Death Notices - Paynesville Press, Paynesville, Minnesota
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Death Notices
Complete obituaries can be found in the Paynesville Press each week.

June 2023


Johnson Funeral Home


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Obituary Archives

Dustan Spanier, 36, Plymouth
Dustan Spanier, 36, of Plymouth, Minn., passed away on Thursday, June 15, 2023. Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m., on Monday, June 26, 2023, at St. JohnÕs Catholic Church in Foley. Rev. Michael Wolfbauer officiated, and burial took place in the parish cemetery. Visitation was held from 4-8 p.m. on Sunday, June 25, at the Foley Funeral Home and continued from 10-11 a.m. at the church on Monday, June 26. Service with dignity provided by the Foley Funeral Home. Dustan Michael Spanier was born on Oct. 9, 1986, in St. Cloud, Minn., to Joseph and Jane (Markfort) Spanier. He graduated from Paynesville High School, Class of 2005. He continued his education at St. Cloud State University and later, Herberger Business School, obtaining a bachelor of arts (BA) in information systems. He worked at Prime Therapeutics as a data visualization consultant. He had a passion for flying drones, finding joy in both playing with and upgrading video games, as well as building and repairing technical equipment. Dustan found solace in playing the piano, took pride in doing yard work, and extended a helping hand to those in need. His selflessness and unwavering positivity radiated through his interactions, as he delighted in sharing jokes and constantly wore a smile. He left an indelible mark on countless lives, and his absence will be deeply felt by all who were fortunate enough to know him. He is survived by his mother, Jane (Randy) Ringo, Foley; father, Joseph Spanier, Waite Park, and brothers and sisters: Eric Spanier, Plymouth; Julie Spanier, Cold Spring; Randy (Michelle) Spanier, Mayflower, Ark.; Lorrie (Salvadore Nuccio) Spanier, St. Michael; and J.P. Spanier of Plymouth; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Francis and Joan Markfort; paternal grandparents Joseph and Leona Spanier; and his aunt Janet Spanier.


Thomas Miller, 72, Grove City

Thomas D. Miller, 72, of Grove City, Minn., passed away peacefully at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale, Minn., on Saturday, June 24, 2023, after receiving serious internal injuries from a fall. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 29, 2023 at the Paynesville Evangelical Free Church near Paynesville. Visitation will be held from 2-4 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 28, at the church and for one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Burr Oak Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Johnson Funeral Home in Paynesville. Thomas D. Miller was born on Dec. 10, 1950 to David and Susana (Herschberger) Miller in Kokomo, Ind. Thomas was a faithful member and supporter of Believers Fellowship Church. He had a heart for missions and enjoyed a trip to Ukraine for a work project and to see first-hand the CAM Mission. In his early years, he helped with the family farm and with many neighbors in the area. He served at a nursing home in Three Rivers, Mich., where he made lifelong friends. He worked at the Grove City Elevator, Anderson Crane in Litchfield, and installed equipment for Gillis Ag. Systems. Thomas enjoyed farming, auctions, and visiting with family and friends. He will be remembered for his kindness and generosity. For being the favorite uncle that passed out gummi bears and the man who gave Smarties to children after church. Thomas was preceded in death by his parents; nephews, Leonard Yoder and Samuel Miller; two great-nieces, Krista Miller and Abigail Burkholder; and one great-nephew, Jordan Miller. Thomas is survived by his siblings, Neoma (Jerry) Miller of Eden Valley, Minn., Mose (Mary) Miller of Crossville, Tenn., Levi (SarahMae) Miller of Bloomfield, Ind., Homer (MaryAnn) Miller of Millersburg, Ohio, Sara Miller of Litchfield, Minn., Anna (Marcus) Yoder of Grove City, Minn., Jesse Miller of Grove City, Minn., Nancy (Steve) Stoll of Oden, Ind., David Jr. (Esther) Miller of Lexington, Ind., Earl (Trish) Miller of Crosshill, S.C., Glen (Laura) Miller of London, Ohio, and Mary (Tim) Edmonson of Annandale, Minn.; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews; and two great-great-nephews. The family wishes to thank you for your prayers and support during this difficult time.


Mary Olson, 97, Paynesville

Mary M. Olson, 97, of Paynesville died on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at the Paynesville Care Center. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Eden Valley. Interment was in Eden Lake Cemetery in Eden Valley. Arrangements were with Johnson Funeral Home of Paynesville. Mary Mavis Hanson was born on May 27, 1926, at her home near Glencoe, the daughter of Christopher and Marie (Thiesfeld) Hanson. Mary was baptized and confirmed at Glencoe Lutheran Church, and she attended Country School District #6. She lived in Glencoe until 1944 and then moved to Minneapolis to attend Minneapolis Vocational School of Nursing for a year. Mary then moved to Detroit Mich., to start her career in nursing. She returned back to Glencoe in 1946 and met the love of her life, Virgil Olson. Mary and Virgil got married Feb. 14, 1947, at Glencoe Lutheran Church. They were blessed with two sons and one daughter. The couple settled their family near Cosmos to farm for 11 years, and after selling the farm, they moved to Paynesville. Mary started working for the Paynesville Hospital as a nurse and retired in 1997 after 31 years. Mary was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church. She and Virgil loved to dance and spent much time going to Polka Fests. Mary also enjoyed bowling, fishing, snowmobiling, and spending time with her friends and family. Most of all, Mary had a love of caring for babies. Mary is survived by her sons, David (Diane) Olson of Alexandria and Bradley (Linda) Olson of St. Michael; five grandchildren, Ronnie (Renae) Olson, Robin Payre, Randall Olson, Natasha (John) Gustafson, and Jeremiah (Tara) Olson; six great-grandchildren, Jazmine, Devyn, Dylan, Gabby, Tanner, and Tatum; one great-great-grandchild, Chevelle; and sisters, Clara Witthus and Doris Emich. Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil Olson, on Nov. 11, 2007; daughter, Sue Ann Olson; her parents; and brothers and sisters, Lucielle Herzog, Aurelia Werth, Clarence Hanson, Arnold Hanson, and Arlene Hanson. Mary's family would like to especially thank Celine Fischer and Terry Winter for all their time spent with Mary. She appreciated all the memories and the love and support they gave to her.


Rosemary Koshiol, 97, Paynesville

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 19, 2023, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville, Minn., for Rosemary Hildegard (Zapf) Koshiol, 97. She passed away peacefully at the Hilltop Health Care Center in Watkins, Minn., on Thursday, June 15, 2023. The Reverend Glenn Krystosek was the celebrant. Burial was at St. Louis Parish Cemetery in Paynesville. Visitation was on Sunday, June 18, 2023, at the Daniel Funeral Home in Paynesville, Minn. and on Monday one hour prior to the funeral at the church in Paynesville. Rosemary was born on May 2, 1926 in Paynesville, Minn., the daughter of Charles and Hildegard (Marx) Zapf. She grew up in Paynesville, where she graduated from Paynesville High School in 1944. She earned her Registered Nurse degree at the St. Cloud Hospital, through the Cadet Nurse Corps Program. She was united in marriage to Milton B. Koshiol on Oct. 6, 1947, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville. They lived most of their married life in Paynesville, where they raised their six children. Rosemary worked as an RN at both the St. Cloud Hospital and the Paynesville Hospital. She continued her nursing career as an in-home care giver for area residents. Her hobbies included: bowling, golfing, gardening, downhill skiing, sewing, crocheting, and playing cards. Rosemary was active in her community and church. She was a church organist, youth choir director, Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader, and on the board of directors for the Paynesville Area Historical Society. Rosemary was a member of St. Louis Catholic Church, Christian Women, and American Legion Auxiliary Unit # 271. In addition to her parents and husband Milton, she was preceded in death by one brother Elred; four sisters, Elaine, Rita, Valeria and Gemella; and one son-in-law, Tom Tchida. She is survived by her children, Chuck (Tiff) of Paynesville, Margaret Tchida (Al Gully) of St. Cloud, Minn., Tom (Michelle Kelly) of Paynesville, Karen of Plymouth, Minn., Jeannie (Mark) Bolke of New London, Minn., and Donnie (Darcy) of Eden Prairie, Minn.; 11 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.


LaVonne Spanier, 75, Cold Spring

LaVonne L. Spanier, 75, of Cold Spring, formerly of Lake Henry, died peacefully on Thursday, June 15, 2023, with family at her side at Assumption Home in Cold Spring. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 22, 2023, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, June 21, at the church and for one hour prior to the service. Arrangements are with the Johnson Funeral Home in Paynesville. LaVonne Lucille Spanier was born Dec. 22, 1947, to Urban and Dorothy (Jaeger) Loch in Belgrade. She grew up on the family farm with eight siblings, surrounded by lots of cousins, aunts, and uncles. There was never a shortage of good stories or someone to play with. After graduating high school, she moved to St. Cloud with friends. She married Wally (Walter) Benedict Spanier on Aug. 24 , 1970. They had five children: Greg, Mark, Jeff, Jill, and Sara. Wally and LaVonne made their home outside of Lake Henry with aunts and uncles nearby. LaVonne worked miscellaneous jobs to support her family while Wally traveled for NSP. There was always plenty of work to be done around the farm or cheering on her children at their sporting events. LaVonne loved cooking, baking, playing cards, crafting, a good joke, music, reading, connecting with friends on the phone, and spending time at their lake home. She would spend hours finding the perfect recipe for a gathering or making a special dessert for her grandkids. LaVonne is survived by her children, Greg Spanier of Cold Spring, Mark Spanier (Mary) of Big Lake, Jeff Spanier (Traci) of Minneapolis, Jill Wuertz (Roger) of Cold Spring, and Sara Doerflein (Ryan) of Minneapolis; her siblings, Gary Loch (Diane), Renee Lock, Bernice Lock, Rick Lock (Tammy), Joe Lock (SanSan), Alan Loch (Michelle), Ken Lock (Deanna), and Mary Jacob (Bill); sister-in-law, Fran Simon; brother-in-law, Charles Spanier; sister-in-law, Joan Cebulla (Tommy); and ten grandchildren, Madeline and Jack Spanier, Mason and Mitchell Spanier, Lydia and Cora Spanier, Davis and Briggs Wuertz, and Lane and Benedict (Benny) Doerflein. She was proceeded in death by her husband, Wally (Walter) Spanier; her parents, Urban and Dorothy Loch; and her grandson, Benjamin Thomas Spanier.


Kevin Blonigen, 61, Paynesville

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 15, at St. Martin Catholic Church in St. Martin, Minn., for Kevin M. Blonigen, 61, of Paynesville, who died on Sunday, June 11, from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. The visitation will be held from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 14, in the St. Martin Parish Hall in St. Martin. Kevin was born in St. Paul, Minn., to Pat and Dennis McIntire and was adopted by Gerald and Jackie Blonigen. He married Joan Olmscheid on May 3, 1991, in St. Martin Catholic Church, St. Martin. Kevin worked for Tom Kraemer, Inc., and drove truck for Nicol Transit, LLC. He loved to work and learned to weld at an early age. He enjoyed hunting, trapping, lifting weights, and riding his motorcycle and snowmobiles. Survivors include his wife, Joan; sons, Trent and Travis; siblings, Angie (Dan) Benedict, Keith (Kerry) McIntire, Sheila (Jeff) Mork, Brady (Ashley) McIntire, Brian McIntire, and Kelly (Andrew) Swartzen-truber; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his adopted parents, Gerald and Jackie Blonigen; father-in-law, Stanley Olmscheid; and great niece, Kendra Olmscheid. Arrangements are with the Wenner Funeral Home, Richmond, Minn.


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