Obituaries 5/27/21
Arnold Gruys, 92
Arnold “Arnie” Gruys, age 92, of Annandale, died Thursday, December 17, 2020 at the St. Cloud Hospital due to complications from being infected with the COVID-19 virus.
Memorial Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 4, 2021 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Annandale with Rev. David Nelson officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church. Interment with military honors will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 7, 2021 at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery at Camp Ripley, near Little Falls. The service will be live-streamed on the funeral home website. Memorials preferred to the charity of your choice, True Friends, or the St. John’s Lutheran Foundation.
Arnold Donald Gruys was born on May 1, 1928, the youngest of four children of Herman and Dorothy (Vandergon) Gruys. Arnie grew up on the farm in Silver Creek Township, attended the county school, District 16, one-half mile from the homestead. He graduated from Annandale High School in 1946. September of that same year found him in the U.S. Army. After basic training at Fort Bragg, he was stationed in Southern Japan as part of the U.S. Occupational Force. He achieved the rank of Sergeant before his honorable discharge in July of 1948. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in June of 1951 with a degree in Business Administration-Accounting. After receiving his CPA certificate and license, he purchased the public accounting practice of his brother-in-law, Kermit Lundeen; he operated the practice as senior partner of Gruys, Borden, Carlson & Associates, Inc. Arnie continued to serve clients in his retirement for many years after transferring ownership to partners, Rick Borden and Bob Carlson.
During his lifetime, he served his community, his profession, his state, and his country actively. He was a lifelong member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Minnesota Society of CPAs. He served as a board member and officer of the Minnesota Society as well as in many of the society’s professional committees. Arnie served as an active board member and officer in Kiwanis and Lions Club International in Annandale, as well as the Annandale Chamber of Commerce. He was especially appreciative of having the opportunity to serve on the board of Camp Friendship, now True Friends, and to see it grow from a camp on the shores of Clearwater Lake near Annandale, to include camps on Cedar Lake in Maple Lake, Camp George in Lake George and Camp Eden Wood in Eden Prairie. These camps serve individuals with diverse disbilities. Arnie really enjoyed the outdoors and north woods, hence it was natural for him to be an advisory member of Camp Menogyn in the BWCA of the Minneapolis YMCA. Arnie was elected to the MN House of Representatives in 1966 and served two terms before retiring from the state legislature.
Arnie’s personal life revolved around his family and church. Arnie met Ruth Ostergren in 1948, and they were married by her father, Rev. James Ostergren, in December of 1950. They were fortunate to spend over 69 years together. Four children blessed their household, along with a wonderful supply of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were the real love of his life, and he often expressed how fortunate he was to have a loving family. He was also grateful to have been raised by parents who taught and showed him about the love of Christ. Arnie would show his acquaintances that love, which led him to be an active board member and officer at Rejoice Lutheran Church in Clearwater and St. John’s Lutheran Church in Annandale.
Arnie is survived by his wife, Ruth, of Annandale; children, Douglas, of Bloomington, Kenneth (Julie), of Truckee, CA and Bruce (Denise), of Maple Grove; grandchildren, David, Natalie, Matt, Britt, Holly, Kjerstin, Hanna, Peter, Gabby and Nina; great-grandchildren, Eli, Noah, Carol, Jerry, Oskar and Sylvan; and many nieces, nephews, family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Carol Miller; and sisters and brother, Evelyn, Robert and Margaret.
Obituary, Tribute Wall, Video Tribute and Funeral Webcast available online at www.dingmannfuneral.com.
Sheldonna Haglin, 93
Sheldonna (Donna) Haglin passed into her eternal life in Jesus in March 2021. Dear mother, mother-in-law, grandma, “Great Gramma Gumball,” aunt, great aunt, friend to all. Because of God’s Grace, she lived a life of helping and service to others.
Born December 2, 1927. She was raised in Minneapolis by her parents, Seldon and Clara (List) Yoerg, grew up with her two sisters, Judy and Louise. At the age of 16, she searched for the truth in life, and her mother gave her money for bus fare to go to various churches. The truth of Jesus was revealed to her at Minnetonka Union Church, Minnetonka Mills.
She graduated from Vocational High School in Minneapolis and found employment at the Minneapolis Health Club in the Foshay Tower. She talked about getting scallops as a treat for 25 cents. She attended Northwestern Bible College for two-and-a-half years. She sang in the choir. Billy Graham was head of the school then.
She met Harvey through his sister, Florence, who also attended Northwestern. They were married June 18, 1949 at the Minnetonka Mills Union Church. They lived in Buffalo, then found a farm in Howard Lake and there raised Greg, Lynette, LeeAnn, and Terry. Farming, Church secretarial duties, Sunday School, VBS, school board, church elder, blood mobile coordinator, senior citizen volunteer driver filled her years. Two foreign exchange students, Rudolf, from Germany, and Maria, of Brazil, knew her as their mom for a year. She has been blessed with 13 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren whom she dearly loved. She wanted all to know God’s Love in Jesus.
Although earthly life and its memories come to an end, God’s Grace and Trust in Jesus are eternal.
Memorial Service: 2:00 PM Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at First Baptist Church of Cokato. Lunch will be served following the service. Visitation: 4-8 PM Tuesday, June 1, 2021 at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Howard Lake, and one hour prior to memorial service on Wednesday at the Baptist Church in Cokato. Interment: with her husband Harvey at Ft. Snelling National cemetery, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Howard Lake and Cokato, Minnesota, 320-286-2534.
Kathleen Kangas, 86
Kathleen “Katie” Mary (Feidt) Kangas, age 86, of Buffalo, MN, passed away May 16, 2021.
She was born on October 8, 1934 in Cannon Falls, Minnesota to Michael and Rose (Siebenaler) Feidt. She graduated from Cannon Falls High School with the Class of 1952.
On September 10, 1955, Katie was joined in marriage to Toivo Kangas at Guardian Angels Church in Hastings, Minnesota. Together, they raised three children, Glenn, Mike, and Sandy.
Katie was a faithful member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Buffalo and was a member of the American Legion Post 270 Women’s Auxiliary. She served as a long-time treasurer and was a past president of the group.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Toivo, in 1991; son, Glenn, in 1974; parents, Michael and Rose Feidt; brother, Eddy Feidt; and brother-in-law, Harlan Myers.
Katie is survived by her children, Mike Kangas and Sandy Rydzinski; three granddaughters; one grandson; three great-grandchildren; brother, “Allie” (JoAnn) Feidt; sister, Monica Myers; and many other relatives and friends.
A visitation was held Friday, May 21, 2021 at 10:00 AM at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Buffalo. Mass of Christian Burial followed at 11:00 AM at church. Interment took place at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery in Buffalo after Mass.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo. Online condolences for the family may be directed to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
John Sebek, 72
John Charles Sebek, age 72, formerly of Elk River and Buffalo, passed away on Saturday, May 15, 2021 at his home in Nowthen, Minnesota.
He was born on November 9, 1948 in Cokato, the son of Raymond C. and Juanita (Walters) Sebek.
John honorably served his Country in The United States Army and was a Vietnam Veteran. While in Vietnam, he was a Weapons and Demolition expert and did Security recon, search and destroy.
He attended broadcast school through Brown Institute. John was employed at KAKE Television Station. He later was a production floor manager at Paul’s Candy Company. John was a life-long huge Viking’s fan. He also loved his grandchildren very much!
Survived by children, John (Hege) Hughes, Melanie Hughes, April McCallum, Jimmie Sebek and Sahara Rust; Thomas McCallum; twelve grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Jane Sebek; other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Ron; and by a nephew, Scott Sebek.
A Mass of Christian Burial for John Sebek will be held on Friday, May 28, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Buffalo. Father Nathaniel Meyers will be the Celebrant. Interment with military rites to follow at St. Francis Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Friday, May 28 at the Church one hour prior to Mass.
The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Marvin Valenta, 95
Marvin L. Valenta, age 95, of Buffalo, passed away on Sunday, May 2, 2021 at Lake Ridge Care Center in Buffalo.
He was born on July 21, 1925 in Renville, Minnesota, the son of Philip and Leona (Sckoviach) Valenta.
Marvin was employed many years as a painter at The Ford Motor Company in St. Paul. He previously had farmed. He enjoyed fishing, collecting walnuts for the squirrels, and riding his electric senior scooter around Buffalo.
Survived by his children, Gary (Carol) Valenta, of Maple Plain, Linda Trontvet, of Buffalo, and Cathy Blevins, of Ft. Myers, Florida; ten grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren; former wife, Ruby Valenta; special niece, Geri Faucett; special nephew, James Valenta; other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by a daughter, Sandra Valenta; a grandson, Christopher Trontvet; his parents; and by a sister, Gladys Perisian.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial for Marvin L. Valenta will be held on Friday, June 18, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Francis Catholic Church in Buffalo. Father Nathaniel Meyers will be the Celebrant.
Inurnment will follow at St. Francis Cemetery.
A Time of Gathering will be held on Friday, June 18, one hour prior to Mass at the Church.
The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Mary Varner, 83
Mary Kathryn “Kathy” Varner, 83, of Buffalo passed away Saturday, May 15, 2021, at her home surrounded by family, after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Maurice and Ruth Buchanan Swanson; son, Paul Varner; and Daughter-in-law, Joy Varner.
She is survived by her loving husband, Norman of 64 years. They were married in Buffalo, MN, on June, 9, 1956. Kathy is loved and will be missed by her children, Ruth (Mike) Rose, Ralph Varner, and Jill (Justin) Johnson; grandchildren, Kali Magnuson, Colleen Doyle, Jade Morrissette, Randi Varner, Lincoln Johnson and Caleb Johnson; and great-grandchildren, Ariana, Riley and Mara. She will also be missed by her sister, Carolyn (Curtis) Romfo, of Longview, Washington; and brother, Jan (Nancy) Swanson, of Isanti, MN; and many other family and friends.
Kathy was born in Buffalo, MN on June 11, 1937. She graduated from Buffalo High School in 1955. Kathy worked as a paraprofessional and in school food service. She enjoyed serving in various roles and committees in community organizations, including Farm Bureau, 4H, the Minnesota Extension Office, and the Buffalo United Methodist church, including funeral lunch coordination. Notably, Kathy and Norman were recognized as Farm Family of the year in 1980. Kathy also volunteered many hours with Meals on Wheels. Her hobbies included gardening, making family-favorite baked goods, quilting, spending time with her grandchildren and friends. She will always be remembered for her infectious smile, positive attitude, and aptitude at caring for others.
Kathy chose to donate her body to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program to further science and learning for future generations.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 8 from 5:00-8:00 P.M. at The Buffalo United Methodist Church. Further visitation will be held on Wednesday morning, June 9 from 10:00-11:00 A.M. at the church. A Memorial Service for “Kathy” Varner will be held on Wednesday, June 9th at 11:00 A.M. at The Buffalo United Methodist Church. Pastor Bill Reinhart will officiate.
Memorials are preferred to The University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Hospital.
The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Celebrations of Life
Aimee Jo
Grossinger Vey
A celebration of life for Aimee will be held on Saturday, June 5, 2021, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., (with eulogy/memories at 2:30), at a private residence, 7537 28th St. SE, Buffalo, MN 55313.
If you want, wear purple, a MN Wild or Rogers Royal Hockey jersey, or your favorite band T-shirt.
