Online Obituaries Saturday, Dec. 8, 2001 2001 obituaries    2000 obituaries    1999 obituaries The Journal Online   Experience New Ulm Click here for today's obituaries    Raymond F. Wenninger, 73, of Lafayette, died Thursday, Dec. 6, 2001, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester.    Mass of Christian burial will be 11a.m. Tuesday at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church in Lafayette, with burial in the church cemetery.    Visitation will be 3 - 8 p.m. Monday and 7 - 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Firle Funeral Home in New Ulm. A parish prayer service starts at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.    He is survived by his wife Marcella of Lafayette,; daughters and sons-in-law, Bernette and Ernie Puncochar of Maple Lake, Bonita and Don Brandel of Shakopee, Jane and Tom Beranek of New Ulm, Brenda and Doug Berens of Prior Lake, and Joleen and Craig Wilson of Lafayette; sons and daughters-in-law, Glenn and Kathy of Lafayette, Leslie and special friend Jami Ellington, Leon and Teresa of New Ulm, Kevin and Barb of Winthrop, and John and his fiance Paula Thunander of Lafayette; 25 grandchildren; sisters, Loretta Stueber and her husband Harry of St. Paul, and Darlene Schmidt and her husband James of New Ulm; brothers, Melvin Wenninger and his wife Mary Ann of Sauk Center, and Lenard Wenninger of Tracy; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Irene Schlumpberger of New Ulm, Erwin and Elaine Hillesheim of New Ulm, Bernice and Henry Holm of Gibbon, Leo and Margaret Hillesheim of New Ulm, Lester and Cathy Hillesheim of New Ulm, Gladys and Kenneth Salfer of Wabasso; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.    He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother Vernon.    He was born July 21, 1928, in Nicollet County, to Frank and Sophie (Ubl) Wenninger. He grew up on the family farm and attended country school. He married Marcella Hillesheim on Sept. 14, 1949, at Holy Trinity in New Ulm. They farmed in Sibley County near Lafayette for the remainder of his life. He was a member of St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church in Lafayette and a former member of the church board; a former member of the Lafayette Lions Club; and a board member of the Lafayette Farmers Coop for 21 years.    Dagney Elvin, 72, of St. James, died Thursday, Dec. 6, 2001, in Brooklyn Park.    Services are 11 a.m. Monday at First Lutheran Church, St. James, with burial in Mount Hope Cemetery.    Visitation is 4-8 p.m. Sunday and 7:30-9 a.m. Monday at Sturm Funeral Home, St. James and one hour prior to the service at the church Monday.    She is survived by daughters, Jill and her husband Curt Lund of Brooklyn Park, Jennifer Lieser and her fiance Mike Foulger of Powell, Wyo.; sons, Jon Blanchfield, St. James, and Joel and his wife Yvonne Blanchfield, New Hope; step daughters, Lynn and her husband Jim Larson of St. James, Vicki and her husband Orlando Johnson of Darfur, Jan and her husband Rod Daver of Hutchinson; a stepson, James and his wife Tracey Elvin of Bartlesville, Okla.; seven grandchildren; two great grandchildren; a sister, Marianne Dietz of Winnebago; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Gage of Mankato; and several nieces and nephews.    She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, William Blanchfield; her second husband, Raymond Elvin; and brothers, Jofred and Edsel.    She was born Jan. 10, 1929, in Seely Township, to Jorgen and Jennie (Haaland) Almlie. She married William Blanchfield on Dec. 20, 1947. He died in October 1978. In November 1980, she married Raymond Elvin in Powell, Wyo. He died in January 2001. She was a 40-year member of the First Lutheran Church, St. James. She was involved in the Ladies Aid at church and the Ladies Auxiliary for the VFW and the American Legion. She also volunteered for the American Cancer Society, the Boy Scouts, and was a Brownies Leader.    Dormand Kirtz, 86, of Hector, died Thursday, Dec. 6, 2001, at the Buffalo Lake Healthcare Center.    Mass of Christian burial is 11 a.m. Monday at St. John's Catholic Church, Hector, with burial in the church cemetery.    Visitation is 4-8 p.m. Sunday at Hughes Funeral Home, Hector, with a 7:30 p.m. rosary, and one hour prior to services at the church Monday.