Obituaries 03/09/23
Ellen Kwakenat, 82
Ellen M. Kwakenat, age 82, of Buffalo, passed away at the Buffalo Hospital on Monday, March 6, 2023.
She was born on February 2, 1942, in Minneapolis, MN, the daughter of Stanley and Eleanor (Bendickson) Thompson.
On September 23, 1961, Ellen Thompson and Timothy Kwakenat were united in marriage at Richfield Lutheran Church. Together, they raised their children, first in Minneapolis, then near Maple Lake, MN. After the kids were raised and out of school, Tim and Ellen moved to Buffalo, and Ellen returned to the workforce. She was employed in the printing industry, in customer service, until her retirement. Ellen enjoyed traveling with Tim and their family to many different places. The grandkids loved going with grandma and grandpa on camping trips in their motorhome.
She got the opportunity to visit the Scandinavian area a couple of times, along with the west and east coasts and places in between. In later years, she enjoyed sticking closer to home and enjoyed hosting Sunday afternoon gatherings and epic holiday celebrations. There was often a puzzle on the table to add a few pieces to and the bird feeders that she enjoyed to watch so much.
Ellen was preceded in death by her husband, Tim, in 2015, and her parents, Stanley and Eleanor.
She is survived by children, Tracy (Kevin) Ahlm, Todd Kwakenat, Rob (Tina) Kwakenat and Amy (Shannon) Kreklau; grandchildren, Nicole and Kyle Kwakenat, Molly Kwakenat, Katlyn Krecklau and Danielle (Chase) Hofer; great-grandchildren Ali, Xavier, Harper and Roxsand; sisters Kathy Kwakenat, Jane Riehm, and Jennifer Thompson; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
A memorial service for Ellen Kwakenat will be held on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at 1:00 PM at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, MN. Pastor Dean Brown will officiate.
A visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
The Peterson Chapel, Buffalo assisted the family with funeral arrangements. On-line condolences can be made at www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Gordon Lyrek, 72
Gordon E. Lyrek, age 72, of Watkins, MN, died on Monday, February 27, 2023, at the St. Cloud Hospital surrounded by his family. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at 11:00 am at the Church of Saint Nicholas, Watkins, MN. Visitation will be held Monday, March 13, 2023, from 4:00 - 8:00 PM, with a Prayer Service at 5:00 pm, at Ertl Funeral Home, Watkins, MN. Interment will be held at the Saint Nicholas Cemetery.
Gordon Edward Lyrek, the son of Edward and Gertrude (Remer) Lyrek was born on July 26, 1950, in Watertown, MN. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic High School in Waverly, MN, in 1969. Gordon was united in marriage to Suzan Steinleitner on April 19, 1975, in Waverly, MN. He worked in fiberglass manufacturing and later went back to his farming roots, milking cows for 30 years in Montrose, Eden Valley, and Watkins. Family was important to Gordy. He was a good friend and mentor to his siblings over the years and cared for his mother in Montrose. He was a member of the Church of Saint Nicholas. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, traveling, taking trips to the casino, farm talk with his friends and driving around his neighborhood, watching the crops grow.
Gordon is survived by his wife, Sue, of Watkins, MN; children, Dave (Carrie), of Watkins, MN, Lisa (Jeramy) Bizzell, of Colorado, Brian (Heidi) Lyrek, of Kimball, MN, and Lynn (Kris) Charette of Watkins, MN; grandchildren, Amaya, Danielle, Tyler, Carter, Sam, Bryce, Megan, Ella, Brielle, Brody, Hailey, and Kenzie; siblings, Geri (Larry) Lyrek, of St. Louis, MO, Mary (Chad) Mikalunas, of New York, Chris Shaar, of Montrose, MN, Edward Jr. Lyrek, of Montrose, MN, and Robert Lyrek, of Montrose, MN; and his sister-in-law, Judy.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Gertrude; and siblings, Lawrence, David, Catherine, and Jeffrey.
Please sign our online guestbook at www.johnsonhagglund.com.
Eileen Ottoson, 92
Eileen Mary Ottoson, age 92, of Buffalo, passed on to our Lord peacefully on Friday, March 3, 2023, at The Homestead at Anoka.
She was born on March 13, 1930, in Chetek, Wisconsin, the daughter of Nels and Annie (Williams) Matson. Eileen grew up on a farm with her parents and eight siblings. Born in the Great Depression, childhood was not always easy, however it shaped the determination, strength, and family ties she carried forth the rest of her life.
After graduating from high school, in a bold move for the 1950s, she and a sister moved to Minneapolis to work as seamstresses. It was there she met the love of her life. On December 4, 1954, Eileen Mary Matson and Daniel Emory Ottoson were joined in holy marriage in Chetek, Wisconsin. God blessed their marriage with three daughters, Carol, Susan, and Betty. They lived many years on the Ottoson homestead near French Lake. In 1965, they moved to a smaller farm near Buffalo.
Her family was the biggest joy of her life. She supported her daughters in all of their activities. She taught Sunday School, served as a 4-H leader, hosted great birthday parties, and attended all school events. She was a caring, encouraging and compassionate mother.
After raising her daughters, gaining sons-in-law and grandsons brought even more happiness. From baseball games and band concerts to weddings and campfires, she loved to have fun. Seeing her grandsons’ accomplishments, welcoming their wives, and becoming a great-grandmother brought more joy to her life.
Eileen loved gardening, traveling, sewing, and weaving rag rugs. She was a fantastic cook and loved to host family gatherings. Her siblings, nieces, and nephews were an important part of her family life. She happily shared her passions with all she loved. She was a very positive, outgoing person who loved being around others.
She is survived by her loving daughters, Carol (Mark) LaScotte, of Blaine, Susan (David) Freers, of Muscatine, Iowa, and Betty (Scott) Olson, of Onalaska, Wisconsin; eight grandsons, Mark (Lindsay) LaScotte Jr., Tony (Jaimee) LaScotte, Christopher LaScotte, Andrew LaScotte and John LaScotte, Joel Olson and fiancée Kristen, Eric Olson and Zachary Olson; four great-granddaughters, Evie, Nora, Freya and Dakota; siblings, Doris Kaskinen, Jim Matson and Linda Magadance; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel in 1984; her parents; brothers, Wally, Glenn, Wayne, and Jack Matson; and by a sister, Cathy Potter.
Funeral Services for Eileen Ottoson will be held on Friday, March 10, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hanover. Pastor Tori Sahnow will officiate. A visitation will be held on Friday, March 10, 2023, two hours prior to the funeral service from 10:00 – 12:00 p.m. AT THE CHURCH.
Interment will be held at Grace Lutheran Cemetery-French Lake.
Casket Bearers will be her eight grandsons.
The family would like to thank her three special neighbors for years of friendship and help. Also, thank you to all of the loving staff at Buffalo Hospital, Homestead at Anoka, and Allina Hospice for their compassionate care and support in her final days.
The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo is serving the family. Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Marvin Rogers, 89
Marvin Aloysius Rogers, age 89, of Buffalo, MN, passed away on March 3, 2023, surrounded by his family.
Marvin was born the son of William and Frances (Cebulla) Rogers on August 22, 1933, in Woodland Township, MN.
Marvin is survived by his wife, Betty; son, Thomas; daughter, Diane (Hal) Satter; granddaughters, Katie Barnes and Amanda Barnes; great-granddaughter, Adalei Jurek; sister, Jane Filek; also nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Frances; sisters, Rosann Bjorklund and Kathleen Bjorklund; brother, Patrick Rogers; sons, Timothy Rogers and Terrance Rogers.
Mass of Christian Burial for Marvin was held Wednesday, March 8, at 10:30 a.m. with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. all at The Church of St. Timothy in Maple Lake, MN.
Celebrant for the Mass was Father Kevin Magner.
Interment will be in the St. Timothy Catholic Cemetery at a later date.
Arrangements were entrusted to The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, MN.
Douglas Triplett, 87
Douglas W. Triplett, age 87, of Annandale, died Monday, February 27, 2023, surrounded by his family at their home in Albion Township.
Funeral services were held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 4, 2023, at Zion Lutheran Church in Annandale with Pastor Tyler LaGrave officiating. Burial followed at Woodlawn Cemetery in Annandale. Visitation was held 4-7 p.m. Friday, March 3, 2023, at Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel in Annandale with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation continued 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church Saturday, March 4, 2023. Funeral services were webcast on the funeral home website.
Douglas Wayne Triplett was born February 25, 1936, in Oakes, North Dakota, to Irwin and Florence (Hankel) Triplett. The family moved to Howard Lake, then later moved to Annandale where he graduated high school in 1955. Doug furthered his education at the University of Minnesota School of Agriculture in St. Paul, which led him to an opportunity to be an exchange student in Sweden for one year. On August 20, 1958, he was sworn into the United States Army. He served in the Army until August 5, 1960. Doug purchased his first farm in 1961 in Albion Township. On June 29, 1963, Doug was united into marriage to Shirley Fulks at Zion Lutheran Church in Annandale. Together, they raised their three children on the farm.
Not only was Doug a devoted and active member at Zion Lutheran Church, he also served on various church committees and boards. He was passionate about being involved and enhancing communities in which he was a part of. Doug served as the Albion Township Treasurer for 43 years and was a member of Annandale School Board for 12 years, CentraSota Co-op Board for 35 years, and he served 15 years on the board of the St. Paul Bank, which became CoBank.
Doug was known for his love of spending time with his family on the farm and could often be found driving his Gator, tractor, and pickup. While not farming, he was an avid reader, looking forward to his daily newspaper. Doug and Shirley traveled across the United States and Europe. Doug will be remembered for his wisdom, love, and advice, which will be deeply missed.
Doug is survived by his wife, Shirley, of almost 60 years; children, Wayne (Tina) Triplett, of Annandale, MN, Julianne (Todd) Decker, of Watertown, SD, and Cheryl Triplett, of Shakopee, MN; grandchildren, Ryan (Hannah) Triplett, Emily (Nik) Butz, Jackson (Claire) Triplett, Benjamin Triplett, Grace Decker, Allie Decker, and Leksi Decker; great-grandchildren, Georgiana, Marriott, Magnus, Ariadne, and Layne; sister-in-law, Elsa Triplett; and many other family.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Irwin and Florence; brother, Warren Triplett; and niece, Karen Tomes.
The casket bearers were Ryan, Jackson, Benjamin Triplett, Nik Butz, Chris Smith, and Todd Decker. The honorary casket bearers were Wayne Carlson, Ron Uter, Dale Jans, Thad Ashwill, Ken Seifert, Bill Anderson, and Dave Bowman. Kathy Murphy provided the music.
Obituary, Guestbook, Video Tribute, & Funeral Webcast online at www.dingmannfuneral.com.
