Obituary Notices for the Week of September 26, 2012
Orville Thiel
Funeral services for Orville Thiel, 95, of Wheaton, were held on Thursday, September 20, at the First Presbyterian Church in Wheaton with Reverend Darrell Boe officiating. Orville passed away on September 17, 2012 at the Traverse Care Center in Wheaton.
Orville Frederick Thiel was born on September 10, 1917 to Otto and Frieda (Pflueger) Thiel of Moran Township, Todd County. He was the eldest of five siblings, was raised on a dairy farm and attended rural school. He was active in 4-H and the Moran Methodist Church.
After graduation from Bertha High School, he studied agricultural engineering at the University of Minnesota for three years. When Lockheed came recruiting for workers in its aircraft plants, Orville signed on and moved to California. Seventy years ago on June 10, 1942, he married Viola Ruth Tyrrell at the Batavia Church of Christ in Todd County.
In 1944, he was drafted into the United States Army and served in Japan. Upon discharge he and his brother Gerald rented land in Walls Township and began grain farming. No more cows for him! During these years they designed and built many of their own farm implements, including a self-propelled corn picker, a revolving crop dryer, a snow blower, a rock picker and other kinds of equipment before they were commercially available.
Orville was an active 4-H leader and served in various capacities at the First Presbyterian Church in Wheaton. He was an avid photographer and did his own photo developing. He enjoyed playing the violin, square dancing, playing cards and working on all sorts of puzzles in addition to tinkering. When he was 60 years old, he took flying lessons, obtained his pilots license and flew his own plane until he was no longer able to hear well. He was a gentle man and a gentleman.
Orville was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers Gerald and Robert Thiel; and one sister Roberta Dubbels.
He is survived by his wife Ruth of Wheaton; daughter Geri Torti of Madison, Wisconsin; son Kent Thiel (Katrina) of Chelsea, Michigan; seven grandchildren: Okoto Torti, Melissa (Daniel) McMahon, Obasi (Alice) Torti, Steven (Amy) Thiel, Andrew Thiel, Aka Torti, Anne Thiel; six great-grandchildren: Rose, Aka, Maria and Kingston Torti, Alice Thiel, and Claire McMahon; brother Joyce Thiel of Staples; and numerous nieces and nephews, especially Rodney (Theresa) Thiel and Bob (Gail) Thiel of Dumont.
“When we think of those companions who travelled by our side down life’s road, let us not say with sadness that they left us behind, but rather say with gratitude that they once were with us.
Pallbearers were Okoto and Obasi Torti, Steven, Rodney, Bob and Curtis Thiel. Honorary pallbearers are Andrew Thiel and Aka Torti.
Internment was at the Wildwood Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer’s Association of Minnesota.
Olivia Christianson
Funeral services for Olivia “Pinky” Christianson, 97, a resident of the Central Todd County Care Center in Clarissa and formerly of Eagle Bend will be held on Wednesday, September 26, at the United Methodist Church in Eagle Bend with Pastor Rick Wilder presiding. Pinky passed away on Thursday, September 20, 2012 at the Lakewood Health System Hospital in Staples.
Pinky was born on February 9, 1915 to Frank and Edith Boyer at Long Prairie. She attended country schools. She was united in marriage with Arnold G. Christianson of Eagle Bend on July 2, 1938 at Auburn, Nebraska.
Pinky lived in the Eagle Bend area for 57 years. She was a housewife and loving mother. She was a member of the United Methodist Women’s Circle and Neighborhood Birthday Club. She enjoyed cooking holiday meals, gardening and fishing with Arnold.
Pinky was preceded in death by her husband Arnold in May, 1991; parents Frank and Edith Boyer; brothers Glen, John, George, Rudy and Willard Boyer; sisters Madge Jablinske and Ona Belle Buffington; sisters-in-law Alma and Martha Boyer; and brothers-in-law Walter Jablinske, Ralph Buffington, Sakri Kannianen and Lloyd Severson.
She is survived by her daughter Laurel “Lori” (Jerry) Klinnert of Browerville; grandchildren Sarah Klinnert of St. Joseph, and Tom (Rachel) Klinnert of Willmar; great-grandchildren Devin and Macie Klinnert; and sisters Lillian Wolf of Browerville and Phyllis Krause of Long Prairie.
Pallbearers were Dennis Venske, Jim Olson, Mike Marquardt, Steve Skillings, Rick Kannianen and Ken Kannianen.
Interment was in the Hope Cemetery at Eagle Bend.
www.schullerfamilyfh.com
Roberta Wittmayer
The funeral service for Roberta Wittmayer, 92, a resident of the New York Mills Elder’s Home, and formerly of Wadena, was held on Monday, September 10, at the United Methodist Church in Wrightstown with Dave Seaton presiding. Roberta passed away on Wednesday, September 5, 2012, at the Elder’s Home in New York Mills.
Roberta Louise Long was born on August 27, 1920 in Egeland, North Dakota, to Melvin and Nora Bell (Krishner) Long.
Roberta was united in marriage with Melvin L. Wittmayer on October 6, 1940 in Bottineau, North Dakota. Roberta enjoyed her days as a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She also worked as a nursing assistant at the Wadena Hospital for over 30 years. She loved to sing, read, travel and found fulfillment in caring for others and visiting with friends. Roberta was a Sunday School teacher, superintendent, and choir member at her church. She also belonged to the Homemakers Club.
Roberta was preceded in death by her husband Melvin on August 3, 1983: parents Melvin and Nora; six sisters; and grandson Noah Blinkhorn.
She is survived by her sons Dean (Candy) Wittmayer of Shamong, New Jersey and Robert (Jane) Wittmayer of St. Cloud; daughters Melba (Richard) Simmons of Wadena, Doris (Bill) Viebahn of Minneapolis and Phyllis (Ron) Gajewski of Pulaski, Wisconsin; eight grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren.
Honorary pallbearers were all of Roberta’s grandchildren. Serving as pallbearers were Arthur Packard, Steven Fishcer, Dean Hietala, Michael Wittmayer, Johnathon Fischer and Benjamin Fischer.
Burial was in Oak Valley Cemetery near Wrightstown.
www.SchullerFamilyFH.com
Joyce Greenwaldt
Funeral services for Joyce J. Greenwaldt, 70, were held on Friday, September 21, 2012 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Sauk Rapids, with Reverend Paul Cloeter officiating. Joyce passed away Tuesday at St. Mary’s Hospital.
Joyce was born on August 11, 1942 in Clarissa to George and Theresa (Bartelt) Denny. She married Norman Greenwaldt on August 20, 1960 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bertha. They lived in Minneapolis from 1960-1969, farmed near Bertha from 1969-1974, and resided in Hibbing from 1974-2001. They retired and moved to Rice in 2001 and have lived in Sauk Rapids for the past year. Joyce was a homemaker and worked as a Tupperware manager and also as a nursing assistant for Golden Crest Nursing Home in Hibbing. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sauk Rapids.
Joyce loved to entertain. She enjoyed playing cards, camping and traveling with her grandchildren, dancing, attending church and cooking. Joyce loved her children, grandchildren and granddogs.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Lucille Anderson, George Denny, Beatrice Krause, Jen Jars, Ted Denny and Shirley Gunter.
Survivors include her husband, Norman of Sauk Rapids; sons and daughters, Mark (Brenda) of Bloomington, Byron (Amy) of Northfield, Theresa (Joe) Hansen of Rice, and Nancy (Angie) Schock of Eagan; grandchildren, Brandon, Dustin, Brittany, Shelby, Jade, Alex, Nicholas, Cooper, Chad and Riley; brother, Larry Denny of South Dakota; and sisters Deanna Paul of Billings, Montana; Ellie Twardowski of Browerville, Marie Marrow of St. Francis, Jane Edman of Wadena, and Betty Moseman of Hastings.
Obituary, video tribute and Guest book available online at: www.williamsdingmann.com
Wilbert Hetland
Funeral services for Wilbert “Walleye Willie” David Hetland, 74, of Browerville, were held on Saturday, September 22, at Christ the King Catholic Church in Browerville with Father Peter VanderWeyst officiating. Wilbert entered the Big Hunting Stand in the Sky. He fought lung cancer and won one battle, but lost the war on September 20, 2012. He was at home in the presence of his children Paul and Kelly and his wife Jeanette.
Willie was born in Round Prairie on September 10, 1938 and was the son of Bill and Esther Hetland of Eagle Bend. His aunt was May S. Randa of New York Mills. He had three sisters: Mildred (Ralph) Schlueter, Beverly (Lee) Johnson and Verona (Dick) Porter. He grew up on a farm and stayed in the dairy business his whole life. He served his country in Vietnam in the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Division and he served his community as a firefighter and delivered Meals on Wheels.
He was the janitor of the St. Joseph Catholic Church and dug graves in the cemetery where he was buried—Christ the King Cemetery. He married his soul mate Jeanette Terhaar on August 4, 1971. Together they had two children Paul (Mary) Hetland of Cold Spring and Kelly (Mike Bollinger) Hetland of Brainerd, and two granddaughters Kathleen and Claire Hetland and many grand pets.
Willie loved the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. His tales and laughter filled every conversation. He loved his family with all his heart and he is now in a happy place without hunting restrictions or fishing limits.
Interment was held at Christ the King Catholic Cemetery, Browerville.
Arrangements with Iten Funeral Home, Browerville.
Funeral services for Orville Thiel, 95, of Wheaton, were held on Thursday, September 20, at the First Presbyterian Church in Wheaton with Reverend Darrell Boe officiating. Orville passed away on September 17, 2012 at the Traverse Care Center in Wheaton.
Orville Frederick Thiel was born on September 10, 1917 to Otto and Frieda (Pflueger) Thiel of Moran Township, Todd County. He was the eldest of five siblings, was raised on a dairy farm and attended rural school. He was active in 4-H and the Moran Methodist Church.
After graduation from Bertha High School, he studied agricultural engineering at the University of Minnesota for three years. When Lockheed came recruiting for workers in its aircraft plants, Orville signed on and moved to California. Seventy years ago on June 10, 1942, he married Viola Ruth Tyrrell at the Batavia Church of Christ in Todd County.
In 1944, he was drafted into the United States Army and served in Japan. Upon discharge he and his brother Gerald rented land in Walls Township and began grain farming. No more cows for him! During these years they designed and built many of their own farm implements, including a self-propelled corn picker, a revolving crop dryer, a snow blower, a rock picker and other kinds of equipment before they were commercially available.
Orville was an active 4-H leader and served in various capacities at the First Presbyterian Church in Wheaton. He was an avid photographer and did his own photo developing. He enjoyed playing the violin, square dancing, playing cards and working on all sorts of puzzles in addition to tinkering. When he was 60 years old, he took flying lessons, obtained his pilots license and flew his own plane until he was no longer able to hear well. He was a gentle man and a gentleman.
Orville was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers Gerald and Robert Thiel; and one sister Roberta Dubbels.
He is survived by his wife Ruth of Wheaton; daughter Geri Torti of Madison, Wisconsin; son Kent Thiel (Katrina) of Chelsea, Michigan; seven grandchildren: Okoto Torti, Melissa (Daniel) McMahon, Obasi (Alice) Torti, Steven (Amy) Thiel, Andrew Thiel, Aka Torti, Anne Thiel; six great-grandchildren: Rose, Aka, Maria and Kingston Torti, Alice Thiel, and Claire McMahon; brother Joyce Thiel of Staples; and numerous nieces and nephews, especially Rodney (Theresa) Thiel and Bob (Gail) Thiel of Dumont.
“When we think of those companions who travelled by our side down life’s road, let us not say with sadness that they left us behind, but rather say with gratitude that they once were with us.
Pallbearers were Okoto and Obasi Torti, Steven, Rodney, Bob and Curtis Thiel. Honorary pallbearers are Andrew Thiel and Aka Torti.
Internment was at the Wildwood Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer’s Association of Minnesota.
Olivia Christianson
Funeral services for Olivia “Pinky” Christianson, 97, a resident of the Central Todd County Care Center in Clarissa and formerly of Eagle Bend will be held on Wednesday, September 26, at the United Methodist Church in Eagle Bend with Pastor Rick Wilder presiding. Pinky passed away on Thursday, September 20, 2012 at the Lakewood Health System Hospital in Staples.
Pinky was born on February 9, 1915 to Frank and Edith Boyer at Long Prairie. She attended country schools. She was united in marriage with Arnold G. Christianson of Eagle Bend on July 2, 1938 at Auburn, Nebraska.
Pinky lived in the Eagle Bend area for 57 years. She was a housewife and loving mother. She was a member of the United Methodist Women’s Circle and Neighborhood Birthday Club. She enjoyed cooking holiday meals, gardening and fishing with Arnold.
Pinky was preceded in death by her husband Arnold in May, 1991; parents Frank and Edith Boyer; brothers Glen, John, George, Rudy and Willard Boyer; sisters Madge Jablinske and Ona Belle Buffington; sisters-in-law Alma and Martha Boyer; and brothers-in-law Walter Jablinske, Ralph Buffington, Sakri Kannianen and Lloyd Severson.
She is survived by her daughter Laurel “Lori” (Jerry) Klinnert of Browerville; grandchildren Sarah Klinnert of St. Joseph, and Tom (Rachel) Klinnert of Willmar; great-grandchildren Devin and Macie Klinnert; and sisters Lillian Wolf of Browerville and Phyllis Krause of Long Prairie.
Pallbearers were Dennis Venske, Jim Olson, Mike Marquardt, Steve Skillings, Rick Kannianen and Ken Kannianen.
Interment was in the Hope Cemetery at Eagle Bend.
www.schullerfamilyfh.com
Roberta Wittmayer
The funeral service for Roberta Wittmayer, 92, a resident of the New York Mills Elder’s Home, and formerly of Wadena, was held on Monday, September 10, at the United Methodist Church in Wrightstown with Dave Seaton presiding. Roberta passed away on Wednesday, September 5, 2012, at the Elder’s Home in New York Mills.
Roberta Louise Long was born on August 27, 1920 in Egeland, North Dakota, to Melvin and Nora Bell (Krishner) Long.
Roberta was united in marriage with Melvin L. Wittmayer on October 6, 1940 in Bottineau, North Dakota. Roberta enjoyed her days as a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She also worked as a nursing assistant at the Wadena Hospital for over 30 years. She loved to sing, read, travel and found fulfillment in caring for others and visiting with friends. Roberta was a Sunday School teacher, superintendent, and choir member at her church. She also belonged to the Homemakers Club.
Roberta was preceded in death by her husband Melvin on August 3, 1983: parents Melvin and Nora; six sisters; and grandson Noah Blinkhorn.
She is survived by her sons Dean (Candy) Wittmayer of Shamong, New Jersey and Robert (Jane) Wittmayer of St. Cloud; daughters Melba (Richard) Simmons of Wadena, Doris (Bill) Viebahn of Minneapolis and Phyllis (Ron) Gajewski of Pulaski, Wisconsin; eight grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren.
Honorary pallbearers were all of Roberta’s grandchildren. Serving as pallbearers were Arthur Packard, Steven Fishcer, Dean Hietala, Michael Wittmayer, Johnathon Fischer and Benjamin Fischer.
Burial was in Oak Valley Cemetery near Wrightstown.
www.SchullerFamilyFH.com
Joyce Greenwaldt
Funeral services for Joyce J. Greenwaldt, 70, were held on Friday, September 21, 2012 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Sauk Rapids, with Reverend Paul Cloeter officiating. Joyce passed away Tuesday at St. Mary’s Hospital.
Joyce was born on August 11, 1942 in Clarissa to George and Theresa (Bartelt) Denny. She married Norman Greenwaldt on August 20, 1960 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bertha. They lived in Minneapolis from 1960-1969, farmed near Bertha from 1969-1974, and resided in Hibbing from 1974-2001. They retired and moved to Rice in 2001 and have lived in Sauk Rapids for the past year. Joyce was a homemaker and worked as a Tupperware manager and also as a nursing assistant for Golden Crest Nursing Home in Hibbing. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sauk Rapids.
Joyce loved to entertain. She enjoyed playing cards, camping and traveling with her grandchildren, dancing, attending church and cooking. Joyce loved her children, grandchildren and granddogs.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Lucille Anderson, George Denny, Beatrice Krause, Jen Jars, Ted Denny and Shirley Gunter.
Survivors include her husband, Norman of Sauk Rapids; sons and daughters, Mark (Brenda) of Bloomington, Byron (Amy) of Northfield, Theresa (Joe) Hansen of Rice, and Nancy (Angie) Schock of Eagan; grandchildren, Brandon, Dustin, Brittany, Shelby, Jade, Alex, Nicholas, Cooper, Chad and Riley; brother, Larry Denny of South Dakota; and sisters Deanna Paul of Billings, Montana; Ellie Twardowski of Browerville, Marie Marrow of St. Francis, Jane Edman of Wadena, and Betty Moseman of Hastings.
Obituary, video tribute and Guest book available online at: www.williamsdingmann.com
Wilbert Hetland
Funeral services for Wilbert “Walleye Willie” David Hetland, 74, of Browerville, were held on Saturday, September 22, at Christ the King Catholic Church in Browerville with Father Peter VanderWeyst officiating. Wilbert entered the Big Hunting Stand in the Sky. He fought lung cancer and won one battle, but lost the war on September 20, 2012. He was at home in the presence of his children Paul and Kelly and his wife Jeanette.
Willie was born in Round Prairie on September 10, 1938 and was the son of Bill and Esther Hetland of Eagle Bend. His aunt was May S. Randa of New York Mills. He had three sisters: Mildred (Ralph) Schlueter, Beverly (Lee) Johnson and Verona (Dick) Porter. He grew up on a farm and stayed in the dairy business his whole life. He served his country in Vietnam in the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Division and he served his community as a firefighter and delivered Meals on Wheels.
He was the janitor of the St. Joseph Catholic Church and dug graves in the cemetery where he was buried—Christ the King Cemetery. He married his soul mate Jeanette Terhaar on August 4, 1971. Together they had two children Paul (Mary) Hetland of Cold Spring and Kelly (Mike Bollinger) Hetland of Brainerd, and two granddaughters Kathleen and Claire Hetland and many grand pets.
Willie loved the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. His tales and laughter filled every conversation. He loved his family with all his heart and he is now in a happy place without hunting restrictions or fishing limits.
Interment was held at Christ the King Catholic Cemetery, Browerville.
Arrangements with Iten Funeral Home, Browerville.
