Obituaries 7/28/22

Richard Hogan, 89

Richard “Dick” Hogan, age 89, of Maple Lake, died on Thursday, July 21, 2022, at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 29, 2022, at St. Timothy Catholic Church in Maple Lake with Fr. John Meyer as the Celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Timothy Catholic Cemetery in Maple Lake. Visitation will be held 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, July 28 and 9-10 a.m. on Friday, July 29, both at Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel in Maple Lake.

Richard James Hogan was born June 22, 1933, in rural Maple Lake to Richard and Margaret (Bullock) Hogan. He grew up in Maple Lake, graduating from Maple Lake High School with the Class of 1951. He served his country in the U.S. Army. After Dick’s military service, he returned to business college in Minneapolis for accounting. He had a long career in accounting and tax preparation. On April 11, 1959, Dick was united in marriage to Carol Dalbec at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Buffalo. They lived most of their married life in Maple Lake, where they raised their family and were members at St. Timothy Catholic Church. Dick served as the clerk for Maple Lake Township for 42 years. He enjoyed anything he could do in the outdoors. He also enjoyed following Minnesota sports teams and taking trips to the casino or to his cabin. Dick’s greatest joy came from being with his family.

He is survived by his wife, Carol; five children, Shannon, of Maple Lake, Rick (Lori), of Clearwater, Tammy (Jerry) Schaufler, of Maple Lake, Joe (Lori), of Maple Lake, and John, of Maple Lake; eight grandchildren, Jessica, Travis, Amber, Adam, Molly, Abby, Hilary, and Nate; and two great-grandchildren, Leighton and Harlow.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Frank; and sister, Geraldine Oestreich.

Dick’s grandchildren will serve as urn bearers. Krista Elsenpeter and Sarah Goelz will provide the music for the service. The Minnesota Army National Guard Honor Guard will provide military Honors. Arrangements are entrusted with Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Maple Lake.

Obituary, Tribute Wall, Video Tribute, and Funeral Webcast online at www.dingmannfuneral.com.

 


Gladys Johnson, 95

Gladys R. Johnson, age 95, of Annandale, died Monday, July 18, 2022, at the Buffalo Hospital.

Funeral Services were held 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 25, 2022, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Annandale with Rev. Alex Becker officiated. Burial followed at Woodlawn Cemetery. Visitation was held 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Sunday at the Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel, Annandale, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. A Prayer Service was held at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home. The funeral service was live-streamed on the funeral home website. Memorials are preferred to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Annandale.

Gladys Ryti was born March 24, 1927, in French Lake Township to Richard and Mayme (Johnson) Ryti. Gladys attended grade school at Lee Country School and graduated from Annandale High School in 1945. On February 10, 1968, Gladys was united in marriage to Virgil Johnson at St. John’s Lutheran Church. He preceded her in death on February 22, 1977. For over 50 years, Gladys worked for Annandale State Bank as a teller, assistant cashier, cashier, and finally Vice President of Operations, retiring in 2004. Gladys frequently gave of her time to her church and her community, especially the Annandale Middle School. Gladys was a longtime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, where she was active in various roles over the years as Sunday school teacher, church council member, member of WELCA, and the church financial secretary. In addition to being a former member of the Annandale Kiwanis Club, Gladys served on the Board of Directors for the Annandale Food Shelf Board, as well as the Annandale Health and Community Services. Gladys enjoyed participating in two Annandale bowling leagues, with the opportunity to compete in 26 national tournaments. She traveled extensively across the United States and around the world. Gladys liked being outdoors tending to her gardens, quilting, and completing crossword puzzles. Nothing brought her greater enjoyment in life than spending time with her family, especially with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Gladys is survived by her children, Sharon (Kent) Johnson, of Maple Grove, and Richard Working, of Phoenix, AZ; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; siblings, Vernon (Jane) Ryti, of Crystal, Shirley Stanek, of Andover, and Lois Forsyth, of Andover; and nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; four brothers, Donald, Russell, Leslie, and John.

Josh Carlson, Larry Reitmeier, Steve Niklaus, Sheldon Brown, Keith Jerpseth, and Tom Westman served as casket bearers, with Bryan Bruns as an honorary casket bearer. Becky Unger  provided music for the service. Arrangements entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Annandale.

Obituary, Guestbook, Video Tribute, and Funeral Webcast online at www.dingmannfuneral.com.

Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.

 


Michael Kersch, 85

Michael Edmund Kersch, age 85, of Albertville, passed away Tuesday, July 19, 2022. He was born November 10, 1936, in Wethersfield, New York, the son of George H. and Gertrude Helen (George) Kersch.

Michael graduated from Letchworth High School in New York with the class of 1955 where he was a District Wrestling Champion at 138# and played football.

On April 20, 1968, Michael Kersch and Mary Holker were joined in holy marriage at Fort Riley, Kansas. God blessed their marriage with two children, Mike and Debra.

Michael enjoyed his over 20-year career in the Army, enlisting in June of 1955 and honorably discharged in December of 1975, last duty with the 416th Signal Corp based in Ft. Bragg, NC. Michael’s MOS (military occupational specialty) was that of 25-Signals (Communications), and he reached the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 3. A Warrant Officer is considered an expert in their particular technical MOS and are thus ranked ahead of all other enlisted personnel. A quiet man, he kept many of his military stories to himself, until most recently sharing with others that he had been part of a secret (since de-classified) and very small spy operation in the Army at the Rudow, Germany Cold War Spy Tunnel just outside of the East-West Germany border in Berlin. The military sent Michael and his family to 20 different duty locations, which included five different countries (United States, Vietnam, Korea, Germany and Ethiopia) and seven US States. Some locations dear to the Kersch family were: Vietnam (serving in the Vietnam War); Fort Riley, Kansas (where Michael and Mary met at a military dance and were later married, and son, Mike, was born); Stuttgart, Germany (where daughter, Debbie, was born); and Fort Bragg, North Carolina (where Michael retired).

After Michael’s career in the military, he later worked for H+R Block from 1976 to 1979 in Fayetville, NC, and the Bureau of Engraving in Minneapolis until his retirement in 1999. Michael, Mary, Mike, and Debra moved to Minnesota in 1979, and it became a forever true home for his entire family.

In 2010, Michael and Mary made their home in Otsego to be closer to their children. Starting in 2004, and lasting until the year before Mary’s passing, Michael and Mary became Winter Snowbirds in Florida, leaving for several months a year. It was a true love of both Michael and Mary. They resided in several FL gulf coast cities over those years, including Ft. Meyers (‘04-‘06), Engelwood (‘07), and Palmetto (‘08-‘15). They loved spending time there with their dear friends, and Debra and her sons liked to visit them there as well.

Michael loved to watch his son, Mike, play sports, spend time with his brother on his fruit farm in New York, play any game of cards one wanted at any time, road trip vacationing with family, and going out to dinner and brunch with family. He was a faithful church attendee.

In his later years, Michael enjoyed playing cards at the senior center and Cottages of Albertville, he especially enjoyed playing solitaire on his laptop and sudoku puzzle books, watching ION TV and Joel Olsteen, helping in Debbie’s garden, and his beloved Yorkie dogs, Teddy and Pepper.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Kersch; parents, George and Gertrude Kersch; brothers, Anthony, Mark, and Nicholas; and son-in-law, Tim Larson.

Michael is survived by his children, Mike (Roni) Kersch, Deb Larson; grandchildren, Will Kersch, Tate Kersch, Caleb Larson (fiancée, Kayla Hill), Isaiah Larson; sister, Mary Lou; and many other nieces, nephews, and friends.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, July 25, 2022, at 10:30 A.M., with visitation one hour prior, at The Peterson Chapel, 300 Main St. N, St. Michael, MN. A family interment will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a later date.

Serving the family was The Peterson Chapel St. Michael-Albertville Funeral Home, 763-497-5362, www.thepetersonchapel.com.

 


Frances Lee, 78

Frances Ann Lee, age 78 of Buffalo, passed away Tuesday, July 19, 2022. She was born August 23, 1943, in South Kingston, Rhode Island, the daughter of Robert E. and Alice Vera (Smith) Gould.

Frances graduated from Kingston High School with the class of 1961. She worked many years at the family nursery in Buffalo – Rohde’s Garden Center.

Frances was a member of the Northern Star in Buffalo. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, enjoying good times with them.

She was very family oriented and had a funny, but private, personality. She will be dearly missed.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Richard E. Rohde Sr., and Roger Roy Lee Sr.; parents, Robert and Alice Gould; siblings, Mary Ellen Ottem, James Gould; and siblings-in-law, Robert Dworacek, Francis Doane, Valda Gould.

Frances is survived by her significant other, Wayne Houston (her high school sweetheart); children, Richard E. Rohde Jr. (Faith Marie), John R. Rohde (Lisa), Sue Marschel (Jason); grandchildren, Richard (Kate), Trevor, Walter, Madison, Blaine, Kayla (Ben), Justin, Melissa (Kevin), Jamie, Scott, Skyler, Sawyer; great-grandchildren, Bob, Chase, Dakota, Danny, Henry, Emmy, Whitney, Holly, Hazel; step-children, step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; siblings, John Gould (Joyce), Roberta Duquette (Richard), Sarah Dworacek, Dorothy Doane, Tag Gould, Teresa Cotto (Chino), Barbara Boss (Bradley) ; and many other loving family and friends.

A celebration of life for Frances is pending.

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

 


Marlene Stumpf-Johnson, 70

Marlene Ann Stumpf-Johnson, age 70, of Monticello, MN, passed away on Friday, July 22, 2022.

Please join us in celebrating the life of our dear sister, aunt and friend on Friday, July 29, 2022, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 300 1st Avenue NW, Buffalo, MN. Visitation is at 10 a.m. with an 11 a.m. service. Light lunch will be served at Huikkos Bison Creek Event Center, 1207 Highway 25 North, Buffalo, MN, immediately following the service.

Friends and family that are unable to join Marlene’s Celebration of Life in person are invited to join the service via live-stream by going to The Peterson Chapel website (www.thepetersonchapel.com) and clicking the link provided on Marlene’s obituary page.  

Arrangements have been entrusted to The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo.

 


Lorraine Thaemert, 94

Lorraine E. Thaemert, age 94, of Norwood Young America, formerly Buffalo and Mayer, passed away Thursday, July 21, 2022, at the Harbor in Norwood Young America.

Funeral Service were held Monday, July 25, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church (121 Bluejay Avenue) in Mayer with Rev. Andrew Mussell and Rev. Tom Colgrove as officiants. Visitation was one hour prior to the service. Interment was in the church cemetery.

Lorraine Edna (Schendel) Thaemert was born July 25, 1927, in Minneapolis, MN, the daughter of Gilbert and Irene (Gabbert) Schendel. She was baptized August 14, 1927, in Minneapolis, MN, by Rev. E.G. Wachtschein and confirmed on March 17, 1940, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Robbinsdale, MN, by Rev. Herman L. Paul. She graduated from Robbinsdale High School in 1945 and after graduation worked at Minneapolis Moline in Hopkins, MN, until marriage. On June 11, 1949, Lorraine was united in marriage to Verlan Thaemert at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in New Germany, MN, by Rev. Fred J. Pfotenhauer.

Lorraine was a quiet but dependable woman. She never complained and was always willing to help others. She was a “city girl” but quickly acclimated to farm life. Verlan and Lorraine purchased a farm north of Mayer, MN, in 1950. She helped Verlan with all the chores of running a farm, including taking care of finances and taxes. In later years, she held outside jobs at Tonka Toys in Mound and Um-Co in Watertown (they made fishing tackle boxes). Verlan and Lorraine retired from farming and moved off the farm and built their dream lake home on Lake Constance in Buffalo, MN, in 1997 where she lived until November 2017 when she moved to Peace Village in Norwood Young America, MN. After approximately a year of independent living, she moved into assisted living at the Harbor and has resided there since.

Lorraine is survived by her loving family: children, Elaine (Milan) Wischnack, Douglas Thaemert, Judith (Paul) St. Ores, and Thomas (Pauline) Thaemert; grandchildren, Dawn (Jason) Willems, Deanna (Noah) Metzger, Dustin (Leah) Sprengeler, Brianna (Tjaart) Kwilinski, Ashley (Malachi) Peterson, Joshua Thaemert, Paul (Nadia) Thaemert, Jaqueline (Colin) Lesnar, Rachel (Sean) Langton; great-grandchildren, Bryson and Jackson Metzger, Owen and Lucas Willems, Lexi Johnson, Roseline and Peter Lesnar; sisters, Marion Wigand and Lillian Kent; brother, Gerald Schendel; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Allan Thaemert, Curtis (Lanette) Thaemert, Phyllis Schneewind and Robert Mohrman.

Lorraine was preceded in death by her husband, Verlan; infant son, John; daughter-in-law, Cindy Thaemert; grandson’s, Nathan Wischnack and James Johnson; great-grandson, Brennan Wischnack; parents, Gilbert and Irene Schendel; parents-in-law, Harvey and Emma Thaemert and Hilda (Schneewind) Thaemert; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Allen Wigand, Ann Schendel, Margaruite “Peg” Schendel, Darel Kent, Ellsworth and Lucille Thaemert, Violet Thaemert, Carol Thaemert, LeRoy and Dorlene Schneewind, Donald Schneewind and Ruth Mohrman.

Casket Bearers were Jason Willems, Noah Metzger, Dustin Sprengeler, Paul Thaemert, Colin Lesnar, and Rich Schendel.

Arrangements are with the Johnson Funeral Home in Waconia, 952-442-2121, www.johnsonfh.com.

 


Sister Betty Wurm, CSJ

Sister Betty Wurm CSJ died on Friday, July 22, 2022, at United Hospital in St. Paul, MN.

Sister Betty Wurm, the daughter of Martin and Hazel (McAlpine) Wurm was born September 14, 1927, in Maple Lake. She lived on the family farm and in town until she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1949. Sister Betty’s ministries as a Sister of St. Joseph included elementary teacher and principal in a number of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. And for the past 36 years, served as a licensed professional helping children and families work through difficulties and mental health issues through an organization called Youth and Family Center, which Sister Betty, and friend, Sister Martha Merriman, cofounded in 1986. In 2020, Sister Betty celebrated her 70th year as a Sister of St. Joseph.

She is survived by Sister Martha Merriman CSJ, long-time friend; along with the other Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Paul Province. In addition, she is survived by her siblings, Eloise Smith, Hazel Decker, James (Marlene) Wurm, Arlene Jude; and sister-in-law, Ann Cruikshank; many nieces and nephews; great-nieces and nephews, friends and extended family. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Hazel Wurm; and siblings, Agnes (Sylvester) Piram, Grace (Leo) Rassat, Thomas (Margaret) Wurm, Timothy (Marie) Wurm, Mary (William) Jandro, Roy Wurm, Maxine (Leonard) Schaust; brothers-in-law, Richard Smith, Allen Decker, Wayne Jude; and nephews, Mark Wurm, and Greg Rassat; nieces, Lisa Potter, Sandra Grams; and great-nephew, Peyton Schaust.

A Mass of Christian burial was held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church in Maple Lake, MN. Visitation was held from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. prior to the service at the Church.  She was interred at Resurrection Cemetery in Mendota Heights at 3:00 p.m. following a visitation one hour prior in the Resurrection Cemetery Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to PROLIFE Across AMERICA, PO Box 18669, Minneapolis, MN  55418.

 

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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