Public Notices

Wednesday, September 26, 2007 Obituary Notices for the Week of September 26, 2007 Charles DeVorak A memorial service was held on Thursday, September 20, for Charles DeVorak, 81, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wadena. Reverend Tracy Weaver and Reverend Rob Nelson officiated. On Friday, September 14, 2007, Charles passed away in the loving arms of his family. Charles Vernon DeVorak was born November 16, 1925 in Bottineau, ND, the son of Frank and Ruth (Berger) DeVorak. Charles attended school in Adams, ND through the sixth grade. He and his family moved to Federal Dam and he graduated from Boy River High School. Charles served his country throughout World War II as a Radio Man, First Class. Charles served aboard many ships and served in all of the theatres of operation during the war. After sailing around the world three times, he was discharged in December of 1946. Charles "Chuck" returned to Minnesota and began working for Great Northern Railroad as an agent. On June 1, 1957 he was united in marriage to Marjorie Johnson. Charles worked at many different locations in Minnesota, but he made his home and raised his children in Bertha. After working for Great Northern for forty-four years he retired in 1985. He also worked as a school bus driver for many years. Charles was a member of the Bertha Fire Department for over twenty years. He also served his community as an EMT with the Bertha Ambulance. He served on the City Council and was a member of the Commercial Club. Charles was also a member of the American Legion and the VFW. Charles enjoyed singing, especially his own songs. He liked everyone to have a nickname, had a great sense of humor and liked to pull pranks. He enjoyed sporting activities, encouraged his children in sports and enjoyed attending their activities. His grandchildren were very important to him. He loved to golf and he loved golfing with his buddies. Charles is survived by his wife, Marge DeVorak of Bertha; one son, Charles DeVorak of Running Springs, CA; four daughters, Kim and husband, James Popp, of Hutchinson; Tammy and husband, Neil Schlichting, of Eagle Bend; Wendy and husband, Terry Kohler, of Alexandria; and Stacy DeVorak, and fiancée, Tim Roberts, of Grapevine, TX; and eight grandchildren, Chelsea DeVorak, Nicole Howard, Dustin Schlichting, Megan Schlichting, Katherine Popp, Michael Popp, Chase Charles Kohler and Kendall Kohler. Christie Meier and Allen Moe provided music. Honorary casket bearers included Gordy Ova, James "Bunny" Brockemeier, Isaac Kamrud, Gary Begeman, John Johnson and all of his golfing buddies. Interment was in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Little Falls. Jackie Kolstad Funeral services were held for Jackie L. Kolstad, 32, of Backus (formerly of Long Prairie) on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 at the First Baptist Church in Long Prairie. Jackie passed away Saturday at Long Prairie Memorial Hospital. The Rev. Tracy Weaver officiated. Jackie Lynn was born July 18, 1975 in Long Prairie to Bruce and Linda (Godding) Oftedahl. She attended Long Prairie Schools and graduated in 1993. She then attended University of Buena Vista in Storm Lake, IA and graduated in 1997. Jackie taught in Melrose for one year. She was a Special Education teacher for Pine River/Backus Public School and she also coached volleyball. On July 3, 2004 she married Bradley Kolstad in Duluth. She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Dwight Godding and cousin Brandi Oftedahl. She is survived by her husband, Bradley of Backus; children Jordan & Dacotah both at home; parents, Bruce & Linda Oftedahl of Long Prairie; sister, Jennifer (Tim) Rohloff; father-in-law & mother-in-law, Leslie & Jean Kolstad; grandparents, Halvor & Evelyn Oftedahl of Eagle Bend, Millicent Godding of Clarissa; brother-in-laws, Rodney (Missy) Kolstad of Sauk Centre, Randy Kolstad of Jordan; sister-in-law, Ashley Kolstad of Willmar; Brad's grandmother, LaJune Kolstad of Long Prairie; many nieces & nephews; many aunts & uncles. Casket bearers were Doug Lee, Rodney Kolstad, Randy Kolstad, Tim Rohloff, Brent Oftedahl and Jacob Giles. Honorary bearers were the staff and students of Pine River/Backus Public School. Obituary, guest book and video tribute online at: www.steindingmann.com. Burial was in the Hope Lutheran Cemetery in Eagle Bend. A trust fund has been established for Jordan and Dacotah Kolstad, the children of Jackie (Oftedahl) Kolstad, at the Lake Country State Bank in Long Prairie. Donations can be dropped off at or mailed to: Lake Country State Bank, Attn: Kolstad Fund, 706 Lake St. S., or P.O. Box 88, Long Prairie, MN 56347, or call 320-732-2133. Lillian Stender Funeral services for Lillian Stender, age 90, of Eagle Bend, were held on Saturday, September 22, 2007, at the Domian-Anderson Funeral Home in Eagle Bend with Reverend Chad Cziske presiding. Lillian passed away on Wednesday, September 19, at the Central Todd County Care Center in Clarissa. Lillian Rose Stender was born on February 17, 1917 to Gustav and Louise (Froh) Kaelberer at New Salem, North Dakota. She came to Minnesota as a young woman in 1935 for work opportunities. She married Melvin Stender on November 24, 1938 at Mayer. They farmed in Carver County until 1954 when they moved to Iona Township and later to Wykeham Township, both in Todd County, before moving into the city of Eagle Bend in 1976. Lillian worked at City Hall for a number of years. She enjoyed gardening, baking and cooking, and found great pleasure following her TV sports teams, the Twins and the Vikings. She was preceded in death by her parents Gustav and Louise Kaelberer and husband Melvin Stender. She is survived by her daughter Joyce (Bruce) Dahlman of Long Prairie; son Roger (Susan) Stender of Clarissa; 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; sister Irene Neidhardt of St. Cloud; and brother Edwin (Louise) Kaelberer of Waconia. Pallbearers were Samuel Cossentine, Leonard Cossentine, Jr., Roger Cossentine and Russell Olson. Interment was in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Eagle Bend.