Morris Melby
Morris Melby, age 84, of Canby, passed away on Wednesday, June 24, 2009, at his home.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 28, at First Presbyterian Church in Canby with Rev. Aaron Alfred officiating. Visitation will be from 5 – 7 p.m. on Saturday at Birk Funeral Home in Canby with a prayer service at 7 p.m. and will resume one hour prior to the service at the church on Sunday. Burial will be at the Grandview Cemetery in Gary, S.D. For online condolences, please visit our website at HYPERLINK "http://www.birkfuneralhome.com" www.birkfuneralhome.com.
Morris Dean Melby was born in Fortier Township on June 23, 1925, to Ingvald and Alice (Taylor) Melby. They moved to Manfred Township when Morris was 4 years old. He graduated from Canby High School in 1943 and then enlisted in the Army Air Corps on Sept. 27, 1943. He attended East Central State College in Ada, Okla., then went through pilot training in San Angelo, Texas, and served in the Philippines and Japan during World War II. He was honorably discharged on Dec. 21, 1946.
In 1948, he married Gloria Nelson and they were blessed with five children – Mark, Stuart, Susan, Margret and Betsy. In 1979, Morris was united in marriage to Cheryl Lord of Breckenridge and they were blessed with one son, Jonathan.
He farmed all his life and built his own planes. His hobby was building radio control model planes. His cup was never empty, he had a smile for everybody and a great sense of humor.
Morris is lovingly remembered by his wife, Cheryl of Canby; his six children, Mark Melby of Kenosha, Wis., and his children Jason, Monica, and Chad; Stuart (Kathy) Melby of Brookings, S.D., and their children Benjamin and Katie; Susan (Rob) Anderson of Chester, S.D., and their children Betsy, Landon, Peter, Jade, Caiden, and Brent; Margret (Ken) Smith of Sioux Falls, and their children Philip, Jared, Gregory, and Abby; Betsy (Kevin) Sahlstrom of Onamia, and their children Nat, Justus, Anna, Adam, Noah, Jacob, and Bella; and Jonathan (Jill) Melby of Brandon, S.D., and their son Taylor; 11 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Arlene LaPlant.
He was preceded in death by his parents and first wife, Gloria.

Stanley Otto
Stanley Otto, age 84, of Canby, passed away Thursday, June 18, 2009, at Sanford Canby Medical Center.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, June 22, at 10:30 am at St. John Cantius Catholic Church in Wilno. Visitation will be on Sunday from 5-7 pm at Birk Funeral Home in Ivanhoe with a prayer service at 7 pm and a Rosary to follow. Visitation will continue on Monday at the church one hour prior to mass. Father Paul Schumacher will be the Celebrant. Burial will be in St. John Cantius Catholic Cemetery in Wilno. Military honors will be provided by Ivanhoe VFW Post 2980. Online registry is available at HYPERLINK "http://www.birkfuneralhome.com/" www.birkfuneralhome.com.
Stanley Joseph Otto was born Nov. 13, 1924 on the family farm in Marble Township, Lincoln County, the son of Peter and Anna (Lipinski) Otto. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John Cantius Catholic Church. As a young boy, he attended rural country school. He worked on the family farm his entire life. During World War II, he served his country in the U.S. Navy. Besides working on the farm, he also worked for Bladholm Construction for many years. On October 6, 1958, he married Mary Condon at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Ivanhoe and to this union five children were born.
Stanley loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. When he wasn’t working or spending time with his family, he enjoyed the company of his two good friends, Clarence Schalek and Ambrose Citterman.
He is survived by his wife, Mary; son, Pete and his children, Adam, Tony and Amanda; son-Steve; daughter-Anna (Dana) Farley and their children, William and Jack; son-Paul (Beth) and their children, Mark, Matthew and Alyssa; son-James (Melinda) and their children, Hannah, Emilee, Olivia and Nicholas; four sisters, Sophie Janiszeski, Vicki Ochocki, Clara Persoon and Margaret Adkins; four great grandchildren, Erin, Sam, Ryan and Lucy; other family members, Christy Bening and her son, Andrew Behnke and Stacy Bening and her daughter, Kilee Darville.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters-Gert Quinell and Emily Rose; three brothers-Max, Eddie and Frank.

Harold Reynolds
Harold “Bud” Reynolds, age 82, of Naples, Fla., passed away on Wednesday, May 27, 2009, at the Naples Community Hospital.
Memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 29, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Canby with Rev. Katherine Rood officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Monday, June 29. Military honors will be provided following the service outside the church. Private Family Burial at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Cemetery. For online condolences, please visit our website at HYPERLINK "http://www.birkfuneralhome.com" www.birkfuneralhome.com.
Harold Gordon Reynolds was born April 27, 1927, to Floy and Nona (Hunt) Reynolds in Canby. He was a graduate of Canby High School and had two years of Veterans Agriculture Instruction. He was a graduate of the American Society Real Estate Appraisal School, American Society of Advanced Ranch Appraisal School, American Society of Advanced Farm Management School, and American Society of Report Writing School. He served his country in the US Navy from June 15, 1945 to May 4, 1948.
On Sept. 14, 1947, he was united in marriage to Loraine Mae Gorder in Canby. The couple made their home on a farm near Canby, where they raised five children. Bud farmed from 1947 – 1973 and started real estate sales in 1969 and went on to get his broker license for both Minnesota and South Dakota. He was a licensed rural estate appraiser and started farm management from 1973 until he passed away. After Bud’s retirement, the couple spent 15 winters in Palm Desert, Calif., and then they spent the remaining winters until Loraine passed away in Naples, where Bud eventually became a permanent resident until his death.
Bud was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Canby. He enjoyed playing bridge and golfing. He loved to celebrate life and was a great host and entertainer for his guests.
Bud is survived by his five children: Michael (Regina) Reynolds of Ruthven, Iowa; Vicki (Jerome) Hoffman of Lake Cochrane, S.D.; Debra (Michael) Downey of Faribault; Stacey Olson of Bonita Springs, Fla.; James Reynolds of Amboy; 13 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Loraine on Jan. 11, 2004; two brothers; and an infant son.

Bernice Louise Tholen
Bernice Tholen, age 87, of Ivanhoe, passed away on Tuesday, June 9, 2009, at Park River Care Center in Coon Rapids.
Mass of Christian Burial was Saturday, June 13, 2009 at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Ivanhoe with Father Paul Schumacher as celebrant. Burial was at the Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery.
Bernice Louise Jerzak was born Nov. 1, 1921, in Limestone Township, Lincoln County, Minnesota, the daughter of Stephen and Francis (Czapski) Jerzak. She was baptized, received her First Communion and was confirmed at St. John Cantius Catholic Church in Wilno. As a young girl, she attended rural country school. She is a lifelong resident of Ivanhoe area and has worked on the farm early in her life. On Oct. 15, 1946, she married Edward Tholen at St. John Cantius Catholic Church. After their marriage, the couple farmed outside of Ivanhoe until they moved to Ivanhoe in 1955. She was a cook at the Ivanhoe School, starting in 1965 and eventually retiring in 1985. She lived in Ivanhoe until 2003, which at that time she moved to Coon Rapids and was a resident of Park River Estates Care Center until her passing. In her spare time, she loved to bake, collect cookbooks, gardening, did ceramics, needlework, sewing and played cards and games. She was an active member of Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church for many years and participated in various church activities. She also was a member of the Ivanhoe VFW Ladies Auxiliary.
She is survived by two children, James Tholen of Albert Lea, and Bonnie “Bonita” Fierstine of Fridley; six grandchildren, Craig (Julie) Tholen of Bristol, Ill., Michelle (Curtis) Timmons of Billings, Mont., William (Lisa) Tholen of St. Paul, Vicki (Chad) Bode of Fridley, Peggy (D’Amecio) Singleton of De Kalb, Ill., and Daniel Tholen of Albert Lea; eleven great grandchildren, Austin and Carter Timmons, Abigail, Benjamin, and Samuel Tholen, Alison Tholen, Parker and Coral Bode, Madeline, Jackson, and Kennedy Singleton; sisters-in law, Maxine Jerzak and Berthina Moen; brother-in-law, Frank (Ann) Tholen and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Edward; son-in-law, Glen Fierstine; brothers, Leonard Jerzak, Max (Florence) Jerzak and Marce (Mary) Jerzak.

Marcella B. Berge
Funeral services for Mrs. Marcella B. Berge, age 94, of White, S.D., formerly of Astoria and Brandt, S.D., were Wednesday, June 10, at the East Highland Lutheran Church, rural Brandt, with Rev. Carlene Rhody officiating. She passed away on Sunday, June 7, 2009, in the White Healthcare Center in White.  She was the widow of Bennie Berge.
Burial was in the East Highland Cemetery, rural Brandt.  Pallbearers were Clifford Anderson, Glen Funk, Gordon Palm, David Rice, Clinton Severson and David Severson.  Music was provided by Eileen Berge, organist, Elaine Almos, organist, Todd Berge, soloist and Lyndon Hoseck, soloist.
She was born on March 9, 1915, to Anton and MaryAnn (Pelce) Moravetz on the family farm in Hansonville Township, north of Hendricks.  She was baptized and confirmed at the Zaccheus Lutheran Church in Canby.  She attended country school and graduated from Canby High School in 1932.  She continued her education with the Minnesota Department of Teacher’s Training Program where she received her teacher’s certificate.  She then began teaching in rural schools in Yellow Medicine County for the next several years. 
On June 17, 1939, she was united in marriage to Bennie Berge in Astoria.  Following their marriage they lived and farmed near Brandt.  In 1989, they retired from farming and moved into Astoria.  On Sept. 10, 1993, Bennie passed away.  Marcella continued to live in Astoria until the fall of 1999 when she moved to the White Healthcare Center in White.
She was a member of East Highland Lutheran Church, rural Brandt, where she taught Sunday school and was active in the Ladies Aid.  She was a 4-H leader and a member of the Astoria Senior Citizens and Astoria Activity Club.  She enjoyed her family and friends, raising her chickens, gardening, canning, sewing and helping on the farm.  She also thoroughly enjoyed playing cards, especially pinochle, all types of puzzles, playing Bingo, music, and the Minnesota Twins.  She was also known for her cooking and baking, most of all her donuts and Kolaches.
She is lovingly remembered by her four children:  Roger (Mary) Berge, Hendricks, Carol (Randall) Jorgensen, Coleridge, Neb., Eileen Berge, Burnsville, and Kathleen Berge, San Francisco, Calif.; three grandchildren:  Douglas Redlin, Palm Desert, Calif., Suzanne Berge, Sioux Falls, and Todd (Kelly) Berge, Eden Prairie; two great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Bennie; two brothers:  Rudolph and Edward Moravetz; four sisters: Nettie Hanzlik, Rose Juranek, Lottie Arndt and Mildred Funk; two infant brothers and two infant sisters.

Elden Heise
Elden “Bud” Heise, age 91, of Canby, passed away on Saturday, June 13, 2009, at the North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 18, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Canby with Rev. Katherine Rood and Rev. Janet Colby officiating. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday at Birk Funeral Home with a prayer service at 6:30 and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Burial will be at the Wergeland Cemetery, Porter, with military honors by Canby Military Honor Guard and Porter American Legion Post 457.
Elden Edward Heise was born to Emil and Caroline (Sillman) Heise on April 27, 1918, in Oshkosh Township of Yellow Medicine County. He was baptized and confirmed at Zaccheus Lutheran Church.
He attended school in District 36 through the eighth grade and then helped his father farm until he was drafted into the service and put in the National Guard from April 24, 1941, until he was discharged on Nov. 30, 1945. He was a veteran of more than 31 months overseas including the North African and Italian Campaigns. He was with the 135th battalion a regiment of the 34th Red Bull division that landed at Algiers and was taken prisoner by the French for a few days. After fighting at such key battles of Fondorik and Hill 609 in Tunisia and went to Italy to fight at the Cassino, the Anzio beachhead, Rome Leghorn and southern part of Pisa and on the Gothic Line – he earned many medals.
On Dec. 14, 1946, he was married to Alta Olson by the Rev O.A. Olson. They farmed the home place until retiring in 1976 and moved into Canby.
He was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church and a trustee for Zaccheus Lutheran Church. He was on the school board of District 36, was secretary and treasurer for Oshkosh Township and also a volunteer driver for Sunday mornings at Our Saviour’s.
His hobbies were fishing, visiting with friends and his family – the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife Alta, daughter JoAnn, and son Larry; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one brother Nordahl (Vickie) Heise; sister-in-law Margaret Racette and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Alvin, Lawrence, Walter, and sisters Irene and Hazel.

Stephen Henslin
Stephen Henslin, 66, of Spicer, died Sunday, May 31, at the Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar.  A celebration of life was held Saturday evening from 5 to 7:30 pm at the Wing-Bain Funeral Home Chapel in Clara City. 
Stephen Lyndon Henslin was born April 10, 1943, in Indianapolis, Ind., to Arnie and Mildred Henslin. He passed away after an extended illness. He is survived by sister Kathy (Henslin) Sauter and her husband Pat Sauter, his three children; Chad and his wife Annette Henslin of Valley Springs, S.D., Chris Henslin of Brookings, S.D., Stephanie Henslin of Brookings, and three grandchildren, Drew, Carter, and Cailyn. He is also survived by aunts, nieces, nephews and many cousins.
His early life was full of music that started with his sister while singing together in talent contests, on radio, and on TV.  In his high school years he started a rock band called the Defiants, which eventually was inducted into the Minnesota Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. During his college years he started a folk group, The Tyro Singers.
His education is rather extensive and it all started when he graduated from Clara City High School on May 29, 1961. From there, he earned several other degrees including a diploma from Willmar Community College on June 4, 1965, a Degree of Associate in Arts with Distinction from Willmar State Junior College on June 9, 1967, a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Cloud State College on June 13, 1969, a Master of Arts from St. Cloud State College on Aug. 21, 1970, and finally a Master of Fine Arts from The University of Iowa Dec. 20, 1974.
His professional career included over 35 years of post-secondary teaching as a professor in the fine arts, of which included jewelry, three dimensional sculpture, pottery, and painting. He also taught graphic design, digital photography, and video editing. He has works of art in many museums and college campuses including a sculpture in front of the Federal Building in Aberdeen, S.D.  A replica of the sculpture in Aberdeen is housed in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.
He also had many hobbies including collecting most anything Apple computer related, history, extensive reading, writing, photography, art, and traveling, especially to see the works of art he used to teach about. When he was traveling, he frequented many different places throughout the U.S. and abroad.
In 2005, he retired from Minnesota West Canby Campus to live at George Lake in Spicer. During his retirement he remained in constant contact with many friends and family over the internet and remained in love with living at the lake.

Gloria L.Jahn Hentges
Funeral service for Mrs. Gloria L. Jahn Hentges, age 82, of Canby, will be 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 19, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church with Rev. Janet Colby officiating. Gloria passed away Friday, May 15, 2009, in the Sanford Canby Medical Center in Canby.
Burial will be in St. Stephen’s Lutheran Cemetery, Canby.
Visitation will be from 5-7:30 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, May 18th in the Birk Funeral Home, in Canby and will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.
Memorials preferred to undesignated memorials at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church.
Gloria was born on Aug. 17, 1926, to Knut and Doris (Christianson) Knudson in Ortonville, where she was raised. Gloria attended and graduated from Granite Falls High School.
Gloria was united in marriage to Wayne Jahn on March 25, 1946 in Granite Falls. Following their marriage, they lived in Canby where they raised their family. On Feb. 17, 2000, Wayne passed away. She continued to live in Canby and was united in marriage to Ralph Hentges on Jan. 14, 2001. In the year 2004, Gloria suffered a stroke. She was lovingly and tenderly cared for by the nursing staff at Senior Haven for the next five years.
She was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Canby where she was active in the church choir and the ladies groups. She was also a VFW Auxiliary member and was a Girl Scout leader. Gloria loved her family, especially spending time with her children and grandchildren at holiday gatherings and at her lake cabin. She enjoyed cooking and entertaining family and friends, shopping of all kinds, traveling, Boston bulldogs, and had a passion for flip flops. Above all, she knew Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.
Gloria is lovingly remembered by her husband Ralph Hentges, Canby; four children: Jackie (Dick) Lundstrom, Sartell, Marsha (Gary) Morrissette, Eden Prairie, Jason (Janet) Jahn, Brookings, S.D., and Holly (Gary) Jerzak, Alexandria; 13 grandchildren: Laura (Lundstrom) Schrag, Amy Lundstrom, Tiffany (Morrissette) Williams, Guy Morrissette, Jeremiah Jerzak, Amber Jerzak, Kristy Jerzak, Tracy Jahn, Corey Jahn, Michael Jahn, Chelsey Jahn, Makaela Jahn, and Tyson Jahn; and a sister Katheryn Perucca of Mont.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Doris and Knut Knudson and husband, Wayne Jahn.

Josephine Differding
Mass of Christian Burial for Josephine “Josie” Differding, 87, of Minneota, were held May 11, 2009 at St. Edward Catholic Church in Minneota. Interment was at the Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Cemetery in Taunton. She passed away Thursday, May 7, 2009 at the Minneota Manor.
Josephine Mary (Kockelman) Differding was born February 6, 1922 in Omro Township, Yellow Medicine County to Phillip and Mary (Betzen) Kockelman. She grew up in Omro Township and attended school in St. Leo.
On May 24, 1944 she was united in marriage to Joe Differding.
She was very active at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic church, she belonged to CCW, choir and for many years ironed the altar linens.She was a lifetime member of the Catholic Aid Association. She enjoyed bowling, square dancing, baking Belgian cookies, ironing, playing bingo and word puzzles.
Differding is survived by her sons, David of San Francisco, CA, Paul (Ellen) of Chanhassen, Daniel of San Antonio, TX; daughters LuAnn (Mike) Fier of Minneota, Bev (Greg) DeVos of Plymouth; 12 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; brother, Wilfred (Jan) Kockelman and sisters, Mathilda (Bill) Ruhr and Regina (Larry) Fox.
She was preceded in death by her husband, daughters Bonnie and Brenda; grandson Neil; brothers, Bernard, Sylvester, Virgil, Leo and Herman and sisters Lucy Wenker, Susan Hartman, Ludvina Scheffler, Leona McMahon and Threscilla Kockelman.

Lillian Mamer
Mass of Christian Burial for Lillian Mamer, 80, of Canby were held on Monday, May 11, 2009 at St. Leo Catholic Church, St. Leo. She passed away on Friday, May 8, 2009 at Sanford Canby Medical Center.
Lillian Helen Jelen was born September 1, 1928 to Vincent and Mary Jelen in St. Leo. She was baptized, confirmed and received her First Communion at St. Leo Catholic Church, St. Leo.
On February 14, 1955 she was united in marriage to Roman Mamer.
She was a lifelong member of St. Leo Catholic Church and a member of Catholic Women’s Association.
She is survived by her husband, Roman; children, Steve Mamer of Wichita, KS; Brian (Carmon) Mamer of Porter; three grandchildren and two siblings, Lucille (Jelen) Kainz of St. Paul and Rita (Jelen) Pesek of Canby.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Edmund, Joseph, Albert, Al, Matt, Francis, Leo and Clem and sister Cecelia (Jelen) Eischens.

Martha Dee (Schwartz) Guthrie
Martha Dee (Schwartz, Guthrie, 95, of Dallas passed away on April 6, 2009.
She was born on June 3, 1913, to Joseph and Mary (Kapinos) Schwartz.
She graduated from Mankato State Teachers College in 1938 and MASW U of MN, 1947, she did post graduate work at the Unversity of Iowa and Southern Methodist University in 1959.
She was an American Red Cross worker and Assistant Field director during World War II in the Pacific Theater of Operations.
She was united in marriage to Robert Lee Guthrie on June 4, 1954. She was an educator and social worker in the Dallas area and published two genealogy books on her ancestors.
She is survived by one brother, Glenn W. Schwartz and one sister, Edna Gross.
She was preceded in death by her husband; one brother, Frank Schwartz; and sisters, Barbara Schwartz, Mary A. Schwartz, Ana L. Schwartz, Libbie J. Schwartz, Julia B. Schwartz and Blanche D. Schwartz.