Hildur Elizabeth Anderson - Rochester

Hildur E. (Swanson) Anderson died at St Marys Hospital in Rochester on January 26, 2010.  She was born in Fremont, Minnesota on November 28, 1918.  When she was four years of age Hildur moved to Minneapolis with her parents. She attended Minneapolis Public Schools, Minnehaha Academy High School where she was valedictorian of her class, and the University of Minnesota with majors in Library Science and English.  She held positions in the Minneapolis schools, Minneapolis Public Library, University of Minnesota, and Augsburg College.  In 1946 she married Walter Anderson and they resided in Edina, Minnesota.  They moved to Rochester in 1968 where they owned and operated Anderson Dairy Queen until retiring in 1985.  After 53 years of marriage, Walter passed away on August 11, 1999.

Dear daughter, Debra, survives, as well as other relatives and friends.

There will be a private burial in Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis on Friday, January 29, 2010.  Macken Funeral Home is handling arrangements.  www.mackenfuneralhome.com

A funeral Mass for Craig Eugene Johnson will be held at 10:00am on Saturday January 30, 2010 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with Rev. Thomas Loomis officiating.  Burial will be at Pleasant Prairie Cemetery in Rochester.

Craig, age 51, of Rochester died in a 39-vehicle pileup on Interstate 35 on Monday.  In an attempt to rescue his wife, he exited his vehicle and was fatally struck by another vehicle.

Craig  E. Johnson was born in Des Moines, Iowa on April 30, 1958 to Ivan and Dorla Johnson Eisenlauer. He was raised in Des Moines and graduated from Roosevelt High School.  He was also a graduate of Iowa State University (Phi Beta Kappa).  He married Kathleen Sweeney on September 21, 1985 in Des Moines, Iowa.  He was employed by IBM for many decades and traveled the world as a Power Systems software product manager of IBM i, PHP, and MySQL.  He was described as one of the most well-recognized and respected figures in the IBM Systems world.  He is remembered for his kindness, sense of humor, talent, professionalism and dedication.  He was scheduled to be the keynote speaker for the TEC conference in April.

He is survived by his wife Kathleen; two daughters, Casey Johnson of Ames, Iowa and Megan Johnson of Minneapolis, Minnesota along with her fiancé Solomon Geigle; his father Ivan (Judy) Johnson of Des Moines; his mother Dorla (Ike) Eisenlauer of Estes Park, Colorado; a brother Paul (Carol) Johnson of Ankeny, Iowa; step sisters Renee (Jason) Aker of Baxter, Iowa; Debra (Dennis) Martin of Lincoln, Nebraska; Diane (Gary) Ellis of Norwalk, Iowa; a step brother Dick (Linda) Eisenlauer of Bettendorf, Iowa.

He was a loving husband, father, and son. He was well respected by everyone who knew him and will be dearly missed.

Friends may call from 5:00PM - 8:00PM Friday evening at Macken Funeral Home and 1 hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Macken Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.  Online condolences may be signed at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.

The funeral for Lambert Thomas Lica will be held at 12:00PM on Saturday, January 30, 2010 at Macken Funeral Home with Father Thomas Loomis officiating. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens. Mr. Lica, age 87, passed away on January 26, 2010 at Sunrise Cottages of Rochester.  He was born on June 8, 1922 in Winona, MN to Felix and Helen Lica. After attending St. John’s High School, he was drafted into the US Army, and served during WWII. On August 4, 1947, he married Angeline “Angie” E. Lee at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Rochester. “Lam” was self-employed as a contractor in the Rochester area. He retired in 1981. His wife, a retired JC Penny Associate, survives.

Also surviving are his children: Deborah Ann (Todd) Morgenstern of Savage, MN; James Phillip (Donna) Lica of St. Paul, MN. Two sisters: Jeanette Lica of Rochester, Loraine Miller of Rochester, and two grandchildren: Andy (Chrissy) Lica of Hayfield and Allen Lica of Rochester.

He is preceded in death by a son: Thomas Lica, six sisters, and his parents.

“Lam” loved fishing, gardening and cooking.

A visitation will be held one hour prior to services at Macken Funeral Home. Macken Funeral Home in charge of arrangements www.mackenfuneralhome.com

The funeral service for Hall S. Eastman will be at 10:30AM, Friday, January 29, 2009 at Macken Colonial Chapel, with the Rev. Sharon Nelson (Pastor of  United Methodist Church in Byron) officiating.

Mr. Eastman, 102, died Friday, (January 22) at Maple Manor Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Rochester.

Hall was born in Dodge County, Minnesota on August 31, 1907.  He grew up on the family farm in Ashland Township and attended school at Dodge Center.

He married Harriet Salmon on December 18, 1936 at Rochester, Minnesota.  They celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary on December 18, 2003.    They farmed in Ashland Township until their retirement, then moving to Rochester.   Harriet was a registered nurse at Fairview Nursing Home for 20 years.  She preceded him in death on October 21, 2004.

Hall was a member of the United Methodist Church in Byron.   He is survived by his children, Gerald (Anne) of Rochester, Robert of Lawler, Iowa and Philip (Gayle) of Rochester, Sheila (Jerry) of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, Alan (Mary Lou) of Adams, Nebraska, and John of Denver, Colorado; 8  grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.    He was preceded in death by his two sisters, Ruth Henslin and Audrey Witt.

A spring burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Dodge Center, Minnesota.

The family requests no memorials.  Macken Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

The funeral Mass for Dorothy Marie Nigon will be 11:00am Wednesday at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church with the Rev. Timothy T. Reker officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery

Mrs. Nigon, 84 of Rochester died Saturday January 23 at Madonna Towers Health Care.

Dorothy was born March 1, 1925 in Harpers Ferry, Iowa to Earl and Mary Renne.  On April 27, 1942 she married Edwin F. Nigon at St. Francis Church and the family then lived in Iowa for a short time returning to Rochester in 1945 when her husband returned from service.  Her husband Ed was and employee of Peoples Co-op Services. Dorothy and Ed were Charter members of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.  She enjoyed Crafts, volunteering at St. Francis and being active in the Rosary Society.

Survivors include two sons, David L. (Caroll) of Ham Lake, MN, Dennis L. (Sandy) of Rochester; two daughters Barbara (David) Kocer of Rochester and Peggy Fichten of Owatonna; nine grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Dorothy is also survived by two sisters Rita (Robert) Suddendorf and Sue Ann (Gilman) Moe both of Rochester.  She was preceded in death by her husband, daughter, Mary Kay, son, Earl, one brother and two sisters.

Friends may call from 5pm to 8pm Tuesday January 26 at the Macken Funeral Home and for one hour before the service on Wednesday.

Memorials are preferred to the Lourdes Foundation.

A Memorial Service for Bernita “Nita” Newell will be 11:00am Monday, January 25^, 2010 at Homestead United Methodist Church officiated by Jane Day, Minister of Membership Care. Burial will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens.

Mrs. Newell, age 96, died at Maple Manor Nursing Home early Thursday morning (January 21, 2010). She had been a resident there since November 2005.

Born Bernita Marie Lynch September 15, 1913 at Neilsville, Wisc., she married Howard C. Newell June 15, 1935 at Wausau, Wisc. Mr. Newell was a salesman for Hoffer Glass Company. He died April 26, 1994.

The couple moved to Rochester from Wausau in 1938. Mrs. Newell was a homemaker. She was an active member of Homestead United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school and Confirmation classes, sang in the church choir and senior choir and belonged to one of the church’s Ladies’ Circles.

She was a member of the Senior Citizens Center and sang in their Young at Heart musical group. She volunteered at the Salvation Army Store and Community Clothesline. Both she and her husband loved to dance.  She was a member of the Red Hat Society.

Survivors include three sons, Dale H. (Mary) of Coconut Creek, FL; Duane D. (Mary) and William F. (Linda) both of Rochester. 8 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchilden also survive. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a sister.

Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Macken Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. www.mackenfuneralhome.com

Jeanette Ann Carlson died at her home on Wednesday, Jan. 20. Jeanette was born 16 December, 1939, on a warm record-breaking day at Perham, Minn., to James and Dorothy (Rohr) Tobkin. In 1944 the family moved to a farm 10 miles north of Detroit Lakes, Minn.. She attended the one-room rural school, District 57 at Rochert, Minn., and usually had a 2-mile walk home. She graduated with honors at Detroit Lakes High School and at St. Catherine’s Nursing Program in St. Paul. She married Harold Carlson on 7 October, 1961, at Detroit Lakes. While honeymooning in Washington, D.C., she identified a former neighbor on the “10 Most Wanted List” on the FBI tour. The psychopath had killed four women nationally. They moved to Rochester in 1966, and Jeanette became active in St. Pius X Catholic Church and School, and the Olmsted County Genealogical Society. The sweaters she knitted for her children now are being worn by the grandchildren. To help pay tuitions, she did day care for many years. In Bicentennial 1976 she started doing genealogy. Her husband, Harold, worked 31 years for the IRS. In travels for fun and research and meeting relatives she visited all 48 contiguous states. In 1996 she and Harold toured in Europe and enjoyed meeting new cousins. The 2005 family cruise in the Bahamas was also wonderful.

She is survived by Harold and three sons, Bernard (Jackie, Melissa and Grant); Edward (Kimberly, Kyndra and Daulton); and Vincent (Stephanie), and six daughters, Monica (Phil, Eli and Daniel) Araoz; Victoria; Linda (Jim and Kiera) McGuire; Deanna (Jim, Jillian, Toby, Evelyn and Luke) Jacobson; and Rebecca (Steve, 12th grandchild expected in June) Soh, all in Minnesota, and Barb (Jim) Gorghuber in Las Cruces, N.M.

A longtime diabetic, Jeanette survived strokes, but could not beat peritoneal cancer. Vicki says Mom is in Heaven interviewing ancestors. Rather, she is enjoying the “Beatific Vision.”

A funeral service is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 25, at 11 a.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Rochester. Visitation will be Sunday, Jan. 24, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester, and one hour prior to the funeral Monday at the church. Memorials are preferred to Pro-Life Across America or the Minnesota Multiple Sclerosis Society. www.mackenfuneralhome.com

Catherine (Cooney) Peebles died January 18, 2010 at Sunrise Cottages in Rochester, MN.  Catherine was born on February 12, 1917 in Detroit, MI.  She lived in Detroit until 1995, when she moved to Bedford, TX.  In 2005 she moved to Rochester, MN and has been a resident of Sunrise Cottages for 5 years.

Survivors include her children Doug (Debbie) Peebles of Keller, TX, and Gail Dorsey of Rochester, MN, 7 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

There will be a Funeral Mass held at Macken Funeral Home at 2:00pm on Wednesday, January 20, with the Rev. Father Thomas Loomis officiating.   Friends may call one half hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will take place on Friday, January 22 at Roseland Park Cemetery in Berkley, MI.  Macken Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Brandon Douglas Stonionis, age 23, of Rochester, MN, died in Tinley Park, IL January 11, 2010.

Born November 8, 1986, Brandon was, from day one, an important part of many people’s lives. This young man, living only a short time, had a presence that will always be remembered.

He was special in a way that no one could replicate. A class clown, who, as many people will remember, could make anyone laugh (roofies, burnouts, hot karls, fireworks, the tickle bug, the little man outside, scoobies, core, low-riders, deformed science books, Johnny pants, generic) and also was a truly caring person who was always there for his friends and his families; he had a heart of gold that shined through the goofiness. After his father, Dan Stonionis, passed away in 2008, his gentle nature could be seen even more along with the strength in remembering someone through memories while trying to live life to its fullest and “making his father proud”.

Brandon, for elementary school, attended Byron, Bamber Valley, Sunset Terrace and Lincoln Choice School. He continued at Lincoln throughout middle school and then graduated from Mayo High School in 2005. Brandon had various jobs while growing up. His first job was at Brother’s Bar and Grill. He also worked for Jeff Meyeraan, siding homes and Tilley’s Tavern in Oronoco as a cook for 3 years. Brandon earned a scholarship through the Rotary STRIVE Program through the Rochester school district. He attended and graduated from Dakota County Technical College as an electrical lineworker. He was immediately hired through ComEd, Excellon Corporation in Chicago Illinois as an apprentice electrical line worker. He continued schooling through the company and earned his journeyman license and worked as a transmission overhead journeyman lineman. He worked for the company for three and a half years.

He enjoyed shooting pool, riding his Harley Davidson, Motocross, Nascar (Jeff Gordon), fishing, hunting, trips to Dave Pernu’s cabin, golf, guitar and Dumb and Dumber.

Survivors include his mother: Tonya Stonionis. Sister: Danielle Stonionis. Grandparents: Joe and Diane Stonionis and Clint and Sharon Kueker. Great Grandparents: Nancy Shatford, Constance and George Anderson and Elizabeth Stonionis. Uncles: Doug Stonionis, Dave Stonionis, Brian Salmon, Mike Howard and Bob Volk. Aunts: Dana Salmon, Carrie Hursey, Trudy Kueker, and Tracy Kueker. Cousins: Caitlyn Salmon, Jamison Stonionis. Significant other: Liz Williams. Best friend: John Fiek. He was preceded in death by his father: Daniel Stonionis, great grandparents: John Shatford, Joseph P. Stonionis, George and Esther Peters, and Edith and William Kueker and cousin: Jordan Salmon.

A wake will be held at Macken Funeral Home, 1105 12^th Street SE, Rochester, Minnesota on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 5:00pm-8:00pm. The funeral will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Stewartville, Minnesota, Tuesday January 19, 2010 at 2:00pm. There will be a celebration of Brandon’s life at his favorite establishment, Tilly’s Tavern in Oronoco, Minnesota Tuesday evening after 6:00pm. There will also be a memorial Friday January 23, 2010 after 6:00pm at Northwest Billiards, 18700 Old Lagrane Road, Mokena, IL.

“God is great, Beer is good and People are crazy” (Billy Currington)

A memorial mass for Theresa “Tree” R. Wilkus will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010, at Madonna Towers Chapel, with the Rev. James D. Russell officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Mrs. Wilkus, age 87 of Rochester, passed away on Jan. 12, 2010, at Madonna Towers Nursing Care Center, following a lengthy illness.

Theresa Rosalie Borsch was born on Feb. 18, 1922, in Kennan, Wisconsin, to Joseph and Erna (Gross) Borsch. Tree attended St. Andrews Catholic Grade School and in 1940 graduated from Washington High School in St. Paul. She then worked for General Mills as a typist and later as a bookkeeper for Patterson Dental Supply. She married her high school sweetheart, Francis “Frank” J. Wilkus, May 4, 1946, in St. Paul. The couple later moved to Rochester in 1956. Mr. Wilkus was the administrator of Olmsted Medical Group.

She served as an active volunteer with the Girl Scouts as a troop leader, with the Cub Scouts as a den mother, and as a scribe at the Kahler Hotel. She was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church and was active in a rosary group there. She enjoyed her bridge club, working with ceramics, knitting, crocheting, and belonging to both the Clay Club and the Red Hat Club.

Her unending energy and sense of fun contributed to her organizing and administrating fundraising for the first Graham Arena in the early 1970s. During hockey season, you could always find her behind the Wilkus boy’s team goalie hollering the unending “Hustle Out There!”

Tree and Frank spent 18 years in Sun City, AZ, making many friends during their retirement.

Survivors include her husband, Frank; one son, Jim (Susan) Wilkus of Fergus Falls; three daughters, Mary Lynn (Robert) Corning of Pardeeville, Wis., Louann (Darwin) Fieck of Millville and Annette (Scott Duenow) Wilkus of Maplewood, N.J.; three grandchildren, Andy Wilkus, Michael Corning and Joseph (Megan) Fieck; two step-grandchildren, Ellen and Spencer Ferry; two sisters-in-law, Patricia (Wilkus) Floeder and Maxine Wilkus; three brothers-in-law, Joseph Steinworth, George Wilkus and John Floeder; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Paul A. Wilkus and Mark J. Wilkus; one brother, Joseph Borsch; three sisters, Marie Colaizy, Lucille Borsch and Jeanette Steinworth; also a brother-in-law and a sister-in-law.

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

Memorials are suggested to Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.