The memorial service for Forrest Donald Green will be at 11:00am on Saturday, August 1 at Stewartville United Methodist Church, 900 John Wesley Ave. NW, Stewartville, MN,  with Rev. Linda Grounds officiating.  Burial will take place at a later date at Crystal Lake Cemetery in Camdan, MN

Mr. Green, 93, of Rochester, MN died July 27, 2009 at Stewartville Care Center.  He was born on February 9, 1916 in Minneapolis, MN.  He married Marie Lacher in Minneapolis, MN, and they later moved to Rochester, MN. He worked as an electrician at IBM for many years.  Forrest loved flying and making clocks.

Survivors include one daughter, Gwen (Gary) Falck, three grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Charlotte Terrance.

Friends may call one half hour prior to the service at church on Saturday.

Macken Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.  www.mackenfuneralhome.com

A free one-day camp for children and teens (ages 5-18 years) who have experienced a loss.  Saturday, October 3, 2009 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Click here to download the (pdf.) brochure.

The funeral Mass for Elizabeth Ann “Betty Ann” Gibson will be at 10:00AM Wednesday July 29^th at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Rochester, with the Rev. Msgr. Gerald A. Mahon officiating.  Burial will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield, Michigan on Friday.

Elizabeth Ann Gibson (Doyle) died Saturday July 25, 2009 at the Charter House in Rochester, Minnesota.  She was born May 6, 1922 in Cheyenne, Wyoming.  Betty Ann married George Gibson on June 14, 1947 in Detroit, Michigan.  Betty Ann was a Medical Researcher for Parke-Davis Pharmaceuticals located in Detroit; but subsequently and more importantly, she was a wonderful homemaker, wife, mother,  grandmother and great-grandmother.

Survivors include her husband George; 1 son, Michael (Christine) Doyle Gibson of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; 2 daughters, Anne Marie (Howard) Gilbert of New Haven, Connecticut and Lisa Marie (Bruce A. East) Gibson of Paris, France; 9 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents Leo and Cecilia Doyle; 1 daughter Celia Marie Wilson.

Friends may call from 9:30am - 10:00am at the church on Wednesday.

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to St. Bonaventure Monastery, 1740 Mount Elliott Street, Detroit, Michigan 48207.

Macken Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.  (507) 282-1075 or mackenfuneralhome.com

The funeral Mass for Daniel J. “D.J.” Shimek will be Saturday, July 25, at 9:30 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, with the Rev. Msgr. Gerald A. Mahon and the Rev. John Lasuba co-officiating.

Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery.

D.J. passed away on Wednesday, July 22, 2009, at his home in Rochester. He had been ill with cancer for the past year and a half.

He was born on Oct. 18, 1977, in Rochester. He attended Jefferson and St. Francis grade schools, and Lourdes and Mayo high schools. At Lourdes he was a member of the baseball team, which won the consolation title at the 1994 State Tournament. In the state quarterfinal game, he hit a home run.

On Nov. 28, 1999, he married Sara J. Timmons. Sara is a Mayo Clinic employee.

D.J. was a licensed Minnesota Journeyman Plumber and had worked for Action Plumbing until his health declined.

D.J. loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing and home improvement. His passion was golf. He also loved spending time with his wife and children, particularly coaching kids sports teams in softball, soccer and baseball.

He is survived by his wife, Sara, and four children all at home, Kayla, Kylie, Zachary and Logan. He is also survived by his parents, Dave and Ruth Shimek of Clearwater, Fla.; two brothers, Dennis Shimek of Cresco, Iowa, and Donnie (Katie) Shimek of Lewiston; his maternal grandmother, Helen Craft of Cresco; his in-laws, Earl and Mollie Timmons of Rochester, and Lea Ann Peterson and Benny Cude of The Woodlands, Texas; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Harold Craft; and paternal grandparents, Francis and Catherine Shimek.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, July 24, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, and a half hour prior to the service on Saturday.

Memorials are suggested to the Shimek family.

Macken Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. 282-1075 www.mackenfuneralhome.com

The funeral Mass for Paulita de los Santos will be 10:00AM, Thursday, July 23, 2009 at Resurrection Catholic Church, with the Rev. Thomas Loomis.  Burial will be in Pleasant Prairie Cemetery.

Mrs. de los Santos, age 65 or Rochester, died unexpectedly Saturday, July 18 at St. Marys Hospital from an apparent heart condition.

Paulita Ordas was born June 6, 1944 at Baguio City, Philippines. After graduating from St. Louis University in Baguio City, she worked as a second grade school teacher in the Philippines.  In 1972, she moved to Rochester and worked as a nutrition assistant at Mayo Clinic for 32 years, retiring December 2006.

She married Arthur T. de los Santos on October 24, 1982 in Rochester.  Mr. de los Santos passed away on December 6, 2008.  He had worked as a cook for Mayo Clinic.

Mrs. de los Santos is survived by her daughter Julie (Guthrie) Williams of Rochester; 3 siblings, Purita (Dioniosio) Boado, Edward (Doris) Ordas, Ramon (Thelma) Ordas all of Baguio City Philippines.  She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her husband Arthur; her parents, Lucio and Veronica Ordas and a brother, Manuel.

Friends may call from 5:00PM - 8:00PM Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at Macken Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.

Macken Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.  507-282-1075 www.mackenfuneralhome.com

Dale A. “Yogy” Ellson, Formerly of Rochester, Passed away on July 16, 2009 at Golden Living East following a lengthy Illness.

Dale was born March 13, 1940 in Rochester, MN.  He married Diane Miller on September 14, 1963 in Rochester.  The couple moved to Dodge Center in 2004. He was a Mayo Clinic Employee for 40 years, retiring in 1996. Surviors include a son, Daniel Ellson of Dodge Center, and his special friend Sammy, his dog. He is preceeded in death by his parents.

Dale loved camping, classic cars, road trips, fishing, and especially driving golf carts.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00AM on Monday, July 20, 2009 at The Macken Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens. Friends may call one hour prior to services on July 20, 2009, at Macken Funeral Home.

Macken Funeral Home in Charge of Arrangements

The funeral for Loretta Mae Betts will be on Monday, July 13 at 10:00 AM at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church with Rev. John Lasuba officiating.

Loretta (Cooley) Betts passed away at St. Marys Hospital on Tuesday, July 7, 2009.

Loretta was born on February 27, 1924 in Rochester, MN. She married Laor Betts on February 19, 1948.  Mr. Betts died May 1, 1982.  He was a retired Mayo Clinic employee at the time of his death.  Loretta worked at the Mayo Clinic, retiring after 18 years.  She enjoyed traveling, going on cruises, playing cards, and puzzles.  Loretta was a loving grandmother, and treasured time spent with her many grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by parents George and Mildred Cooley, 2 brothers, 1 sister and husband, Laor J. Betts.  She is survived by 6 children Charles of Fairfax, VI, Richard (Marie) of Rochester, Ronald (Marvel) of Rochester, Diane (Kenneth) Hoerner of Rochester, Darlene (Truman) Clauson of Oakdale, MN, and Carol Betts of Las Vegas, NV; Sister Norine Hebig of Spring Valley, MN; 11 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.

Friends may call between 4 - 7PM on Sunday, July 12 at Macken Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.  Burial will be on Monday, July 20 at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Rochester.

Macken Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.  www.mackenfuneralhome.com

Fredrick J Gommels - Predmore, MN

The funeral for Fredrick J. Gommels will be on Friday, July 10 at 11:00AM at Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church of Rochester with Pastor Kevin Sorensen officiating.  He passed away at his home in Predmore, MN following a lengthy illness on July 6, 2009.  He was preceded in death by parents Fred and Helen (Herzog) Gommels, and sister Marlys Gommels.  He is survived by his wife Elaine; children Jerry Gommels of Mississippi, Fred (Myrna) of Rochester, Ruthie Peterson of Racine, MN, and Tom (Candace) of Rochester; sisters Carol (Merlin) Mestad of Stewartville, MN, and Sharlene (Dan) Schroeder of Rochester; grandchildren Brock Bakken, Joshua Gommels, Marshall (Audrey) Bakken, Brittany Bakken, Jared Gommels, and Sophia Gommels; great grandchildren Caleb Bakken, and Brennan Oakland; and step great grandchildren Alexis McIntyre, Ellie McIntyre, and Isabella McIntyre.

Fredrick was born on June 30, 1929 in Bismarck, ND.  He moved to Iowa as a baby, then to the Hayfield area as a young boy where his father worked on farms.  He served in the Air Force from 1946 to 1949, and was honorably discharged.  He married Elaine Graskamp on August 20, 1951.  He worked in construction and was a ground foreman for Hathaway Tree Service.  He enjoyed hunting raccoon and deer, fishing, feeding and watching squirrels and birds, racing of dogs, gospel and country music, cards, pool, Boggle and reading westerns.  He was a member of the Southeastern Minnesota Association of Coon Hunters, and wrote articles for their Full Cry Magazine.

Friends may call from 4 - 7PM at Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church of Rochester on Thursday, and one hour prior to the service on Friday.  Burial will follow the service at Marion Cemetery in Marion Township, MN.

Macken Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.  www.mackenfuneralhome.com

The funeral for Fredrick J. Gommels will be on Friday, July 10 at 11:00AM at Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church of Rochester with Pastor Kevin Sorensen officiating.  He passed away at his home in Predmore, MN following a lengthy illness on July 6, 2009.  He is preceded in death by parents Fred and Helen (Herzog) Gommels, and sister Marlys Gommels.  He is survived by his wife Elaine; children Jerry Gommels of Mississippi, Fred (Myrna) of Rochester, Ruthie Peterson of Racine, MN, and Tom (Candace) of Rochester; sisters Carol (Merlin) Mestad of Stewartville, MN, and Sharlene (Dan) Schroeder of Rochester; grandchildren Brock Bakken, Joshua Gommels, Marshall (Audrey) Bakken, Brittany Bakken, Jared Gommels, and Sophia Gommels; great grandchildren Caleb Bakken, and Brennan Oakland; and step great grandchildren Alexis McIntyre, Ellie McIntyre, and Isabella McIntyre.

Fredrick was born on July 30, 1929 in Bismarck, ND.  He moved to Iowa as a baby, then to the Hayfield area as a young boy where his father worked on farms.  He served in the Air Force from 1946 to 1949, and was honorably discharged.  He married Elaine Graskamp on August 20, 1951.  He worked in construction and was a ground foreman for Hathaway Tree Service.  He enjoyed hunting raccoon and deer, fishing, feeding and watching squirrels and birds, racing of dogs, gospel and country music, cards, pool, Boggle and reading westerns.  He was a member of the Southeastern Minnesota Association of Coon Hunters, and wrote articles for their Full Cry Magazine.

Friends may call from 4 - 7PM on Thursday at Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church of Rochester, and one hour prior to the service on Friday.  Burial will follow the service at Marion Cemetery in Marion Township, MN.

Virginia (Ginny) Nehring Utz, of Rochester, died July 4, 2009.

She was born Aug. 31, 1932, in Rochester, to Dr. Jesse Potter Nehring and Edith Amo Nehring of Preston.

Mrs. Utz attended Carleton College in Northfield, Minn. She graduated from the Methodist/Kahler School of Nursing. She practiced pediatrics, obstetrics and neonatology, and was supervisor of cardiovascular nursing at Worrall Hospital for several years. She was proud to have been one of the early founders of nurse education and certification programs at Mayo.

She married Dr. David Charles Utz on June 26, 1954, at the Parks Air Force Base in California, and returned to Rochester, where she continued her nursing career at Olmsted Medical Center. Dr. Utz completed his urology residency, joining the staff of Mayo Clinic in the Urology Department in 1957. Mrs. Utz served for two years as president of the Alice Mayo Society. She was also president of the board of Aldrich Memorial Nursery School, and actively volunteered for church and community events.

Ginny will be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, for her illustrious example of thoughtful and effective teaching of her children and grandchildren, for her warm and generous ability to give them the skills she learned at the knee of her mother, and for making them feel important members of the family. She will also be remembered for her sensitivity to the needs and expectations of the legion of patients and friends who played such an important part in her life.

She enjoyed skiing, hiking, fishing, canoeing, golfing and bridge. One of her greatest joys in life was traveling with her husband, exploring the history and culture of all the wonderful places they visited. After her husband’s retirement from Mayo Clinic Rochester in 1988, they moved their winter residence to Scottsdale, Ariz., where they were actively engaged in the Mayo Clinic Scottsdale. She and her husband divided their time between Scottsdale, Rochester and Spider Lake in Hayward, Wis.

She is survived by her husband, Dr. David C. Utz; her children, David C. Utz Jr. of Vail, Colo., Dr. Mary U. Keating (Dr. Jerome) of St. Cloud, Minn., Dr. William J. Utz (Dr. Maureen P.) of Shorewood, Minn., Mark E. Utz (Julia) of Rochester and Jeffrey P. Utz (Anne) of Short Hills, N.J.; 15 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and sisters, Nina Carlson of Moline, Ill., and Katherine Roesch of Clearwater, Fla. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Dr. John Nehring.

A Mass will be celebrated at the Church of St. John the Evangelist on Wednesday, July 8, at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will occur in the church foyer from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7.

Memorial contributions to Mayo Clinic, the Church of St. John the Evangelist, or the Transplant House in Rochester, are preferred.

Macken Funeral Home, Rochester. 282-1075