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Charles Merritt
Charles "Chuck" Bickel Merritt, 68, Grand Forks, died April 20, 1997.
Mr. Merritt was born April 25, 1928, in North Platte, Neb., the son of Charles Brooks and Alpha May (Bickel) Merrit. As a child, he lived in Pine Bluffs, Wyo., Broadwater, Neb., Fort Collins, Colo. and Longmont, Colo. He graduated from Longmont High School in 1945 at the age of 17. Too young to enter the military, he joined the Merchant Marines, traveling by ship to many ports. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Korea with the occupational forces during World War II. He graduated from Denver University after returning from the military.
He married Lucia Evelyn Meader, Aug. 29, 1958, at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Longmont.
Mr. Merritt was an accountant for 20 years with Great Western Sugar in Colorado, living during that time in Sterling, Denver, Longmont, Windsor and Brighton; and for four years at the sugar company in Hillsboro. In 1977 he began 20 years of accounting at Minnkota Power Cooperative, eight years in Center, while living in Bismarck, and 12 years in Grand Forks.
He belonged to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was active in many callings over the years. He served as financial clerk, auditor, accompanist, bishop's councilor, stake high councilman and seminary teacher.
Mr. Merritt enjoyed music his entire life, playing the piano, organ, drums and singing. He especially enjoyed accompanying Primary Children's music on Sundays.
He sang with the Valley Chordsmen (Barbershop four-part harmony), and was on the personnel committee of the North Valley Arts Council, recently receiving the Volunteer of the Year award. He was a member of Minnkota Power Cooperative's Toastmasters and the Riverfork Federal Capitol Credit Union Board of Directors. In Colorado, he was a member of Masonic Lodge, Consistory, El Jebel Shrine and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. In Hillsboro he was active in Kiwanis. He and his wife were highly instrumental in the organization, training and administration of the Platte Valley Ambulance Corps in Brighton, where they were emergency medical technician instructors. They did prototyping of textbooks for the American Red Cross as well as teaching all levels of first aid. He was a volunteer fire and rescue member in Colorado. He enjoyed golfing, bowling, walking and biking.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Mary Arlene Merritt and Margaret Alice (Merritt) Trowbridge.
He is survived by his wife, Evelyn, Grand Forks; two sons and daughters-in-law, Charles "Chuck" William and Stephanie Marie (Heinz), Tulsa, Okla., and Edward "Ed" Alan and Lynn Marie (Bargmann), Frisco, Texas; two grandsons, Charles "Chuckie" Brooks Merritt and Brian Nicholas Merritt, both of Tulsa; three nieces; two nephews; his brother-in-law; and several cousins.
Chuck will be remembered for his constantly cheerful and positive attitude and his cooperative spirit and willingness to serve his fellowman. He was happiest when you were smiling.
A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 2814 Cherry St., Grand Forks. A time of fellowship will follow at the church.
Lenhardt Ritter
VENTURIA -- Lenhardt O. Ritter, 78, Venturia, died June 19, 1997, in his home. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Zion Lutheran Church, Ashley, with burial in Venturia Lutheran Cemetery.
He is survived by two sons, Gary, Kaiserslaughten, Germany, and Richard, Venturia; one daughter, Karmo Dollinger, Watford City; and one sister, Lenora Kauk, Ashley. (Carlsen Funeral Home, Ashley)
Bernice Garen
Bernice Garen, 68, 4208 Memorial Highway, Mandan, died June 21, 1997, in a Bismarck hospital. Arrangements are pending at Perry Funeral Home, Mandan.
Elmer Frank
STRASBURG -- Elmer Frank, 91, Strasburg, died June 19, 1997, in the Strasburg nursing home. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Strasburg, with burial in the church cemetery.
He is survived by one son, Herman, Oak Harbor, Wash. (Myers Funeral Home, Linton)
Richard Jacobsen
Richard L. "Dick" Jacobsen, 75, 208 E. Kavaney Drive, died June 20, 1997, in a Bismarck hospital. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Bismarck, with the Rev. Erik Saxvik officiating. Burial will be in North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, rural Mandan, with military rites by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1326.
Visitation will be from 4-9 p.m. today at Eastgate Funeral Service.
Richard was born Jan. 17, 1922, to Viggo A. and Anna Marie (Berdin) Jacobsen in Graetinger, Iowa. He was raised and educated at Lake Benton, Minn. He then served in the U.S. Navy during World War II aboard the U.S.S. Lexington, U.S.S. Chandeleur, U.S.S. Foreman, and U.S.S. Stribling, rising to the rank of chief electrician's mate. He married Hope M. Johnson, Aug. 15, 1945. Jacobsen then enrolled at University of Minnesota, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering. He graduated in 1949 and began his career with Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. as an electrical engineer in Bismarck. In 1950 he was promoted to assistant electrical superintendent in Dickinson. In 1952 he was made superintendent. He was selected to be division manager for MDU in Sheridan, Wyo., in 1958. He was transferred to Williston as division manager in 1965, and in 1967, he made his final move to Bismarck, where he was division manager of MDU until his retirement in 1985. Jacobsen was very active in Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Rotary Club, Apple Creek Country Club, American Legion, Masons and Elks. He served on the board of directors for Medcenter One; was a founding member of the board of directors for Missouri Valley Family YMCA. He was also a team leader for the Governor's Management Task Force.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Hope; one daughter and son-in-law, Ann and Robert Udland, Bismarck; one son and daughter-in-law, Jeffrey and Michele, Lee's Summit, Mo.; one granddaughter, Lisa Udland; one grandson, Nicolai Jacobsen; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Carol and Lloyd Dressen, Pipestone, Minn., and Nancy Rogers, Windom, Minn.; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Stanley and Emmy, Berkeley, Calif., and John and Francine, Estherville, Iowa; and many special golfing friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother, Sarah; and a younger brother, Michael.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Medcenter One Foundation.
Emma Uttke
Emma Uttke, 88, Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center, died June 21, 1997, in a Bismarck hospital. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Bismarck.
Visitation will be from 2-9 p.m. today and 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday at Eastgate Funeral Service, and will continue at the church one hour before services.
Lawrence Heckman
VALLEY CITY -- Services for Lawrence R. Heckman, 76, Valley City, will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Valley City, with the Rev. Paul Brown officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens, Valley City. Mr. Heckman died June 21, 1997, in the Valley City hospital.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday at Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel, Valley City, and will continue at the church one hour before services.
Lawrence R. Heckman was born April 8, 1921, in Getchell Township, Barnes County. He was the son of John and Emily (Froelich) Heckman. Lawrence attended school in Getchell Township and graduated from Valley City High School in 1940. After high school, he worked for Knerr Dairy in Valley City and in Fargo.
Mr. Heckman married Ethel Spoerl, Feb. 7, 1942, in Moorhead, Minn. He entered the U.S. Army, July 13, 1942, and was honorably discharged Oct. 12, 1943. After returning to North Dakota, Lawrence began working in Marion where he was a mechanic. The couple later moved to Valley City where Lawrence worked for R&G Auto Suupply and for Dakota Auto. In 1957, Lawrence, along with Dale Schmitz, formed the partnership H&S Auto Electric. After his retirement in 1975, Lawrence farmed for a time. In 1978, Ethel and Lawrence built a home in Arkansas where they spent their winters until 1995.
Lawrence was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, and also a past council member. He was a member of Disabled American Veterans, Amvets, Knights of Pythias, Eagles, Elks, and a former member of Valley City Rifle and Pistol Club.
He is survived by his wife, Ethel; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Kathleen and Tom Langemo, Fingal, Barb and Gordon Erickstad, Bismarck, and Jan Heckman, Fargo; one brother and two sisters-in-law, Bernard and Clarice, and Joie Heckman, all of Valley City; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Dorothy Kilcrease, Paradise, Calif., and Geneva and Gordon Shockley, Valley City; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Pamela; and one brother, Lloyd.
Irene Albers
HAZEN -- Irene Albers, 87, Hazen, died Nov. 6, 1997, in Fessenden. Services will be 10 a.m. MST Monday at St. Martin's Catholic Church, Hazen. Further arrangements are pending with Seibel Funeral Home, Hazen.
Denver Biby
LANGDON -- Denver Biby, 87, Langdon, died Nov. 5, 1997, in a Langdon nursing home. Services will be 10 a.m. Monday at United Methodist Church of Langdon. Burial will be in Clyde Cemetery, Clyde.
He is survived by three sons, Robert of Pacifica, Calif., Thomas of Wales and William of Bismarck; and one daughter, Nancy of Pensacola, Fla. (Brooks Funeral Home, Langdon)
Victor Glatt
Victor Glatt, 66, 1604 Pennsylvania Ave., Bismarck, died Nov. 7, 1997, at his home. Further arrangements are pending with Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck.
Patricia Grueneich
Patricia "Pat" Grueneich, 49, Bismarck, died Nov. 6, 1997, at her home after a long struggle with cancer. Services will be 2 p.m. Monday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Bismarck. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck.
Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. Sunday at Bismarck Funeral Home; and one hour prior to services at the church.
Pat was born March 26, 1948, in Bismarck, the daughter of Leo and Verna (Riskedahl) Pfiefle. She was raised and educated in Washburn, graduating from Washburn High School.
She then attended nursing school at St. Joseph's Hospital School of Nursing in Dickinson. She graduated as an LPN in 1967.
She worked at Denver General Rose Memorial Hospital, in Denver, from 1968-1969. She returned to North Dakota and worked at Medcenter One in Bismarck.
Pat married her high school sweetheart, Gary Grueneich, on Sept. 14, 1969, at First Lutheran Church in Washburn. They moved to San Clemente, Calif., while Gary was in the Marine Corps.
They returned to North Dakota in 1973, and Pat resumed working at Medcenter One for several years. She took some time off to raise her children and also did child care for her sister's children, Josh, Brooke, and Matthew.
Pat was like a second mom, especially to Matthew. She also provided child care to Michelle and Lukas Neumann, children of Dr. Nick and Jean Neumann. They were very special to her.
Pat returned to work as a nurse in 1991 at Medcenter One, Mandan, where she especially enjoyed working with the elderly and felt rewarded working with hospice clients.
Pat's greatest enjoyment was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She was creative in crafts and cake decorating. She will be remembered as a very loving person.
She is survived by her husband, Gary; one son and daughter-in-law, Chad and Lori of Fargo; one daughter, Kari of Bismarck; three grandchildren, Jackie, Carson and John Paul; her parents, Leo and Verna Pfiefle of Washburn; one brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Kathy Pfiefle of Bismarck; one sister and brother-in-law, Mike and Judy Maslowski of Bismarck; one sister-in-law, Cindy Pfiefle Weiand of Mandan; and several nieces and nephews.
Pat always had a special connection with animals and will be missed by her black lab, Kaija; and cats, Charlie, Nugs and Mary Jane.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents; and one brother, Rob. (Bismarck Funeral Home)
Elizabeth Krogstad
RUGBY -- Elizabeth Raynette Krogstad, 80, Rugby, died Nov. 6, 1997, in the Rugby hospital. Services will be 10 a.m. Monday at First Lutheran Church, Rugby.
She is survived by one daughter, Gail Krogstad of Rugby; and two sons, Mark of Rugby and Larry of Grand Forks. (Niewoehner Funeral Home, Rugby)
Lorene Putney
Lorene June Putney, 60, Junction City, Kan., formerly of Bowman, died Nov. 1, 1997, at her home. Services will be 10 a.m. Monday at Bowman Lutheran Church. Burial will be in Bowman Cemetery.
She is survived by her husband, James; and three brothers, Nate Lininger of Bowman, Murt Lininger of Sacramento, Calif., and Irvin Lininger of Rock Springs, Wyo. (Krebsbach Funeral Home, Bowman)
Thea Thon
WILLISTON -- Thea Thon, 84, Williston, died Nov. 6, 1997, in a Williston nursing home. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church, Williston. Burial will be in Hillside Memory Gardens, Williston.
She is survived by two daughters, Donna Nice of Humble, Texas, and Sharon Gosline of Williston; and one sister, Inga Simle of Williston. (Everson Funeral Home, Williston)
Nickolas Vogel
Nickolas J. Vogel, 64, 814 N. Anderson St., Bismarck, died Nov. 7, 1997, in a Bismarck hospital. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at Church of Corpus Christi, Bismarck, with the Rev. Steve Zastoupil officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck.
Visitation will be tonight at 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1-9 p.m., both at Perry Funeral Home, Mandan, and for one hour prior to services at the church. A rosary will be said at 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, followed by a vigil service.
Nickolas was born Oct. 9, 1933, in Timmer. He was raised and educated in the Sweetbriar area and worked on the family farm until 1954, when he moved to Bismarck.
He worked at various service stations as an auto mechanic until 1971, when he owned and operated U-Rent and Sales. He retired in 1986 due to health reasons.
He was a member of Knights of Columbus since 1966, and was a fourth degree member. He was instigator of the Knights of Columbus Color Guard, which participated at many football, basketball and National Guard functions.
He is survived by his wife, Anna; two daughters and one son-in-law, Wanita and Mike Bernal of Miami and Debera Vogel of Sacramento, Calif.; one son and daughter-in-law, Alan and Mary Vogel of Fargo; one sister, Genevive Vogel Robinson of Bismarck; one brother, Augestine Vogel of Bismarck; five grandsons; and one granddaughter.
Marvin Limesand
JAMESTOWN -- Marvin A. Limesand, 81, Jamestown, died July 8, 1997, in Jamestown. Services are scheduled for 10-30 a.m. Friday at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Jamestown, with burial in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Jamestown.
He is survived by his wife, Bertha; three brothers, Fred, Woodworth, Norman, Marion, and Claire, Deer Lodge, Mont.; four sisters, Laura Krueger and Violet Weber, both of Jamestown, June Ernie, Rogers, and Beatrice Brown, Montpelier; and one daughter, Carol Stroble, Kulm. (Eddy Funeral Home, Jamestown)
Pauline Lefor
DICKINSON -- Pauline Lefor, 97, Dickinson, died July 9, 1997, in the Dickinson hospital. Services will be at 10 a.m. MDT Monday at St. Elizabeth's Church, Lefor. Further arrangements are pending at Price-Murphy Funeral Home, Dickinson.
Rose Gleich
BEULAH -- Rose Gleich, 86, Beulah, died July 8, 1997, in the Hazen hospital. Services will be at 10 a.m. MDT Friday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Beulah, with burial in the church cemetery.
She is survived by two daughters, Evelyn Wilson, Bismarck, and Shirley Hipfner, Beulah. (Seibel Funeral Home, Beulah)
