January 2015 Death Notices - Paynesville Press, Paynesville, Minnesota
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Death Notices
Complete obituaries can be found in the Paynesville Press each week.

January 2015


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Obituary Archives

Frances Schoenecker, Eden Valley
Frances M. Schoenecker, 86, of Eden Valley passed away peacefully on Sunday, Feb. 1, at her home, surrounded by family.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, at Assumption Catholic Church in Eden Valley. Father Richard Gross will officiate, and burial will be in the Assumption Parish Cemetery.

Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6, at the Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Eden Valley and one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday, Feb. 7.

Frances Marilyn was born on Aug. 3, 1928, to Emil and Margaret (Maguire) Fodstad in Minneapolis.

On Nov. 4, 1950, she married Robert Schoenecker at St. Helena's Catholic Church in Minneapolis. Shortly after, the couple moved to the Eden Valley area, where Frances was a homemaker, raising their 15 children.

Frances is survived by her husband, Robert of Richmond; children, Bruce of Paynesville, Rhonda (Larry) Larson of Paynesville, Lucinda Scheierl of Richmond, Mark of Richmond, Scott (Brenda) of Richmond, Steven of Richmond, Theresa (Gary) Branstner of Richmond, Lance of Fargo, N.D., Judith (Gary) Steil of Richmond, Milissa (Randy) Linz of Richmond, Rob of Cold Spring, Kayla OŐBrien of Richmond, Brian of Clearwater, Blaine (Joleen) of Paynesville, and Jay (Heidi) of Watkins; 29 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and sister, Bernice Rothstein of Mora.

She was preceded in death by a granddaughter; her parents; sisters, Lucille Tatro, LuVerne Ruhland, Dorothy Sventek, Irene Pipp, and Myrtle Fodstad; and brothers, Raymond Fodstad and Donald Fodstad.


Charles Jones, 76, Hawick
Charles W. Jones, 76, of Hawick died on Wednesday, Jan. 28, at his home in Hawick.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, Jan. 31, at Zion-Irving Lutheran Church in rural Paynesville. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Charles Winslow Jones was born on May 8, 1938, on the family farm in Roseville Township. He attended country grade school in District #1 and high school in Paynesville, graduating in 1956.

From 1961 to 1967, he served in Minnesota Army National Guard.

On April 18, 1964, Charley married Carol Solum at Zion- Irving Lutheran Church. To this union, a daughter and son were born. They shared 50 years of marriage.

They made their home in Hawick, and he worked for New London Materials as a mechanic and redi-mix driver for 42 years, retiring in 2002.

Charley was member of Zion-Irving Lutheran Church, where he served as a deacon, trustee, church president, Sunday school teacher, and treasurer and sang in the choir. Charley is survived by his wife, Carol; children, Angela Jones of Hawick and Scott (Bridgett) Jones of New London; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; siblings, Muretta Prokes, Margaret Schnell, Laura Mae Bloomquist, Donald Jones, Ruth Ann Boyer, and Emma Miller; two sisters-in-law; and three brothers-in-law.

Charley was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Keith, Larry, and Melvin; and daughter-in-law, Stacy.


Conrad Patsch, 84, Paynesville
Conrad J. Patsch, 84, of Paynesville died on Wednesday, Jan. 14, at St. Benedict's Senior Community in St. Cloud.

Mass of Christian burial was held on Saturday, Jan. 17, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville. Entombment was in the St. Louis Parish Mausoleum with full military honors.

Conrad was born on July 10, 1930, to Joseph and Christina (Nietfeld) Patsch in Lake Henry.

He graduated from Melrose High School.

He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1951 to 1953 and was a veteran of the Korean War.

He worked as a supervisor at Honeywell Corporation for 38 years and retired in 1992.

Conrad is survived by his sisters, Ann Vossberg of St. Paul and Mary Lou Harris of St. Cloud, as well as ten nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers-in-law.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at Washburne Court in Paynesville and to St. Benedict's Senior Community in St. Cloud for their care of Conrad.


Norbert Jansen, 84, Paynesville
Norbert "Norb" W. Jansen, 84, of Paynesville died on Thursday, Jan. 15, at home on the farm.

Mass of Christian burial was held on Monday, Jan. 19, at Assumption Catholic Church in Eden Valley. Burial was in the parish cemetery.

Norb was born on Aug. 16, 1930, to Daniel and Elizabeth (Ablen) Jansen in Eden Lake Township.

He attended the local country school and lived in the same house all of his life.

Norb married Clara Waltzing on Nov. 7, 1959, at St. Wendelin Catholic Church in Luxemburg. Their union lasted until Clara's death on Feb. 14, 2002.

He was a dairy farmer and retired in 1999.

Norbert is survived by his daughters, Josie (Ron) Stang of St. Nicholas, Jackie (Ron) Mackedanz of Hawick, Joyce Jansen of Paynesville, Janet Jansen of Sauk Rapids, and Julie Jansen of Pennock; sister, Rose Patton of Inver Grove Heights; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Norb was preceded in death by his parents and spouse, Clara.


Barbara Gundlach, 94, Paynesville
Barbara Gundlach, 94, of Paynesville died on Friday, Jan. 16, at the Koronis Manor in Paynesville.

Her funeral will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 1 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Anoka.

Barbara was born on Jan. 13, 1921, in Bismarck, N.D.

Her family moved to Anoka when she was a child. She graduated from Anoka High School and attended a business college for accounting.

She married Conrad Gundlach in 1940. They were married for 67 years.

Barbara worked at various businesses and managed the Anoka School District Credit Union until she retired.

Ten years ago, Barbara and Conrad moved to Paynesville to be closer to her daughter, Sue, and her family.

Barbara is survived by her two daughters, Cathy (Stan) Thorud of Tucson, Ariz., and Susan (Harlin) Hecht of Paynesville; 11 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Conrad; her parents; and five of her six siblings.


Robert Heitke, 85, Paynesville
Memorial services celebrating the life of Robert W. "Bob" Heitke, 85, of Paynesville were held on Monday, Jan. 12, at Grace United Methodist Church in Paynesville. Pastor Ric Koehn officiated. Inurnment will be at a later date in Salem Cemetery.

Bob passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at the St. Cloud Hospital.

Bob was born on March 22, 1929, to the late William and Esther (Miller) Heitke in Minneapolis, Minn. He was raised in rural Paynesville and attended a country school nearby.

Bob met his wife, Carol, while attending Salem Church, and they married on Oct. 6, 1951, at Carol's parent's home.

Bob and Carol resided in rural Paynesville, where they farmed. Bob also did some part-time truck driving for William Weber and Sylvester Neu and was employed for Zion Rural Telephone Company.

Bob is survived by his wife of 63 years, Carol of Paynesville; children, Bill (Ruth) of Paynesville and Kim (Mark) Hoff of St. Cloud; grandchildren, Steve (Trish), Laurie, and Ross Barten; great-granddaughters, McKenna, Kinley, and Macey Barten; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by three infant sons; and brother, Howard Heitke.

A heartfelt thank you to the ICU staff at the St. Cloud Hospital for their loving care. Memorials are preferred to Salem Church.


Julayne Lounsbury, 84, Paynesville
Julayne "Jo" M. Lounsbury, 84, of Paynesville died on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at GlenOaks Care Center in New London.

Her memorial service was held on Monday, Jan. 12, at Nordland Lutheran Church in rural Paynesville. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Julayne Marie (Rundquist) Lounsbury was born on Aug. 1, 1930, to Charles G. and Beatrice (Tyllien) Rundquist in Minneapolis.

She grew up in Denham on a small farm. Jo attended Denham schools through seventh grade and graduated from Willow River High School with the Class of 1947.

Jo moved to Minneapolis in 1948 with the intention of becoming a nurse. She took a nurses aide job at Asbury Hospital and met her husband-to-be, Bob, who was also employed there.

Jo and Bob were married on June 4, 1949, at Faith Lutheran Church in rural Sturgeon Lake. This union was blessed with three daughters and a son. They also raised three granddaughters.

After two years in Minneapolis, they moved to Bob's parent's farm in rural Paynesville. Jo was first and foremost Bob's partner on the farm. She was also a nurse's aide at the Paynesville Community Hospital for three years and a volunteer coordinator at the Good Samaritan Home for 13.5 years.

Jo is survived by her children, Carol (Ken) Olson, Robert (Catherine) Lounsbury, Jeanne (Joseph) Miller, and Mary (Andrew) DeMorett; 15 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; siblings, Nancy Sorenson, Marge Dobosenski, and Karen Larson; and two brothers-in-law.

Jo was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Bob.


John Atwood, 89, Paynesville
John L. Atwood, 89, of Paynesville died on Saturday, Jan. 3, at the Koronis Manor in Paynesville.

His funeral service was held on Saturday, Jan. 10, at Grace United Methodist Church in Paynesville. Burial was in the Paynesville Cemetery.

John Louis Atwood was born on Jan. 10, 1925, to Fredrick and Louise (Muermann) Atwood in Chetek, Wis.

He grew up in Chetek, where he attended elementary school and graduated from Chetek High School in 1943.

After high school, John enlisted in the United States Army. He was stationed in Korea during WWII. On Nov. 22, 1946, John was honorably discharged and returned to the Chetek area.

On June 7, 1947 John married Julia Mott at the Methodist Church in Hudson, Wis. This union was blessed with two daughters and two sons. They shared 67 years of marriage.

The family made their home in Chetek, and Sarona, Wis.; and Northfield, New Prague, and Litchfield, Minn., before settling in Paynesville.

John was a technician supervisor for the Minnesota Valley Breeders Association and for Select Sires. He was a very well respected supervisor; his staff was very loyal to him and enjoyed his leadership.

John was in charge of the annual appreciation supper for MVBA. He enjoyed making the pancakes and organizing the event.

After John retired from Select Sires, he worked for the U.S. Census Bureau.

John is survived by his wife, Julia; children, Merrilee North of Brooklyn Park, Merilyn Downs of Minneapolis, John R. of Minneapolis, and Barry of Eden Prairie; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and sister, Donna Belle Ward of Bozeman, Mont.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and three brothers, Manuel, Kem, and Bud.


Daniel Spanier, 59, Spring Hill
Daniel L. Spanier, 59, of Spring Hill died after a courageous battle with cancer on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at his home in Spring Hill.

A mass of Christian burial will was held on Saturday, Jan. 10, at St. MichaelŐs Catholic Church in Spring Hill. Burial was in the parish cemetery.

Daniel Leo Spanier was born on March 6, 1955, to Andrew and Mildred (Stalberger) Spanier in Sauk Centre.

He graduated from Melrose High School in 1973, and shortly after graduating, took over the family farm.

He married Mary Ann Fuchs on April 4, 1977, at St. Margaret's Catholic Church in Lake Henry.

He purchased his own semi in 1998 to haul his grain and his neighbor's grain. Daniel loved the farm. Daniel farmed until he received the diagnosis of cancer on Oct. 1, 2014.

Daniel is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Spanier of Spring Hill; three sons, Chad (Laura) Spanier of Brooten, Chris (Kim) Spanier of Inver Grove Heights, and Curt (Jennifer) Spanier of Spring Hill; seven grandchildren and an eighth due in May; brothers and sisters, Kathy Fuchs of Lake Henry, Mary Jo McKenzie of Avon, Brien Spanier of Minneapolis, and Bruce Spanier of St. Louis Park; two brothers-in-law; a sister-in-law; and father-in-law, Lester Fuchs of Paynseville.

Daniel was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Mildred Spanier; a sister-in-law; a niece; and mother-in-law, Irene Fuchs.


Donald Spaulding, 78, Paynesville
Donald Eugene Spaulding, 78, of Paynesville, died on Sunday, Jan. 4.

Family and friends may attend a visitation on Saturday, Jan. 10, at 9:30 a.m., followed by a funeral mass at 11 a.m. at St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville. Reverend Glenn Krystosek will officiate.

Don was born on Dec. 25, 1936, in Meeker County.

He graduated from Paynesville High School and served his country in the navy, where he had the chance to travel the world.

He married June Schoenleben in 1958 and raised four children in Paynesville.

Don worked in road construction throughout Minnesota and North Dakota and South Dakota until retiring at the age of 75.

Don is survived by his wife, June Spaulding; sons, Dennis (JoAnn) of Paynesville and Tom (Debra) of Eden Prairie; daughters, Tanya of Minneapolis and Denise of St. Louis, Mo.; 11 incredible grandchildren; five great- grandchildren and one on the way; and brother, Joe Spaulding of Paynesville.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Alvina, and brother, George Jr.

A special thanks to CentraCare Hospital and the hospice program.


Edmund Ebensteiner, 83, Cold Spring
Edmund A. Ebensteiner, 83, of Cold Spring died on Friday, Jan. 2, at the St. Cloud Hospital.

Mass of Christian burial was held on Tuesday, Jan. 6, at Assumption Catholic Church in Eden Valley. Burial was in the parish cemetery.

Edmund Anthony Ebensteiner was born on Aug. 14, 1931, to John and Johanna (Lesser) Ebensteiner in Albany.

He married Doreen Garding on June 9, 1959, in St. Martin. They shared 55 years of marriage.

Edmund moved to Eden Valley in 1971, and prior to that, he lived in Albany on the home farm.

He worked as a dairy farmer for 42 years and as a seed dealer and corn salesman for over 30 years. He also worked as an insurance agent for Paynesville Mutual for over 30 years. After retiring from the farm, he also worked at TealŐs Market in Cold Spring. Edmund was a member of Assumption Catholic Church in Eden Valley, was involved with the Knights of Columbus #3628 of Albany, and was an usher.

He is survived by his loving wife, Doreen of Cold Spring; children, Pam (Jeff) Pelzer of Cold Spring and Kevin Ebensteiner of Annandale; a granddaughter; sisters, Genny Locnikar of Albany, Doreen Hodel of Sauk Rapids, and Evelyn (Mark) Thelen of Albany; and many nieces and nephews.

Edmund was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Dolores Thelen; brothers, Albin and Anthony; and son, Thomas.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Father Dick Gross for the prayers and services, thanks to relatives and friends for all their support while Eddie was ill, and thanks to all who helped in any way and assisted in his care.


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