March 2004 Obituaries - Paynesville Press, Paynesville, Minnesota
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from The Paynesville Press
March 2004

Johnson Funeral Home DuWayne Schramel, 68, Paynesville
DuWayne Schramel DuWayne "Dewey" Schramel, 68, of Paynesville, died on Tuesday, March 30, 2004, at the Paynesville Area Hospital from complications due to emphysema.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 3, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville. The Rev. Richard Leisen officiated. Entombment was in the parish mausoleum.

Dewey was born on Dec. 15, 1935, in Lake Henry, Minn. He graduated from Paynesville High School in 1953. He married Audrey L. Jacobson on Feb. 19, 1955, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville.

He was employed as a mechanic at Hoiseth's Motor prior to working as an iron worker primarily in bridge construction. He retired in 1995. He was a member of Iron Workers Local #512.

Dewey is survived by his wife Audrey; children, Brian of Paynesville, Terri (Steve) Haffley of Appleton, Wis., Scott of Paynesville, Dennis (Janice) of Monticello, Jeanne (Dean) Spanier of Paynesville, and Mark (Kari) of St. Cloud; 11 grandchildren; his mother, Regina Winter of St. Paul; and brothers and sisters, Marietta, Eugene, Julian, Joe, Peter, Leroy, Claudette, Mary Lee, Roman, Harold, and Sylvester.

Howard Olsen, 87, Paynesville
Howard Olsen Alfred Howard Olsen, 87, of rural Paynesville, died Monday evening, March 29, 2004, at his home.

Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 3, at Paynesville Evangelical Free Church. Reverend Roger Olsen officiated. Burial was in East Irving Mission Cemetery.

Howard was born on Nov. 7, 1916, in Paynesville, the son of Theodore and Lena (Seeland) Olsen. He grew up on the family farm in Irving Township and attended school in District # 24.

At age 16, Howard was baptized as a member of the East Irving Mission Church. It was there that he sang and played Hawaiian guitar with the "East Irving Rhythm Rascals."

On Jan. 8, 1942, he entered the U. S. Army, where he served his country during World War II until Sept. 8, 1945, when he returned home.

On Oct. 18, 1947, Howard was united in marriage to Viola Egland in LaCross, Wis. They made their home in Irving Township where they farmed. In 1978 they sold their cows but continued to crop farm for several more years.

Howard was a member of Paynesville Evange-lical Free Church where he was active as treasurer and cemetery caretaker for over 35 years. He was a member of VFW, Farmers Union, and Minn. Crop Improvement.

He enjoyed raising Shetland ponies, traveling with Vi, camping, and fishing.

Howard is survived by two daughters, Lynnae (Ken) Hess of Plymouth and Cheryl (Sixten) Koat of Langley, British Columbia, Canada; a son, Bryan (Bev) Olsen of Cleveland, Minn.; thirteen grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; three brothers, Willard (Ruth) Olsen of Motley, Clarion Olsen of Ocala, Fla., and Chester (LeeIla) Olsen of Princeton; and numerous other friends and relatives.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Vi; son, Brad; sister, Muriel; and parents.

Lucille Nelson, 87, St. Cloud
Lucille Nelson Lucille F. Nelson, 87, of St. Cloud and formerly of Paynesville, died on Monday, March 29, 2004, at her home in St. Cloud.

Funeral services were at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 1, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville. Burial was in the St. Louis Parish Cemetery. The Reverend Richard Leisen officiated.

Lucille was born on Dec. 2, 1916, in Blair, Kan., the daughter of Daniel and Frances (Odum) Kiger. She married Charles Manford Nelson in 1935, at Savannah, Mo. Three children were born to this union.

They resided in St. Joseph, Mo., until 1952, when they moved to the Paynesville area, after they purchased the "The Springs Resort" on Rice Lake. After her husband died in 1967, Lucille continued to operate the resort until 1969. Lucille moved to St. Cloud in 1974 where she worked at Coborn's until her retirement in 1984.

Lucille is survived by a son, Truman (Karen) Nelson of St. Cloud; a daughter, Karen (Rickey) Brock of Richmond; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; two sisters, Lulamae Kiger and Rev. Esther Prait of Missouri; and a niece.

She was preceded in death by her husband; one daughter, Nancy Nelson in 1937; and six brothers and two sisters.

Casket bearers will be grandsons, Terry Nelson, Shawn Horn, Tom Nelson and Jeff Murphy, and great- grandsons, Charlie Nelson and Rocky Horn.

Esther Henry, 99, Paynesville
Esther Elverna Henry, 99, of Paynesville, died on Thursday, March 25, 2004, at the Koronis Manor in Paynesville.

The funeral service were at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 30, at Grace United Methodist Church in Paynesville. Rev. Ric Koehn officiated. Interment was in the Paynesville Cemetery.

Esther was born on July 28, 1904, in Roseville Township, the daughter of William O. and A. Amanda (Wendlandt) Kruger. She graduated from the Paynesville Public School and St. Cloud Teachers College. She was a teacher for 23 years in rural schools in Stearns, Meeker, and Kandiyohi counties.

Esther married George Henry on June 3, 1940, in Kansas City, Mo.

She was a member of First Evangelical Church, now Grace United Methodist Church, in Paynesville for 90 years. She was a Sunday school teacher, a member of the Good Fellowship Sunday school class, and a member and officer of the Naomi Circle.

Esther enjoyed gardening and crocheting.

She is survived by a son, Bill of Shoreview; a daughter, Judy (Paul) Dillon of Porter; one granddaughter; sisters, Sadie Herzberg and Lilah Herzberg, both of Paynesville; and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband George in 1975; and a granddaughter in 1995.

Thecla Hieserich, 98, Elrosa
Thecla Elizabeth Hieserich, 98, of Elrosa, died on Tuesday, March 23, 2004, at the Mother of Mercy Nursing Home in Albany.

The Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 26, at the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa. Father LeRoy Scheierl officiated. Interment was in the church cemetery.

Thecla was born Dec. 22, 1905, in Meire Grove, the daughter of Henry and Mary (Schulte) Imdieke. She was baptized and confirmed in Meire Grove, where she also grew up on the family farm.

On Sept. 4, 1928, she married Alois Hieserich at the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa. Following their marriage, they farmed near Spring Hill. In 1935, they moved to Elrosa where they farmed until retirement in 1976. In 1996 they moved to Sauk Centre. Al died on Oct. 1, 1998. Since 2002 Thecla has lived in Albany and since this past October she has lived at the Mother of Mercy Nursing Home.

In her younger years, she loved to fish and play cards. She also enjoyed quilting, embroidery, and crocheting. She was a member of the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church where she belonged to the Christian Mothers and Catholic Aid.

Thecla is survived by her daughrer, Lorraine (Cyril) Nordmann of Paynesville; 20 grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren; 15 great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Arlene Meyer; son, Marvin Hieserich; a grandson; two sisters, Laura Illies and Otilla Hieserich; and three brothers, William, Martin and Irvin Imdieke.

Jaron Westlund, 1, St. Cloud
Jaron Westlund Jaron Tyler Westlund, 1, of St. Cloud, died Wednesday, March 17.

Funeral services were held on Monday, March 22, at the Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Sauk Rapids.

Jaron was born on Aug. 9, 2002, to Katy Westlund and Andy Gertken of St. Cloud.

Jaron is survived by his parents; brother, Roman Gertken of St. Cloud; grandparents, Kathleen Westlund of St. Cloud and Allan and Grace Gertken of Richmond; great-grandparents, Joan Palm of Willmar, Ralph and Anna Mae Fleischhacker of Paynesville, and Thecla Gertken of Richmond.

Jaron was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Wendelin Gertken and Blossom Bergquist.

Miriam Sauer, 94, Peoria, Ill
Miriam Sauer Miriam Faye Sauer, 94, of Peoria, Ill., died on Wednesday, March 10.

Miriam was born on Nov. 21, 1910, in Rochester, Ind., to William and Gertrude (Garner) Kennell. She married Alvan A. Sauer on Nov. 7, 1943.

Miriam was the extension advisor for home economics in Iroquois County from 1964-1977, retiring in 1977. She was a member of the National Association of Extension Home Economists and a member of Homemakers Extension Association. Miriam was a lifetime member of Epsilon Sigma Phi (a national honorary extension fraternity) and also a lifetime member of the Iroquois County Historical Society. She was also a member of the Women's Club in Watseka, Ill. For years she was a member of First United Methodist Church of Watseka, and then a member of First United Methodist Church of Peoria.

Miriam is survived by two daughers; Ann (Herb) Ragsdale of Peoria, Ill., and Susan (Wayne) Walther of Paynesville, Minn.; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Miriam was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; an infant brother; and a sister.

Al Athmann, 98, Spring Hill
Aloys "Al" Athmann, 98, of Spring Hill died on Saturday, March 13, 2004, at the Melrose Area Hospital.

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 16, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Spring Hill. Rev. Leo Leisen officiated with interment following in the parish cemetery.

Al was born on May 30, 1905, in Spring Hill, Minn., to Bernard and Veronica (Heinze) Athmann. He was united in marriage to Petronella "Nellie" Winter on Sept. 25, 1928, in Spring Hill.

Al farmed most of his life in the Spring Hill area retiring in 1964. He enjoyed playing cards, woodworking, and making hangers.

He was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Spring Hill and St. Michael's Men's Society.

Al is survived by his children, Pat Kruzel of Eden Valley, Alice Athmann of Spring Hill, Marcie (Don) Welle of Melrose, Joe (Lou) Athmann of Spring Hill, Josephine Ertl of Waite Park, Tony (Phyllis) Athmann of Sauk Centre, and Gene (Carol) Athmann of Spring Hill; 26 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren.

Al was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Veronica Athmann; wife, Nellie (Winter) Athmann on July 31, 1995; son, Stan Athmann; and brothers and sisters, Henry, Joe, Hubert, John, and Christ Athmann, Katie Michels, Theresa Wander, Magdalene Bohlig, and Veronica Kochman.

Alexia Spanier, 84, Spring Hill
Alexia Spanier Alexia P. Spanier, 84, of Spring Hill died Wednesday, March 10, 2004, at the Assumption Home in Cold Spring, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial was at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 15, at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Spring Hill. Rev. Leo Leisen officiated. Burial was in the parish cemetery.

Alexia was born on Sept. 28, 1919, to Joseph and Philomena (Duclos) Wachmann. She married Math H. Spanier on June 6, 1946, at New Munich. They farmed for many years in the Spring Hill area. They enjoyed dancing with the Koronis Nite Owls Square Dancers.

She loved gardening, sewing, quilting, and exhibiting items at the fair.

Alexia was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church, Spring Hill, Christian Women, Catholic Aid, and St. Mary's Mission Group. Alexia is survived by her children, Pat (Ken) Keller of Minneapolis, Jerry (Lou) Spanier of Spring Hill, Sandra Spanier of Cambridge, Mass., and Neil (Mary) Spanier of Belgrade; a sister, Margaret Niehoff of Melrose; a brother, Jerome (Phyllis) Wach-mann of Holiday, Florida; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Math H. Spanier, on Nov. 10, 1997; sisters and brothers, Julia Weisen, Kathryn Ruegemer, Eleanor Ruegemer, Raymond, Henry, Gregor, and Alex Wachmann, and Agnes Olmscheid; and one grandson.

Peggy Jones, 61, Ottertail, Fla.
Peggy Joan Jones, 61, of Ottertail, Minn., and formerly of Paynesville, died on Tuesday, March 9, 2004, at the Charlotte Regional Medical Center in Punta Gorda, Florida.

The funeral service was at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 16, at Grace United Methodist Church in Paynesville. Revs. Allen Anderson and Mike Miller officiated. Interment was in the Salem Cemetery in rural Paynesville.

Peggy was born Feb. 16, 1943, in Paynesville, the daughter of William and Fern (Heitke) Krupke. She grew up and attended school in Paynesville.

On Feb. 19, 1966, she married James Jones in Charlottesville, Va. Following their marriage, they lived in Bloomington, Ill., and in 1974 moved to Heyworth, Ill., where they lived until 1998. Since then they have lived in Ottertail.

For the past 31 years, Peggy has fought problems with her kidneys.

Peggy is survived by her husband, James of Ottertail; daughter, Cami (Brian) Schwantz of Ottertail; son, Jay (Kristy) Jones of Bloomington, Ill.; four grandchildren; stepmother, Annabelle Krupke of North Fort Meyers, Fla.; sisters Gloria (Willie) Scheel of Paynesville and Paulette (Dan) Renwick of Pine City; half-brother, Brady (Denise) Krupke of Paynesville; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and half-brother, Darryl Krupke.

Hubert Schwandt, 83, Paynesville
Hubert Schwandt Hubert "Hub" Sch-wandt, 83, of Paynesville, died on Monday, March 8, 2004, at the Paynesville Area Hospital.

The funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 11, at Paynesville Lutheran Church. Rev. Dave Nelson and Rev. Jeff Bergman officiated. Interment was in the Paynesville Cemetery.

Hub was born May 26, 1920, in Paynesville, the son of Walter and Hazel (Burr) Schwandt. He lived his entire life in Paynesville and graduated from Paynesville High School in 1938.

During World War II, he served his country in the U.S. Army from 1941 to 1945. During this time he served in the 1st Armored Division of the 6th Infantry, Company C. He ws captured in North Africa and spent two and a half years in nine different POW camps. He was honorably discharged in 1945.

Hub married Delores Pelkey on June 5, 1948, at Paynesville Lutheran Church. For 14 years he worked as a mechanic at Hoeppner Chevrolet. In 1961 he started working for the U.S. Postal Service in Paynesville as a mail carrier. He retired in 1985. Hub also owned and operated Schwandt Sanitation from 1970 to 1985.

He was a member of Paynesville Lutheran Church where he had served on the church board, was an usher, and was a member of the Senior Shepherds. He was also a member of the Paynesville V.F.W. Post #6039 and the Drill Team, which he organized and served as the Sergeant At Arms for 35 years.

He was a member of the Paynesville Legion Post #271, the Central MN Chapter of ExPOW's, and the NALC Postal Union. Hub had hobbies like repairing lawn mowers and snow blowers.

He is survived by his wife, Delores of Paynesville; son, David (Diane) of Paynesville, Daniel (Kathy) of Chippewa Falls, Wis., and Douglas of Paynesville; daughters Deanna (Byron) Fuchs of Sartell, Doreen (Joe) Miller of Paynesville, and Debra (Kevin) Elwood of Sartell; 14 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; sisters, Evelyn (Al) Hartung of Alexandria and Betty Zuroff of Grove City; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Pat Johnson, 93, Paynesville
Pat Johnson Priscilla A. "Pat" Johnson, 93, of Paynesville, died on Friday, March 5, 2004, at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Sauk Rapids.

Funeral services were on Monday, March 8, at 11 a.m. at St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville. Reverend Richard Leisen officiated. Interment was in the St. Louis Parish Cemetery in Paynesville.

Pat was born on Feb. 15, 1911, in Paynesville, Minnesota, to Leonard and Caroline (Warnert) Garding. She was employed by J.C. Penney's while living in Tucson, Arizona, and later by the FBI in Washington, D.C. She married Robert P. Johnson on Sept. 16, 1944, at St. Mathew's Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Pat lived in Paynesville most of her life.

She was a member of St. Louis Parish, Christian Women, and the Paynesville American Legion Post #271 Auxiliary.

She is survived by her children, Tom (Lynn) of Mount Juliet, Tenn., and Barbara Roering of Waite Park; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a sister, Dorothy Fojut of Milwaukee, Wis.; and a brother, Tom Garding of Bloomington.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert on Sept. 10, 1989; and three brothers, Cyril, Oliver, and Eligus.

Randy Nelson, 64, Paynesville
Randy Nelson Randall Sherman Nelson, 64 of Paynesville, formerly of Baudette, died Wednesday morning, March 3, 2004, at his home in Paynesville after a long battle with cancer.

Memorial services was at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 6, at Paynesville Lutheran Church with Reverend Jeff Bergman officiating.

Randy was born on June 7, 1939, in Fargo, North Dakota, the son of Andrew and Snefrid (Nygaard) Nelson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith in Milnor, N.D. He attended school in Hankinson, N.D., and Milnor, N.D., where he graduated in 1957. Randy served two years in the U.S. Army prior to graduating from Valley City State College in Valley City, N.D., in 1964. He obtained his master's degree in counseling from St. Cloud State University in 1968.

While teaching in Swanville, Minn., Randy met and married Sharon Krause. In 1975, he and his family moved to Baudette, Minn., where he was the high school counselor until he retired in 1997. Randy and Sharon moved to Paynesville in 2001.

Randy was active in many organizations over the years, including the Lions, Moose Lodge, Rotary Club, Dollars for Scholars, the Gold Card Club, American Legion, and the Bonnie Doon Hunting Camp. He enjoyed golfing, hunting, and dancing.

Randy is survived by his wife of 37 years, Sharon; his children, Darcie (Bob) Rossborough of Golden Valley; Darin (Kristy Shay) Nelson of Maple Grove; and Melanie (Matt) Brown of Brooklyn Center; two grandchildren; two sisters, Karen Nelson of New Hope and Judy (Jim) Anderson of Starbuck; three brothers Carl (Oline) Nelson and Terry (Vickie) Nelson of Milnor, N.D., and Bob (Gayle) Nelson of Crookston; and by nieces, nephews, other family members, and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Dorothy Weiland, Alexandria
Dorothy Weiland of Alexandria died suddenly on Wednesday, March 3, 2004.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 6, at 11 a.m. at the Faith Community Church in Alexandria. Pastor Phillip Mettling officiated. Interment was at the Kinkead Cemetery in Alexandria.

Dorothy was born on Feb. 4, the daughter of Alvin and Minnie (Kohler) Snyder. She attended and graduated from Paynesville High School and continued her education at the Minneapolis School of Business.

She was united in marriage to Stanley Harapat on March 21, 1944, in Minneapolis. They had eight children. Stanley died in 1981.

In February 1983, Dorothy married Otto Weiland in South Dakota. Otto died in 1989.

During her lifetime Dorothy worked at several places, including Apco and Good Samaritan in Paynesville; Bob's Grocery, Serepta Home and Main St. Cafe in Sauk Centre; and at the Community Memorial Home in Osakis.

Dorothy is survived by seven children, JoAnn Harapat of Alexandria, Sharon Seward of Alexandria, Clarann Harapat of Alexandria, Gordon Harapat of Minneapolis, Gary Harapat of Alexandria, Kathy Theisen of Sioux City, Iowa, and Dale Harapat of Las Vegas, N.M.; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; four brothers, Harry Snyder, Herbert Snyder, Les Snyder, and LaVern Snyder; and two sisters, Evelyn Nelson and Edith Miller.

She was preceded in death by her two husbands, Stanley and Otto; son, David; and parents.


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