#1 of 2 items:

The remains of Miss Alice Gahagen, former Austin girl, were brought here to the Goslee Funeral Home, Tuesday evening, and later taken to the home of her brother, Thomas Gahagen. Funeral services will be held Friday morning from the St. Augustine's church.

Miss Alice, daughter of the late Mrs. Mary Gahagen, died at Veteran's hospital, St. Cloud, where she has been for years as a Registered nurse. She was ill with pneumonia and died early Tuesday morning.

(Mower County News (MN) Thursday, 21 November 1935, page 5 column 6)

Submitted to MNGenWeb by Kathy Pike

 

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#2 of 2 items:

Alice Frances Gahagen died at St. Raphael Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota, Tuesday morning, November 19, after an illness of ten days with pneumonia.

Miss Gahagen was born April 10, 1889 at Dell Rapids, S. D. She came to Austin with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Owen Gahagen, at the age of three years and made her home here until 1920. During this time she attended the Austin schools, graduated from the high school with the class of 1907, after which she was a successful teacher in the schools of Mower County, Moose Lake and Jenkins.

She then entered Kahler Hospital in Rochester where she took nurses' training, graduating in 1922. Later she went to the University of Iowa Hospital, where she remained until 1925, when she became a U.S. Government nurse at the U.S. Administration Hospital at St. Cloud.

Miss Gahagen visited Austin frequently as her mother, Mrs. Mary Gahagen, resided here until her death about a year ago.

She was preceded in death by her father, mother, one sister and two brothers.

Two sisters and two brothers survive: Mae, of St. Cloud; Mrs. C.L. Gibbons of Chicago and Thomas and Glenn of Austin.

Funeral services will be held Friday monring at 9:00 o'clock from the Thomas Gahagen home and at 9:30 at St. Augustine's Church. Burial will be in St. Augustine's Cemetery.

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(Source: Mower Co. Historial Society, Austin, MN, scrapbook, 88-90 Box 16 p 24, unidentified source obituary from newspaper)

Submitted to MNGenWeb by Kathy Pike, Oct. 2006

 

Funeral services for Joseph Gahagen, who died suddenly in Milwaukee last Tuesday, were held Friday morning at the home of his brother, Thos. Gahagen on Ash street, Father Devlin officiating.

Joseph Gahagen was born in Dell Rapids, South Dakota on December 3, 1894. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Owen Gahagen came to Austin when Joseph was a young child. Since grown to manhood, for fifteen years he was a railroad employee and for several years has been in Milwaukee.

Since an accident, January 1927, he had not been in his former good health, the accident necessitating the amputation of his foot. His brothers, Thos. H. and Glen, were called to Milwaukee and brought the body home for burial. Beside these, he leaves his mother, and three sisters, Mae and Alice, nurses, in St. Cloud, and Genevieve Gibbons of Chicago.

The father had died February 25, 1908, a sister Kathryn, died in 1907, and a brother, Will, in 1921.

(Mower County News (MN) Thursday, 1 November 1928, Page 3, Column 1)

 

Submitted to MNGenWeb by Kathy Pike, Oct. 2006

Funeral Services for Herbert Lynn Gahagen were held from the home Monday morning followed by a service at St. Augustine's church of which he was a member.

Herbert Lynn Gahagen was born in Austin on April 25, 1903, attended Columbus school and worked at his odd moments in the Western Union Telegraph office; also was a Herald carrier when a lad, ambitious and a sturdy boy.

After his school days he began work for the Hormel company and for two past years has been a traveling salesman for the company with headquarters at Algona, Iowa. He came home a few weeks ago as he was ill and last week suffered an attack of pneumonia and having been ill with leakage of the heart for some time, was not able to withstand the sickness.

He passed away Friday morning at 8:30 at the home of his parents on Ash street. Beside the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Gahagen, he leaves a sister, Madonna and a brother, Kenneth. We knew Lynn from childhood, a happy, strong growing boy, always the bright side showing, and his passing is sad, just in the beginning of a useful life. The parents and family have the sympathy of the many friends in the loss of their first child.

(Mower County News (MN) Thursday 28 November 1929, Page 5 Column 4)

Submitted to MNGenWeb by Kathy Pike, Oct. 2006

 

At her home on River street Wednesday eveneing, October 31, 1906, of inflammation of the bowels, Miss Kathryn M. Gahagen, aged nearly 24 years. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Owen Gahagen and was born in this city Nov. 22, 1882. She attended our public school and completed her education in the normal school at Madison S.D.

For the past five years she has been a very successful teacher most of the time in this county. She taught at Minnereka and other districts. She was ill but about ten days and her sudden departure brings great grief to many hearts.

Besides her parents four brother and three sisters survive.

Funeral services were held Saturday at St. Augustine's church. Interment in the Catholic Church Cemetery.

(Mower County Transcript (MN) Wednesday 7 November 1906, Page 2 Column 1)

Submitted to MNGenWeb by Kathy Pike, Oct. 2006

 

Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Gahagen, well known Austin woman, were held Tuesday morning, prayers at the home preceding the service at St. Augustine's church at 9:30 o,clock. Msgr. J. H. Peschges conducted the mass. Burial was in St. Augustine's cemetery and the body rests beside that of her husband who preceded her many years ago.

Mary Donohue was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, July 3, 1859. She came to Austin where she was married in the fall of 1878 to Owen Gahagen with whom she moved to Dell Rapids, S. D., where they remained for ten years, and then returned to this city, where Mr. Gahagen died twenty-six years ago.

Five children remain: Alice and May of St. Cloud, Mrs. Genevieve Gibbons of Chicago and Glenn and Thomas of this city. Two sons and a daughter, Joseph, William and Kathryn preceded their mother in death. Mrs. Gahagen also leaves a sister, Mrs. J. J. McBride of Meadow, S.D., three grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Mrs. Gahagen was a member of St. Augustine's Church and of the Rosary Society.

Following the death of Mr. Gahagen, the wife did not sit idel, but like the Good Samaritan, "went about doing much good" for she did much work in practical nursing and many a home in this city was relieved of sickness and distress at her hand. Her years did not number her works. She kept on and kept young, however, the last few years made the step slow and she resigned to younger hands. She enjoyed her own home until sickness fastened upon her, then she had every care from the loved ones to the last.

 

(Mower County News (MN) Thursday, 1 Nov 1934, page 2 column 4)

Submitted to MNGenWeb by Kathy Pike, Oct. 2006

Owen Gahagan, who lived on South River street, was missing last week from Tuesday evening until Friday morning, when his body was found in the Cedar River, just above Lafayette park, in the south part of this city. Possibly he tried to cross the Great Western bridge and fell off. Some think that from the position the body was in near the bank and with mud on the feet and legs that he lost his way and waded in from the shore.

The body was discovered by Walter Chapman who was searching with the sheriff, the chief of police and others.

Gahagan was born in Galloway, Ireland, in 1847. He leaves a widow and seven children. He was a member of the Court of Honor. Funeral services were held in the Catholic church Monday forenoon. Interment in the Catholic Cemetery.

(Mower County Transcript (MN) Wednesday, 4 March 1908, Page 2 Column 1)

Submitted to MNGenWeb by Kathy Pike, Oct. 2006

 

Olivia Kay Gardner, the infant daughter of Serena Gleason and Philip Gardner of Adams, Minnesota, died on Wednesday, May 9, 2007.

She was born February 10, 2007 in Austin, Minnesota, to Serena Gleason and Philip Gardner.

We will certainly miss Olivia's bright eyes, cheerful smiles and soft giggles and laughs.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, May 12, 2007 at Fellowship United Methodist Church with Rev. Dennis Tamke officiating. Interment was in the Udolpho Cemetery in rural Mower County.

Casket bearers were: Larry Gardner, Jr., Scott Gardner, Brian Gardner, Jr. and Richard Gleason, Jr.

Olivia is survived by her parents, Serena and Phil, of Adams; by a sister, Lillie Lee; by a brother, Isaac James; by maternal grandparents, Deven and Denise Sutter, of Lyle, Minnesota, Richard and Jodi Gleason, of Dallas, Oregon; paternal grandparents, Larry and Meridee Hofner, of Brownsdale, Minnesota, Terry Gardner, of Austin; great-grandparents: Ken and Marianne Hamilton, of Austin; Dennis and Linda Lau, of Northwood, Iowa; Alice Gleason and friend Roger Hall of Glenville, Minnesota; Rose Stundahl, of Austin; Dave and Diane Sutter, of Austin; Dave and Karen McKeen, of Alden, Minnesota; and by great-great-grandmother, Dorothy Winn, of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota.

She was preceded in death by grandfather, Larry Gardner, Sr.; by an uncle, Curtis Gardner; by grandparents, Raymond Bates and Ruth Graves; and by great-great-grandparents, Frank Winn and Leonard and Hazel Lau.

The Clasen-Jordan Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

 

©2007 MNGenWeb

AUSTIN, MINN. -- Ben P. Gartner, 77, of 700 First Drive N.W., a retired Geo. A. Hormel & Co. employee, died Wednesday (Sept. 11, 1991) in St. Olaf Hospital.

Born Aug. 23, 1914, in St. Ansgar Township, Iowa, he began his 42-year career with Hormel in 1936. He worked in the marketshipping department. Mr. Gartner belonged to the Eagles Club and Moose Lodge.

Survivors include a brother, Martin of Austin; and a sister, Mrs. Frances Scott of Apopka, Fla.

Two sisters and six brothers preceded him in death.

A Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 9 a.m. Saturday in St. Augustine Catholic Church in Austin, with the Rev. Paul Evers officiating. Burial will be in Visitation Cemetery in Stacyville, Iowa.

Friends may call from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Mayer Funeral Home in Austin and an hour before the service Saturday at the church. There will be a wake service at 7 p.m. Friday in the funeral home.

 

Mower County Transcript, Wednesday, May 13, 1903, pg-7 col-1

On Saturday morning the remains of Mrs. B. A. Gee were brought to LeRoy for interment accompanied by her husband. Sophia Vargason was born in Michigan May 2, 1834, and came to Minnesota in 1855.

After her marriage to Mr. Gee they made their home in LeRoy for several years then moving to Hawarden, Iowa, where her death occurred May 5, 1903. She has been a great suffer for several years. A short service was held at the home of her sister, Mrs. J. C. Daily. Interment in LeRoy cemetery.

Transcribed by Mark Ashley

Irene May Gladys Clausen Gemmel, age 81, passed away July 1, 2003, in LaVerkin, Utah.

She was born Nov. 9, 1921, to Marie and Rudolph Clausen in Osage, Iowa. She was educated in Iowa and Minnesota and spent most of her life caring for ill people in their homes. Her sister moved her to Utah in 1997 to oversee her care.

Irene and Albert E. Gemmel were united in marriage Nov. 8, 1959, and lived in Austin.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband in 1988; a sister, Jeri; and a brother, Jerome Clausen.

Survivors include her stepdaughter, Janeth (Harold) A. Nelson; step-grandchildren, Arnold and Martha, Allan, Ardell and Alton and Shelli Nelson and family; sister, Lee Jensen, St. George, Utah; brother, Rev. Ken Clausen, Billings, Mont.; nephews, Mark and Thomas Coleman and Mark Mostrom; nieces, Shelle Rullman and Georgia Hadley.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated by Utah Heritage, 25 South Main St., Suite 210, Centerville, UT 84014, in Irene's name. She had been under their care for the last 10 months.

Graveside services will be held at Cedar City Cemetery on Saturday, July 26, 2003, at 1:30 p.m. with Father Fogel officiating. Tributes will be given by her grandsons.

 

Amy L. George, 37, of Oakland, died Friday, Aug. 8, 2003, in Austin as a result of an automobile accident.

She was born Feb. 5, 1966, in Mower County, to John L. and Nancy J. (Gaskill) George.

She loved to play bingo, go garage saleing and attend family outings.

Survivors include her husband, Rogelio Sanchez, Oakland; daughters, Sara George, Austin; Stephanie George, Austin; Maria Sanchez, Austin; Victoria Duene, Red Wing; mother, Nancy Krueger, Austin; sisters, Pamela (Brian Barber) DuBois, Austin; Kristina (Raul) Alvarez-Babastro, Austin; Missy (Robert) Swalley, Waltham; brothers, Patrick (Dede) George, Albert Lea; William (Christy) George, Oakland; nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father; grandparents; and brother, Michael George.

Visitation: One hour before the service on Tuesday.

Service: 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2003, at the funeral home with Rev. H. Michael Ryburn officiating. Casket bearers will be Jim Dugan, Steve Davis, Terry Bue, Brian Barber, Jesus Zarate, Albert Zarate, Zain Zarate, Fratino Zarate and Evido Conde.

Interment: Oakwood Cemetery.

Funeral Home: Mayer Funeral Home, Austin.

 

Bethyl "Bette" d'Etienne Esse George, age 79 of Austin, Minnesota, died Saturday, April 14, 2007 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.

She was born May 4, 1927 to Archie and Ethyl (Morgan) d'Etienne in Austin, where she grew up and attended school. She married Robert Esse on May 2, 1947. Mr. Esse died in 1981.

A member of Trondhjem Lutheran Church, rural Oakland.

She owned a craft shop where she sold her handmade jewelry and crafts.

She married Ralph George on Sept. 1, 1983 in Austin.

Survivors include her husband, Ralph George, of Austin; her children, Robert (Patti) Esse, of Little Falls, Minnesota; David (Paulette) Esse, of Austin; Susan (Richard) George, of Holmen, Wisconsin; Gary (Maggie) George, of Red Wing, Minnesota; Richard (Susan) George, of Holmen, Wisconsin; Craig (Jennifer) George, of New London, Wisconsin; 15 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; brother, Morgan (Mary) d'Etienne, of Dallas, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her father, Archie d'Etienne, and mother, Ethyl Moen; stepfather, John S. Moen; first husband, Robert A. Esse; nieces, and nephews.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, April 18, 2007 at Worlein Funeral Home Chapel in Austin, Minnesota with Rev. John Malm officiating. Interment was at Grandview Cemetery, Austin.

 

©2007 MNGenWeb

AUSTIN -- The funeral for Hulda Henrietta Naatz will be 2 p.m Sunday at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Austin with the Rev. Stephen Kurtzahn officiating. Burial will be in Grandview Cemetery in Austin.

Mrs. Naatz, 82, of Adams, a former Austin homemaker, died Tuesday morning (May 19, 1999) at the Adams Heathcare Center where she had resided for three years.

Hulda Henrietta George was born May 2, 1917, in Lakefield, Minn. On April 9, 1937, she married Raymond Naatz in Owatonna. They made their home in Austin and later on a farm in the Rose Creek area before returning to Austin in 1973. Her husband worked at Hormel Foods Corp. She was a member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church and was active in its ladies' aid and cradle roll.

Survivors include a son, David, of Wheaton, Minn.; two daughters, Mary Judd of Crystal, Minn., and Kathy Naatz of Austin; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a brother, Ralph George of Austin. Her husband, a son and two sisters preceded her in death.

Friends may all from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin and an hour before the service Sunday at the church.

 

James G. Getchell Sr., of Austin, Minnesota, died on April 30, 2007 at St. Mary's Hospital at the age of 59 years.

James was born Aug. 29, 1947 in Austin. Following high school he worked for Hormel, later moving to Algona and Bancroft, Iowa.

He married Joyce Arlene Bartell on Nov. 4, 1967, in Albert Lea, Minnesota.

He eventually returned to Austin, continuing to work for Hormel. After leaving Hormel, he worked for Fleet Farm for a short time before joining the Mayo Clinic as an Environmental Service Specialist, where he worked until the time of his death.

James was a founding member and past board member of the International Word Fellowship.

James is survived by his wife, Joyce; by his children: James G. (Debbie) Getchell, Jr., of St. Charles, Minnesota; Jeffery A. (Chrisy) Getchell, of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota; Jodie L. (Shannon) Fritcher, of Sargeant, Minnesota; Jason R. Getchell, of Austin; by six grandchildren; by four brothers: Lee Getchell, of Albert Lea; Donnie (Debbie) Getchell, of Shakopee, Minnesota; Fritz Getchell, of San Antonio, Texas; Ted Getchell, of Austin; and by one sister, Patricia (Jeff) Olson, of Cresco, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, May 5, 2007, at Austin Christian Fellowship, 1110 24th Ave SW, Austin, with Pastor Raymond Tuck of International Word Fellowship officiating.

The Macken Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

 

©2007 MNGenWeb

Birth: Jan. 22, 1892
Death: Feb. 4, 1972

Mrs. Genevieve Gibbons, 80, died early this morning at Sacred Heart Hospice.

She formerly resided at 807 2nd Ave. NW, and is survived by a brother, Glenn Gahagen, Austin; a niece, Mrs. W. J. Biewen, Austin; two nephews, N. D. Gahagen, Austin, Kenneth Gahagen, Stockton, Calif.

Funeral arrangements wil be announced later by the Mayer Funeral Home.

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(Austin Daily Herald, 4 February 1972)

Note: Buried in Calvary Cemetery, Austin.

Submitted to MNGenWeb by Kathy Pike, Oct. 2006

 

JoAnn E. Just passed away on May 5, 2007 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

JoAnn Gillson was born June 20, 1932 to Ezra and Edna Gillson in Austin, Minnesota.

JoAnn had a love for life, especially her life in Christ, and a great love for serving the Lord, which she did faithfully from her youth until the Lord called her home at the age of 74.

After graduation from Austin High School, she worked as a switchboard operator for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota. During this time she accepted the Lord as her personal Savior, and attended Northwestern Bible College in Minneapolis.

JoAnn began her Christian service by teaching Pioneer Girls Clubs. Between 1960 and 1963 she served as housemother for Grace Children's Home in Central City, Nebraska, caring for girls who were wards of the state and students at Nebraska Christian School. In 1963 JoAnn felt the call of the Lord to the Mexican Mission Ministries in Pharr, Texas. There she served as secretary to Rev. Walter Gomez. In 1974 she moved to Dallas where she served as secretary to the president of Southern Bible Institute.

JoAnn married Howard Just on Nov. 14, 1975, and together they served the Lord at the Southern Bible Institute.

In 1977 Howard and JoAnn again answered the Lord's call to return to Mexican Mission Ministries. During these years JoAnn led Bible studies with young ladies. Howard and JoAnn developed many close friendships that continue to be of great encouragement.

Once again Howard and JoAnn sensed the call of the Lord and on Dec. 8, 2005 moved to Tahlequah, Oklahoma to join Christ For Me, Inc. as Bible correspondents, where they graded lessons on Wednesdays. Their correspondence was largely with inmates.

JoAnn had a vivacious personality that she expressed in many ways, one of which was her love for Christmas. She loved decorating her home for thee holidays. She also loved to entertain and did this well until deteriorating health no longer allowed her to do so. JoAnn considered her roles as prayer warrior and homemaker an honor and a joy. She fulfilled these roles very faithfully.

Even though Howard and JoAnn were not blessed with biological children, they opened their hearts with joy and developed a deep love for these whom they call their "kids and grandkids." These special people provided love, encouragement, and great joy to the Just's home.

She leaves behind her husband, Howard; her sisters, Twila (Lloyd) Roush and Betti Pollin; her brother, Ray (Betty) Gillson; her sister, Lois (Frank) Felty; her mother-in-law, Hulda Just; her sister-in-law, MaryLou (Harvey) Goertzen.

JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents, Ezra and Edna Gillson; by her brother, Ron Gillson; and by her father-in-law, Jake Just.

A memorial service to honor JoAnn was held on Friday May 11, 2007 in the Green Country Funeral Home Chapel, Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

 

©2007 MNGenWeb

ACCIDENT FATAL TO WORKMAN
Ed. Glassel Dies of Injuries Received at Packing Plant.
Workman Believed To Have Caught Head in Belt; Alone When Accident Occurred

"Lying near a broken belt running from a motor to a drying machine, the body of Ed Glassel, sixty-seven years old, was found at 12:30 o'clock this morning by a fellow workman in the drying room of the fertilizer department at the packing plant. Several bruises were inflicted about the dead man's head, neck and left shoulder and a deep wound made in the skull. Coroner Pierson was immediately notified and pronounced the death accidental.

"A watch carried by Mr. Glassel stopped at 11:35 o'clock, the time the accident is believed to have occurred. Only a few workman are on duty in the department at night and no shouts were heard from Mr. Glassel by anyone in the building, according to information available at the office of the superintendent, where it was said the details obtainable made a determination of the circumstances causing the accident impossible.

"The body was taken to the Mayer & Ousley undertaking rooms at 2 o'clock this morning and the victim's family notified of the tragedy. His death is mourned by his wife, a daughter, Frances, a son, Joe, and one brother, John, of Mitchell, Ia.

"Mr. Glassel was sixty-seven years old on April 26 and has been employed at the Hormel packing plant for more than fifteen years. He was born near Ashland, Wis., and came to Austin about twenty-five years ago, working for several years on the Milwaukee railroad here.

"Funeral services will be held at 2:30 o'clock Saturday from the home, 310 South River street, with Rev. R. C. Swisher of the Congregational church officiating."

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This is obit-news story which appeared in the Austin Daily Herald, July 6, 1922, on the front page.

Made available to The USGenWeb by: Delia M. Carter

Note - I am a Glassel researcher and I know that the place of birth (Ashland, Wis.) is not correct.

 

AUSTIN, MINN. -- The funeral for Clara A. Quam will be 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin with the Rev. Kristin Wee officiating. Burial will in Grandview Cemetery in Austin.

Mrs. Quam, 90, of 200 First Ave. N.E., a homemaker, died Tuesday (July 1, 1997) at Austin Medical Center.

Clara A. Goehtz was born March 23, 1907, in Lansing and attended Hayward, Minn., schools. On Aug. 17, 1930, she married Oren Quam in Hayward. Mrs. Quam was a longtime member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church and was money counter for many years. She enjoyed fishing in northern Minnesota, playing cards, knitting and making mittens for the Salvation Army, making afghans and was an avid baseball and basketball fan.

Survivors include a daughter, Donna (Mrs. David) Goslee of Hollywood, Fla.; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a sister, Marcella Thompson of Austin. She was preceded in death by her husband, three sisters and two brothers.

Friends may call from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin.

 

Submitted to Mower MNGenWeb by K. Pike.

 

AUSTIN, MINN. -- Elsie J. Quam, 95, of Austin, died Friday (Jan. 26, 1996) at her home.

Elsie Goehtz was born March 16, 1900, in Lansing, Minn. She married Lester S. Quam on Dec. 24, 1923, in Waltham.

Survivors include a daughter, Maxine (Mrs. Harold) Jacobson of Austin; three sons, Lester W., Dale, and Richard, all of Austin; 12 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Clara Quam and Marcella (Mrs. Kenneth) Thompson of Austin.

She was preceded in death by her husband.

The funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Westminster Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Andrew Lindahl officiating. Burial will be in Grandview Cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Mayer Funeral Home and an hour before the service at the church.

 

Submitted to Mower MNGenWeb by K. Pike.

 

Roberta G. Schendel, 91, of Austin, died Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2006 at Austin Medical Center.

Roberta Schendel was born Roberta Eleanor Goembel in Hoopole, Ill., on April 22, 1915. She grew up on a farm where she learned to respect and appreciate the outdoors. When the depression forced her family off of the land, they moved to Freeport, Ill. where she and her sister Helen and brother Wayne went to high school, and the family learned to adapt to a more urban life.

After high school, Roberta attended North Central College and became an elementary school teacher. While teaching in Naperville, Ill. she met Floren Schendel and they were married in 1940. Floren was a minister and as was the custom, Roberta spent much of their 36 year marriage in the role of fulltime minister's wife, serving on church committees, running Bible studies and womens' groups, teaching in the Sunday School, singing in the choir and providing support and encouragement for her husband.

Roberta raised two children, a daughter Carolyn and son Paul, always emphasizing the importance of education and Christian service. Both graduated from Macalester College and Paul went on to earn a doctorate at the University of Wisconsin.

Throughout her life Roberta was supported and directed by her faith and her belief in social justice. She and Floren had a great love of the wilderness and spent as much time as possible at their lake home in northern Minnesota. An avid amateur ornithologist, Roberta became a local expert on the birds of northern Minnesota and their songs. In Austin, she was an active member of the local Audubon society. She was also interested in the human voice, spending many enjoyable hours as a choral singer and lover of great music. She loved to travel and served as past president of the Austin Art and Travel Club. She loved to read and was active in the Bookworm's Circle at the Presbyterian Church.

Roberta is survived by her children: Carolyn (Mike) Meier, Brownsdale, Minn., and Paul (Jessica) Schendel, Wayland, Mass; four grand children, Scott (Monica) Meier, Farmington, Minn.; Kristin (Mike) Tapp, Dexter, Minn.; and Rebecca and Amy Schendel, Washington, D.C., and five great-grandchildren.

Memorial Service: 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, 2006, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Austin, with the Rev. Dr. Andrew Lindahl presiding.

 

LYLE, MINN. -- The funeral for Harvey Goetsch will be 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Dexter Township, Mower County, with the Rev. Dale Schaffer officiating. Burial will be at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday in Oakwood Cemetery in Austin.

Mr. Goetsch, 92, of Lyle, a retired area farmer, died Saturday (Oct. 3, 1998) at Good Samaritan Center in St. Ansgar, Iowa.

Born Feb. 21, 1906, in Dexter Township, he was educated in Mower County schools and was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Dexter Township. As a young man he farmed with his father and also worked for the state of Minnesota. On Sept. 6, 1939, he married Maurine Aultfather at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. They worked on the Aultfather century farm until their retirement and then continued to live on the farm. Due to failing health, Mr. Goestch had resided at nursing homes the past few years. He enjoyed farming, trees and gardening.

Survivors include his wife; and three sisters, Lydia (Mrs. Everett) Fankell of Clear Lake, Iowa, Alma Studer of North Branch, Minn., and Rose Heikes of Austin. Two sisters and two brothers preceded him in death.

Friends may call from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary in Austin and an hour before the service Tuesday at the church.

 

BLOOMING PRAIRIE, MINN. -- Harvey Manville Golberg Sr., 88, a resident of Blooming Prairie Manor Nursing Home since 1991, and a former Mona, Iowa, farmer and retired Hormel Foods Corp. employee, died Tuesday (Sept. 21, 1993) at the nursing home.

Born Nov. 6, 1904, in Mitchell County, Iowa, he attended Six Mile Grove Lutheran Church near Lyle as a child.

In 1930, he married Hazel Nelson and they lived east of Mona until 1936 and then farmed on an acreage in the area for 50 years. In addition, he worked for Hormel from 1942 until his retirement in 1969. A member of Mona Lutheran Church for 50 years, he served on the church board, was an usher, was active in Mona Lutheran Brotherhood and had played on the church league baseball team. A baseball enthusiast, he played in the Southern Minnesota and Northern Iowa leagues from 1926 to 1936 and managed area teams from 1952 to 1956.

In 1954, his team played in the Iowa state tournament. He enjoyed fishing and had a summer home on Outing Lake. After retirement, he and his wife lived several years in Worth Living Center in St. Ansgar, Iowa.

Survivors include two sons, Harvey M. Jr. of Owatonna and Rodney E. of Austin; five grandsons; two great-grandchildren; and a brother, Oris of St. Ansgar. His wife and a brother preceded him in death.

The funeral will be 1:30 p.m. Friday at Mona Lutheran Church in Mona. Burial will be in Six Mile Grove Cemetery near Lyle.

Friends may call from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin.