Maria Del Rosario Carranza, 45, of Rochester, MN died on Sunday, November 29, 2009 at St. Marys Hospital.

Maria was born on April 9, 1964 in Matamoros, Mexico to Pedro Carranza and Francisca Hernandez.

She worked at Mayo Clinic and Somerby Golf Course in food preparation.

Maria is survived by her parents, Pedro and Francisca Carranza, sisters and brothers; Juan, Magda, Victor, Patty, Teresa, Maria, Jose and Rocio Carranza, and nieces and nephews.

Maria enjoyed the loving company of her dog Toto.

A Funeral Mass will be at 1:00pm Wed. December 2, 2009 at Macken Funeral Home with Father Ubaldo Roque officiating.  A visitation will be from 12:00 - 1:00pm at the funeral home.

The funeral Mass for Beryl J. Hinck will be 10:00am on Wednesday at Resurrection Catholic Church in Rochester with Rev. Thomas Loomis officiating. Burial will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Rochester.

Mrs. Hinck, age 87, of Rochester passed away on November 28, 2009 at Stewartville Care Center. Beryl Josephine James was born on August 18, 1922 in Sydney, Australia. She married Jonnie Hinck at St. Benedicts Catholic Church on June 22, 1944 in Sydney, Australia. After marriage the couple remained in Australia for five years. In 1949 they moved to Rochester, where Mr. Hinck lived before the war. Beryl enjoyed baking, cooking, knitting and crocheting.

She is survived by one sister Amanda O’Connor of Sydney, Australia; many nieces, nephews and close friends. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Mary Blomgren, Dorris Eddy and Rudy (Berna) Bakken for the wonderful friendship and care giving to Beryl throughout the years. She is preceded in death by her husband which passed away December 18,1992; three brothers, and two sisters.

Friends may call from 5:00pm to 7:00pm Tuesday December 1, 2009 at Macken Funeral Home and from 9:30am to 10:00am at the church on Wednesday. A prayer service will be at 6:45pm Tuesday evening at the funeral home.

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

Sharon M. Hoey passed away on November 27, 2009 at the age of 57 at her residence following a lengthy illness. Sharon Smith was born on December 31, 1951 in Great Neck, NY. She is survived by her husband, Edward Hoey, two daughters, Kelley (Kyle) Hoey of West Concord, MN and Jaclyn (Joshua) Hoey of Eden Prairie, MN, a grandson Ryan, and two brothers. She is preceded in death by her parents.  There will be a visitation on Sunday evening, November 29, 2009 at Macken Funeral Home from 5pm to 8pm.  Memorials are preferred to the Colon Cancer Coalition (8009 34^th Ave. Suite 360 Bloomington, MN 55425

Nick Kroska 59, of Rochester formerly of St. Paul died peacefully on Wednesday Nov. 25^th 2009 at Season’s Hospice following a courageous six month battle with a brain tumor.

Nick was born April 15, 1950 in Faribault, Minnesota to Lucian and Angela Kroska.  The family moved to Rochester in 1958.  He graduated from Lourdes High School in 1968 and was honored as Student of the Year.  He graduated from St. John’s University in Collegeville in 1972.

He taught English at Lourdes High School from 1972-1988.  He was head wrestling coach and assistant track and football coach during his career there.  Following his years at Lourdes he taught in Arizona and California before going to work as a technical writer for an environmental consulting firm in Sacramento.   He combined his love of writing and the environment again when he began working for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in St. Paul.

Nick was an inspiring teacher and coach.  Many of his former Lourdes students have thanked him for his dedication, enthusiasm and the influence he had on their lives.  Even through his illness he was often reminded of his challenging “vocabulary quizzes ” and how he encouraged excellence.  He was truly a passionate educator.

He married Pamela Jensen on September 14^th, 1979.  They were later divorced.

He is survived by his two sons Aaron of St. Paul, Brett (Anita) of Tallahassee, Florida; three sisters, Luanne (Larry) Koshire of Rochester, Shelly Kuhlmann of Oronoco, Amy (Robert Clark) Kroska of Norman, Oklahoma; his mother Angela Kroska of Rochester; foster sister Sue (Jon) Birch of Faribault; and special friend Nancy Maren.

Throughout his life Nick was an outdoor enthusiast.  He cherished his duck, pheasant and deer hunting trips with his father, brother-in-law and nephews.

Over the years he also developed an interest in genealogy which led him to research his Polish heritage and study the language.  Nick authored two biographies on the life of his father.   One of his proudest accomplishments was when he was commissioned to write “Serving the Community” The History of Rochester Public Utilities.  This book is in Washington D.C’s Library of Congress.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Tony and Alma Kroska of Faribault, MN; maternal grandparents William and Angela Dudley of Shieldsville, MN; his father Lucian “Dick” Kroska of Rochester and brother-in-law Mike Kuhlmann of Oronoco.

The Kroska family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff of Season’s Hospice.  Their loving and compassionate care is deeply appreciated.

Visitation is at Macken Funeral Home, Rochester, MN  on Sunday November 29^th from 1pm to 4pm.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday November 30^th at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Rochester at 11:00am with the Rev. Charlie Collins and Rev. Paul Nelson concelebrating.   A graveside service will follow the funeral at St. Lawrence cemetery in Faribault, MN at 3pm.

Memorials are suggested to the Nick Kroska Scholarship Fund at Lourdes High School 621 West Center Street, Rochester, MN  55902; Season’s Hospice 1811 Greenview Place SW; Brains Together For a Cure, PO Box 8353, Rochester, MN  55903.

The funeral service for Tyler Edne Bernt Trogstad will be at 11:00AM, Saturday, November 28, 2009 at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester, with the Rev. Carol Shaffer officiating.

Tyler Edne Bernt Trogstad died on Monday, November 23, 2009 at his home in Rochester.

Tyler was born October 26, 1986 in Rochester and graduated from Century High School in 2005.  As a youth, he was active in Boy Scouts, he played several youth sports, and he was in the youth choir at Zumbro Lutheran Church.  Tyler worked alongside his dad, Greg Sleeper, on the family farm.  In his spare time he loved to play with his dog, Kyzer, spend time with his friends and family, play basketball, football, baseball, frisbee golf, hunting,and he loved riding his motorcycle every chance he got.  He also collected model cars, toy tractors, antique and various other coins, baseball cards, and legos.

He is survived by his mom, Alana Trogstad; his dad, Greg Sleeper; a brother, Alex Trogstad; a sister, Heidi Sleeper-Krismer; maternal grandmother, Ramona Trogstad; one niece, three nephews, and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Edne Orin Trogstad; paternal grandfather, Eugene Sleeper; paternal grandmother, Mona Sleeper; and paternal uncle, Kevin Sleeper.

Friends may call one hour prior to the service at Macken Funeral Home on Saturday.

www.mackenfuneralhome.com

A funeral Mass for Izell Winkels will be at 11:30 A.M. Wednesday, November 25 at Madonna Towers, with the Rev. James Russell officiating.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Mrs. Winkels, 95 of Rochester, died Sunday (November 22, 2009) at Madonna Towers.  She was born September 25, 1914 in Oregon and grew up in St. Paul, MN, moving to Rochester upon marrying Frederick  J. Winkels on June 25 1946 in St. Paul.  Izell worked for IBM Rochester for over 10 years.

Survivors include her daughter; Kathleen (David) Holt of Sutton, Mass.; her son Ralph of Rochester. Two granddaughters: Christie Hudson of Cary, NC and Julie Penterson of Putnam, CT. And also three Great Grandchildren: Brianna Penterson, Connor Hudson and Anna Hudson.

She was preceded in death by her husband Frederick who passed away May 10, 2004, one son; Michael and one sister and two brothers.

Friends may call an hour before the service Wednesday at Madonna Towers.  In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to Madonna Towers.

Lowell W. Parsons, 89, of Rochester, died Sunday November 22^nd, 2009 at his home.

Born September 27, 1920 in Clemons Iowa to Ward and Reba Parsons, he later moved to Good Thunder Minnesota where he graduated from high school. He attended Mankato State Teachers College and then operated his own blacksmith shop before moving to Seattle where he worked as a welder in the shipyards during WWII.    He returned to Minnesota and married Nadene Geak on July 29, 1945 in Good Thunder.   A welder and steamfitter the rest of his life, he worked mainly for Swarts Brothers and C&S Plumbing & Heating.  He is a 57 year member of the United Association, a member of Plumbers & Pipefitters Local #6, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, The Osman Shrine, and a Past Master of the Bethel Lodge in Lake Crystal, MN.  He was the Rochester Shrine Club Shriner of the Year in 2005.  He proudly drove the cart in numerous parades for the Rochester Dragon Patrol and twice was their Shriner of the Year.

Lowell and Nadene enjoyed their golden years in Lakeview Arkansas where Lowell fished every day and enjoyed bible studies and social gatherings with many friends through their church.  He also enjoyed staying at the family cabin near Wabasha where he fished the backwaters and fed and watched  the birds.  He was a member of Homestead United Methodist Church in Rochester.

Lowell is survived by his wife, daughters Carla Ward of Rochester and Lily (Kirk) Bartz of Plainview, eight granddaughters, 4 great-grandsons, 2 great-granddaughters, and brother Dale of Vernon Center Minn.  He was preceded in death by his parents and two infant daughters.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at Homestead United Methodist Church.  Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov 24^, 2009, at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester or one hour before the funeral service. A Masonic service will be held at 7:15pm at Macken on Tuesdsay.  Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens following the service.

The family requests memorials to the Shriner’s Childrens Hospital.

William Franklin Bliesmer died at Maple Manor Nursing Home in Rochester on Thursday, November 19th.  He was born in Rochester, MN June 3, 1944 living at home until moving into REM home in SW Rochester in the 1980’s.  Since October 2007 he has resided at Maple Manor Nursing Home.

Bill grew up in the rural Stewartville area, and was one of the first children to attend the newly incorporated ARC of Olmsted County in 1955.  He worked at ABC for 25 years. He also worked at the Olmsted County DAC work component program, ABC’s work activity center, and PossAbilities.

He enjoyed camping, fishing, boating, snowmobiling, and bike riding with family and friends.  More recently he enjoyed polka music, listening to the radio, and watching TV while doing word searches, puzzles, and playing bingo.

Survivors include a sister Donna (Art) Pavlish, and a niece Ann Pavlish.  He was preceded in death by his parents Alva and Marion (Reese) Bliesmer.

Visitation will be at Macken Funeral Home on Sunday, November 22 from 4:00 - 7:00PM, with a prayer service at 6:45PM.  Burial will be in the High Forest Cemetery on Monday, November 23 at 10:00AM.

Macken Funeral Home is handling arrangements.  www.mackenfuneralhome.com

The funeral service for Steven D. Schultz will be 11:00AM, Tuesday, November 24 at Calvary Evangelical Free Church in Rochester with the Rev. Dave Hammond officiating.  Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Preston, Minnesota.  There will be a visitation from 5:00-8:00PM on Monday, November 23 at the Macken Funeral Home and also one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church.

Steve died at the age of 51 years on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at his home surrounded by his family.

Steven (Steve) Dean Schultz was born on September 29, 1958 to Arthur & Muriel (Stevens) Schultz in Lanesboro, MN.  He was raised on the family farm near Fountain, MN and graduated from Preston High School in 1977.  He graduated from Austin Vocational-Technical Institute with a degree in Electronics and was hired by IBM in 1979.  He also owned a Zenith Television franchise (Schultz Electronics) for several years.  On September 28, 1991, he married Kristiann (Kristi) Hovland in Alexandria, MN.  They made their home on a farm near Wykoff, MN and later moved to rural Chatfield in 1999.

Steve enjoyed farming; raising beef cattle, sheep, corn, grains, and hay.  He also enjoyed golfing, family roadtrips, car drives, carpentry, remodeling/building, history, and western movies.  He was a man of ideas, practical jokes, strong opinions, and fierce loyalty.  He was well-loved by many and will be dearly missed.

Steve is survived by his wife, Kristi; daughters, Tara and Jodi; and son, Jacob, all at home; three brothers, Donald of St Louis Park, Jerry (Janice) of Preston, and Lyle (Sheryl) of Chatfield; three sisters, Diane (Earl) Kinneberg of Rochester, Jane Christensen of Rochester, and Mary (Lloyd) Flint of Dodge Center.  He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother-in-law, Bruce Christensen.

Memorials can be given to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

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

Bertha Marie Cole passed away on November 17, 2009 at St. Mary’s Hospital at the age of 92.

Bertha Marie Stine was born on August 14, 1917 in Faribault, MN to Anna and John E. Stine.  She attended Faribault High School.  She married Floyd R. Cole on October 17, 1939.  The couple later moved to Northfield, where they raised their three daughters.  In 1961, the family moved to Rochester, where Bertha worked for Schmitt Music (formerly Bach Music).  She later worked for RCTC (formerly the Rochester Area Vocational Technical Institute) in the bookstore, until her retirement at the age of seventy-five, in 1992.  She lived at Arbor Terrace, and later Samaritan Bethany (on 8^th) Nursing Home until her passing.  Bertha was very active in the St. Francis Women’s Group.  She loved to watch all types of sporting events, especially the Vikings, Twins, and the Chicago Cubs. She was an avid bowler, and loved knitting in her free time.  Her husband Floyd passed away in 1984.

Survivors include her three daughters: Jean (Jerry) Petricka and Carole Arndt both of Rochester, and Linda (Dick) Bloomquist of Windom, MN, eight grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by a sister, two brothers, her parents, and her husband.

A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2009 at 11:00AM at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church with Rev. Father Timothy T. Reker officiating.

Visitation will be from 5:00PM  to 7:00PM Friday evening November 20, 2009 at Macken Funeral Home and one hour prior to services at church. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens.

Memorials are preferred to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church or Samaritan Bethany on 8^th Nursing Home.  Macken Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.  www.mackenfuneralhome.com