August 2006 Obituaries - Paynesville Press, Paynesville, Minnesota
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from The Paynesville Press
August 2006

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John H. Jensen, 77, Paynesville
John Herbert Jensen, 77, of Paynesville, died on Wednesday Aug. 16, at the Paynesville Area Hospital. Private funeral services were held.

Jensen was born on May 26, 1929, in New Haven, Conn., the son of John and Florence (Johnson) Jensen. He grew up in New Milford and Brookfield, Conn., where he attended Milford High School, graduating in 1947.

He entered the United States Navy where he served his country during the Korean War on the USS Sicily.

On Oct. 9, 1953, John was united in marriage to Patricia Claire Hirmke in San Gabriel, Calif. To this union, one daughter was born.

They made their home in California, Oregon and New Mexico, where John worked for numerous companies in the aerospace and high tech industry as a technician industrial engineer.

They moved to Minneapolis in 1992 and to Paynesville in 2002.

He retired in 1999 but continued to work in his retirement in woodworking and furniture restoration.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia of Paynesville; and one daughter, Kristen (Lyle) Scott of Minneapolis.

John was preceded in death by his parents.

Annette Benson, 81, Paynesville
Annette Benson Annette Ruth Peterson Benson, 81, of Paynesville, died on Wednesday, Aug. 23, at the Koronis Manor in Paynesville.

Funeral services were at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 27, at Paynesville Lutheran Church. The Rev. David Nelson and Rev. Jeff Bergman officiated. Burial was in Brookville Cemetery near Evan, Minn.

Annette was born on Oct. 18, 1924, on the farm that her gradnfather had built in Brown County, Minnesota, to William and Elsie (Walden) Peterson. She grew up on a farm near Evan, Minn.

She was baptized and confirmed in the Methodist Church in Sleepy Eye. She attended elementary school in Cobden and graduated from Springfield High School in 1942.

She married Russell Benjamin Benson on Aug. 8, 1944, in the Brookville Lutheran Church. They lived in Gaylord, Sebeka and Lake Bronson prior to settling in Paynesville in 1964.

They owned and operated Annette's Dress Shop in Paynesville for many years and were member of the Paynesville Lutheran Church. She was a member of Hope Circle.

Survivors include her husband Russell; children, Douglas of Paynesville, Lorrie (Kevin) Torbenson of Mankato, and Rhonda (Ken) Williams of Prior Lake; five grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a sister Julie (Jerry) Hamernick of Forest Lake.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Carol Kettner; a brother, George Peterson; and son, Richard.

Melvin Wuertz, 83, Lake Henry
Melvin Wuertz Melvin P. Wuertz, 83, of Lake Henry, died on Tuesday, Aug. 22, at Glen Oakes Care Center in New London.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, Aug. 26, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Margaret's Catholic Church in Lake Henry. Rev. Leo Leisen officiated. Burial was in the Parish Cemetery.

Melvin was born May 19, 1923, near Lake Henry to William and Margaret (Waldorf) Wuertz.

He married Theresa Seiferman on Sept. 1, 1952, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Spring Hill. He farmed near Lake Henry most of his life and retired in 1987.

Melvin was a member of St. Margaret's Catholic Church and the Catholic Order of Foresters.

He loved to fish, play cards, watch his grandsons and nephews play baseball, go to birthday parties, visit his son's farms, and be with family and friends.

Survivors include his children; Judy (Larry) Hanson of New London, Barb (Russ) Hanson of Spicer, Harvey (Denise) Wuertz of Regal, Eugene (Lori) Wuertz of Lake Henry, Donna (Steve) Wiczek of Nisswa, Nancy (Bruce) Nelson of New London, and Bill (Lynn) Wuertz of Paynesville; 21 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and brothers and sisters, Vivian Mueller of Regal, Lorraine (Romuald) Ehresmann of St. Martin, Art (Leona) Wuertz of Lake Henry, and Vernon (Pat) Wuertz of St. Paul.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and wife Theresa on Oct. 1, 1997.

Evelyne Meyers, 88, Paynesville
Evelyne G. Meyers, 88, of Paynesville, north Minneapolis, and Coon Rapids passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 15 at the Koronis Manor.

Mass of resurrection took place on Saturday at the Church of the Epiphany in Coon Rapids. Interment was held at the Epiphany cemetery.

Evelyne taught for 31 years.

She is preceeded in death by husband, Victor; sisters and brothers, Helen, Ethel, Howard, L:loyd, Ronald, and Jeanne.

She is survived by daughter, Joyce (Donald) Selg; son, Bruce; three grandchildren; sisters, Margie (George) Ewen, Darlene (Ron) Sampson; Many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Ethel Hemingson, 84, Litchfield
Ethel Hemingson Ethel Hemingson, 84, of Litchfield, died on Wednesday, Aug. 9, at the Dassel Lakeside Nursing Home.

A memorial service with military honors was held on Saturday, Aug. 12, at the Zion Lutheran Church.

Ethel Hemingson, the daughter of Fredrick William and Emma (Elofson) Towler, was born on July 6, 1922, in Litchfield. She was baptized and confirmed at the Methodist Church in Litchfield.

Ethel received her education and graduated from Litchfield High School in 1940. After high school, she was a beautician and owned a beauty shop. She served in the Women's Army Corps from 1944 to 1946.

In 1950, Ethel was united in marriage to Edwin Hemingson at the Litchfield Methodist Church.

In 1980, she became a nurses aide at the Emmanuel Home, where she worked for 14 years. She also worked as a homemaker on the family farm.

Ethel was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church and the Nordland Lutheran Church. She was also a member of the V.F.W. Women's Auxiliary.

She enjoyed sewing, quilting, baking, and traveling.

Ethel is survived by her children, Bruce (Judy) Hemmingson of Hastings, Eddie Hemingson of Litchfield, Bill (Connie) Hemingson of Paynesville, and Michael (Robin) Hemingson of Paynesville; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

She is preceeded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Susan Kittleson; a son-in-law; and brothers, Fred Towler, Chester Thoen, and Einar Thoen.

Harold "Harry" Walz, 73, Belgrade
Harold "Harry" Walz Harold "Harry" J. Walz, 73, of Belgrade passed away on Monday, Aug. 7, 2006, at home surrounded by his family, after a battle with cancer.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday at St. Francis DeSales Catholic Church in Belgrade. Burial was at the St. Francis DeSales Catholic Cemetery in Belgrade.

Harry was born on Feb. 11, 1933, in St. Nicholas, the son of William and Rose (Schramel) Walz. He was baptized in 1933, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in the St. Nicholas Township.

He attended an elementary country school before graduating from Belgrade High School in 1951.

From 1954 to 1956, Harry served his country in the United States Army. In 1958, he earned a degree in computer programming.

On Nov. 20, 1956, he was united in marriage to Rita Marie Herickhoff at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa. Seven girls and one boy were born to this union.

Harry and Rita lived in Richfield from 1956 to 1974, where he was a computer programmer for 20 years. Then, in 1974 they moved back to Belgrade to pursue a career in grain farming. Together, Harry and Rita shared 50 years of marriage.

He was a member of St. Francis DeSales Catholic Church in Belgrade, where he was a eucharistic minister and a member of the Catholic Aid.

He is survived by his wife, Rita; children, Deborah (John) Bednark of St. Cloud, Cynthia (Brian) Weller of Belgrade, Dennis (Shannon) Walz of Sartell, Jaculin (James) Weller of Brooten, Sharon (Terry) Petersen of Lino Lakes, Susan (Peter) Terres of Melrose, Mary (Brian) Kollman of Brooten, and Stacy (Eric) Stalberger of Belgrade; 29 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, brothers, Urban (Laura), Alcuin, Wilbert, and Leo; sisters, Mariann (Robert) Pierson, and Vernette Walz.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son-in-law; two sisters-in-law; his father-in-law; and a brother-in-law.

Henry Lobitz, 99, Paynesville
Henry Lobitz Henry R. Lobitz, 99, of Paynesville passed away on Monday, July 31, at Koronis Manor in Paynesville.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, Aug. 5. Interment was at the Paynesville Cemetery.

Henry was born on July 17, 1907, in Paynesville, the son of Gustave and Elizabeth (Schwartz) Lobitz. He went to elementary school and grew up in Old Town Paynesville.

On May 22, 1940, he married Evalyn Wagner in Paynesville. To this union, five children were born. The family lived in Paynesville where they farmed and raised vegetables that were sold to local grocery stores.

On Nov. 26, 2003, Evalyn passed away. Together they shared in 63 years of marriage.

He is survived by his children, Shirley (Jannard) Knutson of Sartell, Elaine (Howard) Kaibel of Richfield, Jim Lobitz of Eagan, and Linda Jones of St. Cloud; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Henry was preceded in death by his wife; son, Robert; parents; and brothers, Ed, Louis, Danny, and Fred.

James Mehr, 24, Paynesville
James G. Mehr, 24, of Paynesville passed away on Friday, Aug. 4, at his home.

Mass of Christian burial was held on Wednesday, Aug. 9, at 11 a.m. at St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville. Burial was at the parish cemetery with military honors provided by the Paynesville American Legion Post #271.

Jim was born on April 19, 1982, in Glencoe to Gerald and Mary (Faber) Mehr. He was a 2000 graduate of Paynesville Area High School and a student at Moorhead State University.

Jim was a sergant in the United States Army Reserve and a veteran of the Iraq War.

Jim enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, hunting, and fishing. He also enjoyed rugby and was the captain of the Moorhead Dragons rugby team.

Jim was a member of St. Louis Catholic parish, the Catholic Aid Association, and the Paynesville American Legion Post #271.

Jim is survived by his parents Gerry and Mary Mehr of Paynesville; brothers and sisters, LeeAnn (Jeff) Evans of Iron River, Wis., Ron (Cathy Blair) of Hawick, Brenda (Joe) Weiss of Maple Grove, Kevin of Paynesville, and Greg of Paynesville; grandmother, Maria Faber of Paynesville; grandfather, John M. Mehr of Roscoe; and many relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Cleopha Mehr and Herman Faber.

Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers.

Death Notice
Marylin Gniffke, 69, Paynesville
Marylin Gniffke Marylin H. Gniffke, 69, of Paynesville died on Saturday, July 29. Her life's journey was celebrated on Wednesday, Aug. 9.

She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Kenneth of Paynesville; daughters, Debi Otto, Cemmy (Jerome) Schmit, Tammy (Chris) Spence, and Judy (Greg) Brown; six grandchildren; mother, Evelyn Munsch; siblings, Sandra (Walter) Wenholz, Glenn (Rosalie) Munsch, Jarvis (Joy) Munsch; and many other relatives and friends.

Hertha Fenske, 91, Paynesville
Hertha Fenske Hertha E. Fenske, 91, of Paynesville died on Tuesday, July 25, at the Koronis Manor.

Funeral services were held on Friday, July 28, at Paynesville Lutheran Church. Burial was at the Paynesville Cemetery.

Hertha was born on Aug. 31, 1914, in Morgan, Minn., to Wilhelm and Paulina (Mude) Jannusch.

She married Arthur A. Fenske on Oct. 1, 1935, in Morgan. They farmed in Morgan from 1935 to 1956, when they moved to farm in rural Paynesville. They retired from farming in 1962 and moved to the eastern edge of Paynesville. In 1986, Hertha moved into the city of Paynesville.

She was a member of Paynesville Lutheran Church.

She is survived by her four children, Herb (Carol) Fenske, Dallas (Patricia) Fenske, and Shirley Cromwell, all of Paynesville, and JoAnn (Bruce) Krupke of Willmar; 17 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband; infant daughter, Darlene; grandson, Scott Dallas Fenske; and sisters, Cora Rohde and Alma Kranz.

Phillip Young, 90, Paynesville
Philip Young Phillip Young, 90, died on Friday, July 21, at the Koronis Manor in Paynesville.

A memorial service for Young and his wife Audrey - who died at the age of 79 in November 1996 - were held on Friday, Aug. 4, at 11 a.m. at the Daniel-Anderson Funeral Home in Paynesville. Internment was in the Paynesville Cemetery.

Phil was born on March 31, 1916, in Edina, Minn., the son of Albert and Carrie (Peterson) Young. He grew up and went to school in Edina.

He was united in marriage to Audrey Bacon on May 25, 1938, in Minneapolis. Two children were born to this union.

They moved to Paynesville and purchased the bakery in October 1939. They owned and operated Young's Bakery until they sold it to their daughter Carolyn and her husband on Jan. 1, 1970.

Young served one term on the Paynesville City Council and was a volunteer fireman with the Paynesville Fire Department for many years, including duty as the fire chief.

He was an avid private pilot who loved to fly and also took care of the Paynesville Airport for many years.

He is survived by his children, Carolyn Welter of Paynesville and Glenn (Ethel) Young of Litchfield; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren (with one more on the way).

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a grandson; a brother, Ernie Young; and sisters, Helen Young and Marie Bartz.

Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers to the Paynesville Senior Dining, Paynesville R.O.S.E. Center, or to an organization of the donor's choice.

Ervin Winter, 93, Spring Hill
Ervin Winter Ervin C. Winter, 93, of Spring Hill, died on Wednesday, July 26, at the Koronis Manor.

Mass of Christian burial was held on Monday, July 31, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Spring Hill. Burial was at the parish cemetery.

Ervin was born on April 5, 1913, in Spring Hill to Frank and Mary (Schoenborn) Winter.

He married Ludwina C. Ramler on Sept. 30, 1941, at St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Farming.

He farmed near Spring Hill most of his life. He was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church.

He is survived by his children, Michael (Sharon) Winter of Roscoe, Adeline (Bill) Boucher of Rockville, Mary (Butch) Kotz of Belgrade, Ruth (Steve) Larson of Litchville, N.D., Dan (Terri) Winter of Spring Hill, Tim Winter of Minneapolis, and Bill Winter of Tracy, Iowa; 21 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; sisters, Johanna Schefers of Cold Spring and Tillie Jonas of Melrose.

He was preceded in death by his wife; daughter, Rita Winter; son, Joseph Winter; brothers, Henry, Lawrence, Edward, Alfred, Art, and Richard; and sisters, Sophia, Theckla, Jonas, Erma Kunstleben, Sarah Fuchs, and Leona Meemken.

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