Obituaries 10/29/20

Michael Dwyer, 62

Michael William Dwyer, 62, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia, MN on October 21, 2020.

Mike was born on October 29, 1957, son of the late Jerome and Mary (McLaughlin) Dwyer. He went to Shanley High School in Fargo, N.D. and worked for Crane Lumber and then Reinhardt Brothers Appliances.

Mike moved to Maple Lake, MN and worked for Guyer’s Appliance and later started his own computer repair business. He married Peggy Meidinger on February 14, 1997. Mike was the International Treasurer of Hassenpheffer for many years and loved spending time with his nieces, nephews and grandchildren. Mike also enjoyed his volunteer work with senior citizens. He loved the lake where he lived for many years and was always willing to take anyone on a pontoon ride around the lake. Mike was a very kind and gentle soul; he had a loving and generous heart.

He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Chloe Orth; his parents, Jerome and Mary Dwyer; brother, Tim Dwyer; nephew, Andrew Tanter; and his uncle, Brother John (Jack) McLaughlin.

He leaves his loving memories to be cherished by his loving wife, Peggy; step-daughter, Amy (Don) Cardinal; step-son, Chris (Mandy) Orth;  grandchildren, Jessie, Nathan, Jordan, Emilee, David, and Daniel; great-grandaughter, Bryley;  siblings, Peg (Jim) DeConcini; Jan Zaycheck; Patrick (Fran) Dwyer; Colleen (Ron) Tuff; Thomas (Karen) Dwyer and many nieces, nephews and friends.

A special thank you to the doctors and nurses at Ridgeview Medical Center that took care of Mike with their kindness and compassion.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

 


Susan Kolasa,  69

Susan “Susie” Carol Kolasa, age 69, of Rogers, passed away on Monday, October 19, 2020. She was born on December 20, 1950 at Saint Barnabas Hospital in Minneapolis to Alfred C. and Dorothy E. (nee Johnson) Schutte.

She was baptized on January 21, 1951 at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church by Pastor Schroeder. Her sponsors were her aunt, Clara Koehler and uncle, Walter Barthel. She attended school at St. John’s Parochial School. She was confirmed in the Lutheran faith on March 22, 1964 by Pastor Pfotenhauer at St. John’s.

Susie attended high school at both Buffalo and Rockford. She graduated from Rockford High School in 1968. After high school, she attended beauty school and worked most of her life as a beautician out of her homes as Susie’s Cut and Curl, first in Rockford, and then Rogers.

On October 15, 1983, Susan and James were united in marriage at Our Father’s Lutheran Church in Rockford.

Susie enjoyed sewing, from doll clothes to volunteering to sew items for Fairview Ridges Hospital. She was the Highlighted Volunteer in 2011 at Fairview Ridges Hospital!

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Dorothy Schutte; brother, Harland Schutte; parents-in-law, Stan and Pat Kolasa; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Vern and Peggy Kolasa, Bob Kolasa, Tony Kolasa.

Susie is survived by her husband, Jim; children, Cathy (Matt) Kohnen, Bill (Shannon) Daluge and Mark Kolasa; grandchildren, Willie (JoJo) Kohnen, Rebecca (Brian) Pettit, and Jack Daluge; great-grandchildren, Harlee and Waylon Kohnen; sister, Jeanette (John) Kohnen; nephew, John (Jodi) Kohnen; nieces, Patty (Ron) Strobel and Jeanne (Alejandro) Mazzotta and their family; and brothers-and-sisters-in-law, Marlene (Bernard) Vetsch, Beetzie Dalbec, Barb (Dave) Gilles, Marne Kolasa, Stan (Nancy) Kolasa, John (Denise) Kolasa, Margaret (Rick) Kottke, Ed (Rob) Kolasa, Tom (Dianna) Kolasa, Mary (Tim) Brown, and Claire (Bob) Lensgrav along with their families.

Visitation was held Friday, October 23, 2020 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. at The Peterson Chapel in St. Michael. Funeral service was held Saturday, October 24, 2020 at 11:00 a.m., with visitation one hour prior, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Corcoran. Burial followed at St. John’s Cemetery in Corcoran.

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

 


Leora Krause, 86

Leora Mae Krause (nee Graunke), age 86, passed away on October 25, 2020.

She was born on the family farm in New Germany, MN on November 6, 1933, to Albert and Emma (Rolf) Graunke. Leora was baptized at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in New Germany, MN on November 19, 1933. She was confirmed at St. Mark’s on May 18, 1947.

Leora learned her strong work ethic working on the family farms in New Germany and south of Delano. She met Eldon, her husband, as he picked up her family’s milk cans.  He ‘made his move’ and took her home from a dance in Montrose and that was the beginning of their life together. They were married on September 26, 1952.

They started their first home farming near Montrose and stayed in the area through subsequent moves. They had six children, three boys and three girls. When they moved off the farm, Leora worked as a meat cutter at Itel’s Meats in Howard Lake and drove her own meat delivery truck. She later drove bus for Stahlke Bus Company in Delano until she and Eldon retired to their lake home in Park Rapids. They enjoyed coming back to Delano/Montrose to work in the spring at the Flower Farm (and catching up with all their friends and relatives in the area). They moved back to Delano in 2013 and then, subsequently, moved into the Legacy in Delano in 2016 where they have since been lovingly cared for by the staff at the Legacy.

Leora loved to fish, play cards, travel, and visit with her grandchildren. She and Eldon also loved to visit friends and family, especially those who were recovering from illness or were homebound.

We were able to have a window visit celebration for their 68th wedding anniversary on September 26, 2020 with close family in attendance.

Leora was preceded in death by parents, Albert and Emma (Rolf) Graunke; brothers, Wilber Graunke, Delphon Graunke, and Merlin Graunke; brothers and sister-in laws, Willard and Charlotte Graunke, Orville and Verna Graunke; sisters, Ethyl Graunke and Myra Kusha, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Gary Braussen, Marvin and Virginia Krause, Ione and Elmer Kespohl, Eldoris and Wally Jaunich, Vernon Yager, Roy Dalchow; and son-in-law, Dale Beastrom.

Leora is survived by her husband, Eldon and six children, Jim (Sue), Peggy (Pat) Zumbusch, Mark (Vicky), Vicki (Bob) DeVore, Gyen (Dave) Wilson and Glen (Tammy) and ‘bonus daughter’ Lori (Mark) Sawatzke;  20 grandchildren, Stacy (Tom) Haag, Becky (Eric) Hudrlik, Sandy Neis, Kara (Steve) Haren, Taylor (Jake) Zumbusch, Fletcher Zumbusch, Mark, Jr. (Wendy) Krause, Matt Krause, Katie (Ryan) Crawford, Sarah (Kevin) Schnese, Emily DeVore, Megan (Luke) Breyer, Shayla (Nick) Anderson,  Lauren (Paul) Olsem, Spencer (Kaitlyn) Wilson, Aaron Krause, Lindsey Krause, Maddie Krause Brittany, (Dave) Keltgen and Brooke Sawatzke; 22 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. 

She is also survived by sisters, Donna Brown, Carol Brausen, sister and brother-in-law Janice (Norris) Hirsch; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Dorothy (Wilber) Graunke, Joyce (Delphon) Graunke, Madelene (Merlin) Graunke, Mildred (Vernon) Yager, Robert and Donna Krause, Lou (Roy) Dalchow.

The funeral service will be held at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Delano, MN on Friday, October 30, 2020. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and the service will be at 12:00 p.m.

Arrangements are being handled by Iten Funeral Home in Delano, Minnesota.

 


James Kunz, 77

James Darrell Kunz, age 77, formerly of Buffalo, Rogers and Monticello passed away on Monday, October 19, 2020 at his residence.

He was born on March 5, 1943 in Fullerton, ND the son of James and Mary (Sturma) Kunz.

James honorably served his country in The United States Marine Corps in Vietnam.

On July 20, 1968, James D. Kunz and Darlene Poirier were joined in holy marriage at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Buffalo.   God blessed their marriage with three children.

He was formerly employed at Precision Control Systems for many years.

He enjoyed bowling, golfing, and gardening.

James is survived by his loving wife of fifty-two years: Darlene Kunz; children: Brad (Jeanna) Kunz of South Carolina, Ted (Catherine) Kunz of Iowa and Jeannine (Jeffrey) Dille of Zimmerman; twelve grandchildren and three great grandchildren; three sisters: Gwen Morgan, Patty (Dale) Peavey and Bunny (Larry) Howard; other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents James and Mary Kunz, father-in-law and mother-in-law John and Elsie Poirier, brother-in-law John Morgan, Bill Winslett, and Gail Lachermeier..

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial for James Darrell Kunz will be held on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Buffalo.   Father Nathaniel Meyers will be the Celebrant. Followed by Entombment Fort Snelling National Cemetery Columbarium.

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

 


Karen Munstenteiger, 77

Mrs. Karen Ann Munstenteiger, 77, of Grenada, Mississippi passed away Saturday, October 17, 2020 at her residence.

She was born January 13, 1943 in St. Cloud, MN to Edwin and Lila Mabus Alberg.  A devoted homemaker, Karen also worked for several years for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at the Grenada Lake Visitors’ Center. She was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Grenada and the American Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary. In her spare time, she enjoyed golfing, gardening and working in her flowers.

A funeral mass was celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, October 22, 2020 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Grenada. Family and friends gathered from 9:00 a.m. until service time Thursday at the church.

Survivors include her husband, Lee Munstenteiger; daughter, Nikki Palazzolo (Sam), of Grenada, MS; one brother, Quinton Alberg (Mary), of Buffalo, MN; and three grandchildren, Nicholas, Adam and Hannah Palazzolo, all of Grenada, MS.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Betty Yonak; and two brothers, Chuck and Larry Alberg.

Memorials may be directed to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com.

Arrangements were entrusted to McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada, MS 662-307-2694.

 


Linda Schumm, 73

Linda Carol (Zahler) Schumm, age 73, of St. Michael, passed away October 21, 2020.

She was born on March 31, 1947 in Monticello, Minnesota to Archie Zahler and Marjorie (Dalbec) Barthel. She grew up in St. Michael, Minnesota and graduated from high school there with the class of 1965.

On January 14, 1967 she was joined in marriage to Gordon R. Schumm at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Corcoran. Together they raised four sons.

Linda took great pride in caring for her family. She made her husband and sons her priority and her world revolved around making sure all of their needs were met. Her heart was generous and nurturing, and her bubbly personality allowed her to make friends with just about anyone. Linda was kind, loving, and enjoyed good conversations with people. She worked for several years at the King’s House in Buffalo helping in the kitchens and cleaning.

Besides making her family her priority, she also made sure her faith in God was just as important. A devout Catholic, she’d attend Mass regularly, often multiple times a week. She’d often pray the Rosary, and went to Adoration frequently. Linda was extremely thankful for God’s guidance and gifts, and often shared her beliefs and strong faith with friends and family.

Linda was also passionate about making mental illness and depression more aware to the public. She’d share her personal stories to those who would seek her guidance, and she had written a number of articles and given presentations about the importance of receiving help and not be afraid to talk about mental illness. She deeply cared for those who needed strength to overcome issues, and would keep people in her prayers.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon; father, Archie Zahler; mother, Marjorie Barthel; step-father, Roman Barthel; and grandson, Quinn.

Linda is survived by her sons, Mike, Scott, Brian (Christine), and Pat Schumm; granddaughter, Brianna; siblings, Dan (Ruth) Zahler, Barb (Ronnie) Weber, and Bonnie (Adam) Hines; sister-in-law, Marlene Barthel; brother-in-law, Merle (Sharon) Schumm; and many other relatives and friends.

Visitation was held Tuesday, October 27, 2020 from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at The Peterson Chapel of St. Michael-Albertville. Mass of Christian Burial was held Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation beginning at 9 a.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church in St. Michael, MN. Interment followed at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to The Peterson Chapel of St. Michael-Albertville. Online condolences for the family may be directed to www.thepetersonchapel.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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