Obituaries 4/30/20
Dorene Chapman, 59
Dorene Opal (Weege) Chapman was born on October 4, 1960 to Howard and Myrtle (Eells) Weege in Buffalo.
She was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church-Crawford Lake.
Dorene attended Crawford Lake School until 6th grade, then went to Buffalo Public Schools. She graduated from Buffalo High School in 1979.
Her first job out of High School was in Long Lake at Washington Scientific Industries. That is where she met her future husband, Bryan Chapman. They were married on June 20, 1998.
Dorene had a couple of jobs before she was hired at The Wright County Courthouse. She worked there until she retired.
Dorene is survived by: her husband, Bryan Chapman; a brother, Wayne (Diane) Weege; sisters, Nila (Morry) Ellis, Marlee (Randy) Smith, Joanne (Ron) Zitzloff, Janell (Ron) Falde and Diana (Scott) Brecht; many nephews and nieces; other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and by a sister, Susan.
A Memorial Service for Dorene (Weege) Chapman will be held at a later date because of the Covid-19 outbreak.
The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Kenneth Gothberg, 71
Kenneth James Gothberg died unexpectedly on April 3, 2020 of heart-related issues at his home in Buffalo, MN. He was 71.
Ken, a 1966 National Merit Scholar graduate of Central High School in Grand Forks, North Dakota, went on to earn an engineering degree from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. His engineering career included service with Potlatch in Cloquet, MN, and the 3M and Imation Companies in the Twin Cities. A long-time resident of St. Louis Park, Ken was very involved in civic activities including service on the City’s Charter Commission and Planning Commission. In addition, he received the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Citizen Engagement Award in 2013 for his outstanding efforts to keep the Creek clean and accessible.
He was preceded in death by: his parents, Johnny and Florence, and his brothers-in-law, Kacey Beck and Tracy Johnson. He is survived by: Bridget (Beck), his wife of 45 years; his brother, Gary, of Colorado; and sisters, Marilyn Johnson and Carol Nelson, of North Dakota; and many nieces and nephews.
A formal memorial service will be held in the fall. Online condolences for the family may be directed to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Harpo Lemmage, 96
One of the proudest Viking Fans, Harpo (Darvis S.) Lemmage left us on March 11, 2020. We lost the best Dad, Grandpa, and PaPa ever. He had said many times that he had a happy, long life. Dad was 96 years old.
He was married to the love of his life, Verdell, who passed 10 years ago. For over 60 years, he signed every card he gave her, “You are my everything.”
He left behind three children, Pixie (Patricia), the boy, Hal, and the youngest, Jody. Three grandchildren, Kimberly Schlewitz and her husband, Sam, Christ (Christopher), and Michael. Papa also left three great-grandchildren, Diontrey and Zaydion Abley, also Kahlia Verdell Schlewitz.
His grandchildren have wonderful memories of Grandpa. Kim remembers going to Grandma’s and Grandpa’s after school. She’d head for the garage to say “Hi” to Grandpa. He’d always asked if she learned anything, she’d say “no,” and Grandpa would say, “Then you have to go back tomorrow.” Christ remembers his Grandpa was the best Dumpster Diver ever, and he could always see Grandpa’s feet sticking out the top. He always made something good out of the parts he found. Michael said the best times of his life were at Gramp’s and Gram Cracker’s, riding the little three-wheeler and digging holes as deep as he was tall!
The great-grandchildren remember Papa with laughs. Diontrey was about three and was playing in the sandbox when he found a pair of Monster teeth! Actually, they were Papa’s. That summer, Dad had lost four pairs of false teeth when they dropped out of his pockets. Zaydion was riding one of Papa’s “dumpster bikes,” he ran into a tree. Bees came out, and when he tried to bike away, the bike wouldn’t move. Kahlia always loved when Papa would visit her and bring her a Balloon and have Tea Parties!
Dad and his brother, Dale, had a milk-hauling business when they were young.
Dad couldn’t join the Army in WWll because of a horribly broken leg in a trucking accident, which put him in the hospital for a year. The Army wouldn’t take him because of his leg injury, so to help in the War effort, he headed for Hawaii where he fixed airplanes. He then started Harpo’s Garage in downtown Rockford, Minnesota. Later, he worked for Sam Bloom; he said he learned more from Sam than any other man. Then, he worked for International Harvester. They transferred him to Eau Claire, Wisconsin in 1963. He worked for them for six weeks in Eau Claire and made friends he’s had for almost 60 years. We were ready to head home to Rockford when he was offered a job running the American Materials Garage, and he took it. He retired at 57. He started work again a few years later delivering trucks. When he was 88 years old, he retired for good!
Two of my Dad’s favorite hobbies were playing baseball for the Rockford Team. I spent many evenings down at the ball field watching practice and sitting in the bleachers listening to the guy talk. His second being a Pitman for Harold Mueller. It was like he found more brothers. He never enjoyed anything more.
He is survived by his sister, June Lilyquist; his brother, Jack (John) Lemmage; and his sister-in-law, Roberta Lemmage. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Mamie; his brothers, Omar, Ken (Dale), Gerald (Jerry), Ivar; and his sister, Goldie. He was also preceded in death by his best friend and fishing buddy, Gordon Lilyquist, also his McDonalds coffee-drinking buddies, and the Friday-afternoon card players.
The family would like to send a Heartfelt thank you to some very special people. Thank you, Phil Prusak, your constant visits and the ice cream cones and bird suet packs just lighted up Dad’s days and made him so happy. Thank you so much to his thoughtful and kind caregivers, Connie and Amanda. He always looked forward to your coming. Thank you, Jody, for wanting to take care of Dad until the end. Thank you to Michael, your opting to stay with Gramps to the end was invaluable and so needed. Your Gramps loved you. One last thank you to Dad’s friend, Dr. Sal O‘Baid, who like my Dad, is one of a kind.
If you’re wondering why Harpo? He got his nickname from the banker in Rockford, Minnesota, where he grew up. When he was three, he had long curly blond hair, and the banker started calling Dad Harpo because he looked like Harpo Marx. The name lasted for 93 years.
Dad’s Memorial Service will be Saturday, June 13, 2020, with Pastor David Irgens officiating, pending Covid-19 rules, at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home, 814 First Ave. in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Visitation will be from noon to 2 pm with the Memorial starting at 2 pm. Dad will be interred next to Mom at Elmwood Cemetery, Rockford, Minnesota at a later date.
To express condolences online, please visit obituaries at www.lenmarkfh.com.
Joan Remer, 80
Joan Barbara (Stumpf) Remer, age 80, of St. Louis, Park, MN passed away on April 24, 2020. Joan passed from advanced Alzheimer’s and COVID-19. Joan was born on September 19, 1939 in Maple Lake. Joan and her husband continued to enjoy the Wright county area and owned a lake home in Annandale for many years.
Joan is survived by: loving and caring husband of 60 years, Gerald, and children, Nancy (Bob) Hughes, Scott (Linda) Remer, Tammy (Jim) Myers and son-in-law, Frank Lechner, 17 grandchildren, 12 great- grandchildren and many brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by: son, John Remer and wife Colleen, and daughter, Cheryl Lechner.
The family would like to thank our friends and family for their support and prayers over the past several years.
A celebration of Joan’s life will be held at a later date.
Mary Sand, 71
Mary Rosann Sand died on April 18, 2020, peacefully, in her home surrounded by her family, after a yearlong battle with cancer.
Mary was born in Wheaton, MN, to Andrew and Sylvia Doll on May 10, 1948. She married David Sand on April 22, 1967 and had two children, Jodi and Mike.
Mary had many hobbies and jobs throughout her lifetime but enjoyed spending time with, and nurturing, her family the most. She battled Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis most of her life; she always maintained a positive attitude and never complained about it.
Mary is survived by: her husband, David Sand; daughter, Jodi Friendshuh (Sand), her husband, Ted, and their three children, Carter Colton and Cameron Friendshuh; her son, Michael Sand, his wife, Amanda, and daughter, Madison Sand; and her beloved dog, Scooter. She was preceded in death by: her parents, Andrew and Sylvia Doll; and six brothers, Eugene, Chet, Robert, Leland, Jerry and Thomas.
Serving the family is The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, MN, 763-682-1363, www.thepetersonchapel.com.
James Sandberg, 36
James Anthony Sandberg, age 36, of Litchfield, and formerly of Buffalo, passed away on Thursday, April 23, 2020 at his residence.
He was born on June 3, 1983 in Oak Harbor, Washington, the son of Jeffrey and Ann (Johnson) Sandberg.
James was formerly employed as a supervisor for a Fiber Optic Line Company.
He was an avid sports fan, enjoyed the outdoors, fishing and camping. James always looked forward to family events and playing football with his family. He was very fond of his new puppy “Maizzy.”
James is survived by: two sons, Dylan and Austin; his parents, Jeff and Ann Sandberg; a brother, Nick (Tysha) Sandberg and their son, Simon; a sister, Allyssa Sandberg and her daughter, Lailah; his grandpa, Philip Johnson; special friend, Arianne Dooley; and by many other friends and family.
He was preceded in death by: his grandparents, Vernon and Peggy Sandberg.
A Memorial Service for James Sandberg will be held at a later date.
The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Brenda Sienkiewicz, 57
Brenda Sue Sienkiewicz (nee Henson), age 57, of Buffalo, MN passed away on Sunday, April 26, 2020 surrounded by her loved ones after losing her battle with colon cancer.
Brenda was born April 11, 1963 in Buffalo, MN to parents, Willard and Doris Henson.
She spent her life as a devoted wife, mother and daughter. She married Frank Sienkiewicz, December 18, 1998. They spent over 29+ years together, creating a beautiful life. She loved spending time with her husband, kids and grandchildren. Brenda was an incredibly hard worker. All the way from her time at Mosquito control, to becoming a CNA at Park View, to housekeeping supervisor at Best Western, Kings House and taking care of her parents; she was always doing something to keep busy. In her spare time, she loved to be out in the garden, hunting and fishing, and going for long walks and being in touch with nature.
Brenda was preceded in death by: parents, Willard and Doris Henson.
She is survived by: husband, Frankie Sienkiewicz; children, Ryan Nowak, Mandy (David) DuChaine and Amber (Kyle) Gamblin; siblings, Tom (Diane Essig) Henson and Paulette (Andrew) Epple; grandchildren, Mackenzie, Chelsey, Anthony, Taylor and Harper; nieces and nephews, Erika and Nick Epple; and numerous extended family.
She will be greatly missed by everyone!
A Celebration of Brenda’s life will be held at a later date.
The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Merlin Swanson, 82
Merlin Edward Swanson, age 82, of rural Buffalo passed away on Saturday, April 25, 2020 at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.
Inurnment will be held at Swedesburg Lutheran Cemetery rural Waverly.
A Memorial Service for Merlin Swanson will be held at a later date.
Arrangements for Merlin Swanson are by The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
James Zander, 87
James H. Zander, age 87, of Maple Lake, died Monday, April 20, 2020 at The Estates at Delano nursing home.
Private Graveside services were held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 25, 2020 at Albion Evangelical United Church of Christ Cemetery. Services were webcast for family and friends. To show your support, please consider sharing a memory or kind word on Jim’s Tribute Wall, or reaching out to the family directly. Cards may be mailed to the funeral home for forwarding on to the family. Memorials are preferred to Albion Evangelical UCC Cemetery. A public memorial service will be held at a later date.
James Herbert Zander was born March 22, 1933 at his home in Albion Township to Herbert and Meta (Wandersee) Zander. He was baptized at Albion Evangelical Church by Rev. Grupe and was confirmed in 1946 at Albion Evangelical Church by Rev. Buck. He graduated from Maple Lake High School with the Class of 1951.
Jim served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War in Ft. Chaffee in Arkansas and in Germany from 1957-1959. He was married to Joanne Carlson on April 11, 1959 at Salem English Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. They returned to Albion Township to raise their family on their crop and dairy farm. Jim loved dairy farming and worked hard at it all his life. Jim also worked at the Rockford Bakery and for Russel Morris Tiling.
Jim was an active member of Bethlehem United Church of Christ, formerly known as Albion Evangelical United Church of Christ. He served on the Spiritual Council, Cemetery Board and the Building Committee for the new church in 1991. He was also a member of the Maple Lake VFW Post 7664 and Maple Lake American Legion Post 131.
Jim enjoyed completing puzzles, playing cards and board games, dancing, eating candy, going to the casino, taking annual trips to the state fair and talking with friends. He loved red tractors, dairy farming and visiting farms. Jim was always sure to take the long route to his destination so that he could get a good view of the countryside. He was cherished by his family and will be deeply missed.
He is survived by: his wife, Joanne, of Maple Lake; children, Barry (Susie) Zander, of Maple Lake, Noel (Karla) Zander, of Buffalo, Valerie Zander, of Buffalo and Mary (Dave) Mero, of Outing; grandchildren, Ivy (Eric) Wendt, of Monticello, Dustin (Alysa) Zander, of Maple Lake, Erica Zander, of Minneapolis and Zachary Parker, of Maple Lake; and great-grandchildren, Hurley, Hailey, Hayz, Stella, Simon, and Lenna. He was preceded in death by: his parents; son, Lynn John Zander; sisters, Jerine Fedor and Betty Benson; and brother, Douglas Zander.
The casket bearers were be Tom Zander, Dan Fedor, Carl Wandersee, Dustin Zander, Zachary Parker and Randy Carlson. Arrangements are entrusted with Dingmann Funeral Care Burial & Cremation Services of Annandale.
Obituary, Guestbook, Video Tribute and Service Webcast online at www.dingmannfuneral.com.
