Online Obituaries Saturday, March 23, 2002 2002 obituaries    2001 obituaries 2000 obituaries    1999 obituaries The Journal Online   Experience New Ulm Click here for today's obituaries    Mitchell Ellies, 27, of Dassel and formerly of Lafayette died Thursday, March 21, 2002 as a result of an automobile accident near Dassel.    Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Monday at the First Lutheran Church in Lafayette with burial in the First Lutheran Cemetery in Lafayette.    Visitation will be 4 - 8 p.m. Sunday and from 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. Monday at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home in New Ulm and will continue for one hour prior to the time of service at the church on Monday.    Mitchell is survived by his parents, Merrill and Lila Ellies of Lafayette; a sister and brother-in-law, Karen and Rick Larson of Dassel; and a niece, Samantha Larson; and nephew, Lucas Larson. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Wallace and Marie Carlson; and paternal grandparents, Milton and Elsie Ellies.    He was born on March 27, 1974 in New Ulm to Merrill and Lila (Carlson) Ellies. He graduated from New Ulm Public High School in 1992 and then graduated from South Central Technical College in Mankato in 1994. He attained his State Journeyman's License from Hutchinson Technology in Hutchinson and worked as a tool and die maker and designer and was currently working for Hutchinson Technology at the time of his death. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and water skiiing. He was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Lafayette.    Earl Wenz, 75, of Hector, died Friday, March 22, 2002, at the Renville County Hospital in Olivia.    Services will be 1 p.m. Monday at the United Methodist Church, Hector, with burial in Hector City Cemetery.    Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Sunday at Hughes Funeral Home, Hector, and one hour prior to services at the church Monday.