January 2008 Death Notices - Paynesville Press, Paynesville, Minnesota
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Death Notices
Complete obituaries can be found in the Paynesville Press each week.

January 2008

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Obituary Archives

Jennis Olson, 86, Paynesville
Jennis Olson, 86, of Paynesville died on Tuesday, Jan. 29, at the Koronis Manor in Paynesville.

Funeral services were held on Monday, Feb. 4, at Crystal Hills Assembly in Paynesville. Burial was in Resthaven Gardens of Memory in Wichita, Kan.

Jennis Boreen Olson was born on Nov. 2, 1921, in rural Hawick to Johan and Louise (Thorness) Olson.

He moved to Wichita, Kan., in the late 1940s where he eventually started his own businesses: Olson Sewer and Drain Cleaning, Inc. and later Olson Realty.

He retired due to health concerns in 1972. He returned to Paynesville with his wife, Darlene, and daughter, Liz.

Jennis is survived by his wife, Darlene of Paynesville; children, Jim (Patty) of Longmont, Colo., Kathie (Peter) Chandler of Wilson, Wyo., Jacob Morgan of Aztec, N.M., Marilyn (Brian) Butler of Land O'Lakes, Fla., Teresa (Jack) Lee of Haysville, Kan., and Liz (Harry) Lahr of Paynesville; 13 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Alyce; second wife, Sue; brothers, Ben and Kermit; sisters, Magda, Barbara, and Lil Olson, Mable Roberg, Alma Everson, and Luella Hartmark; and a daughter-in-law.

Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers.

Isaac Lieser, 2, Sauk Centre
Isaac M. Lieser, 2, of Sauk Centre died on Wednesday, Jan. 23, at the Melrose Area Hospital.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, Jan. 26, at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. Burial was in the Calvary Cemetery.

Isaac Lieser was born on June 22, 2005, in Melrose to Josh and Linda (Nathe) Lieser.

On May 6, 2007, he was diagnosed with Stage IV neuroblastoma, and he fought a courageous battle for the past nine months.

Isaac is survived by his parents, Josh and Linda of Sauk Centre; brothers, Dominic, Jayden, and Keegan, all at home; grandparents, John and Marilyn Nathe of Sauk Centre, Kathy and Virgil Lahr of Paynesville, and Donnie Lieser of St. Martin; great-grandparents, James and Shirley Marthaler of Sauk Centre, Al and Margaret Borgerding of Freeport, Elvin "Smiley" and Elnora Lieser of St. Martin; great-great-grandfather, Ed Schaefer of St. Martin; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his aunt, Kimberly Lieser; uncle, Joseph Lieser; great-uncle, Kenneth Nathe; and great-grandparents, Arnold and Agnes Nathe.


Lawrence O'Brien, 83, Eden Valley
Lawrence O'Brien, 83, of Eden Valley died on Monday, Jan. 21, at Mother Lucille Home in Richmond.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, Jan. 24, at Assumption Catholic Church in Eden Valley. Burial was in St. Peter's Cemetery.

Lawrence O'Brien was born on July 11, 1924, in Eden Lake Township to James and Dorothy (Kottke) O'Brien. He went to school at District 205 until the eighth grade.

On Nov. 3, 1941, Lawrence joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, and he was discharged in April 1942.

He married Doris Bush on Nov. 18, 1957, in Eden Valley. Lawrence farmed the family farm in Eden Lake Township until his retirement in 1987.

Lawrence, Doris, and their son, Eddie then moved to Eden Valley. In 1998, Lawrence moved to the Watkins House in Watkins. He moved to the Mother Lucille Assisted Living Center in Richmond in July 2005 and was a resident until the time of his death.

Lawrence is survived by his children, Cindy Severin of Willmar and Edward of Richmond; siblings, Francis of Bismarck, N.D., Clarence of Richmond, and Margaret Hurd of Brooklyn Center; six grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Doris; daughter, Sharon Jaenisch; siblings, James, Joseph, Dorothy Miller, and Lucille Dold; and one grandson.


Rose Marie Brown, 78, Spicer
Rose Marie Brown, 78, of Spicer died on Wednesday, Jan. 23, at her home.

Rose Marie Brown was born on Jan. 2, 1930, in Litchfield to Richard and Rose Mihlbauer. She grew up around Litchfield where she attended school.

She married Boyd Jerome Brown on Jan. 24, 1948, in Eden Valley. Following their marriage, the couple lived in Eden Valley, Breckenridge, and for the past 40 years near Spicer in Irving Township.

Rose Marie worked as a waitress at Andy's Cafe and Hillcrest Cafe.

Rose Marie is survived by her children, Joyce (Richard) Randall of Belgrade, Judy (Mark) Lundeen of Spicer, and Jay (Dawn) of Paynesville; one grandson; brothers, George Mihlbauer of Litchfield and Richard Mihlbauer of Sartell; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and husband, Boyd.


Jerry Kennedy, 66, Paynesville
Jerry Kennedy, 66, of Paynesville died on Thursday, Jan. 17, at the St. Cloud Hospital.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 22, at 11 a.m., at St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Murdock.

Gerald Francis Kennedy was born on Jan. 27, 1941, in Benson to John and Ann (Pothen) Kennedy. He was baptized and confirmed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Murdock. He grew up on the family farm near Murdock where he attended Murdock High School and graduated in 1959.

On Dec. 4, 1959, he entered the United States Army and was stationed in Germany for two years before his honorable discharge on Feb. 19, 1962.

He returned home and on Nov. 3, 1962, and he was united in marriage to Marlene Krattenmaker at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Three sons and one daughter were born to this union.

They made their home in Minneapolis where Jerry worked in manufacturing. In 1965, he began his career with UPS and lived in many communities throughout Minnesota, before retiring as a division manager in 1995.

They moved to Paynesville in their retirement, and he continued to work, raising horses on their farm and working at the Johnson Funeral Home. Together, Jerry and Marlene were able to share in 45 years of marriage.

He is survived by his wife, Marlene; children, Jerry (Lorraine) of Lakeville, Shawn (Denise) of Adams, Corey of Farmington, and Jessica (Jeff) Hunt of Paynesville; mother, Ann Kennedy of Pine City; nine grandchildren; siblings, Richard (Deanne) Kennedy of Herman, Kay (Dave) Frederickson of Roseville, Mary Sorenson of Minneapolis, Rita Kennedy of Hinckley, Rose Hauge of Brainerd, and John (Janet) Kennedy of Spicer; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jerry was preceded in death by his father, John.


Clara Leuer, 95, Paynesville
Clara Leuer, 95, of Paynesville died on Thursday, Jan. 17, at the Koronis Manor in Paynesville.

Funeral services were held on Monday, Jan. 21, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville. Burial was in the Parish cemetery.

Clara Merchant was born on Nov. 3, 1912, to Mitchell and Adeline (Holmes) Merchant. She attended Bass Lake School District 123.

She married John Leuer on June 3, 1931. Their union lasted until John's death in 1933.

Clara married Fred Leuer on Nov. 6, 1934. They farmed near Wayzata and moved to Eden Valley in 1961, where they farmed until 1978 when they moved to Garrison.

They moved to Paynesville in 1997.

Clara is survived by her children, George (Virginia) of Pueblo West, Colo., Paul (Jane) of Zimmerman, Marilyn (Rod) Johnson of Ely, and Judy (Ken) Ramthun of Paynesville; 21 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and sister, Lorraine Phillips.

She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, John; husband, Fred; two sisters; two brothers; and several grandchildren.

Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers.


Harlan Hoffenkamp, 71, Atwater
Harlan Roger Hoffenkamp, 71, of Atwater died unexpectedly on Wednesday, Jan. 16, in Los Algodones, Mexico.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 23, at 11 a.m., at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Atwater. Burial will be in the Spicer City Cemetery.

Harlan was born on May 20, 1936, in Inwood, Iowa, to John and Marcella (Wilke) Hoffenkamp. He grew up and received his education in Nobles County. On March 18, 1956, Harlan was united in marriage to Audrey Gertz in Rushmore. They moved to rural Atwater to start their life of dairy and crop farming together.

Harlan is survived by his wife, Audrey of Atwater; children, David (Cheryl) of Atwater, Connie (Bill) Hemingson of Paynesville, Ricky of Atwater, Daniel (Amy) of Hawick, and Michelle Hoffenkamp (Randy Weiss) of Eden Valley; 13 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brothers, LeRoy of Clearwater and Rodney of Beaver Creek; sisters, Darlene Dodds of Texas, Dianna Scherff of Worthington, and Kris Ripperda of Hills; and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Harold.


Marlan Pauls, 84, Mount Iron
Marlan Pauls, 84, of Mount Iron, died on Tuesday, Jan. 8, at Cornerstone Villa in Buhl, Minn.

A graveside Inurnment service will be held on Friday, April 11, at the Paynesville Cemetery. There was no formal visitation or funeral.

Marlan Pauls was born on Aug. 10, 1943, in Stearns County to Peter and Buelah (Kissinger) Pauls.

He graduated from Paynesville High School in 1941 and attended Dunwoody Institute for one year. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and an aviation metal smith second class.

He married Valeria Pelkey on July 30, 1949, in Hudson, Wis. They moved to the Iron Range where he worked at Range Welding in Hibbing. They moved to Mount Iron in 1954, where he worked and became part owner of Vidmar Iron Works, retiring in 1990.

He is survived by his wife, Valeria; children, Emily (Mark) Maki of Mount Iron, Brian of Hibbing, and Jeanne Pauls of Osceola, Wis.; two granchildren; two great-grandchildren; sisters, Wava Johnson of Paynesville and Wanda Scofield of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Everett.


Eugene Pelkey, 90, Cannon Falls
Eugene "Gene" Pelkey, 90, of Cannon Falls died on Sunday, Jan. 6, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, Jan. 12, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Cannon Falls. Burial was in the Cannon Falls Cemetery.

Gene was born on July 9, 1917, in Hawick to Sava and Nellie (King) Pelkey. He attended Paynesville Area Schools.

Gene married Marcella Bergstrom on April 24, 1943, in Cannon Falls. The couple shared in 64 happy years of marriage.

He worked at the University of Minnesota Hospital in the maintenance department, but his true passion was driving truck.

Gene is survived by his wife, Marcella; sister, Gladys Johnson of Aloha, Ore.; three brothers, Robert (Betty) of Stanton, Allen of Minneapolis, and Stewart (Luella) of St. Cloud; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Stanley, Ernest, and Virgil; sister, Florence Crump; and an infant sister.

Memorials are preferred to the Shepherd Center or the First Congregational United Church of Christ.


Edwin Hemingson, 56, Litchfield
Edwin Hemingson, 56, of Litchfield died unexpectedly at his home on Wednesday, Jan. 16.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, Jan. 25, at 3 p.m., at Nordland Lutheran Church in Paynesville. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will be held in Nordland Lutheran Cemetery.

Edwin Hemingson was born on Sept. 16, 1951, in Meeker County to Edwin R. and Ethel (Towler) Hemingson of Litchfield. He grew up on the family farm in rural Paynesville and was confirmed at Nordland Lutheran Church. He graduated from Paynesville High School in 1969.

Eddie moved in with his mother in Litchfield in the fall of 1979, after the death of his father. He worked in the surrounding area up to the time of his death.

He is survived by his brothers, Bruce Hemmingson of Hastings, Bill of Paynesville, and Mike of Paynesville; and nieces and nephews.

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


Andrew Lieser, 89, Cold Spring
Andrew Lieser, 89, of Cold Spring and formerly of Paynesville, died on Jan. 12, at his home.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Jan. 17, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville. Entombment will be in the St. Louis Parish Mausoleum.

Visitation will be held from 4-9 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 16, at the Daniel-Anderson Funeral Home in Paynesville. Visitation will continue after 9:30 a.m. on Thursday at the church.

Andrew was born on Aug. 17, 1918, near Lake Henry to Nicholas and Elizabeth (Schoenhoff) Lieser.

He married Bergetta Gruber on Oct. 5, 1943, at St. Margaret's Catholic Church in Lake Henry. The couple farmed near Lake Henry until they retired to Paynesville in 1981. They lived in Cold Spring since 1998. Their union lasted until Bergetta's death on April 15, 2005.

He is survived by his children, Duane (Jan) of Sauk Centre, Dianne (Ed) Budde of Melrose, Gene (Sue) of Circle Pines, Dan (Karen) of Gilman, Harvey (Marilyn) of Lake Henry, Mary Lee (Jarett) Hemmesch of Cold Spring, Linda (Steve) Hittle of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Brenda (Dana) Timm of Cold Spring; 20 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; and two sister-in-laws.

Andrew was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Bergetta; infant son, John; an infant grandson; a daughter-in-law; and siblings, Hilda, Dora, Edmund, Jacob, Serah, Thecla, Victor, and Henry.


Conrad Gundlach, 91, Paynesville
Conrad Gundlach, 91, of Paynesville and formerly of Anoka, died on Tuesday, Jan. 8, at the Koronis Manor in Paynesville.

Funeral services were held on Friday, Jan. 11, at Zion Lutheran Church in Anoka. Burial was in Forest Hill Cemetery in Anoka.

Conrad was born on July 16, 1916, to William and Margaret (Schaefer) Gundlach in Monticello.

He married Barbara Wengel on April 19, 1941, at Zion Lutheran Church in Anoka. Together they shared in 66 years of marriage.

Conrad was the owner and operator of C.J. Gundlach Tailor Shop in Anoka for over 35 years.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara; daughters, Cathy (Stan) Thorud of Hanover and Susan (Harlin) Hecht of Paynesville; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Margaret; five brothers; three sisters; a grandson; and a great-granddaughter.


Lauretta Gully, 91, Paynesville
Lauretta Gully, 91, of Paynesville died on Thursday, Jan. 3, at the Koronis Manor in Paynesville.

Funeral services were held on Monday, Jan. 7, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville. Burial was in St. Louis Parish Cemetery.

Lauretta Gully was born on Dec. 6, 1916, in Lake Henry to John and Barbara (Wuertz) Fuchs.

She married Mike Gully on May 4, 1942, at St. Mary's Cathedral in St. Cloud. The couple farmed near Elrosa until 1955 and then moved to Paynesville. They owned and operated Tucks Cafe in Paynesville from 1961 until 1973.

She is survived by her son, Allan (Margaret Tchida) of St. Cloud; and brother, Lester Fuchs of Paynesville.

Preceding her in death are her husband, Mike; son, Larry; and brother, Leander Fuchs.


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