Obituaries 6/9/22

Alan Miller, 71

Alan Roger Miller, age 71, of Buffalo, Minnesota, passed away on June 1, 2022, from kidney failure while on hospice at Park View Care Center.

He was born on April 13, 1951, in Redwood Falls, Minnesota, to Roger and Dorothy (Bunting) Miller. He grew up in Belview, and graduated from high school there with the class of 1969. Al attended technical school where he received his education as a draftsman. He was employed with Loram in Hamel for 28 years.

On December 11, 1982, he was joined in marriage to Connie (Dove) Miller at Crown of Glory Church in Chaska, Minnesota. Their marriage was filled with traveling, laughter, and many adventures.

Al was an avid hunter and fisherman. He spent many years going to the family cabin up north with Connie in Glenwood, Minnesota; he loved to be outdoors on the lake catching walleyes and sunnies. He went on many trips to Canada and the Boundary Waters with his sons and many friends. In the winter months, they made their home in warm and sunny Texas.

Al was a proud member of A.A. and celebrated 40 years of sobriety. He was always an advocate for others who needed help, and never was shy to lend a helping hand. He was caring, kind, respectful, and gentle. His grandchildren were his pride and joy. Family meant everything to him, and he made sure to spend as much time with them as possible creating special memories.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roger and Dorothy; many aunts and uncles.

Al is survived by his wife of nearly 40 years, Connie; sons, Jeremy Miller, of Orr, MN, David Gess, of Big Lake, MN; grandchildren, Lexis (Tyler) Harbaugh, of St. Augusta, Connor (Lexi) Gess, of Big Lake, MN, Anna Miller, of Lake Crystal, MN, and Jacob Miller, of Lake Crystal, MN; brother, Jeff Miller, of Mankato; sisters, Jean (Butch) Fuder, of Foxhome, MN, and Connie (Tim) Ziegler, of Mankato, MN; and nieces and nephews.

Memorial service will be held Friday, June 24, 2022, at 11:00 A.M. at the Buffalo United Methodist Church in Buffalo, MN. Memorials may be directed to Feed My Starving Children (World Food Program USA).

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo. Online condolences for the family may be directed to www.thepetersonchapel.com.

Marvin Moore, 94

Marvin Francis Moore passed away on February 20, 2022, in Hawaii, where he had been a resident for several years.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Sally, a resident of Hawaii.  He was 94.

Marvin was one of nine children of James and Mary Moore. He lived on the family farm in Chatham Township in Wright County, Minnesota, until the farm was lost in the Great Depression, as were so many other farms. The family then moved to Buffalo, Minnesota, where he attended St. Francis Catholic Grade School. After grade school, Marvin worked at an uncle’s farm in Chatham Township and attended Maple Lake High School, graduating in 1944.

After high school, he served in the United States Navy, where he received the American Theater Ribbon and Victory Medal. Following his Navy service, Marvin joined the United States Army and was accepted into the elite Airborne Ranger Program in Fort Benning, Georgia.

After being discharged, Marvin attended Dunwoody Institute and became a master plumber. He started his own plumbing business and two of his brothers, Orville and Dennis, worked with him for a period of time. Marvin enjoyed applying his skills as a plumber and pipe-fitter, but did not enjoy running a business. He particularly did not like collecting money owed from those who had difficulty paying.

After realizing he was not cut out to be a businessman, he found employment throughout the world where his considerable skills allowed him to find employment in varies places, such as Alaska, Venezuela, and Hawaii, where he commanded top wages. He met and married his wife, Sally, in Hawaii at age 64.

Marvin was known for his ever-present beaming smile, his deep Catholic faith, and his strong work ethic.

Marvin is survived by his sister, Kathleen Ratican; sisters-in-law, Mary and Ronni Moore; and 34 nieces, nephews, great- and great-great-nieces and nephews, who all have their favorite stories about “Uncle Marvin.”

In addition to his wife, Marvin was preceded in death by his parents, James and Mary Moore; brothers, George, Orville, Russell, Edward and Dennis Moore; sisters, Lauretta Lepinski and Marilyn Eggersgluss.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial for Marvin Francis Moore will be held Friday, June 10, at 11:00 A.M. with a visitation beginning at 10:00 A.M. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Buffalo, Minnesota.  Interment with military rites at St. Charles Cemetery in Chatham Township. Luncheon following at the V in Maple Lake, Minnesota.

The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, Minnesota, assisted the family with funeral arrangements. On-line Condolences can be directed to www.thepetersonchapel.com.

Elaine Otten, 86

Elaine M. Otten, also known as mom, Matka, grandma and great-grandma, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 4, 2022, at the age of 86. She died as she lived – with family close by.

Elaine was born in Silver Lake, MN, on December 22, 1935, the daughter of Frank and Praxess (Pokornowski) Cacka. She grew up and attended school in Silver Lake. Elaine was also baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Silver Lake.

On May 10, 1955, Elaine was united in marriage to Francis Alfred Otten. The couple moved to Buffalo where they made their home and raised their six children.

Elaine lived true to her name; she was a ray of light to those around her. She spent most of her life caring deeply about her family and friends and taking care of them as well.

Elaine was grandma to 14 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren and has a special relationship with each one. She loved them each, as if they were the only grandchild she had. She played with them, baked with them, and listened to them with her whole heart.

Elaine was preceded in death by her husband, Francis; parents; sister, Janet; brother, Lorin; infant brother; and daughter-in-law, Glory Bea Otten.

Elaine will be deeply missed by her children, Bruce (Debbie) Otten, Chuck Otten, Mary (Carl) Eull, Jean (Rick) Scott, Joan (Joe) Weber, and Mike (Roxie) Otten; 14 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Ernie Bayerl and Donnie Otten; sister-in-law, LaVonne Cacka; also, many other family members and friends.        

Visitation for Elaine will be held Friday, June 10 from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, June 11 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation continuing one hour prior to the mass at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Buffalo. Celebrant will be Father Nathan Meyers.

Casket bearers will be Charlie Otten, Ryan Otten, Jason Eull, Davey Heskin, Danny Heskin, Aaron Otten, and Josh Otten.

Honorary casket bearers are all of Elaine’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Interment will be at the St. Mark’s Catholic Cemetery in Buffalo.

Arrangements were entrusted to The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo.