Obituaries 1/20/22

Lorraine Harstad, 81

Lorraine W. Harstad, age 81, of Buffalo, passed away Monday, January 10, 2022. She was born October 2, 1940, in St. Cloud, the daughter of Kerney and Hilda (Timmer) Dilley.

Lorraine was a dedicated worker, working until in her 70s! She enjoyed classic country music, watching TV shows and movies, playing the guitar and singing, cribbage, quilting, traveling, had a love of horses, and had a flare for decorating.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Odell Harstad; parents, Kerney and Hilda Dilley; brother, Jim Dilley; and brother-in-law, Tom St. George.

Lorraine is survived by her children, Jeweline Fieldseth, Christine (Jeff Hoheisel) Houston, Maureen (Ron) Carlson, Shannon (Jamie) Zellmann, Mark Harstad; eight grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; sisters, Carol Dilley, Catherine Horton, MaryJane St. George; beloved dog, Pepe; and many nieces, nephews, family and friends.

A memorial service will be held Friday, January 14, 2022, at 11:00 A.M., with visitation one hour prior, at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo.

Serving the family is The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo, 763-682-1363, www.thepetersonchapel.com.

 


Richard Miller, 85

Richard A. Miller (Dick), beloved husband, father, grandpa, and brother passed away on Friday, January 14, 2022, at the age of 85.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Sue; his daughters, Molly and Sally (Dan); his sons, Tom (Tricia) and Doug (Dawn); his five grandchildren, Brent and Emmalee, Reese and Harper, and Zack; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Gordon Balfe, Nan and Wayne Dvorak, and Jim and Diane Pexa; and his many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, LaVonne and Earl Miller; and his sister, Jacquie Balfe. 

Dick Miller was born on March 4, 1936. Dick grew up on a farm south of Kilkenny, MN, that belonged to his grandfather, which was without electricity or plumbing. The family moved to Kilkenny in 1946 where Earl, his father, owned and operated a bulk oil and gas truck, delivering in the area.  He later owned the Standard Station and Dick worked there often. Earl’s payment was often a used car which Dick loved to drive. He got polio in 1949 and was in the University of Minnesota Hospital for one month, of which he was unconscious for two weeks. A new invention, penicillin, saved him after given only a few hours to live.

He attended St. Canice Catholic Grade School for eight years and graduated from Montgomery High School in 1954 where he was a three-sport athlete for four years. He entered St. John’s University where he played football for John Gagliardi.  He later worked at St. Johns as a coach and scout while he finished his teaching degree at St. Cloud State. He married Mary Sue (Sue) Pexa on December 28, 1957, at Holy Redeemer Church in Montgomery, MN. 

Dick served in the Army Reserve for six years.  In spring 1957, he served six months of active duty at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO and Ft. Jackson, SC. 

In 1962, he took a job coaching and teaching at Buffalo High School where he remained until he retired in 1993. During his years at BHS, he was head football coach, head baseball coach, assistant football coach and head girls golf coach. He taught social studies for 10th and 12th grades and drivers’ education. Dick loved staying connected to many of his students and athletes during retirement. 

Dick not only helped build his house in Buffalo, he also built the cabin at Dolney Lake with the help of family and fellow teachers. He loved reading, wood carving, fishing, watching his favorite sports teams, and conquering his daily crossword. One of the highlights of Dick’s life was to drive US Senator Paul Wellstone’s green bus from 1996 until the Senator’s Death in 2002.  

Dick’s family and friends will remember him most as a kind, funny, loyal, hardworking, and humble man.  He cared deeply for his community and for those less fortunate.

Due to rising cases of Covid 19, the family will have a visitation from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday, January 21 at the Church of St. Francis Xavier, Buffalo, with masks required. There will be a private Mass to follow the visitation for the family. The Mass will be available on livestream for those that want to attend virtually.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. You can find more information through Peterson Chapel of Buffalo at www.thepetersonchapel.com. Livestream link is: www.perkinsmediagroup.com/miller.

 


Grant Packer, 37

Packer, Grant William, age 37, passed away suddenly on November 19, 2021, at home in Rockford, MN.

He was born July 9, 1984, in Minneapolis, MN, to Gary and Denise (Beck-Reents) Packer.

Grant was the most loving and protective person you could ever meet. He would do anything for anyone who needed him.

He was best of friends with Dan Schaper and his family, who he considered family. We, as parents, were so grateful for that friendship he had with the Schaper family.

Grant worked at Home Depot after his high school graduation in 2002. He developed many friendships at the Plymouth store and was always greeted by all. Grant changed locations and had worked for Home Depot in their specialty window and doors warehouse for the past few years.

Grant is survived by his parents; brother, Nathan; several aunts, uncles, and cousins,

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, an uncle and aunt.

Memorial service for Grant will be held Saturday, January 22, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m., all at The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo.

Private family interment at Toronto Cemetery in Toronto, SD.

Arrangements were entrusted to The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo, MN.

 


Harold Reardon, 93

Harold Paul Reardon, age 93, of Waverly, passed away on Tuesday, January 11, 2022. He was born August 29, 1928, to Charles and Adelaide (Claessen) Reardon in Marysville Township, Minnesota.

In 1951, Harold was inducted in the US Army and was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant First Class. He was a 50-year member of the American Legion.

Harold was united in marriage to Rita Loebertmann on September 24, 1951. They were blessed with two sons, Paul and Peter. He was a lifelong member of St. Mary’s Church in Waverly.

Harold retired in 1990 after a long career as a precision machinist and continued machining parts in his garage for local friends and farmers. On October 3, 1990, he married Patricia Luhman.

Harold enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, hunting, woodcutting, and snowmobiling. He was a founding member of the Waverly Snowmobile Club and instrumental in starting the Waverly Gun Club. He received recognition for 40 years as a Safety Training Instructor and Life Member of the NRA. He was an avid trap shooter and black powder enthusiast.

Harold was preceded in death by his spouses, Rita and Patricia; stepson, Brian Luhman; siblings, Robert Reardon, Jeanne (Herman) Painschab, Joseph (Mary Ellen) Reardon, Teresa (Joseph) Zeleny, Anita Ostman, and Dennis (Rosie) Reardon. 

He is survived by his sons, Paul (Colleen) Reardon and Peter (Brenda) Reardon; stepchildren, Debbie (Bruce) Salonek, Julie (Kym) Clark, and Joleen Luhman; 11 grandchildren, John Reardon, Molly Reardon, David (Debbie) Reardon, Patrick (Alicia) Reardon, Christopher Copeland-Waight, Chloe Waight, Mitchell (Jessica) Clark, Morgan Clark, Katelyn Luhman, Eric Luhman, and Brandon Luhman; three great-grandchildren, Thomas, Benjamin and Emilyn Reardon; siblings, Mary (Don) Klingelhoets, and Bernadette “Berni” Reardon; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. 

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, January 15, 2022, at the Church of St. Mary in Waverly. Visitation was on Friday, from 4-8 P.M., with a 7:30 P.M. Prayer Service and continued Saturday, 9-10:15 A.M., prior to the Mass, all in the Parish Center of the Church of St. Mary. Interment with Military Honors by the Waverly American Legion Post 305 was in the church cemetery. Masks preferred.                            

Arrangements by the Iten Funeral Home in Delano.

 


Virgil Tengwall, 85

Virgil Gerald Tengwall, age 85, of Buffalo, passed away on Friday, January 7, 2022, at Park View Care Center.

He was born on September 11, 1936, in Pillsbury Township, Swift County, Minnesota, the son of Arthur E. and Ruth (Roisum) Tengwall.

Virgil graduated from Kerkhoven High School. He participated in football and track.

He honorably served his Country in the United States Army.

Virgil was employed for over forty-two years at Ford Motor Company in St. Paul.

He was a very hard worker and enjoyed helping others. When not working Virgil, enjoyed making salsa, dancing, going to the lake and being with family. 

Virgil is survived by his children, Patricia “Patti” Kuehne, of Monticello, and Michael “Mike” (Connie) Tengwall, of Buffalo; six granddaughters, Jillian (Kent) Holthaus, Ashley (Tyler) Arrell and Hayley Kuehne; Patricia (Jess) Vraspir, Sarah Long (Willie Nelson) and Staci Simek (Sonny Michalicek); thirteen great-grandchildren, Sophia, Alex, Aiden and Abby; Lauryn, Samantha, Chloe, Emery, Summit, Waylon, Elizabeth, Lily and Hannah; a sister, Lila Mae Lundberg; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Elroy, Delos and Earl Tengwall; a sister, Marjorie “Marge” Shores; and by his former wife, Elizabeth “Liz” Tengwall.

A Celebration of Life for Virgil Tengwall will be held on Friday, February 25, 2022, at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo at 5:00 p.m. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 25, two hours prior to services at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, Minnesota. A dinner and fellowship will follow at Bison Creek in Buffalo, MN. Inurnment will be held in the spring.

The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, Minnesota is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.

 

Publication: 

The Drummer and The Wright County Journal Press

PO Box 159
108 Central Ave.
Buffalo MN 55313

www.thedrummer.com

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