Patty Bratton > Brother 02.22.2019

    Lenny Bratton was the fourth of seven children born to Leonard Eugene and J. Pearl (Johnson) Bratton. Dark haired and handsome, strong and smart...he was the middle of seven children. He and his siblings grew up in the country and worked the family farm where they learned to appreciate the outdoors, hunting, fishing and all water sports. He was a devoted son to his parents and a much loved brother and uncle.

Lenny attended country school through the eighth grade at Pocket Lake and also Holmes City. He completed his education in Douglas County Public Schools, graduating from Central High School in 1953. Lenny played high school sports including Football and Baseball.

In January 1954, Lenny enlisted in the United States Army Airborne arriving in Europe in March as a paratrooper/medical aidman in the Medical Company of the 11th Airborne Division 188th Infantry Regiment in Hohenfels, Germany. Upon his Honorable Discharge he attended and graduated from the Minnesota School of Business in the Twin Cities.

Lenny made his home on Lake Brophy in Alexandria; and worked for many years with his friend Al Hartung at Oman's Supply Company. He owned the Book Nook and Smoke Shop in the Viking Plaza Mall. He then moved to St. Louis Park, where he worked for NAPA for many years until his retirement. He enjoyed his hunting camp near Red Lake and summers at his home on Lake Carlos. Lenny was a member of the Alexandria Viking Sportsmen, a lifetime member of the Alexandria Elks Lodge 1685 and a lifetime member of Alexandria VFW Post 936.

Lenny Bratton died Friday, February 22, the day after his 84th birthday at his and Judy's home in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Myrtle Ann "Toby" Bratton; sisters and brothers-in-law Beverly & Bill Weisel and LaRae & Doug Barros; brothers and sisters-in-law Beryl and Dorothy Bratton and Larry and Shirley Bratton; nephews Rick Barros and Keith Barros.

Lenny is survived by his devoted partner and companion of many years Judy Sayther of St. Louis Park; Judy's daughter Michelle Smith and her children Peyton and Charlie; sisters Patty (Roy) Wicken of Alexandria and Bonnie (Gregg) Soderberg of Las Vegas, Nevada; nephews and nieces: Barry (Elsa) Bratton, Douglas AZ; Cindy Bratton (Bernie) Michael, Tucson, AZ; Darin (Kelly) Weisel of Farwell; Wendy Weisel (Lonnie) Wing; Kevin (Pauline) Weisel; Terri Hansen Paradis (Jody Webeck); all of Alexandria. Rikki Hansen (Franco) Iglesias, Woodbury, MN; Lori Kay Dosa, Santa Clarita, CA; Ross Thompson, Las Vegas, NV, Lisa Sandstrom, Bird Island, MN; Leni Thompson Petter of East Bethel, MN; Tammie Barros (David) Olson of Coon Rapids; Debra Barros (Dan) Kulkay of Chandler, AZ; and many great nephews and nieces and his friends throughout the Alexandria Lakes Area.
 
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, June 29, from 2:00 to 4:00pm at the Alexandria Elks Lodge 1685, 115 15th Avenue West, Alexandria. Memorials preferred to the Veterans Memorial Park in Alexandria or the Wounded Warriors Project.

 

Teacher > Bob Rader

 

Robert (Bob) James Rader, was born December 20, 1931, in St. Cloud, Minnesota, the son of Matthew and Mary Rader. Bob grew up in St. Cloud and was graduated from Cathedral High School. He lettered in baseball, basketball, football, and bowling and was a member of State Championship teams in basketball and baseball. After graduation in 1949, Bob attended St. Cloud Teacher's College and continued his education until entering the US Army in January of 1951. While in service, he attended Camp Desert Rock in Nevada and participated in witnessing the atomic tests that were conducted there and became the CBR non-com officer for his Regiment. He continued his service as an instructor/cadre sergeant until his discharge in September of 1952. He then returned to St. Cloud State University to complete Bachelor Degrees in Social Science, History, and Business. He began his professional career in Battle Lake, MN, teaching Social Science and Business Education and coaching all sports. In 1958, Bob moved to Alexandria and taught 29 years at Jefferson High School. Bob married Yvonne (Vonnie) Egerman from St. Cloud in 1956. They were blessed with three children, David, Ann, and Janice.

In 1962, Bob received a Master of Science Degree in Education from St. Cloud State University. In the late 60's, he started the first law-related education course in Minnesota at the high school level entitled "Civil Liberties, Youth and the Law." As a result of this course, Bob started writing law curriculum and was first published by Justice Publications of California when he wrote the first criminal mock trial books for high school use. Subsequently, in 1980, Bob started Law Instructor Publications, an educational publishing company in Alexandria. He has written some 26 educational books and products which are widely distributed throughout the United States and Canada.

Bob was very involved in professional organizations at the local and state level. For some nineteen years, he served as a board member of the Minnesota Council for the Social Studies, as a board member for Project New Hope, as Secretary of the Alexandria Golf Club, as President of the Vikingland Barbershop Chorus, and as a member of the first school board at St. Mary's School. Bob was honored as Teacher of the Year in 1986 and inducted into the District 206 Educational Hall of Fame in 2009.

After teaching thirty-two years, Bob and Vonnie took early retirement. In 1995, they bought a residence in Surprise, Arizona, where they enjoyed many winter seasons. He remained active in singing "karaoke" at local clubs and sports bars.

Robert (Bob) Rader passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 7, 2019 at the age of 87 years old.  He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Don (Peggy) Rader and sisters Joan Mundell and Bette Malone. Bob is survived by Vonnie, his wife of sixty-two years; three children, David (Martha) Rader of Minnetonka, Ann (John) Miesen of Lake George, and Janice (Steve) Ramberg of North Oaks. Also surviving him are two sisters, Janet Moynagh of Annandale, and RuthAnn Burke (John) of Steamboat Springs, CO, five grandchildren, Jacob (Rachel) Miesen, Andrea (Oscar) Aguilera, JulieAnn Rader, Sophia and Abby Ramberg, and four great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 12, from 4-7 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.  Visitation will continue on Wednesday from 9:30-10:30 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria followed by a Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 10:30 AM.

Entombment will be at Assumption Cemetery in St. Cloud, MN.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the American Stroke Association, a division of
the American Heart Association.

On-line condolences may be left for the family at:

https://www.andersonfuneral.net/notices/RobertBob-Rader

Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. www.andersonfuneral.net

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Donations may be made to:

American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association.
7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas TX 75231
Web: https://www.strokeassociation.org/

Peggy Graves > Mother > Elgene

Elgene B. Graves, 96 of Alexandria, passed away at Grand Arbor, on February 23, 2019.
A celebration of life gathering will be held at the Grand Arbor Community Room on Saturday, March 9, 2019 from 1:00-4:00pm.
Elgene was born in Fargo, North Dakota in 1922 to Theron and Besse Armstrong. She was one of five children. She graduated from NDSU, (was NDAC at that time) with a B.S. degree in Home Economics. Elgene worked in Minneapolis in sales and merchandising. While working in Minneapolis, she met her husband Alan and they married in 1946. With their two daughters, Susan and Peggy, they moved to Alexandria in 1952. Elgene enjoyed and was involved with many activities such as Newcomers, Bridge club, Alexandria Golf Club (Women’s Auxiliary President), and Women’s Fellowship at the First Congregational Church. Elgene worked doing bookkeeping, with her husband, Alan who had an accounting business in Alexandria. She later worked at the Viking Motel which they owned, where her warm personality greeted their many restaurant guests and motel travelers. Elgene and Alan enjoyed their home on Lake Carlos and later wintering in Scottsdale Arizona for many years. In her later years, she resided at Grand Arbor in Alexandria.
Elgene’s family would like to extend their sincere thank you to the Grand Arbor Staff and the aides and nurses in the Assisted Living and Memory Care units. Their kindness and compassion was of great comfort to Elgene and family. Elgene will be remembered for kindness, good sense of humor and her love of the golf game. She joked that the one thing she never achieved was her career round. She was a special grandma to her grandchildren. They enjoyed many outings during visits to Arizona, like golfing, the zoo, hiking, picnics and other adventures. She always made everyone feel welcome. During one of the family’s annual gatherings on the Fourth of July, she was caught on video doing her famous sparkler dance. You can find it on youtube, “Dance, Elgene Dance”.
Elgene was preceded in death by her parents, Besse and T.L. (Theron) Armstrong; brother, Bill Armstrong; sisters, Dorothy Millar and Betty Borman; husband, Alan; and daughter, Peggy Beard.
She is survived by her daughter, Susan Seltz (Jack) of Alexandria, Minnesota; sister, Margaret Armstrong-Law of Fargo, North Dakota; grandchildren, Christopher Beard (Heather) and Stephanie Beard, Joseph Seltz (Kimberlee) and Jacob Seltz; great grandchildren, Corwyn, Maryn and Allasyn Beard and Whitney Seltz; and many nieces and nephews. She will be missed by all.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Hospice of Douglas County or Knute Nelson - Grand Arbor.

 https://www.lindfamilyfh.com/notices/Elgene-Graves

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Peggy Graves > CLASSMATE

No information available

Gloria Miller > Husband 01.28.19

Fredrick Edward Carlson, the son of Ernest and Clara (Baumhofer) Carlson, was born on December 7, 1948 in Alexandria, MN.  Fred grew up in the Evansville area and graduated from Evansville High School in the class of 1966.  He then enlisted into the United States Army, serving overseas in Germany from January 1968 until December 1969.  After Fred completed his tour, he moved back to Evansville.  He met the love of his life, Gloria Miller, at a dance in Alexandria.  They were united in marriage on April 22, 1972 at Zion Lutheran Church.  Four children were born to this union, Scott, Ryan, Jamie, and Daniel.  Fred worked for UPS for over 30 years delivering packages to customers all around the five-state area.  Fred retired in 2000.
Fred and his family lived in Columbia Heights until 1981, when they moved to their home near Evansville.  Fred and his best friend, Steve Hanson, built the home his family lives in today. Fred loved the scenic views and secluded area where he built his home. He loved Minnesota and especially Evansville.  Fred was involved with the Evansville American Legion.  He was with the Honor Guard and called bingo for the American Legion for many years.
Fred was a Harley man.  He loved to ride his bike whenever and wherever he could.  He made trips to Maine, Alaska, Sturgis, the Carolinas, Colorado and of course everywhere around Evansville.  He was die-hard Vikings fan and loved to watch the old-fashioned Western movies.  Great sense of humor, fun, strong willed, opinionated, outgoing, easy to talk with are just a few words that described Fred.   But words like, honest, soft hearted, family man, a great husband and a great dad are the words that best describe Fred to his family.  Fred loved his family and always enjoyed gatherings with his brothers and sisters and extended family.  Fred will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Fred E. Carlson passed away on Monday, January 28, 2019 at his home at the age of 70 years old.  He is survived by his wife of 46 years Gloria Carlson of Evansville; children, Scott Carlson of St. Paul, Ryan Carlson of West Fargo, ND, Jamie Carlson of St. Paul, and Daniel Carlson of Evansville; brothers, Robert (Juane) Carlson of Minneapolis and Harry (Donna) Carlson of Millerville; sisters, Colleen (Clayton) Rustad of Park Rapids, Dorothy (Roger) Anderson of St. Paul, Elaine Larson of Columbia Heights, Virginia (Gregg) Walker of Bismarck, ND, and Mary Larson of Eagan; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and honorary grandchildren, Ellie, Emma, Ahriya, Addy, and Oakley Olsen.  Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Clara Carlson; nephew, Matthew Carlson; niece, Monica Walker; and brothers-in-law, Brad Larson and Gary Larson.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Monday, February 4, 2019 at 11 AM at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Millerville.  A visitation will take place on Sunday, February 3, 2019 from 4-7 PM at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Millerville and for one hour prior to the mass on Monday at the church.

Vivian Kloehn > Mother, Mary 01.17.19

   
Mary Elizabeth (Jesnowski) Kloehn was born on July 22, 1926, in Urness Township, Douglas County, Minnesota to Peter and Helen (Schmidt) Jesnowski. 
Mary was united in marriage to Edwin Kloehn on November 17, 1947, at the St. John’s in Garfield.  The couple farmed near Garfield and were blessed with 9 children.  Mary was a homemaker and worked right alongside Edwin with all the farming chores.  Edwin died on May 19, 1982.  Mary continued to live on the farm and lived there 69 years until recently when she lived at the Alex Assisted Living.
Mary enjoyed listening to old time music, gardening, sewing, quilting and doing crafts.  She was an excellent baker and the family loved her potato pancakes.
Mary passed away on Thursday, January 17, 2019, at Alomere Health in Alexandria at the age of 92.  She is survived by her children, Jacqueline Smith of Garfield, Vivian (Earl) Lundebrek of Lowry, Jane (Danny) Field of Osakis, Karen (Leroy) Cox of Cameron, NC, Doyle (Peg) Kloehn of Nelson, Marcie (DeWayne) Johnson of Garfield, Renee (Mike) Becker of Garfield, and Anita (Greg) Debilzen of Parkers Prairie; 9 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; and a niece and several nephews. Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Helen; husband, Edwin; infant daughter, Ruth; grandchildren, Eric Bentler and Amber Debilzen; brother, Edward and his wife, Betty Jesnowski; and sons-in-law, Gordy Bentler and John Smith.
Funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 19, 2019, 2:00 PM at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Garfield.  Burial will be at St. John’s Cemetery.  Visitation will be held on Friday, January 18, 2019 from 5-7 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

CLASSMATE > Jerome Cihlar 12.07.2018

   Jerome (Jerry) Charles Cihlar was born July 1, 1949 in Alexandria, MN. Son of Henry and Dorothy (Roers) Cihlar. He was raised in Alexandria and graduated from Jefferson High School in 1967.

 

Jerry joined the US Coast Guard in October 1967 and served in Alaska and St. Petersburg, Florida. After leaving the US Coast Guard in 1971. He remained in Florida and worked for the Coast Guard as civilian employee for 20 years.

Jerry was married to Sheila Cutting in 1971 and they were blessed with two girls, Christine and Pamela , and 2 grandchildren, Nate and Lily.

Jerry died December 7, 2018 after a 5-year battle with Leukemia.

 He was preceded in death by this father, Henry; brother, Rodney and nephew, Scott Retzlaff. He is survived by his mother, Dorothy Cihlar of Alexandria; his two daughters, Christine and Pamela, siblings Larry (Kathy) of Carlos; Mary Lou of Alexandra; Irene Keife (Bob) of Houma, Louisiana; Rosalie Kessler (Joe) of Bergland, Michigan; Annette Retzlaff (Greg) of Miltona, Veronica Baas (Roger) of Long Prairie and many nieces and nephews.