Obituaries 07/23/26

Elroy Boehlke, 75

Elroy James Boehlke, age 75, of Howard Lake passed away on Saturday, July 18, 2026.

He was born on January 25, 1951, at Bethesda Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota, the son of Edward C. and Anna M. (Cafferty) Boehlke Sr., of Waverly.

Elroy attended grade school at Meister Country School, Waverly, and graduated from Howard Lake High School in 1968.

After high school, Elroy milked cows for many neighboring dairy farms. He also worked maintenance at Green Giant, Winsted, alongside his uncle, Bryan Cafferty. He started his trucking career hauling milk for Agur (Katz) Baird in Winsted. From there he went on to work for Barbarossa and Thompson Lumber, where he worked with his uncle, John Cafferty.  He was employed for 43 years as a truck driver at Munson Lakes Nutrition, when he retired in 2019.  

Elroy honorably served his Country in the Army National Guard for 10 years. 

Elroy was a devout Catholic and belonged to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Waverly. He was a former member of the Waverly Knights of Columbus and Martin Krueger Post #407 American Legion, Winsted, and a current member of the American Legion Post #305, Waverly.

Elroy was a caring and helping person, especially to his siblings, nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews, and many friends. He was a mentor that many looked up to with admiration, especially the younger generations.

When anyone needed assistance, he was there for them. He had a kind and generous heart – often feeling disappointed that he could not help enough.

In his younger years, he had great thrills riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle. Elroy also enjoyed a short career as a Golden Gloves boxer. He enjoyed trucking, farming, fishing, traveling, horse racing, and playing Santa Claus for 51 years for family and friends. He enjoyed going to church dinners, meat raffles, and driving the country roads. If there was a backroad to take, he knew it!

Elroy was a godfather to seven family members, Paula (Boehlke) Fritzke, Joe Cafferty, Brayden Boehlke, Maverick, Rian, Mila, and Quinn Boehlke.

Survived by his siblings, RoseAnn Boehlke, Everett (Tamara) Boehlke, Elwin (Becky) Boehlke, Lois Nichols, JoAnn (Jonathan) Dimino, and Eugene (Rita) Boehlke Sr.; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; close family friend, Warren Decker; other relatives and friends.

Preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Edward E. Boehlke Jr.; two infant brothers; a sister-in-law, Lorraine Boehlke; two brothers-in-law, Ted Nichols and Andy Fischer; and by a great-niece, Harlee Noelle Boehlke.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial for Elroy James Boehlke will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Waverly. A visitation will be held from 9:00 A.M. until 10:30 A.M. AT THE CHURCH, preceding the mass.

Entombment in the Niche at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Waverly with military rites.

Urn Bearers will be Elroy’s nephews, Eugene Boehlke Jr., Ross Nichols, Adam Boehlke, Eric Boehlke, Ronald Boehlke, and Edward Boehlke III.

Great-nephew, Blake Boehlke, will be driving the International semi-tractor to Elroy’s final resting place at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

The Chilson Funeral Home in Winsted is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.chilsonfuneralhome.com.

Dona Miller, 95

Dona A. Miller, 95, St. Cloud

March 13, 1931–July 13, 2026

Family will be having private services for Dona Miller, 95, who passed away peacefully Monday, July 13, at Good Shepherd nursing home. Burial will be at Benton County Cemetery in Sauk Rapids. 

Dona was born March 13, 1931, in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, to Ernest and Cleora (Robarge) Baumberger. She married Charles Miller in 1951. She spent much of her life in Rice Lake before moving to St. Cloud, Minnesota. She was a dedicated homemaker, an active volunteer, and member of her church. She served as auxiliary president for the Buffalo Hospital and gift shop. She enjoyed creating gifts and cards for her family and friends. She was a fabulous decorator, entertainer, baker, and shopper. She cherished time with her beloved family.

She spent her lifetime loving, guiding, creating, and helping. Her life was built on a foundation of kindness, patience, and deep dedication to those she loved. Though she has departed this physical world, the love she gave so freely remains woven into the very fabric of the many lives she touched. She leaves behind a family who will forever cherish her wisdom, her love, and the endless devotion she poured into each and every one of them.

Dona is survived by her children, Chuck (Jane) Miller, of St. Cloud, Kathy Wolf, of Richmond, Mike (Bridget) Miller, of Sauk Rapids, Kelly Bares, of Buffalo, Lynda (Daryl) Senger, of St. Cloud; 16 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and five great-great grandchildren. 

She was proceeded in death by her parents; her husband, Charles; daughter, Pat Langer; brother, Wally Baumberger; sister, Darlene (Neal) Schneider; son-in-law, Jerry Langer; and son-in-law, Mike Wolf.

Obituary and Guest Book available online: www.williamsdingmann.com.

John Zachman, 67

John Zachary Zachman, 67, of Albertville, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on July 13, 2026.

John was born on April 20, 1959, in Buffalo, Minnesota, to John and Florence (Rancour) Zachman. He graduated from St. Michael High School with the Class of 1977.

John met the love of his life, Charleen, at a wedding in Wisconsin. Their chance-meeting blossomed into a lifelong love, and they were married on August 4, 1984, in Wisconsin. Together, they built a wonderful life and raised two daughters, Rose and Amy.

For 36 years, John worked at Production Stamping Inc. in Monticello, where he was known for his dedication, strong work ethic, and reliability.

John had a wonderful sense of humor and was a true jokester, always ready to give—or take—a good-natured joke. He loved spending time outdoors deer hunting and fishing, and he had a passion for collecting coins and antiques. Above all else, John cherished his family and treasured every moment spent with them.

A man of deep faith, John was a devoted member of St. Michael Catholic Church.

John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Florence Zachman; his brother, Mark Zachman; and his sister-in-law, Alise Zachman.

He is lovingly survived by his wife of 41 years, Charleen; his daughters, Rose (Steve) McCann and Amy (Mitchell) Otto; his beloved grandchildren, Violet, Easton, Landis, Louis, and Emrick; his siblings, Harvey (Cheryl) Zachman, Alvin (Shirley) Zachman, Anita (Jerry) Mattox, Kenneth (Mary) Zachman, David (Renee) Zachman, Zachary Zachman, and Marvin Zachman; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, July 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation that began at 9:00 a.m., at St. Michael Catholic Church, 11300 Frankfort Parkway NE, St. Michael, Minnesota. Inurnment followed at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery Columbarium.

In lieu of flowers, the family will honor John’s memory by making donations to his favorite charities. 

The service was livestreamed via the link: https://www.youtube.com/c/StMichaelCatholicChurchStMichaelMN.

Arrangements were entrusted to The Peterson Chapel of St. Michael – Albertville. Online condolences for the family may be directed to www.thepetersonchapel.com.