Obituaries for Tuesday, Dec. 3
View obituaries from today's paper.
Tilford (Lanny) Landsverk of Whalan, age 79, was born Aug. 24, 1940, in Peterson, and died Friday, Nov. 22 at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester. He was surrounded by his daughter and two of his grandchildren.
He is survived by his daughters, Danielle Seuferling, Lisa (Dave) Hartwig, and Cindy (John) Correlli; and son, Chris DelaGuardia. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Skyla and Zaden Seuferling, Jacob Landsverk, Nicole Hartwig, Stephanie Fetter, Shayne Desain, and Nicholas, Alexys, and Mark Correlli. Also surviving are his sister, Lavonne Landsverk of Minneapolis; brothers, Llewallen Landsverk of Cloquet, and John (Barbara) Landsverk of Niceville, Fla.; nieces, nephews, and many friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Irvin and Judith Landsverk; and his sister-in-law, Suzanne Landsverk.
Lanny was known for being kind and always willing to help a friend. He was very talented in woodworking and stained glass. It gave him great joy to give his beautiful creations to friends and family. He loved his country and was proud of his service (Air Force 1958-1966).
Lanny worked for many years for Wells Fargo Alarm Company in Van Nuys, Calif., as an electrician. He retired to Whalan in 1999 and did the town's landscaping up until he fell ill last year, a job he thoroughly enjoyed. We will miss his jokes, his colorful storytelling, and his infectious laugh so very much.
Memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 at Johnson-Riley Funeral home, in Lanesboro, with visitation from noon until 1 p.m. A military burial will take place immediately following at Hungerholt Cemetery. A reception will be held at 516 New St, Whalan Lutheran Parrish Hall after the services.
To share a condolence with the family, please visit rileyfuneralhomes.com.
Paul D. Connelly, age 79, of Byron, passed away on Thanksgiving evening at Seasons Hospice in Rochester. Paul was born March 23, 1940, at Saint Marys Hospital to Paul and Myrle (Campion) Connelly and grew up on the family farm near Byron. He graduated from Lourdes High School in 1957. He then went to work at Rochester Methodist Hospital and was employed there until his retirement in 2002.
He married Nancy Schimek on Oct. 2, 1971, at Christ the King Catholic Church in Byron. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; five brothers, Gerald, Joseph (Karen), and William (Dorothy) of Rochester, John (Jacquie) of Byron, and James (Marilyn) of Bloomington; two sisters, Mary Ann (Terry) Schaefer of Rochester and Sharon (Brian Utley) of Lake Elmo. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Robert; and sister-in-law, Margaret.
Although they had no children of their own, Paul had 45 nieces and nephews and numerous great-nieces and nephews. He was always interested in them and their activities.
Paul was a charter member of Christ the King Catholic Church, member of the Knights of Columbus and the Sons of American Legion Squadron 119, and an active member of the Byron community. He was an avid fan of the Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 6, 2019, at Christ the King Church in Byron, officiated by the Rev. John Lasuba. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5 at the Byron Funeral Home and one hour before the funeral at the church. Burial will be at the Byron Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to Christ the King Catholic Church or Seasons Hospice.
Blessed be his memory.
Online condolences are welcome at www.byronfuneralhome.com.
On Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019, Carol Maria Ella Schumacher, 93, entered her heavenly home. Carol was born to William and Dora (Niemeyer) Meyer Dec. 26, 1925, in rural Fountain. She married Harold C. Schumacher June 1, 1950. They were lifetime farmers and lifetime members of St. Johns Lutheran Church in Wykoff.
Carol greatly loved being with her family. Her nieces and nephews and their families also meant much to her. She had a special gift of taking care of her many pets and plants.
Survivors are her son, Dean Schumacher, and wife Cheryl of Preston; grandsons, Clinton (Angela) Schumacher of Chatfield, and Kevin Schumacher of Carlton; granddaughter, Kristin (Thomas) Wittrock of Mendota Heights; and three great-grandsons, Dean Carter, Aiden and Reid.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harold; a brother and three sisters.
Memorial Services for Carol will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Wykoff with Pastor Michael Harman officiating. Visitation will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday at the church prior to the service. Burial will be held in St. Johns Cemetery.
Condolences may be left at www.HindtHudekFuneralhomes.com.
Judith Anne Hayes (Heusinkveld), 80 of Corona, Calif., passed away on Nov. 19, 2019, of cancer.
Judy was born in Faribault to Marjorie and Edwin Caron on June 16, 1939. She went to school in Faribault. She married Ellsworth Heusinkveld on Sept. 6, 1958. They lived in Rochester and raised four children. In 1983, they moved to Mantorville and were later divorced.
Judy worked for 20 years at Mayo Clinic as a unit assistant and later in the staffing office. She retired and married Gerald Hayes on Oct. 10, 2003, and lived in Racine. They moved to Arizona until Gerry died and she moved to Corona, Calif., to be closer to her daughter, Darla, and grandson, Shaun.
Mom could make friends with anyone; she had a huge heart and was in her glory when she could help others.
Judy is preceded in death by her second husband, Gerry Hayes; her parents and two brothers. She is survived by her four children, Mick (Cheryl) Heusinkveld, Tracey (Tim) McGuire, Mark (Lori Opsal) Heusinkveld, and Darla Heusinkveld; six grandchildren and three step grandchildren.
The family will have a private celebration of life in June.
Gordon B. Anderson, 92, of Kenyon, passed away on Friday, Nov. 29 at the Kenyon Sunset Home.
He was born on Sept. 25, 1927, in Red Wing to Arthur and Clara (Neseth) Anderson. He graduated from Kenyon High School in 1945. He served in the Army from 1945 to 1947. He farmed in Holden Township until moving into Kenyon in 1992. He married Lou Ann Hallanger at Urland Lutheran Church in Lien Township on June 8, 1957. He did road maintenance for Holden Township as a motor grader operator for 37 years. He loved fishing, playing cards, golf and meeting with his coffee groups.
He is survived by his children, Linda (Rick) Canton of Pine Island, David (Pam) Anderson of Lakeville, Debra (Fred) Zbacnik of Elbow Lake and Mary (Jon) Held of Kenyon; nine grandchildren, Nicholas (Jennah) Vold, Jacob Brekken, Holly (Matt) LaBoda, Jana (Ethan) Eggert, Laura (Griffin) Leitch, Whitney (fiancé Alex Christianson) Canton, Emily Osdoba, Jacalyn Anderson, and Sam Anderson; five great-grandchildren, Landon Vold, Cohen Vold, Sadie LaBoda, Ruby Eggert and Camden Leitch; and brother, Arleigh Anderson.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Clara; wife, Lou Ann; grandson, Christopher Held; and sister, Burdelle Hallanger.
A celebration of life service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5 at First Lutheran Church in Kenyon. The burial will take place immediately after the service at Little Cannon Cemetery, north of Kenyon.
Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the church.
John J. Leimer, 92, of Rochester, passed away on Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester.
John Joseph Leimer was born Nov. 27, 1927, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the son of John and Anna (Broschart) Leimer. He graduated high school at East New York then served in the United States Navy until his honorable discharge in 1949. John returned to school and earned an undergraduate degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and master's degrees in electrical engineering at Syracuse University and the University of Vermont-Burlington.
John married Joan Hearn on June 4, 1949, in Brooklyn, N.Y. In 1963, they moved to Rochester, where he worked for IBM for over 35 years. John was an active member at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, KIWANIS and past president of the Golden "K." He volunteered at Mayo Clinic and Meals on Wheels and enjoyed golfing, bowling, bridge, traveling, and his true passion flying as a private pilot.
John is survived by his wife of 70 years, Joan of Rochester; son, John (Nancy) Leimer of Rochester; daughter, Jude Leimer (Paul Strommen) of Madison, Wis.; four grandchildren, Jaime Decker (Brian), Beth Cooper (Scott), Max and Peter Strommen; four great-grandchildren, Landon, Melanie, Paige, and Elise; and nephew, Mark Kreiling. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Madeline Kreiling; and niece, Dorian Kreiling.
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 5 at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 2830 18th Ave. NW, Rochester. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Mount Olive Lutheran Church Columbarium. Memorials are preferred to Mount Olive Lutheran Church.
Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Leimer family. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.
Doris M. Thomas, 74, of Fountain, died on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019, at Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield.
Doris Marie Holten was born on Sept. 10, 1945, to Albert and Mabel (Rosendahl) Holten in Spring Grove. She was united in marriage to Glen Thomas on July 27, 1968, in Spring Grove and to this union, three children were born, Dawn, Dean, and Wayne.
Doris loved being a farm wife and working with the dairy cows. She was a 4-H Club leader and was very active with the Root Prairie Ladies Aid. She also enjoyed playing cards and had a great sense of humor.
Doris lived with MS for the last 40 years and had been residing in the Chosen Valley Care Center since July 2000. Doris' family would like to extend their sincere appreciation and gratitude to the home health aides who cared for Doris while she was still living at home and to the staff of Chosen Valley Care Center for providing excellent care of Doris for the past 19 years.
Doris is survived by her husband, Glen of Fountain; children, Dawn (Tim) Mulhern of Fountain, Dean (Carmen) Thomas of Zumbrota, and Wayne (Samantha) Thomas of Fountain; siblings, Idella (Eugene) Papenfuss of Holman, Wis., Richard (Florene) Holten of Cresco, Iowa, Linda (Thomas Ewoldt) Sanders of New Albin, Iowa, Charlie (Judy) Holten of Spring Grove, and David Holten of Spring Grove; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Marian.
Funeral Services for Doris will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 6 at Root Prairie Lutheran Church with Rev. Mark Docken officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5 at Root Prairie Lutheran Church and will continue for one hour prior to the service on Friday. Burial will be held in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston at 2 p.m. Friday following the service.
Memorials are preferred to Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield.
Condolences may be left at www.HindtHudekFuneralhomes.com.
Robert H. Gunderson, 98, of Rochester, passed away Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019.
Robert was born March 3, 1921, in Albert Lea to Otto and Mary Gunderson. He was raised in Hayfield and graduated from Hayfield High School.
Robert served in France during WWII. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his participation in a mission referred to as "Baby Patrol," rescuing 81 children in one night.
Robert owned and operated the Dodge Center Cafe for a few years before selling it and starting Gunderson Lumber, which he owned and operated until his retirement. Gunderson Lumber became the largest housing developer in Dodge Center.
Robert married Virginia Young, of Rochester, in February 1984. Virginia worked at Mayo Clinic for 32 years.
Robert loved sports and in his younger years played basketball and baseball. He was a fan of the Twins and Timberwolves.
Robert is survived by his wife of 35 years, Virginia of Rochester; his son, Tom Gunderson of Woodbury; his daughter, Mary (Paul) Gundblat of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; stepdaughters, Debra Dolbeck, Brenda Roberson and Julie (Bob) Dryden; grandchildren, Kristy, Casey, Betsy, Katie, Anne and Michael; and great-grandchildren, as well as nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents and siblings.
A Funeral Service for Robert will be held 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9 at Calvary Episcopal Church, 111 Third Ave. SW, Rochester, with a reception to follow. Burial will take place in the spring.Â
Memorials suggested to Seasons Hospice or a charity of donor's choice.
Sharon Rose (Hengel) Heppelmann, 70, of Rochester, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, at Stewartville Care Center after a lengthy battle with Frontal Temporal Lobe Dementia.
Sharon was born on June 11, 1949, in Rollingstone to Harold and Sylvia Hengel and was the oldest of 12 children. Sharon graduated from Holy Trinity High School in Rollingstone in 1967 and attended secretarial school. She married Kenneth Heppelmann on Dec. 29, 1973, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Rollingstone.
Sharon enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom while her children were young, and also had a 29-year career as a medical secretary at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. In her free time, Sharon was an avid reader and enjoyed sewing, doing crafts, and camping in the summer. She was a very loving wife, mother, and grandmother and loved spending time with her siblings at family get-togethers. Sharon was known to share smiles with everyone she met until the very end of her life.
Sharon took her Catholic Christian Faith very seriously and spent several years as co-coordinator with her sister, Leann, in the Church of the Resurrection Sunday school program and also served for several years as a faith sharing leader in the Confirmation program with her husband, Ken.
Sharon is survived by her husband, Kenneth, Rochester; daughters, Laura (Brian) Bub of Sun Prairie, Wis., Lisa (Michael) Stenzel of Madison Lake, and son, John (Tiffany) Heppelmann of Duluth; grandchildren, Cameron Bub, Cecelia Bub, Ethan Stenzel, Carson Stenzel, Braeden Stenzel, Macy Stenzel, Amelia Heppelmann and Ben Heppelmann. She is also survived by her mother, Sylvia Hengel, and siblings, Marian (Chuck) Rinn, Peg (Dave) Walch, Leann (John) Balow, Jackie (Jerry) Konzen, Mary Jo (Scott) Wagner, Reyne (Bruce) Belter, Ron (Rose) Hengel, Terry (Lori) Hengel, Joan (Keith) Johnson, Jonelle (Craig) Duellmann, and Dan (Anita) Hengel, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Harold "Hutsy" Hengel.
The memorial mass will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 5 at Church of the Resurrection Catholic Church in Rochester with Rev. Peter Schuster officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester with a rosary service starting at 4 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at church. Burial will be in the Minnesota State Veteran's Cemetery in Preston.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be offered to Dorothy Day Hospitality House or Seasons Hospice.
Online Condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.
David Lee Parkin, 81, of Grand Meadow, died peacefully on Dec. 1, 2019, at Meadows Assisted Living.
David was born on Aug. 23, 1938, in rural Mantorville. He graduated from Wanamingo High School. He married Beverly Lien in 1959, and the couple was later divorced. Dave worked various jobs, including bar tending locally, construction, and semi-truck driving. He liked watching NASCAR and watching stock car racing at Deer Creek. He was an avid Minnesota Twins and Vikings fan.
He is survived by his daughters, Sandy (Jay) Brinkman of Rochester, and Debbie O'Malley of Pine Island; his sister, Merry Olson of LeRoy; brothers, Jerry (Phyllis) of Hastings, Ted of Savage, and Dale (Diane) of Rosemount; grandchildren, Tara (Paul) Greene, Dr. Tyler (Trang Do) Brinkman, Joshua O'Malley, Amanda Baker, Jacob O'Malley, Isaac (Erica) Baker, and Trevor (Lauren Mattson) Brinkman; eight great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Jody; a brother, Donald; and two sisters, Tammy and Bertha; and his special friend, Helen Eul.
A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, Dec. 4 starting at noon at the Rochester Eagles Club, 917 15th Ave SE, Rochester, MN 55904. David's ashes will be buried in the Mantorville Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial services for Lois E. Dougan will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11 at United Church of Grand Meadow with Rev. Jon Marburger officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12 at Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, Iowa with Rev. Paul Collier officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to United Church of Grand Meadow, Grand Meadow, or First Presbyterian Church, Mason City, Iowa.
Lois Ellen Dougan, age 98, passed away Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, at Grand Meadow Senior Living, Grand Meadow.
Lois was born Jan. 14, 1921, to Guy and Eva (Falkinham) Green in Hampton, Iowa. She grew up in Hampton and graduated from Hampton High School. She continued her education attending the University of Northern Iowa, known then as the Iowa State Teachers College, Cedar Falls, Iowa. She taught in the rural schools of Franklin County, Iowa. Lois was united in marriage to John B. Dougan in 1943 and lived on the farm near Mason City all their married life. She was a devoted farm wife and farmer.
Lois moved to Grand Meadow, Minn., in July 2011 to be closer to family. She enjoyed time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She lived independently until suffering a broken hip when she was 97.
She was a long time member of First Presbyterian Church, Mason City, Iowa, where she was active as a Sunday school teacher, deacon, and was active in the church circle and knitting prayer shawls. Lois loved flower and vegetable gardening, feeding the birds and walking in the outdoors. She was a 4-H leader in her younger years and a member of the YMCA, where she enjoyed fitness classes.
Lois is survived by her daughters, Sue Dougan of Ostrander, and Bonnie (Peter) Tangren of Austin; grandchildren, Erica Tangren and David (Sheila) Tangren; great-grandchildren, Gabriella and Dax Tangren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John B. Dougan in 2005; brothers, Marion and Bob Green; sister, Bessie Meehan; and half-sister, Melody Sutherland.
Condolences may be left at www.Hindtfuneralhomes.com.
