Julian M. DeGroodt, 84, Spring Valley
Julian M. DeGroodt, 84, of Spring Valley, died Friday, April 3, 1998, at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester. He had been ill for about two years following a stroke.
Mr. DeGroodt was born June 26, 1913, in Spring Valley, where he lived his entire life. He never married. He worked as a farm laborer and for Ed Derby, Carson's Grocery and Ruud Sanitation. He was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church.
He is survived by a brother, Lawrence DeGroodt of Rochester and two sisters, Myrtle (Mrs. William) Simonson of Spring Valley and Ella (Mrs. Wayne) Webb of Hemet, Calif. He was preceded in death by a sister and three brothers.
The funeral was Monday at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Spring Valley with the Rev. Marlene Pankonin officiating. Burial was in Spring Valley Cemetery.
Hindt-Hutchins Funeral Home in Spring Valley was in charge of arrangements.
John V. (Jack) Dempsey, Grand Meadow
John V. (Jack) Dempsey, 85, of Grand Meadow died of natural causes after a short illness on Saturday, April 11, 1998, at Our Lady of the Angels Nursing Home, Cannon Falls, Minn.
He was born March 13, 1913, in Waverly, Iowa, to John and Alice (Buroker) Dempsey. On June 22, 1939 he married Gladys M. Peterson. Mr. Dempsey retired in 1974 after 24 years as a radiology assistant with Mayo Clinic, Rochester. Gladys Dempsey was a teacher. John and Gladys spent the winters of their early retirement in Mission, Texas.
Survivors include two daughters, Ruth Marie (Thomas H.) Egan of South St. Paul, Minn., and Leah Jane Wichmann of Zumbrota, Minn.; a son, Ronald (Jan) Dempsey of Clear Lake, Iowa,; three grandsons, Brian John Wichmann, Aaron Carl (Randi) Wichmann, and Raymond Vincent (Gunnar) Egan, a sister-in-law, Verna Dempsey, and one great grandson. He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, brothers, seven sisters and a son-in-law, David Wichmann.
Funeral services were held Tuesday at Bear Creek Lutheran Church, rural Grand Meadow with Pastor Wayne Vogt and Pastor Allen Peterson officiating. Burial was at Bear Creek Lutheran Cemetery in Grand Meadow.
Schleicher Funeral Homes in Plainview were in charge of arrangements.
D. DesMarais, husband of former SV woman
Delroy M. DesMarais, 73, of Mesa, Ariz., husband of a former Spring Valley woman, died recently at his home.
He married Shirley Schwinefus on June 7, 1952, at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Spring Valley. She died May 7, 1988.
Survivors include four daughters, six grandchildren, four sisters and a brother. A brother preceded him in death.
A memorial service was held Thursday at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Prior Lake, Minn. Burial in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis will be private.
Ballard-Busse Funeral Home in Prior Lake was in charge of arrangements.
Roscoe DeYoung, 78, father of SV man
Roscoe DeYoung, 78, of Stewartville, died from complications of diabetes on Thursday, Sept. 3, 1998, at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester. He had been ill since April.
He was born May 14, 1920, in Cedar, Iowa, and grew up on the family farm in New Sharon, Iowa. he graduated from high school in Lacy, Iowa. During World War II, he served in the U. S. Army Air Corp overseas and in Africa and the China, Burma theaters. On Sept. 14, 1941, he married Dorothy Fleshner at her home in rural Stewartville. She is a farm homemaker. In 1948 the couple started farming on the family farm in Pleasant Grove Township. He farmed until his illness. He was a member of Stewartville United Methodist Church and Pleasant Grove Masonic Lodge.
Survivors include his wife; one son, Wayne of Spring Valley; two daughters, Diane (Mrs. William) Nichols of Rochester, and Cheryl DeYoung of St. Paul, Minn.; seven grandchildren; two brothers, Stanley of New Sharon, and Wallace J. of Seattle; two sisters, Bonnie (Mrs. Bert) Frutchey of Owego, N. Y., and Betty McLandsborough of New Sharon. Three brothers and one sister preceded him in death.
The funeral was Saturday at Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville with the Rev. Jef Olson officiating. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery in Stewartville. There was a military graveside service by Stewartville American Legion and VFW units.
L. Donney, 75, mother of Harmony man
Laura Mae Donney, 75, of Rochester, a retired nurse, died Monday, Jan. 5, 1998, at Saint Marys Hospital. She had been ill for the past year.
Laura Mae Strub was born Oct. 25, 1922, in Minneapolis, graduated from Roosevelt High School there and received a degree in nursing from the University of Minnesota in 1945. From 1945 to 1948 she was a first lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps. Mrs. Donney had lived in Rochester since moving here in 1948 to work as a public health nurse. She retired from nursing in 1984. On Aug. 27, 1949, she married Clifford F. Donney in Minneapolis. Her husband worked at Marigold Foods. He died March 25, 1977.
Survivors include four sons, Cmdr. Charles F. of Naples, Italy, Joseph W. of New York, Jerome R. of Rochester and Steven V. of Harmony; four daughters, Mary E. (Mrs. Robert) Johnson of Rochester, Susan A. (Mrs. Randy) Meyers of Morristown, Minn., Virginia K. Donney of Carbondale, Ill., and Linda M. Donney of Minneapolis; nine grandchildren and a sister, Mary Louise (Mrs. David) Moberg of Minneapolis. A sister preceded her in death.
A Mass of Christian burial was Friday at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with the Rev. Dale Tupper officiating. Burial was in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapollis.
Macken Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Memorials are suggested to Child Reach of Holy Spirit Catholic Church.
Lloyd E. Drake, 71, formerly of GM
Lloyd Eugene Drake, 71, of Brownsdale, a retired carpenter, died Saturday, July 18, 1998, at Field Crest Nursing Home in Hayfield.
Born Oct. 30, 1926, in Stewartville, he grew up in Grand Meadow, attended Grand Meadow Lutheran Church as a child and graduated from Austin High School. During World War II he served in the Navy Seabees. On Feb. 15, 1948, he married Mamie V. Taylor in Grand Meadow and they lived in Colorado for two years before moving to Brownsdale in 1953. Mr. Drake was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church and the Brownsdale Volunteer Fire Department, and was a volunteer Red Cross instructor.
Survivors include his wife; a son, Jim of Austin; a daughter, Linda Drake of Rochester; two grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and a sister, Shirley Drake of Austin. Two brothers preceded him in death.
The funeral will be Wednesday at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Brownsdale with the Rev. James Richter officiating. Burial in Greenwood Cemetery in Brownsdale with military graveside rites by Hayfield American Legion Post 330.
Vernon-Czaplewski Funeral Home in Brownsdale is in charge of arrangements.
Pearl Jeanette Durhman, formerly of GM
Pearl Jeanette Durhman, 92, a resident of Lewiston Villa Nursing Home in Lewiston for the past two years, formerly of Grand Meadow, died Tuesday, Sept. 22, 1998, at the nursing home.
Pearl Jeanette Cameron was born Aug. 26, 1907, in Duluth, graduated from Dunbar High School and received a teaching certificate in Duluth. On March 4, 1929, she married Albert "Pat" Durhman in Pleasant Valley. They farmed and raised Black Angus near Grand Meadow and later owned and operated Durhman Hardware Store in Grand Meadow for 15 years. In addition, she taught in Elkton, Dexter, Grand Meadow and Stewartville schools and was a school librarian. She was a member of the Retired Teachers Association of Minnesota, Grand Meadow Tuesday Study Club and a past matron of the former Mecca Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. A member of Grand Meadow Lutheran Church for more than 60 years, she sang in the choir, taught Sunday school and led Bible study sessions.
Survivors include three sons, Raymond of Zumbrota, Neil of Prescott, Wis., and Paul of LaCrosse, Wis.; a daughter, Mary Sue (Mrs. Bob) Simonson of Rhame, N.D.; 13 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; two sons; and a sister.
The funeral was Saturday at Grand Meadow Lutheran Church with the Rev. Wayne Vogt officiating. Burial in Woodlawn Cemetery in Stewartville.
Hutchins Funeral Home in Grand Meadow was in charge of arrangements.
Hazel Eastlick, 90, formerly of Bennington Twp.
Hazel Eastlick, 90, of Rochester, a longtime Saint Marys Hospital employee, died Tuesday, Oct. 13, 1998, at Samaritan Bethany Home on Eighth, where she had resided since 1976.
Hazel Larson was born June 14, 1908, in Bennington Township, Mower County, attended area country schools and Grand Meadow School and then worked in housekeeping at Saint Marys Hospital until her marriage. On Sept. 5, 1927, she married Kenneth Alton Eastlick in Kasson and they made their home in Kalispell, Mont. After her husband’s death in 1931 she moved to Rochester and returned to Saint Marys, where she was employed in housekeeping for many years.
Survivors include a daughter; Kathleen (Mrs. Lyle) Manley of Tucson, Ariz.; six grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren, and a sister, Olga Wright of Byron. She was preceded in death by a son; a daughter; a grandson; two sisters; and two brothers.
The funeral was Monday at Vine Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Linda Helberg of Bethel Lutheran Church officiating. Burial was in Bennington Cemetery in Mower County.
Gladys Ione Eddy, 85, GM native
Gladys Ione Eddy, 85, a homemaker formerly of Stewartville and Racine, died Sunday, Jan. 18, 1998, at Meadow Manor Nursing Home in Grand Meadow where she had resided five years.
Gladys Ione Crane was born Oct. 10, 1912, in Grand Meadow, grew up on the family farm and graduated from Grand Meadow High School. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in home economics and taught for a year before her marriage. On Dec. 19, 1936, she married Maurice Eddy in Charles City, Iowa, and they lived in Montevideo and Renville, Minn., before moving to Racine in 1956. They moved to Stewartville in 1961. Her husband was a heavy equipment operator for Leon Joyce Construction Co. of Rochester. He died in 1979. Mrs. Eddy lived in Apache Junction, Ariz., from 1980 until returning to Minnesota in 1992. She was a member of Stewartville United Methodist Church.
Survivors include four sons, Eldon of St. Paul, Earl of Clancy, Mont., Eugene of Inver Grove Heights, Minn., and Kenneth of Rochester; a daughter, Ruth (Mrs. Jeff) Schroeder of Vancouver, Wash.; 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Ralph Crane of Racine, Wesley Crane of Tulsa, Okla., and Donald Crane of Round Lake, Ill.; and two sisters, Florence Howard of Huntington Beach, Fla., and Dorothy Beltz of Palmdale, Calif. A grandson preceded her in death.
There will be a memorial service at 11 a.m. today (Wednesday) at the United Methodist Church in Stewartville with the Rev. Jack Haddorff officiating. Burial will be in Frankford Cemetery in rural Spring Valley.
Friends may call an hour before the service Wednesday at the church.
Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville is in charge of arrangements.
Byron Egge, 87, of rural Lanesboro
Byron Egge, 87, of rural Lanesboro, a retired farmer, died Thursday, Feb. 12, 1998, at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester after a lengthy illness.
He was born July 29, 1910, in Burr Oak, Iowa. On Nov. 6, 1943, he married Juliette Barber in Lanesboro. Mr. Egge lived in the Lanesboro area most of his life. During the Depression he was a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Survivors include his wife; three sons, Duane of Winona, and Darrell and Dale, both of Lanesboro; three daughters, Barbara (Russell) Felsch of Minnesota City, Joan (Michael) Hoffman of Mahtomedi, Minn., and Jean (Donald) Brink of Lanesboro; 12 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Mildred Johnson of Lanesboro and Celsie Martin of Prairie du Chien, Wis. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, an infant grandson, an infant sister and brother.
The funeral was Monday at Bethlehem Lutheran in Lanesboro, with the Rev. Kerry Eversole officiating. Spring burial will be in the Lanesboro Cemetery.
Johnson-Riley Funeral Home in Lanesboro was in charge of arrangements.
Kevin Jon Ehmke, 40, brother of SV woman
Kevin Jon Ehmke, 40, of Waltham, a professional truck driver, died of a heart attack Sunday morning, March 22, 1998, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Born June 18, 1957, in Austin, he graduated from Hayfield High School in 1976 and lived in the Waltham area all his life. On Aug. 27, 1983, he married Nancey Deyo at St. Michael's Lutheran Church in rural Waltham. Mr. Ehmke was a lifelong member of St. Michael's Lutheran Church and a member of the Austin Eagles Club.
Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Heather Bronson of Waltham; a son, Kevin Bronson of Waltham; two brothers, Leonard and Bradley, both of Waltham; and four sisters, Elaine (Mrs. Ronald) Quill of Austin, Beverly (Mrs. John) Remker of Spring Valley, Bonnie (Mrs. Larry) Sumner of Waltham and Donna (Mrs. Donald) Senjem of Hayfield. His parents preceded him in death.
The funeral was Wednesday at St. Michael's Lutheran Church in rural Waltham, with the Rev. Erma Wolf officiating. Burial in the church cemetery.
Vernon-Czaplewski Funeral Home in Hayfield was in charge of arrangements.
Alvina Eickhoff, 91, formerly of Wykoff
Alvina Eickhoff, 91, formerly of Wykoff, died Tuesday, July 14, 1998, at the Meadow Manor Nursing Home in Grand Meadow.
Alvina Stender was born October 24, 1906, in Fillmore County, the daughter of George and Wilhelmina (Minnie) Theiss Stender. She attended country school in Fillmore County. On Sept. 24, 1929, she was united in marriage to Armin Eickhoff in Wykoff. The couple farmed in Fillmore Township for a time and then farmed two farms in the Spring Valley area before returning to the Wykoff area in 1938. In 1965 they retired to Wykoff. Mr. Eickhoff died on Aug. 26, 1990.
She was a lifelong member of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, an active member of the ladies aid and served as treasurer for many years. She enjoyed reading and crocheting.
She is survived by two sons, Norman (Ruth) of Wykoff and Wayne (Brenda) of Chatfield; one daughter, Lois (Mrs. LeRoy) Duxbury of Wykoff; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by one brother and one sister.
The funeral was Friday at the St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wykoff with the Rev. Karl Hollibaugh officiating. Burial was in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery in Wykoff.
Thauwald Funeral Home in Wykoff was in charge of arrangements.
A. Maria Ekern, 88, of Spring Grove
A. Maria Ekern, 88, of Spring Grove, died July 7, 1998, at her home.
She was born Jan. 21, 1910, in Spring Grove to John and Regina (Blegen) Kjome. She married Angus Ekern on Aug. 2, 1933, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove. He died April 5, 1971. Mrs. Ekern was a life-long resident of Spring Grove. She graduated from Spring Grove High School and attended normal teachers training in Spring Grove. She worked as a teachers assistant in Spring Grove Public Schools and taught in many rural schools in the Spring Grove area. She also worked at Mansfield Industries and Fladagers Clothing Store. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and its women's organization.
Survivors are four daughters, Anita (Sam) Dahlquist of Waterville, Ma., Helen (Paul) Solum of Spring Grove, Linda (David) Rosaaen of Hamel, Minn., and Nola (Larry) Nackerud of Athens, Ga.; ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; two brothers, Olaf (Marie) Kjome of Spring Grove and Ralph (Beatrice) of Red Wing, Minn.; two sisters, Elizabeth Ellingson and Helen (Carl) Muller, both of Spring Grove; and one sister-in-law, Lu Becker of LaCrosse, Wis. In addition to her husband, Angus, she was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Diane, one brother, Nels Kjome and one sister, Rosetta Doely.
Funeral services were held Sunday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove with the Rev. Jim Arends officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Roble Funeral Home in Spring Grove was in charge of arrangements.
Earl H. Ellenberg, 81, formerly of SV
Earl Ellenberg, 81, of Lake City died Sunday, Nov. 22, 1998, at the Lake City Hospital in Lake City, Minn. He was born March 4, 1917, in Sumner Township, Fillmore County, to Henry and Lila (Utzinger) Ellenberg. He graduated from Spring Valley High School in 1934. On June 15, 1938, he married Bernice King in rural Spring Valley. After they were married they farmed in the Spring Valley area until retiring in 1973 and moving to Lake City.
He was a member of the Sumner Center United Methodist Church before moving to Lake City, where he was a Sunday School teacher and served on many church boards. He was an active Farm Bureau member and served on the Spring Valley school board for many years.
In Lake City he was a member of the Lake City United Methodist Church and its men's organizations and also served on various church boards.
He was active with the Lake City refugee committee for 14 years. He was well known for volunteering and his service to others. His favorite pastime was fishing and he loved flowers and gardening.
He is survived by his wife, two sons, Kenneth (Barbara) of Sanibel Island, Fla., Dr. David (Shirley) West of St. Paul; two daughters, Janet (Paul) Arndt of St. Petersburg, Fla. and Gladys (Anthony) Jones of North St. Paul, Minn.; five grandchildren; three sisters, Beulah Anderson of Chatfield, Minn., Phyllis (Don) Popp Hutchinson, Minn.; and Elaine (Roger) Webb of Spring Valley. His parents preceded him in death.
A memorial service was held Saturday, Nov. 28 at the United Methodist Church in Lake City with the Rev. Paul Stambaugh officiating. Burial was in the Sumner Cemetery in rural Spring Valley.
Mahn Family Funeral Home-Anderson-Peterson Chapel in Lake City was in charge of arrangements.
Bruce B. Elliott, 58, Spring Valley
Bruce B. Elliott, 58, of rural Spring Valley, a retired IBM employee, died Saturday, June 20, 1998, at Rochester Methodist Hospital.
He was born Jan. 12, 1940, in Taopi and served in the Air Force from 1959 to 1963. On March 29, 1959, he married Betty Walden at Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester. His wife works at the Spring Valley Post Office. Mr. Elliott was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Ostrander and served as church treasurer.
Survivors also include three sons, Bruce of Rochester, Brian of Ostrander and Brad of Stewartville; a daughter, Beth (Mrs. Dennis) Langreck of Cresco, Iowa; two grandchildren; a sister, Dixie Matteson of Des Moines, Iowa, and a brother, Burley of Austin. A sister and a brother preceded him in death.
The funeral was Tuesday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ostrander with the Rev. Norm Bauer officiating. Burial was in Bloomfield Cemetery.
Hutchins Funeral Home in LeRoy was in charge of arrangements.
Reuben Emerson, 94, formerly of Wykoff
Reuben Tevine Emerson, 94, of Augustana Home in Minneapolis, formerly of Rochester and Wykoff, died Sunday, May 31, 1998.
He was born Feb. 5, 1904, in Meeker County, Minn. He was the former owner and manager of Wykoff Lumber and Implement. His wife, the former Marie E. Anderson, died Feb. 7, 1997.
Survivors include two sons, Douglas and Robert; a daughter, Marianne (Mrs. Paul) Fligge; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Mabel Nelson, Joyce (Mrs. Ernest) Fernelius and Frances Raddatz. He was preceded in death by a grandchild, a great-grandchild and two sisters.
The funeral was Saturday in the Augustana Home Chapel in Minneapolis. Burial was in Holden Lutheran Church Cemetery in Kenyon.
Bradshaw Funeral and Cremation Services in Minneapolis was in charge of arrangements.
Memorials are suggested to Augustana Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.
Helen Engrav, 77, of Mabel
Helen Engrav, 77, of Mabel died Monday, June 29, 1998, at the Lutheran Hospital in LaCrosse, Wis.
She was born on Oct. 12, 1920, in Starbuck, Minn., to Adolph and Matilda (Norby) Olson. She grew up and attended school in Preble Township, Fillmore County, Minn. On April 6, 1941, she married Clarence Engrav in Decorah, Iowa. They farmed for a year near Bratsburg, Minn., until moving to Newburg Township, Fillmore County, in 1942. They farmed until 1975 when they moved into Mabel. She was a member of the Mabel First Lutheran Church and its WELCA and the Garden Club. She enjoyed flower gardening, crocheting, quilting and reading. She donated several afghans to the church bazaars and cancer telethon.
She is survived by her husband; two daughters, Gloria (Mrs. Chuck) Erp of Waterloo, Iowa, and Jody Engrav of Caledonia; three sons, Dick (Nancy) of Mabel, Steve (Sharon) of Spring Grove, Minn., and Russell of Houston, Texas; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two sisters Alatha (Irwin) Wehinger of Phoenix, Ariz., and Irene (Mrs. James) Given of Verona, Wis.; and two brothers, Curtis of Mabel, and Wesley of St. Paul, Minn. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Caroline Grudt and a brother, Gordon Olson.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, July 3, 1998, at the Mabel First Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Lloyd Menke officiating. Burial in the Mabel Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, at the Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel and one hour prior to services at the church.
Floren C. Erdman, 93, Wykoff native
Floren C. Erdman, 93, of Rochester, formerly a partner in Erdman's grocery store in Kasson and owner of the Hollywood Bar, died Tuesday, Jan. 6, 1998, at his home.
He was born March 11, 1904, in Wykoff, and married Bernice Broitzman there on Sept. 19, 1923. His wife died in 1985. He began working at a Spring Valley grocery store when he was 19 and later moved to Kasson to work at Erdman's, his father's grocery store. Mr. Erdman later became a partner in the business and for 11 years before his retirement owned the Hollywood Bar in Rochester. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and enjoyed fishing and hunting.
Survivors include a sister, Verna Erdman Boyum of Stewartville; a brother, Earl of Rochester; and special friend, Romie Olson of Rochester. A brother preceded him in death.
The funeral was Friday at Trinity Lutheran Church with the Rev. Martin Mueller officiating. Burial in Oakwood Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church.
Ranfranz Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Lorna L. Erichsen, 64, mother of SV man
Lorna L. Erichsen, 64, of Kasson, a retired nursing assistant, died Saturday, Jan. 17, 1998, at her home.
Lorna L. Ringkob was born July 23, 1933, in Jackson, Minn., grew up there and graduated from Jackson High School in 1951. She married Ervin J. Erichsen on Nov. 15, 1953, in Jackson. They lived in Rochester from 1959 until moving to Kasson in 1971. Mrs. Erichsen was a nursing assistant in surgery at Rochester Methodist Hospital for 17 years before her retirement in 1978. She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church.
Survivors include her husband; two sons, Brad of Spring Valley and Barry of Kasson; one daughter, Brenda (Mrs. Ken) Becker of Rochester; eight grandchildren; and her mother, Ella E. Ringkob of Kasson. She was preceded in death by her father and one brother.
The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. John's Lutheran Church in Kasson with the Rev. Larry Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Rochester.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today (Wednesday) at the Dibble Funeral Home in Kasson and one hour prior to the service Thursday at the church.
Memorials are suggested to the St. John's Lutheran Church Building Fund or the American Cancer Society.
