June 2005 Obituaries - Paynesville Press, Paynesville, Minnesota
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from The Paynesville Press
June 2005

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Opal Neuman, 85, Paynesville
Opal Neuman Opal May Neuman, 85, of Paynesville, died on Tuesday, June 28, 2005, at the Koronis Manor in Paynesville.

Mass of Christian Burial was at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 1, at the Church of Our Lady in Manannah. Reverend Francis Garvey officiated. Burial was in the Church of Our Lady Parish Cemetery.

Opal was born on July 31, 1919, in Kossuth County, Iowa, to Albin and Clara (Christiansen) Nelson. She grew up and attended school through the 10th grade in Seneca, Iowa.

She married Joseph Neuman on Nov. 17, 1936, in Bancroft, Iowa. They farmed in the area until 1953 when they moved to a farm near Grove City, Minn. In 1972, they retired to a small acreage on Rice Lake where she lived until 1988 when she moved into Paynesville. In 2000 she moved into 700 Stearns where she lived for three years.

She enjoyed cooking and gardening, especially roses.

Opal is survived by her children, Donna (Ben) Baker of Portland, Ore., Joseph (Ruth) Neuman of Eden Valley, Larry (Jeanette) Neuman of Avon, Carol (Ralph) Schultz of Belle Plaine, and David (Pat) Neuman of Paynesville; 17 grandchildren; and 33 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, stepmother, husband Joe (1981), three sisters, one brother, and three grandchildren.

Freeman (Bud) Mills, 80, Wyoming
Freman (Bud) Mills, 80 of Lovell, Wyoming, died at his home on May 3, 2005.

Funeral services were held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Lovell on Saturday, May 7. Father Eckley Macklin officiated. Interment was at Lovell Cemetery.

Bud was born May 16, 1924, in Eden Lake Township, to Philip and Edna (Welliver) Mills. He was the youngest of five sons. He attended school in Rice Lake Township.

As a young man he had a wide range of jobs: cutting ice from the lake, clearing timber using a crossbuck saw, growing tobacco, and trapping fur. After losing an arm in a farming accident, he went to California to build airplanes during World War II. He later started his own mink farm. In 1970 he bought a Coast-to-Coast hardware store in Lovell and operated it until he retired.

In 1983 he married Melodina Ycong in Manila, Philippines.

He loved to travel and was a hunter and fisherman. He was also a zone chairman for the Lions Club and a Freemason.

Bud is survived by his wife, Dina; brother, Ivan of Paynesville; children, Robert (Linda) of Lovell, Richard of Casper, Wyo., and Cheryl (Mark) Knop of Lovell; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Norman, Orris (Chuck), and Lester; and an infant brother.

Virgil Krueger, 70, Washington
Virgil Victor Krueger, 79, died on Saturday, June 25, 2005, at the Yakima Regional Hospital in Yakima, Wash.

Services will be private.

Virgil was born on May 31, 1926, in Green Valley, Minn., the son of Gust and Irma (Bruss) Krueger. He was raised on a farm near Porter, Minn.

He served in the U.S. Navy for a short period during WWII and was given an honorary discharge.

He married Loretta Lindberg on Oct. 28, 1950.

Virgil worked as a lumberyard manager in Echo, Clarkfield, Dawson and Chandler before he got into the trucking business. He drove for Smith Trucking of Willmar, Fritz Trucking of Clara City, and Younkin Trucking of Paynesville.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing cards.

Virgil is survived by his wife Loretta; children, LeAnn Krueger of Big Lake, Minn., Virgil Krueger Jr. of Yakima, Wash., Karen (Peter) Dahlke of Raymond, Minn., and Pamela Terveer of Buffalo; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Elden and Donald.

Elaine Rose, 83, Paynesville
Elaine Rose Elaine Jeanette Rose, 83, of Paynesville, died on Tuesday afternoon, June 21, 2005, at the Paynesville Area Hospital.

Mass of Christian Burial was at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 25, at St. Louise Catholic Church in Paynesville. Father Richard Leisen officiated. Burial was in St. Francis de Sales Catholic Cemetery in Belgrade.

Elaine was born on May 11, 1922, in St. Cloud, the daughter of John W. and Eleanor A. (Quisberg) Boie. She was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith in the Lutheran church. She grew up in Belgrade where she attended rural country school.

On June 11, 1941, she was united in marriage to Leo J. Rose. She then converted to the Catholic faith. To this union four children were born.

Elaine and Leo opened their home and took care of 12 foster children over the years while raising their own children. They lived in Belgrade their entire married lives. Leo died on Sept. 4, 1986, after 45 years of marriage. Elaine continued to live in their home until her eyesight made it impossible to stay. She then moved to Paynesville to be closer to her children.

She worked in various restaurants in Belgrade as well as the Belgrade Bakery. She and Leo ran Rite Spot Cafe and the "Y" many years ago. She also worked at the Senior Dining Center and at the Belgrade Public Schools.

Elaine enjoyed quilting, crocheting, knitting, making lefse and covering coat hangers. She made many quilts for her grandchildren's wedding presents.

Elaine is survived by three children, Ronald (Marion) Rose of Richmond, Susan (Dick) Madison of Paynesville, and Jean (Dennis) Van Eps of Paynesville; 13 grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and 10 brothers and sisters, Harriet Drake of Inver Grove Heights, Muriel Dixon of Hibbing, Richard (Florence) Boie of Sun City West, Ariz., Ramona Mohs of Belgrade, Dorothy (Bill) Bahe of Alexandria, David (Marsha) Boie of New Brighton, Roger Boie of Braham, Janet Romness of Pine City, and James (Kathy) Boie and Lyle (Darlene) Boie, both of Belgrade.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Leo, and daughter Sandra Martin on Feb. 7, 1989.

Harry Strodtman, 95, Paynesville
Harry Strodtman Harry Louis Strodtman, 95, of Paynesville, died on Thursday, June 16, 2005, at the Paynesville Area Hospital.

The Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 20, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville. Father Richard Leisen officiated. Interment was in the parish cemetery.

Harry was born on June 3, 1910, on a farm near Westbrook, Minn., the son of John and Helena (Noding) Strodtman. In 1916 he moved with his family to Belgrade where he grew up on a farm northeast of town. He attended District #210 school.

On Nov. 14, 1932, Harry married Theresa Wengler in Belgrade. Together they shared over 70 years of marriage before Theresa died on June 2, 2003. They farmed near Georgeville.

In 1953 they moved to Paynesville and one year later they rented out their home and moved to Parkers Prairie where Harry owned and operated an International implement business for four years. In 1958 he began working for Craig Alexander's Construction in Minneapolis and also drove truck. By 1961 they returned to Paynesville and Harry retired in 1975 as foreman of Alex-ander's asphalt plant.

Harry was one of the founding members of the Paynesville Senior Center. He was also a member of St. Louis Catholic Church. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, hunting, fixing up antiques, and making jewelry.

Harry is survived by his daughters, Shirley (George) Larson of Alexandria and Janet Karger of Brooklyn Park; 12 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Alice Blum of Cold Spring.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; son, DeWayne; five sisters, Rose, Lydia, Gladys, Irene, and Margaret; and two brothers, John and Art.

Rose Chladek, 86, California
Rose Chladek, 86, of Modesto, Calif., died on Wednesday, June 15, 2005, at the Oak Valley Care Center of Oakdale.

The funeral service was private; burial was at St. Louis Parish Cemetery in Paynesville.

Rose Alice Wuertz was born April 29, 1919, in Lake Henry, Minn., to Joseph and Mary (Kortenbusch) Wuertz. She married Richard William Chladek on April 29, 1940, in Lake Henry.

Rose worked in the family refrigeration business in Paynesville and was a mother and homemaker.

She is survived by her children, Mary Kay (William) Crews of Poulsbo, Wash., Patrick (Jan) Chladek of Sacramento, Calif., Francis (Patricia) Chladek of Modesto, Calif., John Chladek of Gualala, Calif., and Terrance (Kathleen) Chladek, of Turlock, Calif.; four grandchildren; and brothers and sisters, Hilda Bertram of Greenwald, Isabelle Spanier of Albany, Adella Spanier of Cold Spring, Margaret Hagemeier of Farming, Roman Wuertz of Laurel, Mont., and Wilbert Wuertz of Cold Spring.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Richard Chladek; infant son; sisters, Alma Wenker and Helen Garding; and brothers, Tony Wuertz, Norbert Wuertz, and Ralph Wuertz.

Eddie Gertken, 55, Richmond
Eddie Gertken Eddie Gertken, 55, of Richmond, died on Tuesday, June 7, 2005, at the Paynesville Hospital.

Mass of Christian Burial was at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 11, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Richmond. Burial was in the Richmond Parish Cemetery.

Eddie was born in Richmond to Benedict and Bernelda (Mehr) Gertken. He married Cecilia Schreifels on Aug. 22, 1970, in St. Boniface Catholic Church in Cold Spring.

Eddie owned Gertken Electric for 29 years.

He enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, playing cards, softball, planting trees, four wheeling, watching the Minnesota Twins, and coin collecting. Eddie was a member of the Richmond Lions Club, Paynesville American Legion, and Richmond Chamber of Commerce.

He survived by his wife, Cecilia; mother, Bernelda Gertken; children, Rodney (Lois) Gertken of Richmond, Melissa Reiter of Waite Park, Angela (Brad) Kerzman of Richmond, Michelle Gertken of Eden Valley, and Lori (Ryan Ruhland) Gertken of Eden Valley; brothers and sisters, Roman (Sandy) Gertken, Carol (Gary) Chihos, Frank (Deb) Gertken, Brenda Huseby, and Ben (Sharon) Gertken; and eight grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, Benedict Gertken, Sr.

Victorine Rykken, 96, Minneapolis
Victorine Rose (Kennedy) Rykken, 96, of Minneapolis, died on Sunday, June 12, 2005.

A funeral service was held on Thursday, June 16, at 2 p.m. at Lakewood Cemetery Chapel in Minneapolis.

Victorine was born in Paynesville. She was a school teacher who taught in a one-room country school in Danvers, Minn., and taught in the Minneapolis Public School System.

She was a member of the Minneapolis Hiking Club, and enjoyed walking around Lake Harriet.

Victorine is survived by her children, John (Toots), Rosemarie (Richard) Whiting, and Jeanne (Dan) Kane; 14 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford "Ric" Rykken.

William Henderson Sr., 87, Paynesville
William Henderson Sr. William Henderson, Sr., 87, of Paynesville, died on Tuesday, May 31, 2005, at the Koronis Manor in Paynesville.

Memorial services were 2 p.m. on Monday, June 13, at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Paynesville.

Bill was born June 19, 1917, in St. Cloud, Minn., to Frank and Mina (Allen) Henderson. He graduated from St. Cloud Tech High School.

He married Maxine Opitz of Paynesville on Feb. 21, 1941. They lived in Minneapolis for several years before settling in Paynesville.

Bill was the owner and operator of several businesses including Henderson Boatworks, Henderson and Hanson Construction in partnership with Don and Hans Hanson, and finally Henderson Woodworks for the next 30 years until his retirement.

Bill was a member of Paynesville Methodist Church where he was a trustee, board chairman and a choir member. He was a scoutmaster, firearms training instructor, a member of the Sportsmen's Club, Chamber of Commerce, Koronis Lake Associa-tion, city council and a charter member of the Paynesville Lions Club.

Bill enjoyed music and was a musician with several local groups, including the "Retreads." He enjoyed traveling, woodworking, lapidary and silversmithing. He also was an avid fisherman, engaging in the practice of fly-tying.

Bill is survived by his son, William (Kris) Henderson, Jr. of Paynesville; daughter, Meredith (Doug) Kuehl of Duluth; six granddaughters; and a great-grandson.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; wife Maxine; a granddaughter; sisters, Gertrude Metzger and Hazel Jendro; and a brother, Clyde.

Sylvester Neu,78, Eden Valley
Sylvester Neu Sylvester P. Neu, 78, of Eden Valley, died on June 2, 2005, at the VA Medical Center in St. Cloud.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 7, at Assumption Catholic Church in Eden Valley. Rev. Virgil Braun officiated and burial was in the parish cemetery.

Sylvester was born on Nov. 19, 1926, in Eden Valley to Christ and Marie (Fischbach) Neu. He served his country in the Air Force during WWII. He married Inge Weimer on Oct. 9, 1947, in Weisbaden, Germany.

Sylvester owned his own trucking company from 1960 to 1970, managed the Paynesville Co-op Creamery from 1970 to 1974 and farmed for over 30 years, starting in 1971.

He was a member of Assumption Catholic Church in Eden Valley, the Eden Valley American Legion Post 381, and former member of the Paynesville VFW, where he served as the commander on the drill squad.

Sylvester is survived by his children, Robert of Decauter, Ga., Larry "Butch" (Betty) of Richmond, Patrick (Tammy) of Watertown, Pam (Greg) Haag of Eden Valley, Penny (Howard) Covert of Eden Valley, and Peter (Joani) of Becker; sisters, Alice Haines of Paynesville, Arvilla (Robert) Bennett of Tacoma, Wash., and Shirley (Louis) Leyendecker of Paynesville; brothers, Herb (Hattie) of Litchfield, David (Mary) of Oxford, Ga., and Melvin (Carol) of Oceanside, Calif.; 20 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Inge on Dec. 14, 1999; sisters, Delrose Casper, Ermaline Neu and Angie Lindquist; and brothers, Wilfred and Merlin "Huns."

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