Rosalyce May “Kitty” Molacek Hoppa, 79 of Rochester, passed away on Monday, March 29, 2010 at her residence following a short illness with leukemia.  A Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at 1:00PM at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church with Rev. Father John Lasuba officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday, April 5, 2010 from 5:00PM to 7:00PM at Macken Funeral Home, and one-half hour prior to services at the church.

Rosalyce Molacek was born September 6, 1930 to Anton and Christene (Maruska) Molacek. After attending rural schools for eight years, she graduated from Mt. St. Benedict Academy in Crookston, MN. Rosalyce then became a registered nurse after graduating from St. Frances School of Nursing in Breckenridge, MN.  On February 11, 1953, she was married to Louis James Hoppa at the Catholic Church of the Assumption of Mary in Callaway, MN. After 57 years of marriage, Louis passed away on February 21, 2010. She is survived by three sons, Joseph (Deborah) of Wausau, WI, James (Linda) of Forest Lake, MN, and Anthony (Lori Lynn) of Delano, MN; three daughters, Catherine (Jon) Fraley of Evansville, IN, Mary Ellen (Michael) Coleman of Rochester, and Jean (Craig) Sunderman of Cambridge, MN; a special daughter, Lori Kim Hoppa; three sisters, Viola Boatman of Spooner, WI, Nydia (Vince) Lefebvre of Ogema, MN, Mary Ann Herberg of Pine City, MN, and one brother, David (Jackie) Molacek of Callaway, MN; ten grandchildren, Thomas Fraley, Brenna and Timothy Coleman, Sarah, Angela, and Noah Hoppa, Aaron Hoppa, Emily and Anna Sunderman, and Ella Jeanne Hoppa. She is preceded in death by her husband, seven brothers, one sister, and her parents.

Kitty was employed as a nurse in North Dakota and Minnesota. She was active in Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and participated in the St. Pius X Rosary Group for many years. Kitty was an avid exerciser, starting and leading an exercise class at Senior Citizens Inc. for over ten years. She also walked most of the trails in Rochester with her companion dog, Casey. She received the Bishop’s Medal and was awarded the Mayor’s Medal of Honor in 1985. She has been a member of St. John the Evangelist Parish since 1981. She enjoyed writing true stories about her life, and four of those stories were 1^st Place winners in Post Bulletin writing contests, one of which was published in an anthology. She designed and made quilts and loved reading, cooking, painting, and gardening. She spent many happy times at their cabin on West Leaf Lake in Ottertail County. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Minnesota, Mayo Hospice, or Paws and Claws.

“Let’s form a chain!”

MaryJo Larrison-Gruhlke, 49 of Elgin, passed away at her home on Sunday, March 28, 2010 after a lengthy illness with cancer.

She was born on August 27, 1960 in Rochester, Minnesota to Frederick and JoAnn Gruhlke.

MaryJo is survived by her loving companion of 18 years, Steven Wenthold; children, Tanya (Ryan) Wallace of St. Charles, Christina (Peter) Dvorak of Rochester, MN, Cassandra Gruhlke of Elgin, MN, Karrie Wenthold of Rochester, MN and Misty Wenthold of Redwing, MN; sisters, Cindi (Paul) Poleos of Frankfort, MO and Patty Larrison of Rochester, MN; brothers, Fred (Beth) Gruhlke of Rochester, MN, Ed (Debbie) Gruhlke of Frankfort, MO; Bob (Stacy) Gruhlke of Eagan, MN and Dave (Marge) Gruhlke of Owatonna, MN; in-laws, Norvel and Ruth Sheldon; and 5 grandchilden.

She is preceded in death by her parents, JoAnn and Frederick Gruhlke.

MaryJo was a caregiver at Sunrise Cottages.  She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00AM, Thursday, April 1, 2010 at Macken Funeral Chapel.  The visitation will be held from 5:00 - 8:00PM Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at Macken Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service.  Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.

Memorials are preferred to the family.

Friends may sign the online guestbook at mackenfuneralhome.com

The funeral for Inez Louise Dassow was at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, March 28 at Macken Funeral Home.  Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery in Hibbing, Minnesota.

Inez Dassow, 90, of Rochester, died Friday (March 26) at the Rochester Health and Rehab East.  She was born November 13, 1919 in Hibbing, Minnesota where she resided until 1986 when she moved to Rochester.  She married Jim H. Dassow in 1943.  Jim was a shovel operator with US Steel and Inez was a housewife.

She was active in the PTA, Eastern Star, Shriners and the church.  Inez enjoyed spending winters in Arizona.  She was a devoted mother and grandmother who loved to laugh.  She loved the Lord with her whole heart.

She is survived by her son Larry of Rochester, MN., and one daughter; Judy (Joseph) Miller of Naples, Florida and one sister; Vivian (Ed) Miller of Rochester.  She is also survived by one granddaughter, Emily (Luke) Laga  and one great-grandson, Spencer Laga.  Inez was preceded in death by her husband Jim, who passed away in 1985, one brother;  Gordon Johnson, three sisters; Florence Lind, Violet Nigra and Bernice Broderson.

The funeral for Godfrey K. Luck will be at 11:00AM Monday, March 29th at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Rochester.  Mr. Luck, 77, died early Monday at Maple Manor Health and Rehabilitation Center in Rochester.  He was born February 9, 1933 in Northampton, England.  He later immigrated with his family to America in 1949 living in Indiana.  In 1950, he moved to Rochester and in 1952 he entered the Air Force, serving in Korea.  Returning, he lived in Rapid City, South Dakota from 1954 to 1956, stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base.  In 1956 he returned to Rochester.

On March 11, 1954 in Rochester, Godfrey married June Lockman and she survives.  He was a carpenter for 44 years, working for Kruse Co., Benike Construction, Lad Corporation and George Baihley.  In his retirement he was employed at Sam’s Club.

Survivors include his wife, June, daughters Sandra (Kim) Mahanna of Mahtomedi, MN and Rose (Lynn) Kinyon of Rochester, and 8 grandchildren.  He is also survived by a sister Blanche (Edward) Brock of Galveston, Indiana, two brothers, Bazil (Loretta) Luck of Rochester of Rochester and Graham (Marilyn) Luck of Byron.  He was preceded in death by one son, Joseph Henry Luck, 2 sisters, 2 brothers and an infant granddaughter.

Godfrey was a member of the United Commercial Travelers Benevolent Society, Eagles Club, the American Legion and the Rochester Racing Pigeon Club.

Pallbearers are Kenneth Meyers, John Meyers, Marvin Ihrke, Delmar Wilkie, Dennis Holtz, Rey Seballa and Ron Whipple.

Friends may call from 4pm to 7pm Sunday, March 28th at the Macken Funeral Home and one hour in advance of the service at the church.  Burial will be at Pleasant Prairie Cemetery, Rochester.

Memorials are suggested to the family.

Hazel W. Emmons, born Hazel Margaretta Williams, daughter of James Frederick Williams and Anna Popelka Williams in Chatfield, Minnesota, Fillmore County on December  28, 1909.  Hazel died peacefully on Saturday, March 20, 2010 surrounded in love by her children while in her own home.

On September 16, 1946, she married Morton Clarence Emmons in Rochester, Minnesota at St. John’s Catholic Church.  She was a graduate of Minnesota Teacher’s Training School and taught  in elementary schools in Minnesota.  She was a former office manager and interior  decorator for Rochester and St. Paul Decorating Company.  Wife of former owner of the 7-Up Bottling Company.  Hazel and Morton lived in Phoenix, Arizona and Rochester, Minnesota during their married life.  Morton Emmons died on October 1, 1952, after just six years of marriage.

Hazel was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church, BPO Does #19 and a very active member of Olmsted Community Hospital Auxiliary for more than fifty years.  She did volunteer work at several nursing homes and local charities.  Hazel was an avid reader, loved to cook and bake.

She is survived by five children; David J. (Rosemary) Emmons of Cottage Grove, MN, James F. Emmons of Rochester, MN, Katherine “Kay” A. (Michael) Aaby of Olney, Maryland, Judith “Judy” C. Emmons of Rochester, MN, Neysa “Dorothy” (LeRoy) Housley of St. Paul, MN; five grandchildren, Mark J. (Karen) Aaby, Kara Aaby (John) Sivick, Edward Emmons, John (Bonnie) Emmons, Michael Emmons and five great-grandchildren.

Hazel was preceded in death by her husband, both parents, two children: Clarence “Chizucko” Emmons and Alice Emmons, her two sisters, Ruth (Fred) Fisher and Mabel (Harry) Butler.

Visitation will be Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at Macken Funeral Home from 5:00 - 8:00PM and one hour prior to the funeral service at the church.  There will be a Service by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Does beginning at 7:00PM at the visitation on Tuesday evening.  The Funeral Mass will be held at 11:30AM on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 at St. Pius X Catholic Church.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Hazel was a very proud  and loving mother who put her family first.  It wasn’t easy to rear seven children with four under the age of five.  Three “doting aunts” and a wonderful mother and father helped so much.

“God is great, God is good”    Hazel will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all her care givers including Seasons Hospice.

Memorial may be sent in lieu of flowers to Seasons Hospice.

The funeral service for Donald E. Berg will be at 11:00AM Monday, March 22 ,at Bethel Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Anjanette Rist officiating.  Burial will be in  Grandview Memorial Gardens.

Mr. Berg, 76, of Rochester, died Thursday, March 18, at Seasons Hospice, following a courageous battle with cancer he had for the past 8 years.

Don was born on December 27, 1933 in Berne Minnesota.  He was married to Elizabeth Mork, but later divorced.  He was an engineer for IBM and upon his retirement, became a realtor for Coldwell Banker At Your Service.  He was a Korean War veteran.  Don was a member of the Eagles Club, and enjoyed fishing, golfing, bowling and spending time with his family.

Survivors include two daughters; Pamela (James) Rosemark of Rochester and Suzanne (Richard) Hibbing of Inver Grove Heights; his mother, Wava Berg of Rochester;  4 grandchildren, Ross Rosemark, Christopher Rosemark, Carly Hibbing and Lauren Hibbing.

Mr. Berg was preceded in death by his father, a brother and an infant daughter.

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

Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society and Paws and Claws.

A Memorial Mass for Kenneth Peter “Ken” Zubay, veteran, retired IBM employee and state representative, will be held at 10:00AM Thursday, March 18, 2010 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Military rites will be provided at the church by American Legion Post 92.

Mr. Zubay, age 85, died Sunday, March 14, 2010 at Rochester Methodist Hospital. He was born June 22, 1924 at Endicott, NY. Ken served in the Navy during WWII in the ship repair facility at Norfolk Virginia. He married Mary Elizabeth Callahan on April 22, 1943. She survives and is a retired homemaker and IBM employee.

Mr. Zubay’s IBM service extended over 40 years; first in Endicott, Poughkeepsie and then in Kingston, New York. In 1956, Ken and his family moved to Rochester (as the purchasing manager) to begin forming the IBM Rochester manufacturing and laboratory facility. His early IBM career began as a tool maker, purchasing agent, and then expanded to include the roles of purchasing manager, personnel manager and manufacturing manager. While in Rochester as the IBM manufacturing manager, he controlled the largest manufacturing facility under one roof, west of the Mississippi.

From 1975 to 1982, Ken served as a state representative in the Minnesota State Legislature where, as one of his distinctions, he chaired the House Higher Education Committee with the goal of providing more cost effective education.

Ken was very proud of his many years of involvement with the Ability Building Center which provides employment throughout Rochester for persons with disabilities and other special needs. He lead the fundraising (paver sales) effort that provided the working capital which built the Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial. He was also passionate about the Salvation Army and belonged to the Rotary and American Legion.

In addition to his wife, survivors include two sons; Kenneth J.P. (Sarah) Zubay of Boca Raton, FL and Jerry P. (LeeAnn) Zubay of Rochester; five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Susan; a daughter, Suzanne Marie, and a brother, Gerald.

Because Ken donated his body to the Mayo Clinic for medical study, burial will take place at a later date in Endicott, NY. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Rochester Ability Building Center.

Friends may call from 5:00PM to 7:00PM Wednesday (3/17/2010) at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and one hour before the 10:00AM service at the church on Thursday (3/18/2010).

Harold Lagerlund, 95, passed away on March 14, 2010, in Rochester.

Harold was born on May 6, 1914 in Chicago, IL, the son of Gustav Lagerlund and Emily Dipping Lagerlund.  He and his sister Margaret grew up and attended local schools in Elmwood Park, IL and graduated from Austin High School.  He loved classical music and played clarinet for several years in the Chicago Civic Orchestra.

Harold proudly served in the U.S. Navy as Musician Second Class and was discharged December, 1945.  He attended college at Northwestern University in Chicago.

Harold married Virginia Marie Wanamaker on June 21, 1952.  They lived in Lombard, IL 1952-1960 and in Glen Ellyn, IL 1960-1981.   Harold was employed as an accountant at various firms in the Chicago area throughout his professional career.  His hobbies were gardening and golf.

In 1981 he retired from his job at Donald Carol Metals and he and his wife moved to Spring Hill, FL where they lived full time until June 1988.  At that time they bought a house in Rochester MN to be near their son, but still spent the winter months in Spring Hill FL until finally selling their Florida house in March 2002.

Harold is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Margaret Lagerlund.    He is survived by his wife, Virginia, of Rochester, and by his son, Terrence and daughter-in-law Lynn and their five children, Sarah, Benjamin, Luke, Rachel, and Eva, who also live in Rochester.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 20, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 1315 12^th Ave. NW, Rochester.  Visitation will be one hour before the Mass in the church.  Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery with military honors.

The family prefers memorials be made to St. Pius X Catholic Church.

Helen (Bergithe) Bjornson McEmber passed away March 11, 2010 at the Seasons Hospice home in Rochester.  She was born March 4th, 1930 at the family farm of her parents, Ethel (Scharberg) and Oscar Bjornson.

She attended 8 grades in the one room country school, District 142, of Olmsted County and graduated from Hayfield High School in 1948.  She moved to Miami, Florida in 1952.  There she met and married Donald F. McEmber and they made their home in Coral Gables, Florida.  She enjoyed traveling with her husband on his business trips to Europe, South and Central America, and Mexico.  For a time, she owned a small Mexican art shop in Coral Gables, where she sold Mexican imports.  Helen had many interests; among them were growing orchids and roses in her Florida garden.  She enjoyed making whimsical stuffed dolls of her own design, which she sold at craft fairs.  She and her husband where avid collectors of art and fine crystal, which they found on their travels to Europe.

Helen moved back to Minnesota in 2004 for medical treatment at the Mayo Clinic, where she fought a heroic battle with cancer for 5 1/2  years.

She was preceded in death by her parents Ethel and Oscar Bjornson, brothers Lloyd and Paul Bjornson and husband Don McEmber.  She will be deeply missed by her siblings, Ruth Keenan, Betty Bjornson, Mavis Nelson, Ardean (Carma) Bjornson, sister in law Arlene Bjornson, nephews and nieces, Kevin Bjornson, John Bjornson, Aaron Bjornson, Scot Bjornson, Rodney Bjornson, Ted Bjornson, Kari Keenan, Chris (Bjornson) French, Jennifer (Nelson) Johnson, Emily (Bjornson) Smith, Sarah (Bjornson) Glynn, Beth (Bjornson) Connelly, as well as a host of friends in Florida, Roswell, Georgia, and Rochester, Minnesota.

A memorial service will be held at the Chapel of the Macken Funeral Home, 1105 12th St SE, Rochester, Minnesota on Friday, March 19th at 2:00.  There will be a visitation there one hour before the service at 1:00.  Interment will be at the West St Olaf Cemetery in rural Hayfield, Mn. Memorials preferred to the West St Olaf Church or the West St Olaf Cemetery Association, 24911 State Highway 30 Hayfield, Mn. 55940 or Seasons Hospice, 1811 Greenview Pl. SW Ste.110 Rochester, Mn. 55920.