Donna Korkowski (D 1994) > Mother, 10.14.2018

             Wilma Lucille (Zierman) Korkowski was born on January 26, 1929 on the family farm outside Cushing, MN, the daughter of William and Martha (Johanson) Zierman. She enjoyed her childhood on the farm with the Zierman and Johanson families, and attended a country school that they walked through the meadows and woods to get to.  She moved to Minneapolis and worked in a dress factory before being united in marriage to Walter Joseph Korkowski on June 21, 1948, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Alexandria, MN. Together they had 7 children: Donna, Gary, Barb, Mary, Doug, Pete, and Mike. Walt and Wilma raised their children in Alexandria and were active members of their community and church.  She believed being a mother was her greatest accomplishment and was very proud of her family. Wilma faced the challenges of life with courage, faith, and optimism.  As a busy homemaker, Wilma sewed, gardened, canned, and baked for her growing family. She volunteered in Scout leadership for both her daughters and her sons. In later years she quilted, made ceramics, painted, and enjoyed learning. Wilma completed her GED and learned to use computers at the Senior Center. She was a great communicator through her letters to family and friends, and was always interested in learning more about others through phone conversations. Wilma was also curious about the natural world and learned about it through reading or travel.  She was a member of the Daughters of Isabella and a lifetime member of the VFW Post #936 Auxiliary in Alexandria.
Wilma passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 14, 2018, at the age of 89 at St. Therese in New Hope, MN, which had been her home since 2011.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Walter Korkowski 92017); her parents; brothers, Frank, Oscar, and Art; sister, Florence; daughter, Donna Marie Drexler (5.31.1994); and grandson, Kristopher Korkowski.
Wilma is survived by sons, Gary (special friend Robin Peterson) of Menomonie, WI, Doug (Linda) of Alexandria, MN, Pete (Sue) of Lino Lakes, MN, Mike (Willen) of Maple Grove, MN; daughters, Barb (Karl) Sitterle of San Jose, CA, Mary (Scott) Schoeler of Milton, WI; 13 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; sisters, Alice, Irene, and Jane; brothers, Leonard, Vernon (Norma), and Walter (Suzanne); sister-in-law, Donna, and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held on Friday, October 26, 2018 from 4-7PM at the Anderson Funeral Home, 659 Voyager Dr. NW in Alexandria, with Prayer Service beginning at 4PM and a Daughters of Isabella Rosary at 7 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, October 27, 2018 at 10 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 420 Irving St. in Alexandria, with visitation from 9AM-10AM at the church. Memorials are preferred to the NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness).

---

Donations may be made to:

National Alliance on Mental Illness
3803 N. Fairfax Dr., Arlington VA 22203
Tel: 1-703-524-7600
Web: https://ifundraise.nami.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donate.event&eventID=505&referrer=WEBTD

James Hartman > Sister 02.24.2018

     Mona Lisa Hartman was born on February 17, 1963, in Alexandria, Minnesota the daughter of Francis and Ruth (Jensen) Hartman.  She was born with Downs Syndrome and lived in Alexandria with her family until 1995 when Mona and her parents moved to California until 2006 when they moved back to Alexandria and she lived with Bonnie and Norm for a year.  After that she moved into Prairie Community Services Group Home where she lived for the past ten years.  
While living in Alexandria Mona worked for the DAC.  She will be remembered as being friendly, having a good sense of humor, and to her everyone reminded her of a movie star.  Most importantly she was mom’s special little angel.
Mona died on Saturday, February 24, 2018.  She is survived by her sisters: Bonnie & (Norm) Salto of Alexandria, Carol (Gary) Swanson of Alexandria; brother, Jim (JoAnne) Hartmann of Alexandria; several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Lori Hartman Harstad.
Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, March 3, 2018, 2:00 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home with visitation one hour prior to service.   Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Linda Lybeck > Sister 10.07.2018

    Lynette A. Primus, age 66, of Alexandria, died Sunday, October 7, 2018, at Alomere Health in Alexandria.
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m.,Wednesday, October 24, 2018 at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria with Rev. Gary Taylor officiating. Inurnment will take place at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls.
Visitation is one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Lynette Arlene was born May 4, 1952, to Lester and Lillian (Brown) Lybeck in Alexandria.  She grew up in Alexandria, attended public schools and graduated from Jefferson High School in 1971.  Following her education, she worked at Douglas County Hospital North as a switchboard operator and at the front desk.  Lynette was united in marriage to Anthony “Tony” Primus on June 30, 1973, at United Methodist Church in Alexandria.  Following their marriage, they lived in Brainerd for a few years before returning to Alexandria.  She was a member of United Methodist Church and the Alexandria Senior Center.  Lynette enjoyed traveling, especially taking cruises and attending concerts, such as Ronnie Milsap, Neil Diamond, the Beach Boys and many others. She had a knack for clothes shopping and caring for her flowers around their home.  She loved watching the Minnesota Vikings, Twins, Timberwolves and especially, the Lynx. Lynette loved listening to music, talking on the phone and playing bingo.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and son, Brian in 2012.
Lynette will be deeply missed by her husband of 45 years, Tony; two daughters, Julie (Allen) Parks of Alexandria and Amy Nelson of Coon Rapids; two sons, Chad Primus of St. Cloud and Jeff (Jacob) Primus of Monticello; sister, Linda Caron of Alexandria; two brothers, Larry (Kirsten) Lybeck of Gonvick and Lee Lybeck of Lake Preston, South Dakota; grandson, Sean Parks; 4 nieces, Laura Swenson, Vanessa Caron, Lisa Nyberg and Mary Lybeck; nephew, Jason Lybeck and several loyal canine companions, Buttons and Ashley.
Urn bearer is her grandson, Sean Parks

Paul Osterberg > Father 10.04.2018

   Sonny (Richard G.) Osterberg, the eighth of nine children of Richard and Tena (Hotvedt) Osterberg was born in Kensington, MN on December 5, 1923.  The family moved to Alexandria in 1927 because, according to Sonny’s father, “Eff-ry day in Alexandria is yust like the fort of Yuly in Kensington!”
At age 16 he began running the ice cream counter at Osterberg’s Café in downtown Alexandria. He attended and graduated from Central School in Alexandria in 1941. He then attended the University of MN with dreams of becoming an aeronautical engineer.  Unable to enlist during WWII due to a medical deferment he returned home and became a partner in the family business. One of the benefits of returning home was working with Helen Wagner, that cute waitress at Osterberg’s.  Helen spent some time in California and the two discovered that absence truly did make their hearts grow fonder.  They married on May 27, 1947 at the Church of St Mary in Alexandria. They were married for 63 years.
Family, hospitality and service were important aspects of Sonny and Helen’s faith and life together.  Patrick, Paul, Leann, Peter, Richard and Mary were born during the Baby Boom.  Family traditions included annual trips to the MN State Fair, Deer Park and Itasca (including a meal at the Schwartzwald Inn in Park Rapids), hosting holiday meals for the extended family at Fireside Steakhouse and inter-generational Tripoly card games.  Deer hunting was a life long activity he enjoyed first with his brothers then with his sons and grandsons.
The food business came naturally to Sonny.  He began as a third partner with his brothers in Osterberg’s in Alexandria.  He sold his share and owned and operated Osterberg’s Café in Fergus Falls for 4 years.  Returning to Alexandria, he bought Hillside Club, sold insurance for a short time and then purchased Fireside Steakhouse, which he and Helen operated for 28 years.  It was here that Sonny’s culinary skills really shone.  Standing at the charcoal grill, customers loved to watch him prepare his famous steaks, chicken and “Sonny’s Walleye”.  He truly enjoyed greeting his customers while they watched him work.
Retirement came at age 75 after 60 years in the restaurant business. Helen encouraged him to “stay busy” so he sold real estate and made a run for county commissioner.  His grandkids also kept him busy.  He and Helen traveled to wherever the grandkids were to attend their events.
Sonny said in an interview with the Sr. Perspective newspaper, “Music has really been the joy of my life. My voice has meant everything to me.”  A choir director discovered his talent when he was 8 and put him in front of the congregation to sing a solo. Many have commented on his solos at weddings and funerals. He was a life-long member of the St Mary’s Choir.  Parishioners looked forward to his solos at Midnight Mass.  He was thrilled to sing the Star-Spangled Banner with his son and grandsons at the Gopher football games.
In 1950 Sonny joined the Knights of Columbus and became a Fourth Degree Knight in 2004.  He was a long-time member of Rotary.
Sonny passed away peacefully on the Feast of St Francis, October 4, 2018 at Bethany on the Lake in Alexandria.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; infant son, Richard; parents; siblings and spouses, Viola (Martin) Rotto, Bennie (Margaret), Lenore (Helen), Tony (Pauline) Osterberg and Donna (William) Huskey; two brothers who died as children: Mervin & Clifton and brother-in-law, Allen Wittchow.
Survivors are his children and their spouses, Patrick (Stephanie), Paul (Bobbie), Leann (Virgil) Lerud, Peter, Mary (LeRoy) Bowder; grandchildren, Justin (Jessica) Osterberg, Catie Osterberg, Richard (Lesley) Osterberg, Kendra (Seth) Hahn, Steve Osterberg, Kirstin (Clint) Wendel, Seth (Shanele Larson) Bowder, Nate Osterberg, Molly (Clay) Larson; 12 Great Grandchildren and another on the way; sister, JoAnn Wittchow; and many nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, October 11, 2018 10:30 a.m. at St Mary’s Catholic Church.  Burial will be at St Mary’s Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 10 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Anderson’s Funeral Home with a Parish Prayer Service at 4:00 p.m..  Visitation will continue on Thursday, October 11 at the Church from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

TEACHER > Les Dehlin 09.30.18

Lester C. Dehlin, age 89, of Alexandria, died Sunday, September 30, 2018, at Knute Nelson Memorial Home in Alexandria.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, October 6, 2018, at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria with Rev. Kari van Wakeren officiating.  Inurnment will take place at Kinkead Cemetery, Alexandria.
Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m., Friday, October 5, 2018, at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria and will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.
Les was born on February 6, 1929, to John and Julia (Hanson) Dehlin in Graceville, Minnesota.  He grew up in Graceville and was confirmed at Siloah Lutheran Church in rural Graceville. He attended Parnell Township Country School through the eighth grade and graduated from West Central School of Agriculture in Morris, Minnesota. Les graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Concordia College in Moorhead and earned his Master’s Degree in Music at MacPhail College of Music in Minneapolis.  He was united in marriage to Ellen Ann Christopherson on June 19, 1953, at Ringsaker Lutheran Church in Pelican Rapids.  He was a life-long music educator.  Les taught at Brooten High School from 1952 – 1955, Staples High School from 1955 – 1965, and completed his career at Jefferson High School in Alexandria from 1965, until his retirement in May of 1987.  Les was a hunter and fisherman, lover of fine music, drinker of Norwegian egg coffee, smeller of flowers, watcher of sunsets, and a Grandfather Extraordinaire.  He was a member of First Lutheran Church, American Choral Directors Association, Minnesota Music Educators Association, Minnesota Education Association, Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America, Vikingland Chordsmen Barbershop Chorus, Alexandria Golden Kiwanis, and the National Rifle Association.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ellen Ann in 2012; parents, John and Julia; brothers, Raymond, Harold, Melvin, and twin, Holver; and sisters, Eleanor, Clarice, and Mabel.
Les is survived by his children; Camille Dehlin of Minneapolis, Michael Dehlin of Alexandria, Carol (Kevin) Hanson of Alexandria, Maren (Jeff Weyer) Buching of Alexandria, and Bonnie Wensloff of Roseau; seven grandchildren, Carly (Jack Filipiak) Hanson of Minneapolis, Laine (Jordan) Herman of Rochester, Christine Buching of Moorhead, Micaela Buching of St. Paul, Katherine Wensloff of Moorhead, Daniel Wensloff and Rebecca Wensloff both of Roseau; and many nieces and nephews.  Special appreciation extended to his former colleague and faithful friend, Dean Dainsberg.