Online Obituaries
Monday, January 10, 2000
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Margaret H. Kreft, 88, formerly of Gibbon died Saturday, Jan. 8, 2000, at Franklin Health Care Center.
Services are 2 p.m. Tuesday at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gibbon with burial in the church cemetery.
Visitation is 4 - 8 p.m. today and continues 7:30-11 a.m. Tuesday at Minnesota Valley Funeral Home in Gibbon and one hour before services Tuesday at the church.
She is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Marilyn and Billy Messner of Gibbon, Karen and John Sommer of Winthrop; son and daughter-in-law, Dennis and Merle Kreft of International Falls; son, Douglas Kreft and friend Peggy Olson both of Pine River; 19 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; 11 stepgrandchildren; 28 stepgreat-grandchildren; two stepgreat-great-grandchildren; twin sister, Mildred Lind of Winthrop; brother, Alden Olson of Winthrop Good Samaritan Center; and a sisters-in-law, Evelyn Olson of Winthrop Good Samaritan Center.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Helmuth Kreft on Nov. 16, 1978; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, all in infancy; sister, Edith Olson; brothers, Hilder and Elliot Olson; and brother and sister-in-law, Burton and Bernice Olson.
She was born Sept. 21, 1911, in Gibbon to Hans and Minnie (Lunderborg) Olson. She attended District 56 school and graduated from Gibbon Public High School in 1929. She attended Normal School for teachers training in St. Peter. She taught for several years in Gibbon and Lafayette areas. On Feb. 4, 1933, she married Helmuth Kreft at Immanuel Lutheran parsonage in Gibbon. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gibbon and was a member of the church's ladies guild.
Jerold Melzer , 78, 804 N. Garden St., died Saturday, Jan. 8, 2000, at Immanuel-St. Joseph's Hospital, Mankato.
Services are 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, New Ulm, with burial in Linden Lutheran Cemetery, rural Hanska.
Visitation is 4-7 p.m. Tuesday at Firle Funeral Home, New Ulm, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church Wednesday.
He is survived by his wife, Audrey; sons, Dale Johnson of Waterville, Howard and wife Christie of New Ulm, Jim and wife Mary of Eden Prairie; grandchildren, Jeremy Melzer of Minneapolis, Megan Melzer of New Ulm; sister, LaVerne Melzer of Hanska; brothers, Henry Jr. and J. Arden, both of Hanska; brother-in-law Earl Nelson and wife Gloria of Hanska; sister-in-law, Ruby Schmiesing of New Ulm; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and son, Darrell Johnson ion 1971.
He was born Aug, 18, 1921, in Madelia to Henry and Gertie (Hanson) Melzer. He grew up on the family farm and attended rural school. He married Audrey Nelson on May 23, 1953, in Kenyon. The couple farmed in Linden Township near Hanska until retiring in 1988. They moved to New Ulm in 1997. He was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, New Ulm, and was a former member of Linden Lutheran Church, rural Hanska. He was a member of Hanska Lions Club and was active in the DFL party and 4-H.
Gloria (Mrs. Harold) Klement, 69, of rural Gibbon died Saturday, Jan. 8, 2000, at her home.
The funeral service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Augustana Lutheran Church in Gibbon with burial in the Catholic cemetery in Gibbon.
Visitation is 4-8 p.m. Tuesday and 7:30-9 a.m. Wednesday at Minnesota Valley Funeral Home in Gibbon, and continues one hour before the service Wednesday at the church ,
She is survived by her husband, Harold Klement of rural Gibbon; daughter and son-in-law, Katherine and Richard Schnobrich of rural New Ulm; sons, Thomas and Allan Klement both of rural Gibbon; five granddaughters; one grandson; two great-grandchildren; sisters, Helen Swenstad and special friend Bill Williams of Nashwauk; brother and sisters-in-law, Frank and Sharon Papke of Glencoe, and Leona Schroeder of Fairfax; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Leo and Flora Klement of Faribault.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Frederick Papke; sister-in-law, Lorine Kelly; and a niece, Laurie Klement.
She was born April 9, 1930, in Winthrop to Frebert and Florence (Olson) Papke. She graduated from Winthrop High School in 1948. She married Harold Klement on July 22, 1951, at St. Willibrord's parsonage in Gibbon. She worked at various jobs including being bookkeeper for the Custom Farm Services and Minnesota Feeder Pig Markets. She retired in 1995. She was a member of Augustana Lutheran Church in Gibbon, Ladies Aid, and was a past member of the church choir.
Mervin R. Cooke
, 64, of North Mankato, died Saturday, Jan. 8, 2000, at Immanuel-St. Joseph's Hospital, Mankato.
Services are 10 a.m. Wednesday at Woodland Hills Funeral Chapel, Mankato, with private burial.
Visitation is 5-8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home and one hour prior to services in the funeral home chapel.
He is survived by his wife, Marty; daughter, Debbie Rowcliffe of Mankato; son, David of Mankato; stepson Troy Hauser and wife Karen of N. Mankato; stepdaughters, Doreen Oachs and husband Rodney of Mankato and Sheri Hauser and fiance Bob Olson of Mankato; nine grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and brother LaRue and wife Joyce of Fridley.
He was preceded in death by his father and one brother.
He was born March 3, 1935, in Jackson to Harland and Bertha (Paulson) Cooke. He married Myrtle Gulden on June 21, 1975, in Mankato. He was a truck driver for Cliff Viessmann Trucking for 11 years.
Edna Wotschke, 85, died Friday, Jan. 8, 2000, at Parkview Home, Belview.
Services are 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. John's Lutheran Church, Vesta, with burial in City Cemetery, Redwood Falls.
Visitation is 4:30-8 p.m. today at St. John's Lutheran Church, Vesta, and will continue one hour prior to services Tuesday. There will be a prayer service 7:30 p.m. Monday at the church.
Kulow Funeral Service, Echo, is in charge of arrangements.
She is survived by daughter, Norma and husband Darold Zimmer of Alexandria; son, Kenneth and wife Janet Wotschke of Wabasso; grandchildren, Janee Corder of Alexandria, Brian Zimmer of Douglas, Wyo., Brad Zimmer of Belview, Darcee Bauman of Olivia, Wendy Wotschke of Vesta and Bruce Wotschke of Vesta; 12 great-grandchildren; sister, Elvera Meyer of Vesta; and sister-in-law, Alma Stage of Wabasso.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; three sisters; and one brother.
She was born Sept. 12, 1914, in Granite Rock Township, Redwood County, to Leopold and Mary (Kuefeldt) Stage. She married Erwin Wotschke on Feb. 27, 1935, at her parent's home near Seaforth. They farmed near Seaforth for 35 years. They moved to Redwood Falls in 1981. Erwin died May 17, 1997. She then moved to Parkview Home, Belview.
Leona Zins , 88, of Nicollet died Sunday, Jan. 9, 2000, at Immanuel-St. Joseph's Hospital in Mankato.
Arrangements are pending with the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home in Nicollet.
John F. Korkemeier, 66, of Gibbon died Sunday, Jan. 9, 2000, at his home.
Arrangements are pending with Minnesota Valley Funeral Home in Gibbon.