Obituary Notices for the Week of December 9, 2009

Reka Pieper

Funeral services were held for Reka Katherine Pieper, age 91 of Henning, on Saturday, December 5, 2009 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Henning with Pastor Randy Maland officiating. Reka passed away on November 30, at the Tri-County Hospital in Wadena. Her family and friends will dearly miss her.
Reka was born on October 4, 1918 at home in rural Henning. Her parents were the late Claus and Bena (Klever) Eckhoff. Reka attended country school in rural Henning before employment as a nanny in Fargo and Minneapolis.
On October 22, 1939 Reka was united in marriage with Elroy John Pieper at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Henning. Together Reka and Elroy farmed in rural Henning until retiring in 1977.
Reka was employed as a cook at the Lutheran Island Camp, the Oakwood Supper Club and the Henning Senior Center. She enjoyed playing cards, making quilts, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
On February 12, 1984 Elroy passed away. In 1985, Reka moved from the farm and made her home in the city of Henning.
Preceding Reka in death were her parents; husband, Elroy; an infant daughter, Juneal; an infant son, David; sister, Bernice Eckhoff and brother, Albert Eckhoff.
Reka is survived by her daughter, Janice (Bill) Siewert of Two Rivers, Wisconsin; 3 sons: Dr. Charles (Diane) Pieper of Fargo, Dr. Jerold (Barb) Pieper of Clarissa, Wayne (Mary Jo) Pieper of Henning; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters: Marie More of Mankato and Frieda Harders of Bigelow; brother, Raymond (Betty) Eckhoff of Brooklyn Center; sister-in-law Vera Eckhoff of Henning; many other relatives and a host of friends.
The pallbearers were Jeffery Siewert, David Siewert, Eric Pieper, Mathew Pieper, Jordan Pieper, John Pieper and Mike Sherman. The honorary pallbearers were Reka’Äôs granddaughters: Carrie Hawley, Kristin Heutmaker, Michelle Pieper, Monica Sherman and Maria Pieper.
Reka was laid to rest in St. Paul’Äôs Lutheran Church Cemetery, Henning.

Rhoda Grewe

A funeral service was held on Sunday, December 6 for Rhoda Elizabeth Grewe, 78, at King of Glory Lutheran Church, conducted by Rev. Bill Harmon. Rhoda passed away after a brief illness to follow her beloved Ed to heaven on November 19.
She was born to Gertrude Rische Schmidt and Rev. George Schmidt in Jackson, Mississippi on June 14, 1931, the second of five children. As a toddler, she moved to New Orleans, Lousiana where she lived until moving to Williamsburg, Virginia nine years ago. She was baptized on July 5, 1931, confirmed her faith on May 9, 1943 and lived her faith until the day she died.
She received her teaching degree from Newcomb College and began teaching at Bethlehem-Christ Lutheran School in New Orleans, where she met Edwin A. Grewe. They married on August 1, 1954. They had two children, Melvin (Kim) Grewe and Jeane (David) Gillespie. Their grandchildren were Kristen Gillespie Wilson, Joel Gillespie, Sarah Grewe and Gabe Grewe.
Rhoda exemplified the word helpmate as she was Ed's right hand throughout his career with Lutheran Social Services of the South. She taught for several years before starting her family. She returned to teaching at St. Paul-First English Lutheran School in New Orleans where she taught a multitude of first graders reading, writing and arithmetic. She taught a larger multitude of children to love Jesus as she taught Sunday school for fifty years, most of it at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in New Orleans. When Ed managed Peace Lake Towers, she became his administrative assistant. A few years after their retirement, they moved to Williamsburg to be closer to their children. They joined King of Glory Lutheran Church where they quickly became a part of this loving family. Rhoda uplifted all of her family and friends with her greeting card ministry and constantly kept them in prayer.
Rhoda was preceded in death by her parents and her two brothers, George Schmidt and David Schmidt and 72 days ago, her beloved Ed.
She is survived by her children, grandchildren and sisters Lois Bomba, Natalie Fulton and Anna Schmidt.
Her body joined Ed's in Minnesota for interment at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Bartlett Township.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Williamsburg Area Faith in Action, 354 McLaws Cir, Ste. 2, Williamsburg, VA 23185. www.wfia.org

Paul Salentine

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at St. Hubert Catholic Church, Chanhassen for Paul Joseph Salentine, 73, of Chaska, formerly of Eden Prairie.
Paul was a devoted Christian, family man who was actively involved in his community, church, recreational activities and various charities.
Preceded him in death were his parents, Joe and Mildred Salentine and sister, Marian Ludwig.
He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Darlene "Dar" Salentine; children, Steve (Kim), Carla (Paul) Hoffer, Mike (Julie), Dave (Kris), and Jim (Nancy) Salentine; grandchildren, Karyanna, Austin, Andy, Jackie, Kyle, Angela, Amanda, Jordan and Jeremy; sisters, Carol Decker, Linda Kruesel, and Diane (Norm) Olson; nieces and nephews; and Paul's special dog, Tahoe.
Interment was at the Eden Prairie Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the family will be used for Paul's favorite charities.