December 2001 Obituaries
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from The Paynesville Press
December 2001


Johnson Funeral Home

Louise Achterhoff
Louise Achterhoff, 79, of Paynesville, died on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2001, at St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction, Colo.

The funeral service is at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 27, at Grace United Methodist Church in Paynesville with Rev. Ric Koehn officiating. Interment will be held at 2 p.m. at the Minnesota State Veteran's Cemetery in Little Falls.

Vistation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 26, at Johnson Funeral Home in Paynesville and one hour prior to the serve at the church.

Louise Henrietta Pronk was born on Aug. 7, 1922, to Lou and Wilhelmina (Vos) Pronk near Pipestone. She grew up near Pipestone where she attended school.

On Jan. 20, 1944, she married Clarence Achterhoff in Edgerton. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Slayton and later Worthington, Mountain Lake, and St. James. For many years, Louise was a poultry inspector for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In 1976, they moved to Paynesville. Clarence died on Jan. 29, 1998.

Louise was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church, the Paynesville American Legion Auxiliary, and the Paynesville Senior Citizens.

Survivors include her daughter, Carol (Abe) Askevold of Carson City, Nev.; son, Brian of Grand Junction, Colo.; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brothers, Nick (Beaulah) Pronk of Jackson, Minn., Bud (Frances) Pronk of McAllen, Texas, Junior (Louanna) Pronk of McAllen, Texas, and Thorn (Barbara) Pronk of Porter, Minn.; sisters, Joan Dwyer of Tennessee, Elsie Mihlenbech of Wildwood, Fla., Esther Van de Steg of Cokato, Alice (G.L.) Shriver of Ruthton, and Leone (Jerry) Goding of Leesburg, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and sister, Fanny Abbink.

Emma Olmscheid
Emma Olmscheid Funeral Services will be st 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2001, at St. Martin Catholic Church in St. Martin for Emma C. Olmscheid, 80, of St. Martin, who died Wednesday, Dec. 19, at the Paynesville Area Hospital. Burial will take place in the St. Martin Parish Cemetery.

Friends may call from 4-9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 21, and after 9 a.m. on Saturday at the St. Martin Parish Hall. St. Ann's Christian Women and St. Martin Catholic Aid Association will pray at 7 p.m. followed by Parish Prayers at 8 p.m. on Friday.

Funeral arrangements were made by the Daniel ­ Anderson Funeral Home in Paynesville.

Emma was born Nov. 7, 1921, in Farming, Minn., to John and Angela (Koetter) Dingmann. She married Nicholas Olmscheid June 5, 1945, in Farming. She was a member of St. Martin Catholic Church.

Surviving Emma are her four sons: Earl (Betty) of Waite Park, Melvin (Nancy) of Columbia, S.C., Kevin (Michelle) of Rowlett, Texas, and Delbert and fiancée Deborah of Plattsmouth, Neb.; seven daughters: Marlene (Roman) Huberty of Watkins, Diane (Don) Dols of Waite Park, Rita (Darryl) Hauge of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Donna and Jean of Waite Park, Elaine (Duane) Ohman of St. Wendel, and Laureen (Dan) Kraska of Fridley; 21 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; sisters, Sr. Walburga OSB and Sr. Angella OSB of St. Cloud, Martha Mehr of St. Martin, and Theresa Lieser of Paynesville; and brothers, Gregor of Paynesville, Ambrose of Belgrade, and Lawrence of Richmond.

Preceding her in death is her husband, Nick (1986), one granddaughter, sister, Barbara Theis, and brothers, Alphonse, Clemens, and Leonard.

David Myhre
David Myhre, 80, of Hawick, died on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2001, at his home.

Funeral services were on Saturday, Dec. 22, at Johnson Funeral Home in Paynesville. Interment was in the Spicer City Cemetery.

David Bertil Myhre was born on Sept. 4, 1921, to Even and Bertha (Donaldson) Myhre. He grew up in Spicer and graduated from the Willmar High School in 1941. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army.

David married Edna Brown. They lived in Spicer and David worked at Burlington Northern Railroad in Willmar. He worked there for 40 years as a machine operator, retiring in 1981. Edna died in 1980. On May 22, 1981, he married Alveda Madsen in Pine City. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Hawick where they have lived since. David was a member of the Willmar V.F.W. Post 1639.

Survivors include his wife, Alveda of Hawick; children, Wesley (Marcia) Myhre of Minneapolis, Harold (Peggy) Madsen of Hawick, Sharon Nelson of Eden Prairie, Gary (Nancy) Madsen of Lake Stevens, Wash., Barb Madsen of Eden Prairie, Richard (Julie) Madsen of Willits, Calif., David Madsen of Santa Rosa, Calif., Debra (Lyle) Nelson of Brooten, Kathy (Bill) Warwick of Cortland, Calif.; 22 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Oscar (Doris) Myhre of Willmar.

He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, three stepsons, Greg and David Cornell, Arvid Madsen; and a step-grandson, Zebulon Madsen.

Eugene Denton
Eugene W. Denton, 77, of Atwater, died unexpectedly Monday evening, Dec. 17, at his home in Atwater.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 21, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Atwater, with Rev. Grant O. Fischer officiating. The interment will be in Union Cemetery.

Friends may call from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 20, at the Atwater Funeral Home and at the church one hour prior to the services.

Eugene Wayne Denton ws born on March 3, 1924, in Willmar, Minn., the son of Alvina ((Kalkbrenner) and James Denton. He grew up in the Raymond and Atwater areas. On July 21, 1945, he married Eileen Weiland. They lived near Atwater and Clara City. They bought the Sinclair Station and Cafe in Atwater on May 1, 1956, and they were in business for 42 years. Denton enjoyed gardening, fishing, and helping others.

He is survived by his wife, Eileen; one son, Wayne (and Judy) Denton of Atwater; one daughter, Nancy Alstead of Paynesville; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one sister, Lucille (and Bernie) Lilleberg of Atwater; and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Margaret Gratz.

Eugene Gordon
Eugene "Sonny" J. Gordon, 82, of St. Paul, died on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2001, at the Minnesota Veteran's home in Minneapolis.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Dec. 18, at Bradshaw Funeral and Cremation Services in St. Paul.

Eugene was born on May 1, 1919, to Joe and Alvina Gordon in Paynesville. During World War II, Eugene served in the U.S. Navy. He is a retired St. Paul police officer and a life-time member of the South St. Paul VFW Post #295.

Survivors include his children, Tim Gordon, Patricia (Tim) Babineau, Mary (Gary) Bellis, Kathy (Dan) Schwalbe, and Sally (Bob) Idso; 16 grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Gordon; a grandson; parents, Joe and Alvina Gordon; and a brother Elgin "Bud" Gordon.

Astrid Christensen
Astrid Christensen, 107, of Paynesville, died on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2001, in Paynesville.

Funeral services are today at 1 p.m. at the Johnson Funeral Home in Paynesville. Interment will be at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 13, at the Pony Lake Cemetery in Bemidji.

Astrid Laurikke Eilertsen was born on Nov. 1, 1894, to Carl and Johanna (Pederson) Eilertsen in Denmark. She made her first trip to the United States in 1904. In 1921, she returned to America and became a U.S. citizen in 1956. In 1923, she married John Collins in Montana. He died in 1928. In 1932, she married John Christensen and he died in 1971.

Astrid spent most of her life living in Montana. She moved to Minnesota in 1994, and has been a resident at the Koronis Manor since 1998.

Survivors include her daughter, Gladys Stafford of Bemidji; six grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; 17 great-great-grandchildren, and one great-great-great-grandson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, two brothers, three sisters, one granddaughter, and one great-granddaughter.

Marchell Lieser
Marchell Lieser Marchell "Ma" Lieser, 44, of Spring Hill, died on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2001, at the St. Cloud Hospital.

Mass of Christian Burial was on Monday, Dec. 10, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Spring Hill with Rev. Leo Leisen officiating. Interment was in the parish cemetery.

Serving as casket bearers were Scott Lieser, Rick Lieser, Jason Hellickson, Steven Hellickson, Rob Hopfer, and Tim Hopfer. Christian Women of Spring Hill served as honorary bearers.

Marchell Lieser was born on Aug. 13, 1957, in Melrose to Wilfred and Lucille (Nathe) Athmann. She lived in Shoreview and worked for her uncle, Ralph Nathe at Club 49 until moving to Spring Hill in 1988 and purchasing Ma's Place. She was united in marriage to Danny Lieser on Dec. 28, 1995, in St. Cloud. She sold her business in 1999 and began working for Pan-O-Gold Baking Company in St. Cloud.

"Ma" was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Spring Hill. She enjoyed her family and friends, gardening, and her pets.

Survivors include her husband, Danny of Spring Hill; her mother, Lucille Athmann of Spring Hill; step-children, Joy Lieser of Paynesville, Sara Lieser of Paynesville, Kayla Lieser of Paynesville, Scott Lieser of Hawick, Rick Lieser of Hawick, and Kristi Lieser of Minneapolis; one step-grandson; Brady Lieser; brothers and sisters, Patrick (Bev) Athmann of Hanover, James (Mona) Athmann of Richfield, Brenda Athmann of Mounds View, and Sandy (Dave) Hellickson of Brooten.

She was preceded in death by her father, Wilfred Athmann, on Aug. 8, 1999; and grandparents, Joseph and Susan Athmann.

Janette Moritz
Janette A. Moritz, 66, of Sauk Centre, died Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2001, at her home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at St. Paul's Catholic Church, Sauk Centre with Rev. Todd Schnieder officiating. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call after 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, and from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre. Christian Mothers will pray at 7:30 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Janette Ann Moritz was born on May 3, 1935, in Elrosa, Minnesota to Ben and Martha (Yarke) Haskamp. She married Jerome Moritz on Sept. 21, 1954, at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. She worked at Tension Envelope in Minneapolis for seven years. They moved back to Sauk Centre in 1958. She was employed by Fingerhut for 11 years and Truckers Inn for 18 years. She was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church and Christian Mothers. Janette enjoyed gardening, fishing, watching baseball and spending time with her grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband, Jerome Moritz of Sauk Centre; children, Kathy Theis and her husband, John of Chanhassen, Sandy Wallace and her husband, Jack of Rosemount, Rick Moritz and his wife, Brenda of Sauk Centre, Deb Pruszinske and her husband, Mark of Savage, Ron Moritz and his wife, Cindy of Alexandria, Lori Wall and her husband, Dan of Paynesville, Pat Bromenshenkel and her husband, and Wayne of Sauk Centre; 15 grandchildren; sisters and brothers, Duane Haskamp and his wife, Violet of Sauk Centre, Lois Kuhlmann and her husband, Ralph of Sauk Centre, and Gladys Kuhlmann of Sauk Centre.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Martha Haskamp; and sister, Doris VanHavermaet.

Marvin Vogelpohl
Marvin Leo Vogelpohl, 68, of Dassel, died on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2001, at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis.

Funeral services were Wednesday, Dec. 5, at 1:30 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church in Paynesville with Rev. Ric Koehn officiating. Inurnment was in the Eden Lake Cemetery, rural Eden Valley.

Marvin Vogelpohl was born on June 12, 1933, to Ervin and Lena (Blomker) Vogelpohl in Manannah Township, near Eden Valley. He grew up on a family farm near Eden Valley where he attended school at District 189. He was baptized at the Evangelical Reformed Church in Eden Valley. He served his country in the U.S. Army for three years and was discharged in 1961.

Marvin was married to Marcella May Johnson on July 31, 1956, in Hampton Va., In 1957 they moved to Richmond, where Marvin worked for area farmers, the Paynesville Elevator, and B.F. Roofing. From 1974 to 1994, he worked at the Mid-Aim Dairyman Company in Winsted. In 1978, they moved to Dassel. Marvin farmed many years for Neal Korhenon near French Lake. He was a member of the Teamsters Union.

Survivors include his wife, Marcella of Dassel; children, Lloyd (Donna) Vogelpohl of Cokato, Lena (Robert) Block of Paynesville, Arthur (Jodi) Vogelpohl of Dassel, Allen (Kandy) Vogelpohl of Dassel, Eva (Robert) Braness of Dassel, Elaine Vogelpohl of Braham, Lora Vogelpohl of Kimball; 16 grandchildren; one great-grandson; brothers, Vincent of New London, James (Joyce) of Lake Elmo; sisters, Marie Vogelpohl of Roscoe, Betty Boehl of Paynesville; three brothers-in-law; and two sisters-in-law.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Vernon; a sister Verna; and a sister-in-law.

Doreen Thompson
Doreen Thompson Doreen Kay Thompson, 51, of Waite Park, died on Thursday, Nov. 29, 2001, at the Sterling Park Health Care Center in Waite Park.

Memorial services were on Monday, Dec. 3, 2001, at the Daniel Funeral Home Chapel in St. Cloud with Rev. Keith Ainsley officiating. Inurnment was in the Nordland Lutheran Cemetery, rural Paynesville.

Doreen was born on Dec.1, 1949, in Minneapolis, to Aldore and Elaine (Hanson) DeGuire. She lived in Waite Park for the past ten years where she was employed as a home health care provider.

Survivors include her children: Rick of Olympia, Wash., Tina Chatary of Clinton, Conn., and Dean of Kimball; six grandchildren; a brother, Robin DeGuire of Fla.; and a sister, Andrea McCann of Waite Park.

She was preceded in death by her parents, son Chad, one grandson, and one sister.


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