James Hartman > Father 09.15.17

Francis Hartman

    Francis Hartman was born April 13, 1923 in Wilmont, MN, the son of George and Balibina (Langenhorst) Hartman. Times were hard when Frank was young, his family moved often through southwest Minnesota. Frank was able to attend elementary school until age thirteen. At thirteen years he joined the Civilian Conservation Corp and found work in the camps.

 

In 1944 Frank joined the United States Navy. He served aboard the newly launched USS Matanikau, an escort aircraft carrier. Frank served in the South Pacific and San Diego, CA.
On February 2, 1945 Frank was united in marriage to Ruth Jensen at San Diego, CA while serving in the US Navy. They were blessed with five children. The couple returned to Iona, MN following Frank's discharge after the war. He ran the Blue Moon Bar in Iona. In 1951 the couple moved to Alexandria, MN to farm. While farming he also worked for many years at Hubbard Milling. Frank retired from farming and the mill in 1987. In 1992 Frank and Ruth moved to Hemet, CA where they gathered many new friends.
While in California he was a member of St. Anthony's Church in San Jacinto. In Alexandria Frank was a member of St. Mary's church. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Frank enjoyed doing carpentry and woodworking projects. He liked fishing in Minnesota and loved to go fishing on the ocean. Frank had an eye for garage sales and enjoyed visiting and bargaining for the best deals.
On Friday, September 15, 2017 Frank died at the age of ninety-four years at Sharon's Senior Services. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Hartman; his daughter, Lori Harstad; one great grandson, Zachary Salto; four brothers, John, Felix, Matthew and Joseph Hartman; and one sister, Florence McDonald. Frank is survived by his son, James Hartman and wife, JoAnne, of Alexandria, MN; daughters, Bonnie Salto and husband, Norman, of Alexandria, Carol Swanson and husband, Gary, of Hemet, CA, and Mona Lisa Hartman of Alexandria; five grandchildren, Theodore Salto, Timothy Salto and wife, Stephanie,, Thomas Salto, Teresa Harstad and husband, Mike, and Misha Harstad; and six great grandchildren, Blaine, Brittany, Hannah, Chelsey, Johnny, Elizabeth and Rebekah.
The family would like to give a special thanks to Sharon's Senior Services and the Douglas County Hospice for their wonderful care.
A funeral service was held Thursday, September 21, 2017 at Anderson Funeral Home. Reverend Father Steve Binsfeld officiated. Entombment was in St. Mary's Cemetery.
Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home.

Teacher > V. Clair Morrison 05.29.17

 
            Vernon Clair Morrison was born August 2, 1927 in Ortonville, MN, the son of Vernon and Grace (Adams) Morrison. At age 3 Clair and his family moved to Hutchinson, MN where he attended school through the third grade before moving to St. Cloud, MN. Clair graduated from St. Cloud Tech High School and began attending Hamline University in St. Paul, MN.
Clair's education was briefly interrupted while he served his country in the United States Army. Clair served as a pharmacist's assistant at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX. He returned to Minnesota and graduated from St. Cloud State University with a degree in Education. Clair continued with his Master's Degree in Education which he received from North Dakota State University.
Clair met Beatrice Koshiol in 1949 while at St. Cloud State University and the two were married in St. Cloud on February 25, 1950. The couple moved to Alexandria, MN where Clair began teaching in high school. He taught consumer education and history for thirty-six years. During that time Clair mentored many young men through his love of sports; he helped coach Cardinal Football for over twenty-five years.
Clair enjoyed all kinds of sports; his television only had one channel - sports. Clair enjoyed coaching and also umpired for softball. The Twins and the Vikings were his teams, as were the Alexandria Cardinals. He enjoyed fishing in the summer and winter. Lake living was also special for Clair; he always made sure the boat was ready to go.
Clair and Bea have been members of the First Congregational United Church of Christ for over sixty-eight years. Clair volunteered his time to the Golden K's Kiwanis Club and the Runestone Museum. He supported higher education at several universities.
Clair spent thirty-two years of retirement with Bede and his family. He and Bede wintered in Fort Myers, FL for many years. Clair and Bede traveled extensively during their retirement. They visited all fifty states and enjoyed many cruises around the world. Their travels took them to many countries. Clair was a devoted family man beginning with the care he gave to his mother and father. He worked hard to provide successfully for his family. He served as a role model for his daughters and their husbands and for all of his students and athletes that he taught and coached.
On Monday, May 29, 2017 Clair died at the age of eighty-nine years. He was preceded in death by his parents. Clair is survived by his wife, Beatrice Morrison of Alexandria; daughters, Mary Hanson and husband, Alan, of Alexandria and Jeanne Monich and husband, Allan, of Ann Arbor, MI four grandchildren, Tom, Katie, Adam and Matthew; and one sister, Marilyn Vits and husband, Lou, of Bella Vista, AR.
A funeral service will be held 11 AM Saturday, June 3, 2017 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Alexandria. Pastor Kathy Hodges will officiate. Interment in Kinkead Cemetery in Alexandria will be private. Military honors will be provided by the Alexandria Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 AM Saturday at the church.
Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home. www.andersonfuneral.net

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.

Classmate > LInda Maples SCHLOSSER 04.18.17

     Linda Marie Maples, 67, passed away on Tuesday, April 18, 2017. She had lived in Chattanooga for over 30 years and was a member of Silverdale Cumberland Presbyterian Church, where she served as an Elder and was active in the women’s ministry. She was an employee of Parkridge Medical Center and H&R Block. She enjoyed spoiling her cats and was an avid gardener. Whenever asked how she was doing, she often said she was blessed.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Adeline Hagen Schlosser; husband, Brian Maples; sister, Becky Schlosser.  

Linda is survived by her son, Dave (Cara) Norling, of West Central, Minnesota; daughter, Denene (LeBron) Bryant, of Harrison; stepson, Skip Maples, of Chattanooga; brother, David Schlosser; sisters, Debbie Hinnenkamp, Donna Schlosser, Theresa Lukes, Rita Froemming and Lisa Brandt; grandchildren, Spenser Norling, Taylor Harrington and Brenden Wilson; step grandchildren, Tori and Kaylee Maples; several nieces and nephews.  

A Celebration of Life will be on Friday, April 21, 2017 at 7:00 PM at Silverdale Cumberland Presbyterian Church with Rev. Cliff Hudson officiating. The family will receive friends for 2 hours prior to the service at the church.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wally’s Friends Animal Hospital, 155 Unaka Street, Chattanooga, Tn. 37415 and to Silverdale Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 7407 Bonny Oaks Drive, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421

Share your memories at www.turnerfamilyfuneralhome.com

Arrangements by Turner Funeral Home, Highway 58 Chapel, 622-3171