Margaret Kasal
Margaret B. (Revier) Kasal, 86, of Paynesville, died Wednesday, March 31, 1999, at the Paynesville Area Hospital.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., on Monday, April 5, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville. The Rev. Richard Leisen officiated. Burial took place in St. Mary's Parish Cemetery in Bird Island, Minn.

Margaret was born on July 24, 1912, in Selman, Russia, to Henry and Katherine (Karp) Brenner. She immigrated with her family to Chicago, Ill., on Feb. 22, 1913. They moved to the Buffalo and Stewart Lake area when she was four years old, where she attended school.

She married Vernon Revier in Olivia, Minn., in 1936. They farmed in the Olivia and Bird Island area.

On Jan. 5, 1957, she married Frank Kasal in St. Boniface Catholic Church in Stewart, Minn. They lived on a farm, and in later years they spent the winters in Apache Junction, Ariz.

She lived in Arizona a few more years, then moved to Paynesville. She was a member of St. Louis Catholic Church and the Christian Women. She enjoyed fishing, playing cards, and baking apple pies. She was also an active member at the Paynesville Area Center.

Margaret is survived by her sons, Charles (Helen) Revier of Waite Park, Richard of Goldsboro, N.C., Gary (Sandy) of Arlington, Minn.; stepson, Stanley (Donna) Kasal of Minneapolis; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; brothers, Henry Brenner of Mesa, Ariz., William Brenner of Spring Valley, Calif., and Victor Brenner of Los Angeles, Calif.; and sister, Caroline Klecker of Olivia, Minn.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Vern Revier, in 1954, and Frank Kasal on May 23, 1974; infant great-granddaughter, Kayleigh Revier; sister, Marie Hennessey; and infant sisters, Deloris and Anna Marie Brenner.

Harry Petersen
Harry Petersen, 95, of Paynesville, Minn., and formerly of Clinton, Iowa, died on Tuesday, March 23, 1999, at the Paynesville Area Hospital in Paynesville.

Funeral services were held on Monday, March 29, at 11 a.m. at Clinton Chapel Snell-Zornig Funeral Home and Crematory in Clinton, Iowa. The Rev. Herbert Shafer officiated. Interment was at Clinton Lawn Cemetery in Clinton, Iowa. Memorials may be given to the First United Methodist Church in Clinton, Iowa.

Harry was born on June 12, 1903, to Chris and Elsie (Frandsen) Petersen in Argentine, Kan. He married True Schoenig on Oct. 4, 1930, in Muscantine, Iowa.

He was employed as a draftsman and later as a sales engineer for Allied Structural Steel at Clinton, Iowa, from 1941 to 1968, when he retired.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, where he was on the board of trustees and an usher. He was also a former member of the Clinton Builders Club.

Survivors include daughter, JoAnn (Dale) Wright of New London, Minn.; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, True, in 1996; his parents; two brothers; and one sister.

Mary E. Struthers
Mary E. Struthers, 84, of Paynesville and formerly of Grove City, died Sunday, March 21, 1999, at her home.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 26, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville. The Rev. Richard Leisen officiated. Burial took place in the Church of Our Lady Parish Cemetery in Manannah.

Mary was born on Nov. 1, 1914, in Hastings, Minn., to Thomas and Elizabeth (Luabenthol) Molamphy. She grew up in Koosuth County, Iowa. She married Vern Struthers in April of 1933 in West Bend, Iowa. They farmed until 1955 in Iowa, and then moved to Grove City, Minn. where they continued to farm. Mary moved to Paynesville in 1991. She was a member of St. Louis Catholic Church and former member of the Church of Our Lady in Manannah, Minn., where she was active in the Council of Catholic Women.

She is survived by her children, Richard (Carol) of Grove City, James (Margaret) of Litchfield, Sheryll Sullivan of Soquel, Calif., and Terry (Grace) of Forest City; 13 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and sister, Kathryn Schiltz of Sisseton, S.D.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Vern in June of 1975; grandson, Kerry Sullivan; infant great-grandson; and siblings, Helen Carlson, Mildred Kopke, and Thomas Molamphy.

Blanche DeBlois
Blanche DeBlois, 97, of Paynesville, died Friday, March 26, 1999, at the Koronis Manor in Paynesville.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 29, at Grace United Methodist Church in Paynesville. The Rev. Ric Koehn officiated. Burial was in the Paynesville Cemetery in Paynesville.

Blanche was born on Jan. 13, 1902, in Eden Valley Township to Bazell and Mathilda (Roach) Gordon. She lived in the Paynesville area most of her life.

She married Roy Oscar DeBlois on Dec. 17, 1921, in Paynesville. She was a former member of the Holiness Methodist Church. She loved quilting, crocheting, and baking cookies for her grandchildren.

Blanche is survived by her children, Winafred (Harold) Voss of St. Cloud, Raberta "Birdie" Lang of Richmond, and Warren of Port Austin, Mich.; 22 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; and 19 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Roy Oscar in 1971; son, LeRoy "Corkey;" brothers, Bill, Joe, Lawrence "Honey," and Marvin "Cecil" Gordon; and sister, Stella Glenz.

Wilson Mills
Services were held at 2 p.m. on Monday, March 15, at the Church of God in Eden Valley for Wilson R. Mills, 91, formerly of Eden Valley, who died Wednesday, March 10, at the Koronis Manor in Paynesville.

Robert See officiated the service. Burial was in Old Eden Lake Cemetery in Eden Valley.

Wilson Mills was born on Dec. 1, 1907, in Eden Lake Township to Charles and Elizabeth (Wilson) Mills. He was a farmer and lived his entire life in Eden Valley before moving to Paynesville in 1989. He was a member of the Church of God in Eden Valley.

Survivors include sisters, Grace Donahue and Martha Thoms of Eden Valley.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Guy, Floyd, Herman, and Ellis Mills.

Lillian M. Mills
Services were held at 2 p.m. Friday, March 12, 1999, at the Church of God in Eden Valley for Lillian M. Mills, 91, formerly of Eden Valley, who died Tuesday at Dassel Lakeside Community Home.

Casket bearers were Harold Elingson, Donald Thoms, Glenn and Laurie Johnson, and Mike and Kathy Fischer. Robert See officiated the service. Burial was in Old Eden Lake Cemetery in Eden Valley.

Lillian Mills was born June 17, 1907, in Eden Valley to Alfred and Eliza (Hamilton) Welliver. She married Floyd Mills on July 31, 1924, in Grove City. She lived on the farm where she was born all her life, except for three years after she was married, and the last eight years at Paynesville and Dassel.

She was a homemaker, Sunday school teacher and treasurer, and played the piano for church and Sunday school. She liked gardening and was a lover of flowers. She was a life member of Church of God in Eden Valley, and was a member of Eden Valley Senior Citizens.

Survivors include children and their spouses, Evelyn (Vincent) Fischer of Minneapolis, Betty Ann (Dan) Johnson of Dassel, and Jim (Jan) Mills of Pendleton, Ore.; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Floyd on Jan. 8, 1989; sisters, Rena Uhlenhuth, Laura Case, Mayme Clark, Edith Matheny, Esther Thompson, Edna Mills, and Gladys Gilbertson; brothers, Clarence, Elden, Eugene, Roy, and infant Robert Welliver.

Leonard G. Hensel
Leonard G. Hensel, 72, of Crystal, died Sunday, March 14, 1999, at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, March 18, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville. The Rev. Richard Leisen will officiate. Burial will be in the St. Louis Parish Cemetery in Paynesville.

Friends may call from 5-8 p.m., Wednesday, March 17, at the Daniel-Anderson Funeral Home in Paynesville, and one hour prior to services at the church. Parish prayers will be at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 17, at the funeral home.

Leonard was born on Feb. 6, 1927, in Dorset, Minn., to William and Ida (Madsen) Hensel. He served in the United States Army during World War II from 1945 to 1946.

He married Lucille Lehar on May 22, 1954, at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Fairfax, Minn. He worked as a lather from 1947 until retirement in 1988. He lived in Crystal most of his married life, and lived on Lake Koronis in Paynesville during the summer. He was a member of St. Raphael's Catholic Church in Crystal, the Lathers Union Local #190 in Minneapolis, and Robbinsdale American Legion Post #251.

Leonard is survived by his wife, Lucille of Crystal; children, LuAnn (Brian) Bushey of Richfield, Beverly (Tony) Kirk of Rogers, Lori (Pete) Nistler of Nisswa, Rick (Denyse) of Coon Rapids, Jerry (Kathy) of Champlin, and Jim (Dawn) of Paynesville; 10 grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Virgil.

Joseph P. Lahr
Services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 13, 1999, at the Assumption Catholic Church in Eden Valley for Joseph P. Lahr, 81, of Eden Valley, who died Wednesday, March 10, at the Koronis Manor in Paynesville.

Casket bearers were Kevin and Tony Thissen, Greg and Jeff Worden, John Lahr, and Pat Flemming. The Rev. Virgil Braun officiated. Burial was in the parish cemetery.

Joseph Lahr was born on May 3, 1917, in Manannah Township (rural Meeker County) to Peter and Mary (Westrup) Lahr. He married Evelyn Thielen on June 3, 1941, at Assumption Catholic Church in Eden Valley. He farmed in Manannah Township until moving to Eden Valley in 1984. He was a member of the Assumption Catholic Church, St. Joseph's Society, and Eden Valley Senior Citizens.

Survivors include children and their spouses, Robert (Joyce) Lahr of Brooklyn Park, Karen Lahr of Minneapolis, Phyllis (Fred) Thissen of Robbinsdale, and Lou Ann (Glen) Worden of Cokato; sister, Eleanor Heger of Minneapolis; brothers, Herbert of Richfield, Donald of Eden Valley, and David of Watkins; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Evelyn on Aug. 14, 1991; and daughter, Rose Ann.

Shirley Theis
Shirley Theis, 72, of Paynesville, died Friday, March 12, 1999, at the Koronis Manor in Paynesville.

The Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 15, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville, with Father Richard Leisen officiating. Interment was held in the church cemetery.

Shirley Anne Winter was born on Feb. 13, 1927, in Chester, Minn., where she grew up and attended school. She was the daughter of John and Arleigh (Wiltsey) Winter.

On May 29, 1965, she was married to Raymond Theis in Eden Valley. Following their marriage, they lived in Eden Valley, and later moved to Paynesville. Since May of 1998, Shirley had been a resident at the Koronis Manor.

Shirley is survived by her two half-sisters, Betty Moen of Rochester, and Virgil Winter of Dodge Center, Minn.; brother, Aubray Winter of Tennessee; sisters-in-law, Veronica (Fred) Greunhagan of Norwood, Minn., Theresa Osfalg of St. Cloud, and Rita (Edward) Goodijohn of Mendota Heights; brothers-in-law, Lawrence (Donna) Theis of Nisswa, Minn., and Roman (Allegra) Theis of Little Canada, Minn.; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Raymond, in Oct. 1997; and sister, Rosalie Rongley.

Lawrence "Fritz" Liestman
Lawrence "Fritz" Liestman, 88, of Paynesville, died Friday, March 12, 1999, at his home near Paynesville.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 16, 1999, at Grace United Methodist Church in Paynesville, with Linda Jensen officiating. Interment was in Ebenezer Cemetery in rural Paynesville.

Lawrence "Fritz" Liestman was born on Oct. 21, 1910, on the family farm in Eden Lake Township, near Eden Valley. He was the son of Frank and Augusta (Wagner) Liestman. Lawrence was baptized at the Ebenezer Church, and grew up on the family farm near Eden Valley. He attended a country school, and graduated from Paynesville High School in 1929.

On June 16, 1938, he was married to Bernice Weber at the Salem Methodist Church in rural Paynesville. Following their marriage, Lawrence worked on the Weber farm. He later purchased his own farm near Paynesville, which he farmed until his retirement in 1978.

Lawrence served on the Paynesville Township Board from 1972 to 1990, and served as township supervisor. He was a dealer for the Pioneer Seed Company, and for 20 years served as a state fire warden. During his attendance at the Ebenezer Church, he was the Sunday school superintendent, and also was a Sunday school teacher and choir director. At both the Ebenezer and Grace United Methodist Churches, he sang in the Men's Chorus.

Lawrence was a kindhearted man who had a heart for helping young children who needed a home to live in. He loved fishing, and enjoyed teaching many fatherless boys in the community how to fish. He enjoyed music and singing. He had many memories of playing the tuba in a local band during his younger years. He also enjoyed writing poetry and going on picnics with his family.

Lawrence is survived by his wife, Bernice of Paynesville; son, John (Laurel) of Paynesville; daughters, Linda (Larry Ellis) Liestman of Paynesville, and Karen (Bob) Tordsen of Brownton, Minn.; two granddaughters; brothers, Arlie (Marge) of Osseo, Delmar (Donna) of Princeton, and Marvin (Mary) of Tomah, Wis.; and sisters, Amanda Vadnais of St. Paul, and Florence (George) Potter of Paynesville.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Norman; and sister, Edna Schultz.

Christine Fischbach
Christine A. Fischbach, 104, of Paynesville, died Thursday, March 11, 1999, at the Koronis Manor in Paynesville.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 16, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville. The Rev. Richard Leisen officiated. Burial was in the St. Louis Parish Cemetery in Paynesville.

Christine was born on Jan. 15, 1895, in Farming, Minn., to John and Mary (Korte) Hemmesch. Her family moved to Richmond, where she attended school. She married John Fischbach in July of 1916 in Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Richmond. They moved to Marion, N.D., where they farmed until 1922. They returned to the Paynesville area, where they continued to farm. They retired from farming in 1958 and moved into Paynesville.

She was a member of the St. Louis Christian Women, Lake Henry Rosary Society, St. Ann's Mission Group, and the St. Louis Catholic Church. She was active in her interests of card playing, gardening, and bread making.

She is survived by her children, Clarence (Betty) Fischbach of Sauk Centre, Aurelia (Ernie) Fuchs of Paynesville, Harold (Rita) Fischbach of Paynesville, Doris Hess of Paynesville, Ralph (Lucille) Fischbach of Melrose, Vernon (Jean) Fischbach of Richfield, Nick (Evelyn) Fischbach of Paynesville, and Arlene (Ed) Raecker of Minneapolis; 41 grandchildren; 99 great-grandchildren; 21 great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Gertie Mackedanz of Richmond, and Bertha (Ed) Sinclair of St. Joseph.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband in 1984; son, Jerome in 1974; great-grandchildren, Keith Sunder and Jeff Thielen; brothers, Henry, Martin, Albert, and Aloys Hemmesch; sisters, Mary Loecken, Veronica Ressemann, Emma Rothstein, Rose Wenner and Monica Mehr; and son-in-law, Elmer Hess.

Roy Spohnholtz
Roy V. Spohnholtz, 56, of the Paynesville area, died Saturday, March 6, 1999, at the St. Cloud Veteran's Hospital.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. at Paynesville Lutheran Church on Saturday, March 13. Burial will be at Lakeside Cemetery in Herman, Minn. at 3 p.m.

Visitation will be Friday, March 12, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Johnson Funeral home in Paynesville and one hour before the service at the church.

Roy was born April 11, 1942, in Herman, Minn., to Ben and Betsey Spohnholtz. He grew up in the Herman and Donnelly, Minn., area. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Bethel Lutheran Church in Herman.

He married Claire Langston on Aug. 29, 1964. They have lived in the Paynesville area for the last 24 years. He owned and operated Roy Spohnholtz Drywall Construction. He was a member of the American Legion Post 381 in Eden Valley.

He is survived by his wife, Claire; children, Dale (and Ione) Spohnholtz of Cold Spring, Sonja Spohnholtz of St. Francis, Wis., Keith Spohnholtz of St. Michael, Minn., and Jodi Spohnholtz of Golden Valley, Minn.; four grand-children, Jackie, Vickie, Cole, and Karly Spohnholtz; and two sisters, Kitty (and Virgil) Rosin of Elbow Lake, Minn., and Melba (and Trinidad) Ortiz of Plymouth, Minn.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, David Spohnholtz of Herman; and sister, Gloria Anderson of Golden Valley.

Harold Sharstrom
Harold O. (Sharkey) Sharstrom, 77, of Willmar, died Thursday afternoon, March 4, 1999, at the Bethesda Heritage Nursing Home in Willmar.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, March 9, at 10 a.m. at the Eagle Lake Lutheran Church. Rev. Ron Nichols officiated. Interment was in Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Harold was born on Jan. 7, 1922, in Willmar, the son of Charlotte (Oyen) and Olaf Sharstrom. He grew up in Willmar and attended Willmar schools. For a time he was employed at the Willmar Regional Treatment Center. He served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater with the U.S. Army during World War II.

In 1948 he was married to Elyse Steinke, She died in 1960. In 1966, he was married to Lanora Gades Ehrneberg. They lived for over 35 years in Willmar, where he was employed by the Holm Brothers Plumbing and Heating Co., retiring in 1984.

He was a life-long member of the VFW Post.

He is survived by his wife, Lanora; two sons, Norman "Tom" (and Kathryn) Sharstrom of Hutchinson, and John (and Kim) Sharstrom of Englewood, Colo.; a daughter, Rebecca Sharstrom, also of Englewood, Colo.; two stepsons, Craig (and Robin) Ehrenberg of Columbus, Neb., and Sheldon Ehrenberg of Fargo, N.D.; a stepdaughter, Dawn (and Ralph) Orbeck of Paynesville; four grandchildren; 11 stepgrandchildren; two brothers, Herbert (and Mary) Sharstrom of Willmar and Arnie (and Verna) Sharstrom of Morris; and three sisters, Olga (and Del) Andrews of Camdenton, Mo.; Hazel Woltjer of Willmar; and Georgia (and Jerry) Windham of Altamonte Springs, Fla.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife; a daughter, Elaine in 1956; and two brothers.

Bjarne Williams
Bjarne T. Williams, 87, died at the Paynesville Area Hospital on Thursday, March 4, 1999.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. at Paynesville Lutheran on Monday, March 8, with Rev. Rick Hoyme and Rev. David Glesne officiating. Burial was in the Paynesville Cemetery.

Bjarne was born on Jan. 26, 1912, in Cornell, Iowa, the son of Andrew and Thora (Berentsen) Williams. He grew up on the family farm by Cornell until he was eight, when his family moved to a farm near Sacred Heart, Minn. He attended district schools in the Sacred Heart area for his education. He helped with many of the farm chores on the family farm, and as a teenager, Bjarne and his brothers followed the wheat harvest and helped with the threshing.

In 1912, Bjarne was baptized at the Lutheran church in Sioux Rapids, Iowa, and was confirmed on May 2, 1926, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Sacred Heart. He was a member of Paynesville Lutheran Church at the time of his death, where he had been on the Board of Trustees, Board of Deacons, building committee, financial secretary, Sunday school teacher, in the church choir, and the church custodian for many years.

On Feb. 6, 1938, Bjarne was united in marriage to Rosella Hanson in Sacred Heart. Together they farmed in the Sacred Heart area until 1946, when they moved to a farm southeast of Paynesville. In 1958, Bjarne retired from farming and moved into Paynesville. He worked as a custodian at the Paynesville Elementary School for 12 years.

Bjarne loved to travel and visited 48 out of the 50 states and many areas of Canada. He loved to go camping and fishing.

He is survived by his wife, Rosella; sons, Ronald (and Caroline) Williams of Urbandale, Iowa, and Daniel (and Diane) Williams of St. Michael, Minn.; foster son, Leonard (and Sharon) Fandrey of Pine City, Minn.; five grandchildren, Ronald Jr., Andrew, Christopher, and Craig Williams, and Heather Sargent; two foster grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Mildred Harbert of Pensacola, Fla.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, Bernt, Arthur, Juel, and Omar; two infant brothers; and two infant sisters.

Janet LeMasurier
Janet M. LeMasurier, 93, of Paynesville, Minn., passed away on Thursday, March 4, 1999, at the Koronis Manor, Paynesville.

Funeral services are today (March 10) at Paynesville Lutheran Church with Rev. Rick Hoyme officiating. Funeral services and burial will be in mid-May at St. Vincent, Minn.

Janet Murcy Knapp was born Jan. 6, 1906, to Walter R. and Mildred (Grant) Knapp in Orrock Township, Sherburne County, near Big Lake, Minn. She attended rural School District #30 in Orrock Township, and graduated from Big Lake High School and St. Cloud Teacher's College. Her last teaching job was grades 3-4-5 in St. Vincent, Minn.

On July 25, 1928, she married Harvey LeMasurier of St. Vincent at the Meadow-Vale Methodist Church, rural Sherburne County. They farmed north of St. Vincent until their son Stanley was married in 1955 and took over the farming operation.

Janet and Harvey moved into St. Vincent and both worked for the Humboldt-St. Vincent School System. Harvey was the custodian at the St. Vincent School and Janet was the secretary at the Humboldt School.

After their son's death in 1963, they resigned and moved to Ontario, Calif. While living there, Janet was very active in the Ontario Community Hospital Auxiliary. In May 1988, she moved to Paynesville to the newly built congregate housing, 700 Stearns Place. In November 1998, she moved to the Koronis Manor, Paynesville.

She was a member of Christ's Episcopal Church in St. Vincent and Upland Episcopal Church, but attended Trinity United Methodist Church in Ontario, Calif., and Paynesville Lutheran, while living in those cities.

Janet is survived by her grandson, Timothy LeMasurier Dow, his wife Charlene, and their three children, Heather, Tim, and Jordan, of Saratoga Springs, New York; a sister-in-law, Lillian Knapp of Minneapolis; one nephew, one niece; and Lynne and Peter Jacobson and their children, Laurie and Michael, Janet's relatives in Paynesville.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Harvey on Nov. 10, 1986; son, Stanley who died in 1963; a sister, Margery Knapp; and a brother, George Knapp.

Clarence Schmitz
Services were Wednesday, March 3, at 11 a.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Roscoe for Clarence P. Schmitz, 81, of Roscoe, who died Monday, March 1, 1999, at the Koronis Manor in Paynesville. Burial was in the parish cemetery in Roscoe, with full military honors provided by the Paynesville American Legion Post #271. Clarence was born on April 8, 1917, in Roscoe, Minn., to Joseph and Josephine (Wilm) Schmitz. He was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of World War II. He married Martha M. Thielen on July 25, 1959, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Richmond. After World War II he joined his father in business at the Roscoe Oil Company. He owned and operated the business from 1955 until he retired in 1988. He was a member of St. Agnes Parish; life member of the Paynesville Knights of Columbus #3820; a member of the St. Cloud Veterans of Foreign Wars #428; Roscoe Catholic Aid Association; and the St. Joseph Men's Society. Survivors include his wife, Martha of Roscoe; daughter, Denise (Dan) Olson of Chanhassen; three sons, Jim (Jan) of Cold Spring, Joe of Eden Valley, and Michael of Fort Collins, Colo.; two grandchildren; four sisters, Mildred (John) Scott of San Antonio, Texas, Bea Kilian of Altamonte Springs, Fla., Dolores (Bill) Zoeller of Mankato, and Gerri (Steve) Stolton of Buffalo Grove, Ill.; and brother, Cyril of Sauk Rapids. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jerome; and infant twin brother and sister, Arthur and Mary.

Elizabeth Schmit
Elizabeth Schmit, 89, died Saturday, Feb. 27, 1999, at Hilltop Good Samaritan Center in Watkins.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 2, at the Church of Our Lady in Manannah. Fr. Francis Garvey and Fr. George Schmit co-officiated. Burial was in the Church of Our Lady Cemetery in Manannah. Casket bearers were Gary Sogge, Tom McCann, Jeff Brossard, Jeremy Brossard, Ray Sims, and Robert Garvey.

Elizabeth was born in Manannah Township, rural Meeker County, to Thomas and Charlotte (McCarney) McIntee. She married Nicholas Schmit on Nov. 17, 1942. She was a member of the Church of Our Lady in Manannah, where she was active in CCW. She was also a member of Royal Neighbors Insurance Group and a former member of the Eden Valley Legion Auxiliary.

She is survived by her daughter, Charlotte (Harold) Black of Wylie, Texas; two grandsons; great-grand-daughter; eight step-grandchildren; and 14 step-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Nicholas, on March 10, 1983; brother, Frank McIntee; sister, Loretta McCann; and grandsons, Craig and Steven Brossard.

Lorraine Wegner
Lorraine M. Wegner, 87, of Paynesville, died Monday, Feb. 22, 1999, at the Good Samaritan Care Center in Paynesville.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 26, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville. The Rev. Richard Leisen officiated. Burial was in the St. Louis Parish Cemetery in Paynesville.

Lorraine was born on March 29, 1911, in Lake Henry, Minn., to Ignatius and Martha (Jaeger) Meyer. She lived and worked on the family farm in Lake Henry, where she attended school.

On June 29, 1937, she married August Wegner at the St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville. They worked and moved across the midwest until returning to Lake Henry in 1943 to farm. In 1962, they sold the farm and moved to St. Cloud. There she worked as a seamstress in custom drapery design for Herbergers. After retirement, they moved back to Paynesville, where she was an active member of St. Louis Christian Women, the Daughters of Isabella, Little Flower Mission Group, the Paynesville Area Senior Citizens, Paynesville Catholic Aid Association, and the St. Louis Catholic Church. She was also very involved in the implementation of the Paynesville Area Center.

She was known for her talents of sewing, knitting, crocheting, volunteering for senior activities, flower gardening, and landscaping. She enjoyed traveling and winters in Arizona.

Lorraine is survived by her children, Cleone (Richard) McCoy of Eden Valley, Carol (Harold) Topp of Buffalo, Cecile Wegner of Edina, and Ruth Wegner of Casa Grande, Ariz.; 17 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband on Jan. 20, 1996; great-granddaughter, Lisa Fleischhacker; siblings, Leo Meyer, Matilda Weber, Linda Fuchs, Julietta Lieser, Eleanor Meyer, Hilary Lieser, Catherine Horn, and Ervin Meyer.

Robert Abbott
Robert M. Abbott, 78, of Springfield, Mo., died on Thursday, Feb. 25, 1999, in his home following a year-long illness.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 6, at Crystal Hills Assembly of God Church in Paynesville. Reviewal will be from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at the church on Saturday. Pastor Roger Johnson will officiate. Burial will be in the Paynesville Cemetery.

He was born on the farm his grandfather homesteaded near Paynesville, Minn. As a boy he attended school in Paynesville.

He served as an Assemblies of God minister and pastored churches in Minnesota for 26 years before beginning evangelistic ministry throughout the country in 1969.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Elizabeth Hild Abbott; sons, Bob and Bill and their families; and brother, Warren "Bud" Abbott and his family.

LaVera Ihrke
LaVera Ihrke, 93, of Paynesville, died Monday, Feb. 22, 1999, at the Good Samaritan Care Center in Paynesville.

Private family services were conducted by Johnson Funeral Home of Paynesville.

LaVera Iona Nichtern was born on Dec. 16, 1905, in Eagle Grove, Iowa. She was the daughter of John and Marguerite (McFarland) Nichtern. LaVera grew up on the family farm near Eagle Grove, Iowa, where she attended school.

On Feb. 26, 1930, LaVera was married to Arthur Ihrke in St. James, Minn. Following their marriage, they lived in Madelia, Minneapolis, and Kimball, where they were members of the Kimball Church of Christ. In 1997, they moved to Paynesville, where they have lived since.

LaVera is survived by her husband, Arthur of Paynesville; sons, A. Charles (Ruth) of Indianapolis, Ind., and Allan (Sharon) of Paynesville; daughter, Lorraine Williams of Bridgeton, Mo.; 10 grandchildren; brother, Vernon Nichtern of Riverton, Wyo.; and sister, Cora Hovden of St. James, Minn.

She was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers; and three sisters.

Severin Kraemer
Severin Kraemer, 66, formerly of Lake Henry, died on Feb. 10.

Memorial services were held at 12 noon at the Cremation Society Edina Chapel in Edina, Minn., on Monday, Feb. 15, 1999. Father Stephen O'Gara and the Rev. Karsten Nelson officiated.

Severin G. Kraemer was born on Nov. 2, 1932, in Paynesville, Minn., the son of George and Mary Kraemer.

He is survived by his wife, Annette; daughters, Kathleen, and Jacqueline (Rev. Karsten) Nelson; two grand-daughters; brother, Werner (Luella), sisters, Anita (Mel) Rohling, and Silvira; sisters-in-law, Ruth and Valeria; and many nieces and nephews.