Obituaries 08/17/23
Joyce Berg, 71
Joyce Marie Berg, age 71, of Buffalo, MN, was called home by her Lord and Savior on August 10, 2023. Joyce was born the daughter of Dr. Vernon and Verona (Helle) Carlson on June 6, 1952, in Thief River Falls, MN.
Her greatest joy, apart from her deep and abiding faith in Jesus, was her family. She loved them immensely. Joyce was an avid reader, creative card-maker, and enjoyed all forms of nature. She desired to live with purpose and keep her mind as sharp as it could be. She appreciated the words of Henry Van Dyke saying, “Use what talents you possess; the woods would be silent if no birds sang- except those who sang best.”
From coffee and times with friends, to the anticipated visits after church events and hugs in the commons area, Joyce would strive to connect with others in humble, yet meaningful ways. A favorite quote, by Helen Keller states, “Joy is the holy fire that keeps our purpose warm and our intelligence aglow.” Joyce lived up to this, without exception. Even in the years that passed since her diagnosis, she was persistently joyful, and without complaint, of that which she carried til her last days.
Joyce is survived by her loving husband of 49 years, Henry; son, Jonathan (Nikki) Berg; daughter, Stephanie (Chris) Koivisto; grandchildren, Sam, Joe, Jack, and Ben Berg; Renee, Zach, and Sophia Koivisto; sister, Jan Carlson; also nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and brother, Rich B. Carlson.
The Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, August 19, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service, all at Buffalo Evangelical Covenant Church in Buffalo, MN. The Argentinian poet, Antonio Porchia said, “One lives with the hope of becoming a memory.” Please join us in celebration of her life and appreciation of the joyous memories we hold dear.
The service will also be available via live-stream for those unable to attend in person. The link for the service is buffalocov.org/live.
Officiating will be Pastor Reid Gilbert. Luncheon to follow the service at church.
Plants are appreciated as a living memorial that family can continue to care for. Flowers are welcomed.
The University of Minnesota has accepted Joyce’s donation of self for study.
Arrangements were entrusted to The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, MN.
Robert Bruns, 67
Robert J. Bruns, age 67, of Maple Lake, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at his cabin on Sugar Lake with his wife at his side.
Mass of Christian Burial was held 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 14, 2023, at St. Timothy Catholic Church in Maple Lake with Fr. Kevin Magner as the Celebrant. Burial followed at St. Timothy Catholic Cemetery. Visitation was held from 3:00-6:00 p.m. on Sunday and 9-10 a.m. on Monday, both at the Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel in Maple Lake. A Prayer Service was held at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.
Robert James Bruns was born September 30, 1955, in St. Cloud to James and Beatrice (Paumen) Bruns. He grew up in Maple Lake where he was baptized and confirmed at the Church of St. Timothy. He graduated with the Class of 1974 from Maple Lake High School. He continued his education at Dunwoody Institute for HVAC. On May 13, 1978, Bob was united in marriage to the love of his life, Lori Fobbe, at the Church of St. Timothy in Maple Lake. They made their home in Maple Lake, where they were blessed with two daughters. Bob worked for nearly 20 years with D&D Electric Heating & Cooling in Maple Lake and retired in 2020 from the Union Sheet Metal Local #10 Union.
Bob enjoyed being outdoors, whether it be riding his motorcycle or side by side, driving his ‘72 Corvette, or being on the lake either in his boat or on the jet ski. There wasn’t much Bob couldn’t fix, make, or do. He loved to tinker in his pole shed, which could be characterized as organized chaos. He will be remembered for being hardworking, positive, calm, and patient. In addition to being a role model to their two daughters, he also served in that role for many of the girls’ friends. Of all the enjoyment Bob found in life, nothing brought him greater joy than being in the presence of his family, especially his two grandsons, William and Leighton.
Bob is survived by his wife, Lori; daughters, Kristin (Chris) Thomas, of Plymouth and Ashley Bruns, of Maple Lake; grandchildren, William and Leighton Thomas; brother, Carl Bruns, of Albertville; sister, Rose Mary (Kirt) Hinz, of Annandale; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Charolyt Bruns, Marge (Ted Jr.) Latour, Bob (Michelle) Fobbe, Barb Menth, and Don Purcell; and his nieces and nephews that he loved as his own; and many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Beatrice Bruns; brother, Jerry Bruns; sisters-in-law, Patty Purcell and Mary Worden; and brothers-in-law, Lee Worden and Mark Menth.
The urn bearers were Luke Hinz, Joe Bruns, Luke Fobbe, Bobby Fobbe, Joe Menth, and Bill Purcell. Krista Elsenpeter Tarbox, and Sarah Goelz provided the music for the service. Arrangements were entrusted with Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Annandale.
Obituary, Guestbook, Video Tribute and Funeral Webcast online at www.dingmannfuneral.com
Bettie Burling, 91
Bettie Ann Burling, of Buffalo, October 13, 1931 - August 10, 2023, born in Millville, MN, to Elgin G. and Clarice Enabnit.
Bettie graduated from the Osage, Iowa High School, attended Francis Shimer College, Mt. Carroll, IL, and Mankato State Teachers College, Mankato, MN.
She was employed by Bankers Life in Minneapolis, followed by a secretarial position at Underwriters of New York, Minneapolis, MN. She also worked for National School Studios and JC Penney’s at Ridgedale Mall.
Bettie was married to Ralph Burling on November 27, 1954, and made their first home in Portage, WI, where they started their family with the birth of their first son, Bob. The young family relocated to Prior Lake where son, Tom, was born, and, eventually, Edina, MN, with the addition of daughter, Jane. The Burling’s enjoyed spending quality time at their lake home on Lake Pulaski in Buffalo, MN, where they later moved and settled.
Bettie took great pride in acts of service and volunteer activities. She was an active member in Galilee Chapter #53 Order of the Eastern Star in Buffalo, MN, as well as a devoted election judge for Buffalo for many years. Bettie could be found volunteering in the Buffalo community at the Buffalo Rodeo, Parkview Care Center, and Buffalo Hospital Gift Shop.
She further showed her caring by looking after her grandchildren and proudly taking them to JC Penney for school clothes.
Bettie was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Burling; parents, Elgin and Clarice Enabnit, Vera Enabnit; siblings, Peggy Enabnit, Elgin Enabnit Jr., Theodore Enabnit, Jerry.
Bettie is survived by her son, Robert Burling (Lynn Strandquist), son, Tom (Peggy) Burling; daughter, Jane (Mark) Paurus; sister, Shirley McGhan; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service for Bettie Ann Burling will be held on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo. Pastor Kari Bahe will officiate.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, September 16, one hour prior to services at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo.
A private inurnment will take place at Lakeview Cemetery in Buffalo.
Prefer memorials to be sent to Parkview Care Center in Buffalo or Triniti Home Health and Hospice.
Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Gracie Heinz, 11
Gracie Claire Heinz, age 11, of Rogers, MN, passed away unexpectedly on August 11, 2023.
She was born on December 11, 2011, in Maple Grove, to Brent and Melissa (Diedrich) Heinz.
Gracie was dedicated on March 11, 2012.
Gracie was a free spirit, a tomboy, and always had a smile on her face. She was a daddy’s girl, loved her sisters with her whole heart, and enjoyed shopping and getting “Starbies” with her mom.
Gracie loved her extended family, friends, spending time at the family farm, and visiting with her grandparents in Brainerd. She was dedicated to her family in every way. She was the first to offer a helping hand, especially with her younger cousins. She looked up to her older cousins and friends as her role models.
Some of Gracie’s favorite pastimes were camping, going to the cabin, 4-wheeling, swimming and tubing at the lake, showing her cows at the county fair, participating in 4-H, and going to Sunday School. In the winter months, she enjoyed sledding and playing ice hockey.
Gracie is survived by her loving parents, Brent and Melissa (Diedrich) Heinz; sisters, Vivian and Norah Heinz; grandparents, David and Betty Heinz, Mark and Linda Zachman, and Stanley Diedrich; great-grandmas, Grace Heinz and Verena Zachman; aunts and uncles, Tracy and Steve Gutknecht, Toby and Jaclyn Heinz, Brandon and Jenny Heinz, Aaron Zachman, and Caitlin Diedrich; 19 cousins and numerous “honorary” close family and friends.
She is preceded in death by great-grandparents, Alvin Heinz, Lawrence and Audrey Kottke, Marjorie and Lou Platt, Norbert Zachman, and Clar and Elden Diedrich; and by a cousin, Joey Bongaarts.
Funeral Services for Gracie Heinz will be held on Thursday, August 17, 2023, at 12 noon at NorthRidge Fellowship, 12522 Main Street, in Rogers, MN. Pastor Ben McEachern will officiate.
A visitation was held on Wednesday, August 16, from 5-8 P.M. AT THE CHURCH. Further visitation will also be held on Thursday morning, August 17, one hour prior to services at the church.
In lieu of flowers: memorial to be determined.
Live Stream @ Northridgefellowship.org
The Peterson Chapel St. Michael-Albertville Funeral Home is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Anastasios Karypis, 88
Anastasios (Tasos) George Karypis passed peacefully at home surrounded by his children on August 6, 2023, after 88 years of life.
Tasos was not your ordinary man. If you met him, you remembered him. “Life is a mystery,” he would say. His journey through it is a beautiful example.
Born in a village in northern Greece to George and Sevastula Karypis, his life began with his family’s subsistence farm where he tended sheep, fished in the stream, and played with items found in nature. After surviving a life-threatening bout with typhus and through his mother’s concern for his ability to continue physical work, Tasos received a scholarship to Anatolia College, a prestigious private high school in Thessaloniki.
Anatolia, for a village boy, was difficult, but he persevered and excelled. Through a professor’s encouragement, he believed in a dream and left Greece for the United States where he studied economics at the University of Minnesota. An invitation to a dinner led Tasos to meet and marry Twyla (Lidstrom) Karypis with whom he raised four children. Owning land was a measure of pride for Tasos. He dedicated his career to dairy farming first in New Richmond, WI, and then in Maple Lake, MN.
In his 50s, his passion for literature, philosophy and landscaping began. He loved to talk about and encouraged everyone to read the works of Martin Buber, Joseph Campbell, Annie Dillard, Thomas Mann, Will and Ariel Durant, James Joyce, and a host of others. He was captivated by Joyce’s concept of aesthetic arrest and saw beauty in the natural world. A visit with Tasos included a tour of the garden, an intimate, playful encounter with a rock, and words of wisdom. He took his love of nature and passionately focused on landscapes, flowers, rocks and sculptures, creating beautiful works of art everywhere he could. A hard worker, his operating model was simple: I get started; and I don’t stop until I am done. He would often work from dawn to dusk, shirtless, maneuvering rocks into place by hand.
Family was his pride. His children and grandchildren, he often said, were his greatest accomplishment. Tasos was a loving father, grandfather, philosopher, and self-proclaimed “crazy Greek,” “Greek pagan,” “Rock Man.” His favorite phrases will always be a part of us: “You are a genius!”, “Número uno,” “Talk to me,” “Time to assume the horizontal,” “I’m off to contemplate my navel,” “What a nice surprise to hear from you.” And his morning mantra: “Today is a beautiful day. The best day ever!”
Tasos is survived by his twin brother, Constantinos (Costas) Karypis; his children, Anastasia Karypis, Daphne Karypis (Dean Cook), Margarita Sand, and Alexander Karypis; and his seven grandchildren, Alythia, Bronte, Amara, Sage, Ansel, Jacob, and Sophia.
A Celebration of Life is scheduled for 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, August 20, 2023, in the Snyder Auditorium at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, MN. Reference the Karypis Celebration at the Arboretum entrance. His family extends a warm welcome to all to honor their beloved father and grandfather.
Thomas Perrault, 63
Thomas B. Perrault, age 63, of Monticello, passed away in his home August 11, 2023. Tom was born on July 12, 1960, to Jerome and Irma (Dehmer) Perrault.
Tom was a 1978 Monticello High School graduate and a 1985 graduate of the University of Minnesota in agricultural sciences. He was a long-time employee of Wal-Mart in Monticello, and his laugh could be heard from aisles away in the store. Over the years, he also worked at Martie’s Farm Service, sold cell phones and phone service, and also enjoyed time as a DJ at Lucky’s Bar and Grill in Monticello.
He was a parishioner of St. John the Baptist in Dayton and a vocalist for the choir. Over the years, Tom also shared his joy in singing with the Church of St. Henry in Monticello and the Church of St. Albert in Albertville. He was also a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus and at one time served as Grand Knight and Trustee.
In the mid 80’s, Tom moved in with his Aunt Maggie to help with her care. Even after she moved into a nursing home, he visited her every day until her death in 1998.
Tom spent many hours serving the community. He was involved in the Monticello Jaycees, serving as the chapter president in 1992-1993 and 1994-1995. He also served as the East Central South Regional Director from 1997-1998. He started a project with the Jaycees, playing bingo monthly with the Monticello Nursing Home residents, and kept that program going for many years. Tom received the Senator Award from the Jaycees for all of this hard work. Tom served on the board of The Men’s Center in Minneapolis for several years. He also volunteered bell ringing during the holiday seasons for the Salvation Army, often singing Christmas carols for the shoppers as they walked by.
He was also very active in the political arena, including his over thirty-year involvement with the local Republican Party. Tom was a constant presence at caucuses, parades, and fairs and diligently made sure people had lawn signs each election season! He also served for several years on the Monticello City Council and was very supportive of the local community.
Tom also enjoyed carving pumpkins at Halloween, gardening, karaoke, and performed a few times at the Monticello Riverfest Talent Show.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jerome and Irma Perrault; brother, Loren Perrault; and nephews, Matthew Perrault and Zachary Ludders.
Tom is survived by siblings, James (Alicia), of Foothill Ranch, CA, Kathy Weiss, of Monticello, Joseph (Kelly), of Monticello, Daniel, of Robbinsdale, Donald (Michelle), of Omaha, NE, Paul (Jessica), of Blaine, Audrey (Timothy) Davis, of Big Lake; three Goddaughters, Jerianne Zimmerman (niece), Christine Perrault (niece); and Shauna Rae LaRue (friend); and many nieces, nephews, and numerous friends.
Visitation will be held Thursday, August 17, 2023, from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M., with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M., followed by a Rosary, at Dare’s Funeral Home, 805 Main Street NW, Elk River, MN. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, August 18, 2023, at 11:00 A.M., with visitation one hour prior, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 18380 Columbus Street, Dayton, MN with Father John Powers as Celebrant. Interment at St. Henry’s Cemetery in Monticello, MN.
Serving the family is Dare’s Funeral Home of Elk River, MN. 763-441-1212, www.daresfuneralhome.com.
Lois Setterberg, 93
Lois was born October 17, 1929, to Abner and Esther Hammerberg, in Minneapolis. She graduated from Buffalo High School in 1947, and later attended Augsburg College until she said “Yes” to Wendell Setterberg’s proposal and marriage vows. Daughters, Wendy and Susie, and later, son-in-law, Tom, made their family complete.
Lois joined Wendell in the jewelry business at Setterberg Jewelers in Buffalo. Eventually, they sold the business to John and Toni Kock. Wendell and Lois wintered in Arizona, and were involved with five more successful Setterberg Jewelers there.
Wendell and Lois continued to spend summers at Lake Pulaski. They loved Minnesota’s beautiful lakes, the green grass, spending time with family and friends. Summer get togethers and family “rebellions” were great fun to plan and attend. As a guest, you might have enjoyed Lois and Wendell’s Ole and Lena skits, a potluck dinner, with a float plane ride for dessert.
While Wendell hunted, fished or flew, Lois relished her time reading. Another specialty was helping the local economy with her shopping.
For years, Lois researched the family genealogy extensively, and enjoyed meeting the relatives in Sweden. Both Lois and Wendell were 100% Swedish, and proud of their heritage.
Trips to Europe, Australia, and Mexico were wonderful adventures.
Life was good for Lois, although Wendell passed in 2017. Her goal was to reach age 100, like her dad had, but it wasn’t meant to be. She passed away July 31st in Prescott, Az. Church services have been held.
Survivors include Susie and Tom Hafner, of Prescott; sisters-in-law, Mariann Dickinson and Betty Barnes; brother-in-law, Roger Setterberg; cousins; and several nieces and nephews.
In Lois’s memory, please call a friend, lunch with the girls, or throw a party.
Mom would love that.
