Obituaries 8/19/21
Dr. Tom Hagerty, 85
Dr. Tom Hagerty died Saturday, August 14, 2021, at the age of 85 years old.
Dr. Hagerty was born November 17, 1935, in Waseca, MN.
He graduated from Sacred Heart Catholic School in Waseca, MN. He attended both St. Thomas University and The University of Minnesota where he graduated from the School of Veterinarian Medicine in 1959 as a Doctor in Veterinarian Medicine.
Dr. Hagerty married Shirley Kelling on December 29, 1956, in Waseca, MN. Together, they raised five children.
Dr. Hagerty practiced both large and small animal health in St. Michael, MN, for over twenty-five years. He was the executive director of the MN State Board of Animal Health from 1984 until his retirement as the State Veterinarian in 2001. He then served as the lead MN State Fair Veterinarian for fifteen years. He was also President of the MN Veterinarian Medical Association and the United States Animal Health Association. Dr. Hagerty served on the St. Michael-Albertville School Board for twenty-five years, Frankfort Township Board, and the St. Michael City Council. He was also very active in many agricultural organizations.
Dr. Hagerty was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Florence Hagerty; his brother, Jim Hagerty; brother-in-law, Silvio Rossi; sister and brother-in-law, Lynne and Dave Swenson.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley of sixty-four years; children, Pat (Tim) Dusbabek, Joe (Susie) Hagerty, Mary (David) Carberry, Tom (Susan) Hagerty, and Ann (Chuck) Johnson; grandchildren, Elizabeth (Seth) Stomberg, Kevin Dusbabek, Hilary (Mitch) Gracik, Carl (Shelby) Dusbabek, Derek (Stephanie) Hagerty, Ryan (Jenna) Hagerty, Breanna (Andrew) Semo, Maureen Carberry, Brenna Carberry, Thomas Hagerty, Mariah Hagerty, Anthony Hagerty, Kealy Johnson, Charlie Johnson; and seven great grandchildren; sister, Mary Rossi; sister-in-law, Donna Hagerty; brother and sister-in-law, John and Mary Kelling; many nieces, nephews and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Dr. Tom Hagerty will be held on Friday, August 20th, 2021, at 11:00 A.M. at The St. Michael Catholic Church in St. Michael, MN. Inurnment will follow at The St. Michael Catholic Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Thursday, August 19, from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. at The Peterson Chapel St. Michael-Albertville Funeral Home in St. Michael, MN. Further visitation will be held one hour prior to Mass at the church on Friday morning, August 20.
Memorials may be sent to: Minnesota State Fair Foundation; Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association Foundation; Unbound - a lay catholic sponsorship apostolate that is helping children with their education needs in 19 developing counties; charity of donor’s choice.
The Peterson Chapel St. Michael-Albertville Funeral Home is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
James Munsterteiger, 56
James (Jim) Michael Munsterteiger, age 56, passed away on Sunday, August 8, 2021, after a brief and brave battle with cancer.
Jim was born on July 31, 1965, in Buffalo, the son of Francis and Joan (Galvin) Munsterteiger.
He graduated from Buffalo High School in 1984 and attended Willmar Technical College.
Jim was the proud father of four children, Gabriella “Gabby” (Brock) Snider, Sabrina Munsterteiger, Jack Munsterteiger and Nicholas Munsterteiger.
He was a fervent fan of the Minnesota Twins and Vikings and enjoyed traveling to Major League baseball parks and playing in local softball leagues. He was an avid fisherman, especially fond of Lake of the Woods, and comedy enthusiast who always had a joke ready to share.
Survived by his children; his mother, Joan Munsterteiger; siblings, Mary Munsterteiger, Elizabeth (Mike) Cooper, Greg Munsterteiger, Kevin (Jill) Munsterteiger, Brian (Tara) Munsterteiger, Lisa (Tom) Fouquette, Mark Munsterteiger, Michelle (Mark) Bussmann and Todd (Holly) Munsterteiger; many other relatives and friends.
James was preceded in death by his father, Francis Munsterteiger; a sister, Cynthia Munsterteiger; and a nephew, Ben Fouquette.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial for James Munsterteiger was held at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 13, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Buffalo. Father Nathaniel Meyers was the Celebrant. Inurnment followed at St. Francis Cemetery. A visitation was held one hour prior to the Mass at the church.
The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo served the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Sara Napper, 50
Sara Elizabeth Napper, age 50, of Buffalo, passed away peacefully on August 9, 2021, at her residence.
Sara was born the daughter of Paul Kidder and Sue (Stevens) Napper on April 14, 1971 in Minneapolis, MN.
She graduated from Buffalo Senior High School, Class of 1989.
Sara was someone who had been through a lot during her life but was the bravest soul through all of it. Despite her health trouble, she would continually think of others. Sara was always looking for that special gift or treat for someone or always had the time to visit and hear about someone’s day. Most conversations ended with “I Love You,” and she truly meant it.
In the last while, her life centered around the love she held for her children. She was excited to hear about Ryan’s art, Kendra’s pageants, and Tasha’s art school, and even had been planning a shopping trip with Kendra to some of her favorite thrift stores. This love she had for her children was always deep within her and had never wavered.
Sara is survived by her children, Ryan Klima, Kendra (Trevor) Bray, and Tasha Jurgens; mother, Sue Napper; father, Paul (Nancy) Kidder; siblings, Joe Napper, Becca (Corey) Commerford, and Kasey Kidder; also many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her dad, Terry Napper; and sister-in-law, Jessica Napper.
Memorial services for Sara were held Thursday, August 12, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service all at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Buffalo, MN. Officiating was Pastor Ryan Clark. Luncheon was held at the church immediately following the service. Private family interment to be held at a later date.
Arrangements were entrusted to The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo, MN.
Mary Ann Nelson, 78
Mary Ann Nelson, age 78, of Buffalo, and wife of Wayne J. Nelson, passed away on Monday, August 16, 2021, at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, August 19, from 4-8 P.M. at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo. Further visitation will be held on Friday, August 20, one hour prior to Mass at the church.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Mary Ann Nelson will be held on Friday, August 20, at 11:00 A.M., at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Buffalo.
A full obituary will appear in next week’s paper.
Joyce Tokkesdal, 82
Joyce Arlyce Tokkesdal, age 82, of Buffalo, passed away Sunday, August 15, 2021. She was born July 10, 1939, in Cokato, the daughter of Max and Marion (Weege) Mahlstedt.
Joyce was baptized at St. James Parsonage in Howard Lake, MN, and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Stockholm Lutheran Church in Cokato, MN. She graduated from Cokato High School with the class of 1957. After graduating high school, she began working at Production Credit Association in Buffalo. She then became a stay-at-home mom with her children and became a “second mom” to many by being a daycare provider. She also enjoyed hosting parties and selling Home Interiors and Tupperware. This gave her the ability to go out and be with people, and meet many new friends.
Joyce met the love of her life, Rudy, at a polka dance. Their first dance was to the Blue Skirt Waltz, and any time that song was played at dances, they made sure they danced to it together. On May 15, 1959, Joyce Mahlstedt and Rudy Tokkesdal were united in marriage at Stockholm Lutheran Church in Cokato. The two were blessed with four children. Joyce and her family moved to Buffalo in 1962, and in 1966, they bought their current house that they resided in until 2019.
One of Joyce’s greatest passions was old-time polka dancing with Rudy. The two would travel all over the US visiting many polka festivals. They enjoyed three trips together to Oktoberfest in Germany and to Denmark to visit the Tokkesdal native homestead. Through their love of polka dancing, they met many lifetime friends. After retirement, Joyce and Rudy became “Winter Texans” in Mission, TX for six months out of the year. They enjoyed old-time music in the valley and Polka Jam Sessions at W & I Park where Joyce would often times play the accordion. Even after Joyce’s stroke and not being able to dance anymore, she loved listening to the music. With the help of Rudy, the two would continue to travel to many polka dances and enjoy the music together.
Joyce enjoyed traveling with Rudy, and she especially loved to entertain -from the details of the table setup, to the meal, to playing the organ, and the time with family and friends.
Joyce was extremely dedicated to her family; she was the glue that held the family together. She was very proud of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Rudy Tokkesdal; parents, Max and Marion Mahlstedt; parents-in-law, Dora Tokkesdal, John and Annie Tokkesdal; infant daughter, Doris Tokkesdal; grandson, Jarod VonRueden; infant sister, Marvel Mahlstedt; sister-in-law, Esther Schmalz; and brothers-in-law, Jim Aufderheide and Marvin Schmalz.
Joyce is survived by her children, Wayne (Sharon) Tokkesdal, of Buffalo, MN, Renee (Peter) VonRueden, of Clyman, WI, Randy Tokkesdal, of Buffalo, MN; grandchildren, Julie (Nick) Pagano, Jamie Tokkesdal-Harms, John (Laura) Tokkesdal, Jolene (Jesse) Hawes, Aaron VonRueden, Alison Tokkesdal, Jack Tokkesdal; seven great-grandchildren and one arriving in November; siblings, Gloria (Dick) Paul, Dennis (Adele) Mahlstedt, Shirley (Bill) Havisto; sister-in-law, Sylvia Aufderheide; and many nieces, nephews, other family and friends.
Joyce resided the last few years at Lake Ridge Care Center in Buffalo, MN, where she received excellent care from their amazing staff and made many close friendships with them.
Funeral service will be held Friday, August 20, 2021 at 12:00 PM, with visitation beginning at 9:00 AM, at Zion Lutheran Church in Buffalo. Burial at Howard Lake Cemetery in Howard Lake.
Serving the family is The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, 763-682-1363, www.thepetersonchapel.com.
