July 2016 Death Notices - Paynesville Press, Paynesville, Minnesota
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Death Notices
Complete obituaries can be found in the Paynesville Press each week.

July 2016


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Obituary Archives

Diane Rittenhouse, 75, Paynesville
Diane K. Rittenhouse, 75, of Paynesville died on Monday July 25, at her home near Paynesville, after a long, courageous battle with cancer.

A memorial service was held on Friday, July 29, at Grace Methodist Church in Paynesville. Burial will be in the Roseville Cemetery in Hawick.

Diane Kay Rittenhouse was born on June 27, 1941, to Gerald and Bernice (Anderson) Kurth in Elmore.

She grew up in Elmore, where she attended Elmore High School, graduating in 1959.

She moved to Minneapolis, where she went to nursing school.

On July 9, 1960, Diane married Arthur Rittenhouse. To this union, a daughter and a son were born. They shared 56 years of marriage.

They made their home in Minneapolis while finishing college before moving to Paynesville in 1964, where she worked as a nurse at the Paynesville Hospital, as a homemaker, and as a MaryKay consultant.

Diane is survived by her husband, Arthur; children, Peggy (Jim) Pahl of Vernon Center and Tim (Julie) Rittenhouse of Paynesville; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; siblings, Vicki Terhark, Kathy Ferguson, and Joyce Kuelbs; and a brother-in-law.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, General Ron Kurth; and a brother-in-law.


Ardis Smith, 76, Paynesville
Ardis "Rusty" E. Smith, 76, of Paynesville died on Friday, July 22, at the St. Cloud Hospital.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 27, at the Johnson Funeral Home in Paynesville. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Johnson Funeral Home and for one hour prior to the service.

Ardis Elaine Smith was born on Nov. 21, 1939, to Arthur and Eleanor (Johnson) Iverson in Sunburg.

She grew up in the Sunburg and Kerkhoven area before moving to Oregon with her family.

On Aug. 29, 1957, Rusty married Robert Burch. To this union, five children were born. They made their home on military bases throughout the world as Robert served in the service. They later divorced.

On March 30, 1973, Rusty married Allen Smith. To this union, a son was born. They made their home in Belgrade before moving to Paynesville in 1982. They later divorced.

Rusty worked as a homemaker, waitress at Hillcrest and Countyline Bar, and drove truck for K Farms.

She is survived by her children, Jim Burch, Teresa (Steve) Fredrick, Sue (Scott) Beeman, Dennis Burch, and Allen Smith Jr; seven grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her son, Alvin; parents; brother, Otis; and a granddaughter.


Eva Wagner, 91, Crystal
Eva M. Wagner, 91, of Crystal, Minn., and formerly of St. Cloud and Alexandria, died on Friday, July 15.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 28, at Advent Lutheran Church in Maple Grove. Private interment will be in Ebenezer Cemetery in Eden Lake Township.

Eva was born on Aug. 26, 1924.

She is survived by and will be deeply missed by her children, Michael (Janet), Catherine "Cate," Greg (Sharon), Carmen Nielsen (Cal), Douglas (Theresa), Bruce (Nan), Barry (Vicki), Bradley (Jin), Kimberly (Jeff), and Sheldon (Faith); 24 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law; and many other relatives and good friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold; a grandson; and sisters, Loretta Endres and Bert Endres.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.


Dorothy Ludwig, 64, Eden Valley
Dorothy Mary Ludwig, 64, of Eden Valley died peacefully while surrounded by family and friends on Thursday, July 21, after courageously battling inflammatory breast cancer for nearly 10 years.

Mass of Christian burial was held on Tuesday, July 26, at Assumption Catholic Church in Eden Valley. Burial was in Assumption Catholic Cemetery.

Dorothy was born on July 13, 1952, to Alvis and Theresia (Schaefer) Ludwig in Richmond.

She grew up in the Roscoe area and graduated from Paynesville High School in 1970.

Dorothy was employed by Animal Fair in Eden Valley, Gold NÕ Plump in Cold Spring, and RIE Coating in Eden Valley.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Julie Ludwig; siblings, Maryann Ludwig, Paul Ludwig, Loretta Roering, Jerome Ludwig, Robert Ludwig, Bernice Larson, Edward Ludwig, twin Dolores Larson, Rosemary Ludwig, and Donald Ludwig; three sisters-in-law; a brother-in-law; 28 nieces and nephews; and many great-nieces and great -nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alvis and Theresia Ludwig; brothers, Raymond and Leo Ludwig; sister, Joan Shaw; and two brothers-in-law.


Louie Garding, 85, Paynesville
Marcellus F. "Louie" Garding, 85, of Paynesville died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, July 21, at Hilltop Care Center in Watkins, following a brief battle with cancer.

Mass of Christian burial was held on Monday, July 25, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville. Entombment was in St. Louis Parish Cemetery mausoleum.

Louie was born on Oct. 29, 1930, to Mathias and Rose (Hoppe) Garding on the family farm in St. Martin.

He married Mary Lou Sumbs on June 13, 1953, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sauk Rapids. They resided in Kimball and Freeport prior to building their home in Paynesville in 1958.

Louie was employed with Cold Spring Granite for over 20 years. He helped with farming for Joe Williams and also at his implement store. He worked for Stonegate Lodge in Paynesville for over 20 years.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou; daughters, Debbie Wendt of Grove City, Judy Johnson of Litchfield, Linda (Tom) Schaefer, of Phoenix, Ariz.; three grandsons; two great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Julietta Garding of Sauk Rapids, Delores Zierden of Sauk Rapids, and Maryann Birr of St. Cloud.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson; a son-in-law; three infant siblings; brother, Celestine; and sisters, Veronica Sterns and Eileen Balman.


Glenn Young, 71, Litchfield
Glenn Edward Young, 71, of Litchfield died on Sunday July 17, at the Meeker Manor in Litchfield with his wife by his side.

A memorial service was held on Friday, July 22, at First Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Burial was in Lake Ripley Cemetery in Litchfield.

Glenn, the son of Phil and Audrey (Bacon) Young, was born on Dec. 17, 1944, in St. Cloud.

He grew up in Paynesville and graduated from Paynesville High School in 1962.

Glenn was a baker at YoungÕs Bakery in Paynesville until 1967, when allergies to flour forced him out of the family business.

Glenn soloed on his 15th birthday and got his license the day after his 16th birthday. He used his flying background to become a flight instructor and charter pilot for Willmar Air Service from 1967 to 1969. Glenn then became Johnson Bros.Õ first pilot in 1969.

After being diagnosed with MS in 1971, he continued to work for Johnson Bros. in a management capacity, including truck dispatcher, flight department manager, and weather forecaster for all the job sites. He retired from Johnson Bros. in 1995.

Five months after offering Ethel Sorensen free flying lessons, the couple was married at Walworth Baptist Church in Ulen, Minn., on Sept. 23, 1967. Glenn and Ethel were blessed with three children, Matthew, Evonne, and Peter.

Glenn had a quick wit and was known for his dry sense of humor. In his younger years, he was a member of the talented and humorous Black Straps marching drum group.

He managed the Litchfield Airport for many years and was the flight coordinator for Wings of Mercy. He also did a daily weather program on KLFD (Litchfield) and the KASM (Albany) radio station for many years.

Glenn is survived by his wife, Ethel Young of Litchfield; children, Evonne (Bob) Fix of Maplewood and Pete (Tija) Young of Nairobi, Kenya, Africa; four grandchildren; sister, Carolyn Welter of Paynesville; and three nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Phil and Audrey, and son, Matthew.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be used for family travel costs.


Arlene Theel, 89, Paynesville
Arlene Ardis Theel, 89, of Paynesville died on Sunday, June 19, at the Koronis Manor Care Center.

An open house celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 30, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church in Paynesville.

Arlene was born on March 14, 1927, in Balaton, Minn. She attended Russell Public Schools.

On Feb. 1, 1944, she was united in marriage to Manford Elton Theel. Following this marriage, they resided on the Theel family farm north of Paynesville.

She spent many years as a homemaker before pursuing work outside the home, which included housekeeping at the Koronis Manor and several restaurant positions.

Arlene resided at the Koronis Manor Care Center for the last three years before her passing.

She and Manford were fortunate to celebrate their 70- year wedding anniversary prior to his passing in March 2014.

She is survived by her four children, Allen (Marlene) of Paynesville, Warren (Ruth) of Paynesville; Gloria (Dave) Keene of Preston, Minn., and Steve of Paynesville; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandson; and sister, Deloris (John) Hohl of Deming, N.M.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother and sister, daughter-in-law, and infant grandson.

Arlene chose to be an anatomical whole body donor, donating her body to the Mayo Clinic for research purposes.


Irene Schindel, 97, Oconto Falls
Irene L. Schindel, 97, of Oconto Falls, Wis., died on Thursday, June 30, at Grancare Nursing Center in Green Bay.

A funeral service was held on Tuesday, July 5, at Tabor Methodist Church in Gillett. Burial was in Wanderers Rest Cemetery in Gillett.

Irene was born on Nov. 25, 1918, to Albert and Anna (Gehrke) Heitke in Stearns County.

She grew up in Paynesville, where she graduated from high school.

On Dec. 16, 1939, she married August Schindel in Paynesville. Following their marriage, the couple lived in rural Oconto Falls, where they owned and operated a family farm for 61 years.

She is survived by her six children, Calvin Schindel, Keith (Dorene) Schindel, Grace Schindel, Diane (Harlan) Hansen, James (Cindy) Schindel, and John (Kristie) Schindel; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Doris Monson and Delores Heitke; a sister-in-law; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, August (1992); infant son, Dennis Schindel; daughter, Anna Holloway; brother, Clinton Heitke; and sister, Ethel Heitke.


Verlyn Schmidt, 86, Paynesville
Verlyn J. Schmidt, 86, of Paynesville died on Monday, July 4, at the Emmanuel Home in Litchfield.

Memorial services were held on Friday, July 8, at Grace United Methodist Church in Paynesville. Inurnment, with military honors, was in the Paynesville Cemetery.

Verlyn was born on Feb. 10, 1930, to John and Mary (Pfingsten) Schmidt in Eden Valley, Minn.

He married Luella P. Anderson on March 28, 1953, at the Paynesville Methodist Church.

Verlyn served his country in the Unites States Army during the Korean War. He farmed in Eden Lake Township and was later employed by Langmo Farms. He retired in 1982 and moved to Paynesville.

After his retirement, he worked part-time with puppies at AMazeÕn Farmyard.

Verlyn is survived by his wife, Luella; children, Debra of Paynesville, Mary (John) Raskie of Litchfield, and Peter of Litchfield; grandchildren, Melissa, Michael, and Zachary; great-grandchildren, Austen, Faith, and Hope; great-great-granddaughter, Lily; and brother, Paul of Eden Valley.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Bonita Gunstrom; and brother, James.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.


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