Edward L. Tarara age 91, passed away on December 27, 2009 at Samaritan Bethany Home on Eighth in Rochester. Edward was born on September 23, 1918 in St. Paul, MN. At a young age, his family moved to Rochester. After high school, he enrolled in the school of Chiropody, in Chicago, IL. Soon after, he served his country in the US Army during WWII. Edward returned to Rochester and married Mary Paquette in June of 1948, in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. He was employed by the Mayo Clinic as Chief of Podiatry, retiring in 1980. Edward loved golfing, fishing, bowling and traveling. Survivors include his wife, Mary Tarara, five children: Elizabeth (Bill) Warfield of Hammond, MN. Barbara Tarara of Bloomington, MN. James (Lois Till-Tarara) of Pine Island. Steven (Deb) Tarara of Elgin, MN. David (Lisa) Tarara of Shakopee, MN. four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Two brothers: Richard (Evelyn) Tarara of Byron, and Paul Tarara of Pine Island.  He is preceded in death by his parents, and one sister. A funeral Mass is planned for 1:30PM Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church with the Rev. Msgr. Mahon Officiating. Visitation will be one-half hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery Rochester.

Macken Funeral Home is in Charge of Arrangements

www.mackenfuneralhome.com

Charlotte “Char” Goetting

Charlotte “Char” Goetting passed away on Monday, December 28, 2009 at Golden Living East Nursing Home in Rochester.

Charlotte Catherine Goetting was born in Rochester, Minnesota on November 5, 1916 to George Goetting and Anna McAdams Goetting. Char  graduated from Rochester High School in 1936 and attended St. Benedict College in St. Joseph, Minnesota. She worked for Weber and Judd and the Colonial Ice Cream Shop.

Char was a lifelong member of St. Johns Catholic Church and resident of Rochester and was one of the first residents of Park Towers where she lived for 23 years. Mentally astute until her death, Char was a participant in Mayo Clinic’s Alzheimer Research study.

Char is preceded in death by one sister, Mary Huffine, and three brothers, Lester Goetting (Ruth), Ray Goetting (Louise) and Ralph Goetting (Georgene). Char is survived by numerous nieces and nephews, among them Barbara (Goetting) Romstad.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10:00AM on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at St. John The Evangelist Catholic Church with visitation one hour prior to services at church.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Macken Funeral Home in Charge of Arrangements

www.mackenfuneralhome.com

Maurice James Majerus, 70, of Rochester, formely of Winona, passed away Wednesday, December 23, 2009, with his family at his side at Methodist Hospital.  Jim worked at Crenlo from 1962 till retirement in 1982.  He served in the Air Force from 1959 to 1962.  During his retirement years he enjoyed being with his family.  Maurice married Patricia Mullane on April 9, 1960 in Winona, MN.

He is survived by his wife Patricia (Mullane), Rochester, his daughter Debrorah (Majerus) Jacobson, of Rochester, and two sons; John Majerus, of Stoddard, WI and Daniel Majerus, of Rochester, nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and two sisters.  He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Morris and Eleanor Majerus and on granddaughter.

He enjoyed his time with the Lord, watching daily Mass, and praying the Rosary with Mother Angelica.  It was important for him to pray for his family, friends, and those who have passed on before.

There will be a funeral mass at St. Pius X at 10:30 on Monday, December 28, 2009, with a half hour prior visitation to the service on Monday.  There will also be a visitation on Sunday at Macken Funeral Home from 4:00p.m. to 7:00p.m.

Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Winona.

Charlotte O. Ganrude, 88, of Rochester was born August 12, 1921, in Kenyon, MN to Sigurd and Tilda (Neseth) Lund.  Charlotte died on Thursday, December 24, 2009 at Samaritan Bethany Heights.

Charlotte attended school in Kenyon and moved to Rochester in 1944.  She married Leo Ganrude on November 12, 1946 in Kenyon.  He passed away on February 25, 1969.

Charlotte worked at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, retiring after 23 years of service.

Survivors include her daughter, Linda (Dennis) Golberg of Rochester, two sons, Craig (Megg) Ganrude of Rochester and David Ganrude of Winona, MN, five grandchildren, Melissa Golberg, Elizabeth Ganrude, Nicole Ganrude, Christopher Ganrude and Makenzee Ganrude; one great-grandchild, Autumn Ganrude.

Charlotte was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one brother and sisters.

A funeral service will be held at 2:30pm Monday, December 28, 2009 at Zumbro Lutheran Church with Pastor Wayne Vogt officiating.  Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the church.

Family prefers memorial to Samaritan Bethany Heights or Zumbro Lutheran Church, both in Rochester.

The funeral service for Alton S. “Al” Berg will be at 1:00pm Monday December 28, 2009 at Redeemer Lutheran Church with the Rev. James Heining officiating.  Burial will be at the Zumbrota Cemetery.

Mr. Berg, 88, of Rochester passed away Wednesday December 23, 2009 at Samaritan Bethany Heights of natural causes.

Al was born to Adolph and Selma (Benson) Berg on March 19, 1921 in Pine Island.  On May 23, 1943 he married Eileen Damman in Poplar Grove on the Dammon family farm.  Al worked at Waters Conley (Tel-Ex) as a manager for many years.  He later worked at The Ability Building Center as a boiler operator.  He enjoyed repairing and collecting clocks, gardening, flowers and their pet beagles.  He was a former member of the ELKS Lodge in Rochester.

Survivors include his wife of  66 years Eileen; one sister Doris Holtan of Lake City and many nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers and 2 sisters.

Friends may call 1 hour prior to the service on Monday at the church.

Memorials are preferred to Redeemer Lutheran Church or Paws and Claws.

Esther H. Blanchard died December 22, 2009 at Augustana Nursing Home in Hastings, MN.  She was born on August 23, 1920 in Livona, ND, and was the youngest of 6 siblings.  Esther moved to Akely, MN in 1936, where she graduated from high school in 1938.  She worked in Minneapolis, where she met and married John A. Johnson in April, 1940.  John and Esther had two sons, Arlo and Kevin.  After WWII, they moved to Nevis, MN, where Johnny worked as the local barber.  In October 1960, they moved to Rochester.  John died in July, 1970.  Esther married Okay Blanchard in June, 1973 in Rochester.  Mr. Blanchard died in 2005.

Survivors include son, Arlo (Toshiko); four grandchildren Kathy (Masa) Sumida of Okinawa, Japan, Taniya Johnson of Cottage Grove, MN, and Jamie (Jennifer) of Hastings, MN, and Grant Johnson of Rochester; three great-grandchildren Taylor and Tori (Taniya) of Cottage Grove, MN, and Kelly (Jamie and Jennifer) of Hastings, MN.

She is preceded in death by her husbands, and son Kevin.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, December 28, at 11:00AM at Macken Funeral Home, with Pastor Wesley Gabel officiating.  Friends may call on hour prior to the service at the funeral home.  Burial will be in Grand Meadow, MN at a later date.

Beverly A. Gunderson Aske - Rochester, MN

Beverly A. Gunderson Aske, age 78, died December 21, 2009 of natural causes at Golden Living Center East in Rochester.

Beverly was born on April 19, 1931 in Oronoco.  She has been a life long resident of the Rochester and Wabasha area.  On June 29, 1946 Beverly married Clarence Gunderson in Pine Island. They later relocated to Rochester. Mr. Gunderson passed away in January, 1974.  She married Richard A. Aske on November 12, 1975 in Wabasha, MN.  Mr. Aske passed away in 1998.  Beverly worked as a tech at the Rochester State Hospital and at the Wabasha Nursing Home.  She loved gardening, fishing, caring for her pets, and enjoyed occasional trips to Treasure Island.

Survivors include children James (Tracy) Gunderson of Mantorville, Michael Gunderson of Rochester, Gail Aarsvold (Ron Ingersoll) of Rock Dell, and Diane (Jim) Hodenfield of Rochester; 6 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchildren; siblings Lorraine Wondrow of Rochester, Russell Postier of Zumbrota, Allan Postier of Rochester, Lowell “Butch” Postier of Lafayette, Louisiana;

She is preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, brothers Dale and Gerald Postier, and grandson Jarrod Rabehl.

A memorial service will be held at 6:00PM on Wednesday December 23 at Macken Funeral Home with the Reverend Harry Jewison officiating.  Friends may call from 4:00 - 6:00PM on Wednesday at the funeral home.  Burial will be at a later date at Calvary Cemetery.

Rose Marie Ronnenberg, age 79, died December 19, 2009 at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester.

Rose was born on May 23, 1930 in Winona, MN and she grew up in Galesville, WI.  On February 20, 1950, Rose Tarras married Adrian “Ronny” Ronnenberg in Caledonia, MN.  Rose has been a Byron resident for over 50 years.  She was the co-owner and office manager of Ronny’s Plumbing and Heating, along with her husband.  She was involved with various volunteer activities.  She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Mantorville Senior Citizen Center, Rebekah’s, Grange, and church organizations.  Her passion was the VFW Auxiliary, especially the Poppy Program.

Survivors include children Sandra (Paul) Erickson of Byron, Paul (Pat) of Byron, Albert of Hastings, Lois (John) Rhodes of Cologne, MN, Jim (Monica) of Byron; sister Emily Meier of Auburndahle, WI; 11 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.  Her greatest joy in life was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Rose was preceded in death by her husband and grandson, Gary.

The funeral service for Rose will be held at Christ Lutheran Church in Byron on Saturday, December 26 at 1:30PM.  Friends may call from 11:00AM - 1:30PM at the church on Saturday.  Burial will be at Byron Cemetery following the service.  Memorials are preferred to the Senior Citizen’s Center of Mantorville, Byron, American Legion, or the Mantorville VFW Auxiliary.

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

Michael F. Flynn, 56, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, at his home on Friday, December 18, following a brief illness.

Mike was born to Robert & Marlene Flynn on September 15, 1953 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He grew up in Rochester,  graduated from Mayo High School, and attended Rochester Community College.  He was the owner of Rochester Cycling & Fitness with his brother Steven until 2001. He was most recently employed by Tri-State Business Machines.

On August 6, 1983 he married Denise Cheranko at St. Michael’s Church in Indiana. He enjoyed spending time with his three daughters, Brenna, Jennifer, and Tara. He was an avid Green Bay Packers fan, and also enjoyed the outdoors, Nascar racing, music, playing the drums, and motorcycles.

Mike is survived by his wife and daughters; mother Marlene Flynn-Harnack and step-father, Gene Harnack of Rochester; three brothers, Steven (Denise) and Thomas of Rochester, and Brian Jon “BJ” (Imogene)  of Colorado; grandmother Ellen Thorud.  He was preceded in death by his father Robert J Flynn, uncle Richard (Dick) Flynn, and grandparents Mike and Julia Flynn.

The funeral mass will be held 11:00 am Wednesday December 23^rd at Holy Spirit Catholic Church (5455 50^th Avenue NW) with Father Donald Schmitz officiating. Visitation will be from 5pm to 8 pm Tuesday, December 22 , at Macken Funeral Home. Burial will be in Oakwood East Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mayo Hospice or  St. Marys Hospital  Povarello Fund .

Bernice Wildenborg, age 85 of Rochester, passed away on December 18, 2009 at Samaritan Bethany Heights Nursing Home. Bernice was born July 17, 1924 to Henry and Emma Wildenborg in Rochester.  She attended Rochester Public High School, graduating in 1942.  She worked for the US Government in Chicago, in the Bond Division. She later retired, and returned to Rochester to care for her aged father. She is survived by a sister Doris (Garrett) Byrne of Bloomington, and nineteen nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by a brother: John Wildenborg and a sister: Joyce Shorba and her parents.  Bernice was a devout catholic who always put her family first before herself.  A funeral Mass is planned for Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at 11:00AM at the Macken Funeral Home Chapel with Father Harry Jewison officiating. Visitation will be one-half hour prior to services at Macken Funeral Home. Memorials are preferred to Samaritan Bethany Heights Nursing Home of Rochester.