Obituaries 02/15/24
Wayne Hermansen, 84
On February 11, 2024, our lord called Wayne Arthur Hermansen home. Wayne was surrounded by his loving family during his final days and passed peacefully at home following a courageous cancer battle.
Wayne was born in Minneapolis on May 4, 1940, to Arthur and Millie (Boyer) Hermansen. The oldest of nine children, Wayne grew up in a big family and took on the role of the oldest big brother.
After graduating from Washburn High School in 1959, Wayne enlisted in the Coast Guard and proudly served our country for four years until 1963.
After his time in the service, Wayne worked as a draftsman, steel estimator, and then a steels salesman towards the end of his career.
Wayne met the love of his life, Jeanette (Florek) Hermansen, in February 1964, and they were immediately smitten with each other and married eight months later October 17, 1964. They welcomed their first son, Jason, in 1970, followed by Michael in 1972. They settled down in Delano, MN in 1973, where they resided for 33 years.
In 2006, they moved to Buffalo to be closer to their grandchildren. While in Buffalo, Wayne and Jeanette were proud members of the St. Francis Xavier Church, where Wayne was a part of the church choir and a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus.
Anyone who knew Wayne knew how much of a craftsman he was and how much he loved woodworking. Wayne used to make wood toys at Erv’s Toy Shop, which were then donated to the community. He also loved to work on wood models of ships, especially war ships.
Wayne is survived and will be dearly missed by his loving wife of 59 years, Jeanette; his sons, Jason and Michael; daughters-in-law, Kim and Holly; granddaughters, Shelby, Sydney, and Sierra; siblings, Al (Mary), Arnie, Debbie (Tom), Denny (Karen), Jean (Tim), Karen (Eddie), Pat, and Sandra (Paul); plus many other cousins, nephews, nieces, and dear friends.
Wayne is preceded in death by his mother and father (Arthur and Mille).
Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, February 23, 2024, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watertown, Minnesota. Gathering of family and friends will be held in the church on Friday from 10 to 11 a.m., prior to the Mass. Inurnment will be in the church cemetery immediately following the Mass.
The family would like to extend a huge thank you to Wayne’s medical family, the staff at CentraCare Oncology, and St. Croix Hospice.
We love you Wayne, and we hope you are singing your heart out in heaven, watching Gunsmoke, and eating a chocolate chip cookie.
Arrangements by the Iten Funeral Home in Delano, Minnesota.
Beatrice Praught, 99
Beatrice M. Praught, age 99, of Albertville, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 8, 2024, at The Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Sauk Rapids.
She was born on November 12, 1924, in St. Michael, the daughter of Nicholas and Johanna (Vetsch) Walesch. Beatrice and William Praught married on October 16, 1943.
Beatrice was a faithful member of St. Albert’s Catholic Church in Albertville.
Survived by her daughters and daughter-in-law, Margaret (Brian) Van Beusekom, Catherine Kasper (Vern Chouinard), Renee Praught, Susan Mizell-Bower (Joe), Barbara (Phillip) Pink, and Debra (William) Brager; sons, Victor (LaVonne) Praught, Michael (Donna) Praught, James Praught, Steven (Michelle) Praught, Christopher (Jane) Praught, and Alan (Heidi) Praught; 37 grandchildren; and 60 great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by her husband, William James Praught; and two sons, Richard and William; and also, two grandchildren, Ashley Praught and Robert Kasper.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Albert’s Catholic Church in Albertville. Father Joseph Zabinski will be the Celebrant.
A Luncheon to follow.
Interment will follow at St. Albert’s Cemetery.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, February 15, one-and-half hours prior to Mass AT THE CHURCH.
Casket Bearers will be Ted Van Beusekom, Nick Praught, Chad Kasper, Shane Mizell, Josh Praught, Jason Pink, and Alex Praught.
The Peterson Chapel St. Michael-Albertville Funeral Home is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Lois Schauer, 84
Lois A. Schauer, 84, of Shakopee, MN passed away on February 2, 2024.
A Christian Funeral will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. with visitation time from 10-11:00 A.M. all at Living Hope Lutheran Church, 8600 Horizon Drive, Shakopee. Pastor Rod Pudell will preside. Lois will be laid to rest at Christ Lutheran Church Memorial Gardens in Baxter, MN, at a later date.
Lois is loved and will be missed by daughters, Tammy (Lonnie) Weber and Terry Schauer (Pat Larkin); grandchildren, Justinne Matthees and Josh (Sammy) Matthees; great-grandchildren, Tanner and Layla Matthees; siblings, Gloria (Roger) Hilgers, Judy (Jim) Madden, and Carol (Ron) Otto; sister-in-law, Bobbette Schauer; and many other loving nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
Share a message with Lois’ family at: www.ballardsunderfuneral.com.
Nancy Stauffer, 50
Nancy was born on October 13, 1973, in Pipestone, Minnesota, to Alvin Nissen and Joyce Miller Nissen. She grew up on the family farm near Holland, Minnesota, where she began a lifelong love of games and puzzles, developing a ruthless competitive streak. She attended Pipestone High School where she was a gifted accompanist for the choir, soloists, and musicals. She graduated in 1992.
Nancy attended Mankato State University after high school graduating in 1996 with a degree in Business and Finance. Nancy and her husband Brent met at college and were married in 1998.
After graduating, Nancy went to work at Rolling Green Country Club, which became Medina Country Club. She worked there for 18 years, 17 years as the Director of Catering. She loved planning and producing celebrations for weddings and bar mitzvahs, running golf tournaments, and business retreats.
In 2014, Nancy went to work for the City of Buffalo at the downtown Wine and Spirits store. She continued working there to the present time with a brief hiatus as the Food, Beverage, and Events Director at the Wild Marsh Country Club in 2019.
Nancy enjoyed playing the piano, giving piano lessons, and being the organist and pianist at Bethlehem United Church of Christ. She was an avid golfer, a two-time winner of the Women’s Club Championship at the Wild Marsh Country Club. She loved baking, fishing, traveling, and stopping for a flight of local beers.
Brent and Nancy travelled to warm locales every winter and all about the Midwest in the summers to golf and fish. Of greatest importance to her was spending time with family and the love of her life, Brent.
Nancy passed away Saturday, February 3, 2024, after a brief battle with cancer.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Alvin Nissen and Joyce Miller Nissen; her father-in-law, Thomas Stauffer; her sisters Susan Nissen, Kristin (Nissen) Bradley, and Barbara (Miller) McCarthy; her brothers, David Miller and Mark Nissen.
She is survived by her husband, Brent Stauffer; her mother-in-law, Virgene Stauffer (special friend, Doug Schwartz); her brothers, Joseph (Kathy) Miller, Daniel (Linda) Nissen, Douglas (Colleen) Nissen; and sister, Kathy (Steven) Goodrich; and nieces, nephews, cousins, and many good friends.
A Celebration of Life was held at Bethlehem United Church of Christ in Maple Lake, Minnesota, on Friday, February 9, at 11:00 a.m.