The funeral for George H. McDowell will be at 1:00PM Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at Macken Funeral Home at 1105 12^th St. S.E., Rochester,MN with the Pastor Laura Fladten officiating.  Burial will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Rochester with military honors by the American Legion Post 92.  Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.  on Tuesday, August 3, 2010 at Macken Funeral Home and one hour prior to the funeral service on Wednesday.

Mr. McDowell, 90, of Spring Valley, MN formerly of Preston, died Friday, July 30, 2010 at Seasons Hospice at Rochester.

George was born July 12, 1920 to William and Molly McDowell at Preston, MN.  He graduated from Preston High School in 1938.  On July 28, 1941 he married Dorothy Hoyer of Chester, MN.  The couple lived at Preston until 1958, when they moved to Spring Valley.

November  of  1943 George entered the United States Army where he served in the South Pacific from 1945 until 1946 .  He served with the Chicago Military Police.

George had his own trucking business after which he went to work for Ruan Transport where he drove truck for 16 years.  After early retirement from Ruan he was employed by Kappers Construction.  From there he went to work as custodian for Rochester State Hospital.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy, two daughters, Carol J. Kohn of Spring Valley, MN and Penny Jo (Gary) Long of Rochester, MN, three grandchildren, Kimberly (Ron) Kappers, Jennifer (Brian) Niemeyer and Bobbi Jo Staffon; three great-grandchildren, John Kappers, Nicholas Niemeyer and Morgan Staffon, and a sister, Anna Rose La Freniere of Preston, MN.  He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, one sister and a son-in-law.

George loved spending time with family and friends; fishing, traveling and reading.

Macken Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.  Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com

A memorial service for Evonne L. “Pat” Webster will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 3, 2010 at Macken Funeral Home with the Rev. Timothy T. Reker officiating.  Burial of her cremated remains will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Rochester.  Visitation will be held one hour before the service at the funeral home.

Mrs. Webster 88 of Rochester, died Friday July 30 at Madonna Towers in Rochester.

Evonne  Verdick  was born in Alpha, Minnesota to Oscar and Elizabeth (Donwen) Verdick on February 11, 1943.  She graduated from Jackson High School in 1939 and Rochester Junior College in 1941.  She married Lee C. Webster in Rochester, February 11, 1943.  Mr. Webster retired from Northwestern  Bell Telephone in 1982. He passed away June 3, 2004.  Mrs. Webster was a medical secretary at the Mayo Clinic, retiring in 1987.

Survivors include her two daughters Patrice Webster of Hopkins, MN and Mary Webster DeWitt of Rochester;  two sons, Thomas (Denise) of Santa Clara, UT., and Mark (Katie) of Austin, TX;  a daughter-in-law Julia Webster of Flatonia, TX; four grandchildren Paul and Nick Webster, Stacey Rasmussen, and Drew Hagmann;  three great grandchildren, Bradford , Noelle, and Shayla Webster.  She is survived by one Brother, Bud (Greta) Verdick of Rochester; two sisters, Joyce Hassing of Omaha, NE, and Tudy (William) Callahan of Bloomington, MN.  She was preceded in death by her husband Lee and oldest son Lee Jr.

Evonne was a life-long member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Rochester.  She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, reading, and cross-word puzzles.  She was devoted to her husband and children and loved spending time with her family.

Memorials are preferred to the Lee Webster Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund at the College of St. Scholastica.

Macken Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com

The Funeral Mass for Mary Frances Donovan will be held at 10:30AM on Tuesday, August 3, 2010 at St. Pius X Catholic Church with Rev. Paul Nelson Officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5:00PM to 7:00PM on Monday, August 2, 2010 at Macken Funeral Home and one hour prior to services at the church.

Mary Frances Donovan, 92, passed away on July 29, 2010 at Season’s Hospice. Mary was born on September 26, 1917 in rural Olmsted County. She worked on the family farm, and graduated from St. John’s High School. After high school, she worked at various places in Rochester including Elshoff’s Bakery, Holland’s Café, and Waters Conley Company before taking a long term position with Mayo Clinic in Statistics. After retirement, she lived in Rochester with her sister Irene, who passed away in 2004.

She is survived by two nephews, Donald (Nancy) Nigon and Walt (Barb) Nigon both of Eyota, two nieces Dorothy (Richard) Denny of Rochester and Ruth (Gene) Trygstad of Kasson. She is preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, and two sisters.

Mary was a very independent person who enjoyed gardening, bowling, cooking, hosting family dinners, and taking care of her home. She was an avid volunteer, including over 27 years for St. Mary’s Hospital, and over 10 years helping with Meals on Wheels.  Her family was the most important part of her life.

Memorials are preferred to St. Pius X Catholic Church

Online Condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com

Margaret Virginia Pehrs, 84 of Stewartville, passed away on July 28, 2010 at her home.

Margaret Virginia Lundberg was born January 13, 1926 in Tyler, MN.  She was baptized on May 2, 1926 and confirmed on June 16, 1940.  She graduated from Ruthton High School in 1943. On August 7, 1950, she married Eldon “Bud” Pehrs in Ruthton, MN. She and her husband farmed until 1969, when they moved to Dodge Center.  She worked for People’s Cooperative Power in Rochester until 1981.  In the fall of 1981, she and her husband moved to Decorah, IA where together they owned and operated a Super 8 Motel.  The couple then retired and moved to rural Stewartville in 1986.

She is survived by two daughters, Myrna (Richard) Ingram of Decorah,IA and Marlys (Jim) Kuisle of Stewartville, five grandsons, Markus Kuisle of Rochester, Nathan (Jessica) Kuisle, Patrick, Jerrod and Jacob Kuisle, all of Stewartville, a brother, Vernon Lundberg of Fergus Falls, MN, a sister-in-law, Verna Krall of Baxter, MN. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband “Bud” in 1987, and a brother.

Margaret was an involved member at Bethel Lutheran Church and especially enjoyed the Bethel senior’s group. She spent many hours sewing, quilting, cooking, and was a practiced card player. She was a proud supporter of the Stewartville wrestling program, and was honored to receive the “Fan of the Year” award. Her grandchildren were a very important part of her life.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, August 2, 2010 at 11:00AM at Bethel Lutheran Church with Reverend Andy Nelson officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Stewartville. Visitation will be Sunday, August 1, 2010 from 4:00PM to 7:00PM at Macken Funeral Home, and one hour prior to services at the church.

Memorials are preferred to Bethel Lutheran Church.

Online Condolences are welcome at: www.mackenfuneralhome.com

Bertha “Betty” Williams  103

Bertha Betty Williams passed away at Madonna Meadows Assisted Living Center on Tuesday July 28^th 2010.

Bertha Betty Buettner was born in Kearney, Nebraska on June 2^nd 1907. She was educated as a teacher and taught high school for a number of years. She was married and lived for many years in Texas.

After her husband’s death, Betty moved to Rochester in 1981, where she had been a long time Mayo Clinic patient. Over the last 29 years Betty has called Rochester home and made many friends, living life to the fullest, achieving the wonderful age of 103 years. There are no survivors.

Reviewal will be from 4PM to 6PM this Sunday, August 1^st, and one hour prior to the service on Monday at Macken Funeral Home. The funeral service will be at  Macken Funeral Home on Monday August 2^nd 2010  at Noon, with Reverend Linda Helberg officiating. Burial will be to Oakwood Cemetery immediately following.

Memorials may be made to the Mayo Foundation. Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com

The memorial service for Suzanne Catherine Overland will be held at 11:00AM Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at Mount Olive Lutheran Church. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church.

Suzanne Catherine Overland passed away on Saturday, July 24, 2010 at Samaritan Bethany Heights Nursing Home.  Suzanne Catherine Tilford was born on January 3, 1929 in Austin, MN. At the age of three months, she and her parents moved to Rochester, where they lived with Suzanne’s grandparents, John and Susan Cochran on 11^th Avenue SW. When she was nine years old, the family moved to a farm located south of Rochester. She graduated from Rochester High School in 1946. In 1949, Suzanne met Vernon Glen Overland on a blind date, and the couple married on April 7, 1951 in Las Vegas, NV. The couple later moved to the Twin Cities, where Vernon owned an excavating business. Suzanne and Vernon spent many summers on Leach Lake. In 1988, Vernon passed away, and soon after, Suzanne moved to Rochester to be closer to her family.

She is survived by two sisters, Virginia (James) Biwer of Kasson, and Ruth Schoenfelder of Stewartville, a brother, Bob (Donna) Tilford of Mazeppa and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, five brothers, and one sister.

Suzanne was an active member of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church for over twenty years and enjoyed many hours of quilting with her church friends.  She loved reading, the Twins, and especially her dogs.

Memorials are preferred to Paws and Claws of Rochester.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com

Funeral Services for James Edward McManus will be held on Monday, July 26, 2010 at 11:00AM at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with Father Donald J. Schmitz officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church.

James Edward McManus, age 79, of Rochester, passed away on July 23, 2010 at St. Mary’s Hospital.  James was born on May 19, 1931 in Brooklyn, NY.  Following high school in Brooklyn, he enlisted in the US Navy and served his country from 1951 to 1954. His naval career involved serving on the  US submarine Ship “The Angler”.  On April 14, 1956, he married Santina “Tina” Buccilli in Plains, PA.  Following his military service, he began a career with IBM in New York. He retired after 38 years.  In 2000, Jim and Tina moved to Rochester to be closer to their family. Jim is survived by his wife Tina of 54 years, two sons, Edward J. (Barbara) McManus of Houston, TX, and James E. (Brynn) McManus Jr. of Rochester, a brother, Jack (Lillian) McManus of Florida, and four grandchildren, Sara, Nicole, Kyle and Jessica. He is preceded in death by a sister Frances “Mickey”.

Jim enjoyed gardening, reading, and especially spending time with his grandchildren, whom he loved deeply. In his retirement, Jim enjoyed being a greeter at Walmart North in Rochester.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com

The funeral Mass for Anna M. Gehrke will be at 10:00AM, Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at St. Pius X Catholic Church with the Rev. Paul Nelson officiating.  Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Rochester. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00PM on Monday, July 26, 2010 at Macken Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Mrs. Gehrke, 94, of Rochester, died Friday, July 23, 2010 at Samaritan Bethany Heights.

Anna was born October 7,1915 in Rochester, Minnesota to John and Julia Delaney.  She married Arthur Gehrke on April 19,1935 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Rochester.  Arthur died on July 30, 2006.  She was a life-long resident of Rochester area.  She was a housekeeping supervisor at Spring Valley Hospital and her husband was a custodian at Spring Valley School. They both worked as kitchen staff at Assisi Heights.

She is survived by two sons, Donald (Arlys) Gehrke and Ray (Norma) Gehrke both of Rochester; grandchildren, Steven Gehrke, Pamela (Rick) Hanson, Michelle (Scott) Birgin, Renee Larson, and Kelly Gehrke; great-grandchildren, Benjamin Gehrke, Katherine Gehrke, Jennifer Hanson, Nicole McDaniel, Matthew Birgin, Derek Birgin, Garett Larson and Haley Larson; two great-great grandchildren, Aidin McDaniel and Quinlan McDaniel; and two sisters, Gertrude Jensen of Rochester and Lucille (Ralph) Martin of Anaheim, California.  She was preceded in death by her husband, four brothers and two sisters.

She was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church and the Eagles Auxilliary.  She loved spending time with her grandchildren.

Memorials are preferred to the building funds of Samaritan Bethany and/or St. Pius X Catholic Church.

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

Marietta Johannson, 78, Rochester, peacefully departed life on July 22, 2010, surrounded by her loving family.  She was born September 4, 1931, to Herman and Lucille Sands in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Marietta graduated from high school in Evansville, Indiana and accompanied by her twin sister, Marilyn Albright, went on to college at Purdue University where they both graduated in 1953 with degrees in Home Economics. Marietta was a member of Chi Omega Sorority.  She started her career in Milwaukee WI as a Home Economist at the Milwaukee Gas Company.  Marietta met her soul mate and best friend of 52 years, Ken Johannson, on a blind date and they married in 1958.  Marietta and Ken raised three wonderful children, Judy (Judd) Stevenson - Neenah, WI, John (Margarita) Johannson-Minneapolis, MN and Jim Johannson - Colorado Springs, CO.

Marietta felt that if you lived and enjoyed the benefits of your community it was very important to give back to the community.  She was very passionate about the preservation of the Heritage House in Rochester.  Enjoying the company of all the dedicated fellow supporters, she was always looking for ways to share her love of the house with others who would tour the facility.  She was very active in her Circle and Food Service Group at Christ United Methodist Church, Friends of Mayowood, and was a dedicated volunteer for more than 25 years for the American Cancer Society.

Marietta enjoyed life, especially getting involved in the activities of her children.  She was a Purdue basketball fan who quickly turned into a hockey mom.  She had a penchant for bringing out the best in people and always helping others in need.

Marietta is survived by;  her husband Ken, Judy (Judd) Stevenson - Neenah, WI, John (Margarita) Johannson-Minneapolis, MN and Jim Johannson - Colorado Springs, CO.  The next generations includes six grandchildren:  Tyler Stevenson-Milwaukee, WI, Taylor Stevenson-Neenah, WI, and Johnny, Matias, Anna and Daniela Johannson-Minneapolis, MN.    She has numerous loving nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents and her twin sister, Marilyn Albright.

It was Marietta’s wish to have a celebration of her life.  A visitation will be held at Macken Funeral Home, 1105 12^th Street SE, Rochester, MN on Monday evening, July 26th from 5-7 PM.   A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, July 27^th at Christ United Methodist Church, 400 5th Avenue SW, Rochester MN, starting at 2:00 PM.  Visitation will be at the church one half hour before the service.  Officiating will be Rev. Dr. David Lieder.

A memorial has been established in Marietta’s name through the Heritage House, PO Box 512, Rochester MN 55903.  Or memorials are encouraged in support of a charity of your choice in Marietta’s name.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com

Funeral services for Arleen June Drysdale will be held on Monday, July 26, 2010, at 10:30AM at Macken Funeral Home with Rev. Paul Bauch officiating. Burial will be in Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at Macken Funeral Home.

Arleen June Drysdale, 87, of Rochester passed away on Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at Olmsted Medical Center.

Arleen June Chapman was born on June 15, 1923 in Sanitarium, CA to Benjamin and Julia Chapman. After graduation from high school, she attended Loma Linda University in Southern California. Upon graduating, she worked as a medical transcriptionist for the US Military. On May 13, 1949 she married Mac Clair Drysdale in Reno, NV. Due to Mac’s military duties, the couple lived in various duty stations including Germany for three years, and Scott Air Force Base for three years. When Mac retired from the US Air Force, the family moved to Rochester, MN. Arleen worked for the Minnesota State Hospital for 25 years. After she retired, she moved to Helena, MT, where she lived for 15 years before returning to Rochester.

She is survived by her six children, Richard (Mary) Drysdale of Helena, MT, Bruce Drysdale of Randolph, MN, Marc (Dianne Grewe) Drysdale of Apple Valley, MN, Kathleen (Brian Moritz) Drysdale of Rochester, Cynthia (Mark Shorey) Drysdale of Everly, IA, Jeff (Kim) Drysdale of Rochester, twelve grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband Mac, a brother, Bill, sister, Betty, and two great-grandchildren, Lindsey and Nevaeh.

Arleen deeply enjoyed traveling, crafts (especially quilting), and her beloved cats.  One of her proudest moments was when she finally got her drivers license at the age of 62 and could get out and travel the world on her own.

The family prefers memorials to the Humane Society.