Obituaries from the week of September 18, 2002
Edward Benedict, 101
Funeral services were held today, Wednesday, September 18, for Edward E. Benedict of Hastings, MN, at the Bruzek Funeral Home of New Prague. Father George Freeman officiated.
Edward E. Benedict was born May 8, 1901 in North Hero Township, Redwood County, MN to John and Mary (Skokan) Benedict. He attended country school near Revere, MN.
On June 8, 1926 he was married to Emma C. Lavicky at Walnut Grove, MN. Emma and Edward farmed near Revere until 1959 when they moved to New Prague, MN.
In 1994 Edward moved to Oak Ridge Manor in Hastings, MN.
Edward was a former Clerk of North Hero Township and a former member of St. Paul's Catholic Church in Walnut Grove.
Edward passed away on Saturday, September 14, 2002 at the Augustana Health Care Center in Hastings, MN at the age of 101.
He is survived by his children Raymond E. (Donna) Benedict of Phoenix, AZ, Marcella M. (Kenneth) Saelens of Hastings, MN and John F. (Renee) Benedict of Minneapolis, MN; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren and special friend Shirley Zbylicki of Hastings, MN; sisters Mary Janachovsky and Rose Ourada and brothers John and Frank Benedict.
He is preceded in death by his wife Emma in 1994.
Interment was in the St. Wencelaus Catholic Cemetery in New Prague with the Bruzek Funeral Home of New Prague handling arrangements.
Sidney Levy, 88
Sidney Bennett Levy was born November 5, 1913 to Sam and Fanny Levy in Sioux City, IA. He attended school in Tracy and graduated in 1933.
He married Reggie in 1942. They lived in Long Beach, CA where he owned and operated Sid's Liquor for over 30 years.
He was a Veteran of WWII and a member of Las Carritos Masonic Lodge #674. Sid's father was the Mayor of Tracy.
Sid died on September 7, 2002 at the age of 88 years.
He is survived by his son Walter and wife Ellen, and two granddaughters Gerilyn Evans and Allison Sharten.
Loren Pihl Sr., 81
Services for Loren Pihl Sr. of Marshall were held at 10 a.m. Saturday, September 14, 2002 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall. Father Gerald Meidl officiated. Organist was Dana Funk with the Resurrection Choir singing.
Loren Franklin Pilh, Sr. was born June 26, 1921, in Tracy to Frank and Lillie (Payne) Pihl.
He and Yvonne Verlinde were married June 26, 1943, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Tracy. The couple farmed near Tracy and then moved to the Marshall area in 1951, where they farmed until retirement.
Loren was active his entire life in the fields of farming and livestock production, and was a strong steward of the land and water resources. He was active and served as director for the Circle Star Saddle Club, Tracy Livestock Association, Clifton School Board, Pheasants Forever, Water Task Force and Area Two watershed groups. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of Tracy and then Holy Redeemer Catholic Church of Marshall.
Loren died Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2002, at Weiner Memorial Medical Center at the age of 81.
Survivors include his wife, Yvonne; daughter Lori (and Val) Eberspacher of Marshall; son Loren Jr. (and JoEllyn) of Gary S.D.; four grandchildren; a great-grandchild; and a brother, Merle of Brooklyn Park.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Lucy Stuefen.
Burial was in Calvary Cemetery, Marshall, MN with the Rehkamp Funeral Home of Marshall handling arrangements.
Ardene Schaefer, 65
Mrs. Ardene R. Schaefer, age 64, formerly of Tracy, now of Shoreview, MN, passed away at Shoreview on Saturday, September 14, 2002. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 21, 2002 at the Tracy Lutheran Church. Burial will be in the Grandview Cemetery in Gary, SD at 1:45 p.m. Saturday. Visitation will be 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at the Hamilton-Birk Funeral Home in Marshall, MN.
Lester Schmid, 80
Funeral services were held today, Wed., September 18, 2002 at the Wesley United Methodist Church, Marshall, MN for Lester Schmid.
Lester James Schmid was born September 6, 1922 to Jacob and Alvilda (Anderson) Schmid in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. When he was five the family moved to a dairy farm in Racine County, Wisconsin. He graduated from Union Grove High School and when his father died in 1942 took over the operation of the farm until 1958 when his back was injured in a farm accident. He went on to the University of Wisconsin and earned his BA, MA. and Ph.D. in agricultural economics. He and Virginia Evans were married in the 1965.
The family lived in Guatemala for three years while he did research on family farms and during that time he developed a great passion for the native population. They returned to the University of Wisconsin for a year and then came to Southwest State University where he taught Ag Business Management and Business Statistics for twenty years.
In 1979 he and Louise Froelich were married.
After his retirement he was involved in Toastmasters, Recycle First, Habitat for Humanity, AARP Tax Assistance Program, and ran for city council. Throughout his life he was an active member of his church and served on many committees. He served as church treasurer for Wesley United Methodist Church for 5 and a half years. He enjoyed gardening, fishing at his home at Lake Shetek, reading and spending time on the computer and with his family.
Lester passed away at his residence in Marshall on Sunday, September 15, 2002. He had reached the age of 80 years and 9 days.
He is survived by his wife, Louise of Marshall; son, Benjamin Schmid and daughter, Heidi Schmid, both of Marshall; stepsons, Mark Froelich of San Diego, California and Kurt (DeeAnn) Froelich of Golden Valley; stepdaughter, Lynn (Clarence) Wigton of Redwood Falls; seven grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Vera Soresen.
Burial was in the Marshall Cemetery. Hamilton-Birk Funeral Home of Marshall handled arrangements.