Bob Vipond > Brother 05.18.17

     Gordon Paul Vipond was born on April 27, 1957, in Alexandria, Minnesota the son of Clarence and Lorine (Lanners) Vipond. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary's Church. Gordy graduated from Alexandria Jefferson High School and furthered his education at St. Cloud Technical College receiving his Real Estate License and Degree in Sales.
Upon graduation he worked for Century 21 as a Realtor and later in sales at Continental Bridge. Gordon was united in marriage to Mary Jane on September 9, 1989 at St. Mary's Church in Alexandria. To this union two children were born: Mitchell and Meghan. Gordy was a wonderful father who always believed in his children. He enjoyed spending time on the lake taking the kids skiing and tubing. He also was Mitchell's hockey coach and would spend hours with the kids shooting pucks in the garage. Gordy enjoyed taking Meghan to dance and watching her performances.
He was a loving son who was always there for his mom. As a brother, time at the hunting shack in Henning always provided great times and good memories. Family time, Lanners reunions, and Vipond Campouts at Lobster Lake were important to Gordy. He was very kind hearted and had many friends.
Gordy loved to play hockey, baseball and softball. He was an incredible sports fan and always knew the different stats for the Minnesota sports teams. In later years he enjoyed playing golf. Gordy always had a smile on his face and enjoyed a good laugh.
Gordon died unexpectedly on Thursday, May 18, 2017 at his home. He is survived by his two children: Mitchell & Meghan Vipond of Alexandria; mother, Lorine Vipond of Alexandria; brothers: Jack of Glenwood, Bob & wife, Glenice of Alexandria, Tom & wife, Sharon of Woodstock, GA, Mike & wife, Diane of Rosemount, MN; sister, Diane & husband, Dale Sletto of Carlos; aunt, Theresa Lanners; several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He is preceded in death by his father, Clarence "Kiddo"; infant brother; several aunts & uncles.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held 3:00 PM on Thursday, May 25, 2017, 3:00 PM at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Visitation will be held 4-7 PM with parish prayers at 7 PM on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery.

Kathy Wussow > Mother 05.04.17

Neva Mae (Schoenefeld) Wussow born December 27, 1923, in Wentworth, SD, passed to heaven Thursday, May 4, at the age of 93 . She was confirmed at St Peters Lutheran church in Wentworth and graduated from Wentworth High School. On Valentine's Day, 1944, Neva married John Wussow; they enjoyed 52 years together - especially the years lived on Lake Darling with its blue waters and beautiful sunsets. 

Neva always saw the best in everyone and made the best of every situation. She truly lived her life with authenticity and integrity. Her smiling face from behind the counter at "Hamburger Heaven" and her warm greetings to day care children and their parents, made her loved beyond her family.
Neva was preceded in death by her parents, William and Anna Schoenefel;, loving husband, John Wussow; son James Wussow and first grandchild John Michael Olsen; siblings,William Schoenefeld and Lorraine Dumke. Loved and already missed by living children, Karen (David) Oakland, Kathleen (David) Janke, Curtis (Jan) Wussow and Arlen (Carla) Wussow; brother Lloyd (Norma) Schoenefeld; sister, Arla (Dick) Elverud; eleven grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren and one great, great grandson; plus, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many former day care children - all of whom called her "Grandma Neva". She lived her Christian faith, practicing "Love your neighbor" generously and joyfully, and warmly demonstrated "Let the little children come to me".
A Celebration of Life services will be Saturday, June 24, 2017, at Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria, MN at 11:00 AM, where Neva was a long time member. Visitation will be at 9:30 AM at the church the day of the service. Memorials are preferred to Zion Lutheran School, Lutheran Social Services, or a mission dear to your heart. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home, Alexandria, MN. www.andersonfuneral.net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class of 1967'x 2nd inductee !!

 A Naval officer, an author and a radio personality will join the Alexandria Education Foundation Hall of Fame this fall.

The inductees, announced Thursday, are:

• Captain Thomas Halvorson, Jefferson High School Class of 1984. Halvorson has spent his career in the U.S. Navy, becoming commanding officer of the USS John McCain and USS Mobile Bay.

• Michael Tisserand, Jefferson High School Class of 1982. Tisserand is a critically acclaimed professional writer and book author and news journalist based in New Orleans. His latest book is a biography of cartoonist George Herriman, the creator of the Krazy Kat comics.

• Patty Wicken, Jefferson High School Class of 1967. Wicken is a radio personality and talk show host for KXRA in Alexandria and a recipient of the Eagles Citizen of the Year award.

The Alumni Hall of Fame was created in 2007 as a means to honor graduates, or any staff or faculty member who has earned distinction or achievement in their professional field.

The Hall of Fame recipients will be inducted at the Hall of Fame luncheon on Sept. 15, and they will be invited to be grand marshals during the Homecoming Community Parade as part of homecoming festivities Sept. 16.

"There are many unique and outstanding accomplishments by the Hall of Fame recipients in this Hall of Fame class," said Christine Reilly, Foundation board chairwoman said in a news release. "We look forward to honoring them this fall and recognizing their successes and contributions."

PS ... William Flaig was the Class of 1967's first inductee.

Honoring Erika's (TIMM) memory

Honoring Erika's memory

 

 

 

By Beth Leipholtz

When their mother Erika was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, Ben and Jake Rodriguez were 2 years old. Now age 7, the boys are raising money to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. (contributed)1 / 2

Jake and Ben Rodriguez, 7, have been named the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Boys of the Year for the work they have done to keep their mother Erika’s memory alive after she lost the battle to acute myeloid leukemia. (contributed)2 / 2

Jake and Ben Rodriguez were only 3 years old when their mother Erika Rodriguez passed away after battling acute myeloid leukemia for nine months.

Now, four years later, the twin boys are keeping their mother's memory alive and have been named the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Boys of the Year.
"It's incredible what they remember," said Jeff Timm, Erika's father and the boys' grandfather. "They talk about her all the time."
In March 2012, while living in Alexandria, Erika was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia after going to the doctor for ongoing headaches. She was taken to the University of Minnesota Medical Center, and remained there for nine months, until she lost the fight with cancer.

Though Ben and Jake were young when they lost their mother, they remember her. In the time since Erika's death, her husband Sam has remarried and moved to Maple Grove. He says his wife, Katie, has played a large role in encouraging the boys to fundraise for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and to remember their mother, who was a friend of hers.
"In elementary school, the boys had a program that was called Pennies for Patients," Sam said. "They brought home their box and their job was to go around and get people to donate toward the LLS. ... The school had hoped to raise $2,000 for kindergarten through sixth grade, and Ben and Jake raised nearly $4,000 with the help of Katie."
After raising the money last year, Ben and Jake were honored by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Then this year, they were honored again, as each year the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society chooses a man and woman of the year and a girl and boy of the year. The 2017 girls of the year were twin sisters who are both survivors of leukemia.
Due to their fundraising efforts, the Rodriguez twins seemed like a natural choice for the boys of the year.
"Because they were doing twin sisters, they chose the boys as the Boys of the Year because leukemia affects more than just the person who has it," Sam said. "It also affects the family."
Now, the boys are trying to raise $10,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society by May 20.
"They're not only giving money themselves, but also going door to door to tell their story about what their mom went through," Sam said. "They're also asking people if they have any chores. They're trying to be proactive and do something besides just asking for money."

Sam says the Rodriguez family will continue to honor Erika and remember her, as well as fundraise to aid in finding a cure for cancer.

 

"We try to keep her spirit alive as much as we can," Sam said. "They definitely know who their mom was as a person. We're making something positive out of a terrible tragedy, and we've been very blessed in the joy we've found since then."
Donations to this cause can be made by visiting events.lls.org/pages/mn/boysoftheyear and a video about the Rodriguez family can be viewed at www.vimeo.com/184246668.