Donna Sumner
Donna Sumner, age 67, died December 30, 1998.
A memorial service was held January 12, 1999, at the Lutheran Church in Eden Valley, MN.
Donna enjoyed cooking, reading, researching the Civil War, various needle work, traveling, and participating in religious activities. As a volunteer, she was actively involved in Civil Air Patrol for 20 years, earning the rank of Major and acquiring 400+ hours of flight time as an observer and navigator. She served as a member of the St. Cloud Squadron and North Central Region Staff. Her active life included working as an elementary teacher in Sauk Rapids, MN, high school English teacher and drama coach in Big Lake, MN, speech therapist in Sartell/St. Stephen, MN, and business manager at Wilson Learning Corporation in Eden Prairie, MN.
Survivors include her beloved husband and best friend, Don of Paynesville, MN; three daughters along with their spouses and father, Vicki and Steve Tharaldson of Eagan, MN, Sheli and Mark Pollard of Eagle River, Ontario, Canada, Bobbie and Steve McLaird of Brooklyn Park, MN, and Bob Mattson of Sauk Rapids, MN; five stepchildren and their spouses, Bill Sumner of Minneapolis, MN, Nancy and Rick Tallman of Houston, MN, Barbara and Joe Gans of Aitkin, MN, Tom Sumner of Minneapolis, and John and Kristi Sumner of Rhode Island; six grandchildren; 13 step-grandchildren; and two sisters, Lila Schandel of Cloquet, MN and Arlene Kristopeit of South Milwaukee, WI.
She was preceded in death by her parents Armand and Mildred Rebischke, and son-in-law, Ron Geisel.
Leona L. Schwintek
Leona L. Schwintek, age 83, a resident of Stover, MO, died January 9, 1999, at St. Mary’s Health Center in Jefferson City, MO.
Funeral services were held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on January 12. Rev. James O’Sullivan officiated. Interment was at Greenmore Memorial Gardens, Barnett, MO.
Leona was born May 29, 1915, at St. Wendell, MN, to Frank and Christina (Gallus) Yamry. She married Henry Peter Schwintek August 7, 1934, at St. Wendell. They moved to Missouri in 1966 from Minnesota. She was employed as a factory worker most of her life. She was an avid fisherman and Bingo player. She loved crocheting, card playing and traveling.
Survivors include daughters, Betty Byrd of Barnett, MO, Sylvia Doble of Clearwater, MN, Adeline Pusc of Rice, MN, Alvina Whipper of Clearwater, MN, Delphine Olson of Dassel, MN, Mary Ann Douvier of Holdingford, MN, and Rose Thompson of Stover, MO; sons, Leander of Clear Lake, MN, Jim of Bethel, MN, Jerome, Ron and Roger of Eldon, MO; 36 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; brothers, Alphonse Yamry of Holdingford and Leonard Yamry of St. Cloud, MN; sisters, Alice LeClair of Osseo, MN, Ludvina Glavitz of Osseo and Pearl Gardell of Seattle, WA; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death byher husband Henry on August 6, 1984, one grandson, one great-grandson, one great-granddaughter, four brothers and four sisters.
Richard Bermel
Richard Bermel, age 76, a resident of Randall, MN, died january 11, 1999, at St. Gabriel’s Hospital in Little Falls, MN.
Mass of Christian Burialwas held January 14, at St. James Catholic Church in Randall with Father Al Quade officiating.
Richard Francis Bermel, son of the late Henry and Barbara (Weidenbach) Bermel, was born March 11, 1922, in Randall. He attended grade school in Randall, then graduated from Little Falls High School. He moved to Detroit, MI, where he worked for Ford Motor Company. He served in the Army during World War II. Following his honorable discharge he returned to Detroit, then moved back to Randall and purchased the Bermel Shoe Store from his father. He was united in marriage to Eva Norr in Sauk Rapids, MN on August 2, 1948. He and his family owned and operated the Bermel Shoe Store until his retirement in 1975. He then worked for the canvas shop at Camp Ripley for 10 years. He was a member of St. James Catholic Church, and the Randall Fire Department for many years where he served as chief for several years. He served on the Randall City Council, and was a member of the Randall Commer-cial Club and was also a member of Randall VFW Post #9703. He enjoyed the amateur baseball league and traveling.
Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Eva; two daughters, Diane Dahl of Coon Rapids, MN and Jennie Hennessy of Grand Marais, MN; three sons, Richard Bermel of Sierra Vista, AZ, Ron Bermel of Eden Prairie, MN and Gerald Bermel of Eyota, MN; 10 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, two sisters, Marie Smith of Milford, MI and Barbara Gohman of Cumberland, WI; one brother, Gerald Bermel of Little Falls.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, James and a sister, Elaine.
Margaret E. James
Margaret E. James, age 94, a resident of Green Prairie Township, Morrison County, MN, died January 10, 1999 at her home.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held January 14 at St. James Catholic Church in Randall, MN.
Margaret Elizabeth James was born August 8, 1904, in Barnesville, MN, to the late John and Catherine (Birk) Aguglar. She grew up around Baker, MN and attended the Catholic School in Barnesville. Following her schooling, Margaret worked with her parents on the family farm. She was united in marriage to Joseph F. James on November 7, 1925 in Sabin, MN. Following their marriage, Margaret and Joseph lived in Baker for one year. In 1926 they moved to Little Falls and farmed in Little Falls Township. In 1941 they moved to Green Prairie Township, north of Little Falls, and farmed. Joseph died June 15, 1975. After Joseph’s death, Margaret continued to live on the farm with her three sons, residing there until her death. She was a member of St. James Catholic Church in Randall.
Survivors include her sons, Jesse, John, Jerry, Joseph, Jr. and wife Jeanette, all of Little Falls, Larry and and wife Bobbi of Rogers, MN; daughters, Margaret Hayes of Harding, Gertrude Peterson of Randall, MN, Evelyn Meyer and husband Edward of Columbia Heights, MN, Pat Petersen and husband Ivan of Randall, JoAnn Slettom and husband David of Little Falls, Phyllis Pugh and husband Wayne of Bloomington, MN, Joyce Brown and husband Julius of Dillworth, MN and Eileen Petersen and husband Walter of Eden Prairie, MN; sisters, Agnes Miller of Minnea-polis, MN, Helen Schoff of Detroit Lakes, MN; 35 grandchildren; 61 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild and 15 step-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband; sisters, Ruth Lewis, Madeline Johnson and Florence Gruber; two great-grandsons and a son-in-law, Clarence Hayes.
Casketbearers were David Hayes, Scott Meyer, Fred Slettom, Alan Petersen, Shawn Petersen, Gary Peterson, Glen Pugh and Matt James.
Rose Bobick
Rose Marie (Witt) Bobick, age 69, a resident of Little Falls, MN, passed away January 7, 1999, at St. Gabriel’s Hospital.
Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m. on January 11, 1999, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Little Falls with Father Nick Landsberger officiating. Burial will be at St. Stanislaus Parish Cemetery in Bowlus, MN.
Rose Marie was born August 27, 1929, to Alex and Pauline (Witucki) Witt in Pike Creek Township, MN. Rose was united in marriage to Mathew Bobick on November 22, 1948, in Sobieski, MN. They resided in St. Paul, MN and then moved to Bowlus in 1951. Along with raising 13 children, Rose worked at Munsingwear, Monoco Lens Company, and Minneapolis Athletic Club. Rose was a charter member of the Bowlus Legion Auxiliary and also a member of the Little Falls Legion and V.F.W. Auxiliaries. She was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Little Falls.
Survivors include former husband Mathew Bobick of Little Falls; sons, LeRoy Bobick and wife Kathy of St. Paul, MN, Duane Bobick and wife Debi of Little Falls, Michael Bobick of Minneapolis, Loren Bobick and wife Dawn of Little Falls, Tom Bobick and wife Cindy of Fridley, MN, Lester Bobick of St. Paul, MN, Bruce Bobick of Little Falls, MN, Kurt Bobick and wife Janet of Cottage Grove, MN, and Robert Bobick of Coon Rapids, MN; daughter Tara Bobick and Chad Peterschick of Little Falls; brother Dan Witt and wife Judy of Little Falls and Jerry Witt and wife Ann of Little Falls; sisters Eleanor Czech and husband John of Little Falls and Betty Wheeler and husband Pat of Little Falls; 18 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her father Alex Witt; mother Pauline (Witucki) Witt Cichon; and sons David, Donald and Rodney.
Casketbearers were James, Jesse, Michelle, Brenda, David, and Zackery Bobick.
Valerian “Val” Ringwelski
Valerian “Val” Ringwelski, age 67, a resident of Little Falls, MN, died January 8, 1999, at his home.
Mass of Christian Burial was January 12, 1999, at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Little Falls with Father Leroy Kremer officiating. Burial was at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Cemetery.
Valerian was born on April 13, 1931, to Steve and Pauline (Rustka) Ringwelski in Pike Creek Township, MN. He went to school in Minneapolis to learn his shoe repair business. Valerian ran his own shoe repair shop in Little Falls. In 1985, he had a pacemaker put in and spent his remaining years at home.
Survivors include brothers Peter Ringwelski and wife Shirley of Becker, MN, and Edward Ringwelski and wife Janet of Rice, MN; sisters, Veronica Ringwelski of Little Falls, Mary Ringwelski of Little Falls and Florence Ringwelski of Little Falls.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Steven and Pauline Ringwelski, and sister, Helen Ringwelski.
Casketbearers were Louie Brott, John, Brandon, Ronald, Guy, and Brice Ringwelski.
Anna Palashewski
Anna Palashewski, age 95, a resident of Sobieski, MN, died January 7, 1999, at St. Otto’s Care Center in Little Falls, MN.
Mass of Christian Burial was January 12 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Sobieski with Father Tony Kroll officiating. Burial was at St. Stanislaus Parish Cemetery in Sobieski.
Anna was born on April 14, 1903, to Simon and Mary (Schneider) Sobieck in Sobieski. Anna was united in marriage to Paul Palashewski on November 8, 1921, in Sobieski. They farmed in the Sobieski area for many years. She loved gardening, her flowers, and making quilts.
Survivors include sons, Len Palashewski and wife Marlene of Little Falls, Joseph Palashewski and wife JoAnn of Minneapolis, MN, Fred Palashewski and wife Carol of Minneapolis, and Jerome Palashewski and wife Darlene of Sobieski; daughters, Dorothy Colianni of Minneapolis, Margaret Palashewski of Minneapolis, JoAnn Zwiener and husband Bob of Sonoma, CA; and Patricia Scheeler of Minneapolis; brothers Leo and Lawrence Sobieck of Little Falls; sisters Martha Ososki of Little Falls and Stella Kuka of Milwaukee, WI; 19 grandchildrenand 13 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Paul in 1972; and two brothers, John and Simon.
Casketbearers were grandsons.
Ardis M. Warner
Ardis M. Warner, age 74, a resident of Foley, MN, and formerly of Rice, MN, died January 7, 1999, at the Foley Nursing Center, Foley.
Funeral services were January 11 at First Presbyterian Church in Foley, with the Rev. Allen Jergenson officiating. Burial was in the Minneopa Cemetery, Blue Earth County.
Ardis Warner was born December 25, 1924, in Madelia, MN, to A. Morton and Hazel B. (Caswell) Christenson. She married Warren (Red) Warner December 23, 1944, in Medalia. The couple had lived in Medalia until 1961. They later moved to Rice. She had lived in the Dewey Place Apartments in Foley for the past 10 years. She was employed at Fingerhut for more than 20 years, retiring at the age of 64. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, and was one of the original recipients of the home-delivered meals program, Meals on Wheels.
Survivors include her son, Walter of Sebeka, MN and daughters, Mary Susan and Roger Warner of St. Cloud, MN, Anne and Roger Brenny of Little Falls, MN; brother, Richard, Hilton Head SC; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, August 29, 1988.
Pallbearers were Scott Brenny, Ronald Brenny, Ryan Brenny, Gary Warner, Jim Pappenfus and Walter Warner.
Bessie E. Martin
Bessie E. Martin, age 82, a resident of Garrison, MN, died January 7, 1999, at the Mille Lacs Nursing Home in Onamia, MN.
Funeral services were held January 11 at the Garrison Community Alliance Church in Garrison with Rev. Peter Dorn officiating. Burial was in the Garrison Community Cemetery.
Bessie E. Martin was born January 8, 1916, in Babcock, WI, to the late Martin and Nettie Fate. The family lived in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, Sheldon, IA and in 1928, moved to Claremont, MN, where Bessie finished her schooling. She was united in marriage to Elmo Leach in Rockford, IL.The couple resided in Port Edwards, WI, for many years. Their marriage was dissolved in 1950 and Bessie relocated to Minneapolis, MN, where she worked at the Durkee Atwood Co. She was united in marriage in 1955 to Stanley J. Martin. The couple ownedand operated Martin’s Resort in Garrison, MN until selling the resort in 1981 and retiring. Bessie has resided at Bob’s Trailer Park in Garrison and wintered in Brownsville, TX, since retiring. She enjoyed crocheting, crafting, entertaining and traveling. Bessie was a member of the Garrison VFW Auxiliary and a charter member of the Garrison Lioness Club.
Survivors include her son, David Leach and wife Gloria of Onamia; daughter, Arlene Eberhardt and husband Gordon of Wisconsin Rapids; brother, Dell Fate and wife Ethel of Williams, IA; special friend, Emil Botko of Garrison; 12 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
Bessie was preceded in death by her husband Stanley in 1979; parents; a daughter, Marlene Hilger; three brothers, Vern, Ray and Merle Fate; and two sisters, Ann Novak and Alice Lisne.
Pallbearers were Stephen Leach, Douglas Leach, Todd Eberhardt and Thomas Hilger.
Jeanne M. Felix
Jeanne M. Felix, age 76, a resident of St. Paul, MN, and formerly of Little Falls, MN, died January 6, 1999, at St. Mary’s Nursing Home in St. Paul.
Mass of Christian Burial was held January 9 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls with Father Leroy Kremer officiating. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery in Little Falls.
Jeanne M. Felix was born on March 26, 1922, in St. Cloud, MN, to the late Joseph and Ludwina (Ohotta) Deppa. She grew up in St. Cloud and moved to Little Falls when in junior high. Jeanne graduated from Little Falls High School in the class of 1940. Following her graduation, she moved to Washington, DC, where she worked during World War II. She was united in marriage to Roderick P. Felix on June 16, 1946, at St. Adalbert’s Catholic Church in Little Falls by her uncle, Father Latislaus Ohotta. The couple made their home in Little Fallswhere they lived all their married life. Music, family and the outdoors were her joys in life.
Survivors include her sons, Alan Felix and wife Sara of Bemidji, MN,and Joseph Felix and wife Dianna of Clear Lake, MN; daughters, Deborah Berger and husband Tom of Nebraska City, NE and Diane Borgmann and husband Ron of St. Paul; brother,Jerome Deppa and wife Audrey of Arden Hills, MN; sisters, Corrine Sabean and husband Sumner of Little Falls and Ruth Thomas of Flagler Beach, FL; and eight grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Roderick P. Felix, parents, Joseph and Ludwina (Ohotta) Deppa; and a brother, Thomas Deppa.
