Melvin Burandt, 75

Melvin M. Burandt, 75, of Buffalo, passed away on Monday August 23, 2010 at his residence in Buffalo.

Funeral Service held on Friday August 27, 2010 -11:00 A.M. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Annandale, with Rev. Thomas Queck officiating; visitation Thursday from 4-8 P.M. at the Johnson Funeral Home in Waconia and 1 hour prior to the service at church; interment St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery in Lester Prairie.

Melvin was born on January 22, 1935 in Waconia, the son of Edwin and Ella (Gatz) Burandt. Melvin was baptized on February 10, 1935 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waconia by Rev. William F. Schneider and confirmed on April 10, 1949 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waconia by Rev. R. G. Heyne. On May 22, 1965 he was united in marriage to Anna Hartley at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie.

Melvin worked for Poly Foam in Lester Prairie for 35 years, then for John Kadalac for 10 years and for 3 years with Five Star Mailer. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post #150 in Waconia. Melvin belonged to the Lester Prairie Fire Department for 7 years. He enjoyed camping, bowling, visiting Germany and German music. Melvin especially loved spending time with his family.

Melvin is preceded by his sons Torrance Edwin Burandt and James Allen Burandt; father and mother Edwin and Ella Burandt; brother and sister-in-law Dennis and Margaret Burandt; brothers-in-law Irvin Menden, Harvey Tesch, Lester Lenz, Bruce Kyes; mother-in-law and father-in-law Sarah and Ben Hartley; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law Joe and Waneva Hartley, Clifford Kahler, Harold Wheeler, Alvie Hartley.

Melvin is survived by his loving family wife Anna; son and daughter-in-law Timothy and Norma Burandt of Chesapeake, VA; daughter and son-in-law Jennifer and Lonnie Lofstedt of Greenfield; grandchildren: Katie, Matthew and Morgan Burandt; Kelsey, Trevor and Nicole Lofstedt; step-grandsons Jeremy and Jonathan; sisters and brothers-in-law Pearl Menden of Shakopee, Marjorie Lenz of Watertown, Sylvia and Ray Dummer of Mayer, Darlene Tesch of Shakopee, Diane Kyes of Bismarck, ND, Karen and Marcel Gueningsman of Shakopee; brothers and sisters-in-law Alvin and Flora Burandt of Norwood Young America, Larry and Joyce Burandt of Lester Prairie; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Florence Wheeler of Cambridge, IA, Ben and Joann Hartley of Ankeny, IA, Pat Taylor of Maxwell, IA, Alice Kahler of Cambridge, IA, Linda and Dennis Eden of South Amana, IA; nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

Casket Bearers were Melvin's nephews.

Arrangements handled by the Johnson Funeral Home of Waconia.

Susan Clark, 64

Susan K. Clark, 64, of Buffalo passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, Minn.

She was born on Jan. 15, 1946 to James and Aletha (Johnson) Karley in Chamberlain, South Dakota.

Susan was preceded in death by her father, James, and sister, Cathy. Survived by: daughter, Carlie (Clark) Johnson; son-in-law, Jamie Johnson; grandsons, Jack and William Johnson; significant other, Dr. Allen Moberg M.D.; mother, Aletha Ferguson; sisters, Sally, Pamela, Patricia, Mary, and Cynthia and their families; and brother, James and his family; and many extended family members and dear friends.

Throughout her four year battle with cancer, she was strong, courageous and was always looking for the newest treatment available. She enjoyed spending time with her grandsons, family and friends, reading, painting, watching movies, and tending to her flower garden.

Please visit www.ilasting.com/susanclark.php to view, share stories or leave comments on Susan's online memorial. Please join the family at the Celebration of Life memorial at Rockwoods in Otsego on Saturday, Sept. 11, with an open house from 2-6 p.m.

Jeffrey Colbenson, 34

Jeffrey Scott Colbenson, 34, of Maple Lake died Sunday, Aug. 22, 2010 in Clearwater Township, Wright County as a result of an airplane crash.

Funeral services took place last Friday, Aug. 27 at Faith Lutheran Church, Monticello, with Rev. Jim Tetlie officiating. Burial followed at Lakeside Cemetery. Friends called from 4-8 p.m. Thursday at the Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel, Maple Lake and Friday one hour prior to services at the church.

Jeffrey Scott Colbenson was born June 8, 1976 in Buffalo to Gregory and Gloria (Gramsey) Colbenson and in 1994 graduated from Monticello High School. He worked construction for CS DuBois and enjoyed doing construction projects on his own, the backyard fish pond, the outdoors, snowmobiling out west, camping, and fishing. Jeff was engaged to be married to Beth Blizil on Saturday, August 28.

He is survived by: his fiancee, Beth Blizil and their son, Carter Matthew Colbenson, of Maple Lake; parents, Greg and Gloria Colbenson of Monticello; brothers, Joseph (Nicole) and their daughter, Anna, of Monticello, and Jason of Clarissa; and a grandmother, Eleanore Jean Colbenson of Annandale Care Center. His grandparents, Milford (Bud) Colbenson and Virgil and Deloris Gramsey, preceded him in death.

The pallbearers: Dave Roden, Chris Drossel, Ritchie Johnson, Steve Langanki, Aaron Vetsch, Kevin Davidson, Dude Zoller, Rob Johnson, Kyle Gramsey, and Todd Borell. Sandra Repke and Sarah Goelz provided the music for the service, and the arrangements were entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care of Maple Lake.

Juanita Haack, 87

Juanita Haack, 87, of Burlington, Iowa and formerly of Mankato, Minnesota died Sunday, August 22, 2010 at Great River Hospice House in Burlington, Iowa.

Born March 4, 1923 in Greenbush, MN, she was the daughter of Lewis and Anna (Betsy) Fuller.  On February 11, 1949 she married Paul F. Haack in Mankato.  She worked as an administrative secretary for the military during WWII, as a cosmetologist in her home based beauty salon, The Suburban, in Mankato and as an educator in the Madelia, Minnesota Public School System.  Mrs. Haack was a graduate of the Mankato Beauty School and Mankato State College.

She contributed to her community as a Master Gardener, by volunteering as a foster parent and by playing piano for area nursing homes and the Veterans Administration Hospital in Minneapolis.

Survivors include two sons, John (Jack) Haack of Maple Lake and Jerry Fuller of Mesa, AZ; one daughter, Joy (Rick) Swanson of Burlington, IA; six grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Jack and Edwin; her husband, Paul; and her great-grandson, Paxton Warner.

The body has been cremated.  A celebration of her life will be held at Woodland Hills Funeral Home, 1605 Woodland Ave, in Mankato, MN on Friday, September 3, 2010 at 11:00 a.m.

Sylvia Holland, 92

      Sylvia Holland, 92, longtime Buffalo resident, passed away last Tuesday, Aug. 31 at the Lake Ridge Care Center in Buffalo.

      Services are pending, with arrangements being made by the Peterson Chapel, Buffalo.

Orillia Kottke, 92

Orillia M. Kottke, 92, of Montrose passed away on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 at The Buffalo Hospital.

She was born on January 18, 1918 in Lyman Township, Ford County, Illinois the daughter of Fred and Martha Hornstein Zabel.

On February 6, 1938, Orillia M. Zabel and Edward Kottke were joined in holy marriage in Buckley, Illinois.

Orillia formerly owned and operated Pete and Marie's Bar in Martinton, Illinois.

She enjoyed playing cards, dancing, her grandchildren and watching the Minnesota Twins on T.V.

Orillia was a faithful member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church-Crawford Lake for the past twenty-five years.

Survived by: children, Raymond Kottke of Monticello, Illinois, Ronald (Trudy) Kottke of Papineau, Illinois and Arliss (Lonnie) Johnson of Montrose, Minnesota; twelve grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, many great-great-grandchildren, and a sister, Martha St. Peter of Watseka, Illinois.

Preceded in death by her husband, Edward Kottke, in 1974, a son, Marvin Kottke, her parents, and five siblings.

A visitation was held at the Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, on Thursday, August 26th from 4-6:00 P.M.

A Prayer service was held on Thursday, August 26th at 6:00 P.M. at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo.

Interment was held on Saturday, August 28th at 11:00 A.M. at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery in Buckley, Illinois.

Arrangements for Orillia Kottke were by the Peterson Chapel in Buffalo.

Dolores Larsen, 82

Dolores Yvonne Larsen, 82, of St. Louis Park, MN passed away Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010 at the Lake Ridge Care Center in Buffalo.

Dolores was born Oct. 27, 1927 in Minneapolis, the daughter of Gustav and Edith Olson. She grew up in Minneapolis and attended Minneapolis schools. She was united in marriage to Clarence Larsen in Minneapolis and two daughters were born to this union, Trudy and Laurie. The family settled in Minneapolis, later moving to St. Louis Park, where she has lived since.

Dolores was employed by PBA (Paul Burke Associates) for many years. She enjoyed crocheting and embroidering dishtowels.

Dolores is survived by: her daughter, Laurie Cegon of Rockford; one grandson, Eric; a great-grandson, Brandon; and a brother, Bennett (Lois) Olson of Buffalo.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Gustav and Edith, her daughter, Trudy at the age of 12, and her husband, Clarence in 2004.

Funeral services took place last Monday, Aug. 30 at the Peterson Funeral Chapel in Buffalo, with the Rev. Chuck Dake officiating. Visitation was one hour prior to services.  Interment: Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis.

The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo assisted the family with arrangements.

Kenneth "Ken" Pilgram, 54

Kenneth "Ken" Gene Pilgram, 54, of Watertown passed away at home on Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010 after a courageous battle with esophageal cancer.

He was born January 13, 1956 to Eugene and Phyllis (Smith) Pilgram in Montevideo, Minnesota.

Ken was preceded in death by his father, Eugene "Gene" Pilgram.  He is survived by: his loving wife, Cindy; children, Nicholas and Michelle; mother, Phyllis Pilgram; siblings, Gary and Sharon Pilgram, Gail Pilgram and Mike Wilson, Diane "Chum" Pilgram, Phillip and Bonnie Pilgram; parents-in-law, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, Sept. 2, 11 a.m., at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watertown, Minn.  Visitation took place on Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Iten's Watertown Funeral Home.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the Mass on Thursday in the church.  Rev. Frank Wampach will officiate, with interment in the church cemetery.

Arrangements by the Iten's Watertown Funeral Home.

Marjorie Wagner, 88

Marjorie Kathleen Wagner, 88 of Buffalo, formerly of St. Michael and Hanover, passed away Monday, August 30, 2010 at Park View Care Center in Buffalo.

Marjorie was born March 12, 1922 in Greenwood Township, Hennepin County, Minnesota to Rudolph and Coney (Daluge) Luther. Marjorie was baptized and confirmed at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Greenwood Township. She graduated from Rockford High School in 1940. Following high school she attended Minneapolis School of Business for a year.

On May 29, 1943 Marjorie was united in marriage to George H. Wagner at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Greenwood Township by Pastor Haar. God blessed this union with one son James. Marjorie and her husband George engaged in dairy farming in Hanover for many years. In her later years, Marjorie worked at the Rockford Bakery for ten years and for Lintex for five and a half years. She was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hanover and a member of its ladies aid. She enjoyed cooking.

Marjorie is survived by her son James (Claudia) Wagner of Zimmerman; grandchildren Jeannine (Tim) Buchholz, Jeffrey (Kristi) Wagner, Jamie (Chris) Mauk, Tony (Tammy) Garcia and Shalon garcia; great-grandchildren Madison and Max Buchholz, Benjamin, Joshua and Makenna Wagner, Amelia and Gavin Mauk and Kailana Weiss.

She was preceded in death by her parents Rudolph and Coney Luther; husband George W. Wagner on Oct. 23, 2004.

Services will be Thursday, September 2 at 1:30 .m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hanover with the Rev. Gordon Estenson officiating. Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to services. Interment will be in St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery.

Casket bearers are Tim Buckhholz, Jeff Wagner, Chris Mauk, Tony Garcia, Jason Sundin and Randy Vollbrecht.

Peterson Chapel of St. Michael - Albertville assisted the family with the arrangements.

Rick Welliver, 55

Rick E. Welliver, 55, of Albertville. Longtime CPA and current CFO of First Site Staffing in St. Paul.

Enjoyed the outdoors, golfing, camping, fishing, hunting and all sports. Rick was especially fond of his grandchildren.

Survived by: his loving companion and fiancee, Jane Szarkowski; children, Joel (Sherry) Welliver of Maple Grove, Joshua (Jacque Blomker) Welliver of Waite Park and Jillian Welliver of Shakopee; Jane's children, Angelica Szarkowski of Phoenix and Alyssa Szarkowski of Minneapolis; grandchildren, Paige and Ellen, Jackson and Janessa, Emma and Aidan, and Gavin; two additional grandchildren due in March; his father, Clint Welliver of Grand Bury, Texas; sisters and a brother, Sharon Phelps, Karen (Mel) Norvell, Randy Welliver, and Sandy Reid; and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his mother, Doris.

Memorial service 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1 at the Peterson Chapel St. Michael-Albertville Funeral Home. A time of gathering was held at the funeral home on Wednesday from 4 p.m. until time of service. Rick will be laid to rest next to his mother in Texas.

Serving the family, the Peterson Chapel St. Michael-Albertville Funeral Home.