Obituaries 10/1/20

Dallas Brooks, 19

Dallas E. Brooks, age 19, of Silver Lake, passed away on Tuesday, September 22, 2020, after living his best life... And his second-best life.

Dallas was preceded in death by grandmother, Deborah White; and brother, Thomas Brooks. He is survived by grandparents, Ruth McCoy, Richard (Dorothy Knutson) Donnelly, and Ervin (Deb) Brooks; best friend, Marvin Roach; mothers, Dana Brooks and Donna Roach; father, Duane Brooks; sisters, Danielle Donnelly-Brooks and Delaney Brooks; brothers, Devin Donnelly, Duane Brooks Jr., Stefonte Brooks, Dillon Brooks, Mason Brooks, and Brayden Brooks; nephews, Ryder Brooks and Sterling Brooks; Dallas’s clan, Ann, Kelley, Daphne, Annamaria, Noah, Alicia, Sam, Nora, Nash, and Paisley. He also leaves behind a multitude of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Dallas was a born champ. He came out fighting at just over two pounds and hit every milestone higher and harder than anyone could have imagined. Dallas had an uncanny ability to draw people in and make them feel comfortable. He engaged people with his infectious smile. A smile that left an imprint on the hearts of many. Dallas radiated positive energy (unless he was mad at you… then watch out!) He was charming and funny. He cared deeply for his family, and he loved to eat and laugh, then eat some more.

Dallas was a 2019 graduate of Watertown High School but remained a HUGE Panther fan. You can take the boy out of Silver Lake, but you can’t take Silver Lake out of the boy!! Go Panthers!!

Public viewing for Dallas was held Monday, September 28, 2020 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the Maresh Funeral Home, 105 Main Street, Silver Lake, MN 55381. Burial and service was held on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Bohemian National Cemetery, 12787 200th Street, Hutchinson, MN 55350.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Maresh Funeral Home of Silver Lake, 320-327-2417.

 


Merle Dahlheimer, 94

Merle Matthew Dahlheimer, age 94, of Albertville, passed away on Monday, September 21, 2020. He was born on February 9, 1926 in Minneapolis, the son of Matthew and Cornellia (McNeil) Dahlheimer.

On September 26, 1945, Merle Dahlheimer and LaVerne Kasper were joined in holy matrimony at St. Michael Catholic Church. God blessed their marriage with eight children.

Merle was a proud dairy farmer, and on June 1, 1959 he purchased a beer distributorship in St. Michael and was a founder of what is now known as Dahlheimer Beverage. He enjoyed cards, dancing, wintering in Arizona with LaVerne, and rebuilding old Model-A cars and traveling with his car group of friends. He was a charter member of the St. Michael Lion’s Club, St. Michael Knights of Columbus, Minnesota Beer Wholesalers, National Beer Wholesalers, and faithful member of St. Michael Catholic Church.

He is preceded in death by his wife, LaVerne; daughter, Sharon; son, Gary; grandson, Jacob Eicher; parents; siblings, Shirley Dahlheimer, Arlene Hoglund, Wilbur Dahlheimer, Irma Vetsch; brothers-in-law, Stuart Hoglund, Donatus Vetsch, Donald Greninger, Ken Tiernan, Marty Martinez, Don Chamberlin; and special family friend, Ingrid “Cookie” Manro.

Merle is survived by his children, Charlotte (Dennis) Eicher, Carolyn (Tony) Eicher, Greg (Debby) Dahlheimer, Tom Dahlheimer, Joe (Kim Anderson) Dahlheimer, Brenda (Vince) Zachman; 23 grandchildren; 60 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Phyllis Greninger, Muriel Tiernan, LaVonne Martinez, Gwen Chamberlin; sister-in-law, Lucille Dahlheimer; and many other family members and friends.

Visitation was held Monday, September 28, 2020 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at The Peterson Chapel in St. Michael. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, September 29, 2020, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m., at St. Michael Catholic Church. Burial will follow at St. Michael Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to The Cornerstone Women’s Clinic in St. Michael or charity of your choice.

Serving the family is The Peterson Chapel St. Michael-Albertville Funeral Home, 763-497-5362, www.thepetersonchapel.com.

 


Thomas Kjellberg, 76

Thomas Kjellberg, age 76, of Bloomington, MN, passed away September 22, 2020.

Tom graduated from Breck School in Minneapolis. He attended Macalester College in St. Paul and graduated from the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities with a degree in wildlife management. Tom served in the Minnesota Army National Guard and Reserve, then had a long and distinguished career in law enforcement as a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conservation officer.

As a boy, Tom loved fishing with his father and uncle, and later shared that passion with his wife and children. In his retirement he enjoyed travel, history, reading, and impressing his grandchildren with fireworks. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. Tom’s greatest joys in life were his grandchildren, whom he adored with all his heart.

He is survived by a loving wife, Teri; three devoted children, Paul (Brooke) Kjellberg, Sarah (John) Kjellberg Muehlhausen and Rachel (Lance) Carnahan; six adoring grandchildren, Lillian, Henry and Oskar Muehlhausen, and Alice, Celia and Rowan Carnahan; and a loyal brother, Tim Kjellberg.

A private funeral service will be held at Fort Snelling. Memorials preferred to the American Red Cross and Salvation Army.

Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel, 952-920-3996.

 


Marian Roehl, 92

Marian (nee Arens) Roehl, August 6, 1928 – September 21, 2020, age 92, of Buffalo.

Marian was preceded in death by husband of 61-plus years, Edmund “Jack” Roehl (in 2012); parents, Harry and Lillian Arens; brothers, Donald Arens, Robert Arens; brothers-in-law, Norman Georges, Charles Ghostley, Donald Roehl, Ellsworth Roy; sisters-in-law, LaVerne Roy and Mildred Roehl.

She is survived by children, Randy (Pat) Roehl, of Albany, Karen Senesac and special friend, Miles Haaland, of Alexandria, Geri (Neal) Roth, of Delano, Tom (Janet) Roehl, of Golden Valley, Steve (Pam) Roehl, of Willmar;  13 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren, Joel (Mindy) Roehl, Ella and Mason; John Roehl; Jill (Paul) Herkenhoff, Nathan and Drew; Chad (Kelly) Senesac, Shayla; Garrett (Diane) Senesac, Ethan, Kylie and Brinley; Kimberly (Tom) Schroeder, Jordan, Amber, McKenna; Krista (Jamie) Nieland; Tim (Julie) Roth, Matthew, Colette; Todd Roth, Aubrey;  Michael (Kristina) Roth; Sarah (Alex)  Schueller, Allison and Jack Roehl;  sisters, Corinne Georges, Eleanore Ghostley; brother, Richard (Rozanne) Arens; sisters-in-law, Millie Arens, Dorothy (Bill) Theis; also many nieces and nephews. 

Special thanks to the staff at Lake Ridge Assisted Living and Care Center.

Mass of Christian Burial was Saturday, September 26 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service all at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church of Buffalo. Interment was at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery of Loretto. 

Serving the family was The Peterson Chapel, Buffalo, MN, 763-682-1363, www.thepetersonchapel.com.

 


Nicole Schellenberg, 39

Nicole M. “Schellenberg” Roe passed away on August 21, 2020, at the young age of 39, into the loving arms of our Lord.

She was born June 5, 1981 at Waconia Hospital. She lived most of her life in the Anoka-Fridley area. Nicole’s smile is infectious, and she was very much a people person with the gift of laughter. She adored her daughters. They were truly the love of her life. Her favorite song is “Yellow” by Coldplay, and yellow is also her favorite color. She loved “Butterflies,” and every time I see a butterfly, I will forever think of her.

Her love has not ended. I think it’s her time to be an angel and continue her love by watching over her young daughters. You know, we parents always think that we will leave this world before their children. That was not the case here for us and our daughter. She took flight before us. Then, you realize what’s different here is that we have no control over anything.

You just have to appreciate every moment, because you never know when it may become a memory. We need to make as many memories as we can, and I like to believe we take them with us. But, this has been devastating, and our hearts are so broken I feel like this will take an army to help us through it. 

Nicole is survived by her father, Richard C. Schellenberg; mother and step-father, Charles and Meda Rogich; her sisters, Jessica and Michelle Schellenberg; her three beautiful daughters, Kira Schellenberg (21), Lyric Rogich (6), and Lyla Schellenberg (6 months); numerous aunts and uncles and cousins from the Schellenbergs, Bramels and Rogichs.

Service will be held Saturday afternoon, October 3, 2020, starting at 2:00 p.m., ends at 7:00 p.m. Pastor Cathy from Our Fathers Lutheran Church will give the sermon at 3:00 p.m. Service will be outside at the Baker Park Driftwood Shelter, 2309 Baker Park Road, Maple Plain, MN 55359.

It is important to have an idea of how many people plan to attend, so we can plan appropriately. Please RSVP by sending an e-mail with “Nicole’s Service” in the subject line to: meda_rogich@msn.com.

Please direct all flowers and memorials to her children: C/O Meda Rogich, Thurston Lindberg Funeral Home, 2005 Branch Ave., Anoka, MN 55303.

 


Barbara Thomes, 90

Barbara Ann Thomes, age 90, of Buffalo, MN, was born on June 23, 1930 in Minneapolis, MN to Mae and Henry Pluth and passed away on September 22, 2020.

When she was in second grade, her family moved to St. Cloud, MN, where she attended Holy Angels Grade School and Cathedral High School. Barb continued her studies at the College of Saint Benedict. Following graduation, she worked in New York City in the art department of Conde Nast Publications.

When she returned to Minnesota, Barb taught senior high English and traveled to Europe. She and Ramon Thomes were married at the St. Cloud Cathedral on December 27, 1954 and moved to Buffalo where her husband joined the J.W. Thomes Insurance Agency. While raising six children, Barb substitute taught in Buffalo High School and was actively involved with EDGE, a University of Minnesota Down Syndrome research project. She served on the Camp Friendship board and Auxiliary, the Functional Industries board, and a term as the president of Wright County ARC.

Prior to retirement, Barb worked for ten years at St. Cloud Catholic Charities Family Services in the rural life services, setting up support groups for people suffering the loss of their farms and businesses. She also worked at Caritas with widowed, separated, and divorced adults and their children. In her retirement Barb continued her volunteer work, including providing support to families of children with Down Syndrome, and to Catholic clergy through the Serra Club.

Barbara filled her life with art, music, reading, travel, and family and friends. She was an active member of St. Francis Xavier Church in Buffalo, MN and the Wright County Serra Club, a Catholic lay organization. She painted watercolor paintings, which became treasured gifts for family and friends. Among her grandchildren, she is famous for wrapping presents with the most beautiful bows, baking “Grandma Rolls,” and making gingerbread houses.

She is survived by her husband Ray, children Gregory (Betty), Catherine, Peter (Verna), Judith, Christopher (Ann), and Brian; ten grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren; her sister, Mary Palmquist; and sister-in-law, Joan Urbanski.

A reviewal took place from 9:30–11:00 a.m. before the funeral Mass. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at the Church of St. Francis in Buffalo, MN at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 28, 2020. The burial will take place at a later date.

Please give memorials in Barb’s name to the Buffalo Food Shelf, the Franciscan Brothers of Peace, or the Mercy Home for Boys and Girls.

Serving the family was The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo, MN, 763-682-1363.

 


Gerald VanBenschoten, 72

Gerald (Jerry) Theron VanBenschoten was born in Springfield, New York to Theron and Doris (Seymour) VanBenschoten on January 27, 1948. He grew up in Richfield Springs, New York and graduated high school there.

After high school, Jerry went to Florida where he worked driving pilings on the Seven Mile Bridge that leads to Key West. He also chartered scuba diving boats while in Florida.

On August 8, 1974, Jerry married Patricia Ellefson; the couple left Florida and moved to New Germany, Minnesota and later to Howard Lake.  Jerry owned his own janitorial business for 15 years.  When he was no longer able to do his janitorial work, he enjoyed customer service and courier roles before retiring.

Jerry had many hobbies: golfing, bowling, shooting and woodworking.  He was an active member of his church, Living Waters Christian Fellowship.

Jerry passed away unexpectedly on September 23, 2020 at the Buffalo Hospital Emergency Room.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia, of Howard Lake; daughter, Sara (William) Selvidge and their children Nora and Jasper, of St. Michael.  Also, his sisters, Beverly (David) Wilson, of Richfield Springs, New York, and Betty Graham, of Debary, Florida.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, Theron and Doris; and sister, Joan.

Memorial Service: 11 a.m. Saturday, October 3, 2020 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Waverly. 

Following the service, all are invited to a Covid-safe box lunch at the residence.

Swanson Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Howard Lake is serving the family, www.swansonpeterson.com.

 

 

 

Publication: 

The Drummer and The Wright County Journal Press

PO Box 159
108 Central Ave.
Buffalo MN 55313

www.thedrummer.com

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