March 2010 Death Notices - Paynesville Press, Paynesville, Minnesota
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Death Notices
Complete obituaries can be found in the Paynesville Press each week.

March 2010

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Obituary Archives

Leonard Davidson, 94, Paynesville
Leonard O. Davidson 94, of Paynesville died on Sunday, March 21, at the Koronis Manor in Paynesville.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, March 25, at Grace United Methodist Church in Paynesville. Burial was in Sunset Memorial Park in Minneapolis.

Leonard Otto Davidson was born on Sept. 2, 1915, to Cecil and Alice (Mittelstadt) Davidson in Western Township, near Campbell Minn.

He grew up near Campbell, where he graduated from Campbell High School. After high school, he went on to business college in Fargo, ND.

On June 14, 1946, Leonard married Lorraine Podoll in St. Paul. This union was blessed with a son and a daughter.

The family made their home in West St. Paul, where Leonard worked as a purchaser for 3M. In 1955, they moved to South St. Paul.

After 35 years at 3M, Leonard retired. He and Lorraine moved to Paynesville in 1978 and have lived there ever since. The couple shared 63 years of marriage.

Leonard is survived by his wife, Lorraine; son, Calvin (Marsha) Davidson of Paynesville; daughter, Debra (Steve) LaForge of Apple Valley; and three grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Marion Ellis.


Miranda Hemmesch, 86, St. Joseph
Miranda B. Hemmesch, 86, of St. Joseph and formerly of Paynesville, died on Tuesday, March 23, at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Sauk Rapids.

Funeral services were held on Friday, March 26, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville. Burial was in St. Margaret's Parish Cemetery in Lake Henry.

Miranda Hemmesch was born on July 9, 1923, to Jacob and Mary (Schlangen) Schmitz in Munson Township.

She married Nick J. Hemmesch on June 16, 1941. The couple farmed in Lake Henry until moving to Paynesville in 1978. Their union lasted until Nick's death on Oct. 12, 1978.

Miranda had made her home in St. Joseph since 2000.

Miranda is survived by her children, Mary of St. Cloud, Betty (Ron) Backes of Richmond, Math (Karen) of Paynesville, Rosie Sheldrup of Mankato, Dan (Norma) of Spring Hill, Randy (Debbie) of Lake Henry, Debbie (Mike) Meagher of Paynesville, and Bruce of St. Joseph; 21 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; sisters, Marcella Kollman of Sauk Centre, Irene Hemmesch of Paynesville, Alma Mathison of Arizona, and MaryAnn Mikrot of St. Cloud; and brother, Ben of Fergus Falls.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Nick; son, Lynn; a son-in-law; two grandchildren; and five brothers, Linus, Christ, Elmer, Alvin, and Marvin.

Memorials are preferred.


Timothy Jones, 57, Cottage Grove
Timothy Jones, 57, of Cottage Grove died on Monday, March 22, after a battle with cancer.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, March 25, at Woodbury Lutheran Church. Burial will be in the Roseville Cemetery in Hawick at a later date.

Timothy Jones was born on March 24, 1952, to Milton and Marian (Hintz) Jones in Litchfield. He grew up on the family farm near Paynesville. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Atwater.

He married Connie Schultz on June 8, 1973, at Ostmark Lutheran Church in rural Watkins. Two sons, Nathanial and Mark, were born to this union.

Tim and Connie lived in Cottage Grove for the last 23 years.

For almost 40 years, Tim drove trucks of many sizes and shapes, including 18-wheelers and an RC Cola pop truck. He spent the last 22 years at Trailwood Transportation.

Tim is survived by his wife, Connie of Cottage Grove; sons, Nathanial and Mark of Cottage Grove; sister, Rose Overman of Slayton; brothers, Neal of Paynesville and Randy of Winsted; and 18 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; mother-in-law; and father-in-law.


Wilfred Marthaler, 63, Lake Henry
Wilfred "Willie" Marthaler, 63, of Lake Henry died on Wednesday, March 17, due to injuries sustained in an ATV accident.

Funeral services were held on Monday, March 22, at St. Margaret's Catholic Church in Lake Henry. Burial was in the parish cemetery with full military honors.

Willie Marthaler was born on March 15, 1947, to Joseph and Merina (Beste) Marthaler in Sauk Centre.

After graduating from Osakis High School, he served in the National Guard for four years.

He married Joyce Utsch on Aug. 28, 1971, at St. Martin Catholic Church.

In 1973, they moved to and farmed near Lake Henry.

Willie is survived by his wife, Joyce of Lake Henry; children, Gregg (fiance Kelly Christen) of Spring Hill, Sandra (Conrad) Gruber of Spring Hill, Douglas of St. Paul, and Ryan of Lake Henry; four grandchildren; and brothers and sisters, Larry of Osakis, Art of Padua, Julie Schmitz of Anoka, Alcuin of Osakis, Darlene Stevens of Melrose, Arnie of Osakis, David of Osakis, Marilyn Olson of Osakis, and Eileen Weiner of Sauk Centre.

He was preceded in death by his parents and infant brother.

Memorials are preferred.


Dorothy Nathe, 86, Sauk Centre
Dorothy A. Nathe, 86, of Sauk Centre died on Monday, March 15, at St. Michael's Nursing Home in Sauk Centre.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, March 18, at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. Burial was in the parish cemetery

. Dorothy Alvina Younkin was born on Feb. 16, 1924, to Clarence and Otillia (Hartman) Younkin in Paynesville.

She married Leo Nathe on April 14, 1942, at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. Their union lasted until Leo's death on Jan. 31, 2002.

Dorothy lived and farmed in the Sauk Centre area from 1942 to 1973 and was employed at Fingerhut for 25 years.

Dorothy is survived by her children, Helen (Harold) Fritzlar of Sauk Centre, Ruthann (Robert) Rieland of Sauk Centre, Donna (Eugene) Illies of Elrosa, James (Anne) Nathe of Osakis, Frank Nathe of Avon, Alfred (Clara) Nathe of Melrose, William (Georgine) Nathe of Freeport, and Charles (Barb) Nathe of New Munich; 29 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren; brother, Herbert Younkin of Paynesville; and sister, Lois Kulzer of Paynesville.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Leo; parents; three infant sons; two grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Leo Younkin, Evelyn Miller, Philip Younkin, Georgia Nelson, Bernice Hester, Helen Jeske, Donald Younkin, Richard Younkin, Luverne Younkin, Marjorie Marihart, Robert Younkin, and Kenneth Younkin; and a daughter-in-law.


Mae Zahl, 96, Willmar
Mae Zahl, 96, of Willmar died on Friday, Feb. 26.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 6, at Willmar United Methodist Church. Burial was in the Olivia Cemetery.

Mae Mildred Zahl was born on Nov. 6, 1913, to Rev. Fred and Lydia (Bathke) Schendel in Morristown, Minn.

She attended grade school in Luverne and Rochester. She graduated from high school in Bellingham, Minn. She later graduated from North Central College in Naperville, Ill.

After college, she was employed at the Mayo Clinic as a medical technician. She then taught high school science and physical education for three years in Starbuck, Minn.

She married Rev. Willert Zahl in 1939. Together, they worked as partners in the ministry at five churches: Hendricks, Cherry Grove, Danube, Paynesville (1957 to 1963), and Duluth Chester Park.

In 1973, they volunteered their services to the Alaska Conference for six months and to the Red Bird Mission in Kentucky for six months.

They moved to Willmar in 1974 and lived in their retirement home for 18 years before moving to Sunrise Village Apartments in 1992.

After retirement, Mae and Bill served churches for eight different years in the following places: Anchorage, Ketchikan, Juneau, Wrangell, Homer, and Nome, Alaska; and Maui, Hawaii.

Mae is survived by her brothers, Stanley Schendel of Willmar and Lyndon Schendel of Oak Park Heights; 11 nieces; and two nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Willert; one brother; and three sisters.


Floribert Jaeger, 80, Lake Henry
Floribert C. "Flip" Jaeger, 80, of Lake Henry died on Saturday, March 6, at the St. Cloud Hospital.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 13, at St. Margaret's Catholic Church in Lake Henry. Burial, with military honors, was in the parish cemetery.

Flip Jaeger was born on Jan. 5, 1930, to Nicholas and Beatrice (Hess) Jaeger in Lake Henry.

He served his country in the U.S. Army in Germany.

Flip farmed with his brother near Lake Henry, retiring in 1983.

Flip is survived by his brother, James of Lake Henry; sisters, Dorothy Loch of Belgrade and Gloria Brick of Roseville; a sister-in-law; and several nieces and nephews.

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

Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers.


Edward Schaefer, 96, St. Martin
Edward J. Schaefer, 96, of St. Martin died on Monday, March 8, at the Assumption Home in Cold Spring.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 13, at St. Martin Catholic Church. Burial was in the St. Martin Parish Cemetery.

Edward Schaefer was born on Nov. 17, 1913, to Henry and Mary (Knese) Schaefer in Zion Township.

He married Alvina Orbeck on Sept. 8, 1936, in St. Martin Catholic Church. Their union lasted until Alvina's death in 2000.

Edward farmed all his life on the "homeplace." He and Alvina moved into the town of St. Martin in 1966, and he retired from farming in 1976.

In 2008, he moved to the Assumption Court in Cold Spring.

Edward is survived by his children, Marilyn Kaschmitter of Sauk Rapids, Elnora (Elvin) Lieser of St. Martin, Doreen Salzl-Heidgerken of Richmond, Roman (LuAnn) Schaefer of Paynesville, Dolores (John W.) Maile of Cold Spring, Irene (Duane) Burg of St. Martin, and Alice (Chuck) Niewind of Grand Rapids; 26 grandchildren; 57 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; sister, Alma Dirks; and a sister-in-law.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Alvina; parents; siblings, Zita, Albert, Helena, Hildegard, and Alphonse; three sons-in-law; one grandson; one great-granddaughter; and one great-great-grandson.


Kathryn Buermann, 80, Paynesville
Kathryn B. Buermann, 80, of Paynesville died on Wednesday, March 3, at her home.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 6, at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Roscoe. Burial was in the parish cemetery.

Kathryn Buermann was born on Dec. 11, 1929, to Joseph M. and Anna (Engelmeyer) Lehner in St. Francis.

She married Norbert M. Buermann on June 19, 1950, at St. Francis Church.

She farmed with her husband until 1985 and also worked at Tuck's Cafe in Paynesville for over 30 years.

She is survived by her children, David, Arnold (Lucy), Ralph (Pam), Ione, and Cyril (Sue) Buermann, all of Paynesville; eight grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and siblings, Mary Ann Rueter of Albany, Eileen Kirchner of St. Cloud, Frank of Moundview, Peter of Shakopee, Alphonse of Hutchinson, and Robert of Pine City.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Norbert; parents; two brothers, Joseph and Raymond; a brother-in-law; and a sister-in-law.


Alfred Rothstein, 80, Paynesville
Alfred "Fritz" Rothstein, 80, of Paynesville died on Wednesday, March 3, at the St. Cloud Hospital.

Funeral services were held on Monday, March 8, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville. Burial was in St. Margaret's Parish Cemetery in Lake Henry.

Alfred Rothstein was born on Aug. 12, 1929, to Nick and Theresa (Braegelmann) Rothstein in Richmond.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955 in Frankfurt, Germany.

He married Elizabeth (Bertram) Hemmesch on April 26, 1974, in Lake Henry. Their union lasted until Elizabeth's death in 2008.

He worked at Richmond Concrete and Rod for 10 years and the Cold Spring Brewery for 28 years prior to retiring in 1994.

Alfred is survived by his stepchildren, Alice (Herman) Schaefer of St. Martin, Janet (Donald) Schaefer of Cold Spring, Richard (Mary Ann) Hemmesch of Lake Henry, and Donald Hemmesch of Albany; 24 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and brothers, Gregor of Kimball, Marcellus of Richmond, Clarence of Richmond, Ralph of Richmond, and Nicholas of Richmond.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Elizabeth; brothers, Norbert, Paul, Edmund, Leo, Leander, and Richard Rothstein; and sisters, Aegidia Hemmesch, Leona Hemmesch, Lucille Rothstein, and Agnes Rausch.

Memorials are preferred.


James Liebrenz, 74, Paynesville
James Liebrenz, 74, of Paynesville died on Friday, Feb. 26, at the Mountain Vista Medical Center in Mesa, Arizona.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 13, at 11:30 a.m., at Grace United Methodist Church in Paynesville. Inturnment will be at a later date.

A visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., on Friday, March 12, at the Daniel-Anderson Funeral Home in Paynesville, and from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., on Saturday at Grace United Methodist Church.

Jim Liebrenz was born on Oct. 15, 1935, to John F. and Ethel E. (Schoenleben) Liebrenz in Paynesville.

He graduated from Paynesville High School in the Class of 1953.

He married Alice Ann Wallace on March 2, 1957, at Evangelical United Brethren Church in Minneapolis. Four sons were born to this union. The couple shared 53 years of marriage.

Jim worked construction and was a member of Cement Masons Union #633.

Jim is survived by his wife, Alice of Paynesville; sons, Virl (Chris) Liebrenz of Watkins, Cameron (Diane) Liebrenz of South Haven, Delwyn (Nancy) Liebrenz of Paynesville, and Deron (Patti) Liebrenz of St. Cloud; five grandchildren; one step grandchild; four step great-grandchildren; brother, Darrel Liebrenz of Plymouth; six sisters-in-law; two brothers-in-law; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Virl and Dale; and one step granddaughter.


Lucille Haag, 92, Eden Valley
Lucille Haag, 92, of Eden Valley died on Wednesday, March 3, at the Hilltop Care Center in Watkins.

Funeral Services were held on Monday, March 8, at the Assumption Catholic Church in Eden Valley. Burial was in St. Peter's Cemetery.

Lucille Haag was born on Aug. 8, 1917, to Earl and Blanche (Rexford) Brossard in a cabin on Rice Lake, near Eden Valley.

The oldest child, she spent most of her childhood in the same area where she was born. She graduated as salutatorian of the Eden Valley High School Class of 1934.

She worked for a year in the Twin Cities as a nanny/housekeeper and then attended teacher-training school in Faribault. She returned to the Rice Lake area and taught country school at District 77 for two years and at District 205 for one year.

On June 24, 1939, Cele married Jack Haag.

Cele spent much of her married life caring for the couple's six children. She also loved gardening and was noted for her cooking skills, from her dinners of fried chicken and apple pie to her homemade bread and cinnamon rolls, a Friday tradition at the Haag household.

Cele was also a religious education teacher for many years at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Eden Valley.

Cele spent most of her years as a widow living on her own near Eden Valley, until moving to town in 2002. Failing health prompted her to move into Hilltop Care Center in December 2005, where she maintained her spunk and feistiness. Her witty personality made her a favorite among staff.

Cele is survived by her six children, Connie (Duane) Arnold of Columbia Heights, Betty (David) Lipinski of Eden Valley, Jim (Mona) Haag of Eden Valley, Mike (Mary) Haag of Richmond, Dan (Connie) Haag of Paynesville, and Julie (Gail) Bulau of Eden Valley; 23 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Ferne Leary, of Greenville, Tenn., Gail Lippert of Lindstrom, and Gary Brossard of Mora; and two sisters-in-law.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jack; sisters, Lorraine Gasper and Marilyn Ristow; and two infant grandsons.


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