Obituaries 12/21/23
Edgar Elfmann, 81
Edgar Theodore Elfmann, age 81, of rural Maple Lake, passed away on Friday, December 15, 2023, in the comfort of his own home surrounded by his family.
Edgar Theodore Elfmann was born on November 9, 1942, at the family farm in Maple Lake, he was the son of Edwin and Olga (Bartels) Elfmann.
On April 4, 1964, Edgar T. Elfmann and Mary Ann Flynn were joined in holy marriage at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Buffalo. God blessed their marriage with five children.
Edgar engaged in farming and driving a creamery truck all over central Minnesota from 1960 until 1973. Edgar was later employed at CloverLeaf/Kemps/Marigold Foods for thirty-one years. Later in life, he spent his time helping his nephew and brother harvesting crops, and he enjoyed spending time with his family.
Edgar enjoyed fishing, cutting wood, yard work, gardening, tinkering, bowling, farming, and driving around the countryside to check out crops or to just enjoy the view. He was also fond of cooking big holiday meals and baking, taking two-week trips in the summer when the kids were younger (getting up before daylight so they could see as much as they could see).
Survived by his loving children, Ann Elfmann, of Maple Lake, Lisa Flaschenriem, of Maple Lake, Kim (Russ) Gavin, of Staples, Julie Paumen, of Maple Lake, and Jason Elfmann, of Maple Lake; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sister, Linda (Joe) Hruby; sisters-in-law, Bonnie Elfmann, Mary Elfmann, and Linda Flynn; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Edgar was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ann Elfmann; parents, Edwin and Olga (Bartels) Elfmann; brothers, Alvin Elfmann and LeRoy Elfmann; sister, Martha Paumen; brothers-in-law, Russ Paumen and Jerry Flynn.
A Memorial Service for Edgar Elfmann will be held on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at 6:30 P.M. at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, December 21, from 3-7 P.M., at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo.
Private family inurnment will be held later at St. Francis Cemetery.
The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Robert Gartner, 75
Robert James Gartner, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on December 16, 2023, at the age of 75, surrounded by loved ones after a 15-year battle with cancer.
Bob Gartner was born on September 23, 1948, in Willmar, MN, to his parents, Andy and Eleanor (Shamla) Gartner. He married the love of his life, Marilyn (Kubesh), on August 5, 1972.
After graduating from Alexandria Vocational School in 1968, he joined the US Navy Seabees stationed in Puerto Rico. After he was discharged, he graduated from Minneapolis Business College. In November 1974, Bob and Marilyn opened their first Hallmark Card and Gift Shop in Monticello. In October 1975, they opened their second location in downtown Buffalo. Two more stores followed, a location in Waite Park and a second store in Buffalo. He was a Hallmark owner for 49 years.
Bob and Marilyn raised four children and enjoyed 51 years together. Bob will be remembered as a husband, father, and grandfather that deeply loved his family. This love extended to his own parents, brothers and sisters, cousins, nieces and nephews, and in-laws. He spent nearly all of his free time with his wife, children, and grandchildren, creating memories and making deep connections with each one.
Bob was also known as a man who possessed a great sense of humor and loved to have fun, too. He enjoyed taking his family on trips where they often visited more family. From driving through the night to Florida/Disney World, to Washington D.C., to Colorado, to Wisconsin Dells, to Schlachtfest in Chicago.
Bob is survived by his wife, Marilyn; daughter, Alisa (Joseph) Gardner, of Austin, TX; son, Adam (Katherine) Gartner, of Buffalo, MN; daughter, Mariel (Steven) Novacek, of Buffalo, MN; and son, Michael (Linda) Gartner, of Houston, TX; grandchildren, Annastasia, Katherine, Amelia, Andrew, Gabriella, Beatrice, Sebastian, Rosalie, and Dominic; mother, Eleanor Gartner; siblings, Steve (Carol) Gartner, Mary Breland, Greg (Pam) Gartner, Jane Gartner, John (Marian) Gartner, and Kathy (Richard) DeOlivera; many close cousins and nieces and nephews.
Bob was preceded in death by his father, Andrew Gartner; sister, Susan Gartner; and brother-in-law, Del Breland.
The funeral will be a private ceremony with only immediate family members present. Memorials may be made to St. Francis Xavier School in Buffalo, MN, or Holy Spirit Academy in Monticello, MN, in Bob’s honor.
Arrangements were entrusted to The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, MN.
Beverly Jacobson, 91
Beverly Ann Jacobson, age 91, of Buffalo, MN, went to be with her Lord on December 17, 2023, at The Estates in Delano.
Bev was born the daughter of Hugh and Hilma (Lien) Fuller on December 31, 1931, in Wadena, MN.
She attended and graduated from Perham High School in 1949, graduated from NW Bible School in 1953 and graduated from Nebraska Teacher’s College in 1957 with a degree in Elementary Education. Bev taught in numerous schools in South Dakota and the upper Midwest.
Bev was united in marriage to Pierce Elwood Kidd on June 7, 1955. Elwood was killed several months later in an aircraft carrier accident, while serving his country in the U.S. Navy. She married Joseph Theodore (Ted) Dappen in 1957, and he passed away in 1983; this union was blessed with the birth of Douglas and Debra. Bev was then united in marriage to Arthur Jacobson in 1987, and he passed away in 2013.
Bev was a lifelong Christian and would talk about Jesus to anyone and everyone. She was active in the churches that she attended, most recently as a member of Buffalo Covenant Church in Buffalo, MN. At Buffalo Covenant she was a part of the prayer team, listened to kids say their verses in Awana, and spent many hours memorizing Bible passages. She was a prodigious watercolor painter throughout her retirement. Her great sense of humor will be remembered by all that had the privilege to meet and know her.
Beverly is survived by her daughter, Debra Kosciolek; grandchildren, Melanie (Mike) Rien, Eugene Kosciolek, and Tyler Kosciolek; great-grandchildren, Rowen, Nora, and Axel Rien; also other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents; son, Douglas Dappen; husbands, Pierce Elwood Kidd, Joseph Theodore Dappen, and Arthur Oliver Jacobson; son-in-law, Eugene Kosciolek; sister, Mabel Smith.
Funeral service for Beverly will be held Saturday, January 6, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service, all at Buffalo Covenant Church in Buffalo, MN.
Officiating will be Pastor Reid Gilbert.
Luncheon will immediately follow the service at church.
Interment will be later in the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD.
Arrangements were entrusted to The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, MN.
Irene Manuel, 90
Irene M. Manuel, age 90, of Buffalo, formerly of Watkins, died Thursday, December 14, 2023, at the Annandale Care Center in Annandale, Minnesota.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 28, 2023, at the Church of St. Anthony in Watkins with Fr. Jeff Horejsi as the Celebrant. Visitation will be held from 9:30-11:00 a.m. on Thursday in the parish center at church. Burial will take place in the spring at St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery in Watkins.
Irene Marie Schaefer was born June 15, 1933, in New Munich, to Leo and Marie (Donnelly) Schaefer. She grew up in New Munich and Richmond. Irene graduated with the Class of 1951 from St. Francis High School in Little Falls. On May 31, 1952, she was united in Marriage to Arthur Manuel at the Church of St. Anthony in Watkins. They made their home in Watkins, where they raised their family. Irene moved to St. Cloud for a short time after Arthur’s death, then moved to Buffalo where she has lived for the past 20 years. Irene worked multiple part time jobs over the years, but she always counted raising and caring for her family as her primary occupation in life. Irene was a former member of the Church of St. Anthony in Watkins and the Watkins VFW Auxiliary. She enjoyed crocheting, playing bingo, trying her luck with the occasional pull tab, and making pies and Christmas cookies. Irene loved socializing and visiting with family and friends.
She is survived by her children, John Manuel, of Watkins, Richard Manuel, of Osseo, Mike (Barbara) Manuel, of Watkins, Debbie (Jeff) Jacobs, of Kimball, and Jeanie (Robert) Stommes, of Maple Lake; 13 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; brother, Ralph (Carol) Schaefer, of Richmond; sister-in-law, Doris Schaefer, of Richmond; and many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Marie Schaefer; husband, Arthur Manuel; daughter, Mary Beth Neely; daughter-in-law, Debbie Manuel; sister, Rose Gobel; and brothers, Bob, Allen, and Donny Schaefer.
Her children will serve as urn bearers.
Arrangements are entrusted with Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Annandale.
Obituary, Guestbook, and Funeral Webcast online at www.dingmannfuneral.com.
Margaret Oakden, 80
Margaret Petra Oakden, 80, of Albertville, MN, sadly left us on Dec 17.
She was born in Stillwater, MN, on Oct. 11, 1943, to Milton and Hazel Seim.
Margaret was preceded in death by her husband Fred, brother Hollis, and grandson Cooper.
She is survived by her children, Kris (Alex) Aikens, Mark (Michelle) Oakden, Andy (Meghan) Oakden; eight-and-a-half grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and one great-great- grandchild.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 12 p.m. on December 21, at the Church of St. Albert in Albertville, MN, with visitation at 11 a.m.
The Peterson Chapel, St. Michael/Albertville Funeral Home assisted the family with funeral arrangements. On-line condolences can be made at www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Patricia Quady, 93
Patricia “Pat” (Quinn) Quady, age 93, of Buffalo, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 11, 2023, at The Glenn Cottages in Buffalo.
Pat was born on March 27, 1930, to James and Gladys Quinn in St. Louis Park, MN. She graduated from St. Louis Park High School in 1948 and married classmate Odin “Pete” Quady in 1953. Pat and Pete began their married life on a farm, between Buffalo and Rockford, where they reared their four sons, Mike, Steve, Bob, and Tom.
Pat was a “farm wife” who also worked at Playhouse Toys and the Buffalo Veterinary Clinic. After the boys left home, she worked at Zirc Dental Products, Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Cheeseworld, and offered food samples at Lunds Byerly’s.
She enjoyed life on the farm, spending time at the family cabin on Heart Lake near Lake Itasca, and wintering for a number of years in Las Vegas. Her hobbies included flower gardening, playing bridge, cheering for the Twins and Gophers, and collecting Beanie Babies with her sister-in-law, Barb DeGonda.
Pat was a faithful member of Buffalo Presbyterian Church for more than 60 years. She served on many committees, worked with youth, and was a Deacon.
Spending time with family and friends was important to Pat. Whether it was a large, multi-generation gathering or a small road-trip, Pat relished the moments spent with her sons, daughters-in-law, granddaughters and their husbands, and great-grandchildren. She was proud of all they had accomplished.
Pat was preceded in death by her husband, Pete; son, Steven; parents, Jim and Gladys Quinn; brother, Jim and his wife, Bonnie Quinn; sister, Mary Gail Vieman and her husband, Charlie; brother, John and his wife, Margaret Quinn; sister-in-law, Barb (Quady) DeGonda and Jim Degonda.
She is survived by her sons, Michael (Kathryn), Robert (Catherine), and Thomas (Francesca Iliffe); granddaughters, Elizabeth (Brian) Vriesen, Anna Quady (Nicholas Mahlberg), Lindsay Quady (Derick Dehmer), and Itasca Quady; great-grandchildren, Blake and Barrett, Maya and Quinn, and Wilder and Edwin; brother, Curt Quinn.
A memorial service for Pat will be on Monday, January 8, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service, all at the Buffalo Presbyterian Church in Buffalo, MN.
Officiating the service will be Pastor Brian Entz.
Memorials are preferred to Buffalo Presbyterian Church, 507 Calder Avenue NE, Buffalo, MN.
Arrangements were entrusted to The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo, MN. Online condolences for the family can be directed to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Joseph Smith, 75
Joseph Donald Smith, age 75, of Buffalo, MN, journeyed to the Spirit World on December 12, 2023, at The Estates of Delano.
He was born on April 13, 1948, in Bemidji, MN, the son of Joseph F. and Margaret (Stand) Smith.
When Joseph was eight years old, his family moved from Red Lake, MN, to Minneapolis. He enjoyed listening to music, showing off his “Temptations” moves, hanging out, and laughing with his friends and family. He really enjoyed his last job, driving school bus at Hoglund Bus Transportation in Monticello. Joseph was a loving man with the biggest heart, and he was a jokester who lit up the room just with his presence. He enjoyed going to the casino and riding bikes with his grandchildren. He always called his daughters and granddaughters “babe,” which was so endearing to them. Joseph and Janette always dreamed of having an RV to travel in together.
Survived by his loving companion of 48 years, Janette Motis; children, Jewel Motis, Robert Smith, and Annette Smith; nineteen grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by his parents; daughters, Lisa Smith and Renee Smith; and siblings, George Stand, Arnold Stand, Margaret “Muggs” Shodean (Stand), Arlene Carlson (Stand), Paul “Snuffy” Smith, Raymond “Ray” Smith, Benedict Joseph “Benny” Smith, Maurice Alvin “Tuckahash” Smith, Alan “Kokomo” Smith, Robert “Bobby” Smith, and Joseph “Joey” Smith.
Funeral service for Joseph Smith was held on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at 9:00 A.M. at Church of Gichitwaa Kateri. Interment at Gethsemane Cemetery.
An all-night wake was held Monday, December 18, 2023, beginning at 4:00 P.M. at Church of Gichitwaa Kateri, Minneapolis, MN.
Honorary casket bearers will be Jewel Motis, Robert Smith, Annette Smith, Antonio Motis, Jimmy Black Jr., Hope Perez, Aviana Rios, and Juaquina Rios.
Casket Bearers will be Anthony Carlson, George Carlson, Justin Eylandt, Mark Nichols, Devon Perez, and Ethan Anderson.
Serving the family was the Chilson Funeral Home, Winsted.
David Spike, 65
David Warren Spike, November 4, 1958–December 13, 2023
If you are reading this, know that I have crossed over. I am in a far better place today than I was yesterday. Relief from the disease ALS is what I’m feeling, and it feels awesome.
I was born on Election Day, 1958. My mom’s doctor kidded with her that I would be a politician someday….not happening! At a very young age, I knew I wanted to be a carpenter, like dad. In 1977, after high school, I joined the carpenters union and did just that until my retirement in 2017. Work hard, play harder was my motto.
My idea of fun changed in the more recent years. I enjoyed volunteering at the Buffalo Food Shelf and at the Wright County Jail. While volunteering for Simpson Housing Services, I found real joy in helping the homeless. My Christmas Day tradition became bringing homemade treats for all to the shelter in South Minneapolis. Sometimes, I would stop by the shelter, to drop off a “care package” to the person sleeping on their step on my way to work.
After retiring, I adopted a rescue dog, named Bonnie. We walked a lot, usually making a stop at Buffalo Books and Coffee, to see her friends and get a pup cup. Bonnie made a lot of friends on our walks… always getting a treat or a pet. She gave many people a reason to smile.
Diagnosed in September of 2022 with ALS, my life was impacted beyond words. So many friends, neighbors, and relatives have been there for me. Each of them making my journey a little easier. But I can’t imagine doing it without Belinda, the love of my life. She supported me and brought me comfort through the toughest of times. Never giving up, even when I wanted to—committed to the end.
I am survived by my brother, Doug (Becky Tatge); my sister, Ruth Ann Vikla; my soulmate, Belinda Hanson; and my dog, Bonnie, and am preceded in death by my parents, Cliff and Lorraine Spike.
By my request, there is no funeral, memorial service, or celebration of life. I’ll see you on the other side… adios, my friends!
Laura Stoppelman, 71
Laura Jean Stoppelman, age 71, of Buffalo, MN, passed away on December 10, 2023, at the St. Cloud Hospital.
She was born to Harold and Esther (Peterson) Johnson on April 2, 1952. She was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Annandale, MN. Laura attended and graduated from Annandale High School.
She worked for ten years at the Buffalo Cleaners.
On July 10, 1981, she married Gerald Stoppelman. After their marriage, Laura became a housewife for life. Together, they raised a son, Arron.
She always had a friendly smile on her face. She loved church hymns and collecting old newspapers to read years down the road. Laura followed her husband – never complaining. She was a loving wife and will be missed greatly.
Survived by her husband, Gerald F. Stoppelman; son, Arron H. Stoppelman; brothers, Bruce (Shelly) Johnson and Dave Johnson; other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by her parents.
Memorial service for Laura Stoppelman was held on Saturday, December 16, at 10:30 A.M. at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Buffalo. Pastor Ryan Clark officiated.
Visitation was held at the church on Saturday, December 16, one hour prior to service.
The Peterson Chapel, Buffalo assisted the family with funeral arrangements. On-line condolences can be made at www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Milo Westrum, 73
Milo Harvey Westrum, age 73, of Buffalo passed away on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at his residence.
He was born on April 25, 1950, in Bemidji, the son of Harvey and Dorothy (Johnson) Westrum.
Milo was formerly the owner of Milo’s Café in Howard Lake.
He enjoyed fishing, cooking, gambling, woodworking, traveling, and his birds (parakeets and canaries).
Survived by a son, Benjamin (Sara) Watson, of Grand Rapids; siblings, Paulette Willet, Laporte, Tom (Candy) Westrum, Litchfield, Cheryl (Lee) Malterud, Bemidji, Larry Westrum, Laporte, Sharon (Lee) Cluff, Virginia; an aunt Brenda Strowbridge, of Bemidji; many nieces and nephews.
Preceded by wife, Sandy; parents, Harvey and Dorothy Westrum; sisters, Virginia Lindstrom and Crystal Westrum; brothers, Rick Westrum and Bruce Westrum; many aunts and uncles.
A Memorial Service for Milo Westrum was held on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at 1:00 P.M. at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo.
Pastor Ryan Clark from St. John’s Lutheran Church in Buffalo officiated. Eulogy was given by his brother, Tom Westrum.
Inurnment will take place in Spring of 2024 at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Waverly.
The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
