Obituaries 8/1/19

William Bjork, 82

William Vernon Bjork, age 82, of Spicer, Minnesota and formerly of Buffalo, passed away on Friday, July 26, 2019 at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar.

He was born on June 4, 1937 in Renville, Minnesota, the son of Vernon & Esther (Reek) Bjork.

He was baptized in 1937 at First Lutheran Church in Renville. He was instructed in the Lutheran Catechism and confirmed in the Christian faith on April 22, 1956 at First Lutheran Church in Olivia.

He started working on December 3, 1969, where he was formerly employed at Van Dale Farm Machinery in Long Lake.

He enjoyed shopping at Thrift stores and hanging out with his friend “Al.” Bill was also fond of Elvis and buying toys for his nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and great-great nieces and great-great nephews.

William is survived by a sister: Shirley (Larry) Lofgren; step-sisters: Margaret Taylor and Mavis (Gary) Hardenburgh; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, step-mother Elda Bjork and brother’s Donald and Robert Bjork.

Funeral Services for William “Bill” Bjork will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo. Pastor John Kerr will officiate. The Organist will be Duane Esterly, and Michael Pickle will be the vocalist. Interment will follow at the Roseville Cemetery in Hawick, Minnesota at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, August 3, 2019. A visitation will be held on Saturday, August 3 one hour prior to services at the funeral home.

Casket Bearers will be Mike, Lana, Lee and Jerry Bjork and D’Lynn Pickle.

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

 


Mary Ann Elfmann, 74

Mary Ann Elfmann, age 74, of Maple Lake, died Thursday, July 25, 2019 at the Buffalo Hospital surrounded by her loving family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m., Saturday, August 3, 2019 at St. Timothy Catholic Church, Maple Lake, with Fr. Andrew Stueve as the Celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, Buffalo. Visitation will be held 4-7 p.m. Friday and 9-10 a.m. Saturday, both at Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel in Maple Lake.

Mary Ann Elfmann was born January 17, 1945 at the Buffalo Hospital to George and Laura (Kasper) Flynn. She was raised in Buffalo and graduated from Buffalo High School with the class of 1963.

On April 4, 1964, Mary Ann married the love of her life, Edgar T. Elfmann at St. Francis Catholic Church in Buffalo. The couple then moved to Maple Lake where they made their home and raised a family. Mary Ann worked 25 years at the Buffalo Hospital as a nurse’s aide, retiring in 1992.

She was a loving wife and mother and enjoyed spending time with all her family. She was known for always being “on time” and willing to lend a helping hand whenever possible. Mary Ann loved coloring in Coloring Creations Books, playing casino games on the computer, taking family trips, fishing from the pontoon, buying knickknacks, dancing, watching the Twins and visiting with her friends from the ladies’ aide.

She is survived by her husband, Edgar, of Maple Lake; daughters, Ann Elfmann, of Maple Lake, Lisa Flaschenriem, of Maple Lake, Kim (Russ) Gavin of Staples and Julie Paumen, of Maple Lake; son, Jason, of Maple Lake; sister-in-law, Linda Flynn, of Buffalo; grandchildren, Rachael (Sean) Lawler, Amanda (Curtis) Wilson, Jennifer Paumen, Nicholas Paumen, Samantha Gavin, Heather Gavin and Wyatt Elfmann; great-grandchildren, Arlo and Isabelle Lawler. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Jerry Flynn.

Mary Ann’s grandchildren will serve as urn bearers. Krista Elsenpeter and Sarah Goelz will provide the music for the service.

Arrangements are entrusted with Dingmann Funeral Care Burial & Cremation Services of Maple Lake. Obituary, Guestbook and Video Tribute online at www.dingmannfuneral.com

 


LaVonne Hanson, 76

LaVonne Bonnie (Gaffney) Hanson, age 76 of Buffalo, passed away on July 25, 2019.

She was born on December 18, 1942 in Bird Island, to Rolland and Adeline (Beckler) Gaffney.

LaVonne graduated from Bird Island High School in 1960, and it was there that she met her future husband, Lanny Hanson. The high school sweethearts were joined in marriage on December 1, 1962 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Bird Island. Together they raised two sons, Todd and Troy.

They first resided in St. Louis Park where she worked for Target Corporation. She and Lanny then settled on Lake Charlotte in Buffalo, in 1964. Lanny was then drafted into the Army to serve his country in 1966. Upon returning home, together over the next 30 years they owned and operated Hanson Auto Service in Rockford.

LaVonne loved spending time on the lake on the pontoon and watching the sunsets. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed taking care of all her plants and flowers. She was skilled at sewing clothes for her family and would bake delicious treats for her grandchildren. LaVonne and Lanny liked to take road trips to see friends and family in Maryland, and would try to travel when they could find some free time from their business. She was a lover of musicals and theater; some of her favorites included The Sound of Music and Fiddler on the Roof.

She was most proud of being a wife, mother, and grandma; creating special memories with each of them and spending as much time with them was something she cherished the most in life.

LaVonne will be greatly missed by those who survive her: husband, Lanny; sons, Todd (Connie) and Troy (Kate); grandchildren, Isaac, Ben, Lily, and Sarah; brother, Charles (Sharon) Gaffney; sister-in-law, Jeanne Gaffney; and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Rolland and Adeline Gaffney; and brother LuVern Gaffney.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, August 3, 2019 at 12 noon with visitation one hour prior at The Peterson Chapel of St. Michael-Albertville. Inurnment will be held at a later date at the Minnesota State Veteran’s Cemetery in Little Falls.

Online condolences for the family may be directed to www.thepetersonchapel.com.

 


Betty Libsock, 81

Betty Jane (Lockhart) Libsock, age 81, of Buffalo went to be with the Lord July 11, 2019.

Betty is survived by: loving husband of 61 years, Bob; children, Bart (Laura), Brad (Stacy), and Beth; sister, Verna (Don); grandchildren, Chayce, Oranda and Caroline.

One of her many accomplishments was being a foster mom to nearly 30 children in Minnesota and Arizona, also, serving as a Guardian Ad Lit em. She had a gift of ministering to women and singing was an important part of her life.

Celebration of life will be held Wednesday, August 7 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 302 2nd St. NE, Buffalo. A visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church.

We will always carry your memory in our hearts.

 


Dorothy Peterson, 95

Dorothy Sylvia Peterson, née Christensen, of Buffalo, died Sunday, July 21, 2019. She had been in diminishing health since a stroke in January 2018.  She was 95 years old.

Dorothy was born May 15, 1924, the first child of Arthur and Palma Christensen of Starbuck.

Upon completing high school in Faribault, in 1942, she entered the Signal Corps of the War Department serving in Kansas City, Missouri. After World War II ended, she joined her parents, brother and sister in Buffalo, where she met her husband Raymond Peterson at choir rehearsal at Zion Lutheran Church.

Dorothy and Ray married in 1946; established an interior finishing and decorating firm, Do-Ra Decorators; and built the first flat-roofed mid-century modern house in Buffalo. The births of their children spanned the early baby boom: from 1947 to 1957. They were active in Zion Lutheran Church, notably its choir; the Buffalo Chamber of Commerce, especially Buffalo Days; fund-raising for the then new building of Buffalo Memorial Hospital; and the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.

After Ray’s death in 1962, Dorothy continued her family’s involvement in Zion Lutheran Church, the wider community, and politics. She attended her children’s sports, theater, band and choir activities. She took active leadership roles in the Girl Scouts of the USA, the American Legion Auxiliary, the American Heart Association, the Wright County Retirement Center, Functional Industries Incorporated, and the City of Buffalo Planning Commission. At home she was an avid hostess and gardener.

Dorothy closed the books of Do-Ra Decorators not long after Ray’s death. Later she worked for local retailers of jewelry, home furnishings, furniture, window treatments and floor coverings. In 1974, she opened her own interior decorating service, Interiors by Dorothy, which she continued for over a decade. She made the enjoyment of color and pattern part of her life and her profession.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her infant sister, Gloria Christensen; and her brother, Arthur Christensen Jr.

She is survived by her sister, Mary Christensen of Tucson, Arizona; her children, Gregory Peterson of Buffalo, Minnesota, Randine McColl of Forks, Washington, and Bradley Peterson of San Francisco, California; great-grandchildren Max and Grady; and nieces and nephews with families across the US.

There will be no memorial service. Her ashes will be interred privately at Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Buffalo. Memorial donations in her memory may be to the American Heart Association, the choral music program of Zion Lutheran Church of Buffalo, or any charity of the giver’s choice.   

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

 


Bettie Shelby, 72

Bettie Marie (Kudrna) Shelby, age 72, of Buffalo, passed away July 21, 2019, at home surrounded by her family.

She was born August 14, 1946, in Astoria, OR, the daughter of Otto and Wilma (Tompkins) Kudrna.

Bettie graduated from Emmett High School in Emmett, ID with the class of 1964. She continued her education at the Minnesota School of Business and earned her Associates Degree in Business Administration in 2005.

Bettie was a trailblazing career woman and mom who accomplished anything she set her mind to. She built a 40+ year career in telecommunications at Mountain Bell Telephone Co. and Bellcore TEC/AT&T; working out of a number of different locations: Boise, ID, Chicago, IL, and Plano, TX. A woman of enormous energy, Bettie worked well into her retirement, often remarking that she “didn’t know how to slow down.”

Bettie was also a devoted mother who delighted in raising her two sons. She was well known as “Mama Shelby” to many in Wheaton, IL, where her boys grew up. She was her kids’ and grandkids’ biggest fan, and her resounding cheers will be forever remembered.

Bettie loved to spend time traveling to faraway places, creating stained glass pieces, crocheting, gardening, baking cookies, making jam for her family, and having a cold beer on her front step. But what she enjoyed above all else was going fishing with her family and friends, spending time with her grandchildren, and her beloved Labradors, Chi and Illy.

Bettie was preceded in death by her father, Otto and mother, Wilma.

She is survived by sons, Gregory (Julie) Shelby of Buffalo, and Douglas Shelby (Laila Gatts) of Golden Valley; grandchildren, Curtis Shelby (Amanda Brunsberg), Tyler Shelby, Alyse Shelby, Abby Shelby, Cooper Ebnet-Shelby, and Aiden Gatts-Keppel; siblings, Jim Kudrna, Mary Ann Burcham, John (Marquita) Kudrna, and Joe (Cherlyn) Kudrna; many beloved nieces and nephews; and a lifetime of friends.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, August 17, 2019, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with a service beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Peterson Chapel in Buffalo.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be granted to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Serving the family is The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo.

 


Michelle Wanke, 51

Michelle “Missy” Lee Wanke, 51, passed away July 27, 2019 at home in Hanover, of pancreatic cancer.

Missy was born in Rocky Ford, Colorado on March 15, 1968 to Wayne and Sheila Mueller. She was the sweet filling between an older brother, David Wayne, and a younger brother, Jonathon Andrew.  Missy enjoyed a carefree childhood that allowed her to live in many parts of the country, settling mostly in Wisconsin and making many friends with each move.

On June 13, 1992 she married her best friend, Richard Andrew Wanke, in Mankato, after graduating from Mankato State University with a degree in marketing.

On February 22, 1998, Richard and Missy welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Gabrelle (Belle) Grace Wanke, into their lives. Together they traveled to over 80 countries and went on more than 30 cruises, creating many memories, seeing wonders of the world, making new friends, and building a love of travel. 

Missy was an active volunteer in the community and at Belle’s schools and activities.  When Belle began riding horses in middle school, Missy also became an equine enthusiast, volunteering with and riding horses. As high school came around for Belle, the focus of volunteering became centered around theatre, and Missy and Belle loved seeing musicals and theatre productions together. She also loved and cared for the family dog, a 13-year-old pug named Lucy.

Missy is survived by her husband, Richard Wanke; a daughter, Belle; parents, Wayne and Sheila (Hall); her father-in-law, George and mother-in-law, Kathy (Gilman) Wanke; two brothers, David and Jon; two brothers-in-law; four sisters-in-law; 11 nieces and nephews; one great nephew; three aunts and one uncle.

She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Clyde and Agnes Mueller, Charles and Beula Hall, two uncles and two aunts. 

Services will be held Saturday, August 17, 2019 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hanover. Visitation will be 9:30 am to 11:30 am followed by a service at 11:30 am.

The Peterson Chapel St. Michael-Albertville Funeral Home is serving the family.  Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.

 


Willard Weller, 94

Willard Eugene Weller, was born December 26, 1924 to Richard SR. and Luella

(Townsend) Weller, at Delano. He joined the United States Army on November 10, 1945, served as a Military Policeman, and was honorably discharged on January 10, 1947.

After service, he purchased a farm near Howard Lake, Minnesota and married Irene Warn in 1957. To this union two children; Gail and Scott were born. 

Willard started working for Swartz Manufacturing of Lester Prairie in 1965, and in 1970 went to work at Van Dale-Fleming Manufacturing as a punch press operator; he stayed for 25 ½ years.

After retirement, Willard went to small engines school via mail.  He worked at Carlson Orchard and Village Ranch as a dish washer in the kitchen. He was 88 years old when he totally retired.

Willard loved the outdoors, he had a good sense of humor, and loved his family.

Willard passed away at Haven Homes of Maple Plain, Minnesota on July 26, 2019.  He had reached the age of 94 years, and 7 months.

He is survived by: children, Gail (Doug) Bergstrom, of Howard Lake, and Scott (Brenda) Weller, of Clear Lake; grandchildren, Nicolle (Andrew) Sawatzke, of Buffalo (their children, Kayden and Addison), Travis (Shannon) Bergstrom, of Howard Lake (their children, Wyatt and Ruby), Justin (Auden) Weller, of Sauk Rapids, and Jeremy (Kylie), of Brooklyn Park; brother, Richard Weller Jr., of Howard Lake; and sister, Varona Seth, of Winsted.

Willard was preceded in death by: his parents, Richard Sr. and Luella; wife, Irene; sisters, Rosalee Boeson, and Hazel Oberpriller.

Memorial Service: 1 p.m., Saturday, August 3, 2019 at Annandale United Methodist Church. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday at church. Interment: Sylvan Cemetery.

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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