Bill Leuthner > Mother 10-09-2020

Alma Mary Louise Leuthner, the daughter of F. William and Freda (Schmackel) Dreher, was born in Long Prairie, MN on May 19, 1910.  Alma graduated from Long Prairie High School and then attended the St. Cloud College of Business during the late 1920’s.  In 1930, Alma moved to Alexandria and met John Leuthner.  Together they were united in marriage on May 1, 1933.  They made their home in Alexandria and Alma stayed home to raise their two children Bill and Sally. 

Alma enjoyed entertaining family and friends; she was an excellent cook.  She had a strong faith and was a member at Zion Lutheran Church since 1932.  She was involved with church circles and lady’s aide for many years.  Alma’s hobbies included her beautiful flower gardens, collecting antiques, playing bridge, and designing and sewing clothing.  Alma was a kind, loving, and wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her.

Alma Leuthner died on Friday, October 9, 2020 at Knute Nelson at the age of 110 years old.  She is survived by her son, Bill (Mari) Leuthner of Alexandria; daughter, Sally Harberts of Alexandria; grandchildren, Michael (Tanya) Harberts of Austin, TX, Sara (Todd) Wagner of Austin, TX, Alexander (Kendra) Leuthner of Minnetonka, and Ari Leuthner of Alexandria; great grandchildren, Tanner Wagner, Parker Wagner, Carter Wagner, Spencer Wagner, and Kinsley Harberts. 

Alma was preceded in death by her husband, John Leuthner; infant son, John Frederick Leuthner; parents; and sisters, Amelia Arendt, Selma Johnson, and Edna Schaun.

A Private family funeral service will be held on Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at the Anderson Funeral Home Chapel in Alexandria, MN.  Interment will be in Kinkead Cemetery.

Memorials to Zion Lutheran School Tuition assistance fund.

 https://www.andersonfuneral.net/obituary/Alma-Leuthner

Also of interest, an article about Alma, posted in the Echo this past May:  https://www.echopress.com/community/people/6508969-Strong-heart-beats-past-110

CLASSMATE > Roger Severson 10.05.2020

 

     Roger A. Severson, 71, of Eau Claire, WI,                        passed away on October 5th, 2020 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire, WI. Roger will be buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery and a Celebration of Life will be scheduled in the Spring of 2021 with family and friends.

Roger was born in St Cloud, MN to Merle and Isabelle (Lind) Severson on January 4th, 1949. In 1967 he graduated from Alexandria Area High School in Alexandria, MN. After high school Roger joined the United States Navy in 1968 and served through 1972, working as a T-28 and F-4 airplane mechanic on the USS John F. Kennedy aircraft carrier. Roger had a lot of great memories during his time in the Navy and had lots of stores to share. After his time in the service he attended Alexandria Technical College and graduated in 1974 with a degree in sales and marketing. Roger started working at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Minneapolis and worked within the VA system in Shreveport, LA, Des Moines, IA, and Tomah, WI, where he retired in 1996 as Chief of Building Management. After retiring from the VA, he worked for Mid State Consultants as a Right of Way agent from 1999 until 2017.

Roger’s true passion was sports, more specifically, Minnesota sports. He would be the first to tell you that living in Wisconsin for 35 years as a die-hard Minnesota fan can be very challenging. He had a 6-foot satellite dish installed in the back yard to make sure he never missed a sporting event, whether it was the Twins, Vikings or anything at the collegiate level. If there was a Minnesota sport to watch, he was there. Roger was a great storyteller and loved to share his many experiences over the years, whether it was when he worked on the aircraft carrier and seeing the world, his time as a stock car driver, television crew cameraman, shoe salesman, and even a vending machine toy supplier. He loved remodeling projects, and even found time to make decorative stained-glass windows. Over the years Roger actively volunteered in his church, proudly served the Lions Club, and happily volunteered to paint the static display aircraft outside the Tomah VA hospital. He had many different talents and was always available to help when needed.

Roger will be most remembered for his sense of humor and his ability to make everyone around him feel special. He was an incredibly caring person and was always willing to lend a hand to someone in need. The last few years of his life was spent at Grace Willowbrook assisted living facility in Eau Claire, WI. Our family is grateful for how welcoming everyone was and the great care he received while there.

Roger is preceded in death by his father Merle, mother Isabelle, and brothers Wayne, Richard, Bruce, Dale, and Ron.

Survivors include his son Ryan (Mollie) Severson of De Pere, WI, daughter Jennifer Severson of Wausau, WI, brothers Gary (Shirley) Severson of Alexandria, MN, Dennis (Jackie) Severson of Gig Harbor, WA, Greg (Jean) Severson of Hibbing, MN, Keith (Diane) Severson of Bloomington, MN, and Janice (Eric) Roller. Roger was an incredibly proud “Bumpa” to his four grandchildren, Abigail, Tyler, Noah, and Kayla.

https://www.echovita.com/us/obituaries/wi/eau-claire/roger-alan-severson-11557234

Ron Trandahl > daughter 09.26.2020

   Rachel Rae Trandahl passed away on September 26, 2020, at her home in Alexandria. She was generous and loving and was always the first to offer help to others. With a contagious laugh, goofy sense of humor, and a great listening ear, she touched many people.

Born May 15, 1983, in Willmar, Minnesota to Ronald and Camille (Hanson) Trandahl, she was baptized in Paynesville, and grew up in Alexandria. Rachel was confirmed at Calvary Lutheran Church and graduated from Jefferson High School in 2001. She played the piano and French horn and had an eclectic taste in music. Rachel was involved in basketball and softball and continued playing softball and darts on various teams throughout the years.

She attended St. Cloud Technical College for Accounting and Alexandria Technical College for Hotel Restaurant Management. Rachel worked in various restaurants in Alexandria.  Most recently at Doolittle’s where she was BOH Employee of the Month in February before the restaurant recently closed.  She was an avid reader, loved watching movies, Grey’s Anatomy and NCIS. Everyone knew her favorite color was purple, and she had a huge soft spot in her heart for her cat, Nola. Rachel loved taking photos of beautiful sunrises and sunsets and was so delighted when butterflies, dragonflies and lady bugs landed on her.

Most of all, Rachel will be remembered for her amazing memory of the little details and for always caring and helping others. She is survived by her parents, Ron and Camille Trandahl of Alexandria; sister, Sarah (Eric) Rosenquist of Center, ND; brother, Steve Trandahl of Fargo, ND; nieces, Elise and Alexis; maternal grandmother, Arleene Hanson of Alexandria; three uncles, Bradley (Sandy) Hanson of Big Stone, SD; Randy Hanson of Alexandria; and Richard (Linda) Trandahl of St. Paul; and 7 cousins. Rachel is preceded in death by her grandparents Harold and Elaine Trandahl and John Hanson.

  Visitation will be held from 4-6 PM on Thursday, October 1, 2020, at Calvary Lutheran Church.  Please enter the church from Douglas Street.  Social Distancing and masks will be required.  A Private Memorial Service will be on Friday, October 2, 2020.  The service will also be live-streamed on the funeral home website.  Interment will be held at Evergreen Cemetery

Memorials are preferred to Lakes Area Humane Society in Alexandria.

https://www.andersonfuneral.net/obituary/Rachel-Trandahl

Paulette Schulz Podratz & Jerry Podratz > daughter 09.24.2020

“All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single flame.”  - St. Francis of Assisi

Chelsi Lynn (Podratz) Terwey, age 42 of Otsego MN, passed from her families loving arms into the Lord’s on September 24th, 2020.  The cause was non-small cell lung cancer.  She was born on November 8th, 1977 to Jerry & Paulette (Schulz) Podratz in Shakopee, MN.  Chelsi graduated from Delano High School in 1996. As a very active athlete, she participated & excelled in cross country, basketball, track & field, & played flute in the school band.  Chelsi attended college at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting in 2000.  Chelsi was also a collegiate athlete in Cross Country & Track for 3 years.

After college in October of 2000 Chelsi started working for Motivaction, (now Augeo), & has remained there currently as a senior accountant for what would have been her 20-year anniversary this October.  Chelsi loved what she did for her career & cared about so many people she worked with at Motivaction.  Always dedicated, she worked until she physically couldn’t in August of 2019.

“If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way.”  - Napoleon Hill

This quote sums up best who Chelsi was, she did small things in a great way.  Her family & friends were what mattered the most to her in this world, that was her one true passion.  One look at any scrapbook she made & you could immediately tell that.  Chelsi had a quiet, gentle way about her while remaining the pillar of strength of the family.  She took comfort in the little everyday things that made the family tick, helping Cooper with homework, braiding Lexi’s hair, playing family games, & switching decorations in the house to reflect the season were the little moments of joy that she lived for.  She was simple & uncomplicated that way, always giving to those around her & thinking of herself last, if ever.  This along with her radiant smile that even lung cancer could not suppress, is what drew so many people to love & care for her. She loved spending time in her scrapbooking room creating works of art for memories of past events.  Chelsi also loved when spring came along & she could start planting flowers for the front of the house & the deck in the back.  She also loved to read & it was very seldom that there wasn’t a book within an arms reach.  My how God probably laughed when Chelsi got to heaven & responded to his greeting of how she’s doing with “I’m doing fine, how are you?”

Chelsi’s memory will be carried forward here on earth through her loving husband Erik, daughter Alexis, son Cooper, along with parents Jerry & Paulette (Schulz) Podratz, siblings Derick Podratz, & Kelie (Podratz) Davis, her in-laws, 10 nephews & nieces; Tyler, Mitchell, Amber, Cassie, Jacob, Audrey, Caleb, Caitlyn, Sylvia, & Samuel, & many other extended family & friends.

Chelsi wanted her body to be donated to the Mayo clinic for medical research.  When her remains are returned to the family, we will have a large in-person memorial on a later determined date to celebrate her life.  In lieu of flowers, considerations for the family may be sent to the lung cancer foundation of your choice in Chelsi’s name, or to the Chelsi Terwey GoFundMe campaign which will be used to plant trees in the Terwey’s yard in remembrance of Chelsi.

There will be a small memorial service for immediate family only due to the Pandemic at Word of Peace Church in Rogers on Sunday, October 4th at 1:00pm.  The link to live stream the service is below, we hope you all join us online in remembering Chelsi.

www.wordofpeace.org/funeralstream

“When you were born, you cried & the world rejoiced.  Live your life so that when you die, the world cries & you rejoice.”  - Indian Proverb

https://abreathofhope.org/chelsi-terwey/

https://www.gofundme.com/f/chelsi-terwey-and-family-fund

Sandy Porter > Daughter 08.25.2020

Please keep checking on the following link for Elyse's obituary

https://www.andersonfuneral.net/obituary/Elyse-Dvorsak

Sue Kallstrom > Brother

Gerald Kallstrom, age 79 of St. Cloud passed away peacefully early Wednesday, August 12, 2020 from the Veterans Hospital in St. Cloud, MN. Gerald Lavern Kallstrom was born on November 6, 1940 in Belle River Township, Douglas County, MN to Woodrow and Margaret (Sibell) Kallstrom. He was baptized and confirmed at Fahlun Lutheran Church in Nelson, MN and attended country school through the eigth grade at Dist. # 40 in Belle River Township. He then attended Central High School in Alexandria, MN.

 Gerald generously served his country in the U S Army with the 342nd Transportation Company, being stationed for a time in Germany. He was honorably discharged on November 18, 1960. After he returned from the service, Gerald took a job as an Assistant Manager for grain elevators in Cut Bank, MT and Cannon Falls, MN. He married Kathleen West in 1969 and to this union a son, Franklin Kallstrom was born. Gerald later worked as a union truck driver for Youngblood Lumber in Minneapolis, MN. After retirement, he lived in Osakis, Alexandria and St. Cloud, MN. He was an avid sports fan who especially enjoyed cheering for the MN Twins and the MN Vikings.

Gerald is survived by his son, Franklin Kallstrom of Woodbury, MN; granddaughters, Amanda, Jennifer, Katrina and Christine; 8 great grandchildren; his siblings, Eugene (Gayle) Kallstrom and Susan (Al) DeBortoli, all of Great Falls, MT, Raymond (Kim) Kallstrom of Alexandria; nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents, a brother, James Kallstrom and a sister and brother-in-law, Kathleen and Thomas Serba; nephew, Christian Serba and nephew-in-law, Steven Prill.

Interment is at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN. Local military honors are being handled by the Osakis VFW Honor Guard.

Due to COVID restrictions, a private family funeral will be held. After those services, the funeral may be viewed at www.royhetland under Gerald's obituary page.

  Please join in remembering Gerald at a public gathering and reception in his honor being held on Wednesday, August 19 from 12 - 3 pm at the Osakis VFW Post #7902.

   Arrangements by the Roy-Hetland Funeral Home in Osakis, MN.

2020 '67-'68 Golf Tourney

http:alex-jhs-67.com/golf2020photos.html