Truman Aakre, 76, formerly of SV
Truman Aakre, 76, of Mantorville Township, rural Kasson, died of complications of surgery Thursday, March 9, 2000, at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester where he had been a patient for five days.
He was born May 12, 1923, in Salem Township, Olmsted County, and grew up there. On Sept. 25, 1943, he married Irene S. Miller in Elgin. The couple lived in Rock Dell, Stewartville and Spring Valley before moving to rural Kasson in 1969. He worked in bulk petroleum sales and small engine repair. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church and enjoyed camping, fishing, traveling and playing cards.
Survivors include his wife; one son, David of rural Kasson; two daughters, Julianne (Steve) Cooper of Phoenix, Ariz., and Debra (Greg) Andrist of Rochester; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by a grandson, three brothers and a sister.
The funeral was Monday at St. John's Lutheran Church in Kasson with the Rev. Mark Johnson officiating. The body was donated to Mayo Clinic for medical research.
Dibble Funeral Home in Kasson was in charge of arrangements.
Memorials are suggested to St. John's Lutheran Church in Kasson or the American Heart Association.
Robert W. Aarsvold, 74, former M-C teacher
Robert W. Aarsvold, 74, of Chatfield, a retired school superintendent, died Monday morning, Feb. 28, 2000, at his home where he had resided 33 years.
He was born April 2, 1925, in Kasson. On July 22, 1956, he married Norma Alice Ness. He started a 35-year career in education as a music teacher in 1950 and after many years of successful teaching in the communities of Byron, Grand Meadow, Morristown, Welcome, Mabel-Canton and LeRoy, finished his teaching career as school superintendent in Chatfield for 18 years. Music and community service were an important part of his life, and after retiring he continued his participation in the Chatfield Brass Band and chauffeured for White Glove Limousine.
Survivors include his wife; three sons, Bruce of St. Peter, Minn., Peter of Madison, Wis., and Terry of Zumbrota; a daughter, Roberta Lentz of Spring Valley; seven grandchildren; three brothers, Wallace and Don, both of Kasson, and Milton of Baldwin, Wis. A brother preceded him in death.
Friends may call at the church from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and an hour before the service on Thursday.
The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Chatfield Lutheran Church in Chatfield with the Rev. Eric Finsand officiating. A graveside service will be conducted Thursday afternoon in South Zumbro Lutheran Church Cemetery in rural Kasson.
Riley Funeral Home in Chatfield was in charge of arrangements.
Anna Akemann, 80, mother of SV woman
Anna C. Akemann, 80, of Waseca died suddenly on Friday, Nov. 3, 2000, at her home in Waseca.
Anna Celestine was born March 18, 1920, in Freedom Township, Waseca County, to Louis and Katherine (Laux) Sendelbach. She graduated in 1941 from the School of Agriculture, University of Minnesota in St. Paul. She excelled in basketball during her high school years at the School of Agriculture. She was united in marriage to Wilbert H. Akemann on Oct. 16, 1941, at St. Casimir's Catholic Church in Wells, Minn. The couple farmed for 47 years near Matawan Township. Shortly before retirement, she was employed with Banquet Foods in Wells. After their retirement, they moved to Waseca in 1988. She had been an active volunteer both in her church and in her community. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca and the Catholic Daughters of America - Court Sacred Heart #1424. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post #228 in Waseca and the V. F. W. Auxiliary Post 1642 in Waseca. She had served as a leader for the Sunny Siders 4-H Club for many years, and was a member of Home Extension. She enjoyed time spent with her Golden Girl Friends in Waldorf. She was a past member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Waldorf where she was active and held office in the WCCW. She enjoyed gardening and cooking. She also enjoyed quilting for her family and donating her quilts to various charities.
She is survived by one son, Bernard (Rita) Akemann of Waterville; two daughters, Rita (Joseph) Bezdicek of Spring Valley and JoAnn Akemannchein of St. Paul; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one brother, Joseph (Ruth) Sendelbach of Wells; one sister-in-law, Alice Akemann of Naeve Nursing Home in Wells; and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbert, on Sept. 20, 2000; one brother-in-law, Marvin; and one niece, Mary.
Visitation will be held Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at McRaith Funeral Home in Waseca and will continue today (Wednesday), Nov. 8, for one hour prior to services at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca. There will be a 4:15 p.m. Catholic Daughter rosary Tuesday afternoon at the funeral home.
Mass of Christian burial will be today at 1 p.m. at the church with Fr. John Kunz officiating. Interment will be in the St. Joseph Community Cemetery in Waldorf.
McRaith Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements.
Wilbert Akemann, father of SV woman
Wilbert H. Akemann, 83, of Waseca, died on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2000, at the Lake Shore Inn Nursing Home in Waseca.
He was born June 12, 1917, in Freeborn County to Fred and Henrietta (Meyer) Akemann. He grew up in Walnut Lake Township in Fairbault County and attended school there. He served in World War II from May 1942 to May 1945 in the Medical Corps 300th General Hospital in Africa and Italy.
He married Anna Celestine Sendelbach on Oct. 16, 1941, at St. Casimir's Catholic Church in Wells, Minn. He farmed near Matawan in Waseca County before and after serving his country and retired after 47 years of farming. They moved to Waseca in 1988, where he was employed at the Senior Center. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 0288 in Waseca and was a longtime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1642 in Waseca and the 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus #2768 in Waseca.
He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Rita (Joseph) Bezdicek of Spring Valley and JoAnn Akemannchein of St. Paul; one son, Bernard (Rita) Akemann of Waterville, Minn.; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law, Joseph (Ruth) Sendelbach of Wells; and one sister-in-law, Alice Akemann, residing in the Naeve Nursing Home in Wells.
He was preceded in death by one brother, Marvin, and one niece, Mary.
Mass of Christian burial was Saturday at the Sacred Hearth Catholic Church in Waseca with the Rev. John Kunz officiating. Interment was in St. Joseph Community Cemetery in Waldorf.
McRaith Funeral Home in Waseca was in charge of arrangements.
Kenneth Alexander, 89, of Spring Valley
Kenneth Noble Alexander, 89, of Spring Valley, formerly of Preston, died Saturday, July 1, 2000, at the Ostrander Nursing Home.
Kenneth Noble Alexander was born May 7, 1911, near Waterloo, Iowa, the son of Clarence and Martha "Mattie" Sipe Alexander. When he was near the age of 7, the family moved to the Prairie Queen neighborhood and he attended schools in Fillmore County. He spent years helping his father and other farmers. When older he joined friends going west through the Dakotas to pick corn, as well as shearing sheep there and also near home in the Prairie Queen area.
On Aug. 17, 1937, he was united in marriage to Rebecca Grabau by Rev. George W. Kaslow at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. The couple lived and farmed in the Greenleafton area. He served on the Liberty school board and also on the rural telephone board. He took aviation lessons at Rochester Community College and received his private pilot's license at age 60. He was a member of the Fillmore County Flying Club. In 1974 he retired from farming and the couple moved to Preston. He immediately furnished a woodworking shop, making many unique walnut, oak, and chestnut pieces of furniture for his family. He and his wife traveled extensively through 13 European countries and also throughout the United States. They also spent 10 winters in Apache Junction, Ariz. He was an avid hunter, enjoyed fishing and his woodworking. He was an active member of the Root River Church of the Brethren, later transferring his membership to the Preston United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife; one daughter, Barbara (William) Storey of Nederland, Texas; one son, Klaren (Helen) of Atlanta, Ga.; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one sister, Darlene Moyer of Marion, Iowa; and one brother, Rufus (Geraldine) of Hutchinson, Minn.
He was preceded in death by one infant son, Lowell; two brothers, Dale and Donald; and one sister, Helen Alexander.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 5, at the Preston United Methodist church with the Revs. Anthony Fink and Marilyn Loken co-officiating. Burial was in Prairie Queen Cemetery in rural Preston.
Thauwald Funeral Home in Preston was in charge of arrangements.
Helen L. Allen, 87, formerly of Spring Valley
Helen L. Allen, 87, of Chatfield, died Friday, Nov. 24, 2000, at Stewartville Nursing Home after a short illness.
Helen Leora Horsman was born Dec. 28, 1912, in Spring Valley. Following her graduation from Spring Valley High School, she attended normal training in Chatfield for two years. In 1931, she married Charles R. Hanley at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Mr. Hanley died in 1953. On Nov. 28, 1959, she married Milo Allen in Las Vegas. Before Mr. Allen's death in 1980, they spent winters in Calfornia for 10 years. She was employed as a grade school teacher at Bernard School and was a homemaker and member of Chatfield United Methodist Church.
Survivors include a son, Charles (Rosie) Hanley of Chatfield; two daughters, Lilas McPherson and Marilyn Sperling, both of Ontario, Calif.; three stepsons, Mathew (Eileen) Allen and Wayne (Mary Ellen) Allen, both of Chatfield, and Robert (Aletha) Allen of Makinen, Minn.; four stepdaughters, Cora Winterboer of Brewster, Minn., Betty Jones of Des Moines, Iowa, Sharon (Florance) Worden of Chatfield and Ruth Allen of Spencer, Iowa; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; 34 step-grandchildren; 82 stepgreat-grandchildren; and 15 stepgreat-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husbands, three brothers, a sister, a stepson, two stepdaughters and a step-grandson.
The funeral for Helen L. Allen will be 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Chatfield United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dennis Cox-Townsend officiating. Burial will be in Chatfield Cemetery.
Friends may call from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and from 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday at Riley Funeral Home, and one hour before the service at the church Wednesday.
Irvin O. Allen, 86, of Mabel
Irvin O. Allen, 86, of Mabel died Friday, June 2, 2000 of a stroke at the Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital in Decorah, Iowa.
He was born Sept. 28, 1913, in rural Winneshiek County, Iowa. He grew up and attended school in the area and married Irma Randall on Sept. 28, l938, at the Locust, Iowa, parsonage. The couple farmed for six years before moving to Mabel and buying the Chevrolet and Allis Chalmers dealerships. He later ran the Rushford sales barn for two years and then for several years did trucking for Donald Johnson Livestock. He also worked as a carpenter for the Hagen Lumber Company in Mabel until his retirement. He was a member of the Mabel First Lutheran Church, Mabel Sportsman's Club and formerly the Mabel Fire Department, Lions Club and Mabel City Council. He enjoyed fishing and gardening and volunteered at the Steam Engine museum and grounds for many years.
Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Joyce (LuVerne) Raaen of Mabel and Jean Miller Noltee of Rochester; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two sisters, Esther Henningsgaard of Hemmet, Calif., and Doris Newgard of Mabel; and two brothers, Lester of rural Decorah and Vernon of rural Spring Grove. He was preceded in death by a daughter and a son.
The funeral was held on Tuesday at Mabel First Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Lloyd Menke officiating. Burial was in Hesper Lutheran Cemetery.
Mengis Funeral Home of Mabel was in charge of arrangements.
Lauren Amdahl, 85, once of Mabel
Lauren Amdahl, 85, of Charter House, Rochester, a retired education administrator, died Wednesday, May 31, 2000, in the health care center at Charter House.
He was born Oct. 8, 1914, at Tawney, located between Mabel and Rushford. He grew up in Mabel and attended Mabel schools. He attended Luther College in Decorah for a year, received a bachelor's degree from Winona State University in 1935, and later a master's from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. On June 10, 1939, he married Mary Jane Weisman in Winona. During his career in education administration, he worked in a number of Minnesota and California communities.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, Jim (Jan) of Chandler, Ariz., and Steve of Lake Oswego, Ore; two grandchildren and a brother, Geryl of Roseville, Minn.
A memorial service was held on Monday at St. John's Catholic Church. The body has been donated to the Mayo Foundation for medical research.
Infant Jacob Lyle Anderson of Lanesboro
Jacob Lyle Anderson, the infant son of Lori (Bearson) and Timothy Lee Anderson of Lanesboro died Saturday, April 22, 2000, shortly after his birth at Olmsted Community Hospital, Rochester.
In addition to his parents, survivors include two brothers, Chase and Nikolas at home; maternal grandparents, Dale and Vaughn Bearson of Lanesboro, paternal grandparents, Charles and Elaine Eidenschink of Peterson; and a maternal great-grandmother, Josephine Vandsverk of Lanesboro. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather and other great-grandparents.
A graveside service was held Monday, April 24, in the Rushford Lutheran Church cemetery.
Johnson-Riley Funeral Home in Lanesboro was in charge of arrangements.
Melvin O. Anderson, 95, father of SV man
Melvin O. Anderson, 95, died Thursday, May 4, 2000, at Mercy Hospital in Mason City, Iowa.
He was born Nov. 2, 1904, to Ole and Mary (Knutson) Anderson on the home farm in Barton Township, Worth County, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at Deer Creek Lutheran Church in rural Carpenter and was a lifelong member. He attended Carpenter School. He was united in marriage to Lurene Anderson on April 6, 1935 and they farmed in the North Iowa area until 1969 when they retired to Carpenter. He enjoyed fishing, going south for the winter in their camper and following the exploits of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a big man in stature who had an equally big heart. He was a good man. His philosophy for life was simple. Work hard. He will be missed very much by those who knew and loved him.
He is survived by one son, Kenneth (Annette) of Spring Valley, four grandchildren, Kristy (Curt) Weise of Apple Valley, Minn., Lori (Dean) Eickhoff of Spring Valley, Jeffrey (Jennifer) of Fullerton, Neb., and William (Tara) of Maple Grove, Minn., nine great-grandchildren; and one sister, Selma Beyer of Northwood, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, four brothers, Olaf, Leonard, Anton and Gilbert, and one sister, Olga.
The funeral was Saturday at Deer Creek Lutheran Church in Carpenter with the Rev. Kathy Larson officiating. Burial was in the Deer Creek Cemetery.
Schroeder and Sites Funeral Home in Northwood, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements.
Ruby E. Anderson, 85, formerly of Harmony
Ruby E. Anderson, 85, formerly of Harmony, died Wednesday, June 21, 2000, at the Evans Care Center in Cresco where she had resided since March.
Ruby Scrabeck was born Aug. 31, 1914, in Harmony Township, Fillmore County, to Tillman Scrabeck and Matilda (Lawsen) Scrabeck. She attended and graduated from Harmony High School and worked for the Mayo Clinic and also as a sales clerk in Rochester. She was united in marriage to Adolf Anderson on April 15, 1955.
Mrs. Anderson loved working with flowers and small animals, especially dogs. She enjoyed playing rummy and visiting with people and was very interested in keeping track of all the children within the family.
She is survived by a stepdaughter, Joan (Doug) Sherman of Irvin, Calif., a stepgrandson, Matthew (Rebecca) Sherman of Farmington Hills, Mich., and two stepgreat-grandchildren, Rachel and David. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and one brother, Tilford.
The funeral service was held Saturday at the LeRoy Evangelical Lutheran Church with the Rev. Thomas Kolden officiating. Burial was in the LeRoy Lutheran Cemetery.
Laura Armstrong, 75, of Harmony
Laura Armstrong, 75, of Harmony, formerly of Ridgeway, Iowa, died at Regional Health Services of Howard County following surgery on Oct. 22, 2000.
She was born Feb. 20, 1925, the daughter of Charles and Florence (Fuller) Cleghorn in New Oregon Township in Howard County, Iowa. She attended rural schools in Howard County. On Nov. 21, 1942, she was united in marriage to William Armstrong. He passed away in 1983. Laura enjoyed fishing, animals, horseback riding, reading western novels and doing puzzles.
Survivors include her son, Jerry (Elaine) of Preston, two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; four sisters, Louise Heibel of Harmony, Ethel Haugsted of New Hampton, Iowa, Jeanette Young of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Dorothy Beaman of Sand Springs, Okla., and a brother, Gene Cleghorn of Waseca.
She was preceded in death by her husband and two brothers, Charles and Donald Cleghorn.
A private family service of committal was held on Wednesday. Lindstrom Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Sue L. Arneson, 43, Spring Grove
Sue L. Arneson, 43, of Spring Grove, formerly of the Highlandville, Iowa, area died Sunday, May 21, 2000, at the Tweeten Health Services in Spring Grove following a 22-year fight with multiple sclerosis.
She was born Nov. 29, 1956, in LaCrosse, Wis., to Ephriam and Ladice (Chase) Christopherson. In 1975 she graduated from the North Winneshiek High School. On Dec. 14, 1974 she married Ross Arneson at the Hesper Lutheran Church in Hesper, Iowa. They lived and farmed in the Highlandville, Iowa, area. She worked in Decorah at Pamida, DECO, and APAL before having to become a resident at the Oneota Riverview Care Facility in Decorah because of her MS. She was there for three years before moving to the Tweeten Health Services in Spring Grove in April, 1999. She was a member of the Big Canoe Lutheran Church in rural Decorah, Iowa, and enjoyed farming, softball, horses and fishing.
She is survived by her husband, Ross; three daughters, Shannon (Mrs. Jason) Vickerman of Mabel, Amber Arneson of Waukon, Iowa, and Jessie Arneson of Highlandville; a son, Earl of Highlandville; four grandchildren, Taylor and Bailey Vickerman, Avery Arneson, and Kennedi Smith; her mother, Ladice of Pittsburgh, Pa.; and two brothers, LeRoy Christopherson of Orlando, Fla., and Wayne Christopherson of Pittsburgh, Pa. She was preceded in death by her father.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 25, at the Big Canoe Lutheran Church in rural Decorah, with the Rev. David Andreae officiating. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, May 24 at the Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel. The body has been cremated and there will be no reviewal.
Donna Arnold, 64, formerly of Prosper
Donna Evon Arnold, 64, of Rochester, died of cancer Thursday, Sept. 7, 2000, at Bear Creek Care and Rehabilitation Center in Rochester.
She was born Dec. 1, 1935, in Prosper, Fillmore County. On June 19, 1954, she married Ezra Arnold in Fountain. She did private housekeeping in Rochester, was a cashier and did day care at home. She also sold Watkins products. She lived in rural Eyota and Chatfield before moving to Rochester in 1990. She was a member of Faith United Methodist Church and enjoyed playing cards, garage sales and baking.
Survivors include two daughters, Peggy Arnold of Gulf Breeze, Fla., and Pam (Terry) Greenwaldt of Rochester; three sons, Raymond (Brenda), Curtis (Michelle) and Chad, all of Rochester; seven grandchildren; one sister, Marlene (Larry) Monroe of Eyota; and two brothers, LaVern (Lois Kay) Bacon of Peoria, Ariz., and Jerome (Donna) Bacon of Rochester. Her husband, one son, two brothers and a sister preceded her in death.
The funeral was held on Monday at Faith United Methodist Church in Eyota with the Rev. Mark Woodward officiating. Burial was in Watson Creek Cemetery in Preston.
Macken Funeral Home of Rochester was in charge of arrangements.
Neldon F. Aug, 81, native of Harmony
Neldon F. Aug, 81, of Rochester, died Saturday, Aug. 28, 1999, in Saint Marys Hospital of complications due to renal failure. He had been ill a short time.
He was born Aug. 29, 1917, in Harmony. He married Mary Whelan and she died in 1963. He then married Carmen Struve in 1965 in Rochester and she survives. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed sports.
Survivors include five sons, Terry Howe of Winter Park, Colo., Jim Aug of Rochester, Tom Howe of Eagan, Tom Aug of Zumbrota, and Dave Howe of Hayward, Wis.; one daughter, Barb (Mrs. Mike) Keefe of Shell Lake, Wis.; 14 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother and one sister.
A graveside service was held on Tuesday in Oakwood Cemetery, Rochester.
Ken Arlen Auna, 41, of Spring Grove
Ken Arlen Auna, age 41, of Spring Grove, died suddenly on April 5, 2000, at his home.
He was born April 4, 1959, on the family farm, Highland Township, Winneshiek County, Iowa, rural Spring Grove to Hartvig and Ardelis (Goodno) Auna. He was a lifelong Spring Grove area resident. He was a 1977 Spring Grove High School graduate.
In 1990 he married Judy Walters, but the couple later divorced.
He was presently employed at Northern Automotive in Spring Grove. He was a lifelong member of Waterloo Ridge Lutheran Church in rural Spring Grove.
Survivors include Arden (Sharon) of Spring Grove; Roger (Becky) of West Salem, Wis.; Dean (Mary) of Winona and Kim (Jeanine) also of Spring Grove; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and a nephew, Peter.
Memorial services were held at the Waterloo Ridge Church in rural Spring Grove with interment of the cremains to be in the church cemetery.
Roble Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
