February 2000 Obituaries

from The Paynesville Press
February 2000

Edwin Hiltner
Ed Hiltner Edwin G. Hiltner, 80, of Hawick, died Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2000, at his home.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 25, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Regal, with the Rev. Fred Fink officiating. Burial took place in the St. Anthony Parish Cemetery in Regal.

Edwin was born on Sept. 24, 1919, in Melrose to John and Agnes (Dickhaus) Hiltner. He married Clara Wolbeck on April 24, 1946, in New Munich. They farmed in the St. Rosa and Albany areas before moving to a turkey farm in Georgeville, where he was farm manager until 1979. They moved to Hawick where he was employed by E.B.O. Farms until his retirement in 1984. He worked part time at E.B.O. Farms until the present time. He was a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Regal. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards, and being with family.

Edwin is survived by his sons, Jim (Jeannie) of Eden Valley, Jerome (Anna) of Wadena, Sylvester (Linda) of Belgrade, David (Alice) of Hawick, and Gary (Sara) of Eden Valley; daughters, Marlene (Ken) Burg of New York Mills and Bernice (Marten) VanDorsten of Hawick; daughter-in-law, Helen Hiltner of Paynesville; 25 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; siblings, Martha Butkowski of New Munich, Juletta Kunstleben-Wolbeck of Freeport, Raymond (Alice) of Waite Park, Melvin (Irene) of Burtrum, Lidwina (Lawrence) Wolbeck of Grey Eagle, Alphonse of Melrose, Leander (Linda) of Scandia, Clarrissa (Eldred) Barthel of Grey Eagle, Anna Mae (Donald) Speldrich of Belgrade, and Cyril (Carolyn) of Belgrade.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Clara on Nov. 10, 1998; son, Linus on Nov. 30, 1985; three grandchildren; brother, Edward; sisters, Leona Wolbeck and Alvina Hiltner; brothers-in-law, John Wolbeck, Florian "Bud" Butkowski, and Henry Kunstleben; and sister-in-law, Donna Hiltner.

Charles Strobbe
Strobbe Charles E. Strobbe, 87, died on Sunday, Feb. 27, 2000, at his home.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 29, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville, with the Rev. Richard Leisen officiating. Burial was in the Davenport Memorial Park in Davenport, Iowa.

Charles was born on Nov. 1, 1912, in East Moline, Ill., to Cyril and Maria (Coppenholle) Strobbe. He married Evelyn Hentzelman on Sept. 1, 1941, at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Davenport, Iowa. They lived in Davenport for 51 years. He worked as a tool and die maker for John Deere.

They moved to Paynesville in 1996. He was a member of St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville. His interests included hunting and fishing.

Charles is survived by his wife, Evelyn of Paynesville; daughters, Beverly (Richard) Auld of Arden Hills and Bonnie Strobbe of Paynesville; two granddaughters; and sister, Helen (Cal) Thompson of Albany, Ill.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Evelyn La Peere.

Emma Neis
Emma T. Neis, 92, of The Country Villa, Sartell, and formerly of Eden Valley, died Sunday, Feb. 27, at the Country Manor Health Care Center, Sartell.

Service will be Thursday, March 2, at 10:30 a.m. at the Assumption Catholic Church, Eden Valley. Rev. Virgil Braun will officate. Burial will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation is Wednesday, March 1, from 4 to 9 p.m. at Dingmann's Eden Valley Funeral Home.

Emma was born March 27, 1907, in Eden Valley to Fred and Rose (Moss) Tschumperlin. She married Albert Neis on Sept. 1, 1931, at Assumption Catholic Church. They farmed and lived in rural Eden Valley until 1965 when they move into the city of Eden Valley.

Emma was a member of Assumption Catholic Church, Assumption Christian Mothers, St. Theresa Mission Group, Crosier Apostolate, Catholic Aid Association, and the Eden Valley Senior Citizens.

Survivors include her daughters, Clara Fischbach of Cold Spring, Marie Pryzbilla of St. Joseph, and Isabelle Sobiech of St. Stephen; sister, Marie Theis of Eden Valley; eight grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Albert, on Oct. 23, 1999; daughter, Dorothy; brothers, Peter, Christ, and Edmund Tschumperlin; sisters, Eleanor Haag, Betty Binsfield, Esther Mies, and Adeline Bauer; and two grandsons.

David Dobbs
David Dobbs David Dodds, 65, of Paynesville, died Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2000, at the Paynesville Area Hospital.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 4, at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Paynesville, with the Rev. Patricia Gillespie officiating. There will be no visitation. Interment will be held in the Paynesville Cemetery, with military honors provided by the Paynesville American Legion Post #271. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

David Veryl Dodds was born on April 16, 1934, in Minneapolis. He was the son of Grover and Agnes (VanderLinden) Dodds. David grew up in Minneapolis, where he graduated from Washburn High School in 1952. During the Korean War, David served his country in the U.S. Navy. Following the war, he transferred to the Air National Guard, where he served as Air Force Master Sergeant until he retired in 1988. Following the Korean War, David was the first chief of the Bloomington Rescue Squad, which he helped develop.

In 1988, he retired with 20 years of service in the Bloomington Fire Department, and in 1995, he retired after 20 years working as the EMS coordinator of the Hennepin Technical College.

On March 4, 1989, he married Doris Baxter in Minnetonka. In 1991, they moved to Paynesville, where David taught defensive driving for the MN Safety Council for several years.

He was a member of St. Stephens Episcopal Church, where he was the current senior warden. David was also a member of the Paynesville American Legion Post #271, where he currently served as the gambling manager. He was also the current president of the Paynesville Lions Club.

David enjoyed music and singing. For a brief time, he was a member of the Litchfield Male Chorus. He also enjoyed fishing, gardening, and bird watching.

David is survived by his wife, Doris of Paynesville; daughters, Denise (Michael) Dow of Farmington and Rosemarie Dodds of St. Petersburg, Fla.; son, Grover of Minneapolis; stepdaughter, Ann (Rod) Bemis of St. Cloud; stepson, John Scheller of Anoka; seven grandchildren; sister, Darlene (Austin) Jorgenson of Rochester; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Louis Pitka
Pitka Funeral services were held on Monday, Feb. 21, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville for Louis A. Pitka, 76, of Paynesville and formerly of St. Paul, who died Thursday, Feb. 17, at the Paynesville Area Hospital.

Pallbearers were Lou Pitka, Al Zschokke, Mark Downes, Keith Thompson, Dave Johnson, and Steve Helminiak. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery in South St. Paul.

Louis was born on Dec. 21, 1923, in Olivia to Charles and Frances (Karnik) Pitka.

He married Jean Weiszel on Nov. 8, 1952, in St. Paul. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of World War II. He lived in St. Paul most of his married life. He was employed at Swifts and Company in South St. Paul., and later at American National Can in St. Paul.

He has been a resident of the Paynesville area since 1989. He was a member of St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville.

Survivors include his wife, Jean of Paynesville; children, Kathy Grater of West St. Paul, John Borgan of St. Paul, Candice Zschokke of Paynesville, Gloria Johnson of South St. Paul, Lois Thompson of Bloomington, Mary Downes of Atwater, and Lou Allen Pitka of St. Paul; 24 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and sister, Rose Hesse of St. Paul.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Lillian Safar; and three grandchildren.

Sylvester Pelzer
Funeral services were held at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 17, at the St. Anthony's Catholic Church in St. Cloud for Sylvester F. Pelzer, 75, of St. Cloud, who died Monday, Feb. 14, at the St. Cloud VAMC. The St. Cloud VFW Post #428 conducted a ritual service at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 16.

Interment was in Holy Cross Parish Cemetery in Pearl Lake, Minn., with military honors provided by the St. Cloud VFW Post #428. Sylvester was born on Nov. 5, 1924, in Pearl Lake, Minn., to Anthony and Mary (Loesch) Pelzer. He married Mildred Schabel on July 8, 1948, at St. Wendelin's Catholic Church in Luxemburg, Minn.

Sylvester was employed by the Great Northern Railroad working in Waite Park, Minn., in the sheet metal shop from 1948 to 1960. He then farmed until his retirement in 1988. Sylvester was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving in the Pacific during World War II.

He was a member of St. John's Men's Society of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Pearl Lake, the St. Joseph VFW Post #5773, the Catholic Aid Society, and St. Anthony's Catholic Church in St. Cloud.

Survivors include his wife, Mildred; children, Tom, Michael, Jim, and Elaine Pelzer, all of St. Cloud, Robert of Lake Henry, Minn., Patricia Hemmesch of Paynesville, Yvonne Brambrink of Princeton, and Mary Mick of Foreston, Minn.; 21 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brothers, Anthony of St. Cloud and Andy of Watkins; and sisters, RoseMary Lent of Chicago, Ill., Germaine Von Feldt of Denver, Colo.; Grace Hardie of St. Paul, Esther Decker of Cold Spring, Viola Dietman of Bemidji, and Joan Wortz of Watkins.

He was preceded in death by his son, Gary, in 1958; daughter, Diane, in 1966; and sister, Phyllis Pelzer.

Richard Liestman
Richard J. Liestman, 65, of Kasota, Minn., died on Friday, Feb. 18, 2000, at St. Peter Community Hospital as a result of cancer.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2000, in the Klein Funeral Home at St. Peter, Minn. The Rev. Mark Nielsen officiated. Military rites were provided by the Le Center VFW Post #108 and the St. Peter American Legion Post #37.

Burial will be at a later date.

Richard Junior Liestman was born on April 8, 1934, in Paynesville to Russell and Margaret (Ahles) Liestman. He attended school in Paynesville, and, following high school graduation, entered the United States Marine Corps. He was honorably discharged from the service.

Dick married Mary Denn Shelton on Sept. 3, 1971, at Mankato. Following their marriage, the couple lived in Madison Lake, Cleveland, and Kasota, Minn. Dick was a carpenter, and worked in home building for a number of years. He also drove truck for Viessen Trucking and Lorentz Trucking, both of Mankato; and G&T Trucking of Elco, Minn. Due to failing health, he was forced to retire in 1990.

He enjoyed building, doing yard work, operating remote controlled airplanes, and working on the computer. He was a member of the Le Center VFW Post #108 and the St. Peter American Legion Post #37.

Dick is survived by his wife, Mary, of Kasota; daughters, Pamela (Douglas) Reimer of Prior Lake, Sheila (David) Quast of Dassel, and Phyllis (Nick) Stoiaker of Mound; sons, Rick of Glencoe, and Jerome of Los Angeles, Calif.; stepdaughters, Lynn (Rev. Mark) Nielsen of Monroe City, Ind., Susan (Darrell) Ridgway of Indianapolis, Ind., Janice Shelton of Chicago, Ill., and Mary Jolene (Ralph) Jendroe of Inver Grove Heights; stepsons, LaVerne (Maryann) Shelton and Samuel Shelton, all of Madison Lake, Minn., Lawrence Shelton of Waterville, Minn., and Laurel Shelton of Vancouver, Wash.; sisters, Shirley (Arnold) Vossen of Willmar; and Patricia (Rodger) Power of Atwater; brothers, Robert of Phoenix, Ariz., and James of N.C.; 18 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents and son, Vincent.

Irene Schmidt
Irene Katharine Schmidt, 90, died Thursday, Feb. 17, 2000, at Eventide Nursing Home in Moorhead, Minn.

The funeral was held on Monday, Feb. 21, 2000, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Moorhead. Interment was at St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery in Moorhead.

Irene Stoffel, daughter of Peter and Willhelmina (Meierhofer) Stoffel, was born on April 24, 1909, in St. Nicholas, Minn. As a child, she moved with her family to Eden Valley, Minn., where she was raised and educated. Following school, Irene worked for her father at his seed and produce store.

On June 10, 1930, Irene was united in marriage to Floribert Schmidt in Eden Valley. The couple made their home in Paynesville. In 1957, the family moved to Moorhead, where Irene was employed as a clerk for Waterman's Department Store and for Larson Hardware. She also was a cook for St. Francis de Sales Catholic School until her retirement. Irene moved into Eventide the Fairmont in Moorhead in 1998, and to Eventide Nursing Home in January 2000.

Irene was a long time active member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Moorhead, and a member of the Christian Mothers. She loved to cook and enjoyed sharing her culinary arts with her family and friends.

She is survived by her daughter, Mary Jane (Bud) Olson of Alexandria, Minn.; sons, Robert (Evelyn) Schmidt of Omaha, Neb., and F. Donald (Judy) Schmidt of Moorhead; sisters, Mildred (Emmett) Dillon of Eden Valley, Mary Ann Steingruble of St. Paul, and Dorothy (Orville) Schultz of Eden Valley; brother, Joe (Dee) Stoffel of Phoenix, Ariz.; sister-in-law, Doris Stoffel of Brainerd; 10 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Floribert, in 1984.

Stella Larson
Stella Larson, 92, of Hawick, died Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2000, at the Paynesville Area Hospital.

A memorial service was be held on Tuesday, Feb. 15, at 2 p.m. at Zion Irving Lutheran Church, rural Hawick. Rev. Janeva Stromberg will officiate. Interment was in the church cemetery.

Stella was born July 19, 1907, to Fred and Amanda (Dittmarson) Larson in Irving Township. She grew up on the family farm and attended District 24 school.

On Jan. 25, 1936, Stella married Einar Larson in New London. Following their marriage, they lived in Irving Township. Stella was a charter member of Zion Irving Church and she and Einar were the first to be married in the church.

Stella is survived by her daughter, Eleanor Larson of Hawick; a niece and nephews; and a brother-in-law.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband in 1981; son, Franklin; and sisters, Thea Solum, Irene Isdahl, Florence Bredeson, and Edith Hanson.

Raymond Hess
Ray Hess Raymond J. Hess, age 82, of Lake Henry, died Saturday, Feb. 5, at the Koronis Manor in Paynesville.

Funeral services were at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 8, at St. Margaret's Catholic Church in Lake Henry. Rev. Leo Leisen officiated. Burial was in St. Margaret's Parish Cemetery.

Raymond was born June 20, 1917, in Lake Henry, Minn. to Edward and Mary (Heisler) Hess. He married Dorothy Fuchs on Nov. 26, 1959, at St. Margaret's Catholic Church in Lake Henry. He owned and operated Hess Liquor in Lake Henry. He also farmed in the Lake Henry area. He retired in 1983. He played baseball for Lake Henry from 1930 to 1950. He enjoyed playing and watching baseball all of his life. He was a member of St. Margaret's Catholic Church in Lake Henry.

Raymond is survived by his wife Dorothy of Lake Henry and his son Paul (Connie) and granddaughter Bailey of Paynesville.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Claude, Lother, Norbert, Edmund, Alcuin, and Herbert; and sisters, Marie Kiefler, Teckla Lieser, and Beatrice Jaeger.

Willard Wagner
Willard Marvin Wagner, born May 12, 1911, passed away Feb. 2, 2000, at Koronis Manor Nursing Home, Paynesville, Minn.

A memorial mass was held Monday, Feb. 7, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Louis Catholic Church, 505 Burr St., Paynesville, Minn. Interment followed at St. Louis Cemetery, Paynesville, Minn.

Willard married Lucille Thielen, Sept. 28, 1937.

He is survived by his daughter, Yvonne (Bob) Spaulding of Detroit Lakes; son, Dale (Linda)Wagner of Elk River; granddaughters, Laura (Bruce) Johnson of Detroit Lakes, Jennifer (Dean) Gravelle of Detroit Lakes; grandsons, Jason (Beverly) Wagner of Cambridge, Jeremy Wagner of Dickinson, N.D., Joshua and Jordan Wagner of Elk River; sisters, Arlene (Melvin) Stange of Paynesville, Evalyn (Henry) Lobitz of Paynesville, Mildred Chapman of St. Paul, Freda (Vernon) Ortloff of St. Paul, Lillian Clark of Paynesville, Hazel (Stan) Ring of White Bear Lake; brother Carl (Millie) Wagner of Paynesville; and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Lucille; parents, Mary and John Wagner; sisters, Minnie Sutherland and Helen Wagner; brothers Harold, Maurice, and John Wagner, Jr.

Esther Wendroth
Wendroth Esther G. Wendroth, age 89, of Paynesville, died Wednesday at the Paynesville Good Samaritan Care Center.

Services were on Saturday, Jan. 29, at 11 a.m. at Paynesville Lutheran Church. Rev. Richard Hoyme officiated. Burial was in the Eden Lake Cemetery in rural Eden Valley.

Esther was born on Sept. 16, 1910, in Fulda, Minn., to William and Fannie (Basche) Tobeck. She was baptized at Pfingston Church in Fulda. Esther moved from Fulda with her family to the Eden Valley area when she was eight years old. She attended District 77 rural school.

She married Arthur William Wendroth on Jan. 29, 1929, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Eden Valley. Esther lived in the Eden Valley area until 1969, when the couple moved to Paynesville.

She was a former member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Eden Valley and a member of the Paynesville Lutheran Church and Circle. Esther was a homemaker. She was an active member of the Paynesville Lutheran Church Circle. Esther loved to play cards, going fishing with Marcy, and visiting with friends.

Survivors include, one son, Donald and his wife Burnette of Hawick; four daughters, Dorothy Hislop (Clayton) of Paynesville, Evelyn Davidson (Duff) of Monticello, Dolores Hislop (Glenn) of Paynesville, Darlene Sparks (Roy) of Flower Mound, Texas; 11 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband on Dec. 23, 1970; one grandson, James Hislop; four brothers, Eddie, Martin, Willard, and Walter; six sisters, Eleanor Halstrom, Edna Heiderscheid, Alma Bennett, Myrtle O'Brien, Mable Wagner, and Adeline.

Henry Dickhaus
Henry J. Dickhaus, age 74, of Melrose, died Saturday, Jan. 29, at the Melrose Area Hospital. Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 1 at Saint Mary's Catholic Church. Rev. Vince Lieser officiated, with burial following in the parish cemetery.

Henry Joseph Dickhaus was born April 10, 1925, in Millwood Township, Stearns County, to Fred and Bertha (Herzog) Dickhaus. He was united in marriage to Rosie Klaphake on Aug. 26, 1953, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Osakis. He worked as an independent truck hauler for 20 years. He was elected Stearns County Commissioner in 1974 and served until 1999. He worked part time as a postal carrier until July of 1999. He was a member of Saint Mary's Catholic Church, the Melrose Lions, and various other local and county organizations. His passions were baseball, fishing, and playing cards.

Henry is survived by his wife, Rosie, of Melrose; five children, Stephen Dickhaus of Vadnais Heights, Randy Dickhaus (Kris) of Rosemount, Brenda Dickhaus of Shoreview, Melissa Churlonis (Ray) of Laguna Niguel, Calif., and Mary Beth (Shannon) Kemper of Melrose; brothers and sisters, Helen Blommel and Al of Melrose, Marie Hinnenkamp (Herbie) of Melrose, Irene Poepping of Saint Rosa, Monica Ahrens (Ralph) of Sauk Centre, Al Dickhaus (LouAnn) of Melrose, Vernon Dickhaus (Betty) of Melrose, Karen Callahan (John) of Anoka, Corrine, Shay, and James of Grand Rapids, and Alma Frieler (Bernard) of Upsala; and eight grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Barbara Dickhaus.

Casket bearers were Al and Vernon Dickhaus, Ron Jeske, John Middendorf, Ron Hinnenkamp, and Dale Melin. Cross bearer was Wesley Kemper and Scripture bearer was Bob Ritter. Serving as honorary bearers were Rose Arnold, Roger VanHeel, Lee Lenzmeier, Bob Gambrino, Mark Sakry, Clarence Kremer, and Henry Kohorst.

Anna Hentges
Anna H. Hentges, age 81, of Eden Valley, died Friday at Koronis Manor Nursing Home, Paynesville.

Services were held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 31 at Assumption Catholic Church, Eden Valley. Rev. Virgil Braun officiated and burial was in the parish cemetery.

Anna Hentges was born Dec. 14, 1918, in Eden Valley to Henry and Anna (Heiser) Hentges. She lived most of her life in Eden Valley and was a member of Assumption Catholic Church.

Survivors include brothers, sister, and their spouses, Donald and Lucy Hentges of New Hope, Robert Hentges of Blaine, Arlene and Verne Topp of Roseville; sisters-in-law, Elsa Hentges of New Hope, and Mary Jane Hentges of Richmond; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Ralph, Gilbert, Harold, and Jerome Hentges; and sister, LaVerne Horgan.

Pallbearers were Mark, Mike, Gary and Chuck Hentges, Joe Schwaab, and Swain Smith.


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