Obituaries 5/30/19

Donald Becker, 89

Donald “Don” Leo Becker, age 89, of St. Michael, formerly Rogers, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, May 24, 2019. He was born on January 17, 1930 in Rogers, the son of Thomas and Anastasia (Kolles) Becker.

Don proudly served in the United State Army and was a member of the St. Michael American Legion Post 567. He was also a member of the Serra Club and St. Michael Knights of Columbus.

Don was a faithful member of St. Michael Catholic Church where he also served as a baptism coordinator. In September 1995, Donald Becker was ordained as a St. Paul Archdiocese Deacon and served the community of St. Michael as Deacon Don Becker for 20 years.

On June 23, 1953 Donald Becker and Rosella “Rose” Bongaarts were united in holy matrimony at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Shakopee, now known as The Parish of Saint Joachim and Anne, by Father Marvin Klaers.

Don was preceded in death by: his wife, Rose Becker; daughter, Lesa; son-in-law, Bob Dehmer; daughter-in-law, Nickole Becker; granddaughters, Robyn Lynn Dehmer, Kristina Becker; brother, Bernard Becker; sister, Sr. Johnelle Becker; and siblings-in-law, Gerald Speltz, Donald Magnuson, Gregory Bongaarts, Albert Breeggemann, Delores (Edwin “Eddie”) Weber, Gordon (Helen) Bongaarts, Donna (Roman) Becker.

Don is survived by: his children, Debbie Dehmer of Rogers, Jan (Murray) Nord of Rogers, Gerard (Kim) Becker of Long Prairie, Paul (Cheryl) Becker of Glencoe, Rollie Becker of Rogers; grandchildren, Tami (Ben) Reiners, Craig and Lindsey Dehmer, Danielle and Lesa Nord, Elizabeth, Teresa, Katherine, Johanna, Anthony, Margaret (Nathan) Wuebkers, Regina and Rachel Becker, Nicole and Felicia (Howie) Becker; great-grandchildren, Donovan Reiners, Cora Becker; brother, Thomas (Joanne) Becker; sisters, Dorothea (Gilbert) Bauman, Elizabeth “Betty” Magnuson; sisters-in-law, Grace Becker, Helen Breeggemann; and many nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Visitation Thursday, May 30, 2019 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial Friday, May 31, 2019 at 11:00 a.m., with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m., at St. Michael Catholic Church in St. Michael. Interment with military honors at St. Michael Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to St. Michael Catholic Church.

Douglas Brenny, 76

Douglas Thomas Brenny, age 76, of Montrose, went home to the Lord on May 25, 2019. He was born on February 23, 1943 in St. Cloud, to Joseph and Marion (Martini) Brenny.

He graduated from Central High School in Minneapolis, and began a family there with his wife Jeanne Haugh. Together they raised four children, moving to Montrose in 1978.

Doug and Jeanne spent their winters in Mission, Texas for the last 16 years. Doug enjoyed sharing his faith, making people laugh, taking rides on his motorcycle, tinkering in his shop, working on classic cars, taking family camping trips, playing guitar, and having jam sessions with his buddies. Out of all his hobbies and activities, making memories with his grandchildren and spending time with them was what made him the most happy and proud.

Doug was preceded in death by: his parents; sisters, Arleene Meyers and Kathleen Baron; and brother, Robert Brenny.

He is survived by: his wife, Jeanne; children, Michael (Sarah), Christopher (Jennifer), Stacy (Scott), and Bryan (Katie); grandchildren, Jordan (Cassaundra), Jayden, Peyton, Eli, Jace, Hannah, Jonah, Autumn, Madelyn, Ethan, Grace, and Levi; and sister, Audrey Glynn.

A Memorial Service for Doug will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2019 at 11 a.m. at the Buffalo Covenant Church in Buffalo. Visitation one hour prior.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo. Online condolences for the family may be directed to www.thepetersonchapel.com.

Kelly Driscoll, 59

Kelly Joseph Driscoll, 59, of Maple Lake, passed away unexpectedly Saturday May 4, 2019.

Kelly was born October 4, 1959 to Leonard and Betty Driscoll of Maple Lake. He lived his entire life in Maple Lake, a man of varied interests who enjoyed tinkering in different endeavors, especially business. He enjoyed working with his hands and fixing things, a natural mechanic who learned from his father.

As a youth, he owned a bike repair shop in Maple Lake which he later expanded into lawn mower and small engine repair. He was a weight lifting enthusiast, in his prime could bench press 500 lbs.

He owned several small businesses, including over the road trucking, landscaping, decorative concrete, newspaper distribution, and water conditioning. He liked attending auctions, buying and selling things, scanning Craigslist or eBay for a deal, and talking to his cats, Prick and Prick 2.

Kelly and Rebecca were setup by his brother, Toby, and their romance blossomed via CB radio, his handle ‘The Beef’, hers ‘Blue Eyes.’ They were wed 34 years ago in Las Vegas, Nevada on February 15, he would later say for a bargain on flowers and candy for years to come, they had 7 children.

Kelly is survived by: his wife, Becky; children, Jamie (James Long) Driscoll of Monticello, Leonard Driscoll of Plymouth, Holly (Matt) Knott of Annandale, Sally (Justin Harpole) Driscoll of Cokato, Candace (Chad Webb) Driscoll of Cosmos, Billy Driscoll of Maple Lake, Tessie Driscoll; grandchildren, Owen, Rachel, Simon, Franklin, Zoey, Charlotte, Fiona, Luna, Kyra, Cora, Ian and Axel. Kelly is also survived by: his siblings, three sisters and three brothers; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by: both of his parents; and beloved cat, Prick.

Private memorial and internment. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Camp Courage to benefit special needs children and adults.

Jacqueline Johnson, 80

Jacky (Schultz) Johnson, age 80, of Oklahoma City, OK passed away on May 1, 2019 peacefully at her home.

She was born on August 19, 1938 in Buffalo, Minn., the daughter of LeRoy and Hildegarde Schultz. Jacky graduated from Buffalo High School in 1956 with honors. She continued her education at The Gale Institute in Minneapolis for Business after high school.

On June 28, 1959, Jacky joined in holy marriage to Kenneth C. Johnson at St John’s Lutheran Church in Buffalo, and was married to Ken for 46 years until his death in 2005. God blessed their marriage with two children, Scott and Stacy.

 She lived in Oklahoma City for the past 47 years where she was employed by the March of Dimes for over 25 years. Jacky was very active at Messiah Lutheran Church in Oklahoma City for many years.  She enjoyed singing in the choir and actively participated in the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and the local group, Messiah Lutheran Women. 

After retirement, Jacky enjoyed volunteering for many organizations, including Infant Crisis Services Inc. of Oklahoma and Messiah Lutheran Mobile Meals. She also enjoyed spending time with her family and close friends.

Jacky was preceded in death by: her parents, LeRoy and Hildegarde; her husband, Ken Johnson and her brothers-in-law, Dale Koch and Alvin Kadrmas.

Jacky is survived by: her son, Scott (Debi) Johnson; her daughter, Stacy (James) Surratt; her sister, Jennifer Koch; brother, Jim Schultz; six grandchildren: Olivia and Christopher Surratt; Andrea, Alexis, Alyssa and Carra Caldwell; sisters-in-law, Doreen Kadrmas and Liz (Jon) Williams, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Jacky were held on Tuesday May 7 at Messiah Lutheran Church in Oklahoma City.

Thomas Johnson, 70

Thomas L. Johnson, age 70, from Buffalo passed away Sunday, May 26, 2019.

A Visitation will be held Friday, May 31 from 5-7 p.m. at the Johnson Funeral home (611 N 2nd street, Dassel). A Memorial service will be held at Gesthsemane Lutheran Church in Dassel on Saturday June 1 at 1:00 p.m. (221 East Atlantic Avenue, Dassel). Visitation one hour prior to service.

Full obituary to follow.

Irene Lundquist, 91

Irene H. Lundquist age 91, of Mesa, AZ, formerly of Buffalo, passed away peacefully on April 25, 2019.

Irene is survived by: her children, Bruce (Debbie) Lundquist, Barbara McCallum, Linda Moran; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Irene was preceded in death by: her loving husband of 62 years, Wesley E. Lundquist; six sisters; and one brother.

Irene was a highly skilled secretary and could type at “lightning” speed. She loved music and had a gift to play by ear on the organ or piano. Irene was very creative and had an artistic eye for sketching portraits. Irene was a loving wife, mother, and grandma who will be deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Association would be appreciated.

A short graveside service will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery on June 20, 2019 at 11:05 a.m., assembly area #1. Fort Snelling asks anyone attending be there by 10:45 a.m.

The Peterson Chapel, Buffalo served the family. On-line condolences can be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.

Arvella Veches, 88

Arvella Joan Veches was born December 1, 1930, the second daughter of Herb and Hattie (Schlief) Beise. 

She was baptized in the Evangelical Lutheran Faith on March 8, 1931 in Rockford, by the Rev. Beisrvanger and confirmed at Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rockford, on April 2, 1944 by Pastor Baer. Her memory verse was “Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life.” Rev. 2:10

Arvella grew up on the family farm in Rockford Township, Buffalo.  She attended country school and then Rockford High School until her graduation.

On November 8, 1947 Arvella was united in marriage to Donald Veches. God blessed their marriage with three children: Jerry, Connie and Diane.

Arvella worked part-time at the Sears Catalog store in Buffalo for almost thirty years.  She retired to take care of her husband, Don, who was afflicted with Parkinson disease.

Arvella enjoyed family gatherings and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was a faithful member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Buffalo.  Arvella enjoyed gathering together with the ladies of the Mary Circle for fellowship and Bible reading. She was also a past member of the Dickinson’s Woman’s Club of the Buffalo/Delano area. She was involved with her children as an adult leader with the 4-H Club.

Arvella died in the Lord on May 27, 2019 at North Memorial Hospital at the age of 88.

Arvella was preceded in death by: her husband of 52 years, Don; parents, Herb and Hattie Beise; brother, Donald; brother-in-law, Preston Yonak and sister-in-law, Rita Beise.

Arvella is survived by: her son, Jerry; daughters, Connie and Diane all of Buffalo; grandchildren, Kelly (Scott) Ertel Gustavson and Kyle (Theresa) Ertel both of Maple Lake; great-grandchildren Macy Wurm, Allie and Carter Ertel, Josh, Kristen and Ashley Gustavson;  great-great-granddaughter Taylor Gustavson; sister Mayella Yonak of Buffalo; brothers Dennis (Janet) Beise of Delano, Duane Beise of Loretto and Kenny (Sharon) Beise of Buffalo; sister-in-law Judy Beise of Charlotte, NC; further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral service for Arvella will be Thursday, May 30 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m. all at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Buffalo. Officiating was Pastor Ryan Clark.

Casket bearers were Steve Beise, Michael Beise, Grant Beise, Doug Beise, David Beise and Troy Beise.

Luncheon to follow at church. Interment will be in Lakeview Cemetery of Buffalo. 

Serving the family is The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo.