Obituaries 06/01/23

Jerome Decker, 90

Jerome W. “Romey” Decker, age 90, of Waverly, passed away peacefully at home with his family on Thursday, May 25, 2023, at his residence.

He was born on July 14, 1932, in Waverly, the son of Isadore and Elizabeth (LePage) Decker.

Romey graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Waverly in 1950. 

On June 3, 1952, Jerome W. Decker and Berneal A. Marquette were joined in holy marriage at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Buffalo. God blessed their marriage with seven children.

He honorably served his Country in The United States Army from 1953-1955.

Romey formerly worked for Mid-America Dairymen for forty-four years. He was employed in Buffalo, Monticello, and Hutchinson. Romey also was grounds keeper for Howard Lake-Waverly Schools for eighteen years. He retired from that position in 2013 at the age of 81.

Romey enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, cutting firewood, riding his Ranger, going to the cabin, spending time with family, and attending countless sporting events and gatherings for children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

For many years, he was a faithful member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Waverly.

Survived by his loving wife of seventy years, Berneal A. Decker; children, Dale (Vicki) Decker, Dennis (Cindy) Decker, Paul (Katherine) Decker, Mark (Jenne) Decker, Janet (David) Perry, Susan (Mike) Zachmann, and Nancy (Greg) Miller; eighteen grandchildren; and twenty-nine great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, other relatives and many friends.

Preceded in death by his parents and by a brother, Marvin (Cecelia) Decker.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Jerome W. “Romey” Decker will be held on Friday, June 2, 2023, at 10:30 A.M. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Waverly. Father Kenneth O’Hotto will be the Celebrant.

Inurnment with military rites will be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, June 1, AT THE CHURCH from 4-8 P.M. Parish Prayers will be held at 7:30 P.M..

Further visitation will be held on Friday morning, June 2, from 9-10:15 A.M. prior to Mass.

Urn Bearer will be Amanda Berg.

Honorary Urn Bearers will be Brandi O’Connor, Tyler Decker, Dustin Decker, Megan Perry, Trent Zachmann, and Dallas Eastman.

The Chilson Funeral Home in Winsted is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.chilsonfuneralhome.com.

 


Lee Parks, 64

Lee O. Parks, age 64, of Annandale, passed away on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at his home.

Funeral Services was held on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel in Annandale with Pastor Todd Nelsen officiating. Visitation began at 12:30 p.m. with Funeral Services at 2:00 p.m. Burial followed at North Corinna Cemetery. A gathering of friends and family followed at Trails End in Annandale.

Lee Oliver Parks was born April 3, 1959, in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, to Oliver “Bud” and Lois (Winge) Parks. He grew up in the Osseo area and graduated from Osseo High School in 1977. He then attended tech school for HVAC. He owned and operated Custom Sheet Metal of Monticello for the past 37 years. On November 1, 1986, he was united in marriage to Tamera Rae Olson at Zion Lutheran Church in Buffalo, Minnesota. They made their home in Annandale, where they raised their three boys. Lee loved being outdoors hunting, fishing, taking his side-by-side out for a ride, and spending time at the family farm. He also enjoyed woodworking and often channeled his inner MacGyver; he could fix anything.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Tammy, of Annandale; sons, Dustin, of Aberdeen, SD, Eric (Regina), of Clearwater, and Jason, of St. Augusta; siblings, Linda (Jeffrey) Greener, of Little Switzerland, NC, and Susan (Larry) Eckman, of Brooklyn Park; sister-in-law, Linda (Chris) Robasse, of Buffalo; mother-in-law, Alice Olson, of Waverly; and nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

Lee was preceded in death by his parents, Bud and Lois Parks; granddaughter, Gabrielle Lavonne Parks; and father-in-law, Harold Olson.

The casket bearers were Allie Rudenberg, Tom Winge, Allan Mattila, Doug Krutzig, Steve Parks, and Shawn Peery. Pastor Todd Nelson officiated at services. Arrangements entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Annandale.

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

 


Dolores Pensky, 94

Dolores May (Kress) Pensky, age 94, of Buffalo, MN, passed away May 23, 2023.

She was born on May 1, 1929, in Stillwater, Minnesota, to William and Edna (Asmus) Kress. She graduated from Stillwater High School in 1947 and then furthered her education at Macalester College, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in teaching graduating in 1951.

She went on to teach in Silver Lake, Braham, Stewartville, and finally Buffalo where she found her home. She was joined in marriage to Rainer Pensky in 1961, and the two were married at the Buffalo Presbyterian Church in Buffalo, MN.  Dolores and Rainer also owned and operated Buffalo Floral and DER Gaertner Greenhouses. She also worked at the Market Place in the floral department, which went well with her love of flowers.

Dolores was a quiet and reserved person, but once you got to know her, she was sociable and loved to spend time with her Crafty Ladies, Bridge friends, and the Zuhrah Flyer Ladies. She enjoyed knitting, Word Finds, and watching the Minnesota Twins and Vikings games. She had a love for travel. Many trips were to Germany to spend time with Rainer’s family, or to where the sun was shining. The best was yet to come when she became a grandma to her beloved William.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Rainer; parents, William and Edna; nephew, Kevin; brother-in-law, Vince; sisters-in-law, Silke and Elke; and favorite dog, Donny.

Dolores is survived by her son, Eric (Kim); grandson, William; sister, Gretchen Turnblad; sisters-in-law, Heinke and Weibke; and many other relatives and friends.

Memorial Service will be held Friday, June 2, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. with visitation one hour prior at the Buffalo Presbyterian Church (507 County Rd. 134, Buffalo, MN). Inurnment at Lakeview Cemetery in Buffalo, MN. The service will be livestreamed via the church Youtube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@buffalopresbyterianchurch2350 or the church website: https://www.buffalopresbyterian.org/.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to: Buffalo Presbyterian Church of Buffalo.

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

 


Duane Raffenbeul, 80

Duane F. Raffenbeul, 80, of Buffalo, MN, died on May 4, 2023, at home while in hospice after a nearly 30-year battle with cancer. His family was grateful to spend this last Easter with him. Duane was born on January 22, 1943, in Langdon, ND, the youngest of four children to Richard and Alma (Brehmer) Raffenbeul. The Raffenbeuls later moved to Detroit Lakes, MN, where Duane was a three-sport athlete and graduated high school in 1961.

Following high school, Duane worked in California before returning home. He later enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard and received an honorable discharge following six years of service. On December 18, 1965, Duane married Marlys Johnson in Moorhead, and they later moved to Winona, where Duane graduated from Winona State University with a degree in Education. After teaching stints in southern Minnesota, the Raffenbeuls made their home in Granite Falls in 1974, and Duane continued his teaching (and some coaching) career at Bert Raney Elementary School, retiring in 2003. He and Marlys were long-time members of Granite Falls Lutheran Church, where Duane served as an usher and as the chair of the Pastor search committee.

In his spare time, Duane refinished furniture, enjoyed fishing and spending time at the lake up north, accomplished unending house projects, and attended Laural and Matt’s events.

After the tornado in Granite Falls, Duane and Marlys moved to their retirement lake home outside of Buffalo, where he always found something to do; yet he focused much of his time on his grandkids, and it shows in how much they adore him. His love for each grandchild was immense, and he appreciated the individual differences between them. He regularly attended their events, found anything that was lost, created the best Christmas Eve treasure hunts, pulled fantastic pranks, and helped out every time he was asked.

Duane will be remembered by his family for his tireless work ethic, sense of humor, skill as a craftsman and handyman, and as a great father and dedicated teacher. He was a broken-hearted, yet passionate fan of the Twins, Vikings, and Gophers. Duane was fortunate to have made and maintained friendships with his high school classmates and Granite Falls teaching buddies over the years. He and Marlys also made lifelong friends while in Granite Falls.

Duane is survived by his wife of 57 years, Marlys; daughter, Laural (Charlie) Johnson, of Excelsior, and children Zach, Quinne, Emilia, and Will; son, Matt (Jenny), of Ashburn, VA, and children Katelyn, Finley, and Nivaeh; twin brother, Dennis; sisters-in-law; and several nieces and nephews and their extended families.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother and sister, and several extended family members.

There will be a family memorial service at a later date. Duane’s family would like to thank the caring professionals at North Memorial Hospice. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be sent to North Memorial Hospice, Scholarship YME, or the cancer charity of your choice.

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

 


Kelly Ramthun, 56

Celebration of Life Service for Kelly Ramthun of Clarkfield, Minnesota, will be held Saturday, June 3, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at the American Legion, 304 Elm St., Monticello, MN, 55362.

Kelly Lynn Bray, daughter of Thomas and Myrtis (Knutson) Bray was born December 19, 1966, in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. Kelly was baptized at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church and confirmed in Anoka, MN. She grew up in Champlin and Monticello, where she received her schooling in Champlin and Monticello, MN, graduating in 1985. Following her schooling, Kelly began working as a bartender/waitress.

Kelly loved to camp, fish, yardwork, being in the outdoors, and especially spending time with her family.

Kelly died on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at West Wind Village in Morris, MN; she was 56 years old.

She is survived by her husband, Robert Ramthun, of Clarkfield; daughter, Amanda (Beto) Marquez, of Morris; sons, Zach Ramthun, of Oklahoma, Tony Ramthun, of Clarkfield, and Adam Ramthun, of Clarkfield; five grandchildren, James Haas, Carlos Marquez, Caden Marquez, Jayceton Ramthun, and Jaxton Ramthun; one brother, Mike (Wren) Bray, of Monticello; and one sister, Patricia Bray, of Clearwater.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Myrtis Bray; and one brother, Tommy Bray.

Pedersen Funeral Home is in care of arrangements for Kelly. To send condolences to the family, please visit www.pedersenfh.com.

 


Celebration of Life

 

Brent Halonen                

Brent Allan Halonen, born May 14, 1991, passed away on February 22, 2023, in Phoenix, AZ.

Please join Brent’s family for a Celebration of his Life on Saturday, June 3, 2023, from 4-6 p.m. at West Pulaski Park in Buffalo, MN (2021 Westridge Court, Buffalo MN 55313).

Brent was interred at Lakeview Cemetery in Buffalo, MN.

 

 

 


Ron Hoglund 

A memorial gathering to celebrate Ron Hoglund’s life will be held Sunday, June 11, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Monticello American Legion, 304 Elm Street, Monticello, MN.

Ron was a lifelong resident of the Monticello area and passed away on March 18. Everyone is welcome.

 

 

 

 


Dwayne Ordorff             

Celebration of Life for Dwayne Ordorff will be held Saturday, June 10th at 2:00 p.m. at Valley View Assembly of God Church, 305 W. Grant St., Lake City, MN 55041.

Condolences can be sent to our sister-in-law, Linda Ordorff, 26 Bluffview Court, Lake City, MN 55041.

 

 

 

 

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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