Obituaries for Feb. 18, 2011
Doris Alarcon
Funeral service for Doris May Alarcon, 90, Andover, took place Feb. 17 at Thurston-DeShaw Funeral Home, Andover. Rev. Liane S. Rock officiated.
Alarcon died Feb. 12 at Anoka Care Center. She was born May 17, 1920 in Andover to George Morris and Essie Blanche (Smith) Smith. She worked for 35 1/2 years at Federal Cartridge, then at Dunkin’ Donuts and also 10 years at Cub Foods.
She is survived by three siblings; and daughters, Eva of Andover and Elaine (Barcly) Totten of Oxnard, Calif.
She was preceded in death by her parents; seven siblings; and ex-husband.
Interment was at Forest Hill Cemetery, Anoka. Arrangements were by Thurston-DeShaw Funeral Home, Andover.
Gary Bass
Memorial service for Gary J. Bass, 58, Watertown, Wis., formerly of Coon Rapids, will take place today (Friday, Feb. 18), 11 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, Coon Rapids, with social time one hour before the service.
Bass died Feb. 5.
He is survived by his wife, Julie (Forbord); mother, Doris; brothers, Mark (Patti) and Morris; son, Corey (Amanda); daughters, Chella (Pat) Hjelm and Angela (Erik) Derby; and in-laws and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, John Bass.
Baxter Beberg
Funeral service for Baxter G. Beberg, 82, Anoka, will take place tomorrow (Saturday, Feb. 19) at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Anoka, with reviewal from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Rev. Dennis Heiden will officiate.
Beberg died Feb. 2. He was born Feb. 7, 1938 to Charles and May Beberg. He graduated from Dunwoody Institute of Technology, was a retired heavy equipment diesel mechanic with H and S Asphalt as well as retired semi-truck driver with his wife Irene for Chalich Trucking and was a member of the Coon Rapids American Legion Post.
He is survived by his wife, Irene; children, Sandra (Kerry) Wirth, Dwayne (Jeana) Beberg, Norman (Barbara) Hillesland, Carlene (Michael) Johnson and Sandrah (Cristian) Erchedi; grandchildren, Brendan and Gabriella Beberg, Keturah Erchedi, Daine, Chantelle and Justin (Bridget) Johnson, Andrew and Zachary Hillesland, Paul Sobon and Jessica (Cory) Findlay; great-grandchildren, Connor and Logan Findlay; and siblings, Charles (Janice) Beberg and Harlan (Vonnie) Beberg.
He was preceded in death by his parents; children, Baxter Beberg and Kimberly Beberg; and siblings, Bradley Beberg, Julianna (Harlan) Hitchen and Brian Beberg.
Interment will take place at Kettle River at a later date.
James Christian
Funeral service for James D. Christian, 93, Anoka/Coon Rapids, will take place this morning (Friday, Feb. 18), 11 a.m., at St. Stephens Catholic Church, 525 Jackson Street, Anoka, with visitation one hour prior to Mass.
Christian died Feb. 13. He received his commercial and instructor ratings at Hinck’s Flying Service in 1941, instructed Army Air Corps cadets, was commissioned first lieutenant and flew a C-47 to Agra, India via Natal, Brazil, Ascension Island and Africa. After flying over 600 hours in four-engine cargo planes from India to China over the Himalaya mountains, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, Two Bronze Stars, the China Memorial Medal, the Chinese Air Force Wing and the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon. After his discharge in 1945, he was commissioned captain in the Army Reserve, became chief pilot for Hinck’s Flying Service at Wold-Chamberlain Airport, was a 60-year member and past commander of Aviation Post 511 American Legion, a member of OX-5 Aviation Pioneers and a member of the China-Burma-India Hump Pilots Association.
He is survived by his wife, Lillian Dehn Christian; children, Nancy, Michael and Linda; siblings, Lenore Crofford and Peter Christian, Jr.; grandchildren, Debra, Heather, James, Christina, Matthew and Mark; and great-grandchildren, Ryan, Noah and Alexander.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter V. and Geneveffa (St. Martin) Christian of Elk River; siblings, Sr. Aquin, OSB, Charles, Shorty, Harold and Eugene; daughter, Joan; and grandson, Steve Arrowsmith.
Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Anoka. Arrangements are by Methven-Taylor Funeral Home, Anoka.
Audrey Cook
Funeral service for Audrey J. Cook, 82, Coon Rapids, formerly of Ham Lake, will take place today (Friday, Feb. 18) at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Ham Lake. Rev. Brian Fragodt will officiate.
Cook died Feb. 12. She was born April 27, 1928 in Minneapolis to Melvin J. and Huldah W. (Beckman) Standal.
She is survived by her husband, Vernon; children, Susan Cook (Alex Grzywacki), Charles (Kathy), Stephen and Brian; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Interment will be at Brooklyn Crystal Cemetery. Arrangements are by Thurston-DeShaw Funeral Home, Andover.
Earl Dissmore
Funeral service for Earl William Dissmore, 65, Blaine, will take place today (Friday, Feb. 18). 10 a.m., at Church of St. Timothy, Blaine.
Dissmore died Feb. 8. He was born Dec. 22, 1945 and was retired from FMC/BAE Systems after 32 years.
He is survived by his wife, Theresa “Tess;” daughters, Carla Manahan, Wendy (Carrie), Tamra (James) and Shawn (Rebeca); and grandchildren, Alexandra, Colby, Kayden, Katelan and Emily.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Lugene; and stepmother, Alida Dissmore.
Arrangements are by Washburn-McReavy Coon Rapids Chapel.
Audrey Engren
Memorial service for Audrey Marie Engren, 65, Clear Lake, formerly of Blaine and Coon Rapids, took place Feb. 15 at Strike Funeral Home – Isanti Chapel. Rev. Howard Skulstad officiated.
Engren died unexpectedly Feb. 11 at the St. Cloud Hospital. She was born May 10, 1945 in Glenwood to Elvera and John Selix, Sr. Her family later moved to Coon Rapids where she lived her early years and after she was married, then they moved to Blaine where they lived for 29 years.
She is survived by her husband, Donald; daughter, Tammy (John) McCreery of Big Lake; son, Don of Blaine; grandchildren, Lauren, Haley, Austin and Jacob; brothers, Dewain (Char) Selix of Deer Creek, Mel (Jeanne) Selix of Isanti; sister, Joice Selix of Blaine; and many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Christine; an infant sister; and brothers, Bud, John, Jr. and Dave Selix.
Interment was at East Bradford Cemetery. Arrangements were by Strike Funeral Home – Isanti Chapel.
Marlin Ferrian
Funeral service for Marlin Ferrian, 86, Spring Lake Park, took place Feb. 14 at Methven-Taylor Funeral Home, Blaine.
He is survived by his wife, Doris; children, Galen (Lori), Dawn, Denny (Lou Ann); grandchildren, Shari (Justin), Tina, Lucas; many great-grandchildren; and other family and friends.
Interment was at Twitchel Cemetery, Lino Lakes. Arrangements were by Methven-Taylor Funeral Home, Blaine Chapel
Doris Flavion
Funeral service for Doris Helen Flavion, 80, Coon Rapids, took place Feb. 14 at Gearhart Funeral Home. Rev. Del Schnaidt officiated.
Flavion died Feb. 10. She was born Dec. 16, 1930 in Detroit, Mich., to John Pickering and Ella Thomson and was a retired customer service representative for credit collecting.
She is survived by her children, George, Alan (Debbie), Ted (Jan), Scott, Dawn (Dave) Parsons; grandchildren, Noel (Natalie), Kristine (Jason) Cannon, Doug, Ted Jr., Ashley, Bobby, Joe, Monica, Jessica, Aliexes, Abby and Nicole; great-grandchildren, Hunter, Gavin and Wyatt; sister, Barbara (Jerry) Lynn; and sister-in-law, Merelyn Pickering.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank; daughter, Lois Ann; granddaughter, Jenny; and brother, Gordon Pickering.
Arrangements were by Gearhart Funeral Home.
Philip Graber
Memorial service for Philip S. “Flip” Graber, 57, Andover, took place Feb. 11 at Faith Lutheran Church, Coon Rapids.
Graber was an active member of Minnesota Hockey, MPMA, Fridley Rotary, GSTA and MSRA and was retired after 25 years service with the Coon Rapids Police Reserve unit.
He is survived by his wife, Gayle; son, Tim (Kim); mother-in-law, Evelyn Hughes; grandchildren, Brett and Brady; brothers and sisters, Kenneth (Maureen), Kathy (Joel), Tom (Marianne), Sue (Mark); and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Arrangements were by Washburn-McReavy Coon Rapids Chapel.
Travis Hemmelgarn
Funeral service for Travis Hemmelgarn, 26, East Bethel, took place Feb. 10 at Fort Snelling Chapel.
Hemmelgarn died Feb. 5.
He is survived by his parents, Steve and Shelly; brothers, Matthew (Lindsey), Johnathan, Jared; niece, Madison; grandparents, Arthur and Lenore Lawrence and Mildred Hemmelgarn; and numerous other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Rosella DuBois; and grandfather, Walter Hemmelgarn.
Interment was at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Arrangements were by Washburn-McReavy Coon Rapids Chapel.
Mitchel Johnson
Funeral service for Mitchel R. Johnson, 13, Coon Rapids, took place Feb. 12 at Faith Lutheran Church, Coon Rapids.
Johnson died Jan. 30. He was born Jan. 1, 1998.
He is survived by his mother, Jessica (Bill) Martin; father, Roy Johnson; brothers, Joseph Parrish, Tyrell Parrish; sisters, Bambi (John) Kelley, Amanda Martin, Michelle (Lee) Kettner; paternal grandparents; two nieces and five nephews; many aunts and uncles; and large family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Betty and Joe Anderson and Robert Johnson.
Arrangements were by Washburn-McReavy Coon Rapids Chapel.
Thomas Richer
Memorial service for Thomas Edward Richer, 56, Anoka, took place Feb. 11 at Thurston-DeShaw Funeral Home, Andover. Ronald Arnold officiated.
Richer died Feb. 7 He was born April 8, 1954 in Winona to Emil William and Alice Mary (Eichman) Richer and owned and operated ACE Boiler Service.
He is survived is his wife, Pam; children, Kim, Cate (Dan) Zomok; mother, Alice; siblings, SanDe (John) Przytarski, Keith (Marge), Linda Strzyzewski, Barbara (Steve) Norman, Robert (Kathy); sisters-in-law, Diane (nee Zustiak) Richer and Diane (nee Hunter) Richer; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Emil; and siblings, Wayne, Donald, Michael and David.
Interment was at Hillside Crematory, Minneapolis. Arrangements were by Thurston-DeShaw Funeral Home, Andover.
Joyce Samuelson
Funeral service for Joyce Samuelson, 91, Champlin, took place Feb. 15 at Washburn-McReavy Coon Rapids Chapel.
Samuelson died Feb. 11.
She is survived by her daughter, Raenette (Paul) Nelson; grandchildren, Christopher, Lisa, Jeff, Wendy; 11 great-grandchildren; brothers, Dean and Dale; and sisters, Donna, Revae and Ferol.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Filmore; son, Randall; and brother, Hartley.
Interment was at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Arrangements were by Washburn-McReavy Coon Rapids Chapel.
Elaine Sutherland
Funeral service for Elaine Marie Sutherland, 75, Ramsey, took place Feb. 16 at United Methodist Church of Anoka. Revs. Joe Braucht and Lyndy Zabel officiated.
Sutherland died Feb. 12 at Mercy Hospital. She was born June 28, 1935 in Minneapolis to George Raymond and Gladys Dora (Herman) Kottke.
She is survived by her daughters, Cheryl Zimmerman and Jill (Kevin) Williams; grandchildren, Brandon (Julie) Williams, Chase Williams, Andrea Zimmerman and Garrett Zimmerman; and great-grandchildren, Luke and Molly Williams.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Barbara Jean; and parents, Gladys and George Kottke.
Pallbearers were Brandon, Chase and Garrett Williams, Andrea Zimmerman, Denny Reihe, Rick Lain and Rob Collier.
Interment was at Champlin Cemetery. Arrangements were by Thurston-Lindberg Funeral Home, Anoka.
Myrtle Thomas
Funeral service for Myrtle W. Thomas, 95, New Hope, took place Feb. 12 at Gearhart Funeral Home. Dan Schuster officiated.
Thomas died Feb. 5. She was born July 10, 1915 in Clayton, Wis., to John E. Erickson and Amelia T. Olson and was a retired optometric receptionist.
She is survived by her son, Griffeth Jr., Kirk and Kent (Nina); five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and many relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Griffeth.
Arrangements were by Gearhart Funeral Home.
Mary Wagner
Memorial service for Mary Ann Wagner, 64, Coon Rapids, took place Feb. 17 at Coon Rapids United Methodist Church.
Wagner died Feb. 10 after a three-year battle with cancer. She was a 34-year teacher and dean of students at Spring Lake Park and served as president of the North Suburban Women’s Club.
She is survived by her son, Michael Wagner; and aunt, Doris Olmschenk.
Arrangements were by Washburn-McReavy Coon Rapids Chapel.
Donald Walburn
Funeral service for Donald Walburn, 89, Oak Grove, took place Feb. 9 at Zion Lutheran Church, Anoka.
Walburn died Feb. 7 at the Anoka Care Center. He was born July 11, 1921 in Coon Rapids. He served in the U.S. Navy in World War II and worked for St. Marie’s Gopher News for many years.
He is survived by his wife, Iona; children, Cheryl (Dennis) Olesen, Cindy (Rick) Kravik, Brad, Don, Donna (Scott) and Debi (Bob); 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sisters, Cora Belle (Howard) Crane and Icy Ann (Bud) Kask; brothers-in-law, Kermit Irwin, Sam (Joan) Hovet, Dennis Hovet, Gerry (Roxanne) Hovet, Boyd Koehler; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son, Brian; parents, Leola and John; sisters, Ruth, Ruby, Thelma Ackley, Irma Irwin; brother, Willard; and sister-in-law, Marian Koehler.
Interment was at Morningside Memorial Gardens, Coon Rapids.
