Obituary for Thelma Arlene Madsen

The Memorial Service for Thelma Arlene Madsen will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, March 3, 2011 at the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home with Chaplain Wendy Haack officiating.  Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens in Rochester.

Mrs. Madsen, 89, of Rochester, Minn., died Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at Golden Living Center East in Rochester.

Thelma was born December 21, 1921 in Waseca, Minn., to Lawrence and Jesse Larson.  She married Raymond L. Madsen on September 10, 1939 in New Hampton, Iowa.  After their marriage, the couple resided in the Rochester area.

Survivors include her daughters; Brenda Madsen of Rochester, Minn., Dawn M. (James F.) Whitmore of Media, PA, Pamela A. (Dr. James I.) Chumbley of Amherst, MA, eight grandchildren,  13 great-grandchildren and sisters, Lurene King and Betty Stuart both of California.  She is preceded in death by her husband, Raymond L. Madsen Sr. and son, Raymond L. Madsen Jr.

Thelma had an engaging upbeat personality.  She was an avid reader, loved gardening, nature and home décor.  Thelma was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and a good friend to many.

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

William “Bill” Lott Campion, age 79 of Rochester passed away on Saturday, February 26, 2011 at St. Mary’s Hospital.

Bill was born on September 21, 1931 to Ambrose and Regina Campion in Rochester.  Bill attended country school, and Lourdes High School, graduating in 1949.  He went to Rochester Community College, and then enlisted in the US Army 82^nd Airborne Division. On October 26, 1955, he married Annabelle Meurer at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in St. Peter, MN.  Bill worked at Olmsted County Bank and later worked at IBM until his retirement in 1987.  Bill deeply enjoyed the outdoors, including fishing, hunting, and golfing.

Bill is survived by his wife Annabelle, and three children, Erin (Dana) Tompkins of Byron, Kerry (Theresa) Campion of Mound, MN, Fabian (Traci) Campion of River Falls, WI., A sister Patricia De Ryk of California, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

He is preceded in death by his parents, five brothers:  Harold, Fabian, Ed, Bob and Dick, and a sister, Elaine, and a granddaughter, Elizabeth.

A funeral Mass is planned for 11:30AM, Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at St. Pius X Catholic Church with Father Paul Nelson officiating. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 1^st 2011 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at the new River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Macken Funeral home is handling arrangements

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com

No obituary will be posted

Podulke, Michael Joseph

July 30, 1943 – February 23, 2011

Michael is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Stephanie June; daughters Heather Marie (Daniel Simmer and Ursula Simmer); Laurel Elizabeth Podulke (fiancée  Edward Martin Jeffries, Edison Allen and  Elissa Ann Jeffries); siblings Peter (Georgiana) Podulke, Lawrence (Catherine) Lambert, Mark Owen Lambert, Judith Marie (Stephan) Fischer, Roger Eliot (Cynthia) Lambert, Robert Alan (Lynn) Lambert, Stephen (Judy) Podulke, Olga Marie (Ted) Landaal; and many loving nieces and nephews.

He was born to Elizabeth and Michael Podulke in Minneapolis, MN.  Michael graduated from Wilson High School in 1961 where he enjoyed playing football, shot-putting, pole-vaulting, playing basketball and throwing discus.

He served in the US Navy from 1961 -1964 . He was trained in electronics and radar detection and served in the underwater radar detection unit. After the Navy he worked at Control Data Corporation for 12 years.

In 1965 he married the love of his life, Stephanie June Crow.  They lived in New Hampshire for 3 years, moved to Italy for two years, and then the Netherlands for two years where Heather was born.  He worked with and studied stained glass there. In 1976 they moved to Rochester and opened Rochester Stained Glass.

Mike ran for and was elected to be a County Commissioner in 1986 and subsequently was re-elected to that position 6 times. On the County Board, he was known as a strong advocate for vulnerable and disadvantaged children and citizens.  In addition to his service to the community, Mike enjoyed many other crafts, including blacksmithing, book-binding, wood-carving, glass-blowing, weaving, spinning, whittling, flint knapping and paper- making. He was a wizard at Scrabble, chess, bridge, poker, board games and any kind of brainteaser.  When Michael was in an especially good mood, he turned thoughts into songs.  One of Mike’s hobbies was whittling little gnomish figures which he would leave in places all over the US and Europe, hoping that children would find them and think they were magical.  He did this for over 20 years.  Michael was a lifelong recycler and repurposer. He was curious about everything, and he read voraciously.  Michael wrote, designed, made the paper for, printed and self-published a book, Life in the F.A.S.T. Lane: the Ramblings of an Adult Survivor of A.D.D. and Other Misnomers.

He enjoyed organizing colorful, outrageous events such as Boar’s Head Feast, full size maypoles, the Mayo Civic Center Opening Ceremonies with the balloon launch,  Winter Festival Outdoor Scrabble Tournament, and served as a consultant on “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?”

Mike and Stephanie had a vision of how to help the community heal from the raw emotions of 9/11. They translated that into a design and a community project for a beautiful set of stained glass panels at the Rochester Civic Center in memory of the victims of 9/11. The labor involved in building it included over 500 volunteers from the Rochester area.   Mike and Stephanie’s stained glass creations are installed in numerous Rochester and Byron churches.

Michael was a member of Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Fraternity.  Among the many honors he received were:  Committee on Urban Design and Environment; Rochester Convention and Visitors Bureau Hometown Hero Award, Mayor’s Award for Community Service, Cambodian American Friendship Award,  Zumbro Valley Medical Society Public Service Award and the , Mayor’s Legacy Award.

Some of his friends referred to him as rustic philosopher, and his family remember him as “Big Joe.”

A Memorial Service will be held in the new River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home on Monday, February 28 at 6 pm with Rev. Dr. Carol Hepokoski officiating.  Visitation preceding the service from 3:00 to 6:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials to either The Unitarian Universalist Church Boiler Fund, 1727 Walden Lane SW, Rochester, MN or Olmsted County Crisis Nursery, 126 Woodlake Drive SE, Rochester, MN, 55904.

On-line condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.

A funeral Mass for Anthony A. “Tony” Amato will be 11:00AM Saturday, February 26, 2011 at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Rochester with the Rev. Charlie Collins officiating.  Burial will at Calvary Cemetery.  Mr. Amato, age 26 died Friday, February 18, 2011 at his home.

Born Anthony Alan Amato July 5, 1984 in Rochester, he attended St. Pius X Catholic Grade School and graduated from Lourdes High Scholl in 2003. He was currently employed by R & S Transport.

Tony is survived by his mother and step-father, Becky Amato Hemmingsen and Dan Hemmingsen of Rochester and his father and step-mother, Todd and Dawn Amato of Andover, MN. He is also survived by a sister, Sarah Amato and fiancé Ryan Messmer, both of Roseville; a step-sister, Jodie (Mike) Lester of Rochester and a half brother, Ryan Amato of Eagan and a step-brother, Jason Hemmingsen of Red Wing. In addition, he is survived by his maternal grandmother, Kathryn Daley of Waterloo, IA and a step-grandmother, LaVonne Albrecht of Pine Island. He was preceded in death by paternal grandparents Frank and Beverly Amato of Moline, IL and maternal grandfather, Francis Daley of Waterloo, IA.

Friends may call from 5:00PM to 8:00PM Friday, February 25^th in River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Memorials are suggested to St. Pius X Catholic School and Lourdes High School.  Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.

Verleen was born on October 11, 1913 in Eyota, MN to Jesse and Frances Neal. Her father passed away when she was 18 months old and her mother later married Verleen’s uncle, Charles Neal. She attended school in Eyota, and graduated from Eyota High School.  In 1929, the family moved to Marion, where Charles owned the Marion filling station. As a young woman, she assisted Charles with his filling station, and worked at the Marion grocery store. For many years, Verleen faithfully took care of her ill mother Frances, who died in 1951. In 1973, Charles “Charley” died. After his death, she worked for a local drapery company with her good friend Vivian Schmidt.  Later, she provided in-home healthcare for a close friend, Freeda Kester. In 1979, she moved to Rochester. In early 1980, she became “Grandma Verleen”, babysitting her first of five “grandchildren”.  She continued to babysit until 1991. Verleen moved to Central Towers of Rochester in 1993.  She later moved into assisted living in 2009. Verleen was a devout member of Marion Church of Christ, and was a member of the WCTU (Women Christian Temperance Union), and the Marion Missionettes. As a young woman, Verleen enjoyed singing, and became an accomplished soloist. She was known for her beautiful crochet work, which she shared with many friends. She shared her love of animals with her “grandchildren”.

Verleen is survived by her “family”: Jim and Maureen Newell and their children, Jessica (Luke) Wittkop, Ira (Gina) Newell and Laura (Ryan) Lowry. Jerry and Dawn Wehrs and their children, Kia (Phil) Garofano and Kari Wehrs. Four “great-grandchildren”, Kiara, Anthony, McKenna and Gabriella. Verleen was anticipating the birth of two additional great-grandchildren: baby Wittkop, and baby Newell. Also surviving are Verleen’s “cousins” and her close church family.

Verleen is preceded in death by her parents, her step-father, and her long time friend, Nate McCaleb.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00PM on Friday, February 25, 2011 at Marion Church of Christ with Pastor Rick Walston officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be in Marion Cemetery.

Memorials are preferred to Marion Church of Christ, or Crossroads College.

Services for O. John Larson will be held at 11 AM, Wednesday, February 23^rd at Christ United Methodist Church, 400 5^th Avenue SW, Rochester. Visitation will be held from 5:00pm to 8:00pm on Tuesday evening February 22, 2011 at the new River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home (1119 11 ½ Street SE Rochester) and one hour prior to services at the church.

He died peacefully Saturday, February 19, 2011, in St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN.

Born August 29, 1942 in Hallock, MN to Oliven  V. and R. Helen (Witt) Larson, John  grew up in Pembina, ND and graduated from high school in 1960.  He attended Mayville State Teacher’s College, graduating in 1965 with a degree in Business and English.  He taught school in California, Montana, Minnesota, and   West Fargo, ND.   He received a Master’s degree in school administration from Tri- College in Fargo-Moorhead.   He was principal in Cumberland, WI, Hinkley, MN, and Dodge Center, MN.  He was Superintendent in the Elgin-Melville, MN and Truman, MN school districts.  He retired in June, 2010,

John married Almae Anderson at Grace Lutheran Church in Hallock, MN on November 4, 1961.  Almae survives him along with their children David (Dawn) of Fargo, ND, Derek (Julia) of Reno, NV, Julie (Bruce Jackson) of Portland, OR, grandchildren Brandon, Shilo, Marissa, and Kylee Larson of Fargo, ND, Chelsea and Luke Larson of Cape Vincent, NY, Christina and Erica Jackson of Portland, OR, and great-granddaughter Ava of Cape Vincent, NY.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and by Almae’s parents, Ernest and Alma Anderson, and brother-in-law LaMar Anderson.  He is survived by sisters Garnet (Richard Muehlhausen), Marcie (Jim McDevitt), and brother Mark Larson (Nancy Bjork); brothers-in-law Charles Anderson (Marilyn) and David Anderson, sister-in-law Donna Teien (Jim Utect), and  19 nieces and nephews.

He was devoted to his family and friends.  He enjoyed pheasant hunting.  His love of horses enabled him to participate in field trials, trail riding, and attending auctions.  He enjoyed driving his horse and cart in parades.  Last summer he drove his horse and cart in the Winnebago Wagon Train.

He wanted every day of his life to be a parade and lived by the motto, “Every day that I live positively is a better day lived.”

Memorials are preferred to Mayo Clinic Cancer Research, or to donor’s choice.

Obituray for Irene Pearl Kocer Joyce

The funeral for Irene Pearl Kocer Joyce will be at 11:30A.M. Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at the new River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester, with the Rev. Paul Nelson officiating.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Rochester.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00P.M. Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.

Mrs. Joyce, 86, of Rochester, Minn., died Friday, February 18, 2011 at St. Marys Hospital.

Irene was born June 29, 1924 to Agnes Base and Jacob Kocer in Yankton, South Dakota.  On June 15, 1950 she married James Joyce at St. Johns Catholic Church in Rochester, Minn.  James passed away on July 5, 1990.  The couple was a lifelong resident of Rochester.  Irene worked at Waters Conly and Mayo Clinic.

Survivors include her children; Roberta (Ron) Kurth of Elgin, MN, Brenda (Jim Derrick) Joyce of Rio Rancho, New Mexico,  Greg (Patty) Joyce of Hastings, MN, Tom (Patty) Joyce of Wabasha, Kevin (Denise) Joyce of Rochester, MN, Richard (Nancy) Joyce of Rochester, MN and Debbie (Bob) Hust of Stewartville; 10 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and sister, Genevive (Robert) Engle of Bertrand, Neb.  She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, 2 brothers and 5 sisters.

Irene was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church and she loved visits from family and friends.

Memorials are preferred to the Lourdes Building our Future Campaign.

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

Florence Anna Kobi (nee Schartau) passed away February 18, 2011 at Madonna Towers Nursing Facility in Rochester at the age of 93.

Florence was born January 2, 1918 in Rochester to Edward G. and Mabel (Fritts) Schartau.  One sister, Ms. Betty Caukins of Rochester along with many nieces and nephews, survives her.

Her husbands, Floyd Lehman, Russell Danks and George Kobi, preceded her in death, along with one brother, Frank O. Schartau, one sister, Dorothy Mayo, and one nephew, William Mayo.

Florence graduated from Rochester High School in 1934 and was employed at the Mayo Clinic for 43 years as a cytology technician supervisor.   As a lifetime member of Homestead United Methodist Church, she attended many Bible studies, Sunday classes and was a member of the Naomi Circle. Her faith was very important to her and she loved to read the Book of Ruth.  She always held great value in knowledge and enjoyed reading biographies or having them read to her.  Vocabulary, pronunciation and articulation held a special interest to her, as did current events of which she kept up on by reading her newspaper each day.

After retirement, she loved to travel and spent time in such places as England, Scotland, France, Israel and Egypt.  She was even known to have her photo taken riding a camel in the Holy Lands.  Florence loved the outdoors, and if not fishing or boating at her condo in Northern Minnesota, she was working in her yard, which she liked to keep perfectly manicured.

Florence could be remembered for her courage and ability to keep going regardless of the circumstances, and often said, “I have been blessed with a wonderful family and such good friends”.  She will be missed.

Funeral services will be held at Homestead United Methodist Church at 11:00AM Tuesday, February 22, with Rev. Becky Jo Thilges officiating.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.  Interment will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens.

Memorials are preferred to Homestead United Methodist Church or the Mayo Clinic Diabetic Research Fund.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.

Richard “Dick” Ernest Horeck, 89 of Rochester, passed away on February 13, 2011 at Season’s Hospice.

Richard was born on November 7, 1921 in Minneapolis, to Max and Clara Horeck. Dick attended Rochester High School and later married Virginia Eckholdt in Little Rock, AR. He was drafted into the US Army, and served during WWII, entering Normandy on the 6^th day of the invasion, and later went on to fight in the Battle of the Bulge, where he lost his identical twin brother Robert. He returned to Rochester, and worked at Red Star Yeast up until his retirement. Dick was a lifelong golfer, and he and his identical twin brother Robert were accomplished high school gymnasts.

He is survived by his children, Robert (Cheryl) Horeck of Minneapolis, Julie (Jim) Anderson of Waterville, MN, Steve (Kathy) Horeck of Winona, and Wendy (Willis) Dey of Oshkosh, WI., twelve grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren, and a sister, Gladys Cotton of Rochester.

He is preceded in death by his wife, a twin brother, and three sisters.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00AM on Friday, February 18, 2011 at the new River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at River Park Chapel. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery.

Macken Funeral Home is in charge of Arrangements

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com