Obituaries 06/13/19

Harvey Drew, 87

Harvey A. Drew, age 87, of Delano passed away on Wednesday June 5, 2019 at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center in Bemidji.

Funeral service was at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 11, 2019 at Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church (6110 Main Street) in Rockford with Rev. Michael T. Barlow as officiant. Visitation was held Tuesday at the church one hour prior to the funeral.  Interment St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in Chaska.

Harvey Allen Drew was born November 15, 1931 in Monticello the son of Calvin and Florence (Wolff) Drew.  He grew up in Augusta and after attending both the Chaska and Rockford High Schools, Harvey enlisted in the United States Air Force.  On June 22, 1954 Harvey was united in marriage with Elaine H. Meyer at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Chaska.

Harvey and Elaine moved to rural Delano when they purchased a farm. He loved all aspects of farming and was very proud of his dairy herd.   Harvey was a member of the Dairy Herd Improvement Association and had worked as a DHIA route tester.

Harvey enjoyed visiting with family and friends and looked forward to annual fishing trips with his family.

Harvey was preceded in death by: his parents; wife, Elaine H. Drew; daughter-in-law, Nancy Drew; and brother, James Drew.

Harvey is survived by his loving family: sons and daughter-in-law, Ken Drew of Brooklyn Park, Steve and Susan Drew of Big Fork; grandchildren, Jenny (John) Ritari, Nicki (Ken) Buesgens; great-grandchildren, Alexander, Nicholas and Christopher Ritari, Natalie and Tripp Buesgens; brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert and Beverly Drew of Janesville, WI, Donald and Joanne Drew of Aitkin; sister, Shirley Kamann of Morristown, PA; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Evelyn Swaim, Earl and Sue Meyer, Jean Meyer; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Arrangements with the Johnson Funeral Home in Waconia.

Howard Ferry, 77

Howard Niles Ferry, 77, Buffalo, Minnesota, passed away June 8, 2019. 

Howard was born June 11, 1941 to Howard and Bernice (White) Ferry, in Eagle Bend. After growing up in Minneapolis, and graduating from Anoka High School in 1959, he enlisted in The United States Air Force, where he was stationed at Truax Field in Madison, Wisconsin. He also served in the Wisconsin Air National Guard.

On December 8, 1962, he married Janice De Young in Waupun, Wisconsin and had been married 56 years. In June 1964, their daughter Dana Kay was born.

Upon completion of military service, he worked at Gibbs Manufacturing & Research in Janesville, Wisconsin. In 1965 Howard moved his family to Minneapolis, where he took a position with Northwestern Bell. In 1984 he transferred to AT&T, and in 1991 he retired.  He was a member of the Communications Workers of America (CWA).

After his retirement, he worked part time at Ace Hardware in Robbinsdale.  Having a passion for woodworking and fixing antique musical instruments, he took a position at Barton Player Piano Co, as a master player piano repairman. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed living in their home overlooking the lake in Buffalo.  He especially loved spending time with his family and friends.

Howard is survived by: his wife, Janice Ferry, of Buffalo; daughter, Dana Ferry (Chuck Wiser), of St. Cloud; granddaughter, Emily (Phill) Boehm, of St. Joseph, Michigan; great-grandson, Seth; sister-in-law, Sheryl (Thomas) Ferry; and nieces and nephews.  Preceded in death by: his parents, Howard and Bernice; brother, Thomas, and brother, Bruce and wife Barbara.

A service for the immediate family was held.

Memorials to the National Kidney Foundation, 1970 Oakcrest Avenue, #208, St. Paul, Minnesota  55113.

A special thank you to the staff at Lakeside Oasis and North Memorial Home Hospice.

The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepeterson chapel.com.

Jean Matter, 84

Jean Marie Matter, age 84, of Delano, passed away peacefully Monday, June 10, 2019. She was born June 13, 1934 in Cheyenne, Wyoming to James Edward and Margaret (Keenan) Doyle.

She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

Jean attended St. Patrick’s Catholic High School in North Platte, Nebraska. She was united in marriage to Clement L. Matter on January 28, 1956 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. They made their home in Delano, Minnesota where they raised six children.

Jean was preceded in death by: children, Joseph Matter and Theresa Ludwig; parents; siblings, Thomas Doyle and James Doyle; sister-in-law, Marge Doyle; and niece, Geri Lynn Miller. She is survived by: husband, Clement “Clem”; children, Matthew (Jean) Matter, Margaret “Peggy” (Curtis) Houghton, Lori Matter and fiancé Mark Ehlers, and Tim (Amy) Matter; grandchildren, Andrea Matter and fiancé Sulaiman Shaikh, Joshua (Jen) Matter, Amanda Matter, Michael Wanha, Krista (Jaime) Kinney, Cory Ludwig, Jerome (Lori) Ludwig, Lisa (Greg) Rassat, Barb Horsch, Mary Ludwig, Julie (Shawn) Woods, Joe (Natasha) Ludwig, Gabriel Hance and Elijah Hance; great-grandchildren, Reilly Matter, Tylor Matter, and Alexander, Alyssa, Addison, and Austin Kinney; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 17, 2019 at St. Peter Catholic Church in Delano. Visitation will be held Sunday, 4-8 p.m. with a 3:30 p.m. rosary service in Martha’s Hall of St. Peter Catholic Church. Visitation will continue Monday, 10-11 a.m. prior to the Mass in Martha’s Hall. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery in Delano.

Arrangements by the Iten Funeral Home in Delano.

Sylvia Vandergon, 87

Sylvia Ann Vandergon (Edwards), age 89, of Monticello, formerly of Brainerd, went home to her Savior surrounded by family and friends on June 4, 2019.

Sylvia is survived by: husband, Maurice; children, David (Nancy), Janet (Tom) Wienk, Laurie (L.J.) Nickisch and Paul (Carol); eight grand-children; three great grandchildren; and siblings, Lloyd, Harold, Luvernne Cotton, Leroy, and Marilyn Olson. Sylvia was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Visitation was from 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, June 9, at Peterson Grimsmo Funeral Chapel, 250 E Broadway, Monticello. Funeral Service on Monday, June 10, at 11 a.m. with visitation one hour prior at Silver Creek Community Church, 4282 114th St NW, Silver Creek. Interment Lakeview Cemetery. Memorials preferred to Guardian Angels Assisted Living.

Arrangements were entrusted to Peterson Grimsmo Funeral Chapel, Monticello.