Vicki Leahann Johnson , 48, was unexpectedly called home by God Thursday, March 16, 2006.
Vicki Leahann Johnson was born on September 10,1957 in El Paso, Texas. The daughter of the late Ernest Frank Kasprick and LaVerne Agnes (LaFave) Wilson. Vicki was raised and educated in Grand Forks, North Dakota. She attended Crestwood and Winship elementary schools, Valley Jr. High and Central High School. After graduating from highschool, Vicki married her high school sweetheart, Robert Gordon Kirchoffner. During their marriage, she became a mother of 2 boys, Scott Robert and Bryce Gordon. Being a mom was Vicki’s greatest accomplishment. She always made them her first priority and spoke proudly of her sons in daily conversation. She was excited about their sons interest in sports and the accomplishments they made throughout the years. Vicki attended all the events to support their sons to encourage them to continue, as she will continue to support them through her spirit. Vicki will always keep with her the fond memories she has of her life and sons, as they will always keep the fond memories of their mother with them. After 12 years of marriage, Rob & Vicki parted ways.
On June 13, 1998 she was united in marriage to Ricky Rae Johnson at United Lutheran Church in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Blessed be the memory of Vicki Leah Ann Johnson.
Through the years Vicki worked at Gambles-Robertson, Target, Valley Eldercare, provided "in- home day care", Hugo’s and at the time of her death was employed by Tahar Café.
Vicki had identified one of the best days of her life as the day she married Rick. She believed God brought them together and was eternally thankful for the gift of her husband. She was extremely excited they could be so compatible and share so many interests. She beamed when her husband surprised her with tokens of love and made special time for her. She repeatedly, verbally stated, none had ever taken better care of her than Rick and she deeply adored him. She appreciated how he made time for romantic moments and looked forward to spending every evening with the love of her life.
Vicki was very proud of having volunteered as a candy striper at St. Michael’s hospital as a teenager. She loved watching her children grow and wanted the best for them at any cost of self-sacrifice. She was a confidant to her sisters and held a deep bond with them throughout her life. She enjoyed spending time with family, making her husband laugh, scrap booking, crocheting, embroidery, shopping and reading. She met with her sisters for weekend scrap booking sessions at which they would reminisce and share feelings, thoughts, and dreams. She traveled with her sisters for a girl’s weekend in November to a Minneapolis hotel and spa, enjoying a relaxing, pampered weekend, as a birthday gift, and looked forward to another girls’ weekend in the Spring. She loved to visit over afternoon coffee and dessert, a traditional meeting learned early in life from her paternal grandmother.
During her employment through the years, Vicki was fortunate to work with her mother, for a time. This forged a stronger bond between them as they shared advice, especially about child rearing, and plans for the future. Vicki enjoyed her mother’s company as she learned new crafts from her and improved on acquired ones.
Vicki will be deeply missed by her loving husband, Ricky Johnson of Grand Forks, sons: Scott and Bryce Kirchoffner of Grand Forks, stepchildren: Jadie, Chris, and Ryan (Alison) ,Johnson and one grandchild, Haley Johnson of Grand Forks, mother, LaVerne Wilson of Grand Forks, sisters: Jilene (Kerry) Dudgeon of East Grand Forks, Kristine (John) Riskey of Minto, Michele (Joseph) Kerlin of New Richmond, Wisconsin, Jenifer (Denny) Wynne of Grand Forks, thirty-one nieces and nephews and many aunts and uncles.
Vicki joins her father, Ernest Frank Kasprick; sister, Jolene Kristine Kasprick and her maternal and paternal grandparents in the eternal, glorious heaven of God.
Memorial Services: 2:30 P.M. Tuesday, March 21, 2006 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Visitation: Monday from 5-7 PM with a 6:30 P.M. prayer service at the Stennes Funeral Home, East Grand Forks, Minnesota.
Mass of Christian Burial: 1:00 PM on Wednesday ~ March 29, 2006 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in East Grand Forks, MN
Visitation: 5:00 to 7:30 PM with a 7:30 PM Prayer Service on Tuesday ~ March 28, 2006 in Stennes Funeral Home ~ East Grand Forks, MN
Wm. Gordon “Jiggs” Smart, 80, East Grand Forks, Minnesota died Friday, March 24, 2006 at the Mahnomen Health Center, Mahnomen, Minnesota.
Gordon Smart was born on August 15, 1925 in East Grand Forks, Minnesota to Gordon and Elizabeth (Cardinal) Smart. He attended Lincoln and Sacred Heart Schools in East Grand Forks, Minnesota. Gordon joined the United States Marines in 1943 and served in the South Pacific on Okinawa. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and returned to East Grand Forks. He worked at Valley Implement under the G.I. Bill than worked for Allis Chalmers for 19 years. On September 3, 1947 he was united in marriage to Marybeth Davey in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Gordon’s hobbies were woodworking, trains, decorating for Christmas and gardening in which he loved his roses. In Gordon’s younger days he wanted to do something for the young boys on the point, so he asked Cliff (Fido) Purper if he could have the old uniforms, the boys went on to win the Minnesota State Pee Wee Hockey Tournament
He is also survived by his wife Marybeth of 59 years and to this union they had 6 children; Penny (Craig) Chatterton of Puyallup, Washington, Roger (Roni) Smart of Fargo, North Dakota, Pam (Jim) Murek of West Fargo, North Dakota, Scott (Cheryl) Smart of East Grand Forks, Minnesota, Gary smart of West Fargo, North Dakota, Shelie (Scott) Boushey of East Grand Forks, Minnesota, 13 grandchildren; Angie, Kristie, Jamie, Mike, Steve, Dominic, Kelly, Carrie, Matt, Kim, Stacy, Samantha, Shawn, and one sister–in–law; Ruth (Chinky) Smart.
Gordon is preceded in death by his parents and 5 brothers; Kenneth, Ardell (Chinky), Robert, Clifford, Arnold and mother in law; Doreen Baakkonen
Mass of Christian Burial: 1:00 PM on Wednesday ~ March 29, 2006 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in East Grand Forks, MN
Visitation: 5:00 to 7:30 PM with a 7:30 PM Prayer Service on Tuesday ~ March 28, 2006 in Stennes Funeral Home ~ East Grand Forks, MN
Interment:Calvary Cemetery ~ Grand Forks, ND
Military Honors by the East Grand Forks American Legion 157 and VFW 3817.
Katherine Coulter
Funeral Mass: 10:00 Am Wednesday ~ March 29, 2006 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, GF, ND.
Visitation: 5 to 7 PM on Tuesday at the Church with a prayer service at 7:00 PM in St. Michael’s Catholic Church.
Katherine J. Coulter, 87 of East Grand Forks, Minnesota, died Sunday, March 26, 2006 at her home.
Kay was born on November 25, 1918 in Devils Lake, North Dakota the daughter of John and Christina (Walior) Kuntz. As a young child she came to the Grand Forks area. She was united in marriage to Richard G. Coulter on August 30, 1940. Kay’s first love was her family, She was an exceptional cook, baker and seamstress, known for her homemade soups and bread. Kay touched many lives and will be dearly missed.
She is survived by her children; Judi (Bob) Schmidt of Fridley, Minnesota, Rick (Cathy) Coulter of East Grand Forks, Minnesota, Marge (Jim) Erickson of Moorhead, Minnesota, Mary (Ron) Dinga of Plymouth, Minnesota, and Don Coulter of Grand Forks, North Dakota, 14 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, sisters; Louise Sando of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, Agnes Bleth of Grand Forks, North Dakota, brothers; John Kuntz of Colorado, Joe and Ron Kuntz both of Grand Forks, North Dakota and many nieces and nephews.
Kay is preceded in death by her husband on July 31, 1981, parents, six brothers; Pete Cass, Wendelin, James, Ray, Eddy and 3 grandchildren.
The family of Katherine would like to recognize and give a very special thanks to the wonderful staff at the Good Samaritan Assisted Living Center and the Red River Valley Hospice. Katherine’s family requests that memorials be sent to the “Good Samaritan Assisted Living Center” at 2230 River Road N.W. ~ East Grand Forks, Minnesota, 56721.
Services: 10:00 AM ~ Wednesday ~ March 29, 2006 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church ~ Grand Forks, ND
Visitation: 5:00 to 7:00 PM ~ with a 7:00 PM Prayer Service on Tuesday ~ March 28, 2006 all at St. Michael’s Catholic Church ~ Grand Forks, ND
Burial: Calvary Cemetery ~ Grand Forks, ND
Services: A memorial service will be held at St. Marks Lutheran Church in Grand Forks on Friday, March 31st at 2 p.m. Cremation will follow.
Irene L. Allen, age 98, of East Grand Forks MN died on Friday, March 24, 2006 at Valley Eldercare Center in Grand Forks where she had resided since June 2005. Irene Louise Allen was born on October 9, 1907 to Charles and Olga Johnson in East Grand Forks MN. She attended school and graduated High School in East Grand Forks. Irene married Orrin L. Allen on October 8, 1927 in Crookston, MN. The couple managed the Valley Ho Trailer Court in Grand Forks for many years. Orrin died on July 2, 1968 and Irene continued to manage the Valley Ho until she retired in 1981 and moved to Town Square Apartments in East Grand Forks. She was also a member and officer of the Rebekkahs and was active for many years in the VFW Auxiliary in East Grand Forks. Irene also was very active in her faith as a long standing member of St. Marks Lutheran Church in Grand Forks and was active in the Ladies Circle. She was a loving Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother and was extremely proud of her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Irene enjoyed her family very much and was always ready for family events whether it was picnics in Sherlock Park, potlucks, or holiday gatherings. She loved family vacations and spent many summers at the lakes in Minnesota or traveling to Washington and Missouri to visit with her family. Irene loved to catch a good fish, enjoyed knitting, and baking, especially birthday cakes. But most of all, she was an avid letter writer to family in far distance places, never forgetting a birthday or special event. Left to cherish her memory are, her daughters: Dorothy (Jack) VanCamp of Renton, WA, Arlene (Dan) Willcocks of Renton, WA, and Judy (Keith) Moore of Kimberling City MO; 16 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, and 7 great great grandchildren; three sisters: Laverne St. Lawrence, Elaine Anderson both of East Grand Forks, MN, Maxine Moen of Renton, WA; and many nieces and nephews. Irene was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Orrin; one daughter Bette Solarski; two brothers: Harold Johnson, Robert Johnson; two sisters: Evelyn Menge, Florence Swisher.
Services: A memorial service will be held at St. Marks Lutheran Church in Grand Forks on Friday, March 31st at 2 p.m. Cremation will follow.
Funeral Service: 11:00 AM ~ Saturday ~ April 1, 2006 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church ~ 1515 5th Ave. N.W. ~ East Grand Forks, Minnesota
Visitation: One Hour prior services in Our Savior’s Lutheran Church
Agnes V. Wick, 87, of East Grand Forks, Minnesota, passed away on Monday, March 27, 2006 at the Valley Eldercare Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Agnes V. Wick was born on June 8, 1918 in Harvey, North Dakota, the daughter of Severin and Clara (Vigen) Hovland. Agnes grew up on a farm near Heimdal, North Dakota, and attended rural school there. She attended High School in Fessenden, North Dakota. On October 19, 1941 she was united in marriage to Laural V. Wick. They lived in many towns in North Dakota, and also lived in Bremerton, Washington. They moved to East Grand Forks, Minnesota, where she then went to work for Griffiths Department Store and Sweet Clover Dairy in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and then began employment at the East Grand Forks School District #595 from 1972 until her retirement in 1987. Agnes was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in East Grand Forks, Minnesota, and the Sons Of Norway.
Agnes is preceded in death by her husband Laural on October 31, 1978, sister; Cora Hovland, Muriel Krueger and Ethel Fossen, and brothers; Sanster, Ernest, Norris and Elmer Hovland.
Funeral Service:11:00 AM ~ Saturday ~ April 1, 2006 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church ~ 1515 5th Ave. N.W. ~ East Grand Forks, Minnesota
Visitation: One Hour prior services in Our Savior’s Lutheran Church
Burial: Resurrection Cemetery ~ East Grand Forks, MN
Funeral Service: 4:00 PM ~ Sunday ~ April 2, 2006 in Mendenhall Presbyterian Church ~ East Grand Forks, MN
Visitation: One Hour Prior funeral service in Mendenhall Presbyterian Church
