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Obituaries from the week of March 16, 2011

Alta Arnold, 91

Alta T. Arnold age 91 of Tracy, formerly of Walnut Grove, passed away Monday, March 14, 2011 at Sanford Tracy Medical Center due to complications of a stroke.  Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove.  Visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday at the Walnut Grove Funeral Home, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.  Interment will be in the Walnut Grove Cemetery.  Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com.  Stephens Funeral Service - Walnut Grove Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. 

Alta Theodora Arnold was born January 10, 1920 in Ann Township in Cottonwood County, Minnesota to Alfred and Hilda (Knutson) Erickson.  She was baptized and confirmed at Old Westbrook Lutheran Church. 

On August 28, 1941 she married Carl Arnold at her parents’ home.  They spent their married years farming and retired in Walnut Grove.  Twenty four years later, due to health problems, she moved to O’Brien Court in Tracy where she resided the last 4 years.  Alta was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove.  She had a love of playing cards and being a member of Keenagers, working in the field alongside Carl, crocheting, quilting, flower gardening, and spending time with family. 

Alta is survived by daughter Becky (Marlin) Peterson of Minneota; son Kevin (Kim) Arnold of Currie; grandchildren: Pam (Jack) Schwint of Fridley, Perry (Brenda) Peterson of Granite Falls, Brandon (Kristy) Peterson of Minneota, Layne Arnold of Westbrook, Natalie Arnold (Brent Rumfelt) of Marshall, Cassidy Arnold (Mary Gervais) of Brandon, SD, Melanie Arnold (Nick Johnson) of Marshall, and Cody Arnold of Mankato; 13 great grandchildren: Jacob, Carli, Anna, Sunny, Chris, David, Amanda, Tate, Garrett, Lexis, Damon, Ethan, and Tyler; and 5 great great grandchildren; sister Naomi Berg of Lamberton, brother Jim Erickson of Westbrook; brother-in-law Roy Arnold and sister-in-law Louise Arnold, both of Walnut Grove. 

She is preceded in death by her parents Alfred and Hilda, husband Carl, and brothers Harvey and Truman Erickson.

 

Virgil “Hap” Munson, 80

Virgil C. “Hap” Munson age 80 of Walnut Grove passed away Saturday, March 12, 2011 at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls.  Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday at English Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove with interment in the Walnut Grove Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Walnut Grove Funeral Home, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.  Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com.  Stephens Funeral Service - Walnut Grove Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Hap was born August 24, 1930 on the family farm in Gales Township to Clarence and Gladys (Leonard) Munson.  He attended country school, and later graduated from Walnut Grove High School in 1948.  Hap served in the Army National Guard during the Korean Conflict.  He was stationed at Ft. Rucker Alabama.  On October 13, 1951, Hap received his honorable discharge and returned to the Walnut Grove area. 

On November 23, 1952, Hap was united in marriage to Donna Rue at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lucan.  Hap lived in the Walnut Grove area all his life.  He began working in the construction business in sales before he started S.W.M in 1972. In 1976, Hap opened a bridge construction business where he worked until selling to his son Brad and son in law Curt in 1990.  In his retirement, Hap and Donna bought a resort in Ottertail County which he enjoyed.  Hap took great pride in helping his grandson Chris in continuing the family bridge construction business.  Hap was a 60 year member of the American Legion.  He was also a Shriner, and was an active member of the Methodist Church where he served on the church board, and as a Sunday school teacher.  Hap enjoyed woodcarving, working around the house, outdoor activities and landscaping.  He also loved spending time with his family and friends.

Hap is survived by his wife Donna of 58 years; children: James “Carl” (Mary) of Tracy, Dawn of Walnut Grove, Todd of Lamberton, and Kathy (Curt) Kockelman of Walnut Grove; daughter in law Teri Munson of Walnut Grove; grandchildren: Mandy, Ashley, Justin, Brandy, Cate, Sara, Casie, Chris, Jamie, Layne & Trey; great grandchildren: Gemini, Jaspher & Ava; siblings: Vernon (Shirley) Munson of Las Vegas, Doris (Len) Nelson of Balaton, Marilyn Biesemeier of Eagan, and Gary (Norma) Munson of St. Paul; and many other relatives and friends. 

Preceding him in death are his parents, son Brad and brother Gene.

 

Lee Steffen, 53

Lee Steffen age 53 of Walnut Grove passed away unexpectedly while at work Wednesday, March 9, 2011.  Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove.  Interment was in Walnut Grove Cemetery.  Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers, and will be given to local organizations and charities.  Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com.  Stephens Funeral Service - Walnut Grove Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. 

Leland Otto Steffen was born June 27, 1957 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Minneapolis, MN to Oscar and Lorraine (Kopperud) Steffen.  He graduated from Walnut Grove High School in 1975 and from Dunwoody Institute in 1977.  On September 14, 1996 Lee was united in marriage to Pam Henkel at Trinity Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove.  He worked for Steffen Electric since 1977, and in 1983 incorporated the family business with his brother Errol.  Lee was actively involved in his church and community.  During his life he served on the church council and city council, and was a member of the Walnut Grove Jaycees.  Lee sang with Marshall area Men’s Chorus for 32 years.  He took great pride in caring for the planter boxes throughout the community.  Lee loved sports, gardening, model railroading, and train photography.  He adored his grandchildren. 

Lee is survived by his wife Pam; brother Errol; children: Dustin (Jessie) Van De Wiele and Nicole (James) Marsh, all of Walnut Grove; grandchildren: Dylan, Garrett, Cole, Porter, and Leah; and many other relatives and friends.  He is preceded in death by his mother and father Lorraine and Oscar. 

 

Robert Zeug, 70

Mass of Christian Burial for Robert “Bob” Zeug, 70, of Milroy, was held on Wednesday, March 16, 2011, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Milroy.  Interment followed the service at St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery in Milroy.

Robert Arnold Zeug, was born on January 18, 1941 to Joseph B. and Mary A. Zeug in New Ulm, MN. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Milroy.  Robert attended District 59 Country School in Johnsonville Township for 6 years and later graduated from Walnut Grove High school in 1959. He then attended the University of Minnesota.  On July 13, 1963 Robert married Marjorie De Meyer in Marshall. He spent his entire life farming and enjoyed farming, livestock, and hunting.  Robert was most passionate about his faith and family.

 He was a member of the St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, and the Gales Rousers 4-H Club.

Robert died unexpectedly at his residence in Milroy on Friday, March 11, 2011.

He is survived by his wife Marjorie and his children Patty (John) Rosenhammer of  Sleepy Eye, Kevin Zeug of Walnut Grove, Greg (Divena) Zeug of Marshall, Mike(Jenny) Zeug of Walnut Grove, Allan Zeug of Walnut Grove, Kate (Todd) Palmer of Lino Lakes, Diane (Darren) Storkamp of Savage, Jim(Sarah)Zeug of Walnut Grove, and Teresa Zeug of Emmen, Netherlands. His surviving grand children include Joe, Laura, Mary, Rebecca and John Rosenhammer, Brenten, Trever and Jesse Zeug, Sawyer Zeug, Chris and MaKenna Palmer, Evan, Taylor and Carter Storkamp, Ethan and Shelby Zeug, and Matilda and Elijah Riesdorf.

Siblings Donald (Alice) Zeug of Lucan, Mark (Helene) Zeug of Honolulu, Hawaii,. Deanna (Roger) Coudron of Marshall, Mary Zeug of Sartell, Grant (Linda) Zeug of Willmar, Doug (Doris) Zeug of Lucan, Ruth (Ron) Schommer of Sartell, Margaret (Murph) McKenzie of Forest Lake, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary A. and Joseph B., sister Colleen, and son John.

The Rehkamp & Horvath Funeral Home handled the arrangements.