Wilfrid Joseph Virnig passed away on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at Madonna Towers in Rochester. Wilfrid was born in Middleton, WI on March 18, 1919 to Adrian K. and Eva A. (Perkins) Virnig. Wilfrid moved to Dodge Center in 1925, and graduated from Dodge Center High School in 1937.  Wilfrid farmed in Dodge and Mower County. He married Catherine “Eleanor” Kuisle on April 9, 1945 at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church, in Simpson, MN. Together, they had ten children. He farmed outside the town of Byron, MN and he also worked in Rochester at various jobs including Water’s Instruments, Rubensteins Furniture Store, Mayo Clinic Maintenance and others. Wilfrid and Eleanor bought a farm and moved to Rollingstone, MN in 1961. He farmed and worked on the Winona Lock and Dam #5A amongst other jobs. He and Eleanor later sold their farm and moved to Goodview, MN. Eleanor died on February 26, 1975. Wilfrid worked for the Winona County Highway Maintenance Department and retired in November of 1982. Wilfrid married Shirley Rose Wilson Rodgers on March 5, 1983 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Minneiska, MN. In the 1990’s, Wilfrid and Shirley moved to Winona to live at Callista Court Assisted Living.  Shirley died August 14, 2009. After her death, Wilfrid moved to Rochester where he lived at Madonna Towers until his passing.

Wilfrid is survived by his ten children: Michael Joseph (Ruth Ann Rogers) Virnig of Tucson, AZ; Barbara Jean Virnig of Rochester; Daniel Richard (Carla Jean Fuglsang) Virnig of Bellevue, WA; Terrence Thomas (Janice Ann Lee) Virnig of Albany, OR; Linda Rose (John Robert Kaufmann) of Salem, OR; Donna Marie (James) Behmke of Columbus, IN; Veronica Vyonne (Gary Allan) Ives of Winona, MN; Annabelle Eleanor (Donald Francis) Hoechst of Cottage Grove, MN; Arden Edward (Patti Jean Hook)  of Onamia, MN; Christina Susan (James Patrick) Meyer of Eugene, OR; a sister, Meryl Kreidermacher of Plainview, MN; sixteen grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. In addition, he is also survived by stepchildren and spouses: John and Sigrid Rodgers of Centreville, VA; James and Patricia Rodgers, West of Rutland, VT; Judith and John King of Minnieska, MN; Theresa and Eugene Kohn of Plainview, MN; Doris Rodgers and her partner, Ron Hewuse of Houston, MN; William and Celeste Rodgers of Buffalo City, WS and step-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by two wives, one grandchild, four brothers, three sisters and his parents. Wilfrid loved fishing and hunting, history, agate stone work, farming, animals, fossil hunting and bird-watching.

A funeral Mass is planned for Monday, May 3, 2010 at Madonna Towers Chapel (4001 19^th Ave NW Rochester) at 10:30 AM. Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 2, 2010 from 3:00pm to 6:30PM at Macken Funeral Home (1105 12^th Street SE Rochester) and one hour prior to services at Madonna Towers. Burial will be in St. Bridget’s Cemetery in Simpson, MN.

Memorials are preferred to the Neuroblastoma Foundation, or the University of Minnesota Children’s Cancer Research Group, or the Ronald McDonald House of the Twin Cities, or CaringBridge.org or Madonna Towers.

Elizabeth Caroline Helen Albrecht Struve

Rochester- Elizabeth “Bette” Struve, 93, died April 28th at Samaritan Bethany Home on 8th peacefully surrounded by her family. Elizabeth, “Bette”, as she had been called since nursing years, was born to Wm. and Clara Albrecht in Mapleton, Mn. on January 27th, 1917.  She was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mapleton.  She graduated from Mapleton High School with salutatorian honor in her class in 1935.  She graduated from the Kahler School of Nursing with an RN degree, practicing in Worrall Colonial and Methodist Hospital during the years of the Drs. Mayo!

She married Kenneth L. Struve from Stewartville, MN in 1939 settling in Rochester where Ken worked as a milkman for Marigold Dairy and she practiced nursing.  They were married for 52 years and had four children.  Ken and an associate started a paint and hardware store called Brumm and Struve, which later became Struve Paint Store.  Eventually Bette became the office manager and bookkeeper which she continued doing six days a week until the age of 91. She became a well-known figure at the store.  While raising her family she was a scout leader, and encouraged her children to participate in sports, and music.  She was an avid golfer, played bridge, and was active in her church, starting at Redeemer Lutheran in Rochester and eventually joining Trinity Lutheran.  She was active in the women’s groups and senior citizens noon lunch program.  Bette was a role model for all of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her foundation in life was her faith, family, and work.

Bette was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth and brother Paul Albrecht.  She is survived by her daughter Sandra (DuWayne) Scharf of Rochester;  three sons,  Dr. James (Carolyn) Struve of Minneapolis; Dr. William (Sandra) Struve of Waterville; Bruce (Cheryl) Struve of Rochester; sister- in-law, Edith Albrecht;  thirteen grandchildren- Dr. Scott (Jennifer) Scharf of Plymouth; Steve Scharf  and Liz Scharff of Rochester; Emily (Chris) Woodall of St. Paul; Laura (Brad) Hanson of Minneapolis; Naomi Struve of Minneapolis; Dr. Matthew (Krista) Struve of Lindstrom; Amy (Dr. Shawn) Spoden of Sartel; Jesse (Beth) Struve of Golden Valley; Jennifer (Ned) Shuck of Cologne; Eric Struve of Minneapolis; Gretchen Struve of Madison, WI; Kristina Struve of Isaquah, WA;  and thirteen great- grandchildren.

A memorial service will be Monday, May 3, 2010 at 11:30 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Rochester, followed by a lunch at the church. Friends may also call one hour before  the service. A graveside service will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Rochester at 9:30. Family and friends are welcome. There will be a visitation at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester on Sunday, May 2, 2010  from 3- 5pm.

Memorials may be given to Samaritan Bethany Home or Trinity Lutheran Church in Rochester.

Online condolences are welcome at www.MackenFuneralHome.com

Marilyn V. Watson, 78, Rochester, dies

Marilyn V. Watson, Matriarch of the large Watson family, peacefully passed away Wednesday afternoon.  In life she was a force to be reckoned with; she was CFO, book-keeper and CAK of Stan Watson Rubbish Removal while simultaneously raising nine children.  She ruled with a loving hand and a no-nonsense attitude.  She positively impacted many who sought her frank advice or her friendship.  The kitchen table at Marilyn’s was a welcoming place that resolved many problems or was just a great place for a good laugh or a game of cards.  She instilled a strong sense of self-reliance in her children by modeling how hard work, perseverance, love, and a servant’s heart can create a fulfilling life.  She will be sorely missed, but happily remembered as we gather one last time around the kitchen table.

Marilyn Veronica Crowe was born January 13^th, 1932 in Rochester; she was married to Stanley Watson March 24^th, 1954, in Dodge Center with daffodils.

Survivors include her five daughters, Sharon (John) Groh of Mt. Prospect, IL, Cynthia (Paul) Lehnherr of Jackson, GA, Julie Watson of Winston Salem, NC, Melissa Watson of Alexandria, VA and Brenda Watson of Vernon Hills, IL.; three sons, Stanley Jr (Barbara) of Chicago, Bruce of Rochester and Michael (Denise) of Greenville, SC; 17 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. Preceding her in death were her daughter, Pamela, sisters Jean and Cecilia, brothers Paul, Tom, and Jerry.

Saturday Remembrance Events

• Visitation 12pm at Macken Funeral Home
• Service 1pm at Macken Colonial Chapel
• Friends and relatives are invited to a luncheon at the Eagles Club, 917 15^th Ave SE, following the graveside service at Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.

The funeral Mass for Janet Ruth Nogosek will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday May 1, 2010 at St Francis Catholic Church, with Rev. William Thompson officiating.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Rochester, MN.  Mrs. Nogosek (Baker), 85, of Rochester, died Saturday April 24, 2010 of natural causes at  Seasons Hospice in Rochester.  She was born November 29, 1924 in Davenport, Iowa to Harold and Lila Baker.  She was raised in the Trempealeau and Winona area, and graduated from Trempealeau High School.  She married Rufus Nogosek August 11, 1945.  He passed away  in 1968.  She married John J. Nogosek in 1969 in Rochester and he passed away on May 2 , 2000.  Janet spent most of her adult life in Rochester and worked as an LPN at the State Hospital and Family Services.  She was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church and also a member of The Red Hat Society.  She is survived by two sons, Thomas M. (Diane) Nogosek of Apple Valley, MN.; Richard L. (Judith) Nogosek of Kansas City, MO. ; 3 step-sons, David J. (Marilyn) Nogosek of Rochester ; Steven E. Nogosek  of Dorchester, IA. ; Donald M. Nogosek of Rochester ; Step-daughter Marie H. (John) Wheeler of Rochester.  She is also survived by 3 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, 7 step grandchildren and 2 step great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents and 2 husbands.

Janet enjoyed endless hours of card playing with family and friends and watching the Minnesota Twins.

Friends may call Friday, April 30, 2010 from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Macken Funeral Home, and one hour before the service at the church on Saturday.  Memorials are preferred to Seasons Hospice in Rochester. On line condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.

Rosalee M. Connelly, 66, of Rochester, Minnesota, passed away Wednesday, April 21, 2010 in Rochester.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at Macken Funeral Home with Claire Vomhoff officiating.  Visitation will be at 1 p.m. until the time of service.

Rosalee was born April 3, 1944 in Rochester, Minnesota to Edgar and Henrietta (Henke) Siem.  She was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Rochester, Minnesota.  She attended Farm Hill Elementary School, 7th and 8th grade at Central Lutheran School, Central Junior High, graduating from John Marshall High School in 1962.  Following graduation, Rosalee worked at the Olmsted County Court House, then as a secretary for Attorney Steiner, New York Life Insurance, IBM, and retiring with the Mayo Clinic in 2006.

On May 7, 1966, she married Robert R. Connelly at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Rochester and they were later divorced.

Rosalee is survived by her daughter, Dawn Connelly of Bass Lake, California; mother, Henrietta Siem (Henke) of Plainview, 2 brothers, Richard (Sharon) of Rochester, Roger (Denise) of Elgin, and 2 sisters, Maxine Kemnitz and Patricia Hart (Raymond) both of Rochester, and her faithful cat, Ava.

Rosalee was preceded in death by her father, Edgar Siem, ex-husband, Robert Connelly, and special friend Joe Kardock.

Macken Funeral Home, 1105 12th Street SE, Rochester, Minnesota 55904 (507) 282-1075.

Friends may sign the online guestbook at www.mackenfuneralhome.com

A funeral Mass for Francis L. Lorentz will be 10:30AM Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at Church of Christ the King in Byron with the Rev. Paul Surprenant officiating. Burial will be in Byron Cemetery.

Mr. Lorentz, age 86, died Friday, April 23, 2010 at Fairview Care Center in Dodge Center, where he had resided the past eight years.

He was born Francis Louis Lorentz June 7, 1922 at Hastings, Minnesota to Frank and Mathilda (Schaeffer) Lorentz. He grew up on a farm near Cannon Falls and served in the Army stateside during WWII. On April 24, 1946 he married Kathleen “Kay” Carnel at St. Pius V Catholic Church in Cannon Falls. She survives.

The couple lived at Cannon Falls for a time and later moved to Byron. Mr. Lorentz was a territory representative for John Deere and later owned and operated the John Deere Dealership (Rochester Equipment Company) south of Rochester. He was also in the plumbing business and construction dirt business and was a contractor. He enjoyed golfing and raising cattle and spending time with family, friends, and winters in Arizona.

In addition to his wife he is survived by four daughters, Barb Pehler-Williams of Byron; Maureen (Chris) Helland of Almo, Kentucky; Jennifer (John) Hoehn and Kathy (Larry) Simpson, both of Kasson; three sons, Richard (Linda) Lorentz of Kasson, Kevin (Diane) Lorentz of Albert Lea and Jeff (Dawn) Lorentz of Kasson. A son-in law Greg Morse of Kasson also survives. Mr. Lorentz was preceded in death by both of his parents; a daughter, Jeanne Morse; two sisters, Anne and Sr. Mary Bona; and four brothers, Nicholas, Jerome, Joe and Peter.

Friends may call from 5:00PM to 8:00PM Tuesday at Church of Christ the King in Byron and one hour prior to the Mass at the church on Wednesday.  Memorials are suggested to Church of Christ the King or Fairview Care Center.

Macken Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. On-line condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome. com.

A Funeral Mass for Gerald “Mike” Lawrence Kuhl will be at 10:00am, Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Rochester, MN with Rev. Msgr. Gerald Mahon officiating.  Mr. Kuhl, 91, of Rochester, passed away on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at Golden Living Center East.

Mike was born on July 29, 1918 in West Concord, MN.  He attended Pine Island School and later moved to the Chester-Rochester area with his family.

Mike married Opal Carstens on September 2, 1944 in Minneapolis, MN.  Mike and Opal moved to Detroit Lakes in 1948 and returned to Rochester in 1951.

He owned and operated the Champall Manufacturing Co. in Chester, MN.  Mike had developed patents for the Wedge-Grip Clevis, manure spreaders and the Chopper Box along with working on other farm equipment.  He manufactured and sold wagon unloaders to Lindsay Brothers in Minneapolis, MN.  His pastimes included fishing, hunting, watching auto racing and building model airplanes.  Mike belonged to the Academy of Model Aeronautics.

Gerald is survived by his wife, Opal Kuhl of Rochester, MN; son, Bill Kuhl of Winona and one brother, Robert (Lucille) Kuhl of Rochester.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

Friends may call from 9:00 - 10:00am at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Rochester, MN.

Interment will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens, Rochester, MN.

Memorials can be designated to donors choice

Macken Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.  On-line condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneral.com.

A memorial Mass for Steven “Steve” Joseph Fakler will be at 2:00PM, Thursday, April 29, 2010 at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester, with the Rev. LaVern E. Trocinski officiating.  Burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Rochester.  Mr. Fakler, 56, most recently of the St. Peter, MN area, passed away on Thursday, April 22, 2010 at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, due to complications of pneumonia.

Steve was born October 15, 1953 in Cheyenne, Wyoming.  He grew up in Albert Lea, where he graduated from high school, then attended St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN.  He served in the United States Navy.  Steve enjoyed fishing, bowling, following the Minnesota Twins and was an avid Vikings fan.  He especially enjoyed music, and played both the guitar and piano.

Steve is survived by his mother, Teresa “Terry” (Jim) Allen of Albert Lea; 5 brothers, Jerry (Sue ) Fakler of Osage, IA, Paul Fakler of  Lanesboro, MN, Greg (Stefanie) Fakler of Columbia SC, Tim (Valerie) Fakler of Emmetsburg, IA, John (Theresa) Fakler of Phoenix, AZ; 3 sisters, Betsy (Al) Pelzer of Fairmont, MN, Susie (Paul) Foxwell of Byron, MN, and Ann (Byron) Todd of Minneapolis, MN.  He is also survived by 17 nieces and nephews, and one grand-niece and one grand-nephew.  Steve was preceded in death by his father, Frederick Fakler.

Friends may call one hour prior to the Mass at Macken Funeral Home on Thursday.

Memorials will be used to purchase a garden bench that will be installed at his last place of residence.

Macken Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.  On-line condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.

The memorial service for Karen Marie Carney will be at 2:00pm Tuesday April 27, 2010 at Macken Funeral Home with Rev. LaVern E. Trocinski officiating.

Karen, also known as “Gramma Darling” or “Ma C.”, age 72 of Rochester passed away on April 23, 2010 at Angel Care Center in Cannon Falls of natural causes.  She was born to Floyd and Bernice (Toomey) Karau on October 20, 1937 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  She Married Edward L. Carney at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Rochester on October 12, 1957.

Survivors include her husband; mother Bernice of Rochester; daughters; Colleen (Fred) McCall of Mantorville, Carrie (Jeff) Ellis of Byron, Michelle Crowson of Plainview; one son Brian (Shelly) Carney of Lakeville; one brother Roger (Patricia) Karau of Elko, MN.  She is also survived by grandchildren; Chad Crowson, Stephanie Crowson, Westin Ellis, Taylor McCall, Bailey Erickson and Cameron McCall.

She was a loving mother, grandmother, and daughter who will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 1:00pm until the time of the service on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Foundation.

Online condolences are welcomed at www.MackenFuneralHome.com

A Funeral Mass for Myrth L. Macken will be at 10:00AM Monday, April 26, 2010 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic  Church in Rochester, Minnesota by Rev. Msgr. Gerald Mahon.    Burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Rochester.

Mrs. Macken, age 89, died Thursday morning (April 22, 2010) at Stone Crest Residence in Wausau, Wisconsin.

She was born Myrth Lorraine Theisen, April 17, 1921 at Zumbro Falls, Minnesota, to Walter P. Theisen and Eva Marie (Jones) Theisen.  She grew up in Zumbro Falls and attended the local school and graduated from Lincoln High School, Lake City, Minnesota.  She married Richard V. Macken on September 3, 1942 at Harding Field, Baton Rouge, Lousiana.  Throughout their married life, the couple resided in Selfridge Field, Michigan, Rochester, Minnesota, Michigan City, Indiana, Libertyville, Illinois, Sun City, Arizona, and was currently living in Wausau, Wisconsin.  Mrs. Macken was a member of women’s golf leagues at various locations where she resided.

She is survived by her husband, Richard;  four children, Thomas (Susan) Macken of Wausau, Wisconsin, Michael Macken of Edina, Minnesota, Patti (Brian) O’Connell of Palatine, Illinois and Julie Boyle of Orange, California; 11 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Thomas Theisen, and one sister, Patricia Frojd.

Friends may call on Sunday from 3:00-6:00PM at Macken Funeral Home and 1/2 hour prior to the service on Monday at the church.  Memorials are suggested to Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services of Wausau, Wisconsin, Forest Park Village Foundation of Wausau, Wisconsin, or Lourdes High School Building Fund.  Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.