Obituaries 5/21/20

Mae Campion, 92

Mae Loretta Campion, age 92, of Buffalo, MN and Sun Lakes, AZ, passed away peacefully on May 8, 2020.

Mae was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, James P. Campion, and her infant son, Loren John Campion.

Mae is survived by her adoring children, Susan Lake [Cliff], James M. Campion, Linda Lorence [Jim], Janet Klassen [Brad], and Laurie Knese [Chuck]. Mae enjoyed her twenty grandchildren, thirty-seven great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. She will be missed every day by her companion and dance partner of the past 8 years, Don Peterson.

Mae was an incredible woman in so many ways. Mae loved her family and was a great Mom. Her warm, “How are You doing?” and always attentive conversation about your life, made her a pleasure to be around. Mae was fun and wise! She always projected a cheerful and positive attitude. If you needed someone to talk with, she was there. If you wanted to play a game, she was ready. She enjoyed dancing throughout her life even into her 90’s. We were all blessed to have had someone in our lives like Mae!

Mae was a great friend and felt fortunate to have so many, many friends. She will be missed by all. Donations to the organization of your choice. Celebration of Life service to be announced at a later date.

 


Doreen Ebert, 87

Doreen Louise (Geistfeld) Ebert passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 10th, at the Buffalo Hospital, Buffalo, MN at the age of 87.

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, a private family reviewal was held on Tuesday, May 12th, at Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, MN with current plans to hold a public Celebration of Life in Southern MN later this summer.  

Doreen was born to Edwin H. and Marian (Johnson) Geistfeld on November 11th, 1932 at her farm home in Waverly Township, Martin County, MN. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Truman, MN.  Rev. H. Heinemann baptized her on December 4th, 1932 and on April 14th, 1946, Doreen was confirmed by Rev. E. T. Heyne.

Throughout her life, Doreen’s faith followed her Confirmation verse, John 15 v.5 which read, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit, for without Me ye can do nothing.”

As a child, Doreen attended school at District 81 and later completed her 6th, 7th and 8th grades at St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Truman. She graduated from Truman High School with the class of 1950.  Doreen then attended Rochester Jr. College and later graduated from the College of Medical Technology in Minneapolis, MN on June 13th, 1952.  After graduation she worked at Mayo Clinic, Rochester until her marriage. 

On August 29, 1953, Doreen was married to R. Arlen Ebert at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church by Rev. O.F. Hinrichs. The couple moved to Minneapolis and while Arlen attended the University of MN, Doreen worked at Marquette Mfg. Company. Later, they moved back to Truman to raise their growing family.  After all her children were in school, she went back to work at Truman Public School as a library assistant for 22 ½ years, retiring in 1990. 

While living in Truman, she was a member of the Truman Mother’s Club, helped with the Bloodmobile, was a Cub Scout Den Leader, Room Mother at St. Paul’s Lutheran School and served on many different committees at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and in the Truman community. When Doreen and Arlen joined Immanuel Lutheran Church in Fairmont, she was a member of WOI, a key lady for the Truman Retirement Home for five years and served on the PFPR and Christian Outreach boards. In addition, she was a lifetime member of the Truman Lutheran Retirement Home Auxiliary. 

Her main outside interests included playing cards, music and traveling. She enjoyed spending time at the family cabin on Spider Lake in Marcel, MN for many years.  Doreen and Arlen toured Europe, Mexico, Canada, Alaska and different areas of the continental U.S. As Doreen embraced Arlen’s Norwegian heritage, they made two memorable trips to Norway visiting relatives where she thoroughly enjoyed learning about the Norwegian culture. 

Doreen deeply loved God and her family.  Celebrations were a constant during her lifetime. Christmas was especially important and she did not hold back with decorations, baking or gifts during this joyous holiday.  Arlen and Doreen celebrated 65 years of marriage in 2018 with a gathering at Goldfinch Estates, Fairmont, MN, where they lived for 8 years. Just a few months later, Arlen passed away on January 8, 2019. 

Those left to cherish her memory are two of her three children, Kirk Ebert, Bryan, Ohio and Kimberly (Dennis) Gleason, Buffalo, MN. Daughter-in-law, Julie Ebert of Fairmont, MN. Grandchildren, Melissa (Mark) Keefer, DeAnn (Ben) Loll, Renae (Matt) Rimmer, Michael (Heather) Ebert, Neil Gleason and Karleigh Ebert. Great grandchildren: Zoey Guzman; Jonah, Oliver, Clara and Isaiah Loll; Olivia and Colin Keefer and Bennett Funchion. Two sisters, Jan Warrington and Judi (Dr. Richard) Bergen, and many adored nieces and nephews.

Those who preceded her in death are her husband, R. Arlen Ebert; son, Keith Ebert; parents, Ed and Marian Geistfeld; parent-in-laws, Reuel and Clara Ebert; infant brother, Gerald Geistfeld; sister-in-law, LouAnn (Robert) Kilpatrick; and brother-in-law, Ed Warrington.

The family would like to thank the Buffalo Hospital and Park Terrace Assisted Living, Buffalo, MN for the loving care and comfort they provided for Doreen.

Memorials preferred to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Fairmont, MN or Truman Historical Museum, Truman, MN.

 


Bonita Lesser, 60

Bonita “Bonnie” T. Lesser, age 60, of Maple Grove, has passed away.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 35 years, Harvey; children, Jason (Gina), Joe (Lauren) and Emily Lesser; grandchildren, Ivy and one more on the way; siblings, Al (Diane), Dale (Linda), Jerry (Bernie), Mike (Cindy) Gapinski, Cheryl (Dan) Manz, Mary Jo Gapinski, Wendy (Bob Pahl) Drusch, and Pat (Susan) Gapinski; father-in-law, Eugene Lesser;  brothers and sister-in-law, Roger (Lisa) Lesser, Joan (Bill) Mier, and Dennis (Allie) Lesser; many beloved nieces and nephews.  Preceded in death by parents, Theresa and Richard Gapinski, mother-in-law, Leora Lesser, nephew, Ryan Gapinski, and many other loved ones.

Bonnie’s unbelievable, self-taught sewing ability helped so many people. Her sewing talents were not limited to dance costumes for Summit Dance Shoppe. She would drop everything to help with any adjustments, alterations, or fixes that were needed. She spent her free time surrounded by her loving family and the neighborhood family whom she adored. She had a smile that would light up a room, and a whole body laugh that was contagious. She treated everybody as if they were family. Even if you just met her, she treated you as one of her own. There was no one quite like her, and she will be unimaginably missed.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held for immediate family at the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle, Corcoran on Wednesday, May 27th at 11:00 AM. A video of the Mass will be posted to this website as soon as possible after the Mass.

With heavy hearts, the visitation will be limited to a relatively small group of immediate family, who will be contacted directly. The date will be Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 from 4-8 pm at Gearty-Delmore Funeral Chapel in Plymouth, MN.

Please share a story or memory of Bonnie with the family at BonnieLesserMemorial@gmail.com.

 


 Therese Mengelkoch, 55

Therese Marie “Terri” Mattson Mengelkoch, age 55, of Becker, and formerly of Waverly, passed away on Sunday, May 10, 2020, at her residence.

Terri was born on January 20, 1965 in Buffalo, the first child of David and Rosemary (Wurm) Mattson. She graduated from Buffalo High School in 1983.

Terri was a mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. She loved her children, her grandchildren and her dogs. She enjoyed video games, arts and crafts projects, listening to music and especially, paranormal investigating.

Terri is survived by her children, Amanda (Ben) Westlund, of Brainerd, and Dereck Mengelkoch, of Buffalo; grandchildren, Nicholas, Noah and Natalie; father, David Mattson of Buffalo; siblings, Shelli Mattson, of Minneapolis, and Brandon Mattson (and his wife and three children), of Waverly; her partner, Kathy Schmit, of Becker, who loved and cared for Terri for nine years; and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Rosemary Mattson on December 30, 2016.

A private memorial service will be held along with a private inurnment at Swedesburg Lutheran Cemetery, rural Waverly.

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

 


Dennis Moore, 82

Dennis John Moore, age 82, of Crystal and Oro Valley, AZ, passed away February 28, 2020.

Burial 3:00 p.m. at St. Charles Cemetery, Maple Lake, MN Sunday, June 14, 2020. Celebration of Life immediately following at The V by HH, also in Maple Lake, MN. If not permitted, Dennis’ Celebration of Life will be held at the Schmidt family shed.

The Peterson Chapel, Buffalo, MN helped the family with funeral arrangements.  On-line condolences can be directed to www.thepetersonchapel.com.

 


Patricia Youngs, 78

Patricia Ruth (nee Truax)Youngs, died at her Monticello home on May 9, 2020 surrounded by her family. She was 78 years old.

Pat was born on April 18, 1942 to Tom and Bernice Truax in Rockford, IL. She was the oldest of 7 siblings. After graduating from high school in Virginia, MN she attended the University of Minnesota where she met her husband, William Youngs. Bill and Pat were married on September 14, 1963. They moved to the Monticello area where they raised their five children. Pat loved science fiction and science; she collected agates and rocks throughout her life.

She had a love for all things antique and had a booth at Annie’s Attic for many years. Pat enjoyed all flowers and had many beautiful gardens. In her later years she made and maintained many friendships online, often times playing Words With Friends and chatting in her online communities. She was known to anyone who visited as “grandma Pat.” Above all, she cherished her grandkids. She loved spending time with them, discussing music, books, and TV shows. They were the light of her life.

Pat is survived by her husband, Bill; her children, Bill (Sue) Youngs, Ben (Sara) Youngs, Nate Youngs, Noah (Christine) Youngs, and Margaret (Dustin) Brown; 10 grandchildren; Kelsey, Amber, Isaac, Israel, Issiah, Holden, Quinton, Miles, Linus, Greta; and two great grandchildren; Mikko and Pavel, her siblings and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Due to circumstances of the Covid virus, no memorial service is scheduled at this time. In lieu of flowers, we encourage contributions to a charitable organization. Pat’s favorite were any supporting educational scholarships, Habitat for Humanity, Human Society or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

 

 

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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