Obituaries 10/31/19

Raymond Bergquist, 92

Raymond E. Bergquist, age 92, of Buffalo passed away on Friday, October 25, 2019 at his residence.

He was born on February 26, 1927 in Buffalo, the son of Nels and Lydia (Erickson) Bergquist.

Raymond graduated from Buffalo High School in 1945.

He honorably served his Country in the United States Army as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division.  

On June 30, 1962, Raymond E. Bergquist and Marilyn Hall were joined in holy marriage at the Little Brown Church in the Vale in Nashua, Iowa.   God blessed their marriage with two children.

As a young man Ray worked on the family farm and drove milk and cement trucks. He later worked many years at Coast to Coast and Hardware Hank.  Ray also enjoyed driving school bus.

He was a lifetime, faithful member of the Evangelical Covenant Church in Buffalo.

Ray liked family gatherings at the lake cabin, coffee with friends and watching sports on T.V. He was fond of lawn and house projects.

Ray is survived by: loving wife, Marilyn; a daughter, Julie (Jeff) Kezar, of Anoka; a son, Douglas Bergquist, of Buffalo; grandchildren Angela, Daniel and Erin; other relatives, friends and neighbors.

He was preceded in death by: his parents, Nels and Lydia Bergquist; siblings, Paul and Marvin Bergquist, Delphie Eng, Doris Bergquist and Ruth Bergstrom.

Funeral services for Raymond Bergquist will be held on Thursday, October 31, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Buffalo.  Pastor Reid Gilbert will officiate. Interment with military rites will follow at Swedish Mission Cemetery in Buffalo. A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 31 from 12 noon until time of services at the church.

Casket Bearers will be Angela Kezar, Daniel Kezar, Erin Kezar, John Bergquist, Robert Eng and Scott Bolte.

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

 


Todd DesMarais, 51

Todd Jerome DesMarais, age 51, of Buffalo, passed away Saturday, October 26, 2019. He was born March 18, 1968 in Buffalo, the son of Jerome and Mary (Kobbe) DesMarais.

Todd was baptized and confirmed at St. Francis Catholic Church in Buffalo.

Todd graduated from Buffalo High School with the class of 1986 and graduated from St. Cloud State University.

Todd was a fourth-generation partner in the livestock business, accompanying his Dad to many events.

Todd was a master fisherman and enjoyed playing little guy and varsity football in his younger years, growing up on the farm, gardening, and was passionate about cooking.

He was a generous, well-mannered man who was easy to be loved by all. He was a big teddy bear with a loving heart. His biggest love was for his son, Chase and his nieces. He had a great sense of humor and could make anyone laugh. He will be deeply missed.

He is preceded in death by: his paternal and maternal grandparents.

He is survived by: his son, Chase and Chase’s mother, Kristine DesMarais; parents, Jerome and Mary DesMarais; sister, Lynne (Chris) Wadzinski; nieces, Brooke and Grace Wadzinski; special supporter, Rich; and many aunts, uncles, and numerous friends.

A memorial service will be held Friday, November 1, 2019 at 2:00 p.m., with visitation beginning at 12:00 noon, at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Todd’s son, Chase’s educational fund.

Serving the family is The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo.

 


Ashley Johnson, 35

Ashley Loraine Johnson, age 35, of Buffalo, passed away Wednesday, October 23, 2019. She was born in Buffalo, on February 22, 1984.

Ashley graduated from Buffalo High School with the class of 2002. Ashley greatly loved the town of Buffalo. She also enjoyed reading, movies, her phone, and her friends. Her greatest love was for her daughters, Jade and Emerald “Emy.”

She is preceded in death by: her grandparents, David and Carol Peterson, Jack and Delores O’Flanagan; and uncle, David Johnson.

Ashley is survived by: her daughters, Jade and Emy; parents, Terry and Tami Johnson; and brother, Lucas. She is also survived by her grandparents, Lloyd and Orleitha Johnson; siblings, Amber, Nikki, Jenna, Joe; aunts and uncles, Steven and Gail Peterson, Amy Peterson, Claudia Brunner, Shelley Bergman; special friend, Dewey; and many admired aunts, uncles and cousins.

A visitation was held Wednesday, October 30, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., with a prayer service and time of sharing at 7:15 p.m., at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo. Private family burial will be held at Swedish Mission Cemetery in Buffalo at a later date.

Serving the family is The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo.

 


William MacPhail, 77

William Stuart MacPhail, age 77, of Waverly, passed away Tuesday, October 22, 2019. He was born February 15, 1942 in Minneapolis, the son of William Gilmore and Marna (Maland) MacPhail.

Bill graduated from Edina High School and furthered his education at the University of Minnesota receiving a Doctorate of Law. He was elected to and held the position of Wright County Attorney for 17+ years until 1990, and as a Stearns County Senior Attorney for 24.5 years until his retirement in 2015.

Bill was a past member of the Buffalo Rotary Club and played bass guitar for multiple bands. He enjoyed raising cattle, being on the farm, vegetable gardening, cars, animals, and sharing his knowledge with others. He was most comfortable in his jeans spending time on his tractor.

Bill was well respected, both professionally and in his personal life. He was a helpful, fair person with great integrity. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by: his parents, William and Marna MacPhail.

Bill is survived by: his significant other, Lynette Suster, of Waverly, and her children: Dawn (Dan) Jamieson -children: Austin, Brandon, Jace of Andover; and William J. (Dana) Suster -children: Rosemary, Hunter of Newell, SD; siblings, Bruce MacPhail, of Ramona, CA, Kent MacPhail, of Minnetonka, Marnie Calton, of Colorado Springs, CO, Laurie (Bruce) Wohlrabe, of Maple Lake; and many nieces, nephews, family and friends.

A celebration of life will be held Wednesday, November 6, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m., at The Peterson Chapel, 119 Central Ave, Buffalo.

Serving the family is The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo.

 


Sandy Mahlstedt, 66

Sandy Kay Mahlstedt, age 66, of Robbinsdale passed away on October 23, 2019.

She was born July 17, 1953 in Cokato, to Walter and Ethel (Splettstoeszer) Mahlstedt. She grew up in Howard Lake, was baptized at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Montrose, confirmed at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, and graduated from Howard Lake High School. 

For 44 years Sandy worked in accounting for Honeywell. She enjoyed her dog, RaeJae, spending time with her family and friends, traveling, going to concerts and eating out.

Sandy was preceded in death by: her parents; and an infant brother, Wayne Mahlstedt.

Sandy is survived by: her siblings, Barbara (Lowell) Mikkelson, Larry (Vivian) Mahlstedt, and Kevin Mahlstedt, nieces and nephews, Kimberly Sipprell, Shannon (Mike) Cox, Kristy (John) Cardinal, Evan (Kristin) Mahlstedt, Brianne (Matt) Nowak, Brent (Amanda) Mahlstedt, and Melissa Mahlstedt, great nieces and nephews, Alex Sipprell, Cameron Sipprell, Danica Cox, Ryan Cardinal, Lauren Cardinal, Lennie Nowak, Hailey Hoskins, and Devin Hoskins, along with many other family and friends.

A funeral service, with visitation one hour prior, was held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 28, 2019 at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake.

 


Richard Sorheim, 85

Richard Dale Sorheim, age 85, of Buffalo, went home to be with the Lord Jesus on October 21, 2019.

Richard was born December 22, 1933, to Harry Oliver and Anne Marie Sorheim in Howard, SD. The family lived in Argonne, SD, and later moved to Howard, where Richard graduated from Howard High School in 1951. After several years of working on a local farm, Richard entered the military and was stationed in Germany. Upon his return, he married Dorothy Lorraine Formanek, whom he had met three years prior. Richard and Dorothy had four children: Lori, Daniel, Paul, and Julie.

After attending evening classes at a business college and working for Oscar Roberts, a cement block manufacturing company in Brooklyn Park, Richard purchased Buffalo Block in 1965, and moved the family to Buffalo, in 1968. The business grew, and in 1972 a new facility was built. 

Richard invested his time and abilities in developing the Buffalo community, serving on various boards and committees, among them Rotary Club and Functional Industries. Along with other various business ventures and investments, he was instrumental in the construction of a new building in downtown Buffalo to house Buffalo Hardware, Living Water Book & Bible, and State Farm Insurance.  He was also involved in bringing the health club to Buffalo along with other investors, served as president of the Minnesota Concrete Masonry Association, and actively served in leadership and volunteer positions at his church.

After selling Buffalo Block, Inc., Richard initially became a realtor for Vacation Properties Network in Annandale, but then purchased Concrete Masonry, Inc. in Medford & Faribault, and RW Concrete in Shakopee.  

In retirement, Richard enjoyed spending time with Dorothy at their lake cabin near Annandale, visiting with friends, cheering on the Vikings, and taking winter trips to Arizona.  Richard and Dorothy shared 60 years of marriage together before Dorothy’s death in August 2017.

Richard was noted for his generosity and had a passion for helping others in need. He also actively endeavored to share the good news of God’s gift of salvation with those the Lord brought into his life.

He is survived by: his children, Lori Ann Hotek (Dan), Daniel Richard (LeeAnn), Paul Andrew (Cricha), and Julie Lynn Fuerst (Toby); his 17 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and his brother, Dennis Sorheim, of Waterville.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association or Quiet Oaks Hospice in St. Cloud. 

Funeral services were held Wednesday, October 30, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m., at Hosanna Lutheran Church, 1705 Hwy 25 N, Buffalo. Burial to follow at Swedish Mission Cemetery in Buffalo.

Serving the family is The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo.

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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