Obituaries 2/13/20
Lawrence Carlson, 70
Lawrence Michael Carlson, age 70, of Buffalo, passed away Thursday, February 6, 2020. He was born October 1, 1949 in Minneapolis, the son of Robert and Annamae (MacDonald) Carlson.
Larry was a 1967 graduate from Cooper High School in New Hope. He owned and worked at R.E. Carlson in Golden Valley for many years, even after his retirement.
On December 27, 1968, Lawrence Carlson and Karen Aarbo were united in marriage in Brandon, SD.
He was a dedicated member of the American Legion for 50 years, VFW, Elks, Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and golfing.
Larry was a happy man who loved kids and his family. He truly enjoyed time spent with his friends, whom he cherished like family. He will be missed by all.
He was preceded in death by: his father, Robert Carlson; niece, Amanda Carlson-Bey; and great-nephew, Jereau Carlson-Bey.
Larry is survived by: his wife, Karen Carlson; children, Troy (Angela) Carlson, Kyla Carlson; grandchildren, Tristan and McKayla Carlson, Blake and Dillon Wolff; mother, Annamae Carlson; sister, Roberta “Bobbie” Carlson; and other family and many friends.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 15, 2020 at 11:00 a.m., with visitation one hour prior, at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in Buffalo.
Serving the family is The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo.
Edward Hance, 77
Edward Joseph Hance, age 77, of Buffalo, passed away Saturday, February 8, 2020 on the Hance family homestead. He was born October 4, 1942 in Buffalo, the son of Wilfred Alphonse and Helen Genevieve (Reintjes) Hance.
Ed attended St. Francis Xavier Catholic School in Buffalo until the 8th grade and graduated from Buffalo High School in 1961, where he was very active in the FFA. At the age of 15, after his father had passed away, Ed and his brother, Larry, kept the family dairy farm running with their mother for many years. Ed served in the Army National Guard for six years during the Vietnam era.
On May 19, 1973, Edward Joseph Hance and Erva May Snyder were united in marriage. Their wedding was the first conducted at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, which was founded by Erva’s father, Leon C. Snyder. Ed and Erva were blessed with three sons.
Through his early years, Ed tried out many occupations. He worked as a salesman at Boyd’s and Bjorklund’s, restaurant manager, candy and cigarette delivery truck driver, vocational teacher, U-Pick berry farmer, and assisted Erva with home daycare. Ed and Erva also grew and sold Minnesota-hardy azaleas.
Ed’s ambitious drive led him to go back to college at St. Cloud State University at the age of 47 to finish his degree in Social Work. He worked 18 years in Wright County as a social worker until his retirement. He truly enjoyed his job and the people he worked with and met along the way. He was known as a strong advocate for his clients.
Ed enjoyed reading, storytelling, bird-watching, swimming, politics, dogs, country music, theatre, sports -especially the Minnesota Gophers, and he loved spending time with his grandchildren.
Ed truly was a people person and wanted to make everyone happy. He was a character who was known to say things to shock people in a loving way. He was a gregarious individual who was also warm, loving, and compassionate. He had an innovative and optimistic personality. He will be missed by all who knew him!
He was preceded in death by: his parents, Wilfred and Helen Hance; siblings, Kathleen Gnitka, Joan Schaust, Rita Kunkel; siblings-in-law, Janet Hance, George Schaust; and nephew, Matty Schaust Jr.
Ed is survived by his loving wife, Erva May Hance; sons, André Lawrence Hance (Dawn Benson-Hance) and his children, Onar Cu’Chulain Ireland-Hance and Saoirse Iseult Ireland-Hance, Karsten Edward Hance, Jeremy Leon Hance (Tiffany Joy Roufs) and their daughter, Aurelia May Hance; siblings, Jerome Hance (Delores), Estelle Schaust (Matt), Lawrence Hance (Diane); siblings-in-law, Ralph Gnitka, Arnie Kunkel; special friends, Craig and Maggie Lilja; and his beloved dog, Shane.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Sharing and Caring Hands.
Visitation was held Wednesday, February 12, 2020, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, February 13, 2020 at 11:00 a.m., with visitation one hour prior, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Buffalo.
Serving the family is The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo.
Detta Juusola, 74
Detta Annette Juusola, age 74, of Buffalo, long-time resident of Independence, passed away on Sunday, February 9, 2020 at Buffalo Hospital.
She was born on October 2, 1945 in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of Paul & Luella (Raymond) Siljander.
Detta was the proprietor of Detta’s Spindle in Buffalo.
She enjoyed dogs, spinning/knitting, baking homemade bread, visiting with friends and staying up late and drinking coffee. Detta loved her children and grandchildren!
Detta is survived by: William D. Juusola; her fourteen children, Lance W. (Jeannie) Juusola, Brent A. (Beth) Juusola, Jared P. (Karla) Juusola, Jana R. (Paul) Keranen, Toni A. (Phillip) Muhonen, Jay K. (Karn) Juusola, Davin J. (Lori) Juusola, Brock D. (Dulce) Juusola, Nohl P. Juusola, Marla E. Hernandez, Jessie L. (Olivier Belzile) Juusola, Willis D. Juusola, Dustin L. (Chris Moccia) Juusola and Logan R. (special friend Tahne Herren) Juusola; forty-nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren; siblings, Raymond Siljander, Janice (Lee) Fredrickson, Karen Woolsey, Jacquelyn Reina, Kenneth (Cathy) Siljander, Mark Wuollet, Lois Siljander, Philip (Debi) Siljander, Roger Siljander and Raina (Pete) Wuollet; other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by: her parents; a sister, Yvonne Wuollet; and by a grandson, Spencer Juusola.
Funeral services for Detta Juusola will be held on Friday, February 14, 2020, at 11:00 a.m., at the Laestadian Lutheran Church of Monticello. Curt Simonson will officiate. Interment Cokato Finnish Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Thursday, February 13 at the Laestadian Lutheran Church of Monticello from 4-8 p.m. A Prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. Further visitation will be held on Friday, February 14, one hour prior to services.
Casket Bearers will be her ten sons.
The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Fredrick Kettenacker, 77
Fredrick Norman Kettenacker, age 77 of Cologne, and formerly of Rockford, Waverly, Eden Prairie, Wausau, WI, passed away peacefully Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at Lake Minnetonka Shores Presbyterian Homes of Spring Park. He was born the son of Norman and Edith (Schleif) Kettenacker on May 29, 1942 in Rockford Township.
He was baptized and confirmed in 1956 in the Lutheran Faith at Cross Lutheran Church in Rockford.
Fredrick is survived by: his wife of 56 years, Reenie Kettenacker; children, Janeen (Mark) Anderson and Brian (Aimee) Kettenacker; grandchildren, Ashley (Tom) Brock, Brooke (Rick) Norton, Colton and Shelby Kettenacker; great-granddaughter, Everly Brock; siblings, Arlene Mutterer, Jean Pederson, John (Lynn) Kettenacker; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Memorials are preferred to Faith Presbyterian Church, 12007 Excelsior Blvd., Minnetonka, MN 55343.
Private family services will be held at a later date.
A special thank you for the love and care shown to Fred by Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia, Lake Minnetonka Shores, and Optage Hospice-Presbyterian Homes and Services.
Serving the family is The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo.
Jeremy Koecher, 46
Jeremy John Koecher “JJ”, age 46, of Loretto, passed away Tuesday, February 4, 2020. He was born September 14, 1973 in Phoenix, AZ, the son of Darwin and Mary Lou (Ruppelius) Koecher.
After many years of addiction, Jeremy is finally at peace. Jeremy had a passionate heart and was loved by all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.
JJ was a 1992 graduate of Rockford High School. He was an excellent welder and talented artist.
He was preceded in death by: his sister, Jill Koecher; and grandparents, Walter and Emma Koecher, John and Marie Ruppelius.
JJ is survived by: his parents, Dar and Mary Lou Koecher; brothers, Joe Koecher, Jamie (Stephanie) Koecher; nephews, Brody and Jordan Koecher; soulmate, Izzy; special friend, Keeley; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, family and friends.
A memorial service was held Saturday, February 8, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Father’s Lutheran Church in Rockford.
Serving the family is The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo.
Diane Praus, 65
Diane Lou Praus, age 65, of Buffalo, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 4, 2020. She was born January 27, 1955 in Minneapolis, the daughter of Donald and Fern (Johnson) Imme.
Diane was a 1973 graduate of Richfield High School. She worked at Dayton’s for many years beginning in 1978 with their Dayton-Hudson Training Program until 1990.
On November 15, 1980, Diane Imme and George Praus were united in marriage at Oak Grove Lutheran Church in Richfield.
Diane enjoyed camping, animals, dancing, music and singing, fashion merchandising, decorating, bingo, and daily devotions in church and while at Lake Ridge Care Center. She enjoyed cheering on the Minnesota Vikings and was a dedicated fan.
Diane had an infectious personality who brought fun and a positive attitude wherever she went. She never met a person she couldn’t love.
She was preceded in death by: her parents, Don and Fern Imme; aunt, Clarice; and uncle, Harold.
Diane is survived by: her husband, George Praus; sister, Linda (Bruce) Waterman; niece, Stacy (Josh) Newton and their daughter, Devyn; nephew, Trent (Laura) Waterman and their children, Kieran and Hannah; cousin, Karen (Terry) Fitzgerald; close friend, Joanne (Rick) Brunskill; and many other loving family and friends.
A special thank you to the wonderful staff at Lake Ridge Care Center for all their love and support for Diane over the years.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Lake Ridge Care Center in Buffalo.
A memorial service was held Saturday, February 8, 2020 at 12:00 p.m., with visitation beginning one hour prior, at The Peterson Chapel, 119 Central Ave, Buffalo.
The Peterson Chapel served the family.
Robert Sanderson, 85
Robert Benjamin “Sandy” Sanderson peacefully passed away surrounded by family on Monday, February 3, 2020 at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, at the age of 85 years, and 10 days.
Sandy was born in Ridgeway, IA on January 24, 1935 to Adolph and Ruth Sanderson. He was the middle child with an older sister, Norma Jean and younger brother Dean. Eventually, his family settled in LeRoy, MN. He graduated as a decorated athlete from LeRoy High School in 1953. As a young child, rumor has it he would often “forget” to go to school and instead go fishing in one of the local rivers or ponds. After High School he attended Luther College for a couple years and was an accomplished wrestler before he transferred to St. Cloud State and continued wrestling.
While there he decided to faithfully serve our Country with the United States Air Force for four years spending three of those years in Germany. He returned to St. Cloud State in 1961 to complete his education degree.
It was during this time he met the love of his life, Norita “Riti” Bartz, while coaching her in softball. They were wed in marriage on June 8, 1963 and were blessed with two children, a son, Greg and daughter, Kirsti.
After marriage they lived in Olivia, where both he and Riti taught until 1967 and Sandy was the wrestling coach. Olivia is where they welcomed son Greg into the family in 1965. A teaching job brought their new family to Buffalo, in 1967, which is where they have lived for the past 50+ years. Sandy was at Buffalo Junior High from 1967-1969 as a social studies teacher and High School wrestling coach where he coached the first Buffalo Wrestler to a State Championship.
In 1971, daughter Kirsti was born, and the family was complete. In 1976, he and Riti opened up Sandy Sports Shop which was the hometown store for all sporting needs including live bait for 10 years. He was known as the “best skate sharpener” in town.
He volunteered for countless local organizations; he started the Buffalo Jaycee’s, served as a Buffalo Park Board member for six years, charter member of the Buffalo Gun Club; Served on Park View Board of Directors, and caused a media storm claiming to see a whale on Buffalo Lake. He also volunteered with Capable Partners Annual Fishing trip and was known to “steal” your money on hole # 4 at Wild Marsh Golf Course during the Annual Wright County Community Health Foundation golf tournament. After Sandy’s Sports closed, he became an independent Educational Salesman representing several different companies until his retirement in 2015 from Davis Publications. Sandy was an avid hunter and fisherman his entire life. His love for the outdoors were genuine. His favorite place on earth, The Bighorn River in Montana, is where he would go every August for the annual fly-fishing trip with family, and especially his grandsons.
Sandy was preceded in death by: parents, Adolph and Ruth Sanderson; brother, Dean Sanderson; father-in law, Herman Bartz; and mother-in-law, Rozella Bartz.
He is survived by: his loving wife of 56 years, Riti; son Greg (Lisa) Sanderson (Minnetonka); daughter Kirsti (Kelly) Hein (Cottage Grove); grandchildren and pride and joy of his life, Harper and Brody Sanderson (fiancé Abby Joyce) and Annika (special friend Jason Miner), Bailey and Cooper Hein; sister, Norma Jean Stiles
In lieu of flowers the family is asking for memorials to be used to local outdoor conservations.
Visitation for Sandy was Friday, February 7, from 3-7 p.m., at the Buffalo United Methodist Church, 609 8th St NW, Buffalo. Memorial service was Saturday, February 8, at 2:00 p.m., with visitation continuing one hour prior to the service all at the Buffalo United Methodist Church, 609 8th St NW, Buffalo. Luncheon followed at church. Private family interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
Serving the family was The Peterson Chapel Buffalo.
Shiloh Schwartz, 7
When something like this happens; everyone wants to know why. How can a child be healthy and vibrant one minute and then taken in the next? Our comfort is in knowing that Shiloh was home with us. She was running around and playing like how she often did. We don’t know why, but her heart and breathing just stopped abruptly. She collapsed and in my heart I believe her spirit was welcomed home in that moment. She was at peace.
Very early during my pregnancy with her, the doctors couldn’t find her heartbeat. We cried out to God and petitioned him for her life. I believe he answered that prayer and graciously gave us the 7-½ precious years that we had with her.
My heart yearned for her before I ever held her in my arms. She was our little girl. Our baby. We loved her fiercely, tenderly, with our whole hearts.
I know that Shiloh touched many hearts. People described her as their “ray of sunshine.” She was almost always happy, joyful, bubbling over with life. She was kind and had the kind of heart that couldn’t comprehend cruelty. She had the sweetest smile, and her eyes sparkled. Oh goodness, the little mischievous smile! She could get away with anything! She was cute and precious, even while she was naughty. Her shenanigans were the stuff of legend. So many funny stories that we will be able to laugh at in the years to come. Often, we just didn’t have the heart to be stern with our discipline. I am so glad now.
She loved animals. She wanted to be a zookeeper when she grew up. She loved to dance and sing. I don’t think there was a day when she didn’t color, paint or create something. Everything that she did was with her whole heart. She really loved her family. She loved her pets; Copper and Sunshine. She was so outgoing and made friends wherever she went. She really cared about people and didn’t want anyone to be sad. She also had amazing teachers at Parkside that saw her for the absolute treasure that she was. She was surrounded by love everywhere that she went. And now… she is immersed. In the ultimate love.
She was utterly sweet and pure. I always felt like I needed to protect her. She was my heart, beating precariously outside of my chest. To love deeply and completely is such a vulnerable thing. You don’t know when a life will be cut short. Even in our pain, we know that ultimately she belonged to God all along. In our final moments with her, we commended her spirit back into his loving hands.
She was a daughter and princess of the King of Kings. She was Jesus’ little lamb. He brought her safely back home. I have no doubt she is curled up in his lap right now.
Shiloh- you will always and forever be our precious, little girl. Our hearts will be with you in heaven until the Day.
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:3-4
Funeral services for Shiloh Rose Schwartz will be held Friday, February 14, 2020 at 3:00 p.m., with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m., at Buffalo Covenant Church in Buffalo.
Serving the family is The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo.
Scott Wetmore, 50
Scott Lee Wetmore died unexpectedly in Howard Lake, at the age of 50 on Saturday, February 8, 2020, after a long battle with mental illness.
Scott is survived by: his mother, Marjorie (Jerry) Ruzicka of Cape Coral, Florida; brother, Bill Wetmore of Shakopee; and sisters, Michelle (Tom) Shrider of Bayfield, WI, and Shari (Patrick) Ley of St. Michael; nephews and nieces, Isaac Shrider, Caleb, Asher, Avery, and Isaiah Ley and Teri Wetmore and her children, Danny and Angie Sinner. Preceded in death by: his father, William Wetmore of Redwood Falls.
Scott was born on October 11, 1969 in Redwood Falls, where he spent many happy years. He loved spending time on his grandparent’s farm and had a special relationship with his Grandma Lucille. In 1973, he moved with his family to Minnetonka, and then in 1983, he moved to Delano, the region in which he spent the rest of his days. Scott was an accomplished airbrush painter, making guitars and painting them. He also loved music and played in a KISS reenactment band. He was exceptionally talented at welding where he spent his professional career. Scott had a great sense of humor and was the life of the party. He will be greatly missed by family and friends.
A celebration of his life is scheduled for Saturday, February 15, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at Northwest Bible Church, 4343 Edgewood Dr. NE, St. Michael, with light refreshments and desserts to follow the service. Condolences can be sent to Marjorie Ruzicka, 1408 Southwest 52nd Lane, Cape Coral, Florida, 33914.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, 55 E. Jackson Blvd, Suite 490, Chicago, IL 60604.
