Obituaries 12/07/23
Arnold Bruska, 82
Arnold A. Bruska, age 82, of Buffalo, MN, passed away on November 24, 2023, at the Buffalo Hospital.
Arnold was born the son of Leonard and Mildred (Georges) Bruska on February 16, 1941, in Delano, MN.
Arnie was a lifelong resident of Buffalo. He owned Arnie’s Bar in Buffalo from the late 1980’s into the early 1990’s.
He is survived by his sons, Jeff Bruska and Todd (Stacy) Bruska; grandchildren, Mara Bruska, Benjamin Bruska, Jolene (Chris) Stavos, and Ashley Bruska; great-grandchildren, Ramona and Ellis Stavos; brother, Harold (Judy) Bruska; also nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Mildred Bruska; sisters, Evelyn Stumpf, Shirley Uecker, and Maxine Franke.
Memorial service for Arnie will be held Sunday, December 17, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. with visitation beginning at 12:00 p.m., all at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, MN.
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
Duane Gardner, 82
Duane “Duey” Keith Gardner passed away with his family by his side on November 11, 2023, at the age of 82, after a courageous four-year battle with cancer.
He is survived by and will be missed by his wife of 61 years, Jeannie Gardner; their daughters, Susan Renshaw, Sandy Gardner (Tim Stasson), and Tracy Gardner. He was a cherished grandfather to Nicholas Nystrom (Amanda Offerman), Heather Warzala, Aaron Renshaw, and Preston Gardner. Duey was a beloved great-grandfather to Dylan, Liam, and Jude Nystrom, and Owen, Avery, and Emilia Warzala.
He is survived by his brother, Clifford Mikkola (Kathy); sisters, Andie Thulen (Todd) and Nancy Thompson (Mark); and many cousins.
Duey was preceded in death by his grandparents, Louis and Beatta Brusletten; father, Ronald George Christmas; mother, Bernice Mikkola; step-father, Clifford Mikkola; and son-in-law, Michael Nystrom.
A celebration of life will be held at a late date to honor the memory of Duey Gardner.
Anna Hohag, 100
Anna Marie Painschab Hohag, age 100, passed away Friday, December 1, 2023.
Anna was born in a cottage on her parents’ Lake Charlotte resort near Rockford. She was the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Hinteregger) Painschab, the ninth child in a family of 12.
Anna married Stanley “Tim” Hohag in 1942. Following the war, they made their home on a farm north of Waverly. Three children were born to Stan and Anna, Karen, Katharine, and Dean.
Anna was active in the Waverly American Legion Auxiliary, the Women’s Association at both the Waverly and Howard Lake Presbyterian Church, the Wright County Extension, and as a 4-H club leader.
She enjoyed reading, gardening, bowling, playing cards with friends, and doing puzzles and needlepoint.
She is survived by daughters, Karen Fadden (Ron), Kathy (Rick) Workman; and son, Dean (Joan) Hohag; grandchildren, Paul and Nick Fadden, John, Luther and Jacob Workman; great-grandchildren, Alexander, Keira, and Finnegan Fadden, and Tatum, Jaidyn, Evianna and Elsinore Workman. She is further survived by her sister, Rose Skonberg; and many other relatives.
Anna was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley Hohag; parents, John and Elizabeth Painschab; brothers, Leonard, Arnold, John, Herman, Joe, and George; and sisters, Louise, Elizabeth, Antonia, and Charlotte.
Visitation will take place from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, December 8, at the Howard Lake Swanson Peterson funeral home. Funeral services for Anna Hohag will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 9, at the First Presbyterian Church in Howard Lake, with visitation one hour before.
A special thank you to the staff of the Lodge of Howard Lake during the nine years it was her home, and for the medical care she received at the Buffalo hospital.
Memorials preferred to the First Presbyterian Church of Howard Lake or the Waverly American Legion Auxiliary.
Arrangements were handled by Swanson Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Howard Lake and Cokato, MN.
Lois Howard, 95
Lois I. Howard, age 95, of Maple Lake, died Sunday, December 3, 2023, at Parkview Care Center in Buffalo.
Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 8, 2023, at Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel in Maple Lake with visitation one hour prior to the service. Pastor Allen Jones will officiate. Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Clearwater.
Lois Irene Dykhoff was born April 29, 1928, at home in Clearwater, Minnesota, to Henry and Dorothy (Sparks) Dykhoff. Lois grew up in Clearwater and Annandale, graduating from Annandale High School in 1946. On June 12, 1946, Lois was united in marriage to Lester Morris Howard in Annandale. They made their home on the Howard family farm in Albion Township, where they also raised their two children. In addition to dairy farming alongside Lester, Lois also worked at Wonderalls in Buffalo and provided housekeeping services for Wright County Human Services in Buffalo.
Lois loved to sew, whether it was clothing her kids while they were younger or making blankets for them to use later in life. She enjoyed tending to her flower and vegetable gardens, as well. Lois’s caring and selfless manner will fondly be remembered by those who loved her.
She is survived by her children, Allen Howard, of Maple Lake, and Diane (Don) Booth, of Annandale.
Lois was preceded in death by her parents; husband; an infant sibling; and a stepsister.
Arrangements are entrusted with Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Maple Lake.
Obituary, Guestbook, and Video Tribute online at www.dingmannfuneral.com
Deborah Huikko, 66
Deborah Diane Huikko, age 66, of Buffalo, MN, passed away on December 3, 2023, at the Buffalo Hospital in Buffalo, MN. (See full notice next week.)
Mass of Christian Burial for Deb will be held Saturday, December 30, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m., all at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Buffalo, MN. Reception to follow the mass at Huikko’s Bison Creek Event Center in Buffalo, MN. Private family interment at a later date.
Arrangements were entrusted to The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, MN.
DeLloyd Isaacson, 86
DeLloyd “Ike” Richard Isaacson, age 86, of Delano, passed away on Thursday, November 30, 2023, at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale.
He was born on April 28, 1937 in Bandon Township, Franklin, Renville County, the son of Frank and Hulda Maria (Bay) Isaacson.
He honorably served his Country in The United States Army. On August 17, 1963, DeLloyd R. Isaacson and Carol J. Easlund were joined in holy marriage in N. Minneapolis. God blessed their marriage with a daughter and a son.
Ike was formerly self-employed as a carpenter for Delcar Homes. He enjoyed feeding the birds and squirrels, golfing, fishing, family vacations, and camping. He was a long-time member of Zion Lutheran Church in Buffalo.
Survived by his children, Wendy (Doug) Zimmerman, of Lakeville, and Wade (Bridget) Isaacson, of Monticello; grandchildren, Nathan (Hallie) Isaacson and Ben Isaacson; two sisters, Marian Daniels and Dorothy Hammond; two brothers, Eugene (Jonay) Isaacson and Kenneth “Kenny” (Darlene) Isaacson; other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by his wife, Carol J. Isaacson, on October 9, 2010; his parents; and 12 siblings.
Funeral Services for DeLloyd “Ike” Isaacson will be held on Thursday, December 7, at 11:00 A.M. at Zion Lutheran Church in Buffalo. Pastor Kari Bahe will officiate.
Interment will follow at Zion Lutheran Cemetery.
A visitation was held on Wednesday, December 6, from 4-7 P.M. at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo. Further visitation will take place one hour prior to services at the church.
Casket Bearers will be Nathan Isaacson (grandson), Benjamin Isaacson (grandson), Wes Mahlberg (friend), Pat McManus (friend and neighbor), Jeff Stifter (nephew), Len Bengston (friend).
The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Keith Kjellberg, 85
Keith Lyren Kjellberg, of Monticello, Minnesota, passed away Thursday morning, October 26, 2023, at the St Cloud Hospital in the Covid Unit.
Keith was born at home in Monticello, Minnesota, on April 23, 1938, to Mae and Marty Kjellberg. He graduated with the Class of 1956 from Monticello High School. He then attended Dunwoody in Minneapolis, where he graduated as a Journeyman Plumber. Kee started Keith’s Plumbing in Monticello at a very young age. He came to the rescue of many a desperate homeowner in dire need of his services of plumbing or heating. Kee was especially happy to help, day or night, if he was tipped with a homemade pie or any baked good. Even after retiring, he was always willing to offer repair advice, a free part, or the use of his tools. He enjoyed company dropping in at “the shop” and will be lovingly remembered for his dry wit and one-liners.
He is survived by his four children, Greg Kjellberg, Gary Kjellberg (Barb), Linda Yonak, and David Kjellberg; grandchildren, April Kjellberg, Aaron Kjellberg (Ashley), Allison Florek, Andrea Kjellberg, Madison Nowling Kjellberg, Grace Nowling Kjellberg; seven great-grandchildren; his sister, Kacey Kjellberg; and many friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Kurt Kjellberg, Kevin Kjellberg, Kent Kjellberg; sister-in-law, Diane Kjellberg; niece, Kathy Kjellberg; and many close friends.
All family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life Luncheon on Saturday, December 16, 2023, from 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. at the Monticello American Legion Post 260, 304 Elm Street, Monticello, MN!
Serving the family is Peterson-Grimsmo Funeral Chapel of Monticello, MN, 763-295-2918, www.peterson-grimsmochapel.com.
Ruth Lange, 88
Ruth Ann Lange, 88, passed away peacefully December 2, 2023, at Cokato Manor after struggling many years with dementia.
She was born June 12, 1935, in Buffalo, Minnesota, to Ed and Thelma (Cadwell) Schmedeke. She married Henry Lange in 1952. They were married 68 years until he passed away in 2020. They raised four children, living in Buffalo, Monticello and Darwin, with spending their last years in St. Cloud, MN. For many years, they enjoyed winters in Arizona. Ruth was a homemaker who fried every fish Hank caught, baked him every kind of pie, and enjoyed hospitality to family and friends.
She is survived by daughters, Darlene (Glenn) Jude, Donette Danberg, and Deb (Jay) Kadlec; grandchildren, Tami White, Tony Jude, Melanie Wolffing, Trista DeLong, Kenny Danberg, Seth Danberg, and Salem Kadlec; and five great-grandchildren.
Her husband; her parents; son, Dale; and son-in-law, Dave Danberg preceded her in death.
A celebration of life will be in January 2024 with internment at Riverside Cemetery in Monticello, MN.
Arrangements were made by the Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Howard Lake and Cokato.
Phyllis Watkins, 92
Phyllis (Finnegan) Watkins was born July 10, 1931, in Guthrie Center, Iowa. The heavens opened up and welcomed Phyllis home on November 27, 2023.
She is survived by her four children, Mike (Marsha) Watkins, Doug (Nancy) Watkins, Janelle (Dan) Fahlin, Mark (Carmon) Watkins; 11 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by Duane Watkins; sisters, Naomi Morgan, Pauline Campbell, Marlene Johnson, and Mildred Hartley.
She lived a life filled with love, family, and friends.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at Brooklyn United Methodist Church, 7200 Brookyln Blvd., Brooklyn Center, MN 55429. Visitation from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m., Celebration Services at 3:00 p.m. followed by a gathering in Fellowship Hall.
Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers to: Brooklyn United Methodist Church, 7200 Brooklyn Blvd., Brooklyn Center, MN 55429 and Bundles of Love Charity, 1101 Cliff Rd. E., Burnsville, MN 55337.
“And if I did not say it out loud often enough, let me say it one last time: I loved you all with all that I was; I am so proud of you all. You gave me my deepest joy!”
Marlene Zachman, 87
Marlene J. Zachman, age 87, of Albertville, passed away on Sunday, November 26, 2023, at Guardian Angels Engel Haus Assisted Living in Albertville.
She was born on March 24, 1936, in Otsego, the daughter of George and Ruth (Campbell) Fournier.
Marlene, as a youth, belonged to the Elk River Saddle Club. She also graduated from Elk River High School in 1954 and began nurse’s training at St Cloud Catholic hospital. She continued her education receiving her BSN from St Joseph’s College in Maine 1980.
On October 3, 1957, Marlene J. Fournier and Edward D. Zachman were joined in holy marriage at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Elk River. God blessed their marriage with six children.
One of Marlene’s passions was in the health field. She was a lifelong registered nurse. She was formerly employed at The Buffalo Hospital, and she helped design the new Buffalo Hospital. She was a past Prudential Case Manager. She also had been employed as a nurse at The Annandale Care Center and at St. Therese in New Hope, retiring when she was 78.
Marlene was a faithful and dedicated member of St. Albert’s Catholic Church in Albertville. She was a past president of its C.C.W. She taught CCD for twenty-five years and was a member of The St. Albert’s Building Committee for both the church and the parish center.
Marlene journaled a lot and always kept up with current events. She loved to discuss solutions to the happenings of the day. She was a pro-life advocate and all that supported family and community. She was an historian, writing the history of St Albert’s Catholic Church and taking thousands of pictures over the years of the changes in the community, helping with the Albertville Centennial Celebration in 2019. Her life was a life of service wherever needed. She had a listening ear and was generous in her time, talent, and encouragement to all who came to her for help.
Marlene loved harvesting. Through the years she had a large garden and raised chickens. In recent years, she encouraged the annual collecting of sap from the hundreds of maple trees in her yard, culminating in the production of many jars of yummy maple syrup.
Survived by children, Jeannine (Gregg) Backstrom, Charles Zachman, Jon Zachman, Ronald (Lisa) Zachman, Suzanne (Doug) McConnell, and Maria (Richard) Vetsch; 18 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; many other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by husband, Edward D. Zachman; her parents, George and Ruth Fournier; and by nine siblings, Emery, Adlore, Camille and Lawrence Fournier, Lorraine Clark, Albert Fournier, Leona Freed, Douglas and Richard Fournier.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Marlene Zachman was held on Friday, December 1, at 10:00 A.M. at St. Albert Catholic Church in Albertville. CCW prayed a rosary at 9:30. Father Joseph Zabinski was the Celebrant.
A Visitation was held AT THE CHURCH Thursday, November 30, 4-8:00 P.M. A Prayer Service was held 7:00 P.M. Further visitation was one hour prior to Mass on Friday morning.
Casket Bearers were grandchildren, Cole Backstrom, Jason McConnell, Nathan McConnell, Brooke Plossel, Andrew Vetsch, Anthony Zachman, and Molly Zachman.
Honorary Casket Bearers were Darren Backstrom, Victoria Backstrom, Christine Gronvall, and Austin and Crystal Vetsch.
The Peterson Chapel St. Michael-Albertville Funeral Home served the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
