Kay Olson > Mother 01.15.17

RLou Mae Olson, the daughter of William and Ruby (Covel) Plagman, was born on June 27, 1928 in Alexandria, MN. She graduated from Central High School in 1946 and then began working as an administrative secretary. RLou met the love of her life, Kenneth Olson, while roller skating at the roller rink in Alexandria. They were married on October 15, 1947 at the United Methodist Church in Alexandria. Together they lived in Alexandria before moving to Moorhead, MN. RLou found employment again as an administrative secretary for the State of North Dakota. In 1990, she retired and RLou and Kenneth moved back to Alexandria.

RLou and Kenneth raised two daughters, Kay and Linda. RLou taught her daughters many life lessons by the way she lived her life. RLou always presented herself as a kind, elegant, and friendly woman. She had impeccable manors and instinctively instilled knowledge of knowing right from wrong, patience, and respect for others to everyone she loved.
Family has always been very important to RLou. She loved her husband Kenneth and enjoyed every moment she spent with him. Besides her daughters, RLou cherished all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren who lovingly called her G.G. She never forgot a birthday and always sent a card or made a phone call to make their day special.
RLou had many hobbies throughout her life which include: bass fishing, golfing, roller skating, and quilting. She especially enjoyed playing bridge with three different card clubs. RLou was a kind and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend to many who will be forever missed dearly.
RLou M. Olson died on Sunday, January 15, 2017 at the Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria at the age of 88 years old. She is survived by her loving husband of almost 70 years Kenneth Olson of Alexandria; daughters, Kay (John) Bieschke of Alexandria and Linda (Rodney) Ambuehl of Fargo, ND; grandchildren, Sarah (Wade) Iverson of Moorhead, Jeffrey (Tracy) Davis of Indianapolis, IN, Jason (Sharon) Davis of St. Michael, Joie (Jack) Chapin of Alexandria, and Johnny Bieschke of Carlos; great grandchildren, Grace Davis, Chloe Davis, Hunter Davis, Jaydin Iverson, Ethan Iverson, and Kaiya Chapin. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Beverly Plagman.
A Memorial Service was held on Thursday, January 19, 2017 at Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Interment was in Kinkead Cemetery. Urn Bearers were Sarah Iverson, Jeffrey Davis, and Jason Davis. Honorary Urn Bearers were all of RLou's great grandchildren.

**** 2016 ***** Blog entries listed below in 2017

Deb Krueger, Father, Donald

Clarra Purdy, CLASSMATE

Beth McKay, Mother

Alan Grundei, Mother

* 2016* Alan Grundei > Mother 09.07.16

     Rosemary Miller was born August 9, 1920 in Belle River Township, MN, the daughter of John and Anna (Quinn) Miller. She was raised at Belle River and attended District 62 country school and graduated from Alexandria High School in 1938.

Rosemary worked as a server at Miller's Cottage Inn and participated in hosting the Governor's Fishing Opener for Governor Harold Stassen.

In 1943, Rosemary travelled to San Diego, CA where LeRoy Grundei was serving in the United States Navy. She and LeRoy were married on June 25 and made their home in San Diego. Rosemary took a job in the butcher shop at the A&P Grocery in La Jolla. Following World War II Rosemary and LeRoy returned to Minnesota and began raising their family. They were blessed with four children, Larry, Alan, Neil and Marilyn.

Rosemary and her family moved to the Miller home farm in Belle River in 1954. In 1963 the family moved to Carlos, MN. LeRoy worked as postmaster in Carlos and Rosemary worked for the postal service for about twenty years.

Rosemary was a member of the Church of St. Nicholas at Belle River. She served her church wherever she was needed including her mission circle and serving meals for funerals and weddings among other activities.

Rosemary enjoyed the out of doors. She loved to fish in the summer and winter and she hunted pheasants in her younger years. She kept a large garden and canned much of her produce. Rosemary also liked to go camping and was a member of Good Sam's Camping Club.

Rosemary also liked doing craftwork and excelled at many different crafts. She liked having fun; she could play bingo, any card or dice game and enjoyed trips to the Minnesota casinos and Las Vegas. She and LeRoy also travelled throughout the United States.

Something Rosemary was very proud of was her Irish heritage. She was full blooded Irish.

Rosemary was also a caregiver. She provided care and comfort to many of her family members throughout the years. Rosemary's own family was very important to her. She was proud of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and loved spending time with them.

On Wednesday, September 7, 2016, Rosemary died at the age of ninety-six years. She was preceded in death by her husband, LeRoy Grundei, her son, Larry Grundei; and two brothers, Clarence and Cliff Miller. Rosemary is survived by her children, Alan Grundei and wife, Kathy, of Medina, MN, Neil Grundei and wife, Danna, of Chisago City, MN and Marilyn Kosir and husband, Martin, of Blaine, MN; four grandchildren, Tim Grundei and significant other, Tasha Mann, Allison Gustavson and husband, Matt, Travis Kosir and wife, Sarah, and Shane Kosir and wife, Darbi; great grand baby Gustavson, due in November; step-grandchildren, Justi Brown and husband, Doug, and Damon Cross; step-greatgrandchildren, Dayla Cross, Caleb Brown and Evan Brown; and friend and elder care advocate, Carol Ellison.

*2016* Beth McKay> Mother 08.21.16

Myrtle (Iverson) McKay, age 89 died on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at the Douglas County Hospital. A private funeral service for Myrtle's family will be held. A Celebration of Life will take place in order for extended family and friends to gather and celebrate Myrtle's life at a later date.

Myrtle loved being part of the Alexandria community and was involved in many aspects of volunteer work upon her retirement. Myrtle and her husband, George, were great supporters of high school athletics and attended most sporting events. During the last week of her life, she watched the Olympics with great interest, and it would be hard to find someone who was more loyal to the Minnesota Twins and Golden Gophers then Myrtle.

Myrtle's involvement at Calvary Lutheran Church and United Methodist Church were an important part of her life and she had a deep and abiding faith.

Myrtle was a kind, loving, supportive, mother with a good sense of humor. Myrtle loved to play cards and scrabble. Myrtle was part of the "Greatest Generation", she never complained about the hard work both at home and at work. She always said she loved to go to work. Myrtle was a great baker and liked to share her talents. Myrtle was a woman of the land. She had extensive knowledge about farming and thought turned over black dirt was beautiful. She could grow anything and had beautiful gardens her whole life.

Myrtle is preceded in death by, her husband, George McKay; mother, Helen (Westberg) Iverson; father, Melvin Iverson; and sister, Doris Dinkel. Myrtle is survived by her children Elizabeth (McKay) Teeuwen and William (Eileen) McKay; sisters Helen Wachter of Worthington and Adeline Larson of Worthington. Myrtle is also survived by her seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Alexandria, MN

*2016* Clara Purdy CLASSMATE 08.19.16

Clara Ann (Purdy) Gustafson was born on February 29, 1948, in Alexandria, Minnesota to Charles and Agnes (Mrnak) Purdy. Clair was baptized at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria. She attended school in Alexandria through the eleventh grade.
Clair was united in marriage to Richard Gustafson on June 11, 1966, at Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria. To this union the couple was blessed with four children: Rich, Mike, Tim and Tracy. Clair was a homemaker and the rock of the family. She worked at D'Michael B's for the last 22 years as the dishwasher and cleaner earning the name "Clair Bear". She also worked in housekeeping at Super 8. Clair worked hard to provide for her family and would do anything for them.
Clair had three parrots that she loved, along with her dog, Gypsy. She enjoyed watching classic movies like Dark
Shadows and Frazier. Clair was a really good cook and baker and made the best beef jerky. She also enjoyed meeting at the Depot for Bargo. Most of all, Clair loved being with her family, especially spending time with her granddaughter, Pearl whom she named "Stink Pot".
Clair died on Friday, August 19, 2016 at Sanford South University Hospital in Fargo, ND at the age of 68. She is survived by her sons, Rich, Mike and Tim (Serena) Gustafson and daughter, Tracy (fiancé, Randy Gertner) Gustafson all of Alexandria; grandchildren, Mike Trahms, Samantha Gustafson, and Pearl Gustafson; two new born great-grandsons; brothers, Alvin and Charles Purdy both of Alexandria; half-sister, Frances Fox of Yankton, ND; brothers-in-law, Elverne (Ona) Gustafson of Benson; nephews, Jessie, and Joey; and niece, Shannon Purdy. Clair is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Agnes; and husband, Richard Gustafson.
Funeral Service will be held 11:00 AM on
Wednesday, August 24, 2016 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria with Reverend Geoff Gronewold officiating. Visitation will be held from 4-7 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. Interment was at Benson City Cemetery in Benson, MN.

 

 

*2016* Deb Krueger > Father 07.30.16

 Donald Herman Krueger, age 92, was born May 18, 1924 in Faribault, MN to Herman and Mary Krueger. He was raised in Morristown, MN and graduated from High School in 1942. Don enlisted in the Navy in 1943 and was stationed in Attu, Alaska with the Hospital Corps. In 1945, Don was transferred to serve at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Washington, DC. It was here that Don met the love of his life, Winifred. They married in 1946. Donald received his Pharmacy degree in 1951 from NDSU, moved to Alexandria, MN and began his lifelong profession as a pharmacist at Rexall Drug. Don and Wini had three daughters between the years of 1949-1962. Don purchased the drugstore in 1965 and continued to expand services in the community. Don helped the hospitals with their pharmacies and was a consultant at Bethany and Knute Nelson nursing homes. In 1982, Don introduced the "Unit Dose System" to Knute Nelson Home. In 1988, he sold the drugstore to Thrifty White, worked part-time for Thrifty for 2 years and then fully retired in 1990 after 36 years in pharmacy.

Don was on the First National Bank board of directors, past president of the Jaycees and Chamber of Commerce, dedicated member of American Legion Post 87 and a lifetime member of Rotary. He was on the Alexandria School board for over 10 years. Don also supported both Douglas County Hospice and Knute Nelson Hospice. The people who provide this end of life service are angels.
Don thoroughly enjoyed his retirement years and continued to serve the community. He was on the board of directors for Central MN Elder Network and actively volunteered with Elder Network. In 2014, Don and his son-in-law Bob participated in the Honor Flight to Washington DC to see the WWII Memorial. It was one of his last trips and the experience was a highlight of his later years. He was one of the first residents at Knute Nelson Grand Arbor Senior living and enjoyed a wonderful circle of new and old friends.
Don lived life to the fullest up until his last day. He sought refuge in nature and was known as "The Guide" to those who joined him on his yearly fishing trips to Canada and duck hunting opener. He did not allow his failing health to make his world smaller. Don lived each day abundantly. His mind remained sharp, his wit bright and his laughter contagious. He always had a story to share and was interested in the stories of others. He was loved, respected and our anchor in life.
Don passed away peacefully in his home on July 30th, 2016. He was preceded in death by his wife: Winifred, his parents and brother. He is survived by his daughters: Deborah, Leslie (Bob) and Tracy (Tom). Grandchildren: Melissa (Chad), Christa (Joe), Molly (Michael), Maggie (Brian), Shannon, Shelby. Great-grandchildren: Jordyn, Isaac, Will, Josie and Benny. He also embraced his step-grandchildren: Mary Kay (Patrick), Joe and step great-grandchildren: Vivian and Oliver.
The family requests memorials to Elder Network of Alexandria and Knute Nelson Hospice.
Don's complete obituary is posted online at www.andersonfuneral.net