Obituaries 01/26/23

Alan Baert, 76

Alan Jesse Baert, age 76, of Cokato, MN, was born on January 1, 1947, in St. Cloud, MN, to Frank and Ethel (Provo) Baert. Alan grew up in his hometown of Maple Lake. He met his wife, Debbie (Ronning), at Functional Industries and were married in October 1977. They had several good years together until her passing in 1980.

Alan had a challenging life, but with the wonderful care given at the Mykanen Homes of Cokato by Deb and the rest of the staff, he did very well these last twenty years. He enjoyed his housemates, Dave, Steve, Kenny, and other friends. Alan loved cars, motorcycles, playing cards, and listening to country music. A good day for Alan was shopping for his favorite things: jewelry, hats, and CDs. Most of all, he loved spending time with family.

Survived by his sisters, Mary Lou Dankowski, Kay (Mike) Geddis, Joan (Lee) Demarais; sister-in-law, Sandi Baert; nieces and nephews, Donna Jean, Amy, Gary, Dale, Linda, Dean, Lynn, Becky, Katie, Paula, Sandy, and Jeff; brother-in-law, Rick (Jeanie) Ronning; and sisters-in-law, Donna (David) Otten, Dottie Reinking, and Dee Dee Melton.

Preceded in death by his wife, Debbie; parents, Frank and Ethel; brothers, Alfred (Jean) and Dennis (Pat); sisters, Phyllis (Jack) Glunz and Isabelle Baert; parents-in-law, Sig and Sally Ronning; brother-in-law, Gene Dankowski; nieces, Deann Dankowski and Patty Jamison.

Our heartfelt gratitude goes to Lake Ridge and St. Croix Hospice for how you touched Alan’s life and ours. Your comfort, kindness, and thoughtfulness for our dear brother will never be forgotten.

Please join us in honoring Alan’s life on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at The Peterson Chapel (119 Central Ave., Buffalo, MN 55313). Visitation will begin at 4:00 P.M. with service to follow at 6:00 P.M. Refreshments and a light buffet of food will be provided.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Crossroads Animal Shelter in Buffalo or to an animal shelter of your choice.

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

 


Eleanor Engebretson, 71

Eleanor June Engebretson of Buffalo, Minnesota, passed away Sunday, January 8, 2023, from Complications of Covid Pneumonia at Mercy Hospital. Cherished Aunt, Sister, Friend, and Dog Mom. Eleanor was born on June 26, 1952, in Litchfield, Minnesota, to Ben and Arlyne Engebretson. 

Eleanor grew up in Columbia Heights, MN, lived in Minneapolis, MN, later moved to Las Vegas, NV, and then in 2018 she moved back to Minnesota to spend time with her family. Eleanor enjoyed her time fishing, knitting, watching sports, spending time with her beloved dog, Buddy, and spending time with friends and family. She also loved cooking and always enjoyed trying new recipes out.

Eleanor is preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Arlyne Engebretson; her brother, Aaron Engebretson; her brother, Pastor Bruce Engebretson; her sister, Virgina Husak; and her beloved dog, Buddy. 

Eleanor is survived by her nieces and nephews, Nicole (Erik) Osvold, Andrea (Brett) Holker, Cara (Tom) Husak, Nathan Engebretson, Peter Engebretson, Brent (Audra) Engebretson, and Natalie (Mike Czeck) Anderson; sister-in-law, Miriam Engebretson; sister-in-law, Judy Engebretson; brother-in-law, Earl Husak; devoted friends, Carol Barott and Francine Venditte; and her grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Eleanor’s Celebration of Life and luncheon will be held at her niece Andrea Holker’s home in Monticello on Sunday, February 5, 2023, from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Interment will be in June 2023 at Washburn-McReavy Hillside Cemetery.

Serving the family is Peterson-Grimsmo Funeral Chapel of Monticello, MN, 763-295-2918, www.peterson-grimsmochapel.com.

 


Helen MacDonald, 85

Helen Louise (“Ma Wulf”) MacDonald (Wilken Wulf), age 85, of Buffalo, MN, passed away peacefully on January 15, 2023. 

She was preceded in death by her first husband, E. Marvin Wulf; her parents, Edward and Hazel (Goetzke) Wilken; and brother, Warren Wilken. 

She is survived by her husband, Robert MacDonald; sister-in-law, Sharon Wilken; children, Phyllis Wulf, of Champlin, MN, David (Carol) Wulf, of St. Michael, MN, Wayne (Deb) Wulf, of Hudson, WI, Karen (Steve) Bednar, of Kimball, MN, Annette (John) Adamski, of Rogers, MN; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

Helen was born in Morrison, MN, graduated from Monticello High School in 1955, and married Marvin Wulf on February 22, 1956. Her employment reflected her interests, working as a nursing aide at the Monticello Hospital, gardener at Dan and Jerry’s Nursery, sales clerk at the Polo Outlet store, and daycare provider at her home. Her volunteer work included the Jaycee’s and Scouts, serving as den leader for several troops over the years.

After the death of Marvin in 1990, she met and married Bob MacDonald on October 22, 2005, and lived in Bemidji, MN, and wintered in Florida for several years. Recently, they returned to Buffalo, MN, to be closer to family.

A Memorial service for Helen MacDonald was held on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at 6:30 p.m., visitation began at 4:00 p.m. until the time of the service, all at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, MN.

In lieu of flowers, memorials on Helen’s behalf may be made to: Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota: https//wrcmn.org/donate or Gillette Children’s Foundation: https//give.childrensmn.org.

The Peterson Chapel, Buffalo, MN, assisted the family with funeral arrangements. On-line condolences can be made at www.thepetersonchapel.com.

 


James Nauschultz, 75

James Lester Nauschultz, age 75, of Albertville and formerly Buffalo, passed away in his home on Sunday, January 22, 2023.

James was born the second of four children to Herman and Ione (Lesterberg) on February 21, 1947, in Benson, MN.  He graduated in 1965 from Benson High School and served his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1965-1969.

James was married to Lois Wokson during January of 1978, and they later divorced.

He was preceded in death by his dad, Herman T. Nauschultz; mother, Ione (Lesterberg) Nauschultz; brother, Robert C. Nauschultz; sister, Betty P. Darnell.

James is survived by his children, Jon (Katy) Nauschultz and Jennifer (Brian) Homan; six grandchildren, Juliann, Carly, Trevor, Ryder, Charlotte and Jesse; sister, Linda (Dale) Luschen; also other relatives and friends.

James enjoyed the outdoors, including trail rides, motorcycles, snowmobiling and sports. He had a joy of music and working with his hands. He loved food, including lutefisk, liver and onions, and lefse.

He will be missed, but the memories made and the love shared will not be forgotten.

A Celebration of Life for James will be held Monday, January 30, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service, all at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 11024 Church St. NE, Hanover, MN.

Officiating will be Pastor Luke Schmidt.

Private family interment at a later date.

Arrangements were entrusted to The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, MN. Online condolences for the family can be directed to www.thepetersonchapel.com.

 


Kathleen Ramthun, 71

Kathleen Marie “Kathy” Ramthun, age 71, of rural Montrose, passed away on Thursday, January 19, 2023, at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale.

She was born on June 20, 1951, in Hutchinson, the daughter of Raymond and Josephine (Kaczmarek) Juncewski.

On September 14, 1968, Kathleen Juncewski and Phillip Reimer were joined in holy marriage at St. Adalbert’s Catholic Church in Silver Lake.

Kathy graduated from Howard Lake High School in 1969.

She was formerly employed as a paraprofessional for eight years for The Howard Lake Public School System. Kathy was a paraprofessional for twenty-five years at The Dassel Elementary School.  She also sold Mary Kay Cosmetics since 1989.

Kathy enjoyed dancing, dice games, making greeting cards, and taking road trips with her family.

She loved spending time with her family!  Kathy especially liked attending her grandchildren’s sporting events and concerts.

On August 31, 2002, Kathy Reimer and James “Jim” Ramthun were joined in holy marriage at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church-Crawford Lake.

Survived by her loving husband, Jim Ramthun; daughters, Carrie (John) LePage, of Monticello, and Amy (Wyatt) Shaw, of Howard Lake; bonus daughters, Ronda (Dale) Bauman, of Montrose, Michelle (Bruce) Burns, of Annandale, and Brenda (Todd) Halstead, of St. Bonifacius; two granddaughters, Josephine LePage and Brooklyn Shaw; nine grandsons, Jamie Burns, Kasey (Quinn) Burns, Matthew (Allie) Bauman, Joshua Bauman, Andrew (Alexis) Halstead, Luke Halstead, Joshua (Jenna) LePage, Jackson LePage and Cooper Shaw; seven great-grandchildren; her mother, Josephine Juncewski, of Hutchinson; her sister, LuAnn (Larry) Williamson, of Howard Lake; a brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, several nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by her first husband, Phillip Reimer, on July 6, 2000; her father, Raymond “Ray” Juncewski; and a nephew, Paul Campbell.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, January 26, 2023, at 3:00 P.M. at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Montrose. Pastor James Grabitske will officiate.

A visitation was held on Wednesday, January 25, AT THE CHURCH from 4-8 P.M.  Prayer service was at 7:00 P.M. Further visitation Thursday, January 26, one hour prior to services at the church.

A special Thank You to The Nursing staff at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale.

The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.

 

Publication: 

The Drummer and The Wright County Journal Press

PO Box 159
108 Central Ave.
Buffalo MN 55313

www.thedrummer.com

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