Isabelle Johnson
The Mass of Resurrection was held Tuesday, June 1, at 11 a.m. at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Eden Valley for Isabelle M. Johnson, 93, of Eden Valley, who died Saturday, May 29, at the Hilltop Good Samaritan Home in Watkins. Burial was in the parish cemetery.

Isabelle was born in Luxemburg Township, rural Stearns County, to Martin J. and Lena (Huesser) Arnold. She married Raymond W. Johnson on May 12, 1931, at Assumption Church in Eden Valley. Isabelle lived in the Eden Valley area all her life. She was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church, St. Peter's Council of Christian Women, and the Eden Valley senior citizens.

Survivors include her children and their spouses, Margaret (Gene) Drabek of Bloomington, Walter H. (Ruth) of Eden Valley, Robert (Gail) of Buffalo, Richard (Gloria) of Grand Rapids, Kathleen (Gerald) Schwankl of Eden Prairie, Alice (Robert) Schreifels of Richmond, and Ann (Edward) Fuchs of New Hope; brothers and sisters, Phillip Arnold of Eden Valley, Richard Arnold of Avon, Cecelia Colbert of Coon Rapids, Genevieve Lies of Eden Valley, Marcella Weber of Watkins, and Helen Steinke of Fridley; 20 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Raymond on Aug. 23, 1973; infant daughter, Mary Rose; brothers, Henry, Albert, Romuald, Marcus, Florbert, Elmo, and Arnold; sisters, Teresa Binsfeld and Laura Loch; one grandchild; and one great-grandchild.

Anton "Tony" Wuertz
Anton "Tony" Wuertz, 84, of Lake Henry, died Sunday, May 23, at the Paynesville Area Hospital in Paynesville.

Funeral services will be held today, Wednesday, May 26, at St. Margaret's Catholic Church in Lake Henry. The Rev. Francis Garvey and the Rev. Leo Leisen will officiate. Burial will be in the Church of Our Lady Parish Cemetery in Manannah.

Friends may call one hour prior to services at the church.

Tony was born March 11, 1915, in Lake Henry Township to Joseph and Mary (Kortenbusch) Wuertz. he lived in the Lake Henry area all of his life. He married Kathleen Garvey on Oct. 27, 1943, in the Church of Our Lady Catholic Church in Manannah. He worked for the Lake Henry Telephone Company and later worked for the majority of his life as a mechanic in the Paynesville area. He was a voluntary fireman for the Lake Henry Fire Department for many years. He was a member of the St. Joseph's Men's Society, St. Margaret's Rosary Society, and St. Margaret's Catholic Church in Lake Henry.

Tony is survived by his wife, Kathleen of Lake Henry; sons, James (Mary) and Michael, all of Manannah; three grandchildren; great-granddaughter; siblings, Alma Wenker of Greenwald, Hilda Bertram of Greenwald, Rose Chladek of Modesto, Calif., Isabelle Spanier of Albany, Adella Spanier of Farming, Margaret Hagemeier of Farming, Roman of Laurel, Mont., Helen Garding of Minneapolis, and Wilbert of Cold Spring.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Ralph and Norbert.

Hildegard Kremer
Services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 22, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Cold Spring for Hildegard E. Kremer, 93, formerly of Cold Spring, who died Thursday, May 20, at the Hilltop Good Samaritan Home in Watkins. Burial was at 1 p.m. in the St. Nicholas Catholic Cemetery in St. Nicholas.

Hildegard was born in Pearl Lake to John and Elizabeth (Guiterman) Weinand. She married Joseph Kremer on Jan. 6, 1937, in Holy Cross Catholic Church, Pearl Lake. She was a homemaker all her life.

Hildegard was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church in Cold Spring, the Cold Spring Christian Women, and St. Julian Mission. She is survived by her children, Al (Joan) of Eden Prairie, Joe (Viola) of Paynesville, Mary (Jerry) Stommes of Cold Spring, Margaret (Art) Kuechle of Watkins, Eldred (Doris) of Watkins, and George (Ruth) of Cold Spring; 28 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Hildegard was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph, on Nov. 5, 1980; and brothers, Joseph and Alfred.

Eldred Fuchs
Eldred H. Fuchs Sr., 70, of Melrose, died Sunday, May 16, 1999, at St. Benedict's Care Center in St. Cloud.

The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 19, at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Greenwald. Casket bearers were Chris, Eric, Jason, and Jamie Fuchs, Scott Berscheid, and Matthew Maus. Cross bearer was Heather Fuchs. Scripture bearer was Gina Berscheid. Honorary bearers were David Nathe, Jeff Ahrens, Dennis Wensman, Bernard Nietfeld, Cleone Nistler, Virgil and Cletus Fuchs, Vivian Bertram, and Mel Milbrett. Gift bearers were Jennifer Huntington, Lynn Johnson, and Kristy Maus. Rose bearer was Samie Fuchs. The eulogist was Jim Fuchs. The Rev. Ken Popp officiated, with burial following in the parish cemetery.

Eldred Fuchs Sr. was born in Zion Township, Stearns County, to Peter and Zila (Schaefer) Fuchs. He served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953. He married Jean Zirbes on April 21, 1951, in Fort Riley, Kan. They lived in Fort Riley, Arlington, Va., and Freeport, Minn., before moving to Greenwald. He worked at Funk Implement for three years, and also hauled milk for the Greenwald Creamery for several years. He owned and operated Greenwald Blacksmith Shop for several years. He also owned and operated Fuchs Construction in Greenwald for over 35 years, also serving as the grave digger in Greenwald during this period. In 1987, he left the excavating business to drive semi for Fuchs Transport, Inc., in Melrose for the past 12 years.

He was a member of St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Greenwald, the St. Michael's Men's Society, and the American Legion Post in Melrose.

Eldred is survived by his wife, Jean of Greenwald; children, Eldred Jr. (Kaye), Mary Kay Maus, Yvonne (Dennis) Berscheid, James (Shirley), and Mark (Sue), all of Melrose; siblings, Virgil (Virginia) of Paynesville, Vivian (Elmer) Bertram of Greenwald, Isabel Meyer of Cold Spring, Cletus (Marilyn) of Paynesville, and Cleone Nistler of St. Cloud; 14 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren.

Shirley Jordan
Shirley Jordan, 72, of Hawick, died Sunday, May 17, 1999, from a sudden cerebral aneurysm, at the Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 20, 1999, at Grace United Methodist Church in Paynesville, with the Rev. Ric Koehn officiating. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. today, Wednesday, May 19, at the Johnson Funeral Home in Paynesville, and one hour prior to services at the church. Interment will be in the Paynesville Cemetery.

Shirley Olson was born on March 25, 1927, in Spicer. She was the daughter of Alfred and Sigurd (Anthinson) Olson. Shirley grew up on a family farm on Green Lake, near Spicer, where she also attended a country school.

On June 1, 1948, she was married to Duane "Dewey" Jordan at the Paynesville Methodist Church. Following their marriage, they lived on a farm west of Lake Koronis for a few years, and then moved to Litchfield, where they lived for 33 years. Later, they lived in Alexandria for a few years. From 1986 to 1998, Dewey and Shirley spent their summers living on Paguachuan Lake near Longlac, Ontario, and their winters near Hawick.

She enjoyed gardening, fishing, crocheting, playing cards, cooking, and watching the Minnesota Twins, Vikings, and Gophers. She was also a good cook.

Shirley is survived by her sons, James (Vickie) of Dodgeville, Wis., Donald (Sue) of Malaysia, and Dwight Jordan of Wanamingo, Minn.; eight grandchildren; two great-granddaughters; brother, Winifred (Daphne) Olson of Dunn Loring, Va.; and sister, Margaret (Jack) Hopping of Brainerd.

She was preceded in death by her husband in January 1999; parents; and sister, Adaline.

Martin Hedtke
Martin R. Hedtke, 89, of Litchfield, died on Sunday, May 9, at the Meeker County Memorial Hospital in Litchfield.

Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 12, 1999, at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Litchfield, with the Rev. Curtiss W. Seefeldt and the Rev. Gregg H. Bitter officiating. Casket bearers were grandsons, Jon Hedtke, Lee Hedtke, Paul Hedtke, Jeff Karsten, Mark Karsten, and Glen Brynteson. Interment was at the Ripley Cemetery in Litchfield.

Martin Rudolf Hedtke was born on Jan. 29, 1910, in Winsted Township, McLeod County, Minn., to Gustave and Ottilia (Thom) Hedtke. He attended school at St. John's parochial school in Harrison Township, Kandiyohi County, Minn., through the eighth grade. After school, Martin helped his father on the farm, and after he completed eighth grade, he worked on the farm full time.

On May 2, 1939, Martin married Rosemarie Collins at St. John's Lutheran Church in Harrison Township. Together they lived on a farm in Swede Grove Township, Meeker County, where he farmed for 16 years. In 1955, they moved to Hawick, where they owned a resort for three years on Long Lake. While there, he also drove school bus for the Paynesville school system.

They moved to Litchfield in 1958, where Martin drove truck for 10 years. He then worked as a carpenter for Conventional Built Homes for 10 years. After retiring, he was very active in wood crafts, and traveled with Rosemarie for 15 years to Florida, Texas, and Arizona.

Martin is survived by his wife, Rosemarie; daughters, Marjorie (Arthur) Brynteson of St. Cloud, Rosalie Karsten of Minnetonka, and Mona (David) Schutrop of Gainesville, Ga.; sons, Robert of Brooten and Myron (Linda) of Hopkins; 11 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Martin was preceded in death by his sisters, Lillie Hedtke, Hilma Beham, and Elsie Schmidt; brothers, Theodore, Edward, Gustave, and Oscar Hedtke.

Lucille Schmitt
Services were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 10, 1999, at Assumption Catholic Church in Eden Valley for Lucille E. Schmitt, 74, of Eden Valley, who died Friday, May 7, at Meeker County Memorial Hospital in Litchfield.

The Rev. Virgil Braun officiated. Burial was in the parish cemetery.

Lucille Schmitt was born on Dec. 31, 1924, in Richmond to Wenzel and Elizabeth (Fink) Gruenes. She married Sylvester M. Schmitt on May 4, 1948, at Assumption Catholic Church in Eden Valley. She finished school through the eighth grade, but did get her G.E.D. She went to nursing school in Minneapolis to become an L.P.N. She worked as an L.P.N. at Bethany Home in Litchfield and at the Koronis Manor in Paynesville for years. Sylvester and Lucille farmed in Manannah Township, rural Eden Valley, until moving to Eden Valley in 1992. She was a member of Assumption Catholic Church, Assumption Christian Mothers, the musical group Choralaires, she was a home Eucharistic minister, and a member of Eden Valley American Legion Post 381 Auxiliary.

Survivors include children and spouses, Mary Joan (Roger) Hiljus of Cambridge, James (Linda) of Litchfield, Maxine (Del) Fokken of Dalbo, Bernie (Virgil) Garding of St. Cloud, Barbara (Roger) Kloos of North Branch, Kenneth of Belle Plain, Daniel (Sherry) of Farmington, and David Schmitt of Litchfield; and 15 grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Sylvester, on Jan. 7, 1994; brother, Andrew Gruenes, and sister, Marie Orbeck.

Harlan "Ted" Hobert
Services were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 8, at Dingmann's Eden Valley Funeral Home for Harlan "Ted" Hobert, 76, of Paynesville, who died Tuesday, May 4, 1999, at his home.

The Rev. Russell Magaw officiated. Burial was in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Balaton.

Harlan was born on May 4, 1923, in Tracy, Minn., to Emil and Jeanette (Harlan) Hobert.

He married Genevieve Freeberg on March 3, 1946. She died in April 1957.

He married Ann Nicholson in November 1957. They were divorced in 1974.

He married Nell Smith in November 1975. She died in March 1993.

He farmed in Garvin, Minn., until 1958, then moved around central Minnesota for the rest of his life. He worked as an insurance salesman.

Survivors include children and spouses, Judy (Jim) Sapp of Greenville, S.C., Jon (Carol) of Cokato, Joel (Phyllis) of Shoreview, Tim (Brenda) of Anoka, Rebecca (Mike) Thayer of Coon Rapids, and Julie Hobert of Jacksonville, Fla.; brother, Eugene Hobert of Bella Vista, Ark.; and 14 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Genevieve Freeberg; third wife, Nell Smith; and sister, Genevieve Kramer.

Rose Hoppe
Rose A. Hoppe, 94, of Paynesville and formerly of New Munich, died Thursday, May 6, 1999, at Koronis Manor in Paynesville.

The Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 10, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich. Casket bearers were Rodger and Daryl Fischbach, Gary, Patrick, and Jeff Hoppe, Dan Dundon, and Cary Hollenkamp. Honorary bearers were the grandchildren. The Rev. Roger Klasen officiated, with burial following in the parish cemetery.

Rose was born on May 7, 1904, in Freeport, to Herman and Catherine (Bueckers) Klasen. She was united in marriage to Aloys Hoppe on Jan. 13, 1925, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich. The couple farmed in Oak Township, Stearns County, until 1978. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich and of the New Munich Christian Mothers. She moved to the Good Samaritan Care Center in Paynesville in 1996.

Rose is survived by her children, Rita (Harold) Fischbach of Paynesville, Evelyn (Nick) Fischbach of Paynesville, Dorothy (Leander) Hollenkamp of Freeport, Herbert (Valerie) of St. Cloud, Elmer (Karen) of New Brighton, Ruth (Mark) Dundon of Issaquah, Wash., and Ronald (Janice) of Freeport; brothers and sisters, John Klasen of Bemidji, Tracy Snyder of Mission, Mo., Pauline Hueve of LaPorte, MN, Gertrude Truide of Texas, Alfred Klasen of Mont., Clara Glass of Texas, Frances Anderson of Montana, Henry Klasen of Montana, Donald Klasen of Ark., Irene Finch of Mont., Amanda Klaphake of Melrose, Catherine Beuning of Sauk Centre, Sophie Ebnet of Long Prairie, Rica Korte of St. Cloud, Alice Kerfeld of Sauk Centre, Caroline Belesjeski of Holdingford, Esther Buening of St. Rosa, and Julius Korte of St. Paul; 33 grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Aloys, on Sept. 18, 1968; children, Judith, Daniel, and Edwin Hoppe; brothers and sisters, Herb, Veronica, Martin, Ben, Hubert, and Tony Klasen, Marie Schich, Martha Watson, Adelide Korte, Ann Nardinger, and Lawrence and Ervin Korte; and one grandchild.

Lillian Bergstrom
Lillian Bergstrom, 97, of Paynesville, died Thursday, May 6, 1999, at the Koronis Manor in Paynesville.

The funeral service was held at 2 p.m. on Monday, May 10, at the Hawick United Methodist Church in Hawick, with the Rev. Bart Fletcher officiating. Interment was held in the Burbank Cemetery in rural New London.

Lillian Margaret Metcalf was born on April 4, 1902, in Manchester, Iowa. She was the daughter of Leonard and Susan (Pinch) Metcalf. Lillian grew up in Burbank Township near New London, where she attended country school at Wildwood District 67. In 1924, she moved to Monticello, where she worked for her uncle, Dr. James Metcalf, for one year. In 1925, she moved to Paynesville, where she worked at the Goodman Grocery Store until her marriage.

Lillian was married to Peter Bergstrom on May 5, 1926, at the Methodist Church parsonage in Paynesville. Following their marriage, they farmed in Union Grove Township, near Paynesville, for many years. Lillian lived on the farm for 65 years, moving into Paynesville in 1992.

Lillian was a member of the Union Grove Methodist Church, where she served as ladies aid secretary and church pianist. At the time of her death, she was a member of the Hawick United Methodist Church. Lillian was also a member of the Roseville Friendly Seniors, the Farmers Union, and S.W.A.P.S. One of Lillian's favorite memories was spending a night at the governor's mansion with her daughter, Leola, and granddaughter, Lynn, in 1981. Lillian loved to read and was an avid reader all of her life. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother. She had a special place in her heart for her grandchildren.

Lillian is survived by her sons, Philip (Eileen), and Kenneth, all of Paynesville; daughter, Leola (Bud) Wendroth of Paynesville; seven grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and sisters, Alma Ihlang of New London, Florence Solseth of Willmar, and Irene Larson of New London.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Peter, in 1975; brothers, Delos, Allen, and Alton Metcalf; and sister, Garnet Quisberg.

Ardis Schultz
Ardis Schultz, 97, of Paynesville, died Wednesday, May 5, 1999, at the Good Samaritan Care Center in Paynesville.

The funeral service was held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 8, at Grace United Methodist Church in Paynesville, with the Rev. Ric Koehn officiating.

Ardis Leone Morris was born on Aug. 22, 1901, in Jamaica, Iowa. She was the daughter of Clinton and Nellie Bell (Sawyer) Morris. Ardis grew up in Jamaica, where she graduated from high school. She later attended the Guthrie County School at Panora, Iowa. In 1920, Ardis moved to Paynesville, where she worked in the office at North American Creameries and later for Dr. R.E. Olsen.

On Oct. 21, 1924, Ardis was married to Henry W. Schultz by Rev. F.J. Bryan in Monticello. Following their marriage, they lived in Forada, Big Lake, and then returned to Paynesville in 1940. Henry died April 5, 1979.

Ardis became a member of the United Brethren Church in Jamaica in 1915. She transferred her membership to the Evangelical Church in Paynesville in 1924. She taught Sunday school for many years. She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, the Naomi Circle, and she joined the Book Lovers Club in 1926. Ardis lived alone until she was 95, when she entered the Hilltop Good Samaritan Center in Watkins. In January 1997, she entered the Good Samaritan Care Center in Paynesville, where she has lived since.

Ardis is survived by her daughter, Sharon (Donald) Schmidt of Paynesville; daughter-in-law, Shirley Schultz of New York City, N.Y.; five grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Eldred Huemiller in March 1958; son, Morris C. Schultz in June 1963; grandson, Don K. Schmidt in May 1998; and sister, Gladys.

Brenda Gunter
Brenda Lynn Gunter, 40, of Paynesville, died Sunday, May 2, 1999, at the Koronis Manor in Paynesville.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 6, at Paynesville Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Rick Hoyme officiating. Interment will be at Lake Ripley Cemetery in Litchfield.

Visitation will be held today, Wednesday, May 5, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Johnson Funeral Home in Paynesville. There will be a one-hour visitation prior to services at the church on Thursday.

Brenda Lynn Gunter, the daughter of Jim and Borgie (Fosso) Gunter, was born on Nov. 17, 1958, in Litchfield, Minn. She and her family moved to Paynesville in 1966. She attended Paynesville High School, graduating in June 1977. She worked part time with her dad, painting signs, after graduation. She had managed the Grove City Off Sale Liquor Store, and since Oct. 1, 1993, she was employed at the Paynesville Off Sale Liquor Store until her illness.

Brenda loved being outdoors. She loved her three cats and especially enjoyed her job at the liquor store, where she considered her co-workers as her extended family. Brenda was very concerned about the environment, going beyond talk. She recycled as much as she could, from tin cans to the rags that she made rugs out of. She enjoyed crocheting, quilting, and even made a hammock out of baling twine.

She is survived by her father, Jim Gunter of Paynesville; brother, Dale (Robin) Wood of Truckee, Calif.; sisters, Dorothy (Larry) Mohr of Paynesville, Gerry (Duane) Watt of Bloomington, Anita Nesbitt of Sierraville, Calif., Colleen (Ken) Fenner of Litchfield, Lola (Ron) Thomton of Deer River, and Julie (John) Bergstrom of Paynesville; and 21 nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Borgie, on July 2, 1992; and brother, Steve, on July 17, 1985.