Cecil O. Strand
Cecil O. Strand, age 73, passed away September 28, 1997 at Community Memorial Home in Osakis, MN, where he had been a resident since December of 1995.
Funeral services for Cecil O. Strand were held September 30, 1997, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Alexandria, with Rev. Lanning Johnson officiating. Interment was in Kinkead Cemetery. Military honors were accorded by the American Legion Post 87 and VFW Post 937.
Cecil Oren Strand was born September 1, 1924, at Randall, MN, to William and Odelia (Fuchs) Strand. He attended schools in Randall and Little Falls, MN. Cecil entered military service in 1943 with the U.S. Army. He served in Africa and Italy as a mess sergeant and chief steward. Following his honorable discharge in 1946, Cecil was employed by Griggs Cooper and Company in Minneapolis, MN. He then moved to Alexandria and was employed as assistant manager at Gambles Hardware. He was later employed by Sigwald Engineering, Alexandria Technical College and the Coca Cola Company, retiring in 1986. On June 27, 1951, Cecil and Romayne Anderson were married at the First Congregational Church of Alexandria. Alexandria became their permanent home, where they raised their four children. He was a member of the American Legion and a life member of the VFW. He also belonged to the Alexandria Golf Club, the Jaycees, and the NRA. Cecil served as a deacon on the First Congregational UCC Church Board. Cecil enjoyed a variety of hobbies that included hunting, golfing, snowmobiling, fishing, and playing cards.
Survivors include his wife, Romayne of Alexandria; children, Cheryl Strand of Coon Rapids, MN; C. John Strand and fianceé, Catherine Hancock of Mora, MN; Kurt and wife, Becky Strand of Alexandria; and Kathleen and husband Steve Broten of Fridley, MN; a sister, Arnette and husband Conrad Gau of Little Falls; several nieces and nephews.
Mary J. Pannek
Mary J. Pannek, age 92, a resident of Albany, MN, formerly of Avon, MN, died September 26, 1997 at the Mother of Mercy Nursing Home in Albany.
Funeral services were September 29 at the St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church in Holdingford with the Rev. Gerald Mischke officiating. Burial was in the parish cemetery.
Mary was born March 8, 1905, in Opole, MN, to Frank and Mary (Biniek) Kostreba. She married Wenzel Pannek October 25, 1921, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Opole. She was a member of St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church and the Rosary Sodality (50 year member).
Survivors include sons and daughters, Andy of Avon, MN; Susan Opatz of Avon; Jeanette Kierzek of Avon; Irene Kociemba of Avon; John of Clear Lake, MN; Ann Valerius of Albertville, MN; Ambrose of Little Canada, MN; LaVerne Schultz of Stillwater, MN; Mary Schroeder of Newport, MN; Betty Eftidkes of St. Paul, MN; Rose Schultz of Baldwin, WI; Leona Belletti of Long Beach, CA; 64 grandchildren, 98 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Johanna Brezinka of Little Falls, MN; Katherine Skroch of St. Wendel, MN; Sally Kuklok of St. Wendel; Cele Kallsen of St. Cloud, MN; and Josephine Davidson of Massachusetts.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband (August 8, 1983), daughter, Josephine, 13 brothers and sisters, and four grandchildren. Pallbearers were her grandchildren.
Janice M. Smith
Janice M. Smith, age 60, a resident of Little Falls, MN, died September 28, 1997, at St. Gabriel’s Hospital in Little Falls.
Funeral services were held October 1 at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls, MN, with the Rev. Suzanne Cekalla officiating. Interment was on October 4 at Darling Cemetery, Northwest of Little Falls.
Janice M. Smith was born on March 22, 1937, in Pipestone, MN, to Herman and Mary E. (Hansen) Johnson. She grew up in Lake Benton, MN, and graduated from Lake Benton High School in 1954. She attended Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, and graduated in 1957 as a Registered Nurse. She was united in marriage to Gerald Smith on February 14, 1959, in Minneapolis, MN. The couple made their home in Minneapolis for five years before moving to Coon Rapids, MN, in 1964 where they lived until 1978. They then moved to Fargo, ND, where they lived until October 1996 at which time Janice moved to Little Falls. Throughout Janice’s nursing career she was employed at Asbury Hospital, Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, MN and the Maple Manor in Anoka, MN. Janice was active as a Girl Scout leader for five years and enjoyed gardening, sewing, canning, camping, canoeing, fishing, and baking. She was a member and flag bearer of Royal Neighbors of America and attended the Randall Presbyterian Church in Randall, MN.
Survivors include her mother, Mary Johnson of Little Falls; son, David Smith and wife, Madonna of Bemidji, MN; daughter, Renee Hoffman of Buffalo, MN; brother, Dayle Johnson and wife, Kathy of Coon Rapids, and grandchildren, Yolanda, Elizabeth and James Hoffman, Lydia Torres and Scott and Taylor Smith.
Janice was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Smith (May 17, 1996); father, Herman Johnson; daughter, Janell Smith and son-in-law, Bruce Hoffman.
Melvin Christensen
Melvin Christensen, CWO U.S. Army Retired Criminal Investi-gator, died August 15, 1997, at his home in Columbia, SC.
Interment will be held Saturday, October 11, at 10:30 a.m. at the Randall City Cemetery. There will be a reception following at the Royal Cafe in Little Falls.
Melvin was born April 29, 1917, in Grand Rapids, MN. He graduated in 1936 from Little Falls High School. He was a veteran of WWII, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. He was the holder of two Bronze Stars, Combat Infantry Badge, numerous other awards and commendations. He was a member of the VFW, American Legion, Masons and numerous law enforcement associations.
Survivors include his sons, George E. Christensen and wife Evelyan, Robert L. Christensen and wife Judith and Terry L. Christensen and wife Nancy; sisters, Iris Dauphin; brothers, Norman Christenson and George Brock; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, a niece, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father, Jack Christenson; mother Ella (Jones) Brock; brothers, Norman Brock, Kenneth Brock, Robert Christenson and former wife, Erna (Wise) Ghinter.
Josephine Stalpes
Josephine Martha Stalpes, age 93, a resident of Pierz, MN, died September 26, 1997, at St. Gabriel’s Hospital in Little Falls, MN.
A Mass of Christian burial was held September 29 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Pierz with the Rev. Kenneth Brenny officiating. Burial was in the parish cemetery.
Josephine was born May 9, 1904, in Pierz Township, Morrison County, MN, to the late Peter N. and Anna (Hoheisel) Girtz. She grew up in the Pierz area. She worked at Hartmann’s Store in Pierz as a clerk and was an Avon Lady. She was united in marriage on November 29, 1922, to Aloysius M. Stalpes at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Pierz. Following their marriage, Josephine and Aloysius owned and operated Al’s Cafe in Pierz for 20 years. She was a news corespondent and wrote for the Little Falls Daily Transcript and also served as a Morrison County Home Aid and volunteered services for many years. Josephine was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Pierz, Christian Mothers, Prayer Group, Jesus and Mary Society, Pierz American Legion Auxiliary where she served as Chaplain, Civil Defense Chairperson and helped with public relations. She was an avid gardener and shared produce and plants with her family and friends. She enjoyed making quilts and mittens for her family, traveling, football games and discussing current events.
Survivors include her sons, William M. Stalpes of Merrifield, MN, Thomas J. Stalpes and wife Nancy and John P. Stalpes and wife Paula, all of Elk River, MN; daughters, Corrine Lentner of Rice, MN, Virginia Bayerl of Duluth, MN, Rosemary Will of Chanhassen, MN, Barbara Wiley and husband Joseph of Pittsburgh, PA, and Bernadette Suiter and husband Patrick of Brooklyn Park, MN; 40 grandchildren and 43 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1956; parents; daughter, Luverne Rose Stalpes; sons, Gerald and Lloyd “Pete” Stalpes; granddaughters, Terese Marie and Faith Mary Bayerl; brothers, Peter J., Joseph, William, Reinhart, Theodore and Jacob Girtz; sisters, Olive Miscke, Marie Thielen, Anna Faust, Martha Girtz, Agnes Loidolt and Mathilda Girtz.
Honorary Pallbearers are Joelle Fuhrman, Salesta Meyer, Dorothy Ann Thielen, Mathilda Girtz and Audreen Nagel. Casketbearers are Dr. Peter Lee Stalpes, Barry Bayerl, Robert Lentner, Bradley Stalpes, Robert Will and David Wiley.
David Sorum
David Sorum, age 57, a resident of Pierz, MN died September 26, 1997 at his home.
A private family service was held for David.
David was born February 9, 1940 in Minneapolis, MN to Francis and Helen (Jendro) Sorum. He was united in marriage with Erika Simbeck on March 16, 1962 in Straubing, Germany. His hobbies consisted of fishing, antiquing, gardening, doll collecting, and spending time with his children and family. David was never bored and always found many things to occupy himself.
Survivors include his wife Erika of Pierz; his father, Francis of Little Falls, MN; daughters, Christina Viehauser and husband Greg of Austin, MN, Bonnie Miller and husband Rich of Albertville, MN; and Centa Sorum of Royalton, MN; brothers, John Sorum of Two Harbors, MN, and Francis Sorum Jr. of Melbourne, FL; a sister, Juanita Swanson of Henning, MN; seven grandchildren, Danielle, Nicole, Krista, Kelly and Matthew Viehauser, Jennifer and Stephanie Miller; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Helen.
Iva Lambert
Iva Lambert, age 89, a resident of the Hillman, MN area died September 26, 1997 at her home.
Mass of Christian burial was held September 30, at St. Rita’s Catholic Church in Hillman, with Father Nathan Packard officiating. Burial was in the parish cemetery.
Iva was born December 26, 1907 in Gilman, IA to the late William and Gertrude (Green) Hennessey. After graduating from Iowa State Teachers College, she taught country school in Mitchell County, IA, for four years. She was united in marriage with Kenneth Lambert on February 14, 1936 in Osage, IA. The couple began farming near Osage, with two horses, five cows, and twenty chickens. They moved to Hillman in 1950 and Iva was a homemaker until she began teaching again in 1966. She taught in Morrison County and in Waite Park until 1973. Iva enjoyed visiting, knitting, reading, and enjoyed the beauty of flowers and birds at the feeders. She wrote many children’s books. She was a life member of Christian Mothers, St. Rita’s Church in Hillman. Iva was also a member of the Senior Citizens Club in Hillman and was the first president of the Hillman Adult Leisure Club.
Survivors include her husband, Kenneth of Hillman; a son, William and wife Nancy of Blaine, MN; daughters, Rosemary Mischke and husband Sylvester of Buckman, MN, Gertrude Lambert of Onamia, MN, Margaret Nicholas and husband William of Hastings, MN, Virginia ‘Ginny’ Tembruell and husband Ardell of Freedhem, MN, and Rita Boyce and husband Thomas of Osage, MN; a sister, Helen Beck of Lime Springs, IA; 21 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Richard in infancy; two sisters, Mabel and Katherine; and a brother, Frank.
Honorary casketbearers were Catherine Meyer, Rita Brown, Ranyl Moran, Mary Lou Hoheisel, Eleanor Skochenski and Sally Meyer.
Casketbearers were Tom Mischke, James Boyce, Ardell Tembruell, Jr., Brian Lambert, Gary Nicholas and Scott Mischke.
Patricia S. Gozola
Patricia S. Gozola, age 76, a resident of St. Otto’s Care Center, formerly of Crystal, died September 26, 1997.
A funeral mass was held September 30 at The Church of St. Raphael, Crystal with burial at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Maple Grove, MN.
Pat was born May 12, 1921 in Little Falls, MN, to parents A.I. Stone and Irene (Monahan) Stone. She was a secretary and Jr. Volunteer director for St. Therese Nursing Home in New Hope, MN. She was past president of the St. Therese Home Auxiliary, North Memorial Medical Center Auxiliary and the past president of HCAM (Medical Care Aux of MN.) She was also past president of the Jr. Catholic League. She was preceded in death by husband John Gozola in 1993.
Survivors include sister, Jerry Nagel of Little Falls, MN; nephews John Nagel and wife Bonnie of Little Falls, Robert Nagel of Crystal and wife Kelly of Little Falls; one niece, Mary Dukowitz of Brainerd, MN and grand nieces and grand nephews.
Memorials are preferred to St. Theresa Home, 8000 Bass Lake Rd., New Hope or St. Otto’s Care Center of Little Falls, MN.
Joseph F. Bates
Joseph F. Bates, age 61, a resident of Sobieski, MN died September 24, 1997 at St. Gabriel’s Hospital, Little Falls, MN.
Funeral services were October 4 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Watkins, MN with Rev. Richard Gross and Deacon Ken Bates officiating. Burial was in the St. Anthony’s Parish Cemetery in Watkins.
Joseph Bates was born October 7, 1935 in Watkins to Norbert and Magdeline (Korte) Bates.
Survivors include her mother, Magdeline Bates, Watkins; daughters and sons, Dena Suska and Randy Bates, Willpenit, WA; Margie Wynne, Minneapolis, MN; Ray, James and Joey Bates, Little Falls; sisters and brothers, Dolores Faber and Marilyn Kuechle, Watkins; Florence Pope, McLean, VA; Irene Sullivan, Melrose, MN; Beatrice Clark, Edina, MN; Kenneth Bates, Sauk Rapids, MN; Gordon Bates, Green Isle, MN; Ronald Bates, Fairbanks, AK and seven grandchildren. He also leaves behind friend and companion, Fern Post.
He was preceded in death by his father, brother, Robert, and granddaughter, Alicia.
Irene I. Kruchten
Irene I. Kruchten, age 81, of Catherine Square, Foley, MN, formerly of the Ramey, MN area died September 28, 1997 at the Foley Nursing Center.
Funeral services were October 2 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Foley with the Rev. Michael Dagel officiating. Burial was in the Lone Pine Cemetery, Morrill, MN.
Irene Kruchten was born May 25, 1916 in Bellingham, MN, to Carl and Ida (Grube) Zahn. She married Edgar Struck in 1933, John Kommer on February 25, 1947 in Minneapolis, and Wilfred Kruchten on November 23, 1969 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Ramey. She had lived in the Ramey area from 1947 to 1985, in Little Falls for four years, and for the past nine years, has lived in Foley at the Catherine Square. She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ramey. Irene was a member of the Gilman VFW Auxiliary Post 1558, a member of the Hillman and Gilman Senior Citizens.
Survivors include sons and daughters, Meryln and Nancy Struck, Reseda, CA; Marlin and Helen Struck, Foley; Ardyce and Roman Lance, Foley; Sandra and Leroy Thurber, Brooklyn Park, MN; Lucille and Jerry Purdy, Minneapolis; Betty Erickson, Minneapolis; Donna Salisbury, Lexington, MN; 22 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by husbands, Edgar Struck, John Kommer, and Wilfred Kruchten, infant son, Kenny, sisters and brothers, Evelyn Unzen, Erna Kommer, Mildred Micholski, William, Ervin, Gerhardt and Clarence Zahn, and great-granddaughter, Robyn Theisen.
Pallbearers were Bruce Lance, Craig Lance, Nelson Lance, Randy Struck, Kevin Purdy, Richard Struck, John Thurber and Gary Salisbury.
