Obituaries 12/16/21

Sharon Berning, 80

Sharon C. Berning, age 80, of rural St. Michael, passed away Tuesday, December 7, 2021, at her residence.

She was born in Montrose, the daughter of George and Catherine (Pouliott) Mumm on March 11, 1941. Sharon graduated from St. Michael Catholic School in 1959. She attended St. Catherine’s School of Nursing and became a Registered Nurse. Through the years, Sharon was a nurse at The Buffalo Hospital, Elk River Clinic and at Wright County W.O.W.

On June 20, 1964, Sharon C. Mumm and Robert E. Berning were joined in holy marriage at St. Michael Catholic Church in St. Michael. God blessed their marriage with three sons.

Sharon belonged to The Serra Club, The Church of St. Albert in Albertville and its Christian Mother’s Club. She also was formerly very involved in The Otsego 4-H Four Leaves Club.  

She is survived by her sons: Mark (Julie) Berning, of St. Michael, William (Selina) Berning, of Litchfield, and Paul (Stacy) Berning, of St. Michael; grandchildren, Kristine, David, Brittney, Nicole, Blake, Brandon, Brady and Isabelle; three great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.  

Sharon was preceded in death by her loving husband, Robert E. Berning in 2006 and by her parents.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Sharon Berning was held on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Albert Catholic Church in Albertville. Father Joseph Zabinski was the Celebrant. Interment followed at The St. Albert Cemetery. A Visitation was held at the church Monday, December 13, 5-8 P.M., 7:00 P.M. Christian Mother’s Rosary. Further visitation was one hour prior to Mass on Tuesday, December 14.

Gift Bearers were Sara Berning, Ben Johnson and Isabelle Berning.

Honorary Casket Bearer: Cpl. Brady Berning, USMC

Casket Bearers were David Berning, Blake Berning, Brandon Berning, Edward Batten, Kristine Johnson, Brittney Berning, Isabelle Berning and Nicole Berning.

The Peterson Chapel St. Michael-Albertville Funeral Home served the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.

Joanne Brown, 78

Joanne Margaret Brown (née Wicklund), of Hanover, age 78, passed away on Sunday, March 29, 2020, at The Villa in Osseo. She was born on Saturday, December 6, 1941, at 5:28 a.m., at Fairview Hospital in Minneapolis, MN, the daughter of Donald and Margaret (Guenther) Wicklund.

Joanne graduated from Robbinsdale High School in 1959.

Joanne Wicklund met her husband, Kenneth Brown, on a blind date, and the two were joined in Holy Marriage on August 4, 1962, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Together, they raised two sons.

Joanne was formerly employed at The University of Minnesota Hospital, The Radisson Inn in Plymouth, and retired from JC Penney’s Department Store.

Joanne loved dogs, reading, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Joanne is survived by her sons, Tim (Mary) Brown Sr., of Hanover, and Richard (Mary) Brown, of Lino Lakes; grandchildren, Nicole (Terry) Kalk, Tim Brown Jr., Nathan Brown, Heather (Kyle) Brown-Winkelman, Krystle Brown, Zachary Brown and Jacob Brown; a great-granddaughter, Lillyan Kalk; a great-grandson, Laken Winkelman; a sister, Sandie (Larry) Saar; brothers, Don Wicklund Jr. and David (Jean) Wicklund; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth D. Brown, on October 28, 2018; her parents; and by a special dog, Casey.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, December 16, 2021, at 3:00 P.M., with visitation one hour prior, at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 7401 County Road 101, Maple Grove, MN.

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

George Lambrecht, 92

IN MEMORIAM | George Ralph Lambrecht, 92; Husband, Father, Teacher & Entrepreneur

George Ralph Lambrecht, 92, husband, father, grandfather, teacher, and business owner, peacefully passed away on Sunday, December 12, 2021, in Waconia, Minnesota.

The son of George A. and Louise (Heffele) Lambrecht, George was born on September 6, 1929, in Jordan, MN. After attending St. John’s Catholic Elementary School and graduating from Jordan High School, George continued his education at Mankato State University, where he graduated in 1951. He taught high school Industrial Arts for 30 years, 24 of those years at Watertown High School, in Watertown, MN. He was also the owner of a sporting goods shop for 40 years, where many of his customers became his friends.

George and his devoted wife of 63 years, Anne (Salonek) Lambrecht, were married in August of 1958, and they raised their six children in Watertown, MN, before moving to Buffalo, MN, where they resided for the last 24 years.

George’s creativity and craftsmanship continued throughout his lifetime, and he could often be found tinkering in his workshop. He was an avid outdoorsman and skilled marksman, hunting and trap shooting competitively for many years. George loved fishing, which he enjoyed regularly up until this last year, whether on a Minnesota lake or off the coast of Florida in the Gulf of Mexico. His friends and family will always remember him as a gifted and captivating storyteller, and they find comfort in knowing that he is at peace, surrounded by light.

George was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law; daughter, Ann; son, Jon; and grandson, Bryce. 

He is survived by his wife, Anne; sons, Joseph (Christa), Paul (Tracey), Michael (Maile), and Nicholas (Jessica); daughter-in-law, Sandra; grandchildren, Claire, Ava (Yoshi), Mya, Andrew, Collin (Kelsey), Brooke, Chelsie (Matthew), Jacob (Taran), Mia, Jade, Nathan, and Benjamin; great-grandchildren, William, Oliver, and Henry; and many other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Monday, December 20, 4:00-7:00 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, December 21, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service all at the of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 300 1st Ave N.W., Buffalo, MN. Officiating will be Father Nathaniel Meyers. Interment will be at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery of Buffalo, MN.

Arrangements were entrusted to The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo, MN.

Mary Phelps, 89

Mary Anne Phelps, 89, of Buffalo, Minnesota, enter her heavenly home on Saturday, December 11, 2021.

Her Celebration of Life is planned for Friday, January 7, 2022, 10 A.M. at Zion Lutheran Church in Buffalo, Minnesota. There will be lunch and visitation following the service.

Full obituary to follow.

Sandra Wandersee, 77

Sandra Elenore Wandersee, age 77, of Hanover, passed away Friday, December 10, 2021. She was born March 6, 1944, in St. Michael, the daughter of Herbert Alfred and Cecelia Katherine (Barthel) Vollbrecht.

Sandra graduated from Buffalo High School with the class of 1962. She spent time showing cows in 4-H.

In May of 1967, Sandra Vollbrecht and Richard Wandersee were united in marriage in South Dakota. They were blessed with three children, Dawn, Darin, and Darcy.

Sandra and Richard owned and operated the Country Bar and Grill in Hanover for many years. She also spent many years working as a cook at the Hilltop, at Cub Foods in Plymouth, and Department 56 until retiring.

She enjoyed riding horses, fishing, hunting, four-wheeling, baking, cooking, and crafting. She especially loved spending time with her family and friends. While her children were younger, she was a true “hockey mom,” never missing one of Darin’s hockey games. She had a kind heart, but also loved to be a practical joker time to time. She will be dearly missed by all.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Wandersee; parents, Herbert and Cecelia Vollbrecht; brother, Clyde Vollbrecht; and sister, Julie Davis.

Sandra is survived by her children, Dawn (Chris) Fjelstad, Darin (Lisa) Wandersee, Darcy (Laura) Wandersee; grandchildren, Brittany, Brandon, Devon, Brooke, Logan, Andrew, William; great-grandchildren, Maddie, Castiel; siblings, Larry (Teri) Vollbrecht, Mike (Anna Mae) Vollbrecht, Susan (Danny) Oliver; brother-in-law, Lonnie Davis; and many nieces, nephews, family and friends.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, December 18, 2021, at 12:00 P.M., with visitation beginning at 10:00 A.M., at The Peterson Chapel, 300 Main Street North, St. Michael.

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