Rosanne M. Peschel, age 65 of Minneapolis, formerly of Melrose and Grey Eagle, died Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2016 at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minn.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Grey Eagle with Rev. Ron Dockendorf officiating. Inurnment was in the parish cemetery.

Visitation was held from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church in Grey Eagle. 

Rosanne Mary Peschel was born Sept. 2, 1951 in Sauk Centre to Robert and Hazel (Harris) Peschel. She graduated from Melrose High School and then earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in costume design at the University of Minnesota.  Rosanne was a longtime resident of Minneapolis.  She enjoyed nature and always had a friendly greeting for everyone she met.

Survivors include her brothers and sister,
Steven (Katie) Peschel of Victoria; Marilyn (James) Bigalke of Hudson, Wis.; and David (Carla) Peschel of St. Cloud; and several nieces and nephews.

Rosanne was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Hazel Peschel; and brother, Lynn Peschel.   

Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Grey Eagle.      B51-1B

Mundwiler Funeral Home announces the death of Margaret (Peg) Iverson, age 84 of Big Stone City who died Dec. 15, 2016, at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D.  

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, Dec. 22 at 11 a.m. at St. Charles Catholic Church in Big Stone City.  Padre David Garza will officiate and burial will be in the St. Charles Cemetery. Visitation will be at the church on Wednesday, Dec. 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. with a prayer vigil at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Thursday, one hour prior to the Mass. Honor guard will be provided by the Big Stone Legion Auxiliary. 

Margaret Johanna
Tieman was born April 18, 1932, to Henry and Margaret (Zirbes) Tieman in Melrose. She attended St. Boniface Parochial School for eight years and left high school during her junior year to work at Our Lady of Mercy Hospital in Alexandria.

Peg was united in marriage with Leslie (Les) Iverson on May 12, 1950.  They managed the Brandon Restaurant for three years in Brandon with Les’ parents.  

Following the death of her father-in-law in 1952, the family moved back to Alexandria in 1953. In 1962 the family moved to Canby with eight children.  After six months in Canby the family moved to Milbank, S.D. and lived there three years.  While in Milbank, Peg taught the Canadian Air Force Calisthenics exercise program two days a week at St. Lawrence School and also sold Tri-Chem paint products.

In May of 1964 the family purchased a home in Big Stone City, S.D.  They lived in their “historical house” until May 2010. Peg and Les operated an upholstery business in their home for many years. They padded all the kneelers for St. Charles Church – which remain to this day. After the children were a bit older, Peg worked for Chuck Tobin preparing advertising and press plates at Midland Atlas & Valley Shopper.

Peg had lifetime friends in AA and Alanon and worked for Anathon Treatment Centers in Ortonville and the detox center in Graceville. Peg also organized and hosted co-dependent retreats at Blue Cloud Abbey for over 40 years.

Peg and Les owned Iverson’s Insurance and after the office was moved downtown, she worked as the file clerk and receptionist.  They sold their business to Stolpman Insurance on Dec. 31, 2009.

Peg loved and enjoyed her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Her favorite hobbies and past times were golfing, playing cards, cross word puzzles, knitting, crocheting, crafts, feeding the birds and BINGO. She was a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary and a charter member of the Big Stone City Horizons Committee.  She was very proud of their accomplishments.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Joan (Don) Reiffenberger of Big Stone City, S.D.; Betty (Mel) Reinke of Ortonville; Tom (Barb) Iverson of Big Stone City, S.D.; Mark Iverson of Hitterdahl; David (Char) Iverson of Baltic, S.D.; Teri (Anthony) Spors of Big Stone City, S.D.; son-in-law, John (Pauline) Hicks of Milbank, S.D.; 16 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; sister, Carole Anderson of Melrose; brother, Leo Tieman of Menomonee, Wis.;  and sisters-in-law: Dee Olson of New Brighten; and Eva Tieman of Rochester.  

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her son, Robert; her daughter, Debra Hicks; her daughter-in-law, Laura; her brothers: Ralph, Anthony, Earl, Roy, and Robert; her sisters: Etta Bueckers, Esther Habbstritt and Celeste Pieper.

Mundwiler Funeral Home of Milbank is in charge of the arrangements for Peg Iverson. To send an electronic condolence visit www.mundwilerfuneralhome.net.                       B51-1B

Peter F. Terres, age 91 of Melrose, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016 at the St. Cloud Hospital.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 19 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Meire Grove with Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating. Interment was at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Melrose following the lunch.

Visitation was from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday and from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Melrose Knights of Columbus, Catholic United Financial and the Melrose Lions Club prayed at 6 p.m., followed by parish prayers at 7 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home.

Peter Frank Terres was born Sept. 28, 1925 in St. Martin Township to Frank and Harriet (Shay) Terres. He was united in marriage to Dorine Rieland on Aug. 24, 1948 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich. Peter worked at Munson Feed Co. Inc. as a salesman for 19 years and in 1967, he purchased Munson Feed Co. Inc. He also owned and operated Quality Turkey Inc. and Melrose Turkey Farm. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, bird watching, listening to country and Christian music, and most of all, spending time with his family.

Peter was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church where he was a eucharistic minister for many years. He was a member of Knights of Columbus Council #1633, Catholic United Financial, Melrose Lions Club, and the Melrose Chamber of Commerce.

Survivors include his children, Connie (Dennis) Loecken of Dent;
Sharon (Roger) Schiffler of Aitkin; Joan (Jim)
Schlenner of St. Cloud; Lori (Mike) Baltes of Bloomington; Cindy (Robert) Scepaniak of Holdingford; Pete
(Susan) Terres Jr. of Melrose; and Mike Terres of Melrose; 19 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Peter was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Dorine Terres on May 24, 2013; and sister, Leonora Muske.

Serving as casket bearers were Russell Loecken, Ryan Loecken, Kyle Schiffler, David Baltes, Samuel Baltes, Paul Baltes, Robert
Scepaniak II, Adam Scepaniak and Joshua Terres. Honorary bearers were Sara Schiffler, Pamela Shaver,
Jennifer O’Connell, Melissa Maloney,
Rachel Mcnellis, Jenna Terres, Elizabeth Blomker and Jacquelin Blomker. Cross bearer was Landon Terres and scripture bearer was
Holly Terres. Gift bearers were Holly Terres and Jenna Terres.

Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Melrose.    

B51-1B

Eliseo and Dora Lastra of Melrose are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Samara Elisa Lastra. 

Samara was born on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2016 at 4:48 a.m. at CentraCare Health-Melrose Hospital. She weighed 9 pounds, 1 ounce and measured 21 1/2 inches long. 

Welcoming home Samara is big brother, Elijah, 3. 

Grandparents are Fermin and Maria Martinez of Sauk Centre and Pedro and Maria Lastra of Oceanside, Calif.

Lucille A. Hollenkamp, age 85, of Melrose, died Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016, surrounded by her family at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minn.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Grey Eagle with Rev. Ron Dockendorf officiating. Interment was in the parish cemetery.

 Visitation was from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose and from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church in Grey Eagle. Christian Mothers prayed at 5 p.m. Monday evening at the funeral home.

 Lucille Agnes Doege was born March 6, 1931 in West Union to Leo and Abby
(Lindemann) Doege.  On June 15, 1954, she married LuVerne
Hollenkamp at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Grey Eagle. After their marriage, the couple resided in Milroy then in St. Cloud, and since June of 1955, they farmed in Melrose Township, Stearns County. Lucille was a homemaker all her life raising their three children. She was a woman of prayer who loved to take and give away photographs. She also loved to read and make newspaper article scrapbooks.

 Lucille was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Grey Eagle and the Christian Mothers.

Survivors include her husband, LuVerne
Hollenkamp of Melrose; children, Eugene
(Theresa) Hollenkamp of Sauk Rapids and Joyce (Robert) Hens of Melrose; 12 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren; sisters and brother,
Margaret (Joe) Pachan of Long Prairie, Doris Johnson of Long Prairie, Mary Ann (Edwin)
Retka of Browerville, and Joe Doege (LaChelle) of Clearwater.

 Lucille was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Janet “Cookie” Hollen-Weaver on Sept. 21, 2008; grandson, Christopher Hollenkamp; sister, Evelyn Drayna; and infant sister, Cecelia Doege.

 Serving as casket bearers were Jason
Hollenkamp, John Hens, Adam Haaf, Thomas Hens, Mary Lachermeier, Amanda Tschida,
Stephanie Hens,
Jessica Andresen,
Cynthia Adams and Sara Haaf. Cross bearer was Angela Klasen and scripture bearer was Jolene Theis. Honorary bearers were the Christian Mothers.

 In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

 Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Melrose.

Urban H. “Urb”
Toenies, age 96 of Freeport, died Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016 at the Mother of Mercy Campus of Care in Albany, Minn.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in St. Rosa with Rev. Dan Walz officiating. Interment was in the parish cemetery.

Friends called from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church in St. Rosa. 

Urban Henry
Toenies was born Nov. 1, 1920 in Millwood Township, Stearns County to
Gerhard and
Wilhelmina (Steinke) Toenies. He farmed the Century Toenies Farm in Millwood Towship, Stearns County all his life. His family celebrated his 96th birthday in November on the farm, and a few days later, he mowed his lawn. His enjoyment was mowing his lawn, driving around the farm in his Polaris Ranger, watching cowboy movies, playing 500 and pull tabs. He also enjoyed visiting with family and friends and going out to eat.

Urb was a member of Holy Name Society and Crosier Apostolate.

Survivors include his sisters, Mary Gerads of Albany and Leona
Silbernick of Little Falls; sister-in-law, Veronica Toenies of Albany; and many nieces and nephews.

Urban was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Norbert and August Toenies; and sisters, Theckla
Scherping, Clara Klaphake,  Angeline Klasen, and Adella Klasen.

Serving as casket bearers were Tom Klaphake, Mark
Scherping, Gary Klasen, Denise Thrasher, Leon Toenies and Brian
Silbernick. Cross bearer was Diane Scepaniak and scripture bearer was Jerry Klasen. Eucharistic Minister was Shirley Worms.  Reader was
Jerry Klasen and gift bearers were Ken Klaphake and Vern Klasen.

Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Melrose.

age 90 of Melrose, died Thursday, Jan. 5, 2017 at the CentraCare Health Nursing Home in Melrose, Minn.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 9 at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose with Rev. Marvin
Enneking officiating. Inurnment was in St. Mary’s Cemetery with military honors by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

Visitation was held from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.   

Alcuin Joseph
Gangl was born March 19, 1926 in St. Francis to Michael and Hilda (Eiynck)
Gangl. He served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in October of 1944. On June 20, 1951 he was united in marriage to Lorraine
Vogel at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Melrose.  Al worked as a machinist at American Hoist in St. Paul and for Flour City in Minneapolis for 30 years before retiring. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose, American Legion Post 101, lifetime member of the International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers Lodge #459, and was a generous blood donor. Al enjoyed fishing and hunting, and doing yardwork, especially getting rid of the dandelions. Al was also known for being the community window cleaner in Melrose. 

Survivors include his loving wife of 65 years, Lorraine Gangl of Melrose; children, Joleen (Mark) Schindeldecker of St. Paul Park, Ron
(Sandi) Gangl of Buffalo, Shari Gangl (Russ
Carlson) of St. Paul, and Amy Proell of Mounds View; seven grandchildren, John, Shannon, Mary Beth, Rebecca, Dan, Russell, and Kayla; seven great-grandchildren, Anthony, Deseree, Aaron, David Jr., Brooke, Emma, Meta and Lilian; brother, Elmer Gangl of Melrose; and sisters, Marti (Roger) Doetkott of Melrose, Ida Finken of Melrose and Luella (Jim) Noren of St. Paul.

Al was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Sally, Dan, Don, Melvin, Issy, Hannah, Herman, Angie, Fron and Loretta. 

Serving as urn bearer was Ron Gangl. Cross bearer was Marti
Doetkott and scripture bearer was Drew
Templeton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. 

Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Melrose.

Barbara E. Igers, age 80 of Melrose, died Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017, at the CentraCare Health Nursing Home in Melrose, Minn. 

 A Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, Jan. 17, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Meire Grove with Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating and Rev.
Mitchell Bechtold and Ken
Thielman concelebrating. Interment was in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Melrose following the lunch.

Barbara was born April 23, 1936, in St. Cloud. She was the second of four children born to John and Florence (Eberhardt) Igers. She attended St. Boniface grade school and Melrose High School. After high school, she helped her father in his drug store and her mother at home. After the death of her mother in 1961, she continued to care for the house for her father. After his death in 1971, she lived in her home until she needed to move due to health reasons.

 Barbara was a volunteer at St. Mary’s School for over 50 years working mainly in the library. She found this an enjoyable and fulfilling activity. She was a member St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose singing with the choir for 50 years. She was also a member of the Women’s Catholic Order of Foresters. Barbara was a great “puzzler” who could spend hours working on jigsaw puzzles. She always kept a small garden and was dedicated to feeding wild birds. She enjoyed visiting with friends in the area and writing letters to family and friends. Her favorite television program was “Jeopardy” which she watched regularly. Barbara lived in the same house for almost 80 years. 

The people of Melrose were most kind and helpful to her for many years making a difficult life easier for her. The family is grateful.

 Survivors include her brother, Jack (Irene)
Igers of Wausau, Wis. and sister, Mary (Gary) Arndt of Laporte, Minn.

 Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; and sister, Sister Jane
Igers, O.S.B.

 Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Melrose.

Madeline E. “Helen” Blommel, age 96 of St. Rosa, died peacefully on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017, surrounded by her family, at the CentraCare Health Nursing Home in Melrose, Minn. 

 A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in St. Rosa with Rev. Eberhard Schefers officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

 Madeline Elizabeth Blommel was born July 28, 1920 in Millwood Township, Stearns County, to Fred and Bertha (Herzog) Dickhaus. She married Aloys Blommel on Sept.  4, 1940, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Melrose. They farmed in St. Rosa for 40 years then moved to town. In 1990 they moved to Melrose. Helen was a resident of Pine Haven in Melrose since 2011. She enjoyed quilting, crocheting, cooking, cake decorating, playing cards and watching the MN Twins.

 Helen was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Christian Mothers/Women, Catholic United Financial and the Schanhaar-Otte VFW Post 7050 Auxiliary.

 Survivors include her children, Arnold
“Arnie” (Mary Jane) Blommel of Freeport,
Leroy (Marilynn) Blommel of Birch Lake, Herb (Cindy) Blommel of Andover, Mary (Gordy) Kuznia of Lake Crystal, Ann (Bud) Heidgerken of Freeport, Dan
(Phyllis) Blommel of Avon, Joan (Mike)
Ellering of Melrose, Jim (Denise) Blommel of Sartell, Bill (Yvonne) Blommel of Willmar, Ken (Val) Blommel of Montevideo, and Lisa (Dale) Austing of St. Rosa; 35 grandchildren and 55 great-grandchildren; sisters, Monica Ahrens, Corine (Jim) Shay, and Karen (John) Callahan; and sisters-in-law, Betty Dickhaus and Rosie Dickhaus.  

 She was preceded in death by her husband, Aloys Blommel on Oct. 20, 2002; parents; sons, Gerald, David and Patrick Blommel; brothers, Henry, Vernon and Alquin Dickhaus; sisters, Marie Hinnenkamp, Alma Frieler and Irene Poepping; and sister-in-law, LuAnn Dickhaus.

 Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Melrose.

Sylvester Bernard Uphus died peacefully in his sleep Sunday morning, January 1, 2017. He celebrated his 89th birthday three days before that on Dec. 29 in characteristic style with a speech delivered by himself and a dinner for 30 attendees to follow. Hospitality was always a high value for him.

 A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 5 at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. Visitation was from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. Parish prayers were at 5 p.m. Wednesday evening at the church.

Sylvester was born to Herman and Helen
Uphus on Dec. 29, 1927 in Grove Township. He was a WWII veteran, having enlisted at age 18 in the U.S. Navy. He served two years on USS Bremerton and was honorably discharged Dec. 22, 1947.  He was proud of his military service and made many military friends during and after his service. After his military service, Sylvester completed the ag school program at St. John’s in Collegeville.  He was a lifelong active member of Knights of Columbus, VFW and American Legion.

Sylvester married Rose Goerdt on Oct. 16, 1951 at St. Paul’s Parish in Sauk Centre. He and Rose became the proud parents of 12 children, eight girls and four boys.

For about forty years Sylvester farmed north of Padua. He was always forward looking and hard-working and farming was a rewarding success for him. 

 In 1982, Sylvester was elected to the MN House of Representatives. He was re-elected in each of his subsequent campaigns, serving for a total of 10 years. He was popular among both constituents and legislators, often working across the political aisle to complete the work of government in a no-nonsense, common sense way.

 After his legislative years, for nearly 10 years, Sylvester worked with Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance (VOCA) as an agricultural consultant. This work began with an assignment in Latvia, one of the Baltic countries, then only very recently liberated from more than a half century of USSR communist domination.  He completed other VOCA assignments in former soviet satellites, Armenia and Georgia. Sylvester also organized medicine and clothing drives for the Latvian people. He made many long term friends in his work with VOCA, both personally and professionally. He was a traveler, most often with an assignment or a purpose. In prior and ensuing years, Sylvester’s travels took him to Russia, China, Africa, South America, Central America and other locations.

 Sylvester’s family was the pride of his life.  He was most happy to be asked for, and to provide, help or assistance whenever possible. He was generous with his time and talents. Sylvester left surviving his loving wife of 65 years, Rose, all twelve of his children, Deborah (Kevin) Boynton, David, Thomas (Donna), Sharon (Ken) Benson, Karen (Michael) Stack, Mark (Barbara), Mary Saxton, Peggy (Mark) Raitor, Cynthia (Arthur) Pearson, Joseph (Kate), Kathryn and Andrea, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and by his brother, Norbert, and sisters, MaryAnn Olmschenk, Marlene Klingel and Katie Nelson.  Sylvester was preceded in death by his parents,
Herman and Helen, his brothers, Laverne and Herbert, and his sister, Rosalyn Comeau.

 Memorials are preferred to Holy Family School, VFW and CentraCare Hospice in Sauk Centre.  

Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Sauk Centre. 

Bertha T. Haskamp, age 92, of Sauk Centre, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017 at St. Benedict’s Senior Community in St. Cloud, Minn. 

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 19 at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Fr. Sudhansu Kumar, O.S.B. and Deacon Ernie Kociemba officiating. Interment was in the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Melrose.

Visitation was from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre and from 10 to 11 a.m. at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church. Parish prayers were held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home.

Bertha Theresa
Kunstleben was born to Joseph and Margaret (Bucholz) Kunstleben on July 2, 1924 in Roscoe.  On Sept. 14, 1944, Bertha was united in marriage to Raymond Gerhard Haskamp in St. Boniface Catholic Church in Melrose. Ray and Bertha lived in Sauk Centre and raised their family of four children there. She was a very hard working woman and mother. Working first at Mickey’s Market, Bohlig Cleaners, the Jack and Jill store and in the Sauk Centre Public School laundry. In 1974, they moved to St. Cloud to work at St. Cloud Terrace Apartment complex as the manager caretaker of the property, retiring in 1988. She then moved back to Melrose and eventually returning to Sauk Centre where she enjoyed living at Riverview Manor. 

Bertha can be remembered for the hundreds and hundreds of stocking caps she knit on her loom, crafting and creating projects with plastic canvas, playing cards, doing puzzles, find-a-word searches and spending time with her family.

She was a member of Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre.

Bertha will be deeply missed by her children, Roger Haskamp of St.Cloud, twins – Ron (Jan) Haskamp of Melrose and Rita (Dave) Cokely of Sauk Centre and Rick (Diane) Haskamp of Sauk Centre; 9 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; one great great grandson; and one sister, Theresa Ertl of Holdingford.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond G. Haskamp on Feb. 25, 1993; parents, Joseph and Margaret Kunstleben; daughter-in-law, Pauline Haskamp; granddaughter, Tina
Haskamp; great grandson, Connor Dirkes; brother, Henry
Kunstleben; sisters, Alvina Barthel, Rose Wensmann, twins – Monica Olmscheid and Veronica Kamphke, Martha Kunstleben and Matilda Moonen.

Serving as casket bearers were Jeff
Haskamp, Broc
Haskamp, Jay Haskamp, Charles Burgess, Todd Burgess, and Cale
Burgess. Cross bearer will be Lacey Cote, scripture bearer was
Alyson Dirkes and Jana Haskamp will be a picture bearer. Mark
Haskamp was the lector for the Mass. Lacey, Alyson and Jana brought up the communion gifts during Mass.

Arrangements made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Sauk Centre.       

Marie A. Welz, age 97 of Melrose, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017 at the Quiet Oaks Hospice House in St. Augusta, Minn.

 A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 20 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Meire Grove with Rev. Marvin
Enneking officiating and Rev. Ken Thielman concelebrating. Interment was at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Melrose.

 Visitation was held from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Friday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. The Christian Mothers, Saints Bernard and Elizabeth Council, Catholic Order of Foresters and the VFW Auxiliary prayed at 6 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 7 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.

 Marie Agnes
Moening was born March 7, 1919 in Melrose to John and Agnes (Renneker) Moening. She was united in marriage to Ted Welz on July 9, 1942 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Melrose. The couple owned and operated Welz Grocery from 1946 through 1974. Marie then began working for the Melrose Public School working in the kitchen from 1974 until her retirement in 1994.

 She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Christian Mothers, Saints Bernard and Elizabeth Council, Women’s Catholic Order of Foresters and a charter member and life member of Schanhaar-Otte VFW Post 7050 Auxiliary, where she received the Outstanding Hospital Volunteer Award in 2012. In her early years, Marie loved dancing.  Most recently, she volunteered at the CentraCare Health Nursing Home in Melrose and Meals on Wheels. She also enjoyed playing cards, going to high school musicals and most of all, loved the visits from all of her family.

 Survivors include her children, Joann (Mike) Werner of Waconia, Carol Ann (Bob) Brus
 of Surprise, Ariz.,
Sandy Chew of St. Joseph, Betty (Roger) Hennen of Rogers, Bob (Linda) Welz of Melrose, Bill (Laurie) Welz of Delano, Jim (Deb) Welz of Melrose and Dan (Sandy) Welz of Sartell; 19 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Edna
Hedine of Walla Walla, Wash.

Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Ted Welz in 1978; parents; brothers, George, Fred, Henry, Herman, Ben, Ted and Tony
Moening; and infant brother, Boniface; and sister, Elizabeth Williams.

 Serving as casket bearers were Dustin Welz, Adam Welz, Cory Welz, Wendy Welz, Jeff Brus, Jennifer Buckley, Shauna Frohrip and Chris Hennen. Cross bearer was Alex Haider and scripture bearer was David Brus.

 In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Park View Foundation, St. Mary’s Cemetery Fund or Quiet Oaks Hospice House.

 Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Melrose.    

Mary Monroe, age 58, of Los Angeles, Calif., journeyed peacefully in her sleep to a better place on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017, where there is no pain and suffering, at peace with the Lord, where her younger brother, Theodore, will be waiting with open arms.

Mary was born on Sept. 19, 1958, to
Aloysius and Maureen (Heinen) Luetmer from Meire Grove, Minn.

A writer and poet since childhood, Mary spent most of her life as a journalist, writer and editor. Her poetry appeared in the LA Times and she performed her work at venues in LA. She wrote a poetry collection, Dreaming of Los Angeles in the Rain, and was working on another.

Mary lived with her husband, Rod, in a lovely and magical home in LA, where many memories were made. They relished visits from family and friends and it was always special to spend some time at “Mary and Rod’s.”

Mary is survived by her loving husband,
Rodney Danielson, parents, Al and
Maureen Luetmer of Melrose; siblings, Rose Ann Pawlenty of Monticello, Robert (Amy)
Luetmer of Big Lake,
Martin (Linda) Luetmer of Belle Plaine, Anthony (Sheri) Luetmer of Meire Grove,  Patricia Rose
Luetmer of San Diego, Calif., and Lois Marie
Luetmer of Los Angeles, Calif; nieces and nephews, Joe Pawlenty (Kahri), Maggie Pawlenty (Bobby), Julia
Danielson, Nick
Luetmer (Marie), Tony
Luetmer, Vincent
Luetmer, Josie Luetmer,
Isabella Luetmer,
Emmett Luetmer, Zak
Luetmer, Makiya Luetmer,
Alexandra Luetmer, Mandy (Brad) Carlson, Kellen and Camden,
Anthony (Rachel) O’Brien, Logan and
Everett.

Mary was preceded in death by her brother, Theodore Joseph
Luetmer; grandparents,
Joseph and Marie
(Nietfeld) Luetmer and
Hubert and Rosalia (Nentl)
Heinen.

Memorial services will be held at a later date in Los Angeles.

Rest in peace, dear Mary. We all miss you so much!! 

Michael M. “Mick” Ebnet, 76, of Melrose, Minn. and Davenport, FL, passed away on Jan. 20, 2017, from esophageal cancer.

Celebrations of his life took place on Tuesday, Jan. 24 in Winter Haven, FL,  and will take place on Saturday, Jan.  28, in Albany, Minn. A private burial will take place at the Little Falls Military Cemetery.  

Mick grew up  in Albany and  graduated from Albany High School. After high school he served his country in the Air Force.

Mick was married to Marie Backes on Dec. 27, 1962. They had two daughters, Karen Stauber of Chaska  and Kathy who died in 1985.

Mick worked as an electrician in Albany until he took over the family grocery store and meat market where he worked until he retired in 1989. 

He enjoyed time at his home on Big Birch Lake in Melrose where he loved to fish, sail and talk smart.  He was also actively involved in the Albany Fire Department where he served for 10 years as Fire Chief.

Mickey is survived by his daughter Karen
Stauber, her husband Tom and their children Anna, Ted, Tony and Abe. Also his sisters Rita Gasperlin, Pat (Bud) Moening, Jane (Dan) Mullin and Eileen (Earl) Herzog and his brother Paul (Roxanne) Ebnet and many nieces and nephews.

Mick is preceded in death by his wife Marie, daughter Kathy, mother Margaret and father
LeRoy.

Please send any memorials to the Ebnet Scholarship Fund at
Albany High School.

Please join us for a celebration of Mick’s life on Jan. 28 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Shady’s Bar and Grill in Albany. 

Marie R. Marthaler, age 95 of Meire Grove, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017 at the CentraCare Health Hospital in Melrose.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 28 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Meire Grove with Rev. Marvin
Enneking officiating and Rev. Ken Thielman concelebrating. Interment was in the parish cemetery.

 Visitation was held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church in Meire Grove. The St. Mary’s Society and Poor Soul’s Society prayed at 6 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 7 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home.

   Marie Rosina Schneider was born Nov. 15, 1921 in Meire Grove to John and Bernadine (Kerkering) Schneider. Marie attended Country School and completed through the eighth grade. She was united in marriage to Gilbert
Marthaler on Sept. 10, 1946 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Meire Grove.  Gilbert and Marie made their home on a farm north of Meire Grove for 32 years, where she was a homemaker who enjoyed gardening, canning and baking. Before her marriage, Marie was a baby nurse for area families and also worked at Weber’s Grocery in Greenwald, the Egg Plant, and Schulzetenberg Hardware in Melrose. After moving to town in 1978, she served as an election judge and cleaned at St. John’s School in Meire Grove for 16 years, retiring at age 88. 

 She was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, St. Mary’s Society, Poor Soul’s Society, Holy Rosary Society, St. John’s Mission Group where she served as president for 30 years and also sang in the church choir for 22 years. Marie enjoyed quilting and embroidery, working word find puzzles, playing cards and BINGO, and watching game shows and baseball, especially the Minnesota Twins and the Meire Grove Grovers. She was known for her “amazing dressing” at family gatherings. 

 Survivors include her children, Allen (Jean)
Marthaler of St. Joseph, Gary (Irene) Marthaler of Meire Grove, Jan (Chuck) Schaefer of Melrose and Annette (Jerry) Gruber of Belgrade; nine grandchildren, Amy Trentacoste (significant other, Patrick Geislinger), Jeff Marthaler (significant other, Kate Lechner), Eric (Kayla), Kyle (Amy), and Kurt Marthaler, Nicole (Matt) Lauer and Scott (Kari) Schaefer, Steven (Kayla) and Joseph Gruber; eight great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Clara Frieler of Melrose, Ludvina Ostendorf of St. Cloud, Joe Schneider of Meire Grove, Arlene Gully of Paynseville, and Lorraine Inderrieden of St. Cloud.

 Marie was preceded in death by her husband,
Gilbert Marthaler on Aug, 10, 2000; sister, Leona Schneider; and brothers, Werner, Leo, and Elmer Schneider. 

 Serving as casket bearers were Kyle
Marthaler, Kurt Marthaler, Scott Schaefer, Jeff Marthaler, Steven Gruber and
Joseph Gruber. Cross bearer was Eric Marthaler and scripture bearer was
Nicole Lauer. Readers were Amy Trentacoste and Nicole Lauer and gift bearers were Kayla Marthaler, Kari Schaefer, Amy Marthaler and Kayla Gruber. Honorary bearers were St. Mary’s Society.

 Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Melrose.

Mary K. Winters, age 67 of Sauk Centre, died Friday, Jan. 27, 2017, at the CentraCare Health Nursing Home in Sauk Centre, Minn.

 A Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, Jan. 31, at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Marvin
Enneking officiating and Rev. Andrew Marthaler concelebrating. Interment was in the parish cemetery.

 Mary Kay Smith was born Feb. 18, 1949 in Melrose, Minn., to
Clinton and Marcella (Stein) Smith. She graduated from Sauk Centre High School and moved to Minneapolis where she worked at General Hospital as an X-ray technician. She later moved back to Sauk Centre and was united in marriage to Jim Winters on May 24, 1983 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. Mary also worked at St. Michael’s Hospital and later joined her husband, Jim, working at CarQuest.

 She was a member of Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre, Christian Mothers, American Legion Post 67 Auxiliary, and the Paul F. Donart VFW Post 2853 Auxiliary. Mary enjoyed going to the casino, playing bingo, helping people by serving and volunteering at the Legion, VFW and the nursing home. Her greatest enjoyment were her two nieces, Sara and Amy, and her two favorite little girls, Nora and Hazel Thompson. 

 Survivors include her sister, Linda (John) Klein of Melrose; step children, Carrie (Dennis) Russ of Melrose and Pat Winters of Woodbury; step grandchildren, Logan Winters, Nathan and Georgiana Russ; nieces, Sara (fiancé, Matt Weinke) and Amy (fiancé, Shawn Meyer) Klein; brothers and sisters-in-law, John (Cathy) Winters of West Union, Ron (Nancy) Winters of Osakis, Rita Winters of Alexandria, Gary
Winters of West Union, and Elizabeth (Mike) Melby of Brooklyn Center.

 Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Winters on April 2, 2016; parents; brother, John Smith; sisters-in-law, Beverly Friedrichs and Susan Winters; brother-in-law, Richard Friedrichs.

 Serving as casket bearers were Logan
Winters, Nathan Russ, Matt Weinke, Shawn Meyer, Pat Winters and Mark Thompson.  Cross bearer was Amy Klein and scripture bearer was Sara Klein.  Lector was Jolene Nathe and honorary bearers were Doris Peterson, Barb Nathe, Joanie Mackedanz,
Beverly Huot, Gail Rehm, Sara Thompson, Heidi Winters, Deb
Wenninger, and members of the VFW Auxiliary.

 In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. 

 Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Sauk Centre.   

Donald Stuckel, 73, of Independence, N.D., formerly of Melrose, Minn., passed away Jan. 27, 2017. 

Arrangements pending for a Minnesota memorial. 

Eugene “Gene” F. Boecker died on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017, in St. Louis, Miss., at the age of 61 years, 1 month and 27 days.

Mass of Christian Burial for Gene was held Feb. 2, 2017 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Elrosa, Minn. at 11 a.m. Presiding were Fr. Marvin Enneking and Fr. Peter Kirchner.

Wake service was held on Wednesday, Feb. 1 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church from  4 to 8 p.m. and one hour prior to service on Feb. 2.  Rosary was prayed at 6  p.m. and parish prayers at 7 p.m. 

Eugene “Gene” Boecker was born Nov. 27, 1955 in Sauk Centre to Norbert and Elizabeth Boecker.

Survivors include his three loving children Travis, Brittney and Tiffany Boecker, three grandchildren, Isaac Hettver, Karly Boecker and Garrett Boecker, faithful companion dog Emmit, 11 siblings, Elmer (Juliana) Boecker, Ralph Boecker, Edmund (Helen) Boecker, Dorothy (Wilfred) Feldewerd, Rita (Gene) Revermann-Fischer, Janet (Maurice) Michels, Geri (LeRoy) Moscho, Lorraine Pommerer, Edna (Robert) Kramer, Allen (Val) Boecker and Tom (Angie) Boecker.

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Marion A. Hommerding, age 88 of Melrose, formerly of Spring Hill, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017, at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minn.

 A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 3 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Spring Hill with Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating and Rev. Ken Thielman concelebrating. Interment was in the parish cemetery.

 Visitation was held from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose and from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the church in Spring Hill. Parish prayers were held at 7 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.

 Marion Amelia Libbesmeier was born Oct. 19, 1928 in St. Cloud to Andrew and Albertha (Braun) Libbesmeier. Marion graduated from Cathedral High School and began working at an accounting firm in St. Cloud. She was united in marriage to Waldemar “Wally” Hommerding on June 24, 1952 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud.  The couple moved and farmed in Rice and then to Eden Valley.  In 1969, they moved to St. Cloud where Marion started sewing drapes for Daniel Furniture.  She branched off sewing custom drapes on her own and in 1971, moved to Spring Hill where she continued to sew and started Windmill Hill Crafts. Marion and Wally owned and operated Windmill Hill Crafts until their retirement in 2004. At that time, the couple moved to Melrose.

 She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose and the Lake Henry American Legion Auxiliary.  Marion enjoyed painting, crafts, sewing, tatting, working the word find puzzles, and loved spending time with her family and friends, especially her visits with Father Ken.

 Survivors include her children, Gene (Lori) Hommerding of Champlin, Ken (Gail) Hommerding of Grey Eagle, Dale (Marla) Hommerding of Blaine, Gary (Marge) Hommerding of Hancock, Keith (Brenda) Hommerding of Holdingford, Lee (Karen) Hommerding of St. Cloud; daughter-in-law, Brenda Hommerding of St. Joseph; 21 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren; brothers, Marlyn (Esther) Libbesmeier of St. Cloud and Roger Libbesmeier of St. Cloud; and brothers-in-law, Mike Dockendorf and Irvin Stang.

Marion was preceded in death by her husband, Wally Hommerding on February 7, 2011; parents; sons, Glenn Hommerding on February 24, 2013 and an infant son, Gerard; daughter-in-law, Lynn Hommerding; sisters, Luverne Stang and Eileen Dockendorf; and sister-in-law, Tootie Libbesmeier.

Serving as casket bearers were Marion’s sons, Gene, Ken, Dale, Gary, Keith and Lee Hommerding. Serving as cross bearer was Tyler Hommerding and scripture bearer was Brenda Hommerding. Honorary bearers were Marion’s grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the ALS Association.

Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Melrose.      B6-1B

Katherine Mary Funk, 94 of Freeport died Monday, Feb. 6, 2017 surrounded by her family at the Mother of Mercy Nursing Home in Albany. A Mass of Christian burial celebrating the life of Katherine M. Funk was held Friday, Feb. 10 at 11:30 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport. Burial was in the parish cemetery. Visitation was after 10:30 a.m., Friday at the church in Freeport. 

Katherine was born April 30, 1922 in St. Martin to Nicholas and Rose (Kollman) Moscho. She grew up in St. Martin and married Anton “Tony” Funk on May 5, 1942 in St. Martin. The couple settled on their farm southwest of Freeport. Katherine had a large garden where she grew flowers and vegetables; she was very protective of her strawberries.She also loved to bake and cook for her 11 children. Katherine enjoyed visiting with people, playing cards, bowling and she especially loved spending time with her family. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Sacred Heart Christian Mothers.

Katherine is survived by her children, Eldred Funk of Brooklyn Park, Ardell (Donald) Loehr of Prior Lake, Gerald (Susan) Funk of Long Prairie, Joyce (Roger) Schoenberg of Greenwald, Joan (Roger) Stradal of Sauk Rapids, Richard (Bonnie) Funk of Avon, Isadore “Butch” Funk of Cold Spring, Lee (Rick) Passek of  Savage, Cindy (Roger) Stephanson of Mound, Daryl (Karen) Funk of Coon Rapids; 19 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Virginia (Virgil) Fuchs and Rose Hinnenkamp.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Tony on Dec. 4, 2006, her son, Donald “Peter” Funk on March 23, 2001 and her brothers and sisters, Wilfred Moscho, Joe Moscho, Nicholas Moscho, Marie Klassen and Irene Schulzetenberg. 

Arrangements were made by the Miller-Carlin Funeral Homes.