Herbert Counter
Herbert Counter, age 64, a resident of Cold Spring, MN, died September 2, 1997, at his residence from cancer.
Funeral services were held September 5 at St. Boniface Church, Cold Spring, with Pastor Ron Bockhaus officiating.
Herbert was born September 19, 1932, in Avon, MN, to George and Emma (Braun) Counter. He married Patricia Bjorklund on January 14, 1989, in Our Savior Lutheran Church, Albany. Herb was self-employed as a carpenter and mason contractor. He owned and operated the Pizza Shop, Albany, and also worked for the City of Albany and the Albany Golf Course. He served in the Army during the Korean War, and was a member of Peace Lutheran Church, Cold Spring.
Survivors include his wife and children, Barbara Rose of South Haven, H. Jeffrey of Van Horne, IA, Lori Deschene of Argyle, Brenda Safranski of Argyle, Karen Olson of Warren, Shari Safranski of Thief River Falls, MN, Stacie Nelson of Warren, Amy Klopp of Argyle and Pammy Durand of Argyle; stepchildren, Joel Lemke of Minneapolis, MN, Jamie Lemke of Minneapolis and Jody Boisen of St. Cloud, MN; brother, George of Prior Lake, MN; sisters, Johanna Ostendorf of Fayetteville, NC, and Helen Sannes of Marion, IA; 17 grandchildren and one step-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Harold and William and sister, Maude Lease.
Pallbearers were Leslie Rose, John Deschene, Daryl Olson, David Safranski, Ray Safranski and David Nelson.
Ethel Zimmerman
Ethel Manila Zimmerman, age 99, a long-time resident of Royalton, MN, died December 28, 1997 in Walla Walla, WA.
Funeral services for Ethel were January 2, 1998 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Royalton, with Rev. John A. Ramsbacher officiating. Burial was in the Riverside Cemetery in Royalton.
Ethel was born June 29, 1898 in Dell Rapids, S.D. She was the oldest child of Danish immigrants, Gregers and Maren Kirstine Petra Frederikke (Peterson) Nelson. In 1911, her family moved to a farm near the then-thriving town of Vawter, MN. She attended elementary schools in Dell Rapids and Vawter. The Vawter schoolhouse is now St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, where the funeral was held. Huge ash trees that she and classmates planted on Arbor Day, 1912, still thrive on the grounds. The oldest of a family of nine children, Mrs. Zimmerman worked outside with her father until she was 17. She then worked as a hired girl for many families in the Royalton area. In the fall of 1917, while working at the Gil Isaacson farm (now the Fred Zimmerman farm), she met William C. Zimmerman, a bachelor from the adjacent farm. They married April 17, 1918, in Little Falls, MN. She lived on that farm until May of 1997, when she moved to College Place, WA. In her old age, Mrs. Zimmerman enjoyed recalling the story of her middle name: At the time of her birth, her uncle was stationed in Manila, the Philippines, during the Spanish-American War. Her parents liked the name Manila and gave their firstborn that middle name. In 1920, she voted in the first national election following the ratification of the 19th Amend-ment, which guaranteed women political rights. Throughout her life, Mrs. Zimmerman was known as a vigorous person, busy with farm work and raising seven children. She had a green thumb and enjoyed gardening and houseplants. After retiring from farming in the 1960s, she made many beautiful quilts for her grandchildren and others. When threading a needle became difficult, she latch-hooked rugs until the age of 94. She was baptized into St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Little Falls, in 1919, and was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Royalton.
Survivors include her sons, Raymond and wife Johanna Zimmerman of Isle, MN, Carl and wife Jeanne Zimmerman of Brier, WA, Arnold and wife Darlene Zimmerman of Boring, OR, Allen and wife Fay Zimmerman of Anchorage, AK; daughters, Bertha Norby of Pueblo West, CO, Mabel Lebo and husband Roy of Carlisle, PA, Martha Masden and husband Glenn of College Place, WA; 25 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William; son-in-law, Burton Norby; sisters, Blanche and Pearl Hunter, and Alice Nelson; brothers, Leonard, Henry, George, Thekla, and Walter Nelson.
Casketbearers were members of the family.
Duane Anderson
Duane Leonard Anderson died December 20, 1997, in Richfield, MN.
Funeral services were held December 23 at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Bloomington, MN. Burial was at Fort Snelling Cemetery.
Duane was born November 3, 1920, in Cushing, MN. He was one of eight children. His father, Jens Christian Anderson, immigrated from Norway, and passed away when Duane was seven. His mother was Mary Elizabeth Warinner Anderson.
Duane graduated from Little Falls High School in 1942, and was inducted into the Army in November of that year. He served in World War II until it ended in December of 1945, as part of the 413th Infantry Regiment, 104th Infantry Division. He served in the European Theater, including Germany and the Battle of the Bulge, the Maginot Line and Normandy. He was an ammunition handler for units under fire on the front lines, for which he earned the Bronze Star. After the war he worked as a butter maker in the creamery in Cushing and then as an auto mechanic in Minneapolis and then in Dallas, TX, until he retired. Duane married Louise Nelson. Three children were born to them, Gerald, Mary Ann and Jane. He and Louise then made their home in Cliburne, TX, for 13 years. They moved back to Minneapolis in 1996. He loved music and taught himself to play the banjo and accordion. He loved to fly. In his early days he barnstormed with his Uncle Roy in a biplane. He made his family proud when he finally earned his private pilot’s license at age 62.
Survivors include his wife, Louise; son, Gerald and wife Diane; daughters, Mary Ann Ekdahl and husband Darrel and Jane Anderson; grandchildren, Sheila Boldt and husband Steve, Lenn Anderson, Dale, Mary Beth, Andrew and James Ekdahl; great-grandchild, Sarina Boldt and four sisters, Ruth Garrison, Catherine Eckblad, Arlene Nelson and Doris Harrison and husband Henry.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers and a sister.
Romane A. Slettom
Romane A. Slettom, age 84, a resident of Little Falls, MN, died December 29, 1997 at her home in Little Falls.
Funeral services were held January 3, 1998 at Zion Lutheran Church in Little Falls with the Rev. Martin Langemo officiating. Burial was in the Darling Cemetery near Little Falls.
Romane Annette Slettom was born on August 11, 1913 in Elmwood, WI to the late Frederick and Jesse “Blanchard” Shaw. She grew up in Elmwood and Lake City, MN where she graduated from high school. She attended Normal School in St. Cloud, MN and then began her teaching career. She was united in marriage to Adolph Slettom on May 19, 1939 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Little Falls. She taught country school in various locations in Morrison County for 40 years. When the country schools closed, she became a teachers aide in the Little Falls Middle School where she worked until she was 70. She then took a position as a librarian at the Carnegie Library in Little Falls. She received an award for 20 years of participation in the Little Falls Arts and Crafts Fair with her paintings. Her many talents allowed her to participate in many county fairs in which she received many awards through the years. Her creativity was expressed through her work and many talents and will be remembered by those who knew her. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Little Falls, was an avid reader, enjoyed bird watching and needle work, played many musical instruments and cherished her children, family and many friends.
Survivors include her husband, Adolph Slettom of Little Falls; sons, Conrad Slettom and wife, Barb of Hot Springs, SD and Larry Slettom and wife, Donna of Chisago City, MN; daughters, Mary Jean Hylden of Fergus Falls, MN and Joyce Slettom of Little Falls; brother Eugene Alm of Custer, SD; 18 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; step-father, HarryAlm and a sister, Carol Wittwer.
Honorary pallbearers were her grandchildren.
Casketbearers were Eric Everson, Jim Eley, Sandy Lubbers, Don Lubbers, Dale Slettom and Janet Sanderson.
Alice F. Pantzke
Alice F. Pantzke, age 93, a resident of Little Falls, MN, died December 30, 1997, at St. Otto’s Care Center in Little Falls.
Funeral services were held January 2, 1998 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Little Falls with the Rev. Kent Garlinghouse officiating. Burial was in the Culdrum Cemetery in Culdrum Township, Morrison County, MN.
Alice F. Pantzke was born August 28, 1904, in Parker Township, Morrison County, to the late Charles M. and Carolyn L. (Running) Johnson. She grew up in Parker Township and attended Culdrum School. She was united in marriage to Edwin F. Pantzke on August 9, 1924 in Culdrum Township. The couple resided in Culdrum Township and farmed. They retired in 1948 and moved to Little Falls. She worked at the Lutheran Senior Citizens Home in Little Falls as head cook. Alice was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Little Falls and the Variety Garden Club. She loved oil painting, garage sales, nature, was an avid bowler, proud Mom, grandma, great-grandma, and a good friend.
Survivors include sons and daughters, Wally Pantzke and wife Marion of Cushing, MN, Donna Johnson and husband Hap of Little Falls, Margie Backowski and husband Philip of Flensburg, MN, Yvonne Kalahar and husband Lyn of Andover, MN; 26 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Edwin on January 24, 1973; son, Edwin Jr.; six brothers, three sisters, one grandson and one great-grandson.
Casketbearers were Steve and Tom Pantzke, Bill and Marc Backowski, Bradley Johnson and Blaine Kalahar.
Tammy Jo Bast-Arnold
Tammy Jo Bast-Arnold, age 32, a resident of Little Falls, MN, diedDecember 30, 1997 at St. Gabriel’s Hospital in Little Falls. Graveside services were held January 3, 1998 at Oakland Cemetery in Little Falls.
Tammy Jo Bast-Arnold was born September 21, 1965 in Seaside, CA to Lila Bast and Austin DaBorjock. As a child she lived in Harrisburg, PA and in Big Lake, MN. At the age of 12 years she moved to Little Falls where she lived until her death. She attended school in Little Falls and later received her GED in Pennsylvania. She worked in the Deli of G’s Super Value of Little Falls but her main profession was child day care. She was united in marriage to Charles William Arnold on April 1, 1990 in Little Falls. After their marriage the couple lived in Baumholder, Germany for three years, later returning to Little Falls where they made their home. She was a member of Faith, Hope & Love Fellowship Church in Little Falls. She enjoyed reading, puzzles, crafts and line dancing. She loved children, writing children’s stores and poems, giving parties and doing special things for her nieces and nephews, often taking them on special trips.
Survivors include her loving husband, Charles; mother, Lila Bast of Little Falls; father, Austin DaBorjock and companion Linnie Tousignant of Browerville, MN; brother, Troy Bast and companion Jodi Fleischhacker of Brainerd, MN; sister, Michelle Weekley and husband Stewart of Randall, MN; step-brother, Danny Tousignant of Browerville; nieces and nephews, Heather, Treasure, Duke and Benjamin Weekley all of Randall, Alex Bast of Brainerd and grandmother, Dorothy Kemp of Big Lake.
She was preceded in death by a son, Nathan Adam Bast in August of 1982, and grandparents, Silas Kemp, Clarence Bast and June Vincent.
Casketbearers were Ryan Lockwood, Scott and Terry Trom, James and Scott Current, Brian and David Heiling.
Laura Killmer
Laura “Grace” Killmer, age 86, a resident of Pierz, MN, died January 6, 1998, at St. Mary’s Villa in Pierz.
Funeral services were held January 9 at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter, MN, with Rev. Terry Stumbo officiating. Burial was in the Lakeview Cemetery at Blackduck, MN.
Laura “Grace” Killmer was born on October 19, 1911, at Blackduck, daughter of the late Walter and Mary (Kirkpatrick) Houchins. She graduated from Blackduck High School and then attended Bemidji State College. She taught school at Rabideau for a few years. She was united in marriage to Harland Killmer on April 20, 1935, in Bemidji, MN. They lived in Blackduck, Baudette, Brainerd, Isanti and St. Cloud. She had been a resident of the Harmony House in Pierz since March of 1991. She enjoyed sewing and reading.
Casketbearers were Thomas, Mark, Jim and Todd Crawford, Craig Killmer and Jeffrey Killmer.
Clarence Hayes
Clarence W. Hayes, age 84, a resident of Harding, MN, died January 6, 1998, at his home.
Funeral services were held January 8 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Harding with Rev. Roger Thoennes officiating. Burial was in the parish cemetery.
Clarence was born July 27, 1913, in Platte Township, Morrison County, MN, to the late Walter and Martha (Koselke) Hayes. He grew up in Platte Township and attended country school. Clarence helped his parents farm until 1929. He then went to Duluth and worked on a dairy farm. He moved to Washington and worked as a logger until entering the U.S. Navy in 1942. He served in Guam and Hawaii until his discharge in 1946. He returned to Harding and owned and operated Hayes Garage. Clarence was united in marriage to Margaret James on October 4, 1947, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Harding. Clarence was also part owner and operator of the Hayes Bus Co. from 1940-1957. In 1955, he began working road construction as a supervisor/foreman for C.L. Stodolka Construction Co. and then Tri-City Paving until retiring in 1986. Clarence served as mayor of Harding for 29 years, and was a Morrison County Commissioner in 1952. He enjoyed cross country skiing, ice fishing, gardening, bowling and deer hunting. Clarence was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Harding, the Holy Name Society, Little Falls Knights of Columbus Post #1804, Little Falls VFW Post #1112 where he served as post commander and the Pierz American Legion Post #341.
Survivors include his wife, Margaret Hayes; sons, David Hayes of Harding and Daniel Hayes and wife Margaret of Harding; daughters, Dorothy Sanders and husband Calvin of Randall, MN, Patricia Dumprope and husband Richard of Fort Ripley, MN, Diane Petersen and husband Daniel of Elmdale, MN, and Gloria Austin and husband James of Little Falls, MN; brothers, Lloyd Hayes of Little Falls and Earl Hayes and wife Myrtle of Roseville, MN; sisters, Agnes Young and husband John of Little Falls and 11 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Michael Dumprope; brothers, Lester, Loren and Archie Hayes and sisters, Eulalia “Lolly” Sween and Elsie Thompsen.
Pallbearers were Oliver Rudolph, Jack Skochenski, Roger Donek, Daniel Kozulla, Ronald Gross and Willis Schlegel.
Gertrude Kerkhoff
Gertrude Kerkhoff, age 91, a resident of Little Falls, MN, died January 5, 1998, at St. Otto’s Care Center in Little Falls.
Mass of Christian Burial was January 9 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls, with Father Leroy Kremer officiating. Burial was in the parish cemetery.
Gertrude was born in Little Falls on February 10, 1906 to Paul and Stella (Ebertowski) Prozinski. She attended school in Little Falls and attended Teacher Training School for one year. She also taught at a rural school before and after her marriage. Gertrude was united in marriage with Milton Kerkhoff on August 20, 1928 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Little Falls. Following their marriage, they resided in Agram Township, prior to moving to Little Falls in 1981. She was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, and of Christian Mothers. She enjoyed gardening, crocheting, and sewing.
Survivors include a son, Milton Jr. of Chicago, IL, and John R. of Little Falls; a daughter, June Musielewicz of St. Cloud; a sister, Louise Ginter of Little Falls; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Milton; son John; one grandchild; one brother Sylvester; four sisters, Stella, Johanna, Mary Ann, and Helen.
Casketbearers were grandchildren of Gertrude.
Lowell LaRock
Lowell Charles LaRock, age 77, a resident of Randall, MN, died January 7, 1998, at St. Gabriel’s Hospital in Little Falls, MN.
A memorial service was held on January 12 at the Randall Funeral Home in Randall. Burial followed in the Minnesota Veterans Cemetery near Camp Ripley.
He was born on March 3, 1920, in Black River, NY. For many years he and his wife farmed west of Randall but for the past few years he has lived in town.
Survivors include his son, David LaRock of Adams, NY and two grandchildren.
