Orval Fleck
Orval F. Fleck, age 73, of the Foley Nursing Center, Foley, MN, died November 8, 1997.
Funeral services were November 12 at the Foley Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Jim Gorman officiating. Burial was in the Lone Pine Cemetery in Morrill, MN.
Orval was born February 22, 1924, in Oak Park, MN, to Fred and Mary (Westphall) Fleck. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He married Rose Adams September 19, 1957. He was a life-long resident of Mille Lacs County until moving to Foley three weeks ago. Orval had worked for Twin City Steel and Hitchcock Mfg. of Minneapolis, MN. He had also farmed. He was a member of Hillman American Legion Post 602 and Onamia American Legion Post 655.
Survivors include his daughters and sons, Helen Johnson of Onamia, MN, Orval, Jr., of Richfield, MN, Harold of Minneapolis, Samuel of Brooklyn Park, MN, and Jeff of Robbinsdale, MN; step-children, Caroline Westphall of Foley, Mary Andrews of Minneapolis, Alice Kraker of LaQuiten, CA, Dorothy Hoffman of Minot, ND, Steve Andrews of Minneapolis, John Andrews of Minneapolis and Earl Andrews of Minneapolis; brothers and sisters, Murl of Mora, MN, Harold of Ham Lake, MN, Sam of Minneapolis, Lester of Hillman, MN, Lesely of Hillman, Lucy Jackson of Minneapolis, Lavera Gadacz of Hillman, Milly Carson of Sauk Rapids, MN, and Pearl Reynolds of Coon Rapids, MN; 23 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Rose in 1977; brother, Richard in 1996 and a granddaughter, Laura Johnson in 1990.
Pallbearers were Ronney Fleck, Eugene Gadacz, Danny Stachovich, Jim and Wendell Fleck, Bob Cranz and Danny Sauer.
William McLain
William “Bill” J. McLain, age 59, a resident of Little Falls, MN, died November 8, 1997, at the St. Cloud, MN, hospital.
Funeral services were held November 12 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Little Falls with Rev. Nicholas Landsberger officiating. Burial was in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery.
William was born June 26, 1938, in Canby, MN, to William and Odelia (Hauger) McLain. He grew up in Canby and graduated from the Canby High School. Bill then worked for Anderson’s Standard Station in Canby until entering the U.S. Army in June, 1961. He was honorably discharged in June, 1963, but continued to serve in the Army Reserve until June, 1967. William was united in marriage to Diane J. Peterson on August 3, 1963, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Canby. In March, 1964, Bill began working at National Bushing in Little Falls and worked as an auto parts jobber/salesman until November 7, 1997. He enjoyed working as a stock car racing pit crewman, woodworking, snowmobiling and caring for his lawn. Bill was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Little Falls, American Legion Post 46, and formerly, the SnoDogs.
Survivors include wife, Diane; sons, Shawn McLain and wife Lori of Baxter, MN, and Quinn McLain of Minneapolis, MN; daughter, Kari McLain at home; mother, Odelia McLain of Canby; brother, Justin McLain of Canby; sisters, Patricia McLain of Pasadena, CA, Rosemary Amber and husband Wally of Rochester, MN, and Margaret Moore and husband Roy of Cushing, MN, and grandson, Mitchell McLain.
He was preceded in death by his father; son, Steven McLain and brothers, Joe and Gerald McLain.
Honorary pallbearers were employees of National Bushing. Pallbearers were Bill Noble, Marv and Scott Hillig, Norm Hansen, Joe Stavish and Cleo Meyer.
Lynn Dokkebakken
Lynn Vernon Dokkebakken, age 49, a resident of Willmar, MN, died November 10, 1997, at his home following an extended illness with a brain tumor.
Funeral services were held on November 14 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Willmar with Rev. Joe Steinbeisser and Rev. Mark Wendland officiating. Interment was in the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Cemetery at Swift Falls. Military honors were provided by the American Legion and VFW Posts.
Lynn was born on May 2, 1948, in Benson, MN, the son of Ellen (Thone) and Vernon Dokke-bakken. He grew up in the rural Swift Falls community, was baptized and confirmed at the Swift Falls Lutheran Church and graduated from the Benson High School. For one year he attended the Willmar Community College. He served overseas with the U.S. Air Force during the Viet Nam Conflict. Following his discharge, he attended the Willmar Community College. For two years he was employed as the fertilizer manager for the Farmers Union Oil Company in Willmar. On July 29, 1978, in Little Falls, MN, he married Mary L. Rudek. He was the general manager of the Buhl Coop Supply in Idaho and, in December, 1980, the couple moved to Ortonville, MN, where he was the general manager of the Farmers Union Oil Company. In February of 1985, the two moved to Willmar where he became the general manager of the Farmers Union Oil Central Lakes Cooperative. Lynn was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Willmar Area Shrine Club, the Zuhrah Shrine Temple, an adult leader of Boy Scout Troop 227, a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, a member of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Ridgewater College Foundation Board, the Noon Kiwanis Club, the Minne-sota Plant Food Association, the Minnesota Managers Association, the Western Transport Coop Association and various Cenex and agri-business activities.
Survivors include his wife, Mary; one son, Michael and two daughters, Amy and Cindy, at home; mother, Ellen Dokkebakken of Glenwood, MN; three brothers, Dean Dokkebakken of Swift Falls, Winty (and Diane) Dokkebakken of Fergus Falls and Bruce Dokkebakken and wife Chris of Big Lake, MN; two sisters, Barbara Loen and husband Arden of Swift Falls and Judy Bowman and husband Tom of Scottsdale, AZ; three aunts; several cousins and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father; a nephew; grandparents and several aunts and uncles.
Edward O’Rourke
Edward F. O’Rourke, age 83, a resident of St. Paul, MN, died November 8, 1997, the result of an automobile accident.
On November 11, following a Mass of Christian burial at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in St. Paul, he was buried at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Miesville, MN.
Edward was a farmer and principal of Little Falls Public High School in the mid-1940s. He retired in 1977.
Diane Tuholsky
Diane M. Tuholsky, age 45, a resident of St. Paul, MN, died suddenly on October 24, 1997.
A Memorial Mass was held October 29 at Kessler-Maguire Funeral Home with interment in Acacia Park Cemetery.
She was born June 26, 1952, in Little Falls, MN. Diane loved nature and Native-American history and artifiacts. Her favorite hobby was bingo.
Survivors include two brothers and six sisters, Irene Boser and husband Elmer, Donald Tuholsky and wife Roseanne, Betty Rohrenback, Deloris Booth and husband George, Darlene Schneider and husband Jerry, Josie Metzdorf, Joe Tuholsky and wife Delli and twin sister, Deb Tuholsky; many nices, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Mathilda; a brother, Gerald and nephew, Daniel.
Shirley Kowalzek
Mrs. Barney “Shirley” Kowal-zek, age 49, a resident of Lastrup, MN, died November 12, 1997, at the St. Cloud Hospital.
Mass of Christian Burial was held November 15 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Lastrup with Father Roger Thoennes officiating. Burial was in the parish cemetery.
Shirley was born October 1, 1948, in Little Falls, MN, to Rheinhart and Barbara (Zormeier) Tretter. She grew up in the Onamia area and graduated from Onamia High School. Shirley was united in marriage to Delroy “Barney” Kowalzek on July 16, 1966, at Holy Cross Church in Onamia. The couple lived in the Lastrup area where they remained for 31 years. Shirley and Barney owned and operated Barney’s Bar in Lastrup for 17 years. Shirley was currently employed at Lakes Head Wear in Pierz, MN, as a supervisor. Shirley especially enjoyed sewing and caring for her flower gardens. Her children and grandchildren were a special part of her life and she enjoyed spending time with them.
Survivors include her husband, Barney of Lastrup; sons, Doug of Lastrup and Kenny and wife Kris of Pierz; a daughter, Paula Jutz and husband Gary of Buckman, MN; grandsons, Robby and Ryan Kowalzek and Jeremy Jutz; a sister, Diane Gave and husband Delbert of Princeton, MN; brothers, Duane Tretter and wife Joyce of Onamia, James Tretter and wife Rose of Hillman, MN, Harry Tretter and wife Jackie of Hillman; Bruce Tretter of Hillman and David Tretter of Onamia, along with many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Rheinhardt and Barbara Tretter.
Honorary casketbearers were Diane Gave, Joyce, Rose and Jackie Tretter, Lila Vogtlin, Patty Stich, Mary Anne Virnig and...[cut off]
Joan L. Reinhart
Joan L. Reinhart, age 63, a resident of Little Falls, MN, died November 30, 1997, at her home in Little Falls. A Mass of Christian Burial was held December 3 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls with the Rev. Anthony Kroll and Rev. Leroy Kremer officiating. Burial was in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls.
Joan L. Reinhart was born January 12, 1934, in Little Falls, MN to Clarence and Regina (Como) Tuller. She grew up in Little Falls and graduated from Little Falls High School. She was united in marriage to Kenneth Reinhart on November 13, 1951, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Little Falls. The couple lived in South Dakota for a few months and then returned to Little Falls where they have been lifelong residents. Joan operated a licensed Day Care Center for a time. She then worked as a clerk at the Ben Franklin Store that was located in the Red Owl Store in the variety department. Joan was a pre-school teacher at the Little Falls Head Start from 1968 until retiring in the summer of 1997. She was active in Camp Fire, Boy Scouts, was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, O.L.O.L., St. Gerards Mission Circle, DAV Auxiliary, Little Falls V.F.W. Auxiliary and was a member of Central Minnesota Tec, making her first Tec on weekend #164 and since has worked many Tec weekends in various capacities. Joan enjoyed embroidery, collecting bells and carousels.
Survivors include her husband, Kenneth; parents, Clarence and Regina Tuller of Little Falls; sons, Kenneth “K.C.” Reinhart and wife Mary of Little Falls, Michael Reinhart of Little Falls, James Reinhart of Little Falls; daughters, Kathy Garlock of Little Falls, Mary Jo Litke and husband Robert of Ramsey, MN, Jennifer Reinhart of Brainerd, MN; sisters, Barbara Banick and husband Duane of Little Falls, Mary Lou Yatckoske and husband Orvin of Blaine, MN; 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by a son, Roger Reinhart, in 1987.
Honorary pallbearers were the members of St. Gerards Mission Circle.
Casketbearers were Aaron Reinhart, Wade and Chad Litke, Christopher and Jonathan Garlock and Andy Bue.
Guy M. Kardell
Guy M. (Butch) Kardell, age 51, of Cushing, MN, formerly of Sauk Rapids, MN, died at his home on December 1, 1997.
Funeral services were held December 6, at the Brenny Randall Funeral Chapel.
Guy was born April 19, 1946, in Sauk Rapids, son of Axel and Marjorie (Kay) Kardell. On August 22, 1970, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth (Betsy) Alvord in Sauk Rapids. Guy was a man of many talents. He had a love for music and enjoyed playing the guitar, harmonica and singing. He brought joy, laughter and fun to many people over the years by entertaining them. Guy was a true artist, having done thousands of paints. His ability to make furniture and things out of wood was truly a gift. He loved fishing and showed many people where to catch the fish. Guy will be forever remembered and loved; he had many friends. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Survivors include his wife, Betsy; son, Erik Kardell of Cushing; two daughters Angela Kardell of Staples, MN, Melanie Vosen of Little Falls, MN; four brothers, John Kardell of Sauk Centre, MN; Lynn Kardell of Foley, MN; Chuck Kardell and Gary Kardell of Minneapolis; two sisters, Gail East of Park Rapids, MN, Carol Wright of Minneapolis; and one granddaughter Briana Marie Vosen.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.
Florence H. Werkman
Florence H. Werkman, age 88, a resident of Little Falls, MN, died November 28, 1997, at the Lutheran Care Center in Little Falls.
Funeral services were held December 1 at First United Church in Little Falls with the Rev. Miles Alexander officiating. Interment was in the Oakland Cemetery in Little Falls.
Florence H. Werkman was born on July 9, 1909, in Simonwalde, Germany to the late Tole and Ann (Frerichs) Reiter. At the age of two she moved with her family to the United States and settled in George, IA where she grew up. She was united in marriage to Venno Werkman on October 28, 1928, in Sioux Falls, SD. The couple farmed in southwestern Minnesota before moving to Ripley Township in Morrison County where they farmed. In 1971 the couple built a new home on the Mississippi River in Ripley Township. Venno died on June 18, 1983, and Florence continued living in their river home. In 1984 Florence moved to the Willow Apartments in Little Falls where she resided until 1994 at which time she entered the Lutheran Care Center in Little Falls. She lived at the Lutheran Care Center up to the time of her death. Florence was a member of First United Church in Little Falls, was current president of the Resident Council at the Lutheran Care Center, loved reading and socializing over tea time with her many friends and was always involved with her children in 4-H as they were growing up.
Survivors include sons, Eldon Werkman and wife Phyllis of Tucson, AZ, Donald Werkman and wife Carol of Little Falls, Herman Werkman and wife Lois of Pryor, OK, Larry Werkman and wife Shirley of Audubon, MN and Floyd Werkman of Royalton, MN; daughters, Anne Hallberg of Little Falls, Darlene Okroi and husband Joseph of Little Falls, Verna Reck and husband Ed of Sibley, IA; and LaVonne Adams and husband Don of Fort Ripley, MN; brother, Evert VanWesten of George, IA; 36 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by husband, Venno Werkman; son, Frank Werkman; daughter, Georgia Lange and brothers, John, Peter, Harm, Thole and Ed Reiter.
Pallbearers were Floyd, Larry and Herman Werkman, Joe Okroi, Jr., John Hallberg and Edward V. Reck.
Ronald Miller
Ronald James Miller, age 48, a resident of Little Falls, MN, died November 29, 1997, at St. Gabriel’s Hospital in Little Falls.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Little Falls with the Rev. Nick Landsberger officiating. Burial was in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls.
Ronald J. Miller was born July 11, 1949, in Little Falls to Zeta M. (Hansmann) Miller and the late Raymond G. Miller. He grew up in Little Falls, attended Little Falls High School and graduated from the class of 1967. He worked at the National Food Store in Little Falls and in April of 1969, entered the United States Army. He received an honorable discharge on April of 1971. He returned to Little Falls and worked at the National Food Store until 1977, when he went to work at Hennepin Paper Company in Little Falls. He was still presently employed there. He was united in marriage to Barbara Ann Hanneman on June 12, 1971, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Little Falls. Ronald was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Little Falls. He enjoyed restoring old cars, birds, was a great handyman, father, husband and grandfather.
Survivors include his wife Barb; mother, Zeta Miller of Little Falls, daughters; Carrie Ann Lalum and husband Nate of Little Falls, Julie Marie Miller of St. Cloud, Heidi and Cassie Miller both at home; sisters, Sharon Mrozik and husband Gene of Little Falls, JoAnn Miller of Rice, MN and two grandchildren, Samantha Ann Lalum and Zachary David “Butch” Lalum. He was preceded in death by his father.
Casketbearers were Larry Hartwig, Steve Pederson, Herman Johannes, Dennis Gwost, Joe Kobliska, Donnie Sherwood and Martin Wagner.
