Obituaries 11/03/22
Bernice Dalbec, 80
Bernice Leona Dalbec (Beetzie) born November 12, 1941, passed away peacefully at her home in Delano, MN, on Saturday, October 22, 2022, after a short battle with cancer.
Beetzie loved her dog Dolly, music, traveling, garage sales, and camping at various outdoor events. She loved spending time with her family and friends and always had a smile, a quick sense of humor, and enjoyed having a conversation with anyone. To many, she was known as “The Mom” and was loved by all. She will be missed for her love of life, as she lived her life to the fullest.
Beetzie is survived by sons, David, Tim; daughters, Debra (Frank) Czanstkowski, Lisa (Keith) Quady; siblings, Marlene (Bernard) Vetsch, Barb (Dave) Gilles, Jimmy Kolasa, Marnie Kolasa, Stanley (Nancy) Kolasa, John (Danice) Kolasa, Eddie (Roberta) Kolasa, Margaret (Rick) Kottke, Tom (Diana) Kolasa, Mary (Tim) Brown, Claire (Bob) Lensegrav; as well as many nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Stanley and Leona; brothers, Tony, Bobbie, and Vern. Dogs, Gypsy and Zippy.
Funeral Services will be Friday, November 4, at 2 P.M. (visitation one hour prior) at Zion United Methodist at 450 Fairhaven Ave. N, South Haven, MN. Private family burial.
Celebration of Life to be held in the spring.
Eleanor Fachon, 82
Eleanor “Ellie” G. Fachon, age 82, of Buffalo, and formerly of Florida and Barrington, RI, passed away surrounded by family on October 24, 2022, at The Glenn Memory Care Cottages in Buffalo, MN.
Ellie was born on September 21, 1940, in Providence, RI, the daughter of John and Angellina (Pompei) Sousa. She attended school through the twelfth grade and graduated in 1958 from Barrington High School.
On April 1, 1959, Ellie was united in marriage to John “Jack” Valles, and this union was blessed with five children. Jack passed away in a car accident during September of 1977. Ellie then married Eugene Fachon for ten years.
Ellie went to work as a nurse’s aide in various nursing homes and worked as a jewelry inspector at a company in North Dartmouth, MA.
Ellie loved painting and was extremely gifted artist with a paintbrush. She painted beautiful portraits, landscapes – especially the ocean, with oil paints.
She enjoyed spending time with her five children and loved her family dearly. Ellie will always be remembered for her great sense of humor and always saying what she thought.
Ellie was preceded in death by her parents, John and Angellina Sousa; brother, Robert Sousa; and daughter, Donna Silvia.
She is survived by her children, Christine (James Costa) Sevigny, Ron (Maria) Valles, Julie (John Chapman) Mankenberg and Lisa (Jon Reyes) Padilla; 12 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Memorial service for Ellie will be held Saturday, November 5 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service, all at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo. Officiating will be Pastor Dean Brown. Private family interment to be held at a later date.
Arrangements were entrusted to The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, MN.
Teri Fredrick, 57
It is with heavy heart that we announce another angel has gained her wings. Surrounded by family and loved ones, Teri Lee Fredrick (Vickerman) passed away on October 25, 2022, after a courageous one-year-and-three-month battle with lung and brain cancer.
Teri was born on October 12, 1965. She is survived by loving husband, Ed Frederick; siblings, Sarah (Tom) Lunneborg, Cammie (Brian) Smith, and Jerry (Ann) Georges; daughters, Jessica (Sam) Papa and Abigail Fredrick; special friend, Kris Oelkers; and many adored grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. She also leaves behind her loving pets, Reggie, Starry, Pistol, and Mac.
Teri attended Buffalo schools. Her love for family, her horses, the outdoors, and life in general was unmatched.
Teri and Ed were married July 22, 2006. They pursued adventure every day, including road trips to new and exciting areas of the United States, riding the highways on their motorcycles, and caring for their horses and dogs. Teri was always happiest when she was out experiencing life to its fullest.
Teri was also an amazing seamstress. Her creations are cherished by those lucky enough to have received one of these gifts. She was also a collector of unrealized treasures. Teri never met an auction, estate sale, or antique store she did not like.
Even in the 16 months of Teri’s illness, her strength and perseverance were an inspiration to all who knew her.
Celebration of life will occur at a later date.
John Hennen, 78
Mass of Christian Burial for John Hennen, 78, of Marshall, was held Monday, October 31, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall. A livestream and recording of the service was available at www.holy-redeemer.com. Visitation was Sunday from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m., with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m., at the Horvath Remembrance Center in Marshall. Visitation continued one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment followed at St. Eloi Catholic Cemetery in Ghent.
John Arnold Hennen was born September 26, 1944, in Marshall, the son of Arnold H. and Emma (Loyson) Hennen. He attended St. Eloi Parochial in Ghent and Central Catholic High School in Marshall. On May 25, 1968, John married Mary Joan Dero at St. Edward Catholic Church in Minneota, with his brother, Father Joe Hennen, officiating the wedding. This union was blessed with three children. John and Mary Joan owned and operated their family farm seven miles south of Minneota until they moved to Marshall in July of 2006. They enjoyed gathering with family and friends at their lake home on Smith Lake near Alexandria. The couple also took many trips over the years throughout North and Central America.
John was a witty, fun-loving person with a great sense of humor. He was a fan of all Minnesota sports, especially the Twins and Vikings. He was a kind and gentle soul who loved spending time with his grandchildren. In his free time, John enjoyed playing cards, bowling, and fishing. He also made sure to take time every “Holy Wednesday” for golf. In his retirement years, he also liked working in the spring and fall for Lyon County Farm Service, delivering product to local farmers.
John passed away on Thursday, October 27, 2022, at the Avera Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall, after a ten-year battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary Joan, of Marshall; children, Brenda (Randy) Anderson, of Brandon, SD, Jodi (Lee) Painschab, of Buffalo, and Chad (Amy) Hennen, of Brandon, SD; grandchildren, Ashlin (Nick) Wiebe and Kaeli (Tony) Meyerink, Emma, Sophie, and Aiden Painschab, and Garret, Grant, and Lauren Hennen; siblings, Ernie Hennen, Dan (Judy) Hennen, Father Joe Hennen, Jeannie (Ken) Saffert, and Bob (Cara) Hennen; as well as many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister-in-law, Jane Hennen.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Marshall Kitchen Table Food Shelf or Avera at Home Hospice of Marshall.
Arrangements with Horvath Funeral Service, Marshall, Minnesota, www.horvathfuneralservice.com.
Barbara Johnson, 75
Barbara Lillian Johnson, age 75, of Buffalo, passed away on Thursday, October 20, 2022, at Lake Ridge Care Center in Buffalo.
She was born on May 21,1947, in Excelsior, Minnesota, the daughter of Harold and Sadie (Butterfield) Johnsen.
On March 31, 1967, Barbara L. Johnsen and Lowell M. Johnson were joined in holy marriage at St. John’s Catholic Church in Excelsior. God blessed their marriage with three daughters.
She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, knitting, fishing, camping, and gardening.
Barbara is survived by her husband of fifty-five years, Lowell M. Johnson; daughters, Sheila Wells, of Salem, Oregon, Cheri Lerdon, of Lonsdale, and Sarah Johnson, of Buffalo; three grandchildren, Paul and Thaddeus, and Brody; siblings, Jeanne MacFarlane, Dianne Arold and Dean Johnsen; many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Dale Johnsen.
A Memorial service for Barbara Johnson will be held on Thursday, December 1, 2022, at 11:00 A.M. at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo. Pastor Carter MacFarlane will officiate.
A time of gathering will be held on Thursday, December 1, 2022, from 10:00 A.M.-11:00 A.M. at the funeral home.
The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo is serving the family.
Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Andrew Smith, 45
Andrew Tyler Smith, of Duluth, MN, born Aug 3, 1977, a tragic loss on Oct 24, 2022, at age 45. Andrew battled with alcoholism over the last few years, but let’s not let it define his life.
Andrew was born to Debra and Warren Smith in Minneapolis and graduated from Mound Westonka HS in 1996. He always loved reading about watches and decided to go to St. Paul Technical College to study Watchmaking under Joseph Juaire and soon after obtained a job at The Best of Time shop in Louisville, KY. He was honored to be able to refurbish golfer Payne Stewart’s IWC watch before he died and many other good experiences. He found out in 2000 that he was going to have a child soon, so returned to MN shortly before his son, Tyler Smith, was born in January of 2001. He was definitely his pride and joy, and he continued to raise his son with the help of his mother, Debra. He took on jobs at Protomold in Maple Plain and later at Electrolux in St. Cloud. Andrew was an avid fisherman and loved collecting baseball cards and watching the games. He continued with his love of watchmaking and had quite a collection of books on the subject but did not continue in the profession.
He was preceded in death by his father, Warren Smith; grandparents, Victor and Elizabeth Schneider, Warren and Laura Smith.
Andrew is survived by his son, Tyler Smith; his mother, Debra; his sister, Missy (John) Broesch; his cousins, Jovie and Mavis Broesch; aunts and uncles; and cousins, Jennifer (Outwater) Zaro, Laurie (Outwater) Brauer, Ben, Brandon, Erik (Jessica) Gran and Elizabeth Gran and Amy Schneider and Josh Mechler. He was raised with a love of the Bible and, more recently, renewed his interest in it in a pursuit of sober living at Ruth’s House and Lake Venoah Men’s Community in Carlton, MN. I was told by a close friend that he had fully renewed his faith.
A huge thank you goes out to the doctors and staff of Essentia Health CVICU, St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth for all their care and kindness.
In lieu of flowers, please send cards or memorials to his son, Tyler Smith, at PO Box 219, Maple Plain, MN 55359. We will be planning a small family celebration of life in the spring of 2023.
Patricia Varner, 92
Patricia Theresa (Rief) Varner, age 92, passed away October 21, 2022. Beloved mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, passed away on Friday, October 21, 2022 at 92 years old.
Patricia (Patty) was born September 15, 1930, and grew up in Buffalo, MN, raised her family in Richfield, MN, and she and Dad enjoyed retirement on their hobby farm in Richmond, MN for many years.
Our Mom loved her family and showed us all how much in so many ways. She loved setting a beautiful table and cooking for her friends and family. Her baking was renowned by all, especially the cookies and pies. She loved holidays and gathering her family together at Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter. She was an expert seamstress and every Easter we had beautiful new clothes. She always dressed beautifully, was a very dignified person and very devout.
Mom loved her time at the cabin built by our father on Horseshoe Lake. For 22 years, we gathered at a summer resort in Alexandria, MN. Family traveled from Europe and the US to gather for those wonderful days at Tip Top Cove. Mom and Dad loved road trips to Florida, Alaska, and visiting around the U.S., and trips to Germany, Ireland, Scotland, and Colombia.
She loved hearing everything we said from all the details of our lives to thinking we were the funniest people in the world. She adored her grand- and great- grandchildren, and it gave her great pleasure to search for just the right presents every Christmas for each of them. We are very sad to lose her, but happy she is now with our Dad.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Vance Varner; her father, Raymond Rief; her mother, Linda Rief; and great-granddaughter Gretchen Sinclair.
She is survived by her children, Debra (Gregory Matthews) Varner, Stephen (Sue) Varner, Kevin (Nancy) Varner, Kim (Fred) Anderson, Cecilia (Mike) Richter; brother, Michael (Joyce) Rief; and sister, Kathleen (Edward) Callahan; grandchildren, Sean (Maxine) Kennedy, Marta (Matt) Kritta, Samuel (Taylor Kelleher) Matthews, Bethany (Ryan) Peterson, Zachary (Nicole Patching) Varner; Lilly Varner; Brittany (Eric) Sinclair, Molly (Nathan) Criswell, Abigail (Andrew) Olker, Clara (John) Navin, Erik (Kari) Richter; and 12 beloved great-grandchildren, Rowan, Piper, Beckett, Hazel, Iris, Aveline, Ian, Kylee, Jack, Nora, Henry and Margaret.
Please consider a donation to St. Croix Hospice or the Alzheimer’s Association in her memory rather than flowers. Our family is filled with gratitude to St. Croix Hospice and Monticello St. Benedict’s Community for the loving care they have given to our Mother. She was loved by all there, and they are truly angels.
Visitation will be held Monday, November 14, 2022, from 5:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, November 15, 2022, at 11:00 A.M. with visitation one hour prior at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Buffalo, MN. Interment to follow at St. Francis Cemetery in Buffalo.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, MN. Online condolences for the family may be directed to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Yvonne Vik, 87
Yvonne Joann (Dippold) Vik, formerly from Buffalo, MN, passed away peacefully at the age of 87 on October 25, 2022, at her home in Albany, MN.
The service was on Wednesday, November 2, at 11 A.M. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Albany. Visitation from 9:30-11 A.M. at the church was on Wednesday. Burial will be at Clarkfield Cemetery, Clarkfield, MN, at a later date.
Yvonne Vik was born February 18, 1935, in Westwood, CA, to Raymond and Mabel (Spangler) Dippold. At the young age of four, she lost her hearing due to spinal meningitis. When she was five, her family relocated to Bovey, MN. She attended The Minnesota School of the Deaf, a boarding school in Faribault, MN. She graduated in 1953. It was there where she met the love of her life, Reuben, at the young age of 11. They married on August 20, 1954, in Clarkfield, MN. They had four children.
Yvonne had various jobs in her life and eventually retired in February 1997 from Banner Engineering. Yvonne loved being a mother most! Especially a grandmother and great-grandmother. She had the gifts of love, kindness, and patience, and her grandchildren adored her!
She loved sewing, crafting, gardening, canning, baking, traveling, playing board games (she was very competitive), spending time with her family, and recently teaching three granddaughters how to make her famous homemade soap.
She is survived by her three children, Perry Vik, of Albany, MN, Janet (Peter) Desautel, of Albany, MN, and Reuben Vik, of Buffalo, MN; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; her sister, Bette; and two brothers-in-law, Jake and Ron.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Reuben; daughter Kathleen; three brothers, her mother, and father, and Reuben’s parents and his four sisters.
A special thank you to the Avon Police Department, Albany Fire and Rescue, Paramedics, and ER staff of the Melrose Hospital for their professional and compassionate care.
Arrangements entrusted to Miller-Carlin Funeral Home, Albany, MN.
