Obituaries 1/17/19

Marilyn Atkinson, 76

Marilyn Joyce Atkinson was born July 30, 1942 in Alhambra, California; the daughter of Elting and Mary (Casey) Headley. She graduated from Upsala High School in 1960. She worked as a telephone operator for several years and briefly attended St. Cloud State University.

Marilyn met Ervin “Erv” Atkinson at the Upsala Feed Mill, and the two were eventually united in marriage on June 26, 1962 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Upsala. Minn. They were blessed with five children: Timothy (1963), Steven (1964), Patricia (1965-1966), Suzanne (1969), and Michelle (1970).

The family lived in Columbia Heights for five years before moving out to a farm in Waverly in 1969. Together they farmed until 2000 and then had an auction sale and retired from farming. While maintaining a household and farm, Marilyn found the time to be active with the Girl Scouts, church activities, and other social events.

Marilyn and Erv traveled in the winter to all the southern states for thirteen years until settling for the winter in Palm Harbor, FL. They met many wonderful people on their travels, and enjoyed playing shuffleboard and bingo. In 2008, Erv was diagnosed with a brain tumor and passed away in 2010.

She attended Single’s Club through St. Mary’s Church in Waverly, and met Jim Matter. The two were joined in marriage on October 10, 2015 and spent three wonderful years together. They enjoyed going on cruises, gardening, and spending time with friends. Jim and Marilyn were avid fishermen, and would often compete with each other on who could either catch the most fish or the biggest!

She is survived by: her loving husband, Jim; his children, Tim, Lisa, David, and Amy; her children, Tim (Vicki), Steve (Joanne), Suzanne (Michael) Ericson, and Michelle (Bradley) Larson; 12 grandchildren, Jami, Jason (Jordan), Erica (Tony), Courtney (Alex), Alex, Jeremiah (Jessica), Rachel, Paige, Brianna, Westin, Jessika, and Valerie; great-grandchildren, Saydee, Sicily, Stella, Kash, Charlie, and Marley; siblings, Vonnie (Joe), Cheryl (Ted), Jerry (Linda), Joe (Candy), Donna (Ken), Kevin (Nancy), and Debbie (Dave); and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Marilyn is preceded in death by first husband, Ervin; daughter, Patricia; parents; and other relatives.

Visitation will be held Thursday, January 17, from 4 to 7 p.m. with prayer service at 7 p.m. and at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, January 18, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 606 Elm Ave, Waverly. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, January 18, at 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment and luncheon to follow.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Chilson Funeral Home of Winsted.

 


Josephine Benjamin, 84

Josephine M. Benjamin, 84, of Annandale, died Wednesday, January 9,  at the Buffalo Hospital.

Funeral Services will be held 11 a.m., Thursday January 17, at Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel in Annandale. Visitation was from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, and will also be one hour prior to the service on Thursday, both at the funeral chapel. Jo will be interred along with her husband at a later date at Pine Grove Cemetery in Cass Lake, Minnesota.

Josephine Mae Benjamin was born July 12, 1934 in Elm Creek, Nebraska to Harry and Elva (Wright) Hasbrouck. Along with her six siblings, Jo grew up in Elm Creek, where she also graduated from high school in 1952.

She met her future husband, Ernest “Ben” Benjamin, in Lincoln, Nebraska at the Bluebird Café. On November 22, 1953, they were united in marriage at in Lincoln, Nebraska. With Ben serving in the Air Force, Jo proudly cared for their home and their children, while also working various jobs.

Over the years, they lived in numerous locations including Mississippi, California, Colorado, Wisconsin, Texas, Florida, Nebraska, Panama, and Minnesota.

In the mid-1960’s, upon Ben’s retirement from the Air Force, they settled in Maple Lake, Minnesota. They made Maple Lake their home until Ben’s retirement from Control Data; they eventually retired to Odessa, Nebraska.

While in Odessa, Jo was an active member of First Christian Church. She remained in Nebraska until Ben’s death in 2006. She then moved to Annandale, Minnesota to be closer to her family.

In her spare time Jo enjoyed crocheting items for her grandchildren and great grandchildren, reading books, and fixing puzzles. Hand-written correspondence was never a lost art with Jo; she always took the time to hand write a letter or card.

Family was always Jo’s top priority. Whether it be volunteering for her children’s activities or watching as a spectator, she was always her children’s and grandchildren’s biggest fan.

Jo is survived by: her children, Teri (Bruce) Schmidt of Annandale, James (Julie) Benjamin of Washington, D.C., Sharon (Wayne) Tokkesdal of Buffalo, and Michael (Rhonda) Benjamin of Apple Valley; 14 grandchildren, Jenny, Brent, Jesse, Krysten, Nicole, Andrew, Julie, Jamie, John, Jolene, Joshua, Sarah, David and Rebecca; 23 great-grandchildren; siblings, Harriet Ames, Eileen (Gary) Skyles, Rosie Hasbrouck, and Kathy Lybarger; and many nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends.

Jo was preceded in death by: her parents; husband, Ben; siblings, Carol Jones and Bernard Hasbrouck; and one great-grandchild.

Joshua and David Benjamin will officiate and provide the music for the service.

Arrangements are entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial & Cremation Services of Annandale.

 


Richard Danielson, 78

Richard Allan Danielson, 78 years, 9 months and 8 days, passed away on Dec. 11, 2018 from pneumonia at North Memorial Hospital; surrounded by his family.

He was born March 3, 1940 to Arthur Edward Danielson and Ada Leore (Boder) Danielson in Litchfield. He was baptized on April 7, 1940. 

The family moved to Richfield where Dick was confirmed on Oct. 16, 1955 and graduated from Richfield high school in 1958 as a State Wrestling Champion.

He met Beverly Ann Hukriede and they were married Aug. 5, 1961 at Trinity Lutheran church in Eagle Bend. After marrying Bev, the two of them built a new home in Eden Prairie, where they had three sons. 

In 1971 they took a leap of faith and moved to an 80-acre farm outside of Montrose.  There are so many memories of the “Old Farm.” The later built a new home on the acreage, the place Dick was the happiest. He loved his little farm and driving his tractor. 

Dick loved to hunt, fish, bowl, refinish furniture, and make wood crafts.  Dick loved his animals; especially his dogs.  Dick was always active in whatever the boys were doing – from hockey and baseball coach, Boy Scout leader and 4-H leader, he made many trips to Wright County Fair bringing kids and items to be exhibited.  He wouldn’t have missed those times with his kids for anything.

He and his family loved to travel; drove from coast to coast, from South to North, and also Canada. They even toured Europe and Norway, Sweden and Finland.  He is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and parents-in-law. 

He is survived by: his wife of 57 years, Beverly; his three sons Troy (Deb), Ross (Terri), and Corey; five grandchildren, Zachary (Angelee), Jordan, Jonathan, Laura, and Logan Danielson; his brother, Terry (Jean) Danielson; sister, Shirley Kiedrowski; nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Services will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Buffalo on Feb. 2, at 2 p.m. Visitation with the family half hour prior to service.

 


Timothy Duerr, 70

Timothy A. Duerr, 70, of St. Joseph, formerly of Buffalo, passed away on January 14, at St. Benedict’s Senior Community in St. Cloud, MN. He was born on March 31, 1948 in Buffalo.

Timothy was preceded in death by parents: Arthur and Anna (Barthel) Duerr.

He is survived by: brothers, Anthony (Antonia) and Gregory (Mary); nephews and nieces: Nicholas (Shannon) Duerr, Rachel (Mike) Miller, Megan (Dan) Ritten, Tonia (Erik) Poncius and Troy (Sarah) Duerr; great-nephews and nieces, Madeline, Alex, TJ, Samantha, Emma and Joe Duerr, Kathryn and Jon Miller, Hunter and Gerrit Poncius, Tyler and Owen Ritten, Glori and Kelsey Reed; many cousins, and friends.     

Tim attended Beebe Lake Country School District #44 through eighth grade and graduated from Buffalo High School in 1966. He was involved in 4-H during grade school and high school and showed Brown Swiss cows.  

He majored in music at St. John’s University and graduated in 1970. He traveled to Europe with the St. John’s University Men’s Chorus. He taught music at St. Michael High School for 10 years. He was involved in several musicals in Buffalo, a favorite was playing “Tevia” in “Fiddler on the Roof.” He sang and played trumpet at many weddings and funerals. He also worked at Honeywell, Dayton’s/Macy’s, Target, and Casey’s.

Tim will be remembered for his love and attention to family, his great singing voice, being a Democrat and his love for flowers, horses, dogs, and all kinds of poultry.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, January 18 at 11 a.m. with visitation beginning at 9 a.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church, 11300 Frankfort Parkway NE, St. Michael.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Crossroads Animal Shelter, Buffalo.

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

 


R. Arlen Ebert, 86

R. Arlen Ebert passed away on January 8, at Buffalo Hospital at the age of 86.

Visitation will be held Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m. at Zaharia Family Funeral Home in Truman.

A Celebration of his life was held on Monday, January 14, 2019 at 2:30 PM at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Fairmont. Visitation was one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be at a later date at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery in Truman.

Reuel Arlen Ebert was born to Reuel and Clara (Selsvold) Ebert, on February 8, 1932 at the Fairmont Hospital. He was baptized as an infant by Rev. H. Heineman and was confirmed by Rev. E.T. Heyne on April 14, 1946 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Truman.

As a child he attended Truman Public Schools and graduated from Truman High School in 1950. He attended Carleton College in Northfield and the University of Minnesota in St. Paul.

On August 29, 1953 he married Doreen Louise Geistfeld by Rev. O. F. Hinrichs at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Truman.

They lived in Minneapolis and later moved back to Truman where they raised their family. He worked for his father’s hardware store, Ebert Hardware, and in farm management. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1959 with a major in Agronomy and started a seed business, from which he retired in 1997.

In retirement he became an avid “auction buff,” amassing a collection of various antiques and collectables.

His other interests included playing cards, hunting pheasants and ducks, and fishing. In their 65 years of marriage, Arlen and Doreen enjoyed trips to Europe, Mexico, Canada, Alaska, and other sites across the continental US. They made two trips to Norway to visit relatives of Arlen’s mother, Clara. He treasured spending time at Spider Lake near Grand Rapids, where his parents had a cabin and his sister and family lived for many years.

Arlen was a member of the Truman Fire Department for 23 years and served on the Truman Planning and Zoning Commission and the Public Utility Commission for 12 years. He was a Firearm training instructor for 20 years and a Boy Scout (Webelos) leader. He was also a member of the Farm Bureau, Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, Minnesota Crop Improvement Association, and Southern Minnesota Corn Economics Group. 

He was chosen as a Minnesota Premier Seed Grower in the 1980s, and served on various boards, including the School Board at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School in Truman. Later, he became a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Fairmont and served on several boards.

Arlen enjoyed his family and was proud of their accomplishments. Those who are left to cherish his memory are: his wife of 65 years, Doreen Ebert of Fairmont; three children, Kirk Ebert of Bryan OH, Keith (Julie) Ebert of Fairmont, and Kimberly (Dennis) Gleason of Buffalo; grandchildren, Melissa (Mark) Keefer, DeAnn (Ben) Loll, Renae (Matt) Rimmer, Michael (Heather) Ebert, Neil Gleason, and Karleigh Ebert; great-grandchildren Zoey Guzman, Jonah, Oliver, Clara, and Isaiah Loll, Olivia and Colin Keefer, and Leopold Arlen Ebert; two sisters-in-law, Jan Warrington and Judi (Dr. Richard) Bergen; many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Arlen was preceded in death by: his parents; parents-in-law, Ed and Marian Geistfeld; sister, LouAnn (Robert) Kilpatrick, and brother-in-law, Ed Warrington.

Memorials are preferred to Truman Historical Museum or Immanuel Lutheran Church in Fairmont.

The family would like to give special thanks to the Staff at Buffalo Hospital for the excellent and loving care they provided Arlen.

 


Gertrude Kotila, 94

Gertrude “Trudy” G. Kotila, 94, of Buffalo, formerly Delano, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 6, 2019. She was born April 15, 1924 in Minneapolis.

Trudy worked as part of the War Effort during WWII making cartridges and winding armatures to bomb bay doors.

Her sense of adventure led her to New York by train in 1945 where she and her sister Sally lived and worked for one year.

On April 17, 1948, Gertrude married Arnie Kotila in Ramsey County. The two were blessed with six children.

Trudy worked as a homemaker raising six children, and worked part time retail in Minneapolis. When the family moved to Delano, Trudy enjoyed working at B & C Exchange.

Trudy enjoyed sewing, making jewelry, drawing and making chalk art, collecting dolls and plates, raising tropical fish, and eating chocolate. She was an avid reader, but mostly enjoyed reading non-fiction books. She was a cheerful and upbeat person who loved everyone. She rescued and cared for many domestic and wild animals. Anyone who met Trudy instantly felt her gentle and kind personality and left saying “there should be more kind and sweet people like her in this world.”

She was preceded in death by: her husband, Arnie; son, Jerry; parents, Paul and Ranka (Johansen) Magdal; and siblings, Joe, Sally and Norman.

Trudy will be deeply missed by: her children, Trudi Coleman, Nancy (Dennis) Murray, Susan Kotila, Karen (Ray) Miller, Wayne Kotila; grandchildren, Pam (Victor) Romero, David Coleman, Christopher, Jonathan, Benjamin (Carleen) and Joshua Murray, Christina (Shrial) Baksh, Jeremy (Amanda) Swanson, Kim Kotila, Jen (Jordan) Sherwood; great-grandchildren, Lucas Romero, Matthew, Nicholas, Alexander, Drew, Aeris and Aeda Murray, Jordan Harper, Morgan and Megan Hesse, Jaiden and Tristen Baksh, Hunter, Mason and River Swanson, Olivia, Evelyn and Wyatt Sherwood; and many other loving family and friends.

A memorial service was held Saturday, January 12, at 2 p.m., with gathering of family and friends from 1 to 2 p.m., at Buffalo Ev. Covenant Church, 1601 Hwy. 25 N. in Buffalo. A reception followed the funeral service.

Serving the family was the Peterson Chapel in Buffalo.

 


Marion Lacina, 96

Marion L. Lacina, 96, of Buffalo, passed away Monday, January 7, at Park View Care Center.

She was born on November 19, 1922 in Buffalo the daughter of Fred and Elsie (Johnson) Bonk.

She graduated Normal School and later attended St. Cloud State College.  For many years, she was a teacher at country schools and at Parkside Elementary in Buffalo. 

Marion belonged to St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Buffalo and was a past President of American Legion Auxiliary Post #270.

She enjoyed quilting, gardening, camping, traveling and was a very caring person.  Marion was also very civic minded.

Marion is survived by: three loving children, Rita (Bradley) Holland of Buffalo, Ruth Ann (Randy) Tronnes of Bonita Springs Florida and Robert Lacina Jr. of Buffalo; grandchildren, Theresa (Bill) Henson, Jennifer Duncan, Matthew (Julie) Munstenteiger, Adam (Kareen) Munstenteiger  and Noah Munstenteiger; great-grandchildren, Ben (Kaylee) Henson, Matthew Henson, Izak Duncan, Van Munstenteiger, Asher Munstenteiger, Ivy Munstenteiger and Sienna Munstenteiger; a great-great-grandchild: Boone Henson; many other relatives, and friends.

She was receded in death by: husband Robert A. Lacina Sr.; her parents; seven brothers and sisters; and by a great granddaughter, Nora Munstenteiger.

Funeral Service for Marion Lacina were held on Thursday, January 10, at 1 p.m. at the Peterson Chapel in Buffalo.  Pastor Dave Taylor officiated. Duane Esterly was the vocalist and soloist for the funeral service. Private Interment at the Lakeview Cemetery in Buffalo.

A visitation was held on Thursday, January 10, one hour prior to services at the funeral home.

Casket Bearers were: Adam Munstenteiger, Noah Munstenteiger, Ben Henson, Matthew Henson, Fred Bonk and Bob Kuhlmann.

The Peterson Chapel in Bufflalo is served the family.

 


Jacqueline Swanson, 75

Jacqueline “Jackie” Swanson (Borchardt), 75, and life-long resident of Buffalo, passed away on January 8, after what was nearly a two-year battle with cancer.

Jackie was born July 27, 1943, and was raised by her grandmother, Lydia Peterson, and her many uncles and aunts: Peterson, Rentz, Swanson, and Scott.

In 1971, she married Glenn H. Swanson, and celebrated 47 years this past April.

She is loved by: husband, Glenn; four children, Tammy (Troy) O’Brien. Mike (Kelly) Daniels, Jim Daniels, John E. (Tania) Daniels; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; numerous cousins, close friends, and many others who have known her.

Her family and friends honored her this past Sunday, January 13. Jackie had a welcoming heart for all people with unconditional love and care. She opened her heart and home to many over the years, and will surely be missed.

 

 


Jeanette Triplett, 64

Jeanette Ann Triplett, 64, of Hackensack; formerly of Buffalo, passed away peacefully at her home with her family surrounding her on Saturday, January 12, following a long courageous battle against numerous health complications stemming from chronic pancreatitis. Jean was born on April 17, 1954 in Redwood Falls, the daughter of William and Alice (Vogl) Zaske.

Jean was the oldest of six children. When her family moved from Morgan to Montrose, she met Thomas Triplett at an Ordorff sleigh party in the winter of 1968. It was love at first sight and after a little chasing, Jean succumbed to fate. 

She worked for Buffalo School District 877 for nearly 20 years before moving to Hackensack.  She became a member of the Hackensack American Legion Auxiliary and started a family business with Tom called JT Concrete and Masonry. Jean loved cooking and gardening, feeding birds, especially her favorite, Humming Birds. 

She mostly loved her family and spending time with them.  Jean was loved by many people and was taken too soon.  She was always there for her family. Our matriarch will be dearly missed.

The family that Jean joins again are: her father; William Zaske, grandparents, William and Erma Zaske, Frank and Ann Vogl; and mother and father in-law, Edward and Shirley Triplett.

Those she leaves behind to cherish her memory are: her husband of 48 years, Tom Triplett of Hackensack; son, Rob (Jessie) Triplett of Hackensack; daughters, Jodi (Tim) Lengyel of Conner, MT and Jessica (Tom) Hanson of Maple Lake; mother, Alice Zaske, of Buffalo; brothers, Eric (Maureen) Zaske of Rosemont; and Kevin (Cheryl) Zaske of Maple Lake; sisters, Laureen (Don) Bodin of Buffalo, Barb (Phil) Zaske of Buffalo; and Cathy (Jeff) Czock of Buffalo; grandchildren, Nicole (Jesse), Dylan (Ashley), Thomas, Shelby, Colton, Cassie, Hunter, Kayla and Jakob; great-grandchildren, Weston, Nyssa, Hudson, and Bellamy; and her beloved dog, Jackie.

A celebration of life for Jeanette will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, January 18, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Backus. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service from 12 to 2 p.m. also held at the church. 

Rev. Frank Milo will officiate. Pallbearers will be: Dylan Lengyel, Thomas Sadler, Jesse Dumont, Colton Lengyel, Hunter Triplett, and Jakob Hanson. Honorary pallbearers will be: her granddaughters Nicole Dumont, Shelby Lengyel, Cassie Triplett, Kayla Hanson and Nyssa Dumont.

Jean’s care has been entrusted to the Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker.

 


Leon Vieau, 82

Leon R. Vieau 82, of Delano, passed away on Thursday, January 10.  He was born February 5, 1936 to Raymond and Margaret (Dalbec) Vieau in Waverly.

Leon was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to many. He was employed for 29 years at Minneapolis Moline as a National Sales Manager. Upon retiring from that career he went onto purchasing and operating the Delano NAPA. 

Leon was an avid antique collector especially anything Minneapolis Moline.  He loved to travel the world with his wife Rosetta.  He also loved to spend time at his second home in Fort Mohave, Arizona.  He was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church in Delano and was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Leon was preceded in death by: his parents, Raymond and Margaret Vieau; sisters, Marilyn Winterhalter and Jean Oeffling; and brother-in-law, Jim Oeffling.

He is survived by: his wife, Rosetta (Buetow) of 61 years; children, John (Mindy) Vieau, Marty Vieau  and Linda Cahoe, Rodger (Chris) Vieau, Karen (Scott) Beaupre, Nancy (Brent) Vergin, Barb (Kevin) Whelan; 10 grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; siblings, Jane (Jerry) Lyrek, Lil (Roger) Georges, Loren (Cec) Vieau; and brother-in-law, Harold Winterhalter. 

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 15, at St. Peter Catholic Church in Delano. Visitation took place from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday and continued from 10 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, all in Martha’s Hall of St. Peter Catholic Church. Interment in the Calvary Cemetery in Delano.

Arrangements by the Iten Funeral Home in Delano.

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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