Leland “Lee” H. Fliss
A memorial service was held for Leland H. Fliss, 77, of Glenwood at the Glenwood Lutheran Church on Friday, July 17, 2009. Inurnment was held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis on Monday, July 20, 2009. Fliss died at his home of leukemia on July 14, 2009.
Leland Harvey Fliss was born January 12, 1932 to Harold and Ethel (Yackley) Fliss in Canby. He was baptized and confirmed at First Presbyterian Church, Canby. He attended public school and graduated from Canby High School.
Fliss joined the U. S. Army on November 7, 1952 and was stationed at First Army Headquarters in communications on Staten Island, N. Y. He was honorably discharged on November 6, 1954.
On October 30, 1952 he was united in marriage to LaVonne “Freddie” Fredlund.
In 1982 Fliss retired from AT & T and he and his wife moved to Lake Minnewaska. He worked for Lu Flatten Construction in Starbuck for four years. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.
Fliss was a member of the Richfield American Legion and a Mason with the Minnehaha Masonic Lodge; an active member of the Minnewaska Lake Owners Association and a member of the Lakeside Dance Club. The couple wintered in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.
Fliss is survived by his wife, LaVonne of Glenwood; daughters, Laurie (Claron Krogness) Fliss of Jordan, Sheri Schumann and Kimberly (Steve) Livingston, both of Bloomington; two sisters, Audrey (Merlyn) Hanson of Canby and Ethel Joy (Helmer) Winter of Webster.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Bud Fliss and sister and brother-in-law, Eileen and Lloyd Lauck.

James Syltie
James Syltie, age 88, of Canby, passed away Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at Sanford Canby Sylvan Court.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 25, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church with Father Craig Timmerman as the Celebrant. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. at Birk Funeral Home in Canby with a prayer service at 7 pm and a Rosary to follow. Visitation will continue on Saturday from 9-10 a.m. at Birk Funeral Home followed by procession to the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Ducks Unlimited or Pheasants Forever. Online registry at birkfuneralhome.com.
James Oliver Syltie was born May 17, 1921, in Alta Vista Township, Lincoln County, the son of John and Anna (Gilbertson) Syltie. He attended school in Canby and graduated in 1939 from Canby High School. He continued to farm south of Porter. In November 1943, he married Dora Popelier at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Ivanhoe. They farmed until 1957, when they moved to Canby. There Jim worked at the Phillips 66 gas station and then as a plumber at the Farmer’s Co-op. Later he helped start C A S Plumbing until he retired in 1985. He liked sports, hunting and camping. He was proud of his family and their accomplishments in life.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Dora of Canby; four children, Pat (Allen) Solheid of New Prague, Jim (Kathy) Syltie of Florida, Fletcher (LaVonne) Syltie of Appleton, and Winnie Shanabrook of St. Paul; eight grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; brother, Walt Syltie of Porter; four sisters, Laura Misner of Minneapolis, Agnes Johnson of Minneapolis, Jane (LaVerne) Dahlen of White Bear Lake, and Margaret McLellan of Edina.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Cora Oehmcke and Ella Blomberg; brother, Hans Syltie.

Jerald G. Hennen
A funeral mass for Jerald C. Hennen, 69, was held on Saturday, July 11, 2009 at St. Mary's Cathedral in Fargo, ND. Burial was in Holy Cross North Cemetery, Fargo, ND. Mr. Hennen passed away July 7, 2009.
Jerald C. Hennen was born on June 4, 1940 in Madison to Ray and Myrtle Hennen of Madison.
Hennen graduated from high school in 1958 and moved to San Francisco. In 1960 he started school at Brown College in Minneapolis, graduating in 1962 with honors.
In August 1962 he and Jeanette Thielges were united in marriage and moved to Beloit, Wisconsin where he started work at WBEL radio station.
Hennen worked at various radio stations around the area, including Pipestone; Luverne; Montevideo; Clarinda, Iowa; Grand Forks, ND and St. Cloud. In 1997 he started his own business as a radio station consultant, called Common Sense Radio.
He is survived by his wife, Jeanette Hennen, Fargo, ND; his children, Scott (Maria) Hennen, Jill (Paul) Westerhold, Nancy Hennen-Longie and Chris Hennen, all of Fargo, ND; brothers, Roger (Carole) Hennen, Bonaire, GA, Bobby (Vicki) Hennen, Maple Grove; sisters, Marcella (Jim) Welberg, Anoka, Darlene (Loren) Larson, New Hope, Jackie Chmielewski, Plymouth and seven grandchildren.
He was prerceded in death by his parents; two infant children, John and Jennifer; one brother, Dennis and one sister, Rose.

Joan Rena Simonton
Funeral services for Joan R. Simonton, age 75, of Gary, S.D., were Tuesday, July 21, in the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Gary.  Rev. Bruce Mueller officiated. She passed away on Friday, July 17, 2009, in the Sanford Canby Medical Center. Burial was in the Grandview Cemetery, Gary.  Honorary pallbearers were her grandchildren:  A.J. Jankord, Jodi Hauger, Amy Hauger, Allison Simonton, Gus Simonton, Jennifer Simonton and her great grandchildren.  Active pallbearers were Chad Hauger, Nicholas Simonton, Conner Palm, Michael Miller, Dennis Hauger and Tony Jankord.  Music was provided by Maita Mueller, organist and Randy and Joyce Meyer.
Joan Rena Simonton was born on Nov. 26, 1933, to Herman and Rena (Benedict) Miller on the family farm northwest of Gary.  As a child the family moved into Gary where she received her education, graduating from Gary High School. 
She was united in marriage to Melvin Simonton on July 27, 1951, at the Lutheran parsonage in Gary.  To this union four sons and three daughters were born.  The family farmed northwest of Gary for many years.  Together, Melvin and Joan were able to share in over 47 years of marriage.  Melvin passed away on May 25, 1999.  Joan continued to live in Gary.
She was a member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Gary.  She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Gary and enjoyed going to card club.  She liked to bake and do crossword puzzles and was an avid Minnesota sports fan; watching the Twins, Gophers, Timberwolves and Vikings.  She cherished her time with her family.
She is survived by her six children:  Leslie Simonton, St. Cloud, Julie (Dennis) Hauger, Watertown, S.D., Kevin (Jane) Simonton, Canby, Robin (Tony) Jankord, Andover, Shelley Palm, Brookings, S.D., and Shawn (Anita) Simonton, Woodbury; nine grandchildren:  Chad (Jill) Hauger, Jodi Hauger, Amy (Nick) Waite, Allison, Gus, Jennifer and Nicholas Simonton, Conner Palm and A.J. Jankord; six great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin; one son, Mark; and three brothers, Walt, Warren and Wayne Miller.

Ruth (Stromme) Thovson
Funeral services for Ruth (Stromme) Thovson, 82, of Rockford were held on Saturday, July 18, 2009 at Our Father's Lutheran Church, Rockford with Rev. Jon Rhodes officiating. Burial will be in North Dakota. Ruth Thovson died July 14, 2009 at Abbot Northwestern Hospital.
Ruth Thovson was born on August 8, 1926 in McClusky, North Dakota to Emanuel and Mary (Heath) Rust. She was raised in the Minot/Kief, ND area by her mother and step-father, Kenneth Jensen.
For many years she owned and operated "Ruth's Flower Pot" floral shop and greenhouse in Kief.
On June 4, 1944 she married Mike Hoffer, Jr.,they divorced in 1958; on September 15, 1967 she married Carl Stromme who died on Dece,ber 31, 1980. On April 17, 1993 she married Lester Thovson in St. Louis Park and moved to Rockford.
She is survived by her husband, Lester; daughter Caroline Mae (Robert M.) Overstreet, Hernando, Mississippi; son Terry Lee Hoffer, Travelers Rest, South Carolina; step children, Colleen (Gary) Kocemba, Plymouth, Cynthia (Mark) Casper, Coon Rapids, Bruce (Carol) Thovson, Crystal and Gregory (Laura) Thovson, Eagan; sister, Annie Volonchenko, Kief, ND; 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Stromme; and sister, Lucille Volson.

Velda Speight
Velda Speight, age 72, of Porter, passed away on Sunday, July 11, 2009 at Sanford Canby Medical Center in Canby, after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Memorial service will be 10:30am on Tuesday, July 14, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Canby with Father Craig Timmerman as celebrant. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, July 13, at Birk Funeral Home in Canby. Visitation will resume from 9 to 10:15 a.m. at the funeral home on the day of the service. Burial will follow at St. Peters Catholic Cemetery in Canby. For online condolences, please visit our website at HYPERLINK "http://www.birkfuneralhome.com" www.birkfuneralhome.com
Velda Joyce Speight was born Nov. 27, 1936, in Scott City, Kansas to parents Franklin and Elma (Rose) Henney. She was an only child. She was united in marriage to Robert Charles Speight on June 8, 1963 in LaCrosse, Kansas. To this union they were blessed with two daughters, Pam and Tonya.
For numerous years Velda worked side by side with her husband Robert in their business “Speight Tree Service.” Earlier in Velda’s life she was a waitress and she was the first female police officer in Great Bend, Kansas. Her husband Robert passed away on March 17, 2008 after battling cancer.
Velda enjoyed collecting pigs and quarters and she fondly admired the color purple. She valued time spent with friends over a cup of coffee or a game of bingo but her true love was time spent with her family especially with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Velda was involved in the March of Dimes, American Legion Auxiliary and the Yellow Medicine County Fair Board. She also volunteered her time for pre-school screening tests. Velda was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church.
Grateful for having shared Velda’s life are her two daughters, Pam (Lyndon) VanDeVeire of Canby, Tonya (Brandt) Wynalda of Chatsworth, Calif.; five grandchildren, Melisa (Jason) Lick, Jamey and Kari VanDeVeire, Grace and Gwen Wynalda; three great-grandchildren, Nathan and Jayden Lick and Ashlynn VanDeVeire.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert and her parents, Frank and Elma Henney.

Christine Nelson
Christine Nelson, age 104, of Canby, passed away Saturday, July 11, 2009, at Sanford Canby Sylvan Court.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 16, at 11 a.m. at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Canby with Rev. Janet Colby officiating.
Visitation will be on Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. at Birk Funeral Home in Canby and continue on Thursday one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in Canby City Cemetery. Online registry at HYPERLINK "http://www.birkfuneralhome.com" www.birkfuneralhome.com.

Roger DeVos
Roger DeVos, age 49, of Canby passed away on Friday, July 10, 2009, with his family at his side at his residence after a short battle with cancer.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Porter with Rev. Ellen Munter officiating. Visitation will be on Tuesday, July 14 from 4-8 p.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church in Porter with a prayer service at 7 p.m. and will resume one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. Burial will be at Canby City Cemetery. Birk Funeral Home of Canby is in charge of the arrangements. For online condolences, please visit our website at www.birkfuneralhome.com.
Memorials are preferred to the family for future cancer walk in Roger’s name.
Roger Alan DeVos was born Aug. 22, 1959 to Arnold and Trevis (Anderson) DeVos in Canby, Minnesota. He was baptized, confirmed and received his First Holy Communion at St. Edwards Church in Minneota. He graduated from Canby High School in 1977.
Following his graduation, he worked for DeVos Trucking. From 1983-1987, he worked for Action Carrier out of Sioux Falls. In 1987, he went to work for Johnson Feed Inc. out of Canton, S.D., and continued working for them until he became ill.
Roger met Shelly Tilbury in February of 1994. They were united in marriage on May 18, 1996. To that union five children were born, Hope, Kyle, Kaitlyn, Nathan, and Lacie.
Roger’s greatest joy in life was spending time with his family. In the recent years he started hunting, fishing anything to spend time with his family. Even though he didn’t truly enjoy the outdoors. He did anything to be with his family.
Roger is lovingly remembered by his wife, Shelly and children Hope, Kyle, Kaitlyn, Nathan, and Lacie all of Canby: parents, Arnold and Trevis DeVos of Taunton; father and mother-in-law, Cleon and Arlene Tilbury of Marietta; brother Randy (Mary) DeVos of St. Leo; two sisters-in-law Angie (Rodney) Djonne of Marietta and their children Kendra and Derek; Vicki (Stacey) Hinders of Gary, S.D., and their children Ty, Loren and Breanna; nephew Ryan (Kerri) DeVos of Canby and their daughter Kallie; niece Crystal (Brian) McKeen of Canby; and family friend Mack Davis of Sharpsville, Ind., and many great friends and extended family.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents; maternal grandparents; and sister Diane DeVos.

Doris M. Melrose
Doris M. Melrose, age 92, of Porter, passed away on Thursday, July 9, 2009, at Minneota Manor Health Care Center in Minneota.
 Funeral service is at 11 a.m. Monday, July 14, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Porter with Pastor Ellen  Munter officiating.  Visitation is Sunday, July 12, from 11a.m. to 7 p.m. at Doris’ home at 117 Brook Ave. N in Porter, a prayer service will be at 7 p.m.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.  Burial will follow at Marble Lutheran Cemetery, rural Canby.  For online condolences please visit our website at www.birkfuneralhome.com
Doris was born June 8, 1917 in rural Lincoln County, Minnesota to Charlie G. Olson and Della (Nelson) Olson, the oldest of four children.  She graduated from Canby High School in 1935.  Doris was united in marriage on Sept. 20, 1938, to Arnold Melrose at St. Stephens Church in Canby.   
She ran the Porter Café for almost 20 years, all cooking and baking done from scratch recipes daily.  She gave to the community through various specific organizations such as serving on the Porter School Board, serving as an Election Judge, feeding thousands at each annual Market Day, Quilting with the Porter church ladies, Ladies Aid at Marble Lutheran Church, checking in on neighbors that allowed them to stay in their homes longer, keeping the park free of cans, always doing what was needed to improve the world around her.  she lived “green” before it became the catch phrase of 2009.
 She gave us a very rich childhood, yet each of us knew her differently.  She was a very talented and capable lady, never afraid of hard work, always doing for others, always using everything as a resource, just ask us!
She is survived by her children, Floyd (Alyce) Melrose of Volga, S.D.; Clayton Melrose of Oakes, N.D.; DeeDee (Todd) Kelly of Golden Valley; Jim (Martha) Melrose of Porter, Audrey (Dale)  Homuth of Mounds View, and Harvey (Phyllis) Melrose of Canby; her grandchildren; Melissa (Kent) Wilson, Neil (Jean) Kelly, Keith (Beth) Melrose, Wendy Melrose, Ken (Lisa) Melrose Dan (Karen) Kelly, Jennifer Melrose, Carly Homuth, Grady Homuth, Alicia (Josh)  Anhalt, Adam (Jill) Grengs and Eric Grengs; great-grand daughters:  Mckenzie, Morgan, Michalyn, Shaelyn, Sydney, Nora, Hannah, Kyla, Hailey Kathryn and Hailey Lou; brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Caroline Olson of Foley, sister-in-law, Marie Melrose of Battle Lake, and a brother-in-law Sim Churchfield of Boise, Idaho.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold Melrose, and sons, Gordon and Kevin and baby Melrose, granddaughter, Shauna Melrose, sister, Esther Anderson, and brother, Clint Olson.

Victoria Ochocki
Victoria Ochocki, age 87, of Ivanhoe, passed away Friday, July 3, 2009, at Divine Providence Health Center in Ivanhoe.
Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, July 10, at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Ivanhoe with Father Paul Schumacher as Celebrant.
Burial was in St. John Cantius Catholic Cemetery in Wilno.
Victoria Martha (Otto) Ochocki was born July 15, 1921, at home to Peter and Anna (Lipinski) Otto. She was baptized, confirmed, and received her First Holy Communion at St. John Cantius Catholic Church in Wilno, Minnesota. She attended rural school in Marble Township, Lincoln County, Minnesota.
In October of 1942, Vicki married John (Jack) Beever. To this union one son was born, Richard. Jack died April 10, 1945, while a POW during WWII and is buried in Belguim.
In January of 1948, Vicki married Stanley Ochocki. They farmed near Hendricks where Vicki enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening, helping with farm chores and watching her family grow. Her retirement years were filled with quilting, cooking, baking, playing cards, visiting with friends and family, and an occasional visit to the casino.
Stanley passed away in September 1983 on their farm, after which Vicki moved to Ivanhoe. In January 2003, she entered the Divine Providence Nursing Home in Ivanhoe.
She was a member of Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church of Ivanhoe belonging to the Catholic Ladies Guild and the Rosary Society. She had a special devotion to the Blessed Mother and enjoyed doing mission work. She was also a member of the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal for over 50 years.
She is survived by her children, Richard (Sharon) of Palo Cedro, Calif.; Allen (Judy) of Hastings; Myron (Jodi) of Brooklyn Park; Karen (James) Schuette of Brainerd; and William (Pamela) of Hendricks; 13 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; three sisters Sophie Janiszeski, Clara Persoon and Margaret Adkins and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Jack and Stanley; two sisters, Gert Quinell and Emily Rose and four brothers,Max, Eddie, Frank, and Stanley.

Alice Bednarek
Mass of Christian Burial for Alice Bednarek, 81, of Marshall, was Tuesday, July 7, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall. Interment was at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Marshall.
Alice Donna (Lipinski) Bednarek was born on June 12, 1928, in Marble Township, Lincoln County, to Joseph and Frances (Sik) Lipinski. She was baptized, received first communion, and confirmed at St. John’s Cantius Catholic Church in Wilno. She attended country school, graduating from the eighth grade.
On May 23, 1949, she was united in marriage to John Bednarek Jr., at St. John’s Cantius Catholic Church. This union was blessed with four children; Linda, Gary, Sandra and Rebecca. John and Alice raised their family on the farm. She was busy as a homemaker. She was an excellent cook and baker and did beautiful embroidery and crochet work. On the farm, she enjoyed all her cats, gardening, and raising chickens, ducks and geese. She also enjoyed canning through the years. Alice was blessed with good health. Her family was her pride and joy and always came before her own needs. She was always giving, pleasant, and full of love and was willing to pitch in and help others. She was a busy woman who measured a successful day by how many baskets of clothes were laundered and ironed; how many jars of tomatoes were canned; and especially how well her meals were received and appreciated. Her meals were always prepared from scratch and were her expression of love for Dad and the kids. She made simple commitments to her family, her unending faith in God, and her home. These were the greatest gifts Alice gave her family.
She moved off the farm in 2008 and into Marshall, where she was a longtime member of the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church.
She died peacefully on Sunday, July 5, 2009, at the Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center.
She is survived by her husband John, daughter Linda Erickson of Marshall, son Gary (and Linda) Bednarek of Amiret, daughter Sandra (and David) Jones of Rio Rancho, N.M., daughter Rebecca (and Daniel) Polfliet of Marshall, 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, siblings Alvin (and Lorraine) Lipinski of Canby, Dorothy Miller of Canby and Robert L. (and Joan)Lipinski of Denver, Colo., nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Margaret (Marge) Lipinski, brother-in-law Patrick Miller, son-in-law Arvin Erickson and great-grandson Linden Bednarek.