Obituaries [Post-Bulletin, Rochester, Minn.]

Oct. 09--Post-Bulletin, Rochester, Minn., Obituaries

PRESTON -- Marie L. Hoppe, 95, of Fergus Falls, Minn., formerly of Preston, Minn., died Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010, at the Broen Memorial Home in Fergus Falls.

Marie Lucille Joas Hoppe was born Oct 21, 1914, in Stockbridge, Wisc., to Frank and Alice Pfaff Joas. As a young child, the family moved to Birnamwood, Wisc., where Marie attended school graduating in the Class of 1932. She then attended Langlade County Normal School in Antigo, Wisc., and graduated the following year, 1933.

She married Oscar Hoppe Aug. 21, 1937, in the parsonage of the Congregational Church in Birnamwood. They built a house in Antigo and resided there until 1945 when the moved to Rock Dell, Minn., where Oscar managed the Rock Dell Creamery and Marie worked at Donaldson's department store in Rochester.

In 1956 they lived for one year in Byron and then moved to Preston, where Oscar was Chief Engineer at the Preston Creamery and Marie worked at the Preston Packaging Plant, Heco and Lake Center Products. After her retirement in 1975, Marie enjoyed her grandsons and great-grandchildren, gardening, flowers, reading, playing cards, dominoes, cooking, crossword puzzles, board games and visiting with her friends.

She had an excellent memory and could readily recall the dates of family events. She also enjoyed the family dogs. Oscar died April 18, 1988, and Marie continued to reside in their home on Washington Street in Preston until Sept. 1, 2001, when she moved to the Sheridan House in Fergus Falls to be nearer her daughter, Yvonne. On April 18, 2009, she moved to the Pioneer Nursing home and later to the Broen Home after suffering a series of falls.

Marie was a member of the Preston United Methodist Church, Order of the Eastern Star, Preston Browning Club, served on the Fillmore County Nursing Board, was a member and an officer for the United Methodist Women and volunteered at the Preston nursing home.

She is survived by her daughter, Yvonne (Ronald) Breuer of Dalton, Minn.; stepson, Norman (Viola) Hoppe of Antigo, Wisc.; grandsons, Todd (Stephanie) Breuer of Apple Valley, Minn., Brian (Heather) Breuer of Albertville, Minn.; great-grandchildren, Jonah, Samuel, Will, Joshua, Jacob, Ellie, Kaleb and Ava; step-grandchildren, Peggy (Gary) Mecklenburg of Janesville, Wisc., and John Hoppe of California; five step-great-grandchildren; 11 step-great-great-grandchildren; and a niece. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Oscar; her parents; one sister; and three brothers.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2010, at Preston United Methodist Church with Rev. Michael W. Smith officiating. Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery in Preston.

There will be a time of visitation at the church on Tuesday an hour before the service.

Online condolences can be left at thauwaldfuneralhomes.com.

By Matt Russell

The Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN

Olive Lucille Cady, 92, of Lake City, died Wednesday Oct. 6, 2010 at the Lake City Nursing Home. She was born Oct. 2, 1918, in Preston to Charles and Louise (Kern) Barth and attended country school there. She married Kenneth Cady on Dec. 14, 1941 in Preston and they lived on the family farm. They lived in Preston and Spring Valley until 1953 when they moved to Lake City. She had worked at the Pearl Button Factory, Dairy Treat and the Zero King Coat Factory, where she worked for 25 years until her retirement. She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, crocheting, quilting and baking.

She is survived by two children, Ken (Ellen) Cady of LaCrosse and Pam Robbins of Lake City; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, who died May 3, 1992; seven brothers; four sisters and three grandchildren.

Memorial service will be 11 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010 at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Anderson-Peterson Chapel with the Rev. Dennis Valleau officiating. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at St. John's Cemetery. www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.

By Matt Russell

The Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN

ROCHESTER -- Philip E. Bernatz, 89, died Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010, at his residence.

Philip Eugene Bernatz was born on April 18, 1921, to Frank and Martha (Hanson) Bernatz in Decorah, Iowa. He and Corene (McCall) were married on January 8, 1983, in Rochester.

Philip graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Omega Alpha from the University of Iowa, earning a bachelor's degree in 1942, and doctorate in medicine in 1944. He served in the U.S. Navy with the Medical Corps in Korea, and later earned his master's degree in surgery from the Mayo Medical School. Dr. Bernatz was appointed to the surgical staff at the Mayo Clinic in 1955. He achieved academic recognition as a full professor; served as president of the Mayo Medical Staff; and, in 1981, was named the Stuart Harrington Professor of Surgery. Dr. Bernatz contributed to numerous publications, academic and professional associations and societies, and also served as director for the American Board of Thoracic Surgery from 1977 to 1983. He received the University of Iowa's Distinguished Alumni Award in 1998.

Dr. Bernatz is survived by his wife, Corene; daughters Jan Bernatz of Edina, Minn., Marcy (Leon) Weinberger of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; son Michael (Dawn) Bernatz of Pewaukee, Wis.; as well as seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Martha, his first wife, Marilyn, brothers Robert Bernatz and Hubert Bernatz, and his sister, Gretchen Bernatz.

A memorial service will take place 3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 11, at Zumbro Lutheran Church in Rochester. Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. at the church. A gathering with the family and friends will follow the service.

Memorial donations should be given to the donor's preferred charity.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes 5421 Royal Place N.W. Rochester, MN 55901 (507) 289-3600 www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.

By Matt Russell

The Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN

June Louise (Larson) Colling of Austin died at the age of 80 Thursday afternoon, Oct. 7, 2010 at her home.

Born on July 12, 1930 in Oakland, Neb., she was the daughter of Irving and Frieda (Jorgensen) Larson. She grew up in Uehling, Neb., attended grade schools in Uehling and Omaha, attended Benson High School in Omaha for one year and graduated from Uehling High School in 1948. After attending Midland College in Fremont, Neb., and Van Sant Business School in Omaha, June married Leslie Colling on March 18, 1951 at the Methodist Church in Oakland, Neb.

June worked as a nurses' aid in Fremont Hospital, as a secretary at Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company in Omaha and in the Laboratory and Blood Donor Center at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. She also worked for about a year at Geo. A. Hormel and Co. at the Fremont plant. In 1975, the couple moved to Austin. A member of Westminster Presbyterian Church and the Mower County Humane Society, June loved animals and also liked to play cards, read and work word puzzles and jigsaw puzzles. June and Les traveled to all of the 50 United States, as well as to Canada, Mexico and Europe.

Survivors include her husband, Leslie Colling of Austin; son, Ronald Colling of Rochester; daughter, Carolyn (Brian) Avery of Naperville, Ill.; grandson, Daniel (Ashley) Cast of Cincinnati, Ohio; special caregivers, Oksana Gillen and Phyllis Wiedemann of Austin. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Austin, with the Rev. Michael Olmsted officiating. Friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m., Friday at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin and at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment is at Oakwood Cemetery, Austin.

Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.

Memorials are preferred to Mower County Humane Society.

By Matt Russell

The Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN

AUSTIN -- Mona K. Miller, 99, of Austin, died Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010 at Sacred Heart Care Center where she was a resident.

Mona was born Jan. 8, 1911 in Guckeen, Minn., to John F. and Nina M. (Morris) Kennedy. She married Sanford O. Mogen and he preceded her in death. She then married Edward J. Miller and he preceded her in death. Mona was a member of St. Edward's Catholic Church. She enjoyed knitting, crafts, crossword puzzles, and sports, especially basketball and baseball.

Survivors include her children, William G. (Bonnie) Mogen, Austin, Sandra (Steve) Flaherty, Pillager; daughter-in-law, Pam (David) Grimm, Bloomington; five grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Muriel M. Avery, of Minneapolis; two nephews, Peter Kennedy, Austin, Greg Kennedy, Michigan.

In addition to her husbands, she is preceded in death by her parents; a sister, B. Marie Kennedy; brothers Vincent, Francis, Maurice, and Paul; sons, John S. Mogen and Jim Mogen.

A Funeral Mass was celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, 2010, at Sacred Heart Care Center, with Father Donald Zenk officiating. Friends called one hour before the service at Sacred Heart Care Center. Interment was in Calvary Cemetery.

The casket bearers were William G. Mogen Jr., Cindy Martin, Bob Flaherty, J.P. Flaherty, Brian Flaherty, Tom Titus.

Mayer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

ROCHESTER -- Aubree Soltvedt, infant daughter of Alicia Lee and Sean Soltvedt of Albert Lea, died Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010, at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester.

She was born Aug. 27, 2010, to Alicia Lee and Sean Soltvedt in Albert Lea. She enjoyed making everyone smile and laugh.

Survivors include her maternal grandmother, Corina (Tony) Bergeson of Albert Lea; maternal grandfather, Michael Lee of Austin; paternal grandmother, Ginna (Billy Wagner) Soltvedt of Ellendale; paternal grandfather, Lucian (Tricia) Soltvedt of Minneapolis; great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2010, at First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie, with Pastor Heidi Heimgartner officiating. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday at Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment is in Blooming Prairie Cemetery.

Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.

Memorials are preferred to the family.

ROCHESTER -- The funeral service for Donald N. Spee, 96, of Fairmont, will be 1:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 11, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fairmont. Burial will follow, with full military honors by Lee C. Prentice American Legion Post 36 and Martin County V.F.W. Post 1222, at Fairview Memorial Park in Fairmont.

Donald passed away Thursday afternoon, Oct. 7, 2010, at Immanuel St. Joseph Hospital in Mankato. Visitation will be 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 10, at the Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.

Donald Nicholas Spee was born Sept. 13, 1914, in Fairmont Township, the son of Dirk and Laura (Haeckel) Spee. He attended country school and after eighth grade started farming full-time. In 1941 he entered the U.S. Army and served during WWII in the European Theater, Naples-Foggia, Tunisia and Rome-Arno Campaigns. He was united in marriage to Gladys Rave on April 1, 1945, and Don was honorably discharged shortly after that when victory was declared in Europe.

Don and Gladys farmed in Fairmont Township for many years. He also sold insurance for the Borchart Insurance Agency in Fairmont and served on the Fairmont Township Board. Don and Gladys moved to Fairmont in 1980.

Don served on the Board of the Truman Retirement Home, was a member of Golden Kiwanis, Eastside Farm Club and the City of Lakes Garden Club. He also was a member of Lee C. Prentice American Legion Post 36 and Martin County V.F.W. Post 1222. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and served on its various boards. He loved to fish and was an avid fan of the Minnesota Twins.

Don and Gladys moved to Goldfinch Estates in August of 2002 and there Don enjoyed constructing John Deere puzzles, calling five-card bingo, and taking rides in the country. Gladys passed away on Aug. 29, 2010.

He is survived by three children, Joan Luedtke and her husband, Russ, of Fairmont, Donna Maday and her husband, Larry, of Fairmont, and Roger Spee and his wife, Linda, of Rochester; six grandchildren, Rustin Luedtke (Andrea), Ryan Luedtke, Daniel Maday, Sara Johnson (Nick), Evan Spee and Laura Spee; two great-grandchildren, Alix and Rachel Luedtke; sister-in-law, Esther Spee of Fairmont; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Gladys; three sisters, Marie Spee, Irene Spee and Inez Spee; brother, Norman Spee; and two brothers-in-law, Earle Jones and Melvin Rave.

www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net

ROCHESTER -- Katherine Wahlenmaier, 92, of Rochester, died Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2010, at Samaritan Bethany Home on Eighth.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, Oct. 14, at 2 p.m. at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Rochester Chapel. Ennichement of her urn will occur on Friday, Oct. 15, at 11:15 a.m. at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.

GOODHUE -- Arnold Waldemar Vomhof, 73, of River Falls, Wis., entered into eternal rest on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010, at The Lutheran Home in River Falls.

Arnold was born in Red Wing on March 8, 1937, the son of Erwin and Pearl (Dille) Vomhof. Arnold graduated from Goodhue High School in 1955 and worked most of his life as a farmer on his farm in Goodhue Township.

Arnold was a member of Saint John's Ev. Lutheran Church in Goodhue Township. He belonged to the Goodhue 4-H, Saint John's Young Peoples and Goodhue County Watershed organizations. He enjoyed putting puzzles together and watching the Minnesota Vikings.

Arnold is survived by his brothers, Rev. Ervine (Marjorie) Vomhof of Baraboo, Wis., and Rev. Roger (Marjory) Vomhof of Caledonia; nephews and niece, Jerold (Deborah) Vomhof, David (Kristin) Vomhof, Martin "Marty" Vomhof, Carol (Jeremy) Holtz and Stephen (Danlye) Vomhof; and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother.

Funeral service will be held Monday, Oct. 11, at 11 a.m. at Saint John's Ev. Lutheran Church in Goodhue Township. Visitation will be held on Sunday, Oct. 10, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., and one hour prior to service at Saint John's Ev. Lutheran Church, Goodhue Township, with Pastor Andrew Krause officiating. Interment will follow at the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Saint John's Ev. Lutheran Church and School in Goodhue Township, the American Heart Association, American Lung Association or American Diabetes Association.

Arrangements by Lundberg Funeral Home in Cannon Falls. Online condolences may be directed to www.lundbergfuneral.com.

ROCHESTER -- Mark D. Oswald, 45, of Minneapolis, formerly of Naples, Fla., and Rochester, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Marjorie D. Oswald; and a brother, Paul Oswald.

Survivors include his father, Kenneth Oswald; and a host of cousins, relatives and dear friends.

The funeral service will be Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2010, at 11 a.m. at Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel (W. 50th St. and Hwy. 100 in Edina). There will be visitation for one hour prior to the service on Tuesday, as well as from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, all at the funeral chapel.

Washburn-McReavy, (952) 920-3996.

ROCHESTER -- Harold Edward Solmonson, 85, beloved husband, father and grandfather, was surrounded by his family as he passed into heaven on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010, at his home.

Harold was born to Girard and Ellen Solmonson on April 4, 1925, in Minneapolis. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. Shortly thereafter, he completed his education at the University of Minnesota and MacPhail School of Music. He taught music to students in Poplar, Mont., as well as in Alberta, St. Louis Park, Elgin and Rochester, Minn. Harold married Katherine Tillman of Winona on July 2, 1955.

Harold had a great love for his family and was deeply committed to their care. Most of all, he loved the Lord Jesus. He was a member of Autumn Ridge Church for almost 50 years.

Harold had many interests and abilities, including woodworking, fishing, traveling the world, and listening to classical and operatic music. He built his home in Rochester in 1969 and restored his cabin on Lake Pepin in 1997.

Harold served as choir director at First Baptist Church and was a member of the Men's Bible Study and Downtown Kiwanis. He also participated in the music ministry at the Federal Medical Center for 20 years.

Survivors include his wife, Katherine; daughters, Lisa Baker of Rochester and Amy (Gerald) Johnson of Prior Lake, Minn.; sons, Scott Solmonson of Minneapolis, and Stuart (Lori) Solmonson of Rochester; grandchildren, Elizabeth, Suzanne and Meredith Baker, and Jake, Samuel and Paige Nickelson; and brother, Clifford Solomonson of Orlando, Fla. Harold was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Helen; and two brothers, Vernon and Girard Jr.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2010, at 2 p.m. at Autumn Ridge Church (3611 Salem Rd. S.W.). A visitation will be held Monday, Oct. 11, 2010, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, and one hour prior to the service Tuesday at the church. Burial will be at a later date.



Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place N.W., Rochester, MN 55901. (507) 289-3600 www.ranfranzandvinefh.com

ROCHESTER -- William George Weber, USN Retired, died peacefully at his home in Coronado, Calif., on June 13, 2010. He was 91.

"Will" was born in Rochester on Nov. 23, 1918, to George C. Weber, a pharmacist, and Grace Inger Halvorson. His grandfather, George Weber Sr., started the original Weber & Judd drugstore in the 1860s. He and a partner gave bonds for the construction of Saint Marys Hospital in 1888, and when the contractors faltered they stepped in to manage the project to completion. Will's two older sisters, Kathryn Weber, who worked in the Mayo Clinic, and Joanne Towey, a homemaker, both lived in Rochester.

After graduation from Mason City High School in 1935, he enlisted in the Navy, where the highlight of his enlisted career was searching the Central Pacific Islands for missing aviator Amelia Earhart.

In 1938 he received a Fleet appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy and graduated Dec. 19, 1941. Will reported to the USS Balch, which participated in multiple Pacific theaters during WWII, including the pivotal Battle of Midway, where he helped rescue seamen from the sinking USS Yorktown.

Will received his Wings in 1945, and after flying land-based multi-engine bombers, he transitioned to carrier-based AD-3s. He assumed command of VA-25, Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Va., in 1956 and served as executive officer of the USS Bennington in 1960. His last tour of duty was as assistant chief of staff for operations and plans ComNavMarianas in Guam.

Will married Phyllis Knight, of Trenton, N.J., and early in their marriage they purchased the W.J. Pierce orchard farm in Cascade Township, sight unseen. Often during military leave they and the children visited "Hillside Farm" on East River Road, enjoying summertime gatherings with relatives. It was here where Will and "Flip" decided to retire in 1966. After 33 years of marriage they relocated to their home in Coronado, where Flip passed away in 1976.

He is survived by daughters, Victoria W. Duff of Washington D.C., Garrie W. Gillaspie of Helotes, Texas, and Tina G. Davis of San Diego and Borrego Springs, Calif.; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Captain Weber's ashes will be inurned at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, with Full Military Honors, on Oct. 27, 2010.

CHATFIELD -- David D. Campbell died Oct. 1, 2010, following a short illness.

David was born July 2, 1927, in Rochester. He joined the Navy and served in the Pacific during World War II. He married Marilyn Nelson in 1950, and within a few years they made their home in Elmira Township until moving to Arizona in the 1970s and early 1980s. After retirement, David and Marilyn returned to their homestead in the Chatfield area.

David is preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn. His survivors include two sons, Charles of Minneapolis, and Ralph of Rochester; a daughter, Sally of River Falls, Wis.; and a brother, Stanley of Eau Claire, Wis.

David was an avid mechanic, pilot, and educator throughout his life, and enjoyed all types of music, especially jazz.

A private service will be held on Oct. 16, 2010.

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