Obituaries 08/29/24

Ruth Duffy, 69

MSGT Ruth Anne Duffy 

7-18-1955 to 8-20-2024

Master Sergeant Ruth Anne Duffy, age 69, of Annandale, MN, formerly of Lisbon, ND, passed away peacefully at CentraCare St. Cloud Hospital on August 20, 2024, with family by her side. 

Ruth was born to Barbara (Babb) and Robert Duffy in Minneapolis, MN. She attended school at St Mary’s Catholic school in Waverly, MN. She enjoyed spending her summers going on campouts with her siblings, neighbors, and the horses. She participated in 4-H, sewing, baking, gardening, and helping with the calves. Her favorite were the horses though. They were the best babysitter her parents could have ever gotten. 

Ruth raised two sons, Tony and Jeremy, and married Vernon Bjerke; together, they moved to Lisbon in 1976. She entered the Air Force Basic Military Training in 1980, from there on she went to her direct duty assignments; she served for 30 years and seven months (934 SVS/one month FSS) with duty assignments in: Alaska, Dover, France, Georgia, Germany, Hawaii, Italy, Mississippi, RAF England, Saudi Arabia, Spain, South Africa, and Texas. She was responsible for training, mentoring, and maintaining the morale and welfare for 24 Services personnel, providing world-wide responsive support to the mission in food service. 

During her years of service, Ruth earned many awards and decorations including: Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with seven oak leaf clusters, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with nine oak leaf clusters, National Defense Medal with bronze service star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with four oak leaf clusters, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with six oak leaf clusters, Armed forces Reserve Medal with 2 “M” Devices, NATO Meritorious Service Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Rifle), and Air Force Training Ribbon. She retired from the Air Force in January 2011. 

Along with her hard work and dedication to the Air Force, Ruth proudly retired from Doosan Bobcat in Gwinner, ND, after 15 years in July 2019. While at Bobcat, Ruth dedicated herself to the Toys for Tots program helping brighten Christmas for children in nearby communities for many years. 

After retiring, Ruth relocated to Annandale, MN, to be closer to her family. 

Ruth is preceded in death by her father, Robert Duffy; mother, Barbara; and stepfather, Richard Gunderson. 

She is survived by her sons, Tony (Rachel) Bjerke and Jeremy Bjerke; siblings, Linda Duffy, Mike (Dana) Duffy, Kathy (Ed) Maas, Jim (Delila) Duffy, Pat (Curt) Sandquist, Karla (Dan) Farrier, Al (Shelley) Duffy, Sue (Larry) Hudson, Don (Brenda) Duffy; Aunt Plochocki; Uncle John Duffy; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. She will be remembered by everyone that called her “Friend.”

A Memorial will be held September 5, from 1-5 p.m. at The V, 66 Maple Ave. N, Maple Lake, MN; 2 p.m. service with lunch at 3 p.m. A private internment will be held at the Fargo National Cemetery with Honor Guard at a later date.

Katrina Flor, 55

Katrina M. Flor, age 55, of Zimmerman, MN, passed away on August 22, 2024, at M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis. A Mass of Christian Burial was at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at Christ Our Light Catholic Church in Princeton. Fr. Kevin Anderson officiated. Visitation was one hour prior to the Mass at the church. Burial was at St. Pius X Cemetery in Zimmerman.

Katrina Marie was born to Cleston and Dale (Bennett) Lange on June 25, 1969, in Big Lake. She graduated from Buffalo High School. Katrina married Christopher Flor on September 23, 1995, in Maple Lake. She worked as an IT Manager for Washington County. She was a member of Christ Our Light Catholic Church in Princeton. Katrina enjoyed being at the lake, flowers, feeding the birds, collecting seashells at the ocean, and being a proud and loud hockey mom in her day. She also loved spending time at Fritz’s Resort in Nisswa and South Padre Island, TX. Her greatest joys were raising her two sons to become strong men, becoming a grandma to Brecken, and spending time with family and friends.  

Katrina is survived by her husband, Chris; children, Kyle (Trista) and Carter; grandson, Brecken; parents, Cleston (Kathy) Lange and Dale (Griff) Bennett; siblings, Cleston (Daphne), Casie, and Sabrina; and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by father-in-law, Thomas Flor; grandparents, Ed and Alice Lange; aunt, Joanie (JD) Holt; uncle, Gary Lange; grandparents-in-law, Jacob and Agie Flor and Jake and Matilda Heltemes. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Princeton, MN.

Ione Hagen, 99

Ione Carolyn Eloise Hagen

11-19-1924 - 8-26-2024

Ione Carolyn Eloise Hagen went to be with Jesus peacefully on August 24, 2024, in the presence of her five children at home. Ione was buried at Swedish Mission Cemetery at her graveside service with family and friends on August 26, 2024. All who knew and loved Ione are welcome to attend her Celebration of Life (99+ years) at Hope Community Church 206 2nd Avenue NE, Buffalo, MN 55313 at 5:00 p.m. on September 6, 2024. There will be food and fellowship after the service downstairs.

Ione is survived by her five children, Steve Hagen, Dave (Susan) Hagen, Deone (Brian) Bayliss, Susie (Rick) Czanstkowski, Daniel (Jan) Hagen. She is also survived by grandchildren, Paul (Tammy) and Eric Hagen, Edelweise Hagen, Jacob Hagen, Matthew Hagen, Joshua (Erin) Young, Amber (Eric) Johnson, David Young, Cortney (Justin) Happe, Darren Czanstkowski, Brooke Oelfke-Hagen (Grant Overland), Erica Czanstkowski (Garrett Hackworth) Brianna (Scott) Ricenbaw, Griffin (Elsie) LeClair, Taralyn Hagen; and great-grandchildren, Justin, Ryan and Darren Hagen, Nicolas and Alexander Hagen,  Bryson, Kinsley and Kyla Young, Makenna Weege, Ryder Johnson, Austin, Kiley, Emily Happe, Brynlie Czanstkowski, Elliott, Tate Overland and baby Hackworth on the way, Kaleigh Rae and Rylee Kate Ricenbaw, and Saige Juniper LeClair. 

Preceded in death by Peter (Ida) Wennes; Leslie (Gladys) Wennes; former husband, Dean Hagen; grandson, Brandon Czanstkowski; granddaughter, Evergreen Hagen; and great-grandson, Drake Johnson.

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

Steven Wendel, 71

Steven Wendel, age 71, of Waverly, passed away May 16, 2024. 

Preceded in death by father, John; and sister, Sandra. 

Survived by mother, Barbara; sisters, Sue (Doug) Mingo, Cathy (Jim) Blaha, Lisa (David) Ghostly, Carol (Roger) Remer. 

Steve was a man of many talents; he was an excellent cook and baker, could do most home repairs, and loved to make the most beautiful afghans for friends and family. Steve could seem a bit gruff to many, but he had such a big heart for those he loved. 

Memorials may be made to Abbott Northwestern Hospital Foundation.