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Obituaries from the week of June 4, 2014

Elaine Bicek, 90
Dale Burnham, 91
JoAnn Carlson, 59
Noritta Gisch, 77
Robert O. Harbo, 81
Rose Huso, 79
Shirley Johnson, 81

Elaine Bicek, 90

Elaine Laurece Martin Bicek, age 90, of Tracy passed away November 5, 2013.  Graveside services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 7 at the Tracy City Cemetery.  An open house will be held following the burial at Elaine’s home from 3:00-5:00 p.m. 

Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com.  Stephens Funeral Service - Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

 

Dale Burnham, 91

Dale Burnham age 91 of Walnut Grove passed away peacefully Monday, December 23, 2013 at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne with family by his side.  Memorial services were held on Saturday, May 31 at English Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove.    Burial was in North Hero Township Cemetery.  Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com.  Stephens Funeral Service - Walnut Grove Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. 

Dale Burnham was born May 8, 1922 in Rochester, Minnesota to Cleo (Paa) and Dale Burnham.  Dale, as a toddler, moved to Walnut Grove with his mother, brother Dean and sister Dolores.  Cleo married Ernest Schultz, who farmed north of town.  Four brothers and sisters were born into this union.  Dale attended country school #116 and later Walnut Grove public school.  On June 25, 1944, he was inducted into the Army at Ft. Snelling, MN.  Dale served with Company E 126th Infantry Regiment 32nd Division.  Dale was a decorated combat infantry rifle marksman who fought in the battle of Luzon.  He received several medals during his service, being most proud of being awarded the Bronze Star Medal “for meritorious achievement against the armed enemy during World War II in the Asiatic Pacific Theater of Operation.”  Following discharge from the Army on May 11, 1946, Dale returned to Walnut Grove and began farming. 

On September 14, 1946, he was united in marriage to Dorothy Good.  Two daughters were born to this union.  In addition to farming, Dale also worked for ASCS and as an adjuster for MaKarrall Agency in Redwood Falls.  During his life, Dale was a vital and contributing member of the community.  He was a member of English Lutheran Church, Walnut Grove Development Corporation, 67-year member of Alfred Nelson American Legion Post 267, and a founding member of Walnut Grove Lions Club.  Fishing (winter or summer) and playing cards were his favorite pastimes.  In later years, Dale and Dorothy spent enjoyable winters in Arizona.  Following Dorothy’s death in 2007, Dale spent his remaining years in assisted living and nursing care facilities.

Dale is survived by daughters Stephanie of Walnut Grove and Shari of Tucson, AZ; brothers: Joe (Carol) Burnham of Rochester, Robert (Judy) Schultz of Walnut Grove, and Richard Schultz of  Balaton; brother-in-law William Posthumas of Rochester; and an abundance of nieces and nephews. 

He is preceded in death by  his wife Dorothy, parents, brother Dean Burnham, and sisters Dolores (Bert) Beens, Alice Posthumas, and Arlene (Walter) Anderson, and former brother-in-law Manfred Smaaladen.

 

JoAnn Carlson, 59

Services were held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Currie, MN at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 3, 2014 for JoAnn Mary Carlson. Fr. Andrew Vogel was celebrant.  The organist was Patty LeClaire. The song leader was Kathy Jo Johns. The interpreter was Jessica Rykhus. The pallbearers were Larry Darger, Jeff DeVoss, Bud Steensma, Vern Carlson, Brian Livingston, and Charlie Loosbrock.

Interment was at Calvary Cemetery Currie, MN.

JoAnn Carlson, the daughter of the late Sherwood “Sarge” and Jeanette (Ehleringer) Silvernale, was born on December 23, 1954 in Tokyo, Japan.  JoAnn spent her early years in Biloxi, Mississippi and Tucson, Arizona.  She graduated from Cabrillo Senior High at the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California in 1972. JoAnn married Terry Carlson in 2001.  She had three boys (from her previous marriage to Scott Ruppert) and Terry had two boys and two girls from his previous marriage.  They made their home outside of Currie, Minnesota.  

JoAnn worked at United Prairie Bank (previously Peoples State Bank and now known as First National Bank) in Slayton for 32 years.  After leaving United Prairie Bank, she worked as the Compliance Officer at Currie State Bank while also working at Murrayland Agency as a realtor.  JoAnn was part owner of Breezy Point Barn along with her husband, Terry, and Verna and Chuck Loosbrock.  

JoAnn was an active member of her community.  She served as a member and an officer for Currie Town and Country.  JoAnn also served her community participating in the Reading Buddy program for Murray County Central Schools.  She was very active having swam on her high school swim team, played softball for many years, and was an avid golfer.  JoAnn’s prowess on the golf course earned her Club Champion at Slayton Country Club two consecutive years in 1991 and 1992. JoAnn enjoyed winters in Phoenix, Arizona, spending time with her growing family, golfing, and taking trips by corvette and motorcycle.  

JoAnn passed away on Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at the Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 59.

Survivors include her husband, Terry Carlson of Currie, MN; children and grandchildren, Jason (Lindsay) Ruppert and Millie, Max, and Marin of Lonsdale, MN, Chris (Ashley) Ruppert and Aubrey and Kieley of Belle Plaine, MN, Geoff Ruppert of Brookings, SD, Jason (Mandy) Carlson and Gage and Levi of Iona, MN, Thresa Daniels and Lily and Lizzie of Slayton, MN, Sam (Bridget) Carlson of Dovray, MN, and Sydney Carlson of Marshall, MN; mother, Jeanette Silvernale of Currie, MN; five siblings, Diane (Steve) Sloniker of Mankato, MN, Ronda Silvernale of Waxahachie, TX, Brenda Myers of Cottage Grove, MN, Bruce (Debra) Silvernale of Madison Lake, MN, and Sandy (Richard) Swan of Hadley, MN; and eleven nieces and nephews.

Her father, Sherwood Silvernale, and her grandmother, Bernice Rieter, precede her in death.  

 

Noritta Gisch, 77

Noritta “Rita” Gisch, age 77, of Mountain Lake, MN died on May 28, 2014, at The Good Samaritan Lodge in Mountain Lake. Funeral Mass was held at the St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Comfrey, on Monday, June 2, 2014 at 11:00 am. The clergy was Father Andy Michels.  Interment was at the St. Paul Catholic Cemetery, in Comfrey.  Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Mt. Lake.   On line condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Noritta Rose was born on March 4, 1937 to Harvey and Rose (Pommier) Gregoire in Currie, MN.  During her school years, they moved to Tracy, MN  where she went through the 12th grade.  She then married Leo Burkhamer and they were blessed with two daughters.  They later divorced. 

On May 5, 1962 Noritta was wed to Richard Joseph Gisch at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy.  They were blessed with a son.  In 2005, Rita and her husband moved off their Delton Township farm and went to live in Mountain Lake.  Rita belonged to St. Paul’s Catholic Church and was a member of the choir and Christian Mother’s Association.  She was also a member, and past president, of the Comfrey Quilt Guild and enjoyed quilting, crocheting, and embroidery.

Noritta Gisch is survived by her children: Venus (Gerald) King, Browerville, Dawn (Ray) Jelinek, Ramsey, and Richard (Dawn) Gisch, Mt. Lake, brother Elrick “Butch” (Ginger Johnson) Gregoire, Burnsville, 8 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren: Jonathan & Gloria King, Bradley (Kelli) Jelinek with Kevin & Kristina, Douglas (Ashley) Jelinek with Arianna, Rachael & Kiera, Steven (Amanda) Jelinek, Matthew (Vanessa Reed) Jelinek, Nathan & Christopher Gisch, and many nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard (2010), infant sister, Arebella, pre-teen sister, Violet, brother Meddie Barrie, brothers: Oliver, Albert, Ronald, Walt and Emery Gregoire, and sisters: Amelia Sheets and Vivian Breczinski.

 

 

Robert O. Harbo, 81

Memorial Services for Robert O. Harbo, 81, Fairmont, MN, were held on Sat., May 31, 2014 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 617 S. Rice St., Blue Earth, MN. Robert died on Friday, May 23, 2014 at the Mayo Health Systems-Fairmont.

Robert Oliver Harbo was born on October 10, 1932 in Revere, MN, the son of Marie Elizabeth Klucking and Oliver Tilman Harbo. He graduated from Tracy High School in 1951.

In 1954, Robert was united in marriage to Joyclyn Mae Nece. In 1965 he moved his family to Fairmont where he worked at various garages as service manager.

Robert is survived by his wife, Joyclyn, Fairmont, MN; three sons, Michael, Quinn (Lois) and Ross (Tracy); six grandchildren; two great grandchildren; four sisters, Betty, Beverly, Elsie and Joan.

 

 

Rose Huso, 79

Rose Ellen Huso, age 79, of Cottonwood, MN died on Saturday, May 31, 2014 at the Minneota Manor in Minneota.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, June 4 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Cottonwood.  Visitation will be held from 5-8 pm on Tuesday at the church with a prayer service at 7:00 pm.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday.  A private family burial will take place at a later date.  Online condolences may be placed at www.rehkamp-horvath.com

Rose Ellen Huso was born July 1, 1934 to Henry and Leona (VanOverbeke) Rogge in Ghent, Minnesota, Lyon County.  She was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Faith, and graduated from Marshall Public Schools. Rose was united in marriage to Joseph C. Johns and to this union 5 children were born.  They made their home on a farm near Tracy where she helped with farming and raising her children.  She worked for Hedlers Red Owl in Tracy for a few years and started her own commercial and house cleaning business called “Have Vac Will Travel.” Rose met and married Arnie Williams and worked as a truck driver for Floyd Wild Trucking in Marshall. On February 24, 1996, Rose married Lyle Huso at the English Lutheran Church in Cottonwood where they also made their home.  She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Cottonwood. Rose enjoyed flower gardening, interior decorating, refinishing furniture, camping, deer hunting, loved her dogs, and spending time with her family and grandchildren.

On Saturday, May 31, 2014 Rose passed away at the Minneota Manor in Minneota, Minnesota at the age of 79 years old.

She is survived by her husband; Lyle, of Cottonwood; children; Gary (Jolynn) Johns of Tracy, Deb (the late Duane) Thorpe of Hutchinson, Bradley (Tricia) Johns of Marshall, Kelly Johns of Clarkfield, and LoAnn “Loie” (Tim) Dale of Clarkfield; siblings; Avon Hess of Marshall, Mary Lou Michelson of Cottonwood, Ronald Rogge of Lynd and Donald Rogge of Albuquerque, NM; 17 grandchildren, 7 step-grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

Her parents, 6 brothers and 1 sister preceded her in death.  Blessed be her memory.

Arrangements with Rehkamp & Horvath Funeral Director, Marshall, Minnesota www.rehkamp-horvath.com.

 

 

Shirley Johnson, 81

Shirley Johnson (Hellerud) age 81, of St. Louis Park, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 16, after a courageous 15-year battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Shirley was born on January 9, 1933, and raised on her family farm near Nerstrand, MN. She graduated from Northfield High School in 1950, and from St. Olaf College in 1954. At St. Olaf she met the love of her life, husband Paul, and they set off on their remarkable life together when they were married in April of 1955. After stops with the US Air Force in Texas and Florida and Maine, Shirley and Paul settled back in Minneapolis in 1957. Shirley was a devoted wife and mother to Paul and her 3 boys and their wives and families. She and Paul always went everywhere together, raising their sons, cheering on their grandchildren, and then seeing much of the world along the way. An amazing supporter of her sons, Shirley showed her support for the boys and their friends in all of their activities: academics, athletics, music, and their part-time jobs and businesses. She was the heart of their home, and her family fed off of her spectacular positive energy. Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lake Harriet School, and Southwest Junior/High School PTAs were the beneficiaries of much of Shirley’s volunteer work. She gave her time simply because she loved everyone, and they loved her. Once her boys had grown and left, Shirley created a great second act for herself, becoming a prolific merchandiser for many local Clothing Sales Reps who counted on her to market their clothing samples and organize periodic sample sales in Edina and St. Louis Park. Her friends from Church, St. Olaf, the workplace and her various neighborhoods and family friends would come consistently to see what Shirley had in store for them next. Shirley also cheered on her 7 grandchildren in their many adventures, and she loved each of them exactly for who they each were. She and Paul loved to play Bridge, and they competed joyfully at Duplicate Bridge for many years together. While Parkinson’s disease was diagnosed many years ago, it never took her spirit. Shirley was always the life of any party, no matter where or for what reason. Anyone who knew her knows that with Shirley came a smile, and that smile was real and it represented how she felt about seeing you and being with you. She really knew people, and they knew her. Shirley died peacefully at home, surrounded by family, and clearly still loving the life she lived.

Preceded in death by parents, Oscar and Ruby Hellerud; parents-in-law, Reed and Ruth Johnson; and stillborn daughter, Barbara. Survived by loving husband of 59 years, Paul; children, David (Jill) of Minnetrista, Mark (Laura) of Shorewood, and Dan (Mary) of Chanhassen; grandchildren Kayla, Connor, Karin, Charlie, Jacob Johnson, and Nick & Karl Johnson; sister, Eileen Sarber of Davis, CA; and sister-in-law, Kathy Cathcart of Sebastopol, CA. Special thank you to the staff at Park Nicollet Hospice and at Care Giving Services group for their loving care of Shirley during her final journey.

A memorial service was held on Thursday, May 29, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on 41st & Lyndale in South Mpls.  Interment will be private at Fort Snelling on a later date. Memorials preferred to the Struthers Parkinson’s Center in Golden Valley or to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Music Series. www.gillbrothers.com Minneapolis Chapel 612-861-6088.