Obituaries 12/31/20
Mary Cady, 75
Mary Ann Cady, age 75, of Buffalo, Minnesota passed away Thursday, December 24, 2020. She was born May 15, 1945 in San Francisco, California, the daughter of Martin Patrick Maher and Dorothy Maher.
On June 19, 1971, she and Timothy Cady were married at Holy Name Catholic Church in Vesta, Minnesota. Mary and Tim settled down in Buffalo, MN and made the community their home. They raised two children, Michael and Erin, and were members for many years at St. Francis Xavier. Mary had an active social life and developed many lifelong friends in the community. Besides being a wife and mother, she was also a grandmother to eight grandchildren.
She enjoyed traveling, gardening, cooking, and spending time with her children, grandchildren, and friends. Toward the later stages of Mary’s life, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, but for the first few years she certainly did not let that slow her down. After residing at Heritage Place Memory Care Center for over a year, she moved closer to home at Park View Care Center. She eventually passed away from complications of COVID-19.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Patrick Maher; and by her father and mother. Mary is survived by her husband, Tim Cady; her son, Michael (Rachel) Cady and their children, Ethan, Ryan, Adam, Annemarie, and John Paul; her daughter, Erin (Jeremy) Macheel and their children, Andrew, Jacob, and Cady; her brother, Bill (Jan) Maher; and her sister, Margy (Wayne) King. She is also survived by her many close friends and will be missed by all who knew her.
There will be a family service on January 2, 2021 at St. Francis Xavier in Buffalo Minnesota. The family is planning to have a celebration in the summer of 2021.
The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Jesse Clifton, 39
Jesse Jay Clifton, November 4, 1981- December 22, 2020.
We lost a loving son, brother, father and friend to Covid-19 virus-related complications Tuesday, December 22, after a hard-fought, month-long battle in the ICU.
Jesse was a lovable force to be reckoned with. Whether a competition on the field or a battle of wits, regardless of the outcome, you walked away with a friend for life.
Although only 39 at the time of his death, Jesse affected many people in his lifetime. His booming voice, captivating laughter, and unique ability to make all feel welcome and included leaves countless heavy hearts behind.
Jesse graduated from Buffalo High School in 2000 and went on to earn a degree as an Electrician at Anoka-Hennepin Technical College. Jesse’s gregarious disposition made him a natural salesman, which he succeeded at everywhere he went.
He loved playing sports but excelled on the football field. Jesse played Defense and Special Teams for the Buffalo Bison all through high school, winning several Conference Titles; even refusing to come out of a game after breaking his finger to ensure his team a W. His love of playing football transformed into a passionate support for the MN Vikings. A love (nay, obsession) he shared with his mother. He watched every Sunday, surrounded by good food, good friends… and occasionally, good outcomes by the Vikes.
Jesse’s greatest accomplishment and proudest moment was when his son, Connor, was born in 2014. Always wanting to be a dad, Jesse shared with Connor the many loves he had as a child: fishing, playing sports, riding bike, going up to the cabin, and his love for food!
Born and raised in Buffalo, MN, he was the first of three children born to Barbara (Gutknecht) Clifton, of Buffalo, MN and raised with David Clifton, of Buffalo, MN.
Besides his parents, Jesse leaves behind his two younger sisters, Undria Davis (brother-in-law, William Davis, and nephew, Sevin Davis) and Erika Clifton. He is also survived by biological father, Todd Williams, of Colorado, many step-parents, step-siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. The term ‘family’ was somewhat untethered to its definition in Jesse’s life.
A private family service was held Tuesday, December 29.
The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo served the family, 763-682-1363, www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Thomas Jarl, 90
Thomas Keith Jarl passed away on December 26, 2020 in Litchfield, MN.
Tom was born on June 27, 1930 at the Jarl home in West Albion where his family ran the creamery. He attended Gunnary School and then went on to graduate from Annandale High School. He attended a year-and-a-half at the U of M before returning to the family business when his father passed away.
He married the love of his life Joyce Kotila on May 5, 1951 and went on to raise 11 children, residing in the Dassel and Cokato areas. Tom worked for the Dekalb Hatchery, started his own construction company and built homes for 20 years, did a little farming, then eventually moved to Camp Chi Rho with his wife to manage the camp for 13 years. He enjoyed many years of retirement with his wife, Joyce. He also enjoyed outdoors, gardening, hunting and fishing.
Tom was devoted to his Heavenly Father and enjoyed going to church and Bible studies. He was a mentor to all and showed love and kindness.
Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce; his parents, Thomas Jarl and Mary Jarl Erickson; daughter, Karen Hillstrom; and grandchildren, James Lantto, Daniel Jarl, Keith Larson, and John Hillstrom.
He is survived by his children, Steven (Cheryl) Jarl, Vicki (Chris) Lantto, Janice Christenson, Kathy Jarl, Cindy (Mike) Worden, Shari (Phil) Rokala, Brenda (Cyrus) Welte, David (Susan) Jarl, Mary (Nathan) Ruonavaara, Joe (Kari) Jarl, as well as 38 grandchildren, and 37 great-grandchildren.
A funeral service was held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, December 28, 2020 at the Good Shepherd Free Lutheran Church in Cokato.
Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato, www.swansonpeterson.com, 320-286-2534.
Eric Johnson, 55
Eric Carl Johnson, 55, concluded the final chapter of his life on December 24, 2020 at his home in Buffalo, MN.
Eric, the first son of Carl and Mary Johnson, was born in Sibley, Iowa on December 23, 1965.
Aside from his parents, Eric is survived by his twin brother, Mark; brothers, Tom, Paul; and sister, Joanna.
Eric was a graduate of Monticello High School. He attended Anoka Ramsey Community College and St. Cloud State University.
Eric will always be remembered for his magnetic and witty personality, and he was a warm-hearted and sensitive soul who would light up the room with his smile. He was an extraordinary athlete and was blessed with many artistic talents - from choir to writing. Eric’s true passion was music- from his early childhood through high school musicals to community choir, even recently - his appreciation and love for music rang through his heart. He truly enjoyed sharing this joyous gift with others, and he will forever live on in song; so many melodies will evoke memories of his spirit.
The gift of the love he gave us all will resonate in our hearts forever, and we were blessed for having him in our lives.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Wright County Community Chamber Chorus, 1307 Viking Drive, Buffalo, MN 55313, (Attention: Mike Walsh).
Public visitation for Eric will be held Tuesday, January 5, 2020 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo. A private family memorial service will be held that same day.
Arrangements were entrusted to The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo, MN.
Robert Muncy, 92
Robert V. Muncy, age 92, of Annandale, formerly of Maple Lake, died Saturday, December 12, 2020 at Centennial Villa in Annandale.
A private memorial service will be held 2:30 p.m. Friday, January 29, 2021 at Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel in Maple Lake with Rev. Culynn Curtis officiating. Services will be live-streamed on the funeral home website.
Robert Vernon Muncy was born on April 3, 1928 in Minneapolis to Raymond and Edna (Bates) Muncy. He grew up in Minneapolis. He worked numerous jobs in his a youth, his first was as a newspaper delivery boy for the Star Tribune. Bob enlisted in the Army to serve for his country in 1946; however, the love he had for Betty Mae Stevens was too great, and he went AWOL in December of 1947 to get married on Christmas Day.
After they were married, he was given an honorable discharge from the service, and they began their life together in Minneapolis until moving to Blaine in 1975. Bob loved his work as a school bus driver for the Minneapolis School District for 35 years, retiring in 1988. Bob and Betty enjoyed there time at their cabin on Mink Lake near Maple Lake so much, that they purchased a home on Maple Lake upon retirement. Bob filled his new found spare time working for the Buffalo Hospital driving the HealthOne van for 10 years. In 2019, he found a new home at Centennial Villa in Annandale.
Bob was a member of the MSEA, VFW, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Bob loved to travel; he would take his whole family on vacation every summer. His favorite places to go were Alexandria and Lake of the Woods. He was an avid sports fan, especially the Minnesota Twins, Wild, and his beloved Vikings. His love of travel, sports, and family were able to be brought together for some of Bob’s most memorable trips; he brought the entire family to the Football Hall of Fame in Ohio and took a road trip with his grandson to Vikings games in Green Bay, WI and Detroit, MI. He was an enthusiast of the outdoors, especially fishing on Maple Lake with his lifelong best friend, Robert “Kalbie” Talbot.
Throughout his life, Bob always enjoyed having a loyal dog at his side; his favorites were his German Shepherds, Heidi, King, and Bullet. Bob and Betty had hearts not only big enough to raise their own six children, but also to raise three grandchildren as their own. Bob absolutely loved his grandkids more than anything in the world. He was overjoyed this last year that he had been blessed with his first great-great-grandson, Finn. His eyes sparkled again when Finn would come and visit. Lovingly known by his family as “PooPoo” and “BoBo,” Bob will be greatly missed. He will be remembered as a man that was hardworking, loyal, forgiving, humble, strong, kind and caring.
He is survived by his children, Jerrell “Butch,” of Big Lake, Debbie, of Monticello, Danny, of Monticello, Jackson, of Big Lake, Bonnie Merry, of Big Lake, and Lori, of Becker; grandchildren, Jodi, Diana (Jeff), Juli, Butchie, Candi (Jared), Tammy (Jon), Kristina (Nick), Tabatha (David), and Tommy; great-grandchildren, Devon, Makayla, Shyan, Jayda, Damon, Brandon, Dawson, Jaden, Rage, Brett, Tru, Jace, Jordan, Abi, and Izzy; great-great-grandson, Finn; and many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Edna; wife, Betty; son-in-law, Orlan Merry; brothers and sisters, Edri, Jean, Donny, David and Loren; and best friend, Robert “Kalbie” Talbot.
Arrangements are entrusted with Dingmann Funeral Care Burial & Cremation Services of Maple Lake.
Obituary, Tribute Wall, Video Tribute and Funeral Webcast online at www.dingmannfuneral.com.
Catherine Stewart, 59
Catherine Burke Stewart, Cate, as she was known by her family and friends, was born June 27, 1961 in Fort Dodge, IA, passed away unexpectedly December 21, 2020 at her home in Buffalo, MN.
Cate, beloved wife of John Stewart, graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High School in 1979 and went on to Fort Dodge Community College in their nursing program. Growing up, Cate was involved in 4-H where she acquired her love for animals.
John and Cate were married in 1996 in Lake Tahoe, NV. They made their home in Buffalo, MN. Cate was always happiest being with family and friends and would plan for hours on what she was going to cook for everyone.
As a longtime member of her local Shar-Pei club, “Star of The North,” Cate took a passionate role supporting health, education, and rescue. She owned Nordic Star, a breeder of the Chinese Shar-Pei. Cate loved showing her Shar-Pei dogs and treasured all her friends in the dog show world. Cate was fortunate enough to show one of her dogs on the big stage at the Westminster Dog Show. She was the president of The Shar-Pei Club of America, Inc. from 2016-2017. Cate was also a contributor to the book “Shar-Pei – The Owners Guide from Puppy to Old Age.” Whenever Cate would sell one of her puppies, she presented the happy owners with this book. These puppies were her children, and she wanted each one to be treated with love. Cate was also Chairman of the Judges Education Committee and instrumental in developing the CHIC program.
Cate loved their house in the country where her dogs had space to run and play and the chickens could lay their eggs. In the summer, her garden was ripe with herbs, which she used in the amazing meals she prepared.
Cate is survived by her loving husband, John; her parents, Robert and Char Burke; brother, Eric Burke (Shari); nephew, Halen Burke; mother-in-law, Sandy Stewart (Joe); brother-in-law, Jeff Stewart (Kristi); sister-in-law, Joy Liberman-Pavoloni (Marco).
Cate was loved by many and will be missed by all. The family will be planning a celebration of life at a later time.
The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo served the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
