Kenneth Greenfield, 72

The funeral service for Kenneth Greenfield, 72, of rural Balaton, will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 13, 2015, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Balaton.  Visitation will be Thursday from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. at the church in Balaton.  Visitation will continue from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Friday at the church.  Interment will follow the service at Lakeside Cemetery in Balaton. 

Kenneth Aldan Greenfield was born on January 6, 1943, in Tracy, to Donald and Marcella (Welty) Greenfield.  He grew up in rural Balaton and was baptized and confirmed at First English Lutheran Church (later Grace Lutheran Church) in Russell.  Kenneth enlisted and served in the U.S. National Guard from 1962 – 1968 where he was awarded as a sharpshooter and squad leader.  On June 15, 1974, he was united in marriage to Nancy Olsen in Ruthton.  The couple made their home and raised their family in rural Balaton.  In 2007, the family farm was commemorated as a century farm by ownership and operation in the same location for 100 years.  Kenneth was active with church council and township board.  He enjoyed playing cards, reading, and riding motorcycle.  In the late 1990s, he attended Vocational Technical School in Granite Falls to improve his machine and tool skills.  He enjoyed tinkering with various projects in his shop. 

Kenneth died on Sunday, February 8, 2015, St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester.  He is survived by his wife, Nancy, of Balaton, children Lisa (and Dave) Staska of West Fargo, ND, Jon (and Rhonda) Greenfield of Balaton, Barbra (and Kary) Wichmann of Balaton, Robert (and Allison) Greenfield of Scarville, IA, grandchildren Nicholas Staska, Hunter Staska, Logan Staska, Taylor Greenfield, Makenna Greenfield, Rilyn Greenfield, Austin Wichmann, Shawna Wichmann, Kyra Wichmann, Jackson Wichmann and Kenlie Greenfield , sister Kay (and Don) Driscoll of Detroit Lakes, MN, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his father Don, mother Marcella, step-mother Pearl Greenfield and mother-in-law Valborg Olsen.

Arrangements with Almlie-Horvath Funeral Service, Balaton, Minnesota, www.almliefh.com

 

Mary Lou Larson, 79

Mary Lou Larson age 79 of Redwood Falls, formerly of Tracy and Marshall, passed away Saturday, February 7, 2015 at the Redwood Area Hospital following a brief illness.  Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 14, 2015 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Redwood Falls.  Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday at the Redwood Valley Funeral Home, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.  Burial will be in the Tracy City Cemetery.  Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com.  Stephens Funeral Service - Redwood Valley Funeral Home in Redwood Falls is assisting family with arrangements. 

Mary Lou Hook Larson was born July 12, 1935 on the family farm in Gales Township, rural Tracy, Minnesota to Bert and Agnes (Carlson) Hook.  She was baptized on February 24, 1946 at Lake Sarah Baptist Church in Slayton.  She attended country school at District 35 in Redwood County, until she fell ill with polio in July of 1946.  She spent 19 months at Sister Kenny Institute, and completed the 6th grade while there.  She tutored at home for grades 7-9, and was able to attend Tracy High School for her sophomore, junior, and senior years, thanks to some very special friends who assisted Mary Lou while she navigated the school halls.  Mary Lou graduated in 1953. 

On October 28, 1962, Mary Lou was united in marriage to Floyd Larson at Tracy United Methodist Church in Tracy, Minnesota.  Together they lived in Marshall, Minnesota for eleven years, where Mary Lou was employed by Marshall Processing.  The couple later moved to Redwood Falls in 1973.  Mary Lou and Floyd were blessed with one daughter, Susan Jean.  Mary Lou volunteered her time for the Red Cross Blood Drives, and was a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church where she was a monthly caller and served on the Sunshine Committee.  Recently, Mary Lou greatly enjoyed hosting neighborhood coffee parties.  Her grandchildren were the highlight of her life, and often Mary Lou could be found playing house, school, or dress up with them.  Despite the physical challenges she faced after recovering from polio, Mary Lou never slowed down, and remained an independent, patient, and caring person.

Mary Lou is survived by her daughter Susan (Dominic) Ehman and grandchildren, Gabriella, Matthew, and Amelia Ehman all of New Richmond, WI; brother Eugene Hook of Tracy; nephew Tom (Shannon) Hook of Tracy; niece Patti Hook (Arden Virnig) of Onamia; and many other nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Floyd, infant sister, sisters-in-law Mary Alice Hook, Rachel Gislason, Florence Possail, Arlene Peterson, brother-in-law Alvin Larson, parents-in-law Pontus and Bessie Larson, and niece Mary Catherine Virnig. 

 

James ‘Jim’ McMahon, 63

Mass of Christian Burial for James “Jim” Allen McMahon, 63, of Marshall, was held at at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall.  Interment to follow at a later date.

Jim lost his battle to cancer on February 6, 2015, at Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall.

Jim was born in Canby, MN, on September 17, 1951 to James E. and Leona (Kockelman) McMahon. Jim graduated from Canby High School.  On May 26, 1984, Jim married LeAnne Scott.  Jim was a longtime employee of B.H. Electronics, working there for over 30 years.  For the last ten years, Jim was also employed at Wal-Mart in Marshall.    Jim enjoyed spending time with family, hunting, camping, and singing whenever he could. He also enjoyed his time spent on the computer and giving his nieces, nephews and dogs rides on his wheelchair.  Jim took pride in the custom snow blowing and lawn mowing he would provide for anyone who asked. 

Jim is survived by his loving wife, LeAnne McMahon of Marshall; daughter, Jennifer McMahon of Marshall; siblings, Diane (Walter) Lanners of Canby, Richard (Corrine) McMahon of Hendricks; mother-in-law, Doris Scott of Garvin; brother-in-law, Chuck Scott and special friend, Judy Buck of Balaton; sister’s-in-law, Deb Tanghe-Dale of Marshall, Dale and Chris (Kevin) Lanners of Tracy; and many nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Leona; father-in-law, Dale Scott; brother-in-law, Bob Scott; and sister-in-law, Loretta Utsler.

A special thanks to the staff of the Avera Hospitals of Marshall and Sioux Falls, the Avera Morningside Health Care Center, and Fr. Paul Wolf.

Arrangements made with: Rehkamp-Horvath Funeral Home www.rehkamp-horvath.com

 

Michael G. Zender, 62 

Michael George Zender, 62, of Fergus Falls died peacefully on Friday, February 6, 2015, at his home, as a result of his long term medical condition.

Michael was the 2nd of 8 children, born to George and Phyllis (Strand) Zender on the 30th of December 1952 in Tracy, MN.   The Zender family moved to Fergus Falls in 1962, where he graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1971.  He attended Fergus Falls Community College and attended Varnet bike school in Colorado Springs, CO.  



In 1990 he and his family moved to Grand Marais, MN where he bought Wilderness Waters Outfitters.  Wilderness Waters was a canoe outfitters and he guided people into the BWCA.  Mike and his family owned and operated WW for a year before expanding with x-country skis and Trek mountain bikes, when he opened a second store, On the Edge Sports.  Mike and his family ran the store for 10 years before returning to Fergus Falls. 

Upon his return he went back to work in the family business, Coca-Cola 7-up Bottling Co. Fergus Falls, Inc.  He worked until semi retirement, then going into his lifelong love of woodworking.  He then went to work installing beautiful, antique wood flooring.  Mike enjoyed his work and did everything to perfection.  

Mike had a zest for life and you were blessed if he called you his friend, and he had many!  His true passion was to capture the natural beauty of the outdoors.  He was an avid outdoorsman and loved hunting and fishing.  He flew by the seat of his pants and was always trying new things, which he always excelled.  He made some awesome maple syrup from trees he tapped, was a beekeeper, and a sled dog enthusiast, having 27 at one time.  He has always been known for shooting big bucks and even won a The Big Buck contest in Grand Marais.  On a summer day you could find him riding his Harley cruising around the lakes.  Mike was loved by many and will be greatly missed.



Survivors include three daughters, Jennifer Zender of Grand Marais, Juli (Luke) Struck of Shakopee and Kelly Zender of Howard Lake; one son, Patrick (Kari) Zender of Elk River; seven grandchildren, Trent, Rilyn, Brooklynn, Ryder, Benjamin, Chase and Brady; his parents, George and Phyllis Zender of Battle Lake; five sisters, Becky (Steve) Ogaard of Moorhead, Cathy (Mark) Welle of Fergus Falls, Mary (Mark) Johnson of Moorhead, Martha Zender of Fergus Falls and Nancy (Kent) Mattson of Fergus Falls; two brothers, David Zender and Joseph (Emily) Zender all of Fergus, along with numerous nieces and nephews.


Funeral services was held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 11, 2015, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, Fergus Falls. 
Clergy: Father Alan Wielinski and Deacon Chuck Kampa 
Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com