Prokosch of Lamberton. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Veronica in 1997; brothers, Hubert, Herman, Henry, Edwin "Sam," Art and Leonard; sisters, Katherine Rubey and Margaret Busch; and brothers-in-law, Jerome Rein and John "Jack" Prokosch.
Nick was born May 20, 1913, in rural Sleepy Eye, the son of Joseph A. and Margaret (Mertz) Hillesheim. He grew up and attended Iberia country school. He married Veronica T. Marz on May 1, 1939, in Faribault. The couple made their home on Nick's family's home farm in Stark Township. They farmed there until retiring and moving to Sleepy Eye in 1975. Nick was a lifetime member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye, the Sleepy Eye Lions Club, the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Order of Foresters. He also served on the Stark Township Board, Iberia School Board and the St. Mary's Cemetery Board. Nick enjoyed farming, especially driving tractor, and traveling. He also enjoyed woodworking and had crafted many items for the churches, as well as many pieces of furniture for family and friends.
The family prefers memorials to the Alzheimer's Association.
John Meyer, 14, of Gibbon, died Saturday, Jan. 22, 2000, of injuries he received in a snowmobile accident in Nicollet County. Services were Wednesday, Jan. 26, at Minnesota Valley Funeral Home in Gibbon with burial in St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery in Moltke Township, Sibley County. Arrangements were handled by Minnesota Valley Funeral Home, Gibbon.
John is survived by his father, Russell Meyer and his wife Lisa Meyer of Gibbon; his mother, Sue Meyer of Gibbon; sisters, Amy Bridget Meyer, a student at North Park University in Chicago, Ill., and Laura Beth Meyer of Gibbon; stepbrother, Tyler Schmidt of Gibbon; and stepsisters, Katrina Schmit, and Kassandra Schmit, both of Cokato; grandparents, Arnold and Dorothy Meyer of Gibbon, and Donald and Dorothy Nazarenus of Sleepy Eye; and by aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his great-grandparents.
John was born May 4, 1985, at Sioux Valley Hospital in New Ulm to Russell and Susan (Nazarenus) Meyer. He attended his first two years of school at St. Peter's Lutheran School in Moltke Township, Sibley Country, and then GFW School in Winthrop, where he was a freshman. He loved to work on cars, drive tractor, ride motorcycles and snowmobiles and thoroughly enjoyed farming with his uncles.
Cecilia Gannon, 91, of Sleepy Eye, died Saturday, Jan. 29, 2000, in Sleepy Eye. Services were Tuesday, Feb. 1, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye, with burial in the church cemetery. Sturm Funeral Home of Sleepy Eye handled the arrangements.
She is survived by her children, Thomas and wife Eileen Gannon of Duluth and Clarice and husband Bart Christenson of Woodbury; granddaughters, Jeanne Gannon of St. Paul, Kimberly and husband Todd Blouin, and Megan Christenson, all of Ft. Worth, Texas; and sister-in-law, Virginia Booye of Seattle, Wash. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, George on May 29, 1985; a brother, Rt. Rev. Msgr. John Mich; sisters, Marie Mich, Dorothy Diekhoff, Mary Mich and Emily Mich.
Cecilia was born on May 16, 1908, in the Rochester area, to John and Dora (Schmelzer) Mich. She graduated from Holy Trinity High School in Rollingstone, and from the College of Saint Teresa in Winona. She taught science and mathematics at St. Mary's High School in Sleepy Eye. On Aug. 24, 1937, she married George Gannon at St. Bridget's Catholic Church in Simpson. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Christian Mothers Society, Divine Providence Home Auxiliary, and Council of Catholic Women.
Frances Hale, 111, of Sleepy Eye, died Saturday, Jan. 29, 2000, at Divine Providence Community Home in Sleepy Eye. Services will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 7, at Divine Providence Home with interment in Three Rivers, Mich., at a later date. Visitation will he held one half hour prior to services at Divine Providence Home. Firle Funeral Home of New Ulm is handling the arrangements.
She is survived by her daughter, Mary Anna Kotz of Three Rivers; two grandsons; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1955; four brothers; one sister; and son-in-law, Donald Kotz.
Frances Steinke, daughter of William and Anna (Bratschner) Steinke, was born Aug. 21, 1888, in Sleepy Eye. She married Alvin Hale on March 10, 1913, in Portland, Oregon. They moved to Minneapolis where she was an accompanying pianist with the J. Jellison Studios in the 1940s and 1950s. She also taught piano lessons in her home. Following her husband's death, she moved to an assisted living facility in St. Paul and later returned to Sleepy Eye to live near her brother in the Divine Providence Home. There, she continued to play piano until the age of 105.
Theresa Rose Roiger, 91, of Springfield, died Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2000, at St. John Lutheran Home, Springfield. Services were Jan. 28 at St. Raphael's Catholic Church, Springfield, with interment in St. Raphael's Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements were handled by Sturm Funeral Home, Springfield.
She is survived by her children: Don and wife Joyce Roiger of Chaska, James Roiger of St. Louis, Mo., Marie and husband Richard Koldborg of Burnsville; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Rudolph in 1980; seven brothers, Andrew, Joseph, George, Otto, John, Tony, and Art; six sisters, Mary, Kate, Clara, Amelia, Bertha, Veronica; and seven brothers and sisters died in infancy or early childhood.
Theresa was born July 3, 1908, in Albin Township, Brown County, the daughter of George and Theresa (Suess) Eckstein. Theresa married Rudolph Herbert Roiger on Oct. 11, 1927 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye. After marriage the couple made their home in Springfield. Theresa was a member of St. Raphael's Catholic Church in Springfield, president of the Altar Society, director of juveniles in St. Monica Court for four years, and was a member of the St. Joan's Mission Group at St. Raphael's Catholic Church. She was also a member of the Hospital Auxiliary, the Third Order of St. Francis, the American Legion Auxiliary and president and treasurer for the senior citizens. Theresa helped start Meals for Shut-Ins, was a driver for senior citizens, cooked for many weddings and anniversaries, helped at local restaurants and was a cook at the Springfield Community Hospital for 18 years until she retired in 1974. She enjoyed crafts and fancy needlework, but her favorite hobby was traveling, first with family and later as a member of tour groups. Places she visited included Europe, the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Hawaii, Mexico and almost all of the 50 states.
Casket bearers were Kent Moe, Val Rathman, Eddie Pautzke, Gerhardt Roiger, Shawn Koldborg, and Jason Jacobson.
Memorials are preferred to St. John's Home in Springfield.
Louisa A. Mathiowetz, 95, of Leavenworth, died Saturday, Jan. 29, 2000, at Divine Providence Community Home, Sleepy Eye. Services are today, Thursday, Feb. 3, at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Japanese Martyrs in Leavenworth, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will continue on Thursday from 7:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye.
She is survived by her children, Roman Mathiowetz of St. Paul, Rosemary and husband James Rathman of Comfrey, Rita and husband Patrick Morgan of Elmore, Reinhold and wife Connie Mathiowetz of Marshall; daughters-in-law, Mary Lou Mathiowetz of Leavenworth, Alma Mathiowetz of New Ulm; 25 grandchildren; 54 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Martin in 1967; sons, Rudolph in 1955, Richard in 1999; grandchildren, Leon, Jeremy and Ann Mathiowetz; brothers and sisters, Anthony Moldan, Lawrence Moldan, Engelbert Moldan, Catherine Goblirsch, Clara Windschitl, Ida Mathiowetz, Anna Windschitl, and John Moldan.
Louisa was born Dec. 21, 1904, in Mulligan Township, Brown County, the daughter of John and Louisa (Biel) Moldan. She grew up and attended Mulligan Township school and St. Mary's School in Sleepy Eye. After attending school, she worked on the family farm. She was united in marriage with Martin Mathiowetz on Jan. 29, 1934, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye. Louisa and Martin made their home in Leavenworth where they operated several businesses together, including a gas station, tavern and saw mill. Louisa was a co-founder of Mathiowetz Construction in Leavenworth where she was the secretary and bookkeeper until the 1960s. She lived in Leavenworth until 1988 when she moved to Divine Providence Community Home in Sleepy Eye.
She was a member of the Church of the Japanese Martyrs in Leavenworth and the Christian Mothers. Louisa enjoyed working, always staying busy but made time for church with her family. She also enjoyed gardening and her family was very important, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Casket bearers were Brian Mathiowetz, Brad Mathiowetz, Gerard Rathman, Paul Morgan, Scott Mathiowetz, James Mathiowetz, Harold Mathiowetz, Jerry Mathiowetz, Ervin Mathiowetz, Gregg Mathiowetz, Glen Mathiowetz, Dean Mathiowetz, Daniel Morgan, Rudy Mathiowetz and Alan Mathiowetz. Flower attendants were Sue Hendricks, Denise Mathiowetz, Debbie Mathiowetz, Michelle Schaeffer, Jean Doan, Julie Anderson, Danette Mathiowetz, Maria Morgan, Lynn Mathiowetz and Elaine Braun.
Bernard "Ben" J. Braulick, 98, of Sleepy Eye, died Monday, Jan. 31, 2000, at Divine Providence Community Home in Sleepy Eye. Services were Feb. 5 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye, with burial in the church cemetery. Sturm Funeral Home of Sleepy Eye handled the arrangements.
He is survived by his daughter, Bernice and husband Norbert Sturm of Springfield; sons, Ervin Braulick of Sleepy Eye, and Ben Braulick, Jr. and wife Shirley of Sleepy Eye; 15 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ida; brothers, Frank, Joseph, Clement, Anton, Leo, and Philip; sisters, Mary, Therese, Anna and Martha; daughter-in-law, Rita; and great-granddaughter, Tiffini.
Bernard was born Sept. 6, 1901, in Stark Township, Brown County, the son of Frank and Anna (Pelzel) Braulick. He married Ida M. Neidecker on June 20, 1923, at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm. The couple made their home in Stark Township where they farmed for 34 years until 1957 when they moved to Sleepy Eye. Ben worked for Martinka Hardware, Del Monte, Berg Barn Equipment and was the groundskeeper at the Sleepy Eye Golf Club for 18 years. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye and the Catholic Aid Association. Ben served on the District 45 school board and the Stark Creamery board. He enjoyed trapping and fishing, visiting with people and especially spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Casket bearers were Richard Sturm, John Sturm, Michael Braulick, Joey Braulick, Robert Braulick, Gregory Braulick, and Steven Braulick. Honorary casket bearers were Beverly Sturm, Laurie Hillesheim, Susie Eckstein, Mary Tauber, Colleen Windschitl, Katie Johnson, Sharon Braulick, and Judy Hose.
Leora J. Clausen, 82, of St. James
died Sunday, April 2, 2000, at St. James Health Services Hospital. Services were Wednesday, April 5, at Mount Hope Cemetery in St. James, with interment in the church cemetery. Sturm Funeral Home of St. James handled the arrangements.
She is survived by very special friend, Sylvester Weiss of St. James; two daughters, Darla and husband Gerald Kriesch of Howard Lake, Mary and husband Curtis Olson of St. James; two sons, Lynn and wife Sandie Clausen of Indianapolis, Ind., Kelly and wife Trudy Clausen of Carmel, Ind.; 12 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; two sisters, Rosella and husband Kerry Clark of Milford, Iowa, Avis Shoemaker of northern California; one brother, Gaylord and wife Vera Martin of Yucca Valley, Calif.; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by one son, Lyle; infant daughter, LaVee; parents; four brothers, Verle, Glenn, Amos and Arnold; and two sisters, Lula and Mabel.
Leora was born Dec. 6, 1917, in Terrill, Iowa, the daughter of Marion and Ella (Ashbaugh) Martin. She was baptized and confirmed in the Methodist faith, and attended school in Terrill. In February 1938, she was married to Chester Clausen in Milbank, S.D. They moved to St. James in 1956. Leora was employed at Tony Downs Foods for 25 years, retiring in 1981. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, traveling, playing cards and gardening. She also enjoyed camping, fishing, puzzle books, and going to garage sales.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church, and was a member of both the American Legion Auxiliary and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary for over 30 years.
Casket bearers were Mark Clausen, Troy Kriesch, Gerald Kriesch Jr., Ricky Conn, Wayne Possail and Frank Wilhelm.
Frieda Marie Sellner, 84, Sleepy Eye died Sunday, April 2, 2000, at the Sleepy Eye Care Center. Services were Wednesday, April 5, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye, with burial in the church cemetery. Sturm Funeral Home of Sleepy Eye handled the arrangements.
Survivors include her daughter, Mary Ann and husband Dennis Schumacher of Comfrey; grandchildren,Cindy and husband Terry Kroning of Rochester, Brian and wife Janis Suess of Sedalia, Colo., Tammy Suess of New Ulm, Denise and husband Tabor Hoek of Balaton, Kim and husband Bruce Clement of Butterfield, Pam and husband Trent Hoek of Mountain Lake; great-grandchildren, Eric and Jenna Kroning, Dustin and Heidi Clement, Kelsey, Kasey, Shadrick, and Jaden Hoek; sisters, Veronica Coners of Madelia, Monica Loughan of La Crosse, Wis.; and many loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Alfred, in 1968; son-in-law, Donald Suess in 1969; brothers, Max, Joe, Otto, Leonard and Henry; sisters, Rose, Clara, Laura and Marie.
Frieda was born May 19, 1915, in Bashaw Township to Henry and Mary (Seidl) Stelzer. She was raised on the family farm. She was baptized at St. Paul's Catholic Church and attended St. Paul's Catholic School in Comfrey. On April 19, 1937, Frieda married Alfred P. Sellner at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye. She worked at several places including Pietrus Produce in Sleepy Eye for 39 years before retiring. Frieda volunteered many hours at Divine Providence Home and the Sleepy Eye Care Center.
She was a long time member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, the Christian Mothers and St. Margaret's society.
Casket bearers were Jerry Piehl, Wayne Hillesheim, Marlin Tauer, Herman Sellner, Jr., Nick Hoffmann and Gary Neidecker.
Della L. Cook, 65, of rural Comfrey, died Tuesday, April 11, 2000, at Immanuel St. Joseph's Hospital, Mankato. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, April 14, at Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye, with burial in Home Cemetery, Sleepy Eye. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 13, and 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday at the Sturm Funeral Home.
She is survived by her brothers, Donald "Duke" Cook of rural Comfrey, and Mel and wife Marie Cook of rural Comfrey; nieces and nephews, Dawn and husband Dave Nazarenus, Denise and husband Jerry Osborn, Dora Cook and special friend Ron Neidecker, Greg and wife Stacie Cook, Darla and husband Steve Remus, Nellie and husband Dan Wersal, Rick and wife Laurie Cook, Doug and wife Melanie Cook, Annie and husband Darren Huisman, and Jason Cook; 16 grandnieces and nephews; special friends, Minnie Sperl and Arlene Cook; and numerous cousins. She was preceded in death by her father in 1947 and her mother in 1977.
Della was born March 20, 1935, in Mulligan Township, Brown County, the daughter of George T. and Barbara (Nowak) Cook. She grew up and helped her parents on the family farm. Della lived with her brother Duke until 1996 when she moved to St. John's Lutheran Home in Springfield. She enjoyed watching Westerns on TV and listening to country western and old time music. Della especially enjoyed watching sporting events. Her favorites were the Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Minneapolis Lakers, North Stars and the Minnesota Gophers basketball and football teams. She also enjoyed taking pictures around the farm and of her nieces and nephews.
Casket bearers are Dawn Nazarenus, Denise Osborn, Dora Cook, Greg Cook, Annie Huisman, Jason Cook, Darla Remus, Nellie Wersal, Rick Cook and Doug Cook.
