Barbara Komes > father 02.04.11

        Robert Marcus Komes, 83, long time resident of Alexandria, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, February 4, 2011.
Bob was born February 9, 1927 in Rice Lake, WI to Adam and Vitaline (Matton) Komes. Bob grew up in a log cabin in the forests outside of Birchwood, WI. Heeding the call to arms during WWII, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, working his way through France and Germany.
He returned to Wisconsin and married Margaret Papenheim on July 3, 1948. The couple moved to Minneapolis in 1950, where Bob was employed at Bros Boilers as a painter. In 1965 they moved to Coon Rapids and started a successful sewer contracting business called Coon Rapids Cesspool Company. In 1965, the family purchased a farm near Nelson, operating a dairy farm and Bob’s Service Shop.
After selling the cows, he became service manager and chief mechanic at Sun Auto and Marine in Alexandria. With retirement, he and Margaret moved into Alexandria where he enjoyed working in his shop, playing 500, visiting with friends and family, and fishing with his wife and son, Bob.
He leaves behind his loving wife of 63 years, Margaret Komes of Alexandria; daughter, Barbara Williams of Alexandria; son, Robert (Denise) Komes of Stoughton, WI; son, David (Sally) Komes of Manahawkin, NJ; and daughter, Linda Sletto (Lydon) of Brandon. His wisdom will be greatly missed by his grandchildren, Dennis Williams (Jodi) of Howard, SD, Wade Williams (Kim) of Sherburn, Michelle Sletto Shoultz (Phillip) of Snellville, GA, Nolan Sletto of Brandon, and Rachel Komes of Philadelphia, PA. His great-grandchildren, Nathaniel, Abigail, Emily and Lillian Williams will remember him as a kind and gentle soul.
His parents, three sisters, two brothers and an infant son preceded him in death.
A memorial service to celebrate Bob’s life will be held at Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria on April 9, 2011.
Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria; www.andersonfuneral.net.

Dan Hovland from Jordan

I was a special education teacher in Upsala and Little Falls for 34 years. I retired from teaching in 2005 and then worked part-time selling ads for an antiques newspaper. My wife, Marlene, went back to college after a 35-year break and got her bachelor’s degree in sociology in 2008. After searching for a job in her field without success, we made a decision to “live life differently” and joined the Peace Corps. We have been in the mid-east, living in the Muslim country of Jordan, since October, 2009. We both teach at Mu’tah University, near Karak. Marlene teaches work site dynamics, communication skills and English to classes and individuals. I co-teach a class about special education topics and help supervise students who are doing their practice teaching in resource rooms and centers. Jordan is a very interesting country... lots of history and unique places to visit. The people are wonderful, too. Our service will end in December, 2011 so we should be able to make it to the 45th class reunion... In sha’ alla (God willing)!

Leon Zavadil > Brother 02.09.11

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Gaylen Odell Zavadil, 73, died February 4, 2011 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, 10 days after having heart surgery.
Gaylen was born January 21, 1938 in Starbuck to Edwin and Sylvia (Malmberg) Zavadil. His father died when Gaylen was 13, so he started helping on the farm as a young man. He attended grade school at District #13 and graduated from Central High School in Alexandria in 1956. He also served in the Minnesota National Guard for six years.
Gaylen started his work career at O’Hotto Supply from 1955-1956 and then at Alexandria Concrete from 1957-1986 as the office manager. In 1987 he went to work for American Business Forms in Glenwood, retiring in 2001. The following years he worked for area farmers doing what he enjoyed most – driving tractors. Gaylen enjoyed traveling and visited Bermuda, Egypt, the Czech Republic, Jamaica and also various places in the United States. He liked going on bus tours and meeting new friends.
Gaylen married Estella (Brosh) at St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church in 1966 and they lived on the home farm. In 1996 they moved to their lake home in Hoffman and then moved back to the farm in 2003.
He is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 44-plus years, Estella; three children, Michael (Laura) Zavadil of Rockford, Michigan, Emmy (Joe) Foster of Rosemount, and Monty (Mari) Zavadil of White Bear Lake. He treasured his eight grandchildren, Zachary, Matthew and Samantha Zavadil, Mitchell and Jake Foster, and Alvin, Abigail and Adeline Zavadil. He is also survived by two brothers, Gary (Carol) Zavadil of Alexandria and the Rev. Leon (Peggy) Zavadil of Jamestown, ND; and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Daryl; niece, Shari; and nephew, Kelly.
A funeral service was held Wednesday, February 9 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria with the Rev. Mark Astrup and the Rev. Leon Zavadil officiating. Music was provided by Gary Gylsen. Interment was at Independent Bohemian Cemetery with Randy Runge, Keith Brosh, Donnie Trousil, Warren Engelbrecht, Gary Lofquist and Doug Kuiper serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were Gaylen’s eight grandchildren, Mitchell Foster, Jake Foster, Alvin Zavadil, Zachary Zavadil, Abigail Zavadil, Matthew Zavadil, Adeline Zavadil and Samantha Zavadil.

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Leslie Nokes > Mother 02.07.11

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Marie Caroline Backhus Nokes, 92, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, February 7, 2011. Wife of the late Vern Leon Nokes, Marie was born November 14,1918, in Mapleton to Henry and Adele Backhus. She was baptized January 5, 1919 by the Rev. Paul Elsel. She was confirmed November 25, 1934 by the Rev. A.W. Scharfe at St. John Lutheran in Mapleton. After graduating valedictorian of the Mapleton High School class of 1935, she worked for Dr. Graham Howard. She was married to Vern Nokes on February 25, 1940 by the Rev. A.W. Scharfe at St. John Lutheran in Mapleton. Nine children were born to this union. There are 23 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Surviving are her children, daughter, Sharon (Roger) Mailand, Seward NE; sons, Lowell (Lorraine), Alexandria, Gary (Carolyn), Del Rio, TX, Paul, Bellevue, NE, Leslie (Debora), Elbow Lake, Dennis (Kathy), Seguin, TX, Dale, Parkers Prairie, and Keith (Jerlyn), Hayward, CA; grandchildren, Sharon: Michael (Diane) Mailand; Joel (Becca) Mailand; Raymond: Ronald and David Nokes, Tonya McDaniel; Bobbie Youtcheff; Julie and Ray Ogden; Gary: Doug (Jennifer) Nokes; Jerome (Melanie) Nokes; Jason Nokes; Paul: Paul (Jennifer) Nokes Jr.; Ryan Nokes; Leslie: Tina (Mike) Funkhouser, Neil Nokes, Lynn (Jessica) Nokes; Dennis: Amy Nokes Kowalski; Greg Nokes; Bryan McLaughlin, Dawn (Shannon) Standridge; Dale: Stephanie, Joshua (Stacey), and Andrew Nokes; Keith: Charles Nokes; several great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Surviving also are her beloved sister, Shirley Ann Cichy, Alexandria; and sister-in-law and also her matron of honor, Ruth Nokes, Armstrong, Iowa; several cousins and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death: by her husband, Vern; son, Raymond and wife, Margie Nokes; her parents, Henry and Adele Backhus; a stillborn sister; daughter-in-law, Jeanne Nokes (Paul); former daughter-in-law, Donna Nokes; nephew, Roy Torgusen; and niece, Sheila Torgusen, nephew, Lauren Harris, and niece RaNee Nokes Barton.
Marie was a Sunday school teacher for many years before and after her marriage, in Mapleton and in Garfield. She served as Sunday school superintendent. She taught weekday school. She was active as a 4-H leader when her children were youngsters. She and her husband, Vern, were active in the Garfield Fire Department, where Marie was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary. Marie served on the Board of Directors for Lutheran Island Camp, Henning. She was a member of the Douglas County Historical Society. Marie served as Garfield town clerk and Ida Township assessor for many years. She was an honorary member of the Garfield Firemen's Auxiliary, and a member of the Douglas County Historical Society. Marie loved to write poetry. She had a couple of poems printed in the local papers.
Funeral services were held Monday, February 14 at St. John Lutheran Church in Garfield with the Rev. Shawn Ethridge officiating. Nancy Anderson played the organ. Interment was at the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials may be made to: St. John Lutheran Church in Garfield; Garfield Firemen’s Auxiliary; or Lutheran Island Camp in Henning,

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Glenice Olson > Mother 01.28.11

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Lorraine Glennis Olson, 92, Alexandria, died January 28, 2011.
Lorraine was born November 9, 1918 in St. John, North Dakota to Charles and Gina (Arneson) Krook. She was the eighth of 11 children. Lorraine was baptized at Mill Lake Lutheran Church in Menighed, North Dakota on November 16, 1919.
Her family moved from North Dakota to the Litchfield and Glenwood area when she was 10. She grew up in Glenwood, attending school and working at Wimpy’s Café and Minton Hotel, where she met her future husband, Raymond “Ray” Olson.
Lorraine and Ray were married March 30, 1940 in Glenwood. She was a full-time homemaker, caring for their five children. In 1964, the family moved to Alexandria to operate their family business, Olson Produce.
Lorraine devoted her life to her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was a mom to many with her home and kitchen always open. She loved to cook and sew, with people marveling at her sewing talent. She loved celebrating Halloween, Christmas and Easter. In the spring you would see Lorraine busy planting vegetables and preparing for her spring and summer flower gardens. She loved shopping and buying for others. She was a Minnesota Twins and golf fan. She loved her game shows. Lorraine could hold her own when others disagreed with her Democratic Party beliefs.
She was a member of First Lutheran Church of Alexandria and the VFW Auxiliary.
She is survived by her children, Sandy (Dennis) Erickson of Brainerd, Charles (Mary) Olson, Glenice (Robert) Vipond, David Olson, all of Alexandria; daughters-in-law, ShuWa Olson and LuWanna (James) Olson; grandchildren, Randy McDonald, Chad Johnson, Cory (Angie) Olson, Stephanie Olson (Neel Bose), Christina (Tam Gregersen) Olson, Jason (Ashley) Anderson, Ryan (Michelle) Vipond, Robert (Shawn) Olson, Shannon (Jackson Berglund) Olson, Jamie (Victoria “Tori” Meyer) Olson, Shawn (Kori Walker) Olson; great-grandchildren, Ashley McDonald, Alexis McDonald, Nathan Johnson, Emma Anderson, Charles Olson, Thomas Olson, Levi Gregersen, Nicholas Vipond, Rebecca Vipond, Gavin Olson, Corbin Olson, Luca Olson, Casey Deleski, Carson Berglund and Aaliyah Olson.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Ray; son, James “Jim” Olson, grandson, Mark McDonald; parents, Charles and Gina Krook; brothers, Earl, Carl, Olaf, John and Lynn Krook; sisters, Anna May Woodward, Louise Gardner, Millie Arp, Francis Johnson and Norma Maanum.
Funeral services were held Friday, February 4 at 11 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria with the Rev. John Peshek officiating. Burial was at Kinkead Cemetery in Alexandria.

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Classmate, Jon Mayer died 1-12-2011

Jon Mayer, age 61, died January 12, 2011 at St. Cloud Hospital from complications after a massive heart attack.
Jon was born September 27, 1949 to Don and Bernice Mayer in Alexandria.
Jon served in the military for 12 years and also worked as a Cub master and a Scout leader. He enjoyed reading books and putting puzzles together. He also enjoyed spending time with his family.
He owned his own floor covering business and also worked at Donnelly Custom Molding Company.
Survivors include his wife, Carol Mayer; son, Randy (Ginger) Mayer; two granddaughters, Tayler and Hannah; mother, Bernice Mayer; two brothers, Jim (Karlene) and Rick Mayer; four sisters, Bonnie (Don) Beseke, Josy (Jim) Daniels, Vicki (Don) Fritz and Cindy (Scott) Jensen.
He was preceded in death by his father, Don Mayer; and sister, Judy Lenfrink.
A memorial service for Jon will be held Saturday, January 29 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on January 29 at the church.