Rowe Funeral Home & Crematory
510 NW First Avenue • Grand Rapids, Minnesota 55744
phone: 218-326-6505 or 1-800-557-5502 • fax: 218-326-2622
ROBERTA MAE CARLISLEage 91 of Jacobson, MN died Monday, June 30, 2008 at Grand Village and Lodge in Grand Rapids, MN.
Roberta was born in 1916 to Hugh and Goldie Cole in Rosemound, Illinois. and she grew up and attended school in Rosemound and the Herrick, Illinois area. Roberta was united in marriage to Archie W. Carlisle on July 8, 1933 in Vandalia, IL. and they moved to the Jacobson area in 1942. Her husband Archie died in 2003. In addition to her parents and her husband, Roberta was also preceded in death by her Daughter, Nancy in 2007; Grandsons, Tracy and Larrie Carlisle; a Great Granddaughter, Amanda Campbell and a Brother, Keith Cole.
Survived by – One Daughter – Linda (Bob) Hamill of Milaca, MN
Two Sons – Leon (Fae) Carlisle of Jacobson, MN; Harvey (Gerrie) Carlisle of Rockport, TX
Son-in-law – Pat Jackson
Numerous Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren and Great Great Grandchildren.
Visitation will be Thursday, July 3rd from 12 Noon until 2:00 PM at Rowe Funeral Home in Grand Rapids. Burial will follow the visitation at the Harris Cemetery in Harris Township, MN.
BONNITA "BONNIE" L. JOHNSON69,of Warba, MN died Saturday, June 28, 2008 in St. Mary’s Medical Center, Duluth, MN.
Bonnie was born February 17, 1939 in Grand Forks, ND to Gerald Boyer and Jean McNally. As a young girl, she was raised by her mother and her adopted father, Clarence Berg and they lived in Cass Lake, MN where she attended school, graduating in 1957. Bonnie attended Beauty College from 1959 – 1960 in Portland, OR, where she met and married Thomas “Bud” Donahue on September 17, 1961. They lived in Washington State until 1974 when they moved back to Cass Lake, MN. In 1976, they moved to Grand Rapids, MN. They divorced in 1979 and Bonnie met Ed Johnson in 1981. She enjoyed being with her animals, spending time with family, flower and vegetable gardening, sewing, quilting, bird watching and worked hard all her life helping others.
Bonnie is preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Jean Berg.
Survived by: Her Husband – Edward
Two Sons – Jeff Donahue of Raleigh, NC; Tony (Tanya) Donahue of Grand Rapids, MN
One Daughter – Darcy Donahue of Port Orchard, WA
One Step-Daughter – Juli (Mike) Wourms of Grand Rapids, MN
One Brother – Kenneth (Coleen) Berg of Brainerd, MN
Two Sisters – Kathy (Roger) Croaker of Cass Lake, MN; Pat (Dick) Schulz of Spanaway, WA
8 Grandchildren and 5 Great Grandchildren
Visitation will be Wednesday, July 2, 2007 from 10:00 A.M. until the 11:00 A.M. Funeral Service at Grand Rapids Alliance Church. Rev. Randy Junker will officiate. Burial will be held at a later date at the Warba-Feeley Cemetery, Warba, MN.
Arrangements by Rowe Funeral Home, Grand Rapids, MN. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred
MURIEL ELIZABETH LEWISage 89 of Grand Rapids, MN died Sunday, June 29, 2008 at Grand Itasca Hospital, Grand Rapids, MN.
Muriel was born in 1918 to Albert and Edith Shoemaker in Haakon County, South Dakota. She grew up and attended school in Phillip, SD, graduating in 1937. Muriel moved to Remer, MN for a time and then to Grand Rapids. She was united in marriage to Henry E. Lewis on November 25, 1939 in Grand Rapids, MN. Muriel was homemaker who was a very devoted Jehovah’s Witness in Grand Rapids. She lived the last years with her family at their homes and was known to everyone as “Grandma”. Muriel loved reading, baking and gardening.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Henry; Daughter, Gladys Watson; Sister, Arlene Thatcher; and Granddaughter, Donna Watson.
Survived by:
One Daughter – Dixie (Will) Nivala of Grand Rapids, MN
One Sister – Velma Shoemaker of Prescott Valley, AZ
One Brother – Albert Shoemaker of Tucson, AZ
Two Grandchildren – Jennifer (Jayson) Altenhofen of Cohasset, MN; Leroy Watson of Grand Rapids, MN
One Great Grandson – Alec Altenhofen
At Muriel’s request, there will be a private family service held at a later date. Arrangements by Rowe Funeral Home of Grand Rapids, MN.
FRANK A. VERCELLINO, JR
62, of Warba, Minn., died Friday, June 27, 2008 at Grand Itasca Hospital, Grand Rapids, Minn.
Frank was born in 1946 in Grand Rapids, Minn. to Frank and Helen Vercellino, Sr. He loved gardening and watching birds but most of all, he loved his granddaughters.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents.
Survived by:
His wife - Charlene
Daughter - Lisa (Eric) Wegner of Grand Rapids, Minn.
Son - Frank Vercellino, III of Warba, Minn.
Granddaughters -Ashley and Amber Wegner
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, July 3rd from 3 – 5 PM at the Trout Lake Community Center.
Arrangements are by the Rowe Funeral Home & Crematory, Grand Rapids, Minn.
EUGENE A. HUGHES80, of Grand Rapids, died Wednesday, June 25, 2008 in Grand Itasca Hospital, Grand Rapids, Minn.
Eugene was born in 1928 to Thomas and Kate Hughes in Grand Rapids, Minn. where he grew up and attended school. He was a lifelong resident of Grand Rapids. On March 12, 1949, Eugene was united in marriage to Laura McNeil in Grand Rapids. He worked at various mines for 41 years, retiring in 1990. Eugene enjoyed golfing, fishing, flowers, gardening and shooting pool.
Eugene was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Dorothy Pallki; and brother, Melvin Hughes.
Survived by:
His wife - Laura
Two daughters - Lois (Mike) Mitchell of Baudette, Minn.; Betty (Arlen) Olson of Grand Rapids, Minn.
Four sons - Richard (Penny) Hughes of Grand Rapids, Minn.; Terry (Pam) Hughes and Daniel (Lisa) Wiswell, both of Aurora, Minn.; James Hughes of Grand Rapids, Minn.
24 grandchildren and 42 great-grandchildren
Visitation will be from 1:00 P.M. until the 2:00 P.M. Funeral Service on Saturday, June 28 in Rowe Funeral Home, Grand Rapids. Rev. Lonnie Lee officiating. Burial will be held at Harris Cemetery, Harris Township.
AINO SYLVIA HEIKKILAage 87, of Grand Rapids, MN, formerly of Cedar Valley Township, MN, died Tuesday, June 24, 2008 at the Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital in Grand Rapids.
Aino was born in 1920 to Andrew and Emma Matalamaki in Wawina, MN, where she grew up and attended school. She was a homemaker who enjoyed making her homemade bread, which she was very proud of. She loved visiting with family and friends and sharing her homemade bread with them.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Toivo in 1980; one sister and three brothers.
Survived by:
Three Daughters – Joyce (Ralph) Bergman of Grand Rapids, MN; Darlene (Patrick) Collins of Grand Rapids, MN; Cheryl Heikkila of Floodwood, MN
Two Sons – Norman “Duane” Heikkila of Grand Rapids, MN; Randy (Pat) Heikkila of Grand Rapids, MN
Seventeen Grandchildren and Forty Three Great-Grandchildren, Two Great-Great Grandchildren, One Niece and many Nephews
Visitation will be Monday, June 30th from 11:00 A.M. until the 1:00 P.M. Funeral Service at the Independent Apostolic Church in Cedar Valley Township, MN. The speaker will be Bill Tuominen.
Burial will be in Cedar Valley Cemetery. Arrangements by Rowe Funeral Home of Grand Rapids, MN
ROGER WILBUR WALESKIage 85 of Grand Rapids, MN died Sunday, June 22, 2008 at Evergreen Terrace in Grand Rapids.
Roger was born in 1923 to Joseph and Theodora Waleski in Grand Rapids, MN where he grew up and attended school. Roger served in the U. S. Army during World War II receiving six Battle Stars in North Africa, Sicily and Europe. He worked for the Blandin Paper Co. in Grand Rapids and also worked in construction.
Roger was a member of the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars and the American Legion, both in Grand Rapids. He was preceded in death by his Parents and by his twin brother, Everett in 2007.
Survived by:
A Daughter – Cathie (Ray) Jones of Grand Rapids, Minnesota
A Son – Roger P. (Diana) Waleski of Grand Rapids, Minnesota
A Sister – Beverly (William) Baker of Grand Rapids, Minnesota
A Brother – Joseph (Ruth) Waleski of Grand Rapids, Minnesota
Four Grandchildren and Five Great Grandchildren
Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. until the Memorial Service at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, June 27th at the Rowe Funeral Home in Grand Rapids. Rev. Daniel Christ will officiate.
Burial at a later date will be in Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.
ROBERTA "Robie" L. CURRAN-KAISER68, of Grand Rapids, died Friday, June 20, 2008 in her home.
Robie was born on the 4th of July, 1939, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Roy and Marion Gibson. She graduated from Webster Groves High School in Webster Groves, Missouri, and later from Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa, with a degree in History. An advocate of education, Robie taught high school in the jungle of Belize, formerly British Honduras; St. Louis, Missouri; and Champaign, Illinois.
On October 9, 1965, she married Edward L. Curran, III, in Denver, Colorado. She and Ed had four children, Eddie, Kathleen, Kevin and Erin, and they settled in Champaign, Illinois. Ed preceded her in death in 1983.
On Christmas, December 25, 1997, Robie married Sergeant Dale A. Kaiser, Champaign County Sheriff, in a ceremony performed in Round Rock, Texas. While residing in Champaign, she worked in real estate, in insurance for Metropolitan Life, and in financial planning for Edward Jones Investments. Robie was an active member of the Vineyard Church in Urbana prior to moving to Minnesota.
Retiring in 1999, she and Dale moved to Grand Rapids, where she became an active member of Solid Rock Church of God in LaPrairie, Minnesota, serving with Dale as co-directors of the Alpha Ministry, and as treasurer of Solid Rock Women’s Ministry. Robie had a strong and very personal relationship with God.
Robie and Dale were constant companions in their church, community, fishing, camping, and world travels. She loved animals and the outdoors -- in particular, dogs and horses, and hiking and gardening. Autumn was her favorite season, with the leaves changing colors on the trees, especially Aspens, whose leaves appear to dance. Robie very much enjoyed her flower gardens, especially roses and day lilies. She loved her children and grandchildren and was proud of who they have become and what they have accomplished. Robie cherished her family greatly, and her family will miss her dearly.
Roberta was preceded in death by her parents and her first husband, Edward Curran, III.
She is survived by:
Her husband - Dale
Her daughters - Kathleen, residing in Texas with her son-in-law, Brad; and Erin, residing in California with her son-in-law, Jono
Her sons – Edward, residing in Georgia with her daughter-in-law, Karla; and Kevin, residing in New Jersey with her daughter-in-law, Wendy
Her step-daughters - M. Ann Stanley, residing in Gibson City, Illinois, with her step-son-in-law, James Stanley; and Stephanie Clem, residing in Homer, Illinois, with her step-son-in-law, Edward Clem
Her step-sons - Rick Kaiser, residing in Sugar Grove, Illinois, with her step-daughter-in-law, Jill Kaiser; Randy Kaiser, residing in Rankin, Illinois, with her step-daughter-in-law, Willa Kaiser; and David Kaiser, residing in Rantoul, Illinois, with her step-daughter-in-law, Kim Kaiser
Her sisters - Rita Koman, residing in Manassas, Virginia, with her brother-in-law, Joe Koman; Rosalie Duke, residing in St. Louis, Missouri, with her brother-in-law, Harold Duke; and Ruth Gibson, residing in Grand Rapids, Minnesota
Ten grandchildren, 18 step-grandchildren, and eight step-great grandchildren; and Numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 28 and continuing until the 11:00 a.m. Funeral Service in Solid Rock Church of God, LaPrairie, Minn. Burial will be held in the Veteran’s section of Itasca-Calvary Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Minn.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Arrangements are by the Rowe Funeral Home, Grand Rapids, Minn.
IRVIN ERNEST BIERSDORFFage 82, of Grand Rapids, MN passed away Monday, June 16, 2008 at Grand Itasca Hospital in Grand Rapids, MN.
Irvin was born in 1926 to Charles and Hattie Biersdorff in Stutsman County, North Dakota. He attended school in Pettibone, North Dakota. Irvin served from 1943 to 1946 in the U.S. Marine Corp in the Pacific Theater during World War II. After his discharge from the service, he moved to Grand Rapids, MN and worked for various construction companies until 1958 when he started at Casper Construction where he was employed for 18 years.
Irvin helped start Itasca Utilities in 1976 and worked there until his retirement in 1986. He was united in marriage to Myrna Drewes on June 12, 1976 in Grand Rapids, MN. After retirement, Irv and his wife, Myrna, traveled the southern United States, until they settled in Okeechobee, FL in 1994. The couple moved back to Grand Rapids in 1999. Irv was a member of the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Disabled American Veteran’s and the Itasca Lodge #208 A.F. & A.M. He enjoyed spending time on his houseboat, was a pilot and loved to fly.
Preceding him in death were his parents; sister, Gerada Engelking; and grandson, Aaron Bradley.
Survived by:
His wife - Myrna
One Son - Joel (Kelly) Biersdorff of Grand Rapids, MN
One Daughter-Vicki (Richard) Smith of Jupiter, FL
Two Sisters – Donna Thompson of Fargo, ND; Dorothy Moore of Jacksonville, FL
Three Grandchildren – Justin Bradley, Janelle (Todd) Taylor, and Laura (Jim) Rochford
Two Great-Grandchildren – Owen Rochford and Isaac Taylor
A Memorial Gathering will be Friday, June 20, 2008 from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM at the Rowe Funeral Home in Grand Rapids, MN. Burial will be at a later date at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN.
"Been here, Am gone, Had a good time."