Edwin J. DeJongh of Chisago City MN and formerly of Willmar, MN and Rock Rapids, IA
July 23, 2008
Edwin J. DeJongh, 92, of Chisago City, formerly of Willmar and Spicer, died Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at Parmly LifePointes in Chisago City. A service will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2008 at Parmly LifePointes Chapel in Chisago City with visitation one hour prior to service. There will be a visitation on Sunday, from 2-4 pm at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar with another service on Monday, July 28, 2008 at 11 AM at First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, Iowa with visitation one hour prior to service. Edwin J. DeJongh was born on June 24, 1916, in Edgerton, MN, the son of Rev. John and Ella (Vander Beek) DeJongh. He was the third born of four children. The family moved to Doon, Iowa, and in 1925 to Rock Rapids. Ed’s father was the pastor at First Reformed Church until his retirement in 1940. At the age of 14, Ed began working at Yappen Auto Repair and Battery and later at Van’s Grocery to help support the family during the depression. Ed graduated from Rock Rapids High School in 1933. On July 8, 1941, Ed was united in marriage to Sophia Theodora VanderWilt at Free Grace Reformed Church in Middleburg where his father conducted the ceremony. They made their home in Rock Rapids where Ed continued working at Van’s. From November 1942 until October 1945, Ed served in the United States Army under General George Patton in the European Theatre, 13th Black Cat Armored Division as a tank gunner. Ed’s division was involved in the Battle of the Bulge and had just reached the Bavarian Alps in Austria at the end of the war where Hitler had his summer retreat. Upon his discharge, Ed and Sophia continued to live in Rock Rapids where they raised their two children, Keith and Ruth. Ed began working for the United States Postal Service in 1945, retiring in 1980. He had been a city mail carrier for eight years prior to becoming a rural carrier. Since childhood, Ed had been a member of Rock Rapids First Reformed Church. He was an active member, serving as a deacon and as a member of the 1953 building committee. He also was a member of the building expansion committee and managed the worship radio broadcast and sound system. Ed and Sophia were the custodians for over 18 years. The church community was very important in their lives. After retiring, Ed and Sophia, many times with family and friends, were able to travel to Europe and every state except Hawaii, for about 20 years, they were able to spend the winters in Mesa, Arizona where they eventually bought a second home and were always happy to have visitors come and stay for a while. Their friendly spirits and hospitality granted them friends wherever they went. In 1984, they moved to Spicer, Minnesota and in 1990 to Willmar where they made lasting friendships with wonderful people. Since moving to Spicer and Willmar, they have been members of Hope Presbyterian Church where they remained members. In July 2005, Ed and Sophia moved to Chisago City, MN, where Ed lived at Vindauga View Assisted Living Apartments and Sophia was in Parmly Residence, both in the same building and near Keith and Marlene. Sophia preceded Ed in death on June 4, 2006. Ed later moved to the skilled nursing care residence at Parmly LifePointes. Ed always wanted to be busy doing something and being helpful and constructive. He was a handy man, repairing, building, wall papering, painting, staining, planting, pruning, pitching hay, helping friends with their farm work. He was a real problem solver, working many miracles out of his workshop. He took great pride and delight in his work especially in seeing the pleasure it brought to others. He loved fishing, traveling, visiting friends, family, and singing as well. As the family traveled, they often sang in four-part harmony. He had a servant spirit that deeply loved the Lord and his family and for such a hard working man, his hands were as soft as a newborn baby. Surviving are his son, Keith (and Marlene) DeJongh of Chisago City; son-in-law, Dr. Michael Buscemi of Bismarck, ND; three grandchildren, Dr. Sharlene (and John) Arnason of Marine on St. Croix, MN; Michele (and Michael) Schwalbe of Andover; Brian (and Annie) DeJongh of Somerset, WI; seven great grandchildren, Jack and Katherine Arnason, Allison and Will Schwalbe, Eli, Lake and Marin DeJongh. Ed was proud of his children and grandchildren and will lovingly be remembered by his great grandchildren as their GG” (great grandpa.) Besides Sophia and his parents
Evelyn R. Lawrence of Forest Lake, MN
July 19, 2008
Age 79 of Forest Lake passed away on July 19, 2008. Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Julia (Wenzel) Rosches and her siblings, Robert Rosches, Stanley Rosches, Dolores Schaleen and infant sister, Eleanor. She is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Vern; seven children, Julie Lawrence, Duane (Sally) Lawrence, Cindy (Bob) Betz, Carol (Chuck) Buhr, Gary (Beth) Lawrence, Kevin (Dee Dee) Lawrence and Bruce (Debbie) Lawrence; 12 grandchildren, Breck, Brittany, Kathy, Valerie, Sara, Curt, Megan, Clint, Danny, Karlee, McKenna and Hunter; 7 great grandchildren, Justin, Brian, Aaron, Anna, Soren, Ingmar and Sophia as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Funeral service 11 AM Tuesday, July 22nd, Faith Lutheran Church, 886 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake with visitation one hour prior to service. Interment Scandinavian Cemetery.
Mary M. Bennett (Fogerty) of Marine On Saint Croix, MN
July 16, 2008
Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Age 74 of Marine on St. Croix went to be with her Lord on July 16, 2008. Preceded in death by her parents and her first husband, Francis Fogerty. Mary will be missed by her husband, Dale; son, Bill (Carmel) Fogerty; daughter, Patty (Patrick McCarthy) Fogerty; grandchildren, Danielle (Michael) Caylor, Brianna, Patrick and Christian Fogerty; brother, Herman (Mardell) Solle; dear sister, Pat (LeRoy) Lind; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends as well as her four legged friends, Murphy and Bear. Visitation 4-8 PM Sunday, July 20th at Roberts Family Funeral Home, 555 Centennial Dr. SW, Forest Lake. A Celebration of Mary’s Life will be held at 11AM, Monday, July 21st at Grace Alliance Church, 432 SE 11th Ave, Forest Lake with visitation beginning at 10 AM until time of service. Interment Morningside Memorial Gardens, Coon Rapids. Memorials preferred to U of M Hospitals-Cancer Research.
Joseph L. Perkowski of Chisago City, MN
July 10, 2008
Beloved Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Good Friend, Age 72 of Chisago City, MN and Estero, FL. Passed away July 10, 2008 at his home after a year long battle with cancer. Preceded in death by his infant daughter, Paula Marie and parents, Joseph and Viola Perkowski. Joe will be dearly missed by his wife of 47 years, Helen; children, Pam (Mark van Weegen) Perkowski, Joe (Sarah) Perkowski, Patti (Terry) Koch, Karen (Mike) Gardner and Matt (Jen Olson) Perkowski; grandchildren, Celeste, Isabel, Joey, Jarek, Sarah, Evan, Mitchell, Cameron, Brady and Kailie; brother, Robert (Beverly) Perkowski; in-laws, nieces, nephews and many special friends. Retired CEO of US Federal Credit Union, spending his entire professional career in the credit union industry. Visitation 4-8 PM Monday, July 14th at Roberts Family Funeral Home, 555 Centennial Dr. SW, Forest Lake. Mass of Christian Burial 11 AM Tuesday, July 15th at St. Bridget of Sweden Catholic Church, 13060 Lake Blvd., Lindstrom with a visitation one hour prior to service at the church. Family interment Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials preferred to Fairview Lakes Home Care and Hospice or The Mayo Clinic.
Eleanor D. Stankievicz of Forest Lake, MN
July 4, 2008
Age 88 of Forest Lake, died on July 4, 2008 at her home. Eleanor was born May 30, 1920 in Minneapolis, Minnesota and was preceded in death by husband, Fred Stankievicz; son, David Stankeivicz; grandson, Kevin Stankeivicz; parents, John and Anna Blomberg and her three brothers and one sister, Lyle, Gordon, Duane and Margaret. She is survived by her children, Dianna Hernandez and her husband, James and Daniel Stankeivicz; daughters-in-law, Susan Stankeivicz and Barb Stankeivicz; 7 grandchildren, Todd Stankeivicz, Corinne Deilke, Christine Stankeivicz, David Hernandez, Janelle Stankeivicz, Marlana Hernandez and Andrea Erie and 7 great grandchildren. Visitation will be from 4-8 PM Tuesday, July 8th at Roberts Family Funeral Home, 555 Centennial Dr. SW, Forest Lake where a funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 9th at 11 AM. Interment Victor Hill Cemetery.