Mike Thornton > Mother 01.20.14

       Janice (Jan) Schwagerl Thornton was born June 12, 1919 in Browns Valley, Minnesota. She later moved with her family to Montevideo where she grew up. In 1947, she married Joe Thornton, who was studying law at the University of Minnesota. Later that year, Joe and Jan moved to Alexandria when Joe joined his father's law practice, Thornton & Thornton Law Office. Together they raised three children: Mike, Carol, and Nan.
Jan was a loving and devoted wife and mother who actively participated in her children's school and extra-curricular activities. Her family always came first. She was active in the Alexandria Women's Club, St. Mary’s Church and Boy Scout activities. She enjoyed playing bridge and made many lifelong friends in bridge club. She loved music and dancing and was always ready for a twirl around the kitchen or a formal ball. Her style and good taste remained her signature all through her life.
Her husband, Joe, passed away in 1996. After living on Lake Le Homme Dieu for many years, Jan moved to Summerwood of Plymouth where she made many friends and kept the residents laughing. Jan was known for her quick wit and contagious good humor, and she always had a quip or a wisecrack that would send everyone into gales of laughter.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Alma and Joe Schwagerl, her brother, Glenn, and her sister, Elaine. Jan is survived by her children Mike, Carol and Nan, her grandson Matthew, and her sister-in-law Elizabeth Thornton.
Funeral arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home of Alexandria, MN. Visitation and prayer service is Friday, January 24, 4-7 pm, at Anderson Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at The Church of St. Mary, Saturday, January 25, 11:00 am.

Classmate, Jon Klein 01.10.14

   Jon was born November 22, 1948 to Donald and AdaBelle (Halstead) Klein in Alexandria, the second of six children. In junior high and high school he excelled at wrestling and was an All-State wrestler. After graduating from Jefferson High School in 1967, Jon enlisted in the military and served as a Marine corporal in Vietnam.

Jon married Susan Skrove in 1974. They enjoyed the home they built south of Lake Ida with quick access to fishing and hunting. In 1981, their daughter, Jessica, was born and Jon taught her to hunt, fish and fix just about anything.
Jon worked a variety of trucking jobs and in 1979 he joined Holiday Gas Companies where he drove gas transport for 21 years. In June of 2000, after a car accident left him paraplegic, he continued to dispatch and manage the trucks for Holiday from his home in Miltona. He and Sue divorced in 2004 but have remained close friends.
Jon never let his disability get the best of him or hinder his spirit. He found ways to continue hunting, fishing, riding ATV, driving his own vehicle and living independently until the very end of his life with minimal help.
Jon enjoyed many trips to Canada and Red Lake fishing and hunting with his friends and brother Dan, all of whom helped him to find more inventive ways for him to get himself into "trouble" while continuing to live life to the fullest. Jon was known for his sense of humor, having an opinion about everything, his uncanny ability to take 30 minutes to tell a 5-minute story and making sure that he took good care of his family and friends.
Jon was an active member of the Alexandria VFW, Legion, NRA, Minnesota Deer Hunters Association, and Quality Deer Management Association.
Jon was preceded in death by his infant sister, Mary; father, Don; sister, Judy; and mother, AdaBelle.
He is survived by his daughter, Jessica (fiance, Bill Blanchard); ex-wife, Sue Klein; brother, Jim and wife Rose of Maple Grove; sister, Patti, of Midland, MI; brother, Dan, of Crystal; and close friends he considered part of his family, Kelly and Carrie Borchert.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Franciscan Sisters, 116 8th Ave SE, Little Falls, MN.
Visitation is Wednesday, January 15 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home.
Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria; www.andersonfuneral.net.

Marlys Affeldt > Father 01.10.14

         Arthur Albert Affeldt, 89, died Friday, January 10, 2014.

Arthur was born March 25, 1924 by Lake Irene in Miltona to John and Mathilda (Klinger) Affeldt. He is one of five children.

Arthur attended school at District 46 in Miltona. He helped around the small 25-acre farm until he joined the Army on May 10, 1943. He was sent to Texas and was in the 124th Calvary. His tour of duties included Burma, India and China. Arthur was honorably discharged on January 10, 1946.
He returned home and met Olga Rieder and they were married September 1, 1946 in Garfield at St. Johns Parsonage. His first job was at North American Creamery, as a mechanic. The couple bought their home in Alexandria where they started their new lives together and they were blessed with six children, Jeannie, Marlys, Wendy, Joseph, Mark and Rita. Then Arthur was offered a job at CL Michaelson and learned the trade as a plumber. Later he joined the Union Local 126 and worked out of the Local from Detroit Lakes.
Arthur finally retired in 1986 after working out of town most of his career as a plumber for the Local in Detroit Lakes. The couple built a home on Lake Jessie and thats where they retired, enjoying life together.
Arthur loved his family, fishing, hunting, fishing, casino trips, and did I mention fishing. Yes, his favorite pastime was fishing with his family and friends. He knew Lake Jessie like the back of his hand and all the hot fishing spots.
Arthur resided at Diamond Willow since August 2011, where he received loving care.
He is survived by his daughters, Jeannie (Bill) Guenther of Spring Lake Park, Marlys Affeldt of Alexandria, Wendy Welle of Alexandria, Rita (Kim) Barros of Alexandria; son, Mark (Ann) Affeldt of Clearwater; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Olga; son, Joseph; grandson, Thomas Barros; parents, Mathilda and John; sisters, Dorothy Engfer, Viola Porter; and brothers, Delbert, Freddie and Raymond.
Funeral services were held Monday, January 13 at Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Burial was at Kinkead Cemetery.
Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria; www.andersonfuneral.net.

Jerome Steen > Mother 12.14.13

Joyce LaVern Steen, 83, died Saturday, December 14, 2013 at Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria.

Joyce was born September 7, 1930 in Miltona Township, the daughter of Alfred and Anna (Carlson) Dreger. She grew up on the family farm from 1930 until 1945. She and her family moved to Alexandria where she attended Central High School.

Joyce was married to Harold Steen in 1949. They lived in Alexandria and had two children, Jerome and David. She worked at various places through the years, including Bethany Home, Fingerhut, Our Lady of Mercy Hospital and Herbergers.
Joyce and her family moved to Blackwell Lake near Holmes City in 1968. She enjoyed painting, gardening and trips she took with her family to Texas, Mexico and the West Coast. Joyce worked hard all her life and was a devoted wife and mother. She will be missed by those who knew and loved her.
She is survived by her sons, Jerome Steen of Cambridge and David Steen of Farwell; grandchildren, David (Sheila) Steen of Princeton, Brian (Kristen) Steen of Farwell, and Justin Steen of St. Paul; great-grandchildren, Madison, Sheldon and Alaina; brother, James (Mavis) Dreger of Warroad; sisters, Jane (Michael) Heyn of Fort Worth, TX and Judy (Charles) Forslin of Emily, MN.
A graveside service was held for Joyce on Thursday, December 19 at Rose Hill Cemetery near Holmes City.
Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria; www.andersonfuneral.net.

Linda Beach > Mother 01.08.14

Alice Arlene Beach, 86, died Wednesday, January 8, 2014.

Arlene was born October 17, 1927 in Fargo, North Dakota, the daughter of Arndt and Violet (Chitwood) Vigen.

Arlene was united in marriage to Dean Beach on March 7, 1948 in Alexandria. After their marriage the couple lived in Alexandria for a while before moving to Barrett where they farmed until their barn burned down. The family then moved back to Alexandria and farmed on the west side of Lake Latoka.
Arlene was a member of the Eastern Star, and a member of First Lutheran Church, where she was very active. She also enjoyed ceramics, painting and had several beautiful paintings she displayed.
She is survived by her five children, Dale (Jeanne) of Alexandria, Scott (Barb) of Apple Valley, Linda Beach of Fargo, Dean (Ginny) of North Carolina, Eleanor Beach of Arizona; eight grandchildren, Nancy (Steve) Nichols, Gregory (Rebekah) Beach, Tim (Kristin) Beach, Joel (Brandi) Beach, Erica Beach, Ryan (April) Beach, Tucker (Stephanie) Beach, Melinda Beach; 12 great-grandchildren, Amanda, Amber, Kairi, Sydney, Josie, Conner, Jenny, Khiley, Ryan Jr., Clark, Alice and Natashia.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dean; parents.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, January 14 at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Burial was at Evergreen Cemetery in Alexandria.
Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria; www.andersonfuneral.net.