Online Obituaries Thursday, March 21, 2002 2002 obituaries    2001 obituaries 2000 obituaries    1999 obituaries The Journal Online   Experience New Ulm Click here for today's obituaries    James Puhlmann, of New Ulm, died Tuesday evening, March 19, 2002, at the Oak Hills Living Center in New Ulm.    Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at Firle Funeral Home in New Ulm, with burial to follow in the New Ulm City Cemetery.    Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 7 a.m. until the time of service Friday at the Firle Funeral Home in New Ulm.    James Alfred Puhlmann, the son of Alfred "Lemie" and Louise "Lou" (Ruby) Puhlmann, was born Feb. 14, 1918, in New Ulm. He attended public schools and graduated from New Ulm High School in 1936. A lifelong New Ulm resident, he was united in marriage to Marie Saffert on Dec. 13, 1941, in New Ulm. He worked for his father at Puhlmann Brothers and later owned and operated Puhlmann Lumber Company. He retired after 20 years as Captain of the New Ulm Fire Department, Engine No. 3. Jim was Past President of the NUFD Relief Association and served as Secretary/Treasurer for 20 years, before retiring as First Assistant Chief. He became a resident of Oak Hills Living Center in November, 1999. His wife died Jan. 28, 2000. Jim was a member of Turnverein, and a former Turner Hall board member having served as treasurer for many years. Junior Pioneers; and the Izaak Walton League.    Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law John "Hans" and Bette Puhlmann of New Ulm; four grandchildren, Sheri Sprenger of Sleepy Eye, John Puhlmann, Jr. and his wife Lisa of New Ulm, Jared Puhlmann of New Ulm, and Kayla Puhlmann of New Ulm; six great-grandchildren; sister, Margaret "Muggs" Furth of Lamberton; sisters-in-law, Helen Saffert of Chicago, Rosie Haggbloom and her husband Lloyd of Bonita Springs, Fla., Marge Saffert of New Ulm; brother-in-law, Stan Saffert and his wife Donna of Burnsville; nieces and nephews.    Memorials are preferred to the Turner Hall Gymnastics Program and to Station 3 at Oak Hills Living Center.    Owen Michael Brockhoff, 11 months, of New Auburn, died March 19, 2002, at Children's Hospital, Minneapolis.    Arrangements are pending with Egesdal Funeral Home in Gaylord.    Wilbur L. Furness, 67, of New Carlisle, Ohio, died Wednesday, March 20, 2002, at Greene Memorial Hospital in Xenia, Ohio.    Services will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Powers Funeral Home in Jamestown, Ohio, with burial to follow in the Silvercreek Cemetery.    He is survived by daughters, DeAnna Konakowitz of Apple Valley, and Tammy Steffl of New Ulm; and five grandchildren.    Wilbur L. Furness was born July 9, 1934, in Dayton, Ohio, to Willis and Hannah (Mason) Furness. He served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War.    Raymond Ruppert , 78, of Currie, died Sunday at his home in Currie.    Services were Wednesday at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Currie, with burial at the Calvary Cemetery in Currie.    He is survived by his wife Dorothy of Currie; sons, Paul of Jasper, Texas, Karl of Currie, and Matthew of Mound; daughters, Rebecca Biesanz of Sleepy Eye, Ramona of Minneapolis, and Jodi Shaw of New Milford, Conn.; 17 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sisters, Julia Peltola of Currie, Marcella Cummiskey of Currie, and Leota Silver of Tracy; brothers, Herbert of Currie, and Orville of Farwell.    Raymond Leo Ruppert was born March 31, 1923, in Currie. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.