Obituaries 10/24/19

Shirley Battig, 84

Our beautiful mom, grandma, great-grandma, sister and friend, Shirley Jane (Jenson) (Cramer) Battig, age 84, of Buffalo, flew into the arms of Jesus on Friday, October 18, 2019, at The Oasis, Lake Ridge Care Center in Buffalo.

She was born on Christmas Day, December 25, 1934 in Decatur, Nebraska—the daughter of Cecil F. and Grace E. (Ball) Jenson.

In 1976, Shirley J. Cramer and David H. Battig were joined in marriage after being introduced by a friend while both working for Honeywell. They were married for 39 wonderful years, until he preceded her in death on August 13, 2017.

Shirley retired from Honeywell after 30 years of service as an Inspector.

She loved all things red, Bluegrass music, feeding and watching the birds – especially the Cardinals that visited her yard daily. She was well-versed with her Bible and well-read -- keeping us abreast with daily news and politics. She was a skilled embroiderer and baker, earning many 1st and 2nd place ribbons at the Wright County Fair for both. She was an amazing cook with the ability to quickly prepare a delicious and lavish meal and serve it with heart-filled joy! But, and above all else -- she loved and appreciated her Lord and her family, from the littlest to the greatest. She loved us all so well, always ready to give a word of encouragement, a hug and having an open-door policy for a meal or a conversation. Throughout her life, she cared for and ensured that anyone in her family, or friend in need, was taken care of. Her children fondly remember her “must-go” meals, meaning she would use ingredients that “must-go” from the refrigerator, and her “happening” meals that meant they were eating something never eaten before. Her bedtime rituals for her children included Irish songs, passed down from her Mama Grace and bedtime stories – told not read. Often, she would insert her children’s name into the song or story.

Her church work includes: officer for Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML), alter guild, communion preparation, leading women’s Bible studies, childcare, and serving and coordinating soup suppers and special dinners. When vacation Bible school was about to begin, she would go around the neighborhoods inviting families to the program. Later, she would be seen with Mama Grace cruising through town and the church parking lot, music blaring from her red convertible with the license plate that read, “Go Granny Go.” She was an active member of MCCL (MN Concerned Citizens for Life) for many years, driving her red convertible for the group in the Buffalo parade. Further, Shirley was a past member of the Wright County Historical Society.

As gentle and loving as she was, her quick wit and often surprising humor could sometimes catch people off guard.

She loved! She loved life – every single minute of it no matter what “life” brought to her day.

Shirley is already missed so much by her family and friends…we will never be the same.

She is survived by: her children, Debra (James) Holcombe, Kelly Cramer (Sue), and Kevin Cramer; 14 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; sisters, Janice (Jim) Locke, Marilyn (Gerry) McLarnon, Lidja (Gerald) Rudelitsch, and Patricia (Jerry) Wilke; and many nieces and nephews, who she loved on over the years.

In addition to her husbands, John E. Cramer and David H. Battig, she was preceded in death by: her son, Thomas E. Cramer; and brothers, Michael, Boyd and infant brother, Darrell Jenson.

Funeral Service will be held Monday, October 28, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior at Buffalo Covenant Church in Buffalo. Interment will be held at Lakeview Cemetery in Buffalo.

 Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo. Online condolences for the family may be directed to www.thepetersonchapel.com.

Helen Doherty, 104

Helen M. Doherty, age 104, of Maple Lake, died Friday, October 18, 2019 at the CentraCare-Monticello Care Center.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 25, 2019 at St. Timothy Catholic Church, Maple Lake with Fr. John Meyer as Celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Timothy Catholic Cemetery in Maple Lake. Visitation will be from 9:00-10:30 a.m. on Friday at the Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel, Maple Lake. Memorials are preferred to Camp Friendship.

Helen Margaret Doherty was born on February 14, 1915 in Maple Lake Township to George and Emily (Pribyl) Hudek. Helen attended country school District #84 and then graduated from Maple Lake High School in 1931. She furthered her education at St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Minneapolis and graduated in January of 1935. Her nursing career took her to many interesting places including a 38-month tour in the military as a Lieutenant of Army Nurse Corp. serving in the European Theater, France, Luxembourg, and Germany.

After WWII, Helen worked for California Physicians Service in San Francisco for two years. In 1951, Helen began working at the Minneapolis VA Hospital, from which she retired in 1976. On August 16, 1958, she was united in marriage to James Doherty, and he preceded her in death in 1981.

Helen was a member of St. Timothy Catholic Church and various church organizations. Helen was also a life member of the Maple Lake American Legion Post #131 and the Maple Lake VFW Post #7664, where she served as commander and held other posts. She also served on the Maple Lake City Council from 1986-1990 and was a member of the Lady Bug Garden Club and Red Hats. Helen enjoyed traveling with James, fishing, reading, and being with her family.

Helen is survived by: her many nieces and nephews, along with their families, all of whom she dearly loved. Helen was preceded in death by: her parents, George and Emily Hudek; husband, James; sisters, Florence Menth, Mabel Yribarren, Marian Byrne, and Leona Isgro; and other dear family members.

Joe Menth, Gordon Menth, Matt Bell, Sam Bell, Tim Hudek, and Riley Ross will serve as pallbearers. Krista Elsenpeter and Alison Totz will provide music for the service. Arrangements entrust to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial & Cremation Services of Maple Lake.

Obituary, Guestbook, Video Tribute & Funeral Webcast online at www.dingmannfuneral.com

Janet Galvin, 66

Janet C. Galvin, age 66, of Delano, passed away on October 19, 2019.

Janet was preceded in death by: her son, John Galvin; and parents, Gil and Claire Giese of Maple Plain. She is survived by her loving husband, Michael Galvin; daughters, Jodi Archuleta and Cindy Galvin; grandsons, Ben and Noah Archuleta, siblings; Clifford (Deb) Giese, Darlene (Dean) Determan, Leroy Giese, Mary (Jesse) Husby, and Leonard (Stacey) Giese, and many nieces and nephews.

Janet worked at Wayzata Schools for 36 years prior to retiring in 2007. 

Memorial Service to be held Saturday, November 2, 2019 at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 201 Buffalo Street, Delano. Visitation from 2:00-3:00 PM with service to follow.

Martin Hoekstra, 39

Martin C. Hoekstra, age 39, of Montrose died on Saturday, October 19, 2019 in Montrose.

A funeral service was held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 23, 2019 at the First Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Visitation was held from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 22 at the church. Interment will be in the Arndahl Lutheran Cemetery south of Grove City.

Martin Carl Hoekstra, the son of Gene and Janelle (Voigt) Hoekstra, was born on March 17, 1980 in Litchfield. As a child, he attended Assembly of God Church of Crystal Hills. He attended ACGC school and graduated from there in 1998.

Following high school, he attended Ridgewater in Willmar and took computer programming courses. He lived in the Litchfield area and worked for McNamara Construction for seven years before becoming an owner operator in trucking. He then worked for Reiner Contracting for ten years as a dispatcher and estimator.

Martin was married to Sommer Berggren in Litchfield on October 1, 2005. They lived in Montrose where Martin owned Magnum RV. He enjoyed the buying and selling part of the business. Martin also enjoyed snowmobiling, skiing, camping, boating, his motorcycle and his pets.

He loved spending time with his family especially his daughter, Sienna. Martin will be remembered for his big heart, contagious laugh, and outgoing personality.

He is survived by: his wife, Sommer Hoekstra, of Montrose; daughter, Sienna Hoekstra, of Montrose; parents, Gene and Janelle Hoekstra, of Litchfield; brothers, Joe (Kelly) Hoekstra, of Watkins, and Ed (Megan) Hoekstra, of Grove City; nieces and nephew, Heidi Hoekstra (Casey Miller), their son Maverick, Holly Hoekstra, Logan Hoekstra, and Taylor Hoekstra. He is also survived by his grandmother, Ardella Voigt, of Litchfield; aunts and uncles.

He was preceded in death by: his grandparents, Arlo Voigt, Clarence and Betty Hoekstra; and Aunt Heidi Voigt.

Please sign our online guestbook at www.johnsonhagglund.com.

Sheila Salonek, 68

Sheila Elaine Salonek, age 68 of Buffalo, formerly Montrose, passed away Wednesday, October 16, 2019 surrounded by her loving family. She was born March 7, 1951 in Bemidji, the daughter of Raymond and Marian (Francis) Martinson.

Sheila graduated from Mounds View High School with the class of 1969 and received her degree from Normandale Community College. Most of her career was spent with Fitzsimmons Service Co. in Montrose and the City of Montrose.

She enjoyed going to the lake and being at the cabin, hosting family parties, cooking, traveling, and spending time with her family -especially her grandchildren.

She was selfless, generous, and kind, and will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by: her father, Raymond Martinson; and brothers, John Martinson and James Martinson.

Sheila is survived by: her mother, Marian Martinson of Hudson, WI; children, Julie (Dean) Dunnigan of Delano, Michelle (Trevor) Brummer of Cokato, Brian (Stephanie) Salonek of Buffalo; grandchildren, Allysa, Kory, Mya, Olivia, Isabella, Davin, Ethan; siblings, Mary (Wayne) Groth, Jeff (Annette) Martinson, Barb (Greg) Gerlach; John’s significant other, Vicki Wallace; and many nieces, nephews, family and friends.

A memorial service for Sheila was held Tuesday, October 22, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation one hour prior, at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo. Private family interment. Please join the family for a luncheon and time of fellowship following the service at Huikko’s Entertainment Center in Buffalo.

Serving the family is The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo.

Marguerite Veches, 99

Marguerite Ida (Yager) Veches, age 99, of Monticello, passed away peacefully on October 19, 2019 at the St. Benedict Memory Care Center in Monticello.

She was preceded in death by: her husband, Vernon; and four siblings.

Survived by: children, Carol (Bill), Lois (Owen), Larry, Karen, Nancy (Greg), Pam (Dan); 21 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.

Private family service. The family wishes to thank the staff at St. Benedict Memory Care Center of Monticello.