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Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Jerry Rapp > Father 01.23.15

    Willie “Bob” Alfred Rapp was born September 7, 1925 to Willie H. and Alma (Schulke) Raap. He was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church for 89 years. Bob was baptized and confirmed at Zion and attended Zion Lutheran School through the eighth grade. He started working at a young age as times were hard before WWII. Bob was drafted in the Army in the fall of 1943 and began his term in January of 1944. He was atire rebuilder with the 4066th Quartermaster Truck Company in the Asiatic Pacific Theater of Operations stationed at Fort Richardsen, AK. Bob was honorably discharged in May of 1946 at the rank of Staff Sargent.

On October 20, 1946, Bob married Frances LaVon Bennett the love of his life in Brandon, MN at Chippewa Lutheran Church. To this union three children were born, Jerry, Dennis and Jody. He loved roller skating and taking LaVon to big band dances at Lakeside Ballroom in Glenwood. Bob loved to waltz and was a very good dancer. In 1954, Bob and LaVon along with sister, Vi and brother-in-law, Andy purchased Interlachen Inn. They met many interesting people through the years and many friendships were made. They sold the Interlachen in 1984. Bob also had a bait and tackle business with cousin, Roger Schulke during the late 40’s and 50’s. He also had a business of buying and selling eggs and chicken’s for nearly 40 years, finally retiring in 1990. Since that time he has made numerous hunting and fishing trips with family back to Alaska. He was amazed by all the changes since being stationed there in 1946.

Bob was a kind and gentle man. He loved spending time with his wife of 68 plus years. During this time days were filled with family picnics, hunting, fishing, entertaining and just spending time at deer camp and the lake cabin.

Bob lost his battle to cancer on January 23, 2015 at Bethany Home in Alexandria at the age of 89. He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, LaVon of Alexandria; sons, Jerry (Jane) Rapp and Dennis (Karen) Rapp both of Alexandria; daughter, Jody (Don) Johnson of Henning; grandchildren, Lane, Robbie (Michaela), Maggie (Ben) Jeremy, Kim (Dave), Jamie (Ryan), Jesse (John), Ben (Stacey), Julie, Jeffrey, and Ulli; great-grandchildren, Tatum, Ian, Riley and Peter; along with several cousins, nieces and nephews. Also he is survived by his German family, Sabina, Jürgen, Christian, and Ulli; and special hunting and fishing family friend, Don Borgman. Bob is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Vi (Andy) Hanak, Margaret “Trixie” (Dick) Quitmeyer; brother, Gerald (Wilma) Raap; and many cousins.

A funeral service was held on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at Zion Lutheran Church with Reverends David Hinz and Geoff Gronewold officiating. Interment was held at Kinkead Cemetery. Military Honors were provided by Alexandria Veterans Memorial Unit.

Memorials are preferred to the Zion Lutheran Church Building Fund
www.alexandriafuneral.net  

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Gary Justice > Father 01.09.15

 Richard James Justice of Alexandria passed January 9, 2015. He was born February 20th, 1925, in Iron Mountain, Michigan to James T Justice and Marie Starry Justice. The Justice family returned to their home of Ashland, Wisconsin where Richard was raised and graduated from De Padua High School in June of 1943.
Upon graduation Richard was drafted into the US Army, into the 304th Port Company of the 519th Port Battalion. He was among those who made the Invasion of Normandy at Utah Beach and continued onto Antwerp, Belgium. Richard served from June 1943 until February 1946. He was awarded the bronze arrow-head for the Normandy Invasion, three battle stars, a French Crois De Guerre w Palm, the Belgian Order of the Day, a certificate from the city of Antwerp, and the Good Conduct Medal.
After his honorable discharge, he attended Northland college in Ashland, Wisconsin and the University of Wisconsin at River Falls. In 1948 he married Jeanne A. Mesang, also of Ashland Wisconsin. In 1949 he graduated with a B.S degree in Agriculture and Science. He went on to teach vocational agriculture and was a veteran trainer for 5 years in Amery, Wisconsin. After teaching, Richard went to work for CENEX in 1955. He retired from CENEX in 1987, after a 32 year career in sales and marketing.
Richard and Jeanne were blessed with 8 children, 20 grand children and 23 great grand children. Jeanne passed in 1986 after 38 years of marriage. In 1988, Dick married long time friend Mabel Rise. Together they traveled extensively, including travels back to Europe with a visit to Normandy beach. Mabel passed in 2014, after 26 years of marriage.
Richard was a member of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, where he served consistently over the years until health intervened. His faith was steadfast and served as his compass throughout his life. He was also a lifetime member of the VFW, American Legion, Knights of Columbus, and Elks club.
Richard was gregarious and a joy to be around. He loved deeply and unconditionally the people in his life. He was a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather and friend.
While he seldom spoke of the war, he always took time to reunite with the close knit group of men from the 304th port company, until the latter “90’s“ and counted these men among his closest friends.
Richard’s passion was the outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He always enjoyed golfing and played cards to the end. He loved music and was a wonderful dance partner.
Richard is preceded in death by his sister Margaret (Babe) Erickson, parents James and Marie Justice, several aunts and uncles, wife Jeanne Justice, son Rick Justice, and wife Mabel Justice.
Richard is survived by sister Victoria Beirl (Richard), Appleton, WI; children Gary Justice (Cathy), Osakis; Judy Hall, Hopkins; Ted Justice (Sue), Alexandria; Vicki Elliott of Victoria; Mary Lachowitzer (Tony), Clitherall; Barbara Birrell (Mike), Austin,TX; Beth Weersing, Round Rock, TX; daughter-in-law Nancy Justice, Alexandria; and step-son Craig Rise (Anita), Fargo, ND.
Richard will be missed by his family and friends. As a friend said when told of his passing, “he was a wonderful, wonderful man and we will miss him”.
Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 13, 2015, 1:00 PM at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery.

Tom Lempka > Mother 11.24.14

Mary Theresa Lempka      Mary Theresa (Stein) Lempka was born on February 25, 1915 in Chokio, MN to Martin and Mary (Ruba) Stein. She graduated from Chokio High School. Mary then worked out in area homes babysitting, baking and cleaning.

On October 15, 1941 Mary was united in marriage to Roman Lempka at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Chokio in a double wedding with her brother, Albert and his wife Florence. The family was blessed with two children, Julene and Thomas. The couple lived around Chokio farming for a few years where Mary was a homemaker, and then they moved to Milbank, SD. The family moved to Alexandria in 1953, where she continued to be a homemaker and helped her sister, Helen at her resort on Lake Andrew. In 1958, Julene died at the age of 15 from cancer. Mary went to work at St. Mary’s School in 1961, where she did janitorial and kitchen work and also worked on the playground. She retired in 1997.

Mary enjoyed dancing, playing cards and games. She loved gardening and spending time in the kitchen, cooking and canning. Mary always had the coffee going and goodies available.

Mary died on Monday, November 24, 2014 at Grand Arbor at the age of 99. She is survived by her son Tom (Margaret) Lempka of Alexandria; grandson, Scott (Kari) Lempka of Elk River; and great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Dean and Rosemary; sister, Helen Tarnowski of Rueter, MO; and many nieces and nephews. Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Mary; husband, Roman; daughter, Julene; and brothers and sisters, Margaret, George, August, Agnes, Rose, Albert, and Joe.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, November 28, 2014 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria with Father Steve Binsfeld officiating. Interment was in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Alexandria.

Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria

Maureen Duitscher > Mother 11.23.14

Paul Wilbert Duitscher, 97, Fort Collins, Colorado, died November 23, 2014 in Fort Collins.

Paul was born February 15, 1917 to Peter and Annie "Korfe" Duitscher in Wright County, Iowa.
He was married to Ruth Kathryn "Fezler" Duitscher, who preceded him in death.
He is survived by a daughter, Maureen Alexander of Byers, Colorado.
 
A memorial service was held Friday, November 28 at Parkwood Estates in Fort Collins.