AUSTIN, MINN. -- A funeral mass for James A. Vacura will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Queen of Angels Catholic Church with the Rev. Virgil Duellman officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post 91 and VFW Post 1216.

Mr. Vacura, 82, of Route 1, Austin, died Saturday evening (May 22, 1999) at his home.

He was born Feb. 14, 1917, in Austin, and finished the 11th grade in Austin Public Schools. At age 14 he began working at Hormel. He was a meat inspector in the Beef Division. On Jan. 31, 1980, he retired from Hormel where he had worked for almost 49 years. He served in the U.S. Army from Dec. 9, 1942, to Nov. 14, 1945. During that time he fought in the war at Tunisia, Sicily, Normandy and Northern Florence, and received the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with four bronze battle stars, the Good Conduct Medal, the Purple Heart and five overseas Service Bars. In 1948, he co-founded and designed what is now the Ramsey Golf Course. He set a new course record for nine holes at the Austin Country Club. He also gave golf lessons and went on to win several awards.

Survivors include one brother, Joseph M. Vacura of Austin. One brother and one sister preceded him in death.

Friends may call from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. today, and from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday at Mayer Funeral Home in Austin. There will be a 7 p.m. wake service today.

---

NOTE:
Jim was the also the uncle of Carol (Vacura) McAlister

 

Mrs. Mary Anna Vacura was born June 24, 1882, in Svata-Dobrotiva, Czechoslovakia, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Vaclav Sojka.

She was married to Frank Vacura in Czechoslovakia and they came to the United States in 1906. Mrs. Vacura had since made her home at 1000 N. Oak. She was a member of Queen of Angels Church and other Catholic organizations. Mrs. Vacura was a home-loving person and took a great interest in her church and her children.

She died Aug. 1, 1957, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Henry Chmelik, Austin Acres, after a long illness. Funeral services were held at Queen of Angels Church, Aug. 5, 1957, with the Rev. John Tighe officiating. Interment was in Calvary Cemetery with the Mayer Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Vacura is survived by three sons, James A. Vacura, Joseph M. Vacura and John Vacura, Austin, and a daughter, Mrs. Henry Chmelik, Austin. Six sisters and one brother are deceased.

Out-of-town persons attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Anton Stupka, Mrs. Anna Srp, Baltimore, Md., Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Vacura, Mrs. Edward Vacura, Jackson, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ruzek, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Broulik, Blooming Prairie.

 

[Austin Daily Herald, Jun 1933]

The community was deeply saddened by the sudden death of Vance A. King of Udolpho Township, who passed away Wednesday, June 28, 1933, at 3:00 a.m. at the St. Olaf Hospital at the age of fifty seven years, six months and eighteen days after three days illness there and three weeks at home with ulcers of the stomach and complications.

Mr. King was the youngest son of Cereal and Amelia King. He was born in Udolpho township December 10, 1875. At the age of six years he moved with his parents to Minneapolis. There he attended school and later assisted his father as a teamster. In 1893 the family returned to Udolpho locating on a farm near Waltham known as the Norman Carll farm.

On December 17, 1899 he was united in marriage to Catherine Dennis of Waltham and continued on this farm for four years. To this union five children were born: Hazel, now Mrs. Roy Selix of Albert Lea; Rex of Blooming Prairie, Ruby, now Mrs.Harry Larson of Lansing, and Mabel and Roy at home.

In April 1903, Mr. and Mrs. King went to Ipswich, S.D. where they bought a homestead and were engaged in farming and stock raising. In October 1913 the family returned to Lansing and continued residents on this farm for twenty years.

Besides his wife and five children he is survived by one brother Guy, two neices and two nephews of Seattle Wash., and relatives, friends and neighbors. Mr. King was a home lover always thinking of his loved ones first.

He was a good friend and neighbor always ready to lend a needy hand and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Evans of Brownsdale. Interment was made in the Lansing Cemetery. The floral tokens of esteem sent by neighbors and friends were unusually numerous and formed a beautiful bank in the parlor of the home.

 

Dale Van Riper, age 95 of Escondido, California, and formerly of Grand Meadow, Minnesota, died March 21, 2007 in Escondido.

He was born March 11, 1912 to William and Stella Van Riper, in Franklin County, Iowa.

Dale married Lois Bussell on Feb. 16, 1939 in Osage, Iowa. They lived in the Grand Meadow area for several years before moving to California, where he was a carpenter. A member of the Methodist Church in San Marcos, California.

Survivors include his son, David Van Riper, of Hawthorne, Nevada; two grandsons, Adam and Daniel, of Escondido; sister, Naomi Friedrich, of Austin; sisters-in-law: Shirley (Everett) DeYoung, of Austin; Marian Jenson, of Santa Barbara, California; brothers-in-law: Minar (Barbara) Bussell, of Stewartville, Minnesota; Charles (Victoria) Bussell, of Kona, Hawaii; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lois, in 1998; sisters: Ruth Buirge, Ileta Meier, Elizabeth Friedrich and LaVonne Holm; brother, Darwin Van Riper.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 31, 2007 at Worlein Funeral Home Chapel in Austin, with Rev. Dennis Tamke officiating. Interment was in Grandview Cemetery, Austin.

 

©2007 MNGenWeb

AUSTIN, MINNESOTA -- The funeral for Wilmer ``Tiny'' Vedder will be on Thursday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Austin, with the Rev. Robert Stohlmann officiating. Burial will be in Emanuel Lutheran Cemetery in St. Ansgar, Iowa, with military graveside rites by Olaf B. Damm VFW Post 1216.

Mr. Vedder, 77, of 1801 Fourth St. N.E., a retired Hormel Foods Corp., employee, died Sunday (June 2, 1996) at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester.

Born March 16, 1919, in Hankinson, N.D., the son of Fred and Emma (Belz) Vedder. He graduated from St. Ansgar High School and served in the Army from 1941 to 1945. In 1947, he married Burnice Josephine Redwing in Owatonna and they made their home in Austin. Mr. Vedder was employed at Hormel until his retirement in 1977. He was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion.

Survivors include two sons, Wayne of Owatonna and Arlyn of Phoenix, Ariz.; two daughters, Donna (Mrs. Kim) Whiting of Stewartville and Ellen (Mrs. Tim) Kruger of Rochester; and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife and a brother.

Friends may call from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary in Austin and an hour before the service Thursday at the church.

 

Daryl Francis "Chip" Vogel, age 55, of Chetek, Wisconsin, and formerly of Grand Meadow, Minnesota, died after a battle with cancer on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 in Barron, Wisconsin.

He was born Aug. 21, 1951 in Austin, Minnesota to John and Carol (Elliott) Vogel. After graduating from Cathedral High School in New Ulm, Minnesota, Chip served in the U.S. Army in Korea during the Vietnam era. After the war Chip attended Vo-Tech school where he studied hydraulics. After graduation Chip worked at Eaton Corp in Chaska.

Chip was the co-owner/operator of the Oasis Bar and Grill in Dexter, Minnesota for 15 years. Before his death Chip, was semi-retired and worked as a truck driver.

Chip is survived by his ex-wife, Patti Vogel, of Chetek; by a daughter, Ashley Vogel, of Chetek; by step-children: Libby Rapos, of Spring Valley, Minnesota, Tony Rath, of Chetek; by step-grandson, Kadin Tracy; by his mother, Carol A. Vogel, of Adams, Minn.; by brothers, sisters and spouses: Don and Mona Vogel, of Grove, Oklahoma; JoAnn and Terry Anderson, of Omaha, Nebraska; Jan and Terry Hangge, of Dexter, Minnesota; Judy and Jay Kulstad, of Miami, Florida; Duane Vogel, of Waseca, Minnesota; Jaye Vogel, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Dennis and Sharon Vogel, of Rochester, Minnesota; Doug and Kim Vogel, of Adams, Minnesota; and by many nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles.

He was preceded in death by his father John Vogel; by an infant brother, John David Vogel; and by nephews: Matthew Vogel and Adam Vogel.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 31, 2007 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with Father James Seitz officiating. Interment was in the Dexter Cemetery in Dexter, Minnesota. Adams American Legion Post #146 was in charge of military rites.

The Adams Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

 

©2007 MNGenWeb

John A. Vogel, age 83, of Adams, Minnesota, died Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at Austin Medical Center, Austin, Minnesota.

John was born on Feb. 7, 1924 in Dexter, Minnesota, to John and Frances (Nutz) Vogel.

He attended school at Dexter, and was married to Carol Ann Elliott on January 26, 1946 at Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Austin. John worked as a sales representative MoorMan Feed and also worked in monument sales and reality sales. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the Adams American Legion and the Moose Club.

John is survived by his wife, Carol Vogel, of Adams, Minnesota; by his children and spouses: Dan (Mona) Vogel, of Oklahoma; JoAnn (Terry) Anderson of Omaha, Nebraska; Daryl (Chip) Vogel of Chitek, Wisconsin; Jan (Terry) Hangge of Dexter, Minnesota; Judy (Jay) Kulstad of Miami, Florida; Duane Vogel of Waseca, Minnesota; Jaye Marie Vogel of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Dennis (Sharon) Vogel of Rochester, Minnesota; Doug (Kim) Vogel of Adams, Minnesota; and by 20 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; and by a sister, Mrs. Val (Ella) Schneider of Adams, Minnesota.

He was preceded in death by his parents; by an infant son; and by two grandchildren.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 24, 2007 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father James Seitz officiating. Interment was in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Adams, with Adams Post # 146 American Legion in charge of military rites.

Casket bearers were: Jim Bissen, Bob Douty, Church Brown, Aaron Mullenbach, Melvin Schneider, and Dale Bissen.

The Adams Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

 

©2007 MNGenWeb

Matthew John Vogel, infant son of Dennis Vogel and Sharon Jambin, of Dexter, Minnesota, died Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007.

He is survived by his parents Dennis J. Vogel and Sharon Jambin, Dexter, Minnesota; brother, Michael Vogel; sister, Jennifer Vogel; grandparents: John and Carol Vogel, Adams, Minnesota; and Wisey Jambin, Marshall Islands, MH; and by aunts, uncles and cousins.

A family service was held at the Adams Funeral Home, with interment in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Adams, Minnesota.

 

©2007 MNGenWeb

Mrs. John Miller died last Wednesday, Jan. 5, 1898, at 11:30 a.m., at her home. Christina Mary Wagner Miller was born in Germany Feb. 1, 1827.

She came with her parents to Canada when she was about seven years old, where she was married to J.W. Miller Feb, 16, 1847. Eleven years later Mr. and Mrs. Miller moved to Preston, Fillmore county where they lived until about twenty-two years ago, when they moved on to a farm north-east of Brownsdale, where they lived until about a year ago, when the moved in to town, She was the mother of ten children, seven of whom, three sons and four daughters, survive her. She died as she lived, a firm believer in the Christian religion. Life went out without a struggle.

The night before her death she said to her daughter Emma, "Oh, I am so happy; I am trusting in Jesus." She has been a great suffer for years from that dread disease asthma, which finally caused her death.

The funeral took place at the Baptist church at 1 p.m., Rev. William Cooke of the M.E. church officiating.

Mower County Transcript Wed.; January 12, 1898; pg. 7 col. 2

Transcribed by Mark Ashley

 

AUSTIN -- A funeral Mass will be held for Raymond Peter Wagner at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Austin with the Revs. Paul Nelson and Frank Enright co-officiating. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Meyer, Iowa.

Mr. Wagner, 92, of 200 First Ave. N.E., a former farmer and Coca-Cola Bottling Co. foreman, died Friday evening (April 2, 1999) at Good Samaritan Center in St. Ansgar, Iowa.

He was born Oct. 9, 1906, in Meyer, Iowa. On Aug. 13, 1951, he married Agnes Miller Paulson. She died March 8, 1999. Survivors include a stepson, Thomas Paulson of Austin; 10 step-grandchildren; and 20 step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a stepdaughter, five brothers and two sisters. Friends may call from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. today and 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Mayer Funeral Home in Austin where there will be a wake service at 6:30 p.m. today.

 

Gerald Curtis Wakefield, age 75, died March 5, 2007, at the hospital in Prescott Valley, Arizona, of a heart attack.

Gerald was born in Austin, Minnesota on August 10, 1931, to Elmer and Edith Wakefield. He attended Shaw Grade School, and graduated from Austin High School in 1949. In 1951 he joined the Navy and served four years. He then attended Junior College in Austin for two years and the University of Minnesota for one year.

Jerry married Patricia Rodahl on May 17, 1952, and they had five children.

Jerry worked as a chemist for the City of Austin at the Sewage Treatment Plant for 11 years, and then worked for the George A. Hormel Company in their Research and Development Department from 1971 until he retired in 1993.

Jerry was a member of both the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars from the time he got out of the Navy until his death. He was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church and sang in the choir.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 54 years, Patricia Wakefield, 12200 E. St Rte. 69, Lot 125, Dewey, Arizona; and by his five children: Rebecca Wakefield (husband Murray Johnson), Seattle, Wash.; David (Shannon) Wakefield, St. Louis Park, Minn.; Robert (Nancy) Wakefield, San Diego, Calif.; Kathleen (Keith) Larson, Mora, Minn.; Mary (Bob) Supergan, Prescott Valley; and by five grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters: Mary Hart, Fullerton, California, and Ruth Goldsberry, San Diego, California.

A memorial service was held on Thursday, March 22, 2007, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Prescott Valley, Arizona. Interment was in Oakwood Cemetery in Austin, Minnesota.

Arrangements are entrusted to Sunrise Funeral Home. All friends and relatives are encouraged to visit www.sunrisefuneralhome.com for additional information and to sign the online guestbook.

 

©2007 MNGenWeb

Norma M. Young, 82, of Austin, formally of Grand Meadow, died Thursday, July 15, 2004 at St. Mark's Lutheran Home in Austin.

Young was born on Feb. 10, 1922 in Wooden, Iowa to Robert and Phyllis (Preston) Schiefelbein.

She was married to Dale E. Wakefield on Feb. 14, 1940 in Osage, Iowa. Dale passed away on Nov. 9, 1979.

Norma and Dale had eight children: Robert, Phyllis, Kathryn, Laura, Linda, Vicki, Dennis and Richard.

Norma married Oakley G. Young on March 13, 1986 in Las Vegas, Nev.

She is survived by six daughters: Bobbi Seavey, Rochester; Phyllis (Frank) Guyton, Porterville, Calif.; Kathy (George) Morse, Austin; Laura (Gary) Sneed, Rochester; Linda (Mike) Steinberg, Austin; Vicki (Dennis) Riedermann, Brownsdale; 21 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren and one sister, Lois (Kenny) Coleman, Mission, Texas.

Norma is preceded in death by her parents, husband Dale; husband Oakle; two sons: Dennis and Richard, and a sister Viola.

Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, July 19, 2004 at St. Mark's Chapel in Austin with the Rev. Greg Mannel officiating. Burial will be at the Grand Meadow Cemetery in Grand Meadow.

 

 

Birth: Aug. 3, 1924
Death: Apr. 9, 1996

DEXTER, MINN. -- A Mass of Christian burial will be offered for Bonnetta M. Kenyon at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Finbarr's Catholic Church in Grand Meadow, with the Rev. Paul Nelson officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Mrs. Kenyon, 71, of rural Dexter, a farm homemaker, died early Tuesday morning, April 9, 1996 at St. Mark's Lutheran Home in Austin.

Bonnetta M. Walker was born Aug. 3, 1924, in Cresco, Iowa, and graduated from Austin High School. On June 21, 1941, she married Rodney Kenyon at St. Finbarr's Catholic Church in Grand Meadow and they farmed in the area. Mrs. Kenyon also worked at the Grand Meadow Bank and for Fast Income Tax Service in Austin. She was a member of St. Finbarr's Catholic Church and its rosary society and enjoyed fishing, camping, bowling, gambling, reading and crocheting.

Survivors include her husband; a son, Jim of Oronoco; two daughters, JoAnn (Mrs. Bob) Howe of Dexter and Karen (Mrs. Bill) Unversagt of Rochester; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren; and a foster brother, Norman Mathews of Dexter. She was preceded in death by a son, a great-granddaughter and a brother.

Friends may call from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Mayer Funeral Home in Austin and an hour before the service Friday at the church. The rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to Polycystic Kidney Foundation.

 

Robert Ellis Walker, Jr., 21, of Austin, died Friday, Sept. 3, 2004, at Austin Medical Center.

He was born Nov. 13, 1982, in Fort Leonardwood, Mo., to Robert and Amy (Fodness) Walker. He attended Banfield Elementary, Ellis Middle School and Austin High School.

A manager at George's Pizza, he attended Austin Christian Fellowship.

He enjoyed football, snowboarding, paintball, fishing, playing piano, disc golf and parachuting.

Survivors include his father, Robert Walker; mother, Amy (Joel) Ferguson; stepmother, Darcy Walker; daughter, Isabella May Walker; sister, Crystal Curry; brother, Deven Walker; stepbrother, Andy Runtsch; stepsister, Tracy Runtsch; special friend, Amanda Lee, all of Austin; paternal grandparents, Ellis (Barbara) Walker of Neillsville, Wis.; Marlene (Gene) Seavey of Austin; maternal grandfather, John Fodness of Cleveland, Texas; paternal great-grandmother, Donna Rosenthal of Austin; step maternal grandparents, Bertie and LaVonne Ferguson of Austin; several aunts and uncles and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by maternal grandmother, Patricia Lou Fodness and an uncle.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2004, at Austin Christian Fellowship, 1110 24th Ave. SW in Austin, with the Rev. Barry Thompson officiating.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 6, 2004, at Worlein Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at church. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery, rural Oakland. Memorials are preferred to the family.

Submitted to Mower Co./MNGenWeb by K. Pike.

 

Mrs. Rose Walstrom, 74, of New Richland, Minnesota, died Thursday evening, April 12, 2007, as a result of an automobile accident outside of Elgin, Minnesota.

Rose Ann was born Aug. 18, 1932 in Sargeant Township, Mower county, Minnesota, the daughter of H. Arthur and Ruth (Hanson) Johnson. She was baptized and confirmed at the Evanger Lutheran Church in Sargeant, Minnesota. Rose Ann was a graduate of Hayfield High School in 1950.

On April 7, 1951 she was united in marriage to Kenneth Brakke at the Hayfield Church Parsonage. He preceded her in death.

On Nov. 17, 1974 she was united in marriage to Clayton Walstrom at the First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie, Minnesota.

Rose Ann had lived in several communities during her life including Stewartville, Hayfield, Blooming Prairie, Alma, Wisconsin, Waseca and New Richland for the past three years. She was an active member of all the churches she belonged to. She held office at the conference level and local level in the WELCA and various other jobs within the communities where she lived.

Rose Ann was a member of American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of Norway. She loved the Norwegian heritage, cooking and especially rosemalling.

Rose Ann is survived by her husband, Clayton, of New Richland; by her children: Cynthia (James) Wolslegel, of Fargo, North Dakota; Paul (Kathy) Brakke, of Indianapolis, Indiana; Keith (Ann) Brakke, of Apple Valley, Minnesota; Thomas (Holly) Brakke, of Alma; Brian (Sally) Brakke, of Eagan, Minnesota; Denise (Glen) Palecek, of Winona, Minnesota; Donna (Joe) Kincade, of Wadena, Minnesota; Bradley (Pam) Walstrom, of Alma, Wisconsin; Pamela (David) Farr, of Ellendale, Minnesota; Garry (Sandy) Walstrom, of New Richland; by 23 grandchildren; by four great-grandchildren; by her sister, Ila Mae (Dale) Akkerman, of Austin, Minnesota; by her sister-in-law, Verta Johnson, of Rushford, Minnesota; by her brother-in-law, Lyle Bremmer, of Peterson, Minnesota; and by numerous nieces and nephews.

Rose Ann was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kenneth; by her brother, Roger Johnson; by her sister, Carol Bremmer; and by a nephew, Mark Bremmer.

Funeral services were held on Monday, April 16, 2007 at the First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie. Pastor Pamela Jensen officiating. The Friedrich Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Interment was in First Lutheran Cemetery, Blooming Prairie.

 

©2007 MNGenWeb

Rodger Allen Wambeam, 66 of rural Austin, Minnesota, died Monday, May 14, 2007, at Austin Medical Center.

He was born November 18, 1940 in Kensett, Iowa, to Russell and Stella (Eckert) Wambeam. When Rodger was young, the family moved to Minnesota, where Roger attended school.

On September 7, 1963, he married Judy Tidemanson at Deer Creek Lutheran Church in Carpenter, Iowa. They made their home south of Austin and raised sheep at his father's farm. Rodger worked at Wilson's, which was later Farmstead, in Albert Lea for 27 years. He left and became an employee of Hormel Foods Corp. for ten years.

In 1974 Rodger and Judy bought a farm 12 miles northwest of Austin, where they expanded their sheep flock, continuing to show them at local fairs and at the Minnesota State Fair. This year would have been the 50th year that Rodger showed sheep. A member of Minnesota Hampshire Sheep Association and the 2005 Mower County Livestock Hall of Fame, he enjoyed the people he met at shows and always had a story to tell them. Rodger also enjoyed the family fishing trips up north. He was a member of Red Oak Lutheran Church where he served as deacon.

Rodger is survived by his wife, Judy, of Austin; his daughter, Denise, of Austin; his son, Gil, of Mapleview, Minnesota; his two grandsons, Stephan and Jayden, of Rochester, Minnesota; by a brother, Dr. Russell, Jr. (Margaret) Wambeam, of Laramie, Wyoming; and by his sisters, Alcienne (Charles) Madison, of Maple Grove, Minnesota, and Dellene (Steven) Schwartz, of Austin.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, May 19, 2007 at Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church with Rev. Bruce Falksen officiating. Interment was in Woodbury Cemetery, rural Lyle, Minnesota.

The Worlein Funeral Home in Austin was in charge of arrangements.

©2007 MNGenWeb

AUSTIN, MINNESOTA -- The funeral for Stella Wambeam will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin, with the Rev. Roberta Flood officiating. Burial will be in Woodbury Cemetery in rural Lyle.

Mrs. Wambeam, 88, of Austin, died Tuesday morning (Oct. 22, 2002) at Prairie Manor Nursing Home in Blooming Prairie, where she had lived since November 2000.

Stella Eckert was born Aug. 31, 1914, on a farm near Otranto, Mitchell County, Iowa. On Oct. 8, 1932, she married Russell L. Wambeam. They farmed in Iowa until moving to Austin in 1940. Her husband worked for Hormel Foods Corp. and they also farmed in rural Austin. She moved into Austin after her husband's death in 1991. Mrs. Wambeam had been a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church since 1951. She enjoyed cooking, baking, canning, crocheting and ceramics.

Survivors include two sons, Dr. Russell Jr. (Margaret) of Laramie, Wyo., and Rodger (Judy) of Austin; two daughters, Alcienne (Charles) Madison of Maple Grove, Minn., and Dellene (Steve) Schwartz of Austin; 12 grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; a sister, Lillian Johnson of St. Ansgar, Iowa; and a brother, Jason Eckert Sr. of Austin. Three brothers and two sisters preceded her in death.

Friends may call from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin and an hour before the service Saturday at the church.

 

Harriet J. Ward, 97 of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, passed away on Sunday afternoon, May 20, 2007, at the Austin Medical Center in Austin.

Harriet was born May 28, 1909 to Tilford and Olena (Braaten) Johnson in Freeborn County, Minnesota. She grew up near Corning and was baptized and confirmed in Norwegian at Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church, rural Austin.

Later she married Murray Ward at the Little Brown Church at Nashua, Iowa. They made their home in rural Blooming Prairie. They worked very hard on the farm their entire lives. A longtime and very active member of First Lutheran Church, Harriet was also active in circle until she went into the nursing home.

She is survived by two sisters, Alice Geffrey at Comforcare in Austin, and Tonetta “Toni” Coddington of Austin; by nephews: Pastor Lee (Anna) Dudycha of Racine, Wisconsin; David Sconberg of Austin; Gordon Sconberg of Dayton, Minnesota; Steven (Teresa) Coddington of Austin; by grandnephews, Kirk Dudycha and Kent Dudycha of Hayfield, Minnesota, and Steven Coddington, Jr.; by grandnieces, Carly Coddington of Austin, Amy Coddington of Austin, Jackie Walsh of Washington; sister-in-law, Ruby Ward of Austin; and by special friends, Norman Brantley of Hood River, Oregon, and Virginia Anderson of Blooming Prairie.

She was preceded in death by her parents; by her husband, Murray Ward; by her sister, Nell Sconberg; by brothers, Lyle and Thomas Johnson; by brothers-in-law: Albert Geffrey, Fred Dudycha, Chester Coddington, and Dawes Sconberg.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, May 26, 2007 at First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie, with Pastor Richard Hegal officiating. Interment was in Red Oak Grove Cemetery, rural Austin.

The Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

©2007 MNGenWeb

Myrtle Beatrice Watson, age 94 of Austin, Minnesota, died on Friday, May 4, 2007 at Sacred Heart Care Center.

Myrtle was born on January 13, 1913 in Ridgeway, Iowa, to Ben and Isabelle (Nesheim) Thompson. Myrtle was the second youngest of 12 children. She was baptized and confirmed at Ridgeway Lutheran Church. In 1931, she graduated from high school and normal training (Teachers School) at Decorah High School.

She taught for three years in Winneshiek County Elementary School. She also taught Sunday school and bible school for 15 years at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin.

On January 8, 1939 Myrtle married Harold (Whitey) Watson in the Little Brown church in Nashua, Iowa. Myrtle was also a Girl Scout Leader, a Gray Lady and a member of WELCA.

Myrtle is survived by her daughters: Sondra Freese, Lyle, Minnesota, Cheryl (Richard) Wood, Rio Rancho, New Mexico, Mary (Larry) Schreiber, Austin, Minnesota; by her grandchildren: Carolyn and Doug Dillman, Kristin and Kendrick Deplitch, Ginnie and Roger Dahl, Becky Wood; by great-grandchildren: Carter Dillman, Brianna Deplitch; by a sister: Ruth Blekeberg, Decorah, Iowa; by a sister-in-law: Rachel Watson, St. Paul, Minnesota; and by nieces and nephews

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Watson, by a son-in-law Jacob Freese, and by a grandson, Douglas Freese.

Funeral services were held on Monday, May 7, 2007 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Austin, with Mr. Todd Portinga officiating. Burial was in the Grandview Cemetery in Austin, Minn.

The Clasen-Jordan Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

©2007 MNGenWeb

Elizabeth M. Haeny, 90, of Austin, died Monday, March 10, 2003, at the Austin Medical Center.

She was born Sept. 9, 1912, in Sleepy Eye, to John and Susan (Ludwig) Weicherding.

She married Elmer G. Haeny at St. Mary's Church in Sleepy Eye. They later moved to Austin.

Elizabeth was a wife and homemaker. She enjoyed cooking and baking, often sharing her bread with neighbors and friends. She enjoyed her card and birthday clubs. Although she had 12 grandchildren, many other young people called her "Grandma." Her children and grandchildren visited often.

Elizabeth was a longtime member of St. Augustine Catholic Church and was active in her church unit.

Survivors include sons, Richard (Barb) Haeny, San Antonio, Texas; Robert (Betty) Haeny, Sauk Rapids; Steven (Suzie) Haeny, Sauk Centre; daughters, Susan (Michael) Whalen, Edgewood, Ky.; Mary McAlister, Austin; Kathleen Haeny, Indianapolis, Ind.; daughter-in-law, Lynn LaPlant, Tucson, Ariz.; son-in-law, Dennis Dalen, New Hope; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers and one sister, her husband; daughter, Barbara Haeny; granddaughter, Lisa Whalen; and a great-grandson.

Visitation: One hour before the service at the church on Thursday.

Service: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 13, 2003, at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Father Paul Nelson officiating.

Interment: Calvary Cemetery.

Funeral Home: Mayer Funeral Home

Memorials: To the American Cancer Society or St. Augustine Catholic Church.

 

#1

Birth: May 2, 1977
Death: Aug. 14, 2002

ROSE CREEK -- Funeral services for Robyne Faye Weis, 25, of Rose Creek, will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Zion Lutheran Church near Dexter, with the Rev. Lyle Aadahl officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Mrs. Weis, 25, of Rose Creek died Wednesday (Aug. 14, 2002) of injuries suffered in an auto accident near Dexter.

She was born May 2, 1977, in Austin, to Odean and Allienne (Wandrey) Haarstad. She graduated from Southland High School in 1995 and Mankato State College in 1999 with a degree in human resource management. She married Jason Weis Oct. 22, 1999, at Grace Lutheran Church in Austin. She was circulation manager at the Austin Daily Herald for a year and later worked at the former Karrington Cottage, an assisted living facility in Rochester. She was currently employed at Mayo Clinic as administrative secretary in the research department. A member of Zion Lutheran Church, she was a Sunday school teacher and treasurer of the Sunday school department. She enjoyed music, playing volleyball and spending time with her dog, Micky.

Survivors include her husband; her parents; a sister, LeAnn Kenyon of Brownsdale; a brother, Michael (Lori) Haarstad of Owatonna; and her paternal grandmother, Claudine Haarstad of Grand Meadow. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents and paternal grandfather.

Friends may call at Worlein Funeral Home from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and at the church one hour prior to the service on Saturday.

Burial:
Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery
Sargeant Twp.
Mower County
Minnesota

Submitted to MNGenWeb by: K. Pike

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#2

Austin Daily Herald--

One driver was killed and another escaped injury in a two-vehicle accident Wednesday afternoon.

The Mower County Sheriff's Department said Robyne Faye Weis, 25 of rural Rose Creek, died in the accident.

She was the driver of a vehicle that was struck broadside by another passenger vehicle at the intersection of 280th Street and 670th Avenue (County Road 7) about two miles north of Dexter around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Injured in the mishap was the victim's mother, Alliene Haarstad, 54 of rural Dexter, who was a passenger in the vehicle.

The driver of the other vehicle was identified as Jason Micah Brossoit, 20, of rural Dexter. Brossoit escaped injury, but a passenger, Nina Marie Jarrett, 18 of Zumbro Falls, was seriously injured.

Two Mayo One air ambulances responded to the scene and transported Haarstad and Jarrett to St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester.

Cornfields fill three sides of the rural intersection and the Brossoit vehicle faced a yield situation, according to the sheriff's department report. However, no charges have been filed and the Minnesota State Patrol is conducting an investigation.

Early indications were the victim and her mother were ejected from their Ford Escort vehicle and that Jarrett was ejected from Broissoit's Ford Mustang vehicle.

Initial responders to the accident attempted to resuscitate Weis and Mower County Sheriff's Department deputies attempted to revive Weis with the use of their defibrillator equipment.

-Anonymous

- Libby Talley
Added: 2/8/2006

Copyright 2006 IaGenWeb

AUSTIN, MINN. -- Bradley James Wencl, 28, of 1906 25th St. and a former Quality Pork employee, died Monday (March 15, 1993) at his home after a long illness.

Born Dec. 16, 1964, in La Crosse, Wis., he had attended school in Decorah, Iowa, and after graduating from Austin High School in 1984 served two years in the Marines. He held several jobs, most recently at Quality Pork in Austin.

Survivors include his parents, Gary James and Audrey Brink Wencl of Austin; two sisters, Robin Losee of Austin and Elaine Wencl of Rochester; three brothers, Keith of Madison, Wis., Darrin of Cleveland, Texas, and Jason of Austin; and paternal grandmother, Mildred Wencl of Austin. His paternal grandfather and maternal grandparents preceded him in death.

The funeral will be 1:30 p.m. Friday at Grace Baptist Church in Austin, with the Rev. Jack Dowden officiating. Burial will be in Grandview Cemetery in Austin.

Friends may call from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin and an hour before the service Friday at the church.

 

Harriet Louk Westberg, formerly of Austin, Minnesota, passed away Thursday, March 7, 2007 in Marrietta, Ohio.

Harriet was born and raised in Austin, the daughter of Harry and Ione Louk. She graduated from Austin High School and Minnesota State University, Mankato. She worked for many years as a CPA in Ohio.

She is survived by her two sons, Bruce Johnson, of Milwaukee, Wissonsin, and Nate Johnson, of Cleveland, Ohio; by one sister, Susan Louk Farrell; and by three brothers: William Louk, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Charles Louk, of Richardson, Texas; and David Louk, of Alesio Viejo, California.

She was preceeded in death by her parents, Harry and Ione Louk; and her sister, Mary Louk Houff.

 

©2007 MNGenWeb