Obituaries 9/10/20
Ralph Dalbec, 79
Ralph Leonard Dalbec, age 79, of Jordan, Minnesota and formerly of Buffalo, passed away on Tuesday, September 1, 2020 at his residence.
He was born on May 14, 1941 in Waverly, Minnesota the son of Leonard J. and Viola E. (Larson) Dalbec.
Ralph was previously married to Beetzie Kolasa.
On June 14, 1975, Ralph L. Dalbec and Dorene Westlund were joined in holy marriage in Buffalo.
Ralph was employed for more than thirty years at Wrightco Products in Monticello.
He was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Buffalo and belonged to The Knights of Columbus.
Ralph was an umpire for Men’s Softball for nineteen years. He also enjoyed mowing lawns.
Ralph was a huge Minnesota Vikings fan, enjoyed deer hunting and loved to play cards. Most of all, Ralph loved his family and spending time with his grandkids!
Ralph is survived by his loving wife, “Dee”; children, David and Tim Dalbec, Deb (Frank) Czanstkowski, Lisa (Keith) Quady, Dawn (Scott) Wald and Robin (Joshua) Robinson; grandchildren, Noah and Olivia Robinson and Jakob Schmidt; siblings, Roger (Barb) Dalbec, Judy (Ross) Florey, Ron (Roxanne) Dalbec, Renee (Joe) Lepinski and Cherie (Chris) Carpenter; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by parents.
Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 a.m. was held Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Buffalo. Father Nathaniel Meyers was the Celebrant. Visitation was at the church on Tuesday, September 8 from 9 a.m. until time of Mass.
Private interment St. Francis Cemetery.
Casket Bearers were Tony Florey, Jeff Florey, Cory Dalbec, Frank Czanstkowski, Josh Robinson and Noah Robinson.
The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo served the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Patricia McNeely, 90
Patricia Anne McNeely, age 90, of Maple Plain, passed away peacefully September 1, 2020 after an almost two-year illness.
She was preceded in death by her parents; three siblings; husband, John; and son, Michael. Survived by siblings, George Bruzenak and Betty Turk; children, Timothy, Deb (John), Colleen (Brian) and Marcia (Jason); six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Private Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, September 10, 2020, at the Catholic Church of St. George. We invite extended family and friends to join us for the celebration of her life online, link at rettingerfuneralhome.com. Online tributes may be posted there as well.
Memorial’s preferred to the family or Moments Hospice.
Rettinger Funeral Home, Long Lake-Orono, 952-473-6954.
Lawrence Rufledt Sr., 73
Beloved son, husband, and father, Lawrence Howard Rufledt, Sr. (known as Larry), of Hanover, MN passed away Monday, August 17, 2020 at the age of 73, after valiantly fighting complications from Covid-19. Larry was born November 29, 1946 in Chippewa Falls, WI.
Larry grew up north of Chippewa Falls and graduated from the University of River Falls with a double major in Economics and Political Science. He proudly served in the Air Force during Vietnam, at a remote-duty radar station at King Salmon Air Force Site.
For more than 40 years, Larry worked extensively in, and on behalf of, the pest control industry. He founded Westside Pest Solutions in 2006 along with his son, Larry Jr. who continues to proudly operate the company. In 2018, he served as President of the Minnesota Pest Management Association (MPMA) and was known for his deep industry knowledge and insight.
Larry took a deep interest in his customers, many of whom became lifelong friends and acquaintances. Larry truly enjoyed working and helping people with their problems, often answering customer calls at all hours of the day.
He enjoyed his family, fishing, reading, agate hunting, visiting his mother on their family farm, grilling, and was an avid Bingo player – once winning nearly $1,000 on a Coverall jackpot – and always having fun, even if losing.
Larry was preceded in death by his father, Howard. Larry is survived by his wife of 48 years, Janette; son, Larry Jr. (Jenny Silgen); mother, Juanita Rufledt; younger brothers, Daniel (Barb), David (Nancy), and Roger; sister, Marlene (Tim) Olson, and other family and friends.
Larry will be greatly missed and remembered for his friendship, generosity, big heart, and wry humor. He made everyone around him feel important and appreciated. He was there for you, no matter what.
Private family service will be scheduled at a later date.
Memorials in Larry’s name are preferred to the MN Department of Natural Resources (DNR) via their Future Forest Fund.
Serving the family is The Peterson Chapel St. Michael/Albertville Funeral Home, 763-497-5362, www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Wilferd Strehler, 82
Wilferd Elmer Strehler, age 82, of Corcoran passed away peacefully at home Wednesday, September 2, 2020.
He was born on December 3, 1937 in Corcoran, Minnesota, the son of Elmer and Edna (Loeffler) Strehler. He was baptized and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church in Loretto, MN which he attended throughout his life. On June 4, 1960, Wilferd Strehler and Diann Vergin were married and later blessed with four children. He was a dairy farmer all his life.
He is survived by his wife, Diann Strehler; their children, Lowell (Judy) Strehler, Craig (Teri) Strehler, and Beth (Trevor) Strike; grandkids, Nathan (Heather) Schleif, Jodi (Kevin) Boecker, Traci (Rick) Peterson, Kelli (Rob) Schumacher, Riley Strehler, Becky Strike, Jacob Strike; many great-grandchildren; brother, Don (Karen) Strehler; sister-in-law, Bonnie Strehler; and other relatives.
Wilferd was preceded in death by his daughter, Clarice Schlief, and his brother, Wayne Strehler.
Cards may be sent to the family in lieu of no public memorial service.
Leona Stueven, 97
Leona E. Stueven, age 97, of St. Cloud, longtime resident of Annandale, died Monday, August 31, 2020 at the St. Benedict Senior Community in St. Cloud.
Private family graveside services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 5, 2020 at Woodlawn Cemetery, Annandale with Rev. Tyler LaGrave officiating. The service will be live-streamed on the funeral home’s website. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorials are preferred to Zion Lutheran Church, Annandale.
Leona Elinor Stueven was born June 26, 1923 in Albion Township to Edward and Emma (Ruge) Schmidt. Leona attended school at Camp Lake Country School in Albion Township before attending Annandale High School.
On November 12, 1947, Leona was united in marriage to Awalt E. Stueven in Maple Lake. Leona and Awalt made their home on their farm in French Lake Township. While Awalt farmed, Leona cared for their home and assisted with the daily farm operations. They were blessed with five children.
In her later years, Leona volunteered at Bendix Elementary School as a Grandma for many years. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, where she was part of the altar guild and Bible study. In her spare time, Leona enjoyed crocheting, making craft projects, and spending time with her grandchildren.
Leona is survived by her children, Gene (Betty) of Annandale, Gerald (Cheryl) of Buffalo, Collene (Daniel) Fogarty of Howard Lake, and Kevin of St. Cloud; daughter-in-law, Bonnie (Mike) Kraemer of Watkins; 11 grandchildren, Sherry, Jeremiah, Ryan, Kelly, Tracy, Tami, Corey, Kristy, Daniel II, Shane, and Derek; 23 great-grandchildren, with one more expected in September; sister-in-law, Edna Stueven; and nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Emma; husband, Awalt; son, Clyde; and brother, Roland.
Leona’s grandchildren served as pallbearers.
Arrangements entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Annandale. Obituary, Guestbook, Video Tribute, and Funeral Webcast online at www.dingmannfuneral.com.