Calvin Schafer, 81

Calvin Edward Schafer, age 81 of Stillwater and formerly of Walnut Grove, passed away on Sunday, May 13, 2007 at the Linden Care Center in Stillwater. Funeral Services will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, May 17, 2007 at the Walnut Grove Funeral Home. Visitation will be Wednesday 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Walnut Grove Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to services on Thursday. Interment is in the Tracy Cemetery. The Walnut Grove Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Calvin was born to Edward and Alice (Tweet) Schafer on June 1, 1925 in Tracy, Minnesota. He graduated from the Walnut Grove High School in 1942. After graduation he worked on the family farm in Gales Township in Redwood County. Upon the death of his father in 1971, he and his mother moved to Walnut Grove. He then became associated as a bartender with the Schumacher Hotel in New Prague, Minnesota and later with The Farmer’s Daughter Inn in Litchfield, Minnesota. In 1984, Calvin became Night Manager at the Stillwater Motor Inn in Stillwater, Minnesota and worked there until his retirement. Calvin loved collecting antiques, movie memorabilia and art.

Calvin is survived by one brother, Curtis (Shirley) Schafer of Sioux Falls; nieces: Rosemary, Gwen, Laurie, Jill, Lisa and Cindy; and great nephew Hunter. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Raymond, sister Gwendolyn and niece Susan.

Gertrude Kalass, 93

Funeral services were held for Gertrude Kalass at First Reformed Church in Slayton on Saturday, May 12, 2007 with Rev. Mark Ellens officiating. The organist was Joan Friese with special music by Heath Radke.

The pallbearers were great grandchildren, Randy Hook, Nathan Brown, Josh Hook, Zac Hook, Shane Peterson, Sawyer Peterson, Spenser Kalass and Tanner Horn. The honorary pallbearers are grandchildren, Roger Hook, David Hook, Daryl Hook, James Hook, Sherlyn Brown, Cindy Hook, Donald Kalass, Terry Kalass, Matthew Kalass, Sandy Peterson, Tamara Horn, and Melissa Dwire.

Gertrude Jacoba Kalass was born on March 26, 1914 in Hatfield, Minnesota to John and Minnie Vandermeer Veldhuizen. She grew up on farms in the Hatfield and Chandler areas. She attended county school near Chandler.

On January 23, 1941 she and Herman Kalass were married in Slayton. Following their marriage they farmed near Lake Shetek across from the Bethany Lutheran Church. In 1960 they moved to a home west of Valhalla Corner. Herman passed away on January 11, 1995. Gertrude remained in there home until October 2005 when she became a resident of the Colonial Manor in Balaton, MN.

Gertrude passed away on May 9, 2007 at the Sanford Tracy Medical Center in Tracy, MN at the age of 93.

Gertrude was a member of the First Reformed Church in Slayton. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, cooking, baking, quilting and crocheting. She would be willing to help others and always put others needs before her own.

Survivors include her four children, Delores Hook of Russell, MN, Harold Kalass of Hardwick, MN, Gary and his wife, Barbara Kalass of Balaton, MN, and LeRoy and his wife, Beth Kalass of Slayton, MN, 12 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren, three brothers, Hank and his wife, Eva Veldhuizen of Slayton, MN, Cornelis Veldhuizen of Pipestone, MN and John and Janet Veldhuizen of Tulare, CA, two sisters, Elizabeth Hastings of Mountain Home, ID, Johanna and her husband, Fred Vis of Alexandria, MN, and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Herman, one grandson, Bryce Kalass and one son-in-law, Ron Hook, two brothers, Anton and Martin Veldhuizen, and one sister, Martha Veldhuizen.

Interment was at Bethany Lutheran Cemetery, rural Slayton, MN. The Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton handled the arrangements. Sign guestbook and send condolences online at totzkefuneralhome.com