Obituaries from the week of April 23, 2003

Mildred Hass, 73

Funeral services were held on Friday, April 18, 2003 for Mildred "Millie" Hass at Trinity Lutheran Church in Westbrook, MN. Rev. William Klavetter officiated. Organist was Tasha Nelson with Gordon Kopperud as soloist.

Placing of the palls were her granddaughters Stacey Becker, Brittany Hillesheim, Tina Hilleshiem and Stephanie Hass. Honorary casket bearers were her grandchidren Jed Clifford and Sabrina Clifford. Casket bearers were her grandsons and nephews Eric Miller, Ben Hilleshiem, Scott Hass, Nathan Miller, Justin Hillesheim, Dennis Olson and Mike Olson.

Mildred Wilma Hass was born September 7, 1929 to Joseph and Tennie (Cook) McAllister in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Millie received her education attending school in North Little Rock.

At the wedding of a friend, Millie met Howard Hass of Westbrook, MN. They were married January, 8 1949 in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Howard was in the military for 23 years. During that time they made their home in El Paso, Texas, and in Germany. In 1965, Howard returned to Germany, and Millie and the children settled in Westbrook.

Following Howard's retirement, the couple continued to reside in Westbrook. Howard died in 1987.

Places of employment included 16 years as a nurse's aide at the Good Samaritan Home in Westbrook. Prior to her marriage, she worked for three years as a waitress at a School for the Blind in Arkansas. Millie was a member of the Westbrook VFW Auxiliary, and enjoyed being a Bingo volunteer for 10 years at the Good Samaritan Home. Other interests included flower and vegetable gardening, going for walks, watching the Vikings and Twins on TV, video movies, reading and having coffee with her neighbors.

Millie was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church where she was confirmed on February 20, 1966. Prior to this, she was raised in the Baptist faith where she was baptized on May 8, 1941. Millie was faithful to her church in attendance, Bible Study, and as a lector.

Millie died unexpectedly at her home on April 14, 2003. She was 73 years old.

She is survived by one son, John (Jane) Hass, Jackson, MN; three daughters, Linda (Steve) Miller, Balaton, MN; Mary (Clem) Hillesheim, Springfield, MN; Janet Knight, Madison, AL; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Louise Johansson, North Little Rock, AK; Alma Easton, Austin, NV; one brother Charles McAllister, West Long Branch, NJ; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents, husband Howard, brother Joe.

Interment was in Westbrook Cemetery with the Almlie Funeral Home of Westbrook handling the arrangements.

Betty Baker, 74

Funeral services for Betty Baker will be Friday 10:30 a.m. at the Tracy United Methodist Church. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. on Thursday with a 7:30 p.m. prayer service at the Walnut Grove Funeral Home. Visitation will continue on Friday at the church in Tracy, one hour prior to the service.

Burial will be in the Walnut Grove Cemetery. Walnut Grove Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Betty Joy Baker was born May 22, 1928 in Skandia Township, Murray County, Minnesota to Fred and Mabel (Christianson) Mattson. She was baptized and confirmed at Sillerud Lutheran Church in rural Balaton, and graduated from Balaton High School in 1945.

Betty was united in marriage to Clair Baker on February 14, 1949. Following their marriage they lived in the Walnut Grove area and she worked at hospitals and nursing homes until her health forced her to give up working. She was a member of the Eastern Star and the United Methodist Women. She had been a resident of Valley View Manor in Lamberton since 1998.

Betty Joy Baker passed away April 21, 2003 at the Valley View Manor in Lamberton, MNat the age of 74 years, 10 months, and 29 days.

She is survived by her husband Clair of Walnut Grove; daughter Barbara (Don) Bredthauer of Omaha, NE; sons Bruce (Nancy) Baker of Walnut Grove, Brent (Deb) Baker of Sioux Center, IA; grandchildren Tadd Kelly, Todd, Ryan, Trent, Carissa, and Daniel Baker, Amanda (Jason) VandeBrake.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her son Brian in 1989.

Raymond Benedict, 72

Raymond E. Benedict, Phoenix, AZ passed away on Monday, April 7, 2003.

Raymond was born in Tracy, MN on January 14, 1931. He grew up a farmer in southwestern Minnesota. Raymond was a very good athlete, which included boxing with the Golden Gloves. He enlisted into the Navy in 1950 where he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

He and his wife were married in 1958. They later moved to Phoenix in 1964 with their two children.

He is survived by his wife Donna, son Scott, daughter Nancy and four grandchildren.

A memorial mass was held at Sts. Simon & Jude Catherdal in Phoenix. Donations can be made to Hospice of Arizona or MS Society.

Richard Longstrom, 53

Richard Monroe Longstrom, age 53, of Mound, passed away Wednesday, April 16, 2003.

He was born on September 7, 1949 to Adolph and Lela (Hudson) Longstrom. He was preceded in death by his grandparents.

Richard is survived by his children, Richard, Jeremiah, Justin, Selina and Jaymes; parents; two brothers and one sister.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, April 22, 2203 at 2 p.m. in Huber Funeral Home, 1801 Commerce Blvd., Mound, with Pastor John Rogers officiating.

Memorials preferred to family.