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Fredrick Wohlfort
Fredrick H. Wohlfort, 93 died
June 15th at the Milbank Area Hospital - Avera Health.
Funeral services will be Friday, June 19th at 2:00 p.m. at Hope Lutheran Church in Summit. Rev. Justin Neugebauer will officiate and burial will be in the Hope Lutheran Cemetery.
Visitation will be at the church in Summit on Thursday from 5 – 7 p.m. and continue Friday, one hour prior to the service. Honorary bearers will be his coffee friends from the Stockman’s Café and his friends at the Hi Rise Apartments. Casket bearers will be his grandchildren. Music will be provided by Rev. Justin and Pam Neugebauer.
Fredrick H. Wohlfort was born May 27, 1916, in Polickville, Alberta, Canada. He was the son of Fred and Freida (Thies) Wohlfort. He was six weeks old when his parents moved from Canada to a farm south of Clark, SD. They later moved to a farm near Marvin, SD.
Fred graduated from high school in 1934. He worked bailing hay for Herman Halvorson at $3.00 per week and also farmed with his parents. In 1936, he began farming on his own. In 1944, he moved south of Summit, SD and in 1947, moved into Summit to care for his mother. In 1948, he worked for Operation Snow Bound west river, at Fort Randall Dam.
Fred’s next job took him to Greenland. He spent 49 months there and ran a maintenance shop in charge of 96 men. He was responsible for the upkeep of 700 trucks and tractors. He was paid $3.85 per hour and worked 85 hours a week. He saw first hand and played a big role in building “The City Below the Ice.”
Fred returned to Summit and bought a motor grader and cleaned township roads for a living. He also started his own repair shop in Summit. He was united in marriage in 1969, with Marion Hansen Grabow. They raised seven children and shared 20 years together. Fred most recently was spending his winters at the Hi-Rise Apartments in Watertown, SD and his summers in Summit. He was an avid collector and restorer of gasoline engines.
Fredrick Wohlfort is survived by three step sons: Maynard and wife Loree Grabow of Rapid City, SD; Mylo and wife Brenda Grabow of Rapid City, SD; Mark and wife Ann Grabow of Big Stone City, SD; three step daughters: Marilyn and husband Allen Theye of Milbank, SD; Margie and husband Roger Wright of Summit, SD and Mitzi and husband Royce Strasser of Summit, SD; a son-in-law: Vernon Kauk of Turpin, OK; 17 step grandchildren; 25 step great grandchildren; and 3 step great great grandchildren; one sister: Lena Kikka of Rockford, IL.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Marion, one step daughter, Myrna Kauk and one step granddaughter Aimee Sell.
Father John Garvey
Father John Garvey, age 76, died February 4, 2009 in Yankton, SD.
Graveside services will be held Saturday, June 20th at 11:30 a.m. at St. Lawrence Cemetery in Milbank. Father Ken Lulf will officiate and a luncheon will follow at St. Lawrence Parish Center.
John Garvey was born April 17, 1932, in Milbank, SD. He was the son of Mike and Rose Garvey. He graduated from St. Lawrence Catholic School and Milbank High School. While in high school he developed an interest in photography which became a lifelong hobby. As a high school student, he worked part time at Fischer’s Studio.
In preparation for the priesthood he studied at Regis College, Denver; St. Jerome College, Kitchener, Ontario, and Saint Paul Seminary, St. Paul. He was ordained on May 26, 1958, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church. Among the many parishes he served were St. Thomas More, Brookings; St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Sioux Falls;Sacred Heart, Aberdeen; St. Thomas, Madison; Christ the King, Sioux Falls; St. Anthony, Selby; Platte, Robey and Geddes; Groton and Andover; St. Anthony, Bristol; St. Joseph, Lily and Immaculate Conception, Waubay.
Father Garvey was the first St.Lawrence parishioner to be ordained a priest. He was an advocate for social justice, and had been involved in Native American, refugee, immigration and other issues. He had at one time taken issue with the US government and went to court rather than comply with what he considered to be illegal.
In 1970, he was appointed director of the Aquinas Newman Center in Aberdeen, a position he held for six years. In early 1991, he spent sabbatical time at the American College at Louvain, Belgium. He retired from parish ministry in 2002.
Survivors include a sister, Attorney Mary Keller and husband John of Huron, SD; a sister-in-law, Rita of Clearwater, FL and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Brother James Garvey, S.J. and Tim Garvey.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held in February at Sacred Heart Monastery.
Fred Sorenson
Fred Sorenson, age 66, of Wilmot died June 3rd at Prairie Lakes Hospital in Watertown.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, June 7th at 2:30 p.m. at the Wilmot Community Center. Officiating will be Craig Winquist and Jacob Nelson. Burial will be in the Wilmot Cemetery.
Visitation will be Saturday at Mundwiler Faith Chapel in Wilmot from 5 – 8 p.m. and continue at the Community Center on Sunday, one hour prior to the service.
Music will be provided by Betty Knutson, pianist. Honorary bearers will be all family and friends. Casket bearers will be: Robert Sorenson, Steven Sorenson, LeRoy Sorenson, Brad Eckel, Mark Jones, and James Remund.
Fred LeRoy Sorenson was born June 15, 1942, in Sisseton, SD. He was the son of Magnus and Bertha (Vogt) Sorenson. Fred graduated from Sisseton High School in 1960. He was united in marriage with Joyce Jensen on June 19, 1964, in Sisseton. Fred and Joyce were blessed with five children: Loretta, LeRoy, Robert, Steven, and Kimi.
Fred farmed for many years in the Wilmot area.He enjoyed woodworking and carpentry. He dearly loved his grandchildren and always enjoyed time with family and friends.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Joyce of Wilmot; five children: Loretta Peterson of Esko, MN; LeRoy and wife Virginia Sorenson of Overland Park, KS; Robert and wife Lindy Sorenson of Wilmot; Steven and wife Shiree Sorenson of New Zealand; and Kimi and husband Brad Eckel of Cloquet, MN; seven grandchildren; his mother: Bertha Sorenson of Spearfish, SD and one sister: Berniece and husband Larry Lungren of Spearfish, SD.
He was preceded in death by his father, Magnus Sorenson.
Gaylene Stengel
Gaylene (Mrs. Doug) Stengel, age 57, of Milbank died June 2nd at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls following a brief battle with cancer.
Funeral services will be Saturday, June 6th at 2:00 p.m. at Central United Methodist Church. Rev. Mark Phillips will officiate and burial will be in the Milbank Cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday at Mundwiler Funeral Home from 4 – 7 p.m. and continue at the church on Saturday, one hour prior to the service. Music will be provided by Ray Ogdahl, vocalist.
Casket bearers will be: Eric and Sarah Stengel, Brandon Stengel and Marie Parish, Alex Stengel, and Nathan Stengel.
Gaylene Marie (Holen) Stengel was born November 29, 1951, in Clear Lake, SD. She was the daughter of Julius and Ruth (Bostic) Holen. She graduated from Clear Lake High School and attended South Dakota State University. Gaylene was united in marriage on September 1, 1973, with Douglas Stengel in Brandt, SD.
Gaylene and Doug made their home north of Milbank. They were blessed with three children: Seth, Ryan and Libby. Gaylene worked as a teacher’s aid and at First Federal Bank prior to her joining her husband’s business, Stengel Seed and Grain.
Gaylene was a member of Central United Methodist Church. She adored and cherished her grandsons, Dylan and Dru. Winter trips to Mexico were exciting and always enjoyed. She liked baskets, decorating, and shopping. Her family will miss her wonderful cooking. She also enjoyed gardening and yard work.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Doug of Milbank; one daughter: Libby Stengel of Denver, CO; one son: Ryan and wife Becky Stengel of Sioux Falls, SD; two grandsons: Dylan and Dru Stengel of Sioux Falls, SD; her mother: Ruth Holen of Clear Lake, SD and one sister: Gwen and husband Bruce Johnson of Calabasas, CA.
She was preceded in death by her father, Julius and son, Seth.
Pamela Rae Fonder
Pamela Fonder, age 57 of Watertown, formerly of Milbank passed away at her home in the arms of her loving family on May 17th .
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, May 22nd at 10:00 a.m. at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank. Father Ken Lulf and Father Joe Forcelle will officiate and burial will be in the St. Lawrence Cemetery.
Visitation will be Thursday at Mundwiler Funeral Home beginning at 5 p.m. followed by a scripture and rosary service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue Friday morning at the church, one hour prior to the Mass.
Music will be provided by Nancy Johnson, organist and the St. Lawrence Funeral Choir. Honorary bearers will be: Jerry and Debra Wittrock, Sr.
Casket bearers will be: Brian Scott, John Fonder, Mike Persinger, Dustin Blum, Dezmond Ward, and Paul Fonder.
Pamela Rae (Ward) Fonder was born January 4, 1952, in Milbank, SD. She was the daughter of Ray and LaVerna (Blum) Ward. She was united in marriage on February 20, 1971, with James Bernard Fonder.
Pam farmed with her husband north of Milbank. She also worked at St. William’s Care Center, Alco, Whetstone Valley Care Center, and Dakotah Sewing Factory. Her husband, Jim died on June 13, 1998. Pam moved to Madison, SD in 1999, then moved to Watertown, SD in 2004 and has since resided.
Pam’s family and her faith in God were very important in her life. She dearly loved her children and was very proud of each grandchild. She was always willing to help a friend or stray animal in need. Her family will fondly remember her love, care and concern for them. She was a wonderful cook and everyone was always welcome in her home. She was a long time member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank and a current member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watertown.
Grateful for having shared her life are her children and grandchildren: Lisa Clark and son Gregory of Omaha, NE; Angela and husband Chris Hillberg and daughters: Haley, Kaitlyn, and Jarika of Watertown, SD; Daniel and wife Jennifer Fonder and children: Brady, Desirae, and Alexander of Watertown, SD; Michael Fonder of Madison, SD; Christopher and wife Lynsy Fonder and daughter Kylie of Watertown, SD; Pam’s fiancé Carl Persinger of Watertown, SD and his family: Mike and wife Hope Persinger and children: Clayton, Alyssa, and Alexander; three brothers: Douglas and wife Wilma Ward of Conway, AR; Phillip and wife Ursel Ward of Luneburg, Germany and James and wife Kathy Ward of Milbank, SD; two sisters-in-law: Marie Scott of Ortonville, MN and Eileen Fonder of Milbank, SD and brother-in-law: Dennis and wife Arlene Fonder of Milbank, SD and all her many nieces and nephews.
Jane Krueger,
Jane Krueger, age 65 of Milbank died May 15th at St. William’s Care Center.
Memorial services will be Saturday, May 23rd at 11:00 a.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home. Pastor Bruce Huber will officiate and burial will be at a later date in the Webster Cemetery.
Jane JoAnn (Huber) Krueger was born October 19, 1943, in Eureka, SD. She was the daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Edinger) Huber. She graduated from Cresbard High School. Jane was united in marriage on June 28, 1963, with Donovan Krueger.
Jane lived many years in Milbank. She was a homemaker and a nurse’s aid at Golden Living Center. Her husband died in August of 1972.
Jane is survived by two sons: Keith Krueger of Milbank, SD and Kevin Krueger of Watertown, SD; four grandchildren: Devin, Ashlynne, Brianna and Keanna Krueger; three brothers: Ken and wife Jan Huber of Pierre, SD; Bob and wife Dee Huber of Jefferson, CO; Bruce and wife Carmen Huber of Rapid City, SD; one sister: Jan Goheen of Rapid City, SD. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.
Herbert A. Johnson
Herbert A. Johnson, age 83 of Milbank died May 15th at Golden Living Center in Milbank.
Funeral services will be Monday, May 18th at 2:00 p.m. at Parkview United Methodist Church. Rev. Beth Conrad will officiate and burial will be in the Milbank Cemetery.
Visitation will be Sunday at Parkview United Methodist Church from 4 – 7 p.m. and continue Monday, one hour prior to the service.
Military honors will be presented by the American Legion, Birch-Miller Post # 9 and the VFW Grant County Post #3486. Casket bearers will be his grandchildren: Kim Wendland, Cheryl Adelman, Tonya Wendland, Cory Wendland, Jeremy Watts, Jessica Watts, Ben Johnson, and Alicia Johnson.
Herbert Allen Johnson was born June 26, 1925 on the family farm near Marvin, SD. He was the son of Elmer and Bertina (Barlund) Johnson. He attended school through the eighth grade and also received an honorary high school diploma. Herbert served in the United States Army, enlisting on May 14, 1945, and was honorably discharged on December 12, 1946. He was united in marriage with Marcella Manning on June 27, 1948 in Milbank, SD.
Herbert farmed many years on the family farm south of Milbank. He was a school bus driver and served on the Vernon #7 School Board for many years. Herbert was a member of Parkview United Methodist Church and served on the board of Trustees and was a church custodian.
Herbert is survived by his wife, Marcella of Milbank; three daughters: Linda Wendland of New London, MN; Audrey and husband Dixon Osswald of Colorado Springs, CO; LaVonne Watts of Willmar, MN and one son: Kenneth and wife Cheryl Johnson of Crookston, MN; 8 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; one brother: Gordon Johnson of Milbank and one sister: Marilyn Stemsrud of Stockholm, SD. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Bill Meyers
Willard "Bill" Meyers, age 84 of Milbank died May 14th at Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls.
Funeral services will be Monday, May 18th at 10:30 a.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church. Rev. Keith Bicknase will officiate and burial will be in the MilbankCemetery.
Military honors will be provided by the American Legion, Birch-Miller Post #9 and the VFW Grant County Post #3486.
Visitation will be Sunday at Mundwiler Funeral Home from 4-7 p.m. and continue at the church on Monday, one hour prior to the service. Music will be provided by Roger Goosen, organist and Tim Mundwiler, vocalist.
Casket bearers will be:
Willard T. Meyers was born February 18, 1924, in Roberts County, SD. He was the son of Willard A. and Verna (Lambert) Meyers. He graduated from Milbank High School in 1942. He served in the United States Navy enlisting on April 14, 1943. Bill served for four years and was honorably discharged on March 17, 1946. Bill returned to Milbank. He was united in marriage on June 9, 1947, with Margaret Miller, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA.
Bill worked for Ideal Dairy while he was in school. Following his return to Milbank he worked as a car salesman for Milbank Implement; J. H. Drewelow Ford, and Service Chevrolet. Margaret died April 17, 1994. Bill was later united in marriage with Mary Jane (Angerhofer) Pochardt on October 27, 2001, at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank, SD.
Bill enjoyed Quarter Horses, winning many trophies and ribbons and local shows and participating in trail rides. He loved to travel and enjoyed his time in Mexico, making annual winter trips. He also wintered in Apache Junction, AZ for many years. He was a faithful member of the morning coffee group, and always enjoyed the friendship.
Bill Meyers is survived by his wife, Mary Jane of Milbank; five step children: Steven and wife Beverly Pochardt of Boise, ID; Susan and husband Gary Schuller of Piedmont, MO; John and wife Debra Pochardt of Boise, ID; Jo and husband Bill Harrington of Phoenix, AZ and Nancy and husband Greg Morgan of Mission Viejo, CA; six step grandchildren; a sister-in-law: Marian and husband Charles Benting of Milbank; nephews: Danny Meyers of Red Wing, MN and Keith and wife Jamie Bracht of Rapid City, SD; and one niece: Debbie Bond of Savage, MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Laurel; and his first wife, Margaret.
Elsie Theye
Elsie Theye, age 87, of Wilmot died May 5th at the Wilmot Care Center.
Funeral services will be Friday, May 8th at 2:00 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Wilmot. Rev. Glenn Schultz will officiate and burial will be in the Wilmot Cemetery.
Visitation will be Thursday at Mundwiler Faith Chapel from 4-7 p.m. and continue at the church on Friday, one hour prior to the service.
Honorary bearers will be her grandchildren: Preston Theye, Harlan Theye, Lacey Oines, Jennifer Nolte, Tricia Ammann, Nateale Ammann, and Danielle Theye. Casket bearers will be grandhchildren: Mylon Ammann, Tyler Oines, Brian Jones, Adam Jones, Darin Theye, Aaron Theye. Music will be provided by Donna Kaufman, organist; Carol Theye and Ashley Anderson will be the vocalists.
Elsie Mary Margaret Reyelts was born April 24, 1922, to Claus and Minnie (Meyn) Reyelts of Wilmot, SD. She grew up with her family of 13 siblings on farms south of Wilmot, one of which was destroyed and then rebuilt after the 1944 tornado. She graduated from the 8th grade, but liked to inform her grandchildren that she completed school in seven years.
She married Harold H. Theye on December 22, 1949. They worked on farms by Corona and Marvin for a few years before purchasing their current farm north of Wilmot.
Elsie was a hard worker her entire life. She helped with the farm work including milking cows, gardening, kept a neat house, was a good cook, and raised six children. She mowed her large lawn with a push mower until just last year. Elsie was a member Our Savior’s LutheranChurch, involved with the Ladies’ Aid, Wilmot Senior Citizens, and the Nursing Home Auxiliary. Elsie loved to get together with family, play cards, and dance. For the last several years she has had a dear friend and companion, Dale Blum of Correl, MN. Elsie entered the Wilmot Care Center in March of this year.
Elsie is preceded in death by her husband Harold who passed away October 15, 1984, her parents, her sisters: Betty Scott and Marlene Hansvold and her husband Jack; her brothers: Herman, William and wife Doris, Elmer in WWII, Henry, Peter, John, Rudolf, and infant brothers Alvin and Marlin; her father and mother- in-law: Herman and Katherine Theye; and one brother-in-law: Stephen Scheer.
Elsie Theye is survived by her sons: Kenneth and wife Patof Salisbury, NC; Leon and wife Carol of Wilmot; Earl of Wilmot; daughters: Judy and husband Roger Oines of Brookings, SD; Nancy and husband Tom Jones of Huron, SD; and Patricia and husband Todd Ammann of Sioux Falls, SD; 13 grandchildren: Jennifer and Wes Nolte, Harlan Theye, Preston and Amy Theye, Darin Theye, Aaron Theye, Danielle Theye, Lacey Oines, Tyler Oines, Adam and Cassie Jones, Brian Jones, Tricia Ammann, Mylon Ammann, and Nateale Ammann; and 7 great-grandchildren: Seth & Ty Nolte, Makenzie and Kimberlee Theye, Jaydn Jones, Leah Jones, and Kadyn Ammann; brothers: Orville and wife Irene Reyelts of Wilmot; Arnold and wife Marilyn Reyelts of Milbank; brother-in-law: Harry Scott of Wilmot; sisters-in-law: Arlene Reyelts of Wilmot; Dorothy Reyelts of Mt. Vernon, MO; Betty Reyelts of Wilmot; Doris Reyelts of Wilmot; Marilyn Reyelts of Watertown, SD; Viola Scheer, and Eileen and husband Steve Holliday, all of Fairbury, NE.
Verna Brown
Verna Brown, age 74 of Milbank died May 1st at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, May 5th at 11:00 a.m. at Central United Methodist Church in Milbank. Rev. DeVern Schwenn and Father John McMullen, OSB will officiate. Burial will be in the St. Charles Cemetery in Big Stone City.
Visitation will be Monday at Mundwiler Funeral Home beginning at 5p.m. followed by a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church Tuesday morning, one hour prior to the service.
Honorary bearers will be all her friends and relatives. Casket bearers will be: Brad Seehafer, Kevin Seehafer, Rod Seehafer, Richard Bohn, Wayne Dragt, and Ken Dragt.
Verna (Bohn) Brown was born June 23, 1934, in Milbank, SD. She was the daughter of Harry H. and Viola L. (Kruger) Bohn. She attended rural school near Twin Brooks, SD. Verna was united in marriage on April 11, 1953, with Charles T. Brown at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank.
Verna farmed with her husband on the family homestead in Big Stone Township for many years. She enjoyed visiting with friends and spending time with her family. Flowers and gardening brought her enjoyment and she love to work circle word puzzles.
Verna Brown is survived by her daughter and son-in-law: Mary and David Whempner of Wilmot; two brothers: Orval and wife Doris Bohn of Milbank; Stanley and Patricia Bohn of Fremont, NE; three sisters: Helen Sleaper of Burlington, WI; Elenora Keller of Belt, MT and LaVonne and husband Alvin Seehafer of Milbank; a sister-in-law: Phyllis Bohn of Mesa, AZ.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sisters: Macella Lewis and Shirley Draght and one brother: Howard Bohn.
Rev. Wilfred C. Hansen
Rev. Wilfred C. Hansen, age 80, of Ortonville died April 25th at Northridge Residence in Ortonville.
Funeral services will be Friday, May 1st at 11:00 a.m. at First English Lutheran Church in Ortonville. Rev. Marlene Elmstrom will officiate and burial will be in the Mound Cemetery.
Visitation will be at the church on Thursday, beginning at 5 p.m. followed by a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue Friday morning, one hour prior to the service.
Music will be provided by Jerome Goddard, organist and a vocal duet by daughters, Peggy Alexander and Liz Goddard.
Honorary bearers will be BJ Kotek, Wilfred C. Hansen, III, Frank Weiss, Dr. Robert Ross, and the staff of Northridge Residence. Casket bearers will be: Wilfred Hansen, Jr., Phillip Hansen,Ron Grimes, Devin Grimes, Brendon Grimes, and Jim Kaercher.
Wilfred Carl Hansen was born August 25, 1928, in Seattle, Washington. He was the son of Carl Wilfred and Esther Marie (Lundgren) Hansen being the third of four children. Following high school graduation in 1946, he married Harriette Neruda and was off to North Park College in Chicago, Illinois with his new bride and his whole life ahead of him. He and Harriette had 7 children.
Even at that young age he knew he wanted to become a minister and pursued that goal attending 4 colleges and universities from 1946, until 1959, until he received his B.S. degree and was ordained as a minister. His career as a minister started almost immediately however, as he was called to be the pastor of the Community Church of Boulder Junction, Wisconsin in 1947. It was a brand new church and he a brand new minister, a perfect match. He put his young energy and enthusiasm to work to grow the membership and program. In 1948, he started the Evangelical Covenant Community Church of St. Germaine, Wisconsin and helped them raise the funds to build a church building for the new congregation.He served both churches until he was called to serve as pastor of the Evangelical Covenant Church of Chicago Heights, Illinois in 1951, which he served for 6 years. During that time he served as instructor and supervisor for the Happiday School for Mentally Retarded Children at the Jones Memorial Community Center in Chicago Heights. His Ordination was in the Evangelical Mission Covenant church of America in Seattle, WA on December 4, 1955. In 1957 he, with his growing family, moved to Bridgeport, Connecticut to become the pastor of the Covenant Congregational Church. His life had already taken him on an amazing journey. At the age of 31, he had finally received his college degree, had been a minister for 12 years, served 4 churches and had 5 children.
In 1961, he caught his breath and left the ministry for a short time to become an insurance agent. He enjoyed this new challenge but missed being a minister, and in 1962, moved to Chicago, Illinois to become pastor of the Congregational Church of Jefferson Park. Wilfred was very involved in the community as well, and this was the 60’s, a time of social unrest. He and other fellow ministers found themselves marching, wearing their clergy collars, with Martin Luther King in support of equal opportunity and fair housing. This inspired him to leave Jefferson Park Church in 1967, to become Program Director of the Downtown Chicago YMCA Hotel. During that time he also served as interim pastor of the Congregational Church of Ravenswood, the Manor Community Church of Chicago and The Central Church of Chicago. He also became National Executive Director of the Christian Family Movement during that time. These were turbulent times in many ways, and in 1969, he and Harriette divorced.
Wilfred married Phylliss Grimes on October 24, 1969. In 1973, he left his position at the YMCA to become fulltime pastor of St. Stephan’s United Church of Christ of Chicago. St. Stephan’s was located in a Chicago neighborhood in transition, and he wanted to see it remain alive and a vibrant part of the community. He was successful in doing that and saw it through to its transition of becoming the first Korean United Church of Christ in the United States, an accomplishment he was very proud of.
He finally felt the urge to move back to a more rural setting and came to Ortonville, Minnesota in 1980, where he served the Ortonville Congregational United Church of Christ. His years of service in Ortonville saw him involved in a successful ministry at both the Ortonville and Milbank Congregational Churches.He officially and reluctantly retired in 1993, but never stopped working in and serving his community.His retirement work included assisting at both the First English Lutheran Church and First Congregational Church of Milbank. True to his passion for community involvement, Wilfred was the strength in the efforts to save Big Stone Lake from 1983, to 2003. As a member of the Watershed Board he was instrumental in encouraging wetland development, reducing phosphorus levels and algae bloom, stream bank stabilization, grazing management plans, no-till farming and riparian buffering. He was also very proud of his tenure with this project.
As passionate as he was about his ministry and community involvement, he was a loving and attentive father to his 7 children. He spent as much time with them as he could, taking long summer vacations with the station wagon loaded down with camping gear and driving many miles in many directions across the country.He also loved nature and gardening. He has left a legacy of trees, bushes, vines, perennials and plants of all kinds where ever he has been. He has passed on his love for these things to his children and has always encouraged his children to be the best that they could be.
Wilfred was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1997, which developed into Dementia With Lewy Bodies Disease in 2000. After several years at Northridge Residence he became ill on April 16, 2009, and died on April 25, 2009, with his wife, Phylliss by his side. He lived a rich and full life and was loved by many.
Wilfred is survived by his wife Phylliss Hansen of Ortonville, MN; two sisters: Marie Dow of Eatonville, WA; and Eline Herredsvela of Federal Way, WA.He is also survived by his 7 children: Nancy (Ted) Garriott of Jacksonville, Oregon; Elizabeth (Paul) Goddard of Jackson, Wyoming and Hurricane, Utah; Shirley Bujko of Priest River, Idaho; Wilfred Carl Hansen, Jr. (Kate) of Mineral, Washington; Judy (Stan) Hepler of Priest River, Idaho; Philip (Sue) Hansen of Priest River, Idaho; and Peggy (Terry) Alexander of Battle Ground, Washington;Phyliss’ children: Gary Grimes of Pittsburg, PA; Ron (Jacqueline) Grimes of Madison, IN; Jeannie (Frank) Weiss of Miami, FL; Jennifer (Bill) Dalton of Clayton, CA; Greg Grimes of Skokie, IL; Janeen (Gary) Zaur of Aurora, IL; and Colleen (Lew) Moeller of Northbrook, IL.Phylliss and Wilfred have lost count but estimate about 3 dozen grandchildren in their combined families and many more great grandchildren. He will be missed by many.
Peter W. Giessinger
Peter Giessinger, age 89 of Milbank died April 20th at St. William’s Care Center.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, April 25th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Lawrence Catholic Church. Father Ken Lulf will officiate and burial will be in the St. Lawrence Cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday at Mundwiler Funeral Home beginning at 5 p.m. followed by a scripture and rosary service at 7 p.m., conducted by Father Denis Quinkert, OSB. Visitation will continue at the church Saturday morning, one hour prior to the Mass.
Honorary bearers will be the Knights of Columbus; the St. Lawrence Ushers, the caregivers and Special Ladies at St. William’s Care Center. Casket bearers will be grandchildren: Chris Giessinger, Nathaniel Giessinger, Jonathan Giessinger, James Giessinger, Craig Jeffrey, Melissa Pumpian, Libby Stanton, and Sarah Giessinger.
Peter W. Giessinger was born January 5, 1920, in Lockwood Township, Corona, SD. He was the son of Ignatz and Theresa (Lemmer) Giessinger. He attended rural grade school in Geneseo Township #3, Roberts County; Milbank High School; and Aircraft School in Minneapolis. He worked for Consolidated Aircraft in San Diego, CA for two years and moved to Wayne, MI. He was united in marriage with Helen Prevey, daughter of Clyde and Josephine (Kockx) Prevey, in Wayne, MI on July 11, 1942. Peter worked at the Wayne County Airport in Romulus, MI for the Air Force during World War II for two years and then returned to Milbank. The couple purchased a farm in Roberts County and farmed for five years. After farming, they moved to Milbank and Peter worked for J.H. Drewelow Ford/Mercury for a few years. Peter owned and operated the Red Owl Food Store for 12 years. They sold the store and Peter worked at Allen’s Men’s Clothing Store for a short time before owning and operating a Sears Catalog Store for 18 years. He retired in 1983.
Peter was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church. He served as coordinator for the church’s ushers for over 25 years, and also worked with the CFSA Program for many years. He was a member of the 3rd and 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, Catholic Aid Association, Milbank Chamber of Commerce, Milbank Grant County Corporation, a Benedictine Oblate at Blue Cloud Abbey and very active in the Democrat Party. His hobbies included fishing, playing cards, bingo, bowling, golfing, Tootsie Roll drives, hosting fish fries and traveling.
Peter Giessinger is survived by his wife, Helen of Milbank; two sons: Lawrence of Thailand and Gregory of Milbank; one daughter: Sandra and husband Sam Finch and St. Augustine, FL; 13 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; three brothers: Luke and wife Deve of Clear Lake, SD; Ignatius Giessinger of Denver, CO and Walter Giessinger of Milbank; one sister: Elizabeth LeMaster of Raymond, MI; three sisters-in-law: Fern Lynch of Wayne, MI; Lucille Lauderdale of Las Vegas, NV; and Mavis Giessinger of St. Cloud, MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and five sisters.
