Obituaries 06/13/24
Roger Grant, 84
Roger Ward Grant, age 84, of Buffalo, MN, passed away on June 5, 2024, at The Glenn Assisted Living in Buffalo.
Roger was born the son of Forest and Anne (Schulte) Grant on February 2, 1940, in The Bronx, New York.
On December 19, 1974, Roger Grant was united in marriage to the love of his life, Linda Lu Patrow in Minneapolis, MN.
A graduate of Wiiliam Taft High School in The Bronx, NY, Class of 1958, Roger’s life accompanied the bebop musical era. It was amidst the bustling streets of his hometown that Roger forged friendships, including one with Franki Valli. The bond to the Bronx was filled with memories of stickball games and life in New York City.
Of all the seasons, Roger loved Christmas time the most. He loved to make people happy, and Christmas allowed him to be one of the most thoughtful gift givers ever. Roger loved to engage with the people around him and was great at the friendly banter that enabled to make friends with almost anyone.
Roger loved a day at the horse track, whether it was OTB or enjoying the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes or Preakness, he had a great time betting the ponies.
Roger loved and enjoyed many things, but the time spent with family was the most treasured of all. The memories made will be treasured by his family and will keep his legacy alive.
Roger is survived by his children, Fred Grant, Seth Grant, Aimee (Terry) Primus, Robyn Salsedo, Adam (Mandy) Grant, and Anne (Ryan) Grant; grandchildren, Natalie, Ariel, Trenton, Nhiana, Victoria, Tristan, Dominik, Lily, Link, Valen, and Aris; great-grandchildren, Gianna and Brandt; sister-in-law, Rosalie Grant; also, many other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by parents, Forest and Anne; wife, Linda Lu Grant; son, Forest Grant; granddaughter, Alivia; brother, Stuart Grant.
Services will be held at a later date.
Private family interment.
Arrangements were entrusted to The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, MN.
Marvin Kiphuth
Marvin C. Kiphuth was born to Bertha and Richard Kiphuth on March 20, 1930.
Marvin lived his life just outside Rockford, MN.
Marvin was a farmer and then an electrician.
He was also a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hanover, MN.
He was a loving husband to Barbara for 65 years and a wonderful father to his children, Tim, Phillip, Jeffery, Roberta, and Heidi. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Marvin was preceded in death by his parents, Bertha and Richard Kiphuth; his two sisters, Doris Neuendorf and Hazel Schleif; Suzette Kiphuth (daughter-in-law); and son, Jeff.
He is survived by his wife Barbara; children, Tim (Carrie), Phillip, Roberta Kiphuth (Philip Goldworth), and Heidi. Marvin is also survived by one grandchild, Kimberly; and many nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service for Marvin C. Kiphuth will be held Friday, June 21, at St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hanover with Pastor Luke Schmidt officiating. Visitation will start at 10 a.m. with the service at 11 a.m.
Any memorial gift should be given to the St. Paul’s Trust and Memorial Scholarship Fund.
The Peterson Chapel St. Michael-Albertville Funeral Home is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Marilyn Novak, 76
Sunrise Sunset
02-20-1948 06-06-2024
Marilyn Ann Novak nee Erickson
Marilyn was born on February 20, 1948, to Walfred Sr. and Zada “Booth” Erickson.
She lived in Osage, MN. While growing up on the family farm, Marilyn learned a strong work ethic that she possessed all her life. In her youth, she attended District #92 school in the Mn River Valley. Marilyn then attended Osage elementary, and from there, she went on to attend Park Rapids Central High School.
At the age of nineteen, she married her sweetheart, Evert Jarvis. From this union, she was blessed with four handsome sons that she was very proud of; Marilyn loved and adored her boys with all her heart.
As she moved on with her life, she moved to New Ulm, MN, where she met Gary Novak, whom she said, “is the love of my life.”
They joined each other in marriage in a beautiful chapel in Las Vegas, Nevada on February 22, 1998.
While Marilyn was living her life, she was blessed with an abundance of joy and happiness with each birth of her grandchildren.
Sadly, on May 11, 2004, Marilyn suffered the tragic loss of the love of her life, Gary. Marilyn knew that even with the loss of Gary, there was still life to be lived, and she did just that.
Marilyn loved and enjoyed baking, crocheting, sewing, quilting, crafting, and puzzles, but most of all, Marilyn loved being with family and friends, especially her grandchildren and her boys.
Marilyn was a strong, energetic, and very independent woman who seldom asked for help.
Marilyn extended kindness and generosity to many, including her children, grandchildren, family, and friends. She loved her Buffalo “Perkins” family; she spoke lovingly and kindly of them.
During her life, Marilyn valiantly and courageously battled with cancer three times; tragically, she left us to join her lord and savior on June 6, 2024.
Marilyn is preceded in death by her loving husband, Gary; her parents, Walfred Sr. and Zada; brothers, Jeffery, Rodney, Marshall, Leo, and Clinton.
Marilyn is lovingly survived by her sons, Evert “Annette,” Rodney, Richard, and Robby; godson, Roy; grandchildren, E.J. “Evert,” Joy, Robby, Russell, Raymond, Derek, Ryan, Kayla; great-grandchildren, Cameron Jr., Sofia, Silvana; siblings, Gwendolyn, Walfred Jr., Kathryn, Wilma, Stella; and several nieces, nephews, bonus grandchildren, other family and friends.
The family would like to express our gratitude and thanks to Buffalo Hospital, Mercy Hospital, Abbott Northwestern Hospital, and St. Croix Hospice for their compassionate care of our loved one, Marilyn Novak.
A Memorial service for Marilyn Ann Novak will be held on Saturday, June 29, at 12 noon at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo. Christine Jaeb-Williams will officiate.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, June 29, one hour prior to services at the funeral home.
Inurnment will be in New Ulm City Cemetery with her husband, Gary, at a later date.
The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo is serving the family. Online condolences may be to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Merrlyn Seefeldt, 85
Merrlyn Gudim Seefeldt was born on August 21, 1938, in Maquoketa, Iowa, to Victor and Edna Gudim. Merrlyn went to be with Jesus on June 5, 2024, at her home in Monticello, Minnesota, surrounded by the family she loved. Merrlyn moved several times during her childhood across the Upper Midwest with her ending up in Fifield, Wisconsin, where she graduated from high school in 1956. Merrlyn attended Valparaiso University (Indiana) and graduated from their Deaconess program in 1960. It was at Valpo that Merrlyn met the editor of the yearbook, William (Bill) Seefeldt, who was looking for an assistant. Thus started the dynamic duo team that we have all known and loved for over 62 years.
Bill and Merrlyn were married in Park Falls, Wisconsin, on June 30, 1962. They have four children, Brenda, Krista, John, and Mark. In 1974, the Seefeldt family moved to Monticello, where they have lived since.
Merrlyn lived a life full of faith and family. Merrlyn loved her family with all her heart and shared her love in a variety of family activities, including the annual Christmas hearts tournament, fantasy football league, and NCAA bracket challenge. There is nothing Bill and Merrlyn did without the other. They have had a lifelong passion for ministries at the local, national, and international levels. Some of the many ministries that Merrlyn led and contributed to include Bible studies, prayer meetings, Alpha, congregational care, and most recently, global missions with an emphasis on Tanzania. Her example of steadfast prayer and a caring heart will be her legacy.
Bill and Merrlyn formed Electro Industries Inc. in Monticello in 1974 with a focus on manufacturing for the electric heat management market.
Merrlyn is notoriously known around Monticello for riding behind Bill on their white trike, a three-wheeled motorcycle. Bill and Merrlyn have traveled with their trike across the country visiting countless states, national parks, canyons, and mountain passes.
Merrlyn is preceded in death by her parents, Victor and Edna Gudim; and son-in-law, Jon Smith.
She is survived by her husband, William (Bill) Seefeldt; their four children, Brenda Seefeldt Amodea (John), Krista Smith-Larson (Loren), John Seefeldt (Karin), and Mark Seefeldt; their grandchildren, Brittany Lindahl (Stefan), Tyler Zillmer (Amy), Ella Wilkes (Brian), Isaac Smith (Beth), Nathan Seefeldt (Anna) Megan Seefeldt, Loren Dale Larson (T’Sheal), Alex Larson (Stefani), Morgan Ritter (Jake), Jamon Brown, Curt Johnson (Rachel), Terrill Weathers, and Kenneth Wilson; and her siblings, Betty Gudim, William Gudim (Annette), and Jerry Gudim (Karen); along with special nieces, nephews and numerous great-grandchildren, whom she loved dearly, and brought so much joy into her life during her later years.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations go to Merrlyn’s passion, the Bridgeview Church’s Global Mission Fund. Visitation will be held from 5-7 P.M. with sharing of memories at 7 P.M. on Monday, June 17, 2024, at the Peterson-Grimsmo Funeral Chapel, 250 E. Broadway Street, Monticello, MN. Her funeral service will take place at 4 P.M. on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, with visitation from 2-4 P.M. at Bridgeview Church, 20500 County Road 11, Big Lake, MN. Interment to follow at Riverside Cemetery, Monticello, MN. The family will return to church after the interment to share a meal and fellowship. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Peterson-Grimsmo Funeral Chapel ~ Monticello, 763-295-2918, www.peterson-grimsmochapel.com.
Donna Wolff, 93
Donna Mae Wolff, age 93, of Buffalo, and formerly of Plymouth, MN, passed away on Saturday, June 8, 2024.
She was born on October 16, 1930, in her parental home in Albion Township, the daughter of Vernon and Rosella (Stueven) Wolff.
She was baptized on November 23, 1930, at Bethlehem Evangelical Church in Albion. Donna was confirmed in the Christian faith at Bethlehem Evangelical and Reformed Church in Maple Lake.
Donna graduated from Maple Lake High School in 1948 and received an Associate of Arts degree from St. Cloud State in 1950. In 1956, she received a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from The University of Minnesota and an M.A. in Education in 1965. In 1972, she received a M.A. in Religious Studies from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. She taught 1st through 3rd grades in St. Louis Park until her retirement in 1991.
Donna was a faithful member of the UCC of Maple Lake serving as a Sunday school teacher and superintendent, church and spiritual council, and many other committees, including Gen. Synod Representative. She spent many years on the Camping Committee of the MN Conference and Counselor at many camps at Pilgrim Point.
Donna traveled extensively throughout the U.S., Europe, and also on several mission trips to Puerto Rico and Haiti. She worked for several summers on houses in Mississippi and the Carolinas for Habitat for Humanity.
Donna enjoyed bridge, and book club, lectures, classes, lunch with friends, and holiday gatherings with relatives.
Survived by a brother, John (Cathy Bussey) Wolff, of Maple Lake; a sister, Marlene (Albert) Lorentz, of Howard Lake; sisters-in-law, Marlene (Rolf) Mohwinkel, of Buffalo, and Ethel Wolff, of South Haven; nieces, nephews, and many other relatives and friends.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Vernon and Gerald Wolff; and by a sister-in-law, Constance Wolff.
Funeral services for Donna Mae Wolff were held on Wednesday, June 12, at 11:00 A.M. at Bethlehem United Church of Christ in Maple Lake.
Interment Albion Evangelical Cemetery in Maple Lake.
A visitation was held on Wednesday, June 12, one hour prior to services AT THE CHURCH.
The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo served the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
