Online Obituaries Sunday, April 18, 2004 2004 obituaries    2003 obituaries 2002 obituaries    2001 obituaries 2000 obituaries    1999 obituaries The Journal Online   Experience New Ulm Click here for today's obituaries    Zylpha Kramer, 93, of Gibbon died Friday, April 16, 2004 at the Winthrop Good Samaritan Center in Winthrop. Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 20, 2004 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gibbon with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 5 - 8 p.m. Monday and from 7:30 - 9:00 a.m. Tuesday at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home in Gibbon and will continue for one hour prior to the time of service at the church on Tuesday.     Zylpha is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Don and Joyce Kramer of Post Falls, Idaho, Thomas and Marcy Kramer, Robin and Carol Kramer all of Gibbon, Darcy and Jeanne Kramer of Alexandria, and Glen and Mindy Kramer of Parkers Prairie ; daughter and son-in-law, Cassandra and Dennis Eikenberry of Oelwein, Iowa; twenty one grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren; a sister, Nora Fletcher of Rapid City, South Dakota; a sister-in-law, Lyla Busse of Highmore, South Dakota; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harold Kramer on January 5, 1975; daughter-in-law, Sandy (Ohland) Kramer; sister, Ella Niebuhr; brother, Clarence Busse; brothers-in-law, William Fletcher, Harry Jaekel, Edgar Niebuhr; and a nephew, Danny Busse.    Zylpha Leona Wilhelmina Busse was born on March 18, 1911 in Canby to John and Lorna (Lueders) Busse. She attended Dr. Martin Luther College and taught at Immanuel Lutheran School in Gibbon from 1930 - 1934. She married Harold Kramer on June 13, 1934 at the Nicolai Lutheran Church in Canby. For thiry five years they farmed north of Gibbon and moved to Gibbon in 1969. Zylpha loved her family, music, art, crafts, cooking and gardening. Not only was she a musician and accomplished artist, she also gave piano, organ and painting lessons to many children and adults. She directed plays in the old Gibbon City Hall and was choir director for several church and area choirs. She served as a Sunday School teacher, as well as kindergarten teacher at Immanuel in the late 1960's. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gibbon and had been a resident of the Winthrop Good Samaritan Center since March 4, 2004.    Melvin Nelson, 75, of 2526 S. Bridge St., New Ulm, died Friday, April 16, 2004 at the New Ulm Medical Center. Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Monday at Schmucker Funeral Service in New Ulm with Rev. Todd Nelsen officiating. Burial will take place at a later date. Visitation will be one hour prior to service at the funeral home.    Melvin Bernard Nelson, the son of Adolph and Rose (Kuchynka) Nelson, was born June 11, 1928 at Mahnoman, MN where he attended school. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1943, moving to the twin cities upon his discharge.    Mel married Barbara Curry March 27, 1953 in St. James. They made their home in various communities before settling in New Ulm in 1973. Mel worked for New Ulm Monument for over twenty-five years. He was also known as a faithful employee and friend to Jeff Gulden at the former Texaco Super Stop & Wash and the B & L Bar. He was an avid hunter and fisherman who also enjoyed camping and dearly loved time spent with his family. Mel was a member of American Legion Post #132.    Survivors include his wife Barbara of New Ulm; son, Timothy Nelson and his fiancee Deb Utz of New Ulm; daughter, Mona Vogel and her husband Don of Waterville; grandchildren, Amy Rehbine and her husband Mark of Minnetonka and Nicole Nelson of New Ulm; great grandchildren, Cole and Blake Rehbine; mother, Rose Nelson of Minneapolis; brothers, Lloyd Nelson and his wife Barb of Bloomington, Harvey Nelson and his wife Adeline of Lino Lakes; sister Sandra Hubbard of Bloomington; mother-in-law, Hilde Curry of St. James; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his father, Mel was preceded in death by a son, Jeffrey Nelson; grandsons, Adam Vogel and Justin Nelson; and brother, Vernie Nelson.    Memorials are preferred.    Grace L. Volker, 83, of Sleepy Eye, died on Saturday, April 17, 2004, in Redwood Falls. Arrangements are pending with Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye.    Sister Regina, O.S.F. 67, passed away peacefully at St. Mary's Home on April 15, 2004. Survived by her community, the Franciscan Sisters of St. Paul; sisters, Marlys (Dennis) Schumacher, Alverna (Louis) Dahlheimer, Lois (Bruce) Holmboe; and brothers, Bernard (Tress) Vonderharr, Ronald (Diane) Vonderharr, LeRoy (Bernie) Vonderharr, Eugene (Sheila) Vonderharr, Fred Vonderharr; and nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Sunday, April 18, 2004 from 4 - 8 p.m. at St. Therese Catholic Church. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the time of service at the church. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 19 at St. Therese Catholic Church, 1850 Mississippi River Blvd., St. Paul. Memorials are preferred to the Franciscan Sisters of St. Paul, Francis Basket Ministry, Highland Catholic Community, or St. Mary's Home/Hospice. Minnesota Valley Funeral home of New Ulm is in charge of local notification.    Robert "Bob" Appel, 68, of Sleepy Eye, died Friday, April 16, 2004, in Sleepy Eye. Arrangements are pending with Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye.