Matthew Pelkey
Matthew Darren Pelkey, age 29, a former resident of Little Falls, MN, and resident of Duluth, MN, son of Diane Pelkey of Little Falls, died March 17, 1999, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield, WI.
Mass of Christian Burial was held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls with Father Leroy Kremer officiating. Burial was at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Cemetery.
Matthew was born on February 28, 1970, to Diane Pelkey in Minneapolis, MN. He graduated from Little Falls Community High School in 1988. Graduated with B.S. degree in Criminal Justice from St. Cloud State University in 1993, and graduated from Johnson Community College for Conductor training. Matthew worked at G’s Super Valu while in high school, at Frigidaire in St. Cloud, asa security guard at St. Cloud State University, and he was also a Corrections Officer at the Benton County Jail. His love of trains brought him to his present job as a conductor for the Wisconsin Central Railroad since August 1998. Matthew was the best son, brother, and friend. His sense of humor never ceased to bringa smile to faces. His strength and wisdom will forever be present in the hearts of everyone who loved him.
Survivors include his mother, Diane Pelkey of Little Falls; brother Shane Pelkey of Little Falls; sister Crystal Pelkey of Duluth; grandmother Anna Pelkey of Little Falls; aunts and uncles Gerald and Laurie Pelkey of Paynesville, MN, Audrey and Clarence Posch of Rice, MN, and Marilyn and Robert Brennan of Burnsville, MN; Godparents, Jeanette and Jim Ginterof Green Bay, WI and Robert and Marilyn Pelkey of Brooklyn Park, MN; and many cousins and 12 great-cousins.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather Wallace Pelkey and Aunt Rosyne Meyer.
Casketbearers were Gerald Pelkey, Robert Pelkey, Rob Pelkey, Jr., Gary Posch, Aaron Ginter, and Jeremy Ginter.
Eugene Skiba
Eugene Robert Skiba, age 43, died March 14, 1999, at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale, MN.
Funeral services were held on March 18 at the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Onamia, MN, with Father William McNiff officiating. Interment followed at the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Onamia. Music was provided by Mary Pat Sorvik and Sue Swanson.
Eugene Robert Skiba was born on January 9, 1956, in Great Lakes, IL, to Richard and Maxine (Sauer) Skiba. He moved with his family to Minnesota and graduated from Brainerd High School in 1974. He married Denise Picha on October 1, 1977, at the Holy Family Catholic Church near Bulldog Lake. They made their home in Onamia and Gene worked in the Twin Cities as a journeyman carpenter. He enjoyed spending time fishing and gardening. He was also a dedicated husband and father, a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Onamia and a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Survivors include his wife, Denise of Onamia; children, Scott, Vincent, Jennifer, Jeffrey and Rebecca; mother, Maxine Skiba of Pierz, MN; brothers, Richard, Jr. (Pam) Skiba of Hillman, MN, Robert (Kim) Skiba of Pierz and Jody Skiba of Pierz; sisters, Chris (Steve) Pomrenke of Royalton, MN, Rosie (Ted) Boser of Browerville, MN, Betsy (Del) Embree of Royalton and Carol Skiba of Brainerd, MN; mother and father-in-law, Norman and Jackie Picha of St. James, MN; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Richard, Sr., and his grandparents, Vincent and Alice Skiba and Alfred and Rose Sauer.
Casketbearers included Steve Picha, Norman Picha, Bob Schmolke, Bob Pete, Owen Haeg and Francis Croat.
Norman W. Seppelt
Norman W. Seppelt, age 63, a resident of Rice, MN, died March 2, 1999, at the Foley Nursing Home in Foley, MN.
Funeral services were held March 19 at Annunciation Catholic Church in Mayhew Lake, MN, with Father Francis Britz officiating. Interment was in the parish cemetery.
Norman William Seppelt was born on January 31, 1936, in Graham Township, Benton County, MN, to the late Peter and Clara (Kuschel) Seppelt. He grew up on the farm and attended country school in Graham Township. He farmed with his father and brother for most of his life. In 1985, he built a new house and semi-retired. He continued to help his brother on the farm in his retirement. He then quit farming to care for his mother. Norman enjoyed gardening and gun collecting.
Survivors include his brother, Roy Seppelt and wife, Wanda of Rice; nieces and nephews, Todd, Julie, Jon, Brent, Katie and Kirby Seppelt, all of Rice; and, aunts and uncles.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Clara Seppelt, and sister-in-law, Sharee Seppelt.
Pallbearers were Charles Novak, Richard Rudnitski, Jim Novak, Bill Greene, Greg Rausch and Todd Seppelt.
Robert Thomas
Robert Thomas, age 82, a resident of Hillman, MN, died at his residence on March 10, 1999.
Funeral services were held March 13 at the Lakeview Community Church in Hillman with Pastor David M. Gulden officiating. Burial was in the Lakeview Cemetery.
Robert was born on May 9, 1916, to John and Martha (Bartelt) Thomas in Iowa. His hobbies were fishing and hunting. He worked for many years for Farrell Construction, Dispatch Oven in Minneapolis, MN, and farmed at Hillman.
Survivors include his wife TillieThomas of Hillman; sons, Chester Robert Thomas and wife Ruth Anne of Osage, MN, and John Edward Thomas and wife Louise of Hillman; daughters, Donna Mae Olson of Brooklyn Park, MN, Sharon Alice Benson and husband Chuck of Onamia, MN, Betty June Strait and husband John of Hillman, and Vickie Lynn Sullivan and husband Douglas of Hillman; sisters, Carrie Strait of Little Falls, MN and Mildred Carlson of Little Falls; 15 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Martha Thomas; grandson, Kevin Thomas; and son-in-law, Lawrence Olson.
Casketbearers were Jeff Benson, Chet Thomas, Jr., Andy Olson, Bob Olson, Steve Thomas, Bill Thomas, Tim Strait, and Ryan Sullivan.
Honorary casketbearers were Scott Thomas, Patrick Sullivan and Chris Thomas.
Margaret Super
Margaret Super, age 84, a resident of Willmar, MN, died March 19, 1999, at the Rice Memorial Hospital.
Funeral services were heldMarch 23 at the Church of St. Mary with Father Brian Mandel officiating. Interment was at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN.
She was born on May 24, 1917, in Flensburg, MN, the daughter of Michael and Pauline Wojciechowski. She grew up and received her education in Flensburg. In 1937, she was married to Simon “Sam” Super and they made their home in the Little Falls and St. Cloud areas. In 1974, they moved to Willmar. Sam died in 1980. In September of 1987, she entered the Bethesda Heritage Center where she has lived since. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
Survivors include her children, Sandra and Art Hesse of Glenwood, MN, Carol Messelt of Willmar, and Ronald and Karen Super of Royalton, MN;five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; a sister, Josephine Hall of Winter Garden, FL, besides other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, three brothers and two sisters.
Michael Osberg
Michael Francis Osberg, age 20, a resident of Little Falls, MN, died as a result of a car accident at St. Gabriel’s Hospital in Little Falls on March 18, 1999.
Funeral services were March 20, 1999, at First Lutheran Church in Little Falls, with Pastor Dave Steffenson officiating. Burial was in the Gethsemane Lutheran Cemetery in Upsala, MN.
Michael was born on October 6, 1978, in St. Cloud, MN, to William and Zena (Vanikotis) Osberg. He lived in Little Falls, and graduated from Little Falls Community High School in June of 1997. Michael attended Brainerd Community College, and then transferred to St. Cloud State University in 1998. He loved boating, downhill skiing, water skiing, and his work. He was employed with the family business, “Bill’s Decorating and Contracting”. Michael was very active in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, and rose to the rank of “LIFE”. He made his “TEC” in March of 1996, and the family hopes you make yours soon.
Survivors include his parents, Bill and Zena Osberg of Little Falls; grandfather, William E. Osberg of Upsala; grandmother, Bee Osberg of Edina, MN; aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews; his dog “Gunnar” and many, many friends.
He was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Francis and Anna Johnson, and Bert and Laura Ramlo; and his grandparents, Minas and Kathryn Vanikiotis.
Casketbearers were Erik Osberg, Tracy Peterson, Andrew Francis, Minas Smitchger, Ryan Dobis, Jesse Oothoudt, Cory Dierkhising,and Kyle Johnson.
Honorary casketbearers were his classmates and Boy Scout Troop 51.
Memorials will be used to establish a scholarship in Michael’s name.
James Klisch
James R. Klisch, age 62, a resident of St. Paul, MN, formerly of Elmdale, MN, and Upsala, MN, died March 12, 1999.
Funeral services were held March 17 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in St. Paul. Interment was in Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
James was born June 10, 1936, in Bowlus, MN, to Edward and Theresa (Jendro) Klisch. He worked at St. Paul Plastics for 43 years.
Survivors include wife, Kathy; father, Edward Klisch of Bowlus; son and daughters, Al, Chris, Andrea Fox and Maggie of St. Paul; Marcie of Little Falls, MN; Patricia of Buffalo, MN; Cathy of Hamel, MN; Lois of Bowlus; Alice of Zimmerman, MN; Jane of Anoka, MN; Jean of New Brighton, MN; Karen of Holdingford, MN; Annie of Blaine, MN; and Mary of Shoreview, MN.
Severyn W. Jedlicki
Severyn W. Jedlicki, age 83, a resident of Foley, MN, died March 27, 1999, at St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, MN.
Funeral services were held March 30 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Foley, with Father Alfred Heltemes officiating. Burial was in the parish cemetery.
Severyn Jedlicki was born July 28, 1915, in Alberta Township, rural Benton County, MN, to Peter and Nettie (Chmielewski) Jedlicki. He married Alice StellmachNovember 27, 1940, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Morrill. He had farmed in the rural Foley area from 1940 to 1968. From 1968 until his retirement in 1977, he owned and operated Sev’s Resort on Lower Mission Lake in Merrifield, MN. The couple moved back to Foley in 1982. He was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Foley. He loved to fish and hunt.
Survivors include his wife, Alice of Foley; sons and daughters, Duane and Sherri of Spring Lake Park, MN, Eugene and Jackie of Mountain Home, AR, Darlene and Gordon Jurek of Foley, Lloyd and JoAnn of Rice, MN, Sharleen and Michael Hanson of Brainerd, MN; 12 grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren and one step-great-grandchild; sisters and brothers, Cecilia Tadych of Foley, Tracy Spiczka of Minneapolis, MN and Adam of Rice.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Helen Bielejski.
Florence Fleischhacker
Florence Marie Fleischhacker, age 77, a resident of Brainerd, MN, died March 28, 1999, at her granddaughter’s home in Ripley Township.
Mass of Christian Burial was held March 31 at St. Mathias Catholic Church with Father Paul Fruth officiating. Burial was in St. Mathias Cemetery.
Florence was born July 3, 1921, in Michigan to Vernon and Elizabeth (Falensckek) Baer. She was a member of St. Mathias Church and St. Andrews Church, the Christian Mothers, Foster Grandparents for 20 years and a volunteer for the senior center.
Survivors include her daughters, Elizabeth Sever of Tempe, AZ and Donna and Gerald Pint of Little Falls, MN; sons, LeRoy and Helga Fleischhacker of Brainerd and Donald and Barb Fleisch-hacker of Fort Ripley, MN; daughter-in-law, Margaret Fleischhack-er; 15 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; brother, Clarence Baer of Wisconsin; sisters, Rosemary Halbur and Dorothy Gay, both of Wisconsin; stepmother, Lilian Baer of Brainerd; half brother, Frank Baer and four half sisters, Carol Jean, Janet, JoAnn and Eleanor.
She was preceded in death by her husband George; son, James; parents; three brothers, Sonny, Raymond and Donald Baer; sister, Barbara Baer; grandson John Fleischhacker; great-grandsonJames Nuttbrock, Jr.; and, great-granddaughter, Darlene Nuttbrock.
Jeanette Davison
Jeanette I. Davison, age 66, a resident of Long Prairie, MN, died March 27, 1999, in the Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria, MN.
Funeral services were held March 30 in the Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Clarissa, MN, with Rev. Alden Backman officiating. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery in Long Prairie.
Jeanette was the daughter of Wesley and Mary (Brooks) Akin. She grew up in the Long Prairie area. After her marriage to Arthur Davison on May 5, 1956, in the Reynolds Baptist Church, rural Long Prairie, her husband served in the Air Force, and they lived in Duluth, Panama City, FL, and Austin TX. Retiring in 1972, they moved to the family farm, Reynolds Township, rural Long Prairie.She enjoyed traveling, and during that time collected spoons and cups. She also enjoyed flower gardening, fishing, and her family. She was a member of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Clarissa, and the Church Ladies Circle.
Survivors include her husband, Arthur; two daughters and spouses, Laura Ann (Jeffery) Merrill, Swanville, MN; and, Cynthia Jean (Craig) Cox, Germany; and six grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Honorary pallbearers were Anita Littlejohn, Melissa and Kimberly Lyon, Cory and Rebecca Merrill; and the casketbearers were Norman and Charles Larson, Bill Pentz, Dale Merrill, Jason Lyon and Eugene Reed.
