Obituaries 9/15/22
James Bergquist, 89
James Erling Bergquist, was born November 22, 1932, at home in Marysville, MN, to Henry and Lydia (Ordorff) Bergquist. Jim was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Montrose. He was a 1951 Buffalo High School graduate.
On August 1, 1955, Jim married his sweetheart, Donna Mae Posthumus. Jim and Donna lived in Buffalo and Montrose, until they moved the family to Plymouth in 1965. Jim had a variety of jobs: farm implement dealer, TV repair person, farmer, and journeyman mechanic. Jimbo was the chief mechanic for several race car teams and spent many weekends at tracks across Minnesota and Wisconsin, a longtime member of and head usher at Messiah UMC, and a proud Amsoil dealer for 40 years, selling synthetic motor oils before they were a thing and building a strong dealership and customer base. He passed peacefully on August 31, 2022. His family and friends will miss the kind, big hearted Jimbo, who never met a stranger.
Jim is survived by Donna, his wife of 67 years; his children, Dawn (Tim) Thrift, Denise Ward, Carrie Olsgard, Bradley Bergquist (Kathy Cole), Jeffrey Bergquist, Candace (Paul) Pella and Daphne (Tim) Rued; his grandchildren, Megan (Nicholas) Tackmann, Heidi (Brian) Schminski, Christine (Michael) Smith, Rebecca Thrift, Charles (Bibiana Hassan) Thrift, Sherri (Travis) Forcier, Christopher Griffin, Allyson (Orlando) Flynn, Devin Miszkiewicz, Michael (Kristin) Bergquist, Jordan Adams, Tyler Bergquist, Rachel (Alex Underwood) Pella, Joshua Pella, Nicholas (Amy) Pella, Angela Bergquist, Anthony Rued and Alexander Rued; many great-grandchildren; and kitty, Snookie. Jim is also survived by his sisters, Darleen (Willis) Cardinal and Harriet Splettstoeszer; sisters- and brother-in-law, Betty Johnson, Ruthann Dixon and Karen (Dick) Larson; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Lydia; sister, Gloria; brother, Bennie; in-laws, John and Gertrude Posthumus, Norman Splettstoeszer, Betty Lou Bergquist, Ione and Warren Anderson, Myron Johnson and Max Dixon. Also proceeded in death by son-in-law, David Ward; and posthumously by granddaughter Angie’s fiancé, Alan Wermerskirchen. “Junk In Motion” declares “The best is yet to come!”
Funeral service, Thursday, September 15 at 11:00 A.M., Messiah United Methodist Church, 17805 County Road #6, in Plymouth. Visitation, Wednesday, September 14, 5-8 P.M., The Peterson Chapel, 119 Central Avenue, in Buffalo. Further visitation, Thursday morning, September 15, one hour prior to services at the church.
Casket Bearers will be grandsons: Christopher Griffin, Tyler Bergquist, Michael Bergquist, Devin Miszkiewicz, Joshua Pella, Charles Thrift, Anthony Rued, Nicholas Pella, Alexander Rude, and Jordan Adams.
The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Michael Erickson, 70
Michael Dale Erickson, age 70, of Greenfield, Minnesota, passed away of natural causes on September 3, 2022, in his home.
Born on November 5, 1951, in Buffalo, Minnesota, to Maurice and Shirley (Johnson) Erickson. He attended Varner Country School, then Buffalo High School; he was a varsity wrestler and competed on the debate team. He graduated in 1969. During high school, he worked at the local A&W, making root beer, and worked at a Rockford bakery glazing donuts. He was lead singer in the band “Woodrose” and performed at various venues around Minnesota, often performing in platform shoes, fishnet tank top and gold chains. What a sight to see!
He attended the University of Minnesota and earned a BA degree in History. He began a sales career in various businesses, which included selling used cars on Lake St. He also worked at Groseman Chevrolet where he earned a top salesman award. He also sold auto parts for several years and then went on to work in phone sales. He later created his own company, Sportstrak Publishing; selling advertising for high school sports programs in coordination with the Minnesota State High School League. He continued his business until 2020. He has been working with Heidi in her retail business; Too Good 2B Threw for the past two years.
He met the love of his life and soulmate, Heidi Mernin, at the MN Landscape Arboretum in 1979. They were together for eighteen years when they surprised everyone when they married in Florida on January 27, 1994. They honeymooned in Disney World. They enjoyed traveling and had many adventures together. In 2003, Michael and Heidi had their biggest adventure by adopting Angela. Michael’s kindness, unconditional love, crazy sense of humor and enjoyment of a good time made for a very satisfying family life.
The last nineteen years with Angela were the happiest and most joyful days of his life. His “Angel” was his most treasured gift from God. He and Angela became best buddies, foodies, movie buffs, and golf partners. Angela loved and admired her “most excellent” father.
Michael has served as a city councilman for the City of Greenfield for the last sixteen years. While on council, he also served as Police Liaison; ensuring the City of Greenfield had proper police protection, which was appreciated by local residents. Mike was a man of honor and had strong ethics and morals.
In his free time, he enjoyed golfing the many courses in Minnesota, sometimes three times a week. Michael was always an avid reader. He loved to learn and inspired his daughter to do the same. His favorite genres were biographies of American history leaders and world events. As most know, he loved discussing all political matters and current events of our times. He was always up for a debate with those who dared to partake.
He loved working in his kitchen. He was “head cook and bottle washer.” A true domestic! He became a real foodie and a great lover of eating, and especially loved his Asian buffets. He loved the “Food Channel,” and found new recipes and techniques to use in creating meals for his family. Michael was a movie enthusiast and loved to attend movie premieres at the theaters. At times, he would see two screenings in one day. His home movie collection is monumental.
His love of pets was a large part of his family life. He and Heidi had many “fur babies;” he especially loved his last cat, Rufus, a Norwegian forest cat whom he saved from freezing one winter. He patiently tamed this feral cat for over three months, turning him into a “puddle of love.” He is survived by his naughty Jack Russel terriers, Peter and Lily.
His jovial laughter will be remembered and missed by many.
We believe he is with God.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Maurice and Shirley; and father-in-law, Harold Mernin.
He is survived by his wife, Heidi; daughter, Angela Elizabeth; sister, Diane, and brother-in-law, Lee Schneider, of Calgary, Canada; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
Michael was an advocate for organ donation, and his wishes were honored the day he passed.
We thank the American Tissue Services Foundation (ATSF).
Arrangements have been entrusted to The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo. There will be no funeral.
Online condolences for the family may be directed to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
A private “Celebration of Life” will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, family prefers memorials be directed to Crossroads Animal Shelter in Buffalo, Minnesota. (https://www.crossroadsshelter.org/donate-now).
Family mailing address is: PO Box 442, Rockford, MN 55373
Elizabeth Ross, 84
Elizabeth “Alice” K. Ross, age 84, of Monticello, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, September 6, 2022. She married Donald Ross on May 7, 1963, at St. Mary Help of Christians Church in St. Augusta. Together, they raised five children, and they lived in Monticello most of their lives.
Alice always lived life to the fullest, and her spunk and energy was admired by all who knew her. She enjoyed bowling, downhill skiing, golfing, and rides on her four-wheeler - not to mention the occasional zipline or parasailing excursion! She also loved to travel, play cards and dice, casino trips, and take on new adventures with her family and friends. Alice was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who loved her family unconditionally. She was the biggest fan in the stands of her children and grandchildren’s games and was always the first to offer a lending hand. She spent several sleepless nights praying for anyone who needed it. Her faith and love for Jesus Christ was apparent to everyone that knew her. Alice also spent her free time volunteering and donating to countless organizations.
She is survived by her children, Tom (Shelly) Ross, of Danbury, WI, Todd Ross, of Zimmerman, Jesse (Elizabeth) Ross, of Orrock, Jeanine Ross (Fladeboe), of Monticello, and Amy Capes, of Zimmerman; siblings, Bernice (Andy) Witschen, of Monticello, John (LaVerne) Pelzer, of South Haven, and Marlene (Gary) Laudenbach, of St. Augusta; 10 grandchildren, Mike, Matt, and Mandie; Jesse, Heather, and Wyatt; Cody and Cadin; Connor and Bryce; and 11 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donald on October 3, 2019; grandson, Jordan; brothers and sisters, Frank Pelzer, Luella Klaverkamp, Adeline Laudenbach, Ruth Toenjes, Ed Pelzer, Beatrice Neu, and Eugene Pelzer; and many other dear family and friends.
Visitation was held from 4-8 P.M. on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, at the Peterson-Grimsmo Funeral Chapel, 250 East Broadway Street, Monticello, MN, and one hour prior to Mass at church. Mass of Christian Burial took place at 11 A.M. on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, at the Church of St. Henry, 1001 E. 7th Street, Monticello, MN, luncheon followed. Entombment at St. Mary’s Cemetery, St. Augusta, MN.
Arrangement by Peterson-Grimsmo Funeral Chapel, Monticello, 763-295-2918, (www.peterson-grimsmochapel.com).
