Caroline Guck
Caroline Guck, age 91, a resident of St. Mary’s Villa in Pierz, MN, passed away November 29, 1997, at the Villa.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held December 2 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pierz, with Father Ken Brenny officiating. Burial was in the parish cemetery.
Caroline was born may 28, 1906, in St. Stephens, MN, to Michael and Anna (Lampert) Fielder. She grew up in St. Stephens as a farmer’s daughter. Caroline was united in marriage to Edward Guck on June 21, 1927, in St. Stephens. Following their marriage, the couple moved to Mayhew Lake where they farmed until 1945. After 1945, they farmed in Morrison County. She did domestic housekeeping for Dr. Stein and worked at the Pierz Cafe. Her hobbies consisted of quilting, crocheting and reading. She was a member of St. Joseph’s Church and of the Christian Mothers.
Survivors include sons, Daniel and wife Celine of Brainerd, MN, Lawrence and wife Marjory of Little Rock, MN, Melvin and wife Sandy of Fridley, MN; daughters, Rose Marie Johnson of Minnea-polis, MN, Genevieve Muehlbauer and husband Max of Little Rock, Lorraine Nerheim and husband George of Minneapolis, and Arlene Dutcher of Minneapolis; sisters, Alma Yamery of Waite Park, MN, and Marie Vouk of Rice, MN; 28 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Edward on November 2, 1968; one son, Raymond; two brothers and one sister; one grandson, Ronald Muehlbauer; two granddaughters, Tammy Guck and Carla Muehlbauer; one great-granddaughter, Kelsey Eden.
Casketbearers were Richard Johnson, Jr., Ray Guck, Jr., Dan Guck, Jr., James Guck, Dale Muehlbauer, George Nerheim, Jr., and Glenn Dutcher, Jr.
Leo Welle
Leo Welle, age 77, a resident of St. Mary’s Villa in Pierz, MN, died December 2, 1997, at the villa.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held December 5 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Lastrup, MN, with Father Roger Thoennes officiating. Burial was in the Minnesota State VeteransCemetery in Little Falls, MN.
Leo was born February 5, 1920, in Lastrup, to George and Martha (Wagner) Welle. He grew up and attended rural school near Lastrup. He served in the U.S. Army from March 2, 1942, until being honorably discharged on November 20, 1945. He was united in marriage with Loretta Tretter on January 19, 1948. Leo worked for various granite companies as a stonecutter for 30 years. He retired in 1982 and continued to reside in Lastrup. He was a member of the Pierz American Legion.
Survivors include his wife, Loretta of Pierz; sons, Clarence and wife Kim of Lastrup, Joseph and wife Pam of Royalton, MN, George and wife Marlys of Sauk Rapids, MN, Leo and wife Karen of Little Falls; daughters, Barbara Welle of St. Cloud, MN, Theresa Waytashek and husband Dennis of Sartell, MN, Rose Kowalzek and husband Adrian of Ham Lake, MN, Ella Kowalzek of Sauk Rapids; a brother, Alcuin Welle of Lastrup; a sister, Zita Poser of Pierz; 29 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Elizabeth Poser; and an infant brother, Ambrose.
Casketbearers were Kevin, Scott, Jon and Daniel Welle, Philip and Harlan Kowalzek, and Gary Waytashek.
Louis Jabas
Louis “Louie” J. Jabas, age 89, a resident of Little Falls, MN, died December 1, 1997, at the Lutheran Care Center in Little Falls.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held for Louis on December 5 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls with Rev. Leroy Kremer officiating.
Louis was born August 14, 1908, in Swan River Township to the late Paul and Martha (Drellack) Jabas. He attended country school in the Swan River area. After completing his education, Louis farmed in the Morrison County area. On May 16, 1939, Louis married Ethel DeZurikand the couple lived in the Morrison County area. Louis began employment with Burlington Northern Railroad on September 20, 1949. He was employed by the railroad for 24 years. He retired from the railroad September 7, 1973. Louis and Ethel continued living in the Little Falls area after retiring. Louis entered the Lutheran Care Center in 1995, residing there until he entered eternal service with the Lord. Louis enjoyed woodworking, sharpening saws and the outdoors.
Louis is survived by his wife, Ethel Jabas of Little Falls; sons, Duane and wife Kathleen of White Bear Lake, MN, Dennis Jabas of Little Falls and Joseph Jabas of Valdez, AK, and grandchildren, Steven, David, Dawn, Karl and Toni Jabas.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Martha and brothers, John and Leonard.
Pallbearers were Steven, David, Kevin and Richard Jabas and Gary and Kieth DeZurik.
Mary Gladke
Mary Gladke, age 98, a resident of Browerville, MN, died December 1, 1997, at the Long Prairie Memorial Nursing Home.
Funeral services were held December 4 at Christ the King Catholic Church in Browerville with Fr. Kenneth Thielman officiating. Burial was in Christ The King Catholic Cemetery in Browerville.
Mary was born March 4, 1899 in Barnesville, MN, to Paul and Hattie (Kubitza) Cech. On November 9, 1920, she married Joseph Gladke at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Browerville.
Mary and Joseph made their home in Nashwauk, MN, until 1954 where Joseph worked in the mines. They then moved back to Browerville where she lived until she went into the Long Prairie Memorial Nursing Home on June 10, 1989. Her hobbies included knitting, crocheting and taking care of her flowers. She was a member of Christ The King Catholic Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Dorothy Minerich and husband John of Sun City, AZ, and Gladys Oven and husband Joseph of Swanville, MN; one son, Joseph Gladke of Browerville; 14 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Joseph on August 10, 1981; daughter, Eleanore Siegmund on November 6, 1997; brothers, Frank, Paul, Tom, Ted, Donald and Richard and sisters, Veronica Roscoe, Rose Janeski and Catherine.
Casketbearers were Tom and Rich Oven, Joseph Gladke, Jr., Jim Kasel, Al Nohner and Jim Ressmeyer.
David J. Retka
David J. Retka, age 74, a resident of Little Falls, MN, died December 3, 1997, at his home.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held December 5 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls, with Father Leroy Kremer officiating. Burial was in the Minnesota State Veteran’s Cemetery. Military rites were provided by American Legion Post #46 of Little Falls and VFW Post #1112.
David was born August 6, 1923 in Bowlus, MN, to James C. and Lucille (Yasgar) Retka. He moved to Little Falls as a young child and graduated from Little Falls High School in 1941. He was united in marriage with Loretta Wozniak on May 28, 1949. David served in World War II in the South Pacific Theater for three years in the 805 Engineers. He was employed at Camp Ripley for 30 years before retiring in 1982. Following his retirement, the couple lived in Little Falls. David was active in the Civil Air Patrol, was an airport commissioner, and was active in church. He served as Past Commander of V.F.W. Post #1112, was an avid gardener and loved his grandchildren. He was a member of the Civil Air Patrol, Post V.F.W. #1112, American Legion Post #46, and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.
Survivors include his wife Loretta of Little Falls; sons, Wayne (Sam) and wife Janis of Ft. Ripley, MN, Bruce and fiancée Centa Sorum of Royalton, MN; a daughter, Mary E. Becker of Ft. Ripley; brothers, Henry Retka of Little Falls, Robert Retka of Chevy Chase, MD, Dominic Gerbi of Little Falls; sisters, Bernadette Wasson of Fredericksburg, TX, Donna Mae Lodermeier of Urbandale, IA, and Sue Oelrich of Royalton; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, James and infant Francis.
Casketbearers were Gordon Retka, Gene Retka, Gerald Retka, Gordon Wozniak, Dennis Wozniak and James Schwendinger.
Herman Scheper
Herman Scheper, age 85, a resident of St. Otto’s Care Center in Little Falls, MN, died December 10, 1997, at the center.
Funeral Services were held December 13 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Royalton, MN, with Father Laurn Virnig officiating. Burial was in the parish cemetery.
Herman was born May 24, 1912, in Morrill, MN, to the late John and Wilhelmina (Tiemer) Scheper. He was united in marriage with Bessie Miller on May 3, 1938, in Morrill. Bessie died April 8, 1958. He served during World War II in the U.S. Army in 1945. Herman then went to work on the railroad in Royalton for a short time, farmed west of St. Cloud and later was employed by Morrison County as a mechanic until his retirement. He was a resident of St. Otto’s for the past six years. Herman was a lifetime member of the VFW.
Survivors include sons, August and wife Marion of Motley, MN, Elmer and wife Julie of San Antonio, TX, and John and wife Margie of Royalton; daughter, Shirley Frie and husband Al of Minneapolis, MN; a brother, Andrew of Foley, MN; 11 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by wife, Bessie; three sisters and six brothers.
Aileen Roy
Aileen M. Roy, age 57, a resident of Motley, MN, died December 6, 1997, at her home.
Funeral services were held December 11 in the Brenny Funeral Home Chapel in Staples, MN, with Reverend Terry Stumbo officiating. Burial followed the service in the Motley Public Cemetery.
Aileen was born November 27, 1940, in Spiro, OK, to Lee and Noreen (Ardis) Acker. On May 19, 1984, she married Robert Roy, and, for many years, they spent much of their free time near Motley. Following their retirement, they moved to their home on the river where Aileen volunteered much of her time to area causes. She was also active in the local Lions Club and has been an Avon Representative.
Survivors include her husband, Bob; daughters, Deb (Dave) Olsonof Lino Lakes, MN, Vicki Nicole (Amy) of Robbinsdale, MN, Kathi Skow of Minneapolis, MN, and Connie (Tim) Van Valkenburg of Elk River, MN; a son, Terry (Ellen) Skow of Seneca, SC; step-children, Bobbi Jensen, Connie Peterson and Gary Roy; two brothers, Robert (Mary) Acker of Poteau, OK, and Alan Acker of California; a sister, Gayla Kelley of Tulsa, OK; a sister-in-law, Donna (Arlan) Bakke, as well as 18 grandchildren. She is also survived by many other relatives and many loving friends. Aileen was preceded in death by her parents.
Emily Leyes
Emily L. Kaiser Leyes, age 84, died November 15, 1997, in Viewcrest Health Center, Duluth, MN.
Emily was born in Royalton, MN, to parents John M. and Mary C. (Czech) Kaiser. She moved to Duluth in 1939 to work at St. Mary’s Hospital. She later worked at the former Klear Flax Co. until her marriage to James M. Leyes in 1948. A charter member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church, she had been active in its ladies circles. Emily devoted her life to her husband and raising her family. In later years, she enjoyed her garden and grandchildren.
Survivors include children, Marie Franckowiak and husband Raymond of Duluth, John Leyes of Bloomington, MN, Kathryn Leyes of Duluth and Robert Leyes and wife Debra of Chaska, MN; sisters, Helen Boros of Little Falls, MN, Sara Marek of St. Cloud, MN, and Martha Czeck and husband Paul of Bowlus, MN; brothers, John and wife Angie of St. Cloud, Alois and wife Lucille of Royalton and Otto and wife Dolores of St. Cloud and grandchildren, Michael, Pamela, Christine, Mark, Stephanie and Matthew.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband and sisters, Clara and Elizabeth.
Janet J. Zimmerman
Janet J. Zimmerman, age 31, a resident of Little Falls, MN, died December 9, 1997, at her home.
Funeral services were held December 12 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls with Rev. Leroy Kremer officiating. Burial was in the Oakland Cemetery.
Janet J. Zimmerman was born April 7, 1966, in Little Falls, MN to Joseph and Annette (Zimbrick) Zimmerman. She grew up in Little Falls and graduated from Little Falls High School in 1984. Janet worked as a waitress at the Pine Edge Inn in Little Falls for 10 years. Since 1994, she has worked at St. Otto’s Care Center in the food service department. Janet loved the outdoors, birds, house plants, flowers (especially sun flowers) and her family.
Survivors include her long-time companion, Grant Prozinski of Little Falls; son, Justin Zimmerman at home; parents, Joseph and Annette Zimmerman of Little Falls; brothers, Timothy Zimmerman and wife Amy of Little Falls; Theodore Zimmerman and companion Mary Doust of Little Falls; sisters, Julie Bishke and husband Tim of Jordan, MN; Nancy Winscher and husband Randy of Royalton, MN; Jeannie Zimmerman and companion Gary Pelzer of Little Falls; paternal grandparents, Albert and Sophie Zimmerman of Little Falls; maternal grandmother, Marceline Zimbrick of Little Falls.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Thomas Zimmerman and a grandfather, Alfred Zimbrick.
Pallbearers were Myron Stanley, Dan Heurung, Brad Prozinski, Tom Prozinski, Steve Zimmerman and Dan LeMieur.
Louis VonderHaar
Louis E. VonderHaar of Lake Oswego, OR, passed away from cancer on November 11, 1997.
A Memorial Service was held at Bethlehem Church in Lake Oswego, on November 15, 1997.
He was born April 4, 1927, in Little Falls, MN. He retired from Minnesota Mining and Manufac-turing Company after 34 years of service.
Survivors include his wife Dori; son, Steve; daughter and son-in-law Kim and Brian Barry; granddaughters, Natalie and Madeline; brothers, Carl of Little Falls, MN; Werner, Issaquah, WA, and Robert of Fresno, CA.
