Laurel A. “Bud” Palas of Of Sturgeon Lake, formerly of Marine on St. Croix and St. Paul, MN
October 28, 2008
Bud passed away on October 28th, 2008 at the age of 74 years of cancer. He resided in Sturgeon Lake, Minnesota and was formerly of Marine On St. Croix and St. Paul. Bud was the father of invention — a builder, naturalist, artist, woodsman, accomplished fisherman, perfectionist, and a master recycler his entire life. Walleyes feared him. Gifted with an avid and creatively practical mind and compelled to usefulness, Bud sought to pass along his unique spheres of knowledge and mastery to others – through word, example and hands-on experiences. Bud was the embodiment of old school Minnesota”: humble, frugal, private and a man of his word.
Bud was born July 8, 1934 in Long Prairie, Minnesota to Levi S. Palas and Irene (Petz) Palas (Richardson). Bud served in Korea with the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958. He married Sharon Barthold in late 1958.
Bud leaves in life his former wife and friend, Sharon Palas, his children, Mark S. Palas and wife, Janet of St. Paul, Lisa Palas Graham and her husband, Graham of Seattle and Kara N. Mundale and her husband, David of Blaine; his grandchildren, Grant Palas, Twig Graham, Peter and Ellie Mundale; half sister, Michelle Connelly of San Jose, CA ; sister, Carmen Schmidt of Roseville. He leaves as well numerous nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters-in-law and a community of extraordinary friends.
Bud was preceded in death by his mother, Irene Petz Palas Richardson; father, Levi S. Palas and a half brother, John Richardson.
A celebration of Bud’s life is being planned for late November 2008. Plaid or Pendleton wool shirt attire is requested for the forthcoming memorial in honor of Bud’s signature style.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Our Lady of Good Counsel, 2076 St. Anthony Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104; Minnesota Walleye Alliance, PO Box 98, Merrifield, MN 56465 or The Nature Conservancy (www.nature.0rg).
Cards and remembrances may be sent to Bud’s family c/o Kara Mundale, 2013 – 132nd Lane NE, Blaine, MN 55449.
He was our North Star. We love him.
Ronald G. Wolfbauer of Forest Lake, MN
October 28, 2008
age 72 of Forest Lake, passed away October 28, 2008. Preceded in death by father, Paul. Survived by former spouse, Geraldine Williams; children, Bruce (Kathryn); Victoria Nguyen (Tri); Steven (Cindy); Ronald Jr. (Dawn); & Anthony (Rhonda); 18 Grandchildren; 3 Great Grandchildren; mother, Josephine; 8 siblings; & loving care givers, Donna, Tati & family. Former owner of R & M Mfg. & Supreme Finishers, Ronald was also an avid hunter, fisherman & outdoorsman. Memorial Service Sat., November 1, 2008 11 AM at Roberts Family Funeral Home, 555 Centennial Dr., Forest Lake, MN with gathering 1 hour prior. Memorials preferred to Parmly Life Points, 28210 Old Towne Road, Chisago City, MN 55013
Willard D. “Will” Sykes of Forest Lake, MN
October 26, 2008
Beloved Husband, Dad, Grandpa & Friend Age 76 of Forest Lake, passed away on Oct. 26, 2008 surrounded by his family following a courageous battle with lung cancer. Preceded in death by parents, Hilda and Charles; first wife, Betty; children, Jenine and Jerry; brother, Dick; sister-in-law, Dorothy Searle; Surivived by wife, Kay (Miller); Children, Lori (Lyle) Goodroad, Linda Abler, Tim Abler; Grandchildren, Kayla, Steven, Will, and Dusty; other family members, Bernice, Jimmy, MaryJane, Wally, nieces, nephews, and many many loving friends. Will was born and raised in St. Paul where he attended Mechanic Arts H.S. and then served his country during the Korean War in the 27th Infantry Regiment “Wolfhounds” earning two bronze stars and a Good Conduct Medal. Returning home he married Kay in 1960, and was employed by Midwest Spring for 25 years and then operated The Vet’s Rest Camp on Big Marine Lake where Will invented, built, and patented the WK, one of world’s fastest spring coiling machines. With his invention he started Jer-Neen Spring a company named and honored after their two children, Jenine and Jerry. During his ownership he achieved thirteen additional patents and grew the company to 150 employees. In 1995, Will and Kay sold Jer-Neen Spring and retired to Fort Mohave, AZ where golf became his passion, so much to ace four hole in ones, in fact two in one day. They moved back to Minnesota to be close to family and fought and beat colon cancer, in which his children nicknamed him “The Willinator” for all his adversity and accomplishments throughout his life, and beating the odds. We will miss him terribly but know he’s in a better place. Visitation will be 4-8 PM Thurs. Oct. 30th at Roberts Family Funeral Home 555 SW Centennial Dr., Forest Lake. Funeral Service will be 11:00 AM Fri. Oct. 31st at Trinity Lutheran Chruch, 38460 Lincoln Trail, North Branch. with visitation one hour prior. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to donor’s choice. Interment will be at Roselawn Cemetery, Roseville. Family requests casual wear, no suites please!
Gary Lee Buckley of Hinckley and formerly of Forest Lake, MN
October 21, 2008
Age 63 of Hinckley and formerly of Forest Lake on Oct. 21, 2008. Preceded in death by son, David Bordwell; great grandson, Dakotah Schumacher; parents, George and Marion Buckley. Survived by wife of 32 years, Judy Buckley; children, Shawn (Jennifer) Buckley and Michelle (Steve) Schumacher-Bramer; 10 grandchildren, Kristina Kincaid, Kari Bramer, Travis (Jessica) Bramer, Samantha Malik, Dustin (Zendria Hart) Schumacher, Brianna Johnson, Kyle Schumacher, Brandon Buckley, Allison Borgstrom and Lauren Borgstrom; 3 great grandchildren, Landon Kincaid, Dukaraia Schumacher and Madeline Bramer; brothers, Richard (Yvonne) Buckley and Steven Buckley. Gathering of Friends 2-6 PM Saturday, Oct. 25th with a Service beginning at 3:30 PM at Roberts Family Funeral Home, 555 Centennial Drive SW, Forest Lake.
Raymond E. Pliscott of Forest Lake, MN
October 20, 2008
Ray was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 10, 1923. He went from school almost directly into the US Army were he served his country in WWII. After being honorably discharged, he settled in Minnesota. Together with a friend, he ran a rubbish route and a taxi cab business in North St. Paul. That’s where he met his wife, Betty. After selling those businesses, he drove truck for over 25 years in the metro area. Together, Ray and Betty have raised a family of 13 children and over 35 grandchildren and a half-dozen great grandchildren. After retiring, he opened a driving range business on part of his farm and ran it for several years, until he began having health issues. He then sold the driving range and retired again. His passion was his home and his family. He always enjoyed a drive about. He didn’t really care where he went, but he always enjoyed the ride – and if the trip included an ice cream cone or chocolate shake, it was considered a great” ride! Grandpa Pliscott was known as Grandpa “Tootsie” as he was always packing a wad of tootsie rolls in his pocket to share, especially with the grandchildren. He was also known as “Smiley” as he always joked with people and enjoyed a good practical joke or two. He always tried to make people smile. We hope that he is smiling down on us today as we pay tribute to his 85 years of life.
Ray passed away peacefully at his home on October 20, 2008. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Ruth Pliscott; grandson, Andrew Carlson and sister, Dorothy.
Ray will be deeply missed by his wife of 56 years Betty; 13 children, Cindy (Tim) Larson, Diane (Bruce) Peterson, Joanne (Gary) Schroeder, Cathy (Dave) Pesola, Gary (Sonja) Pliscott, Sharon (Ron) Weber, Edward (Maria Johnson) Pliscott, Raymond (Tammie) Pliscott, Penny (Mitch Carlson) Pliscott, Thomas Pliscott, Roxanne (Gary) Simons, Duane (Kathryn) Pliscott and Mark (Kristina) Pliscott; 38 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren and dear friends.
Visitation 4-7 PM Wednesday, October 22nd at Roberts Family Funeral Home, 555 Centennial Drive SW, Forest Lake. Funeral 2 PM Thursday, October 23rd at Zion Lutheran Church, 28005 Old Towne Road, Chisago CIty with visitation one hour before service. Interment South Green Lake Cemetery.
Sally J. Chelgren of Forest Lake, MN
October 11, 2008
Passed away Oct. 11, 2008 after a long courageous battle with cancer. Preceded in death by parents Robert and Jayne Drummond. Survived by husband of 40 years, David Toby”; sons, Coy (Barb) and Chad (Laurie); grandchildren, Capri, Amelia, Delaney and Jack; sisters, Mary Jo Donohue and Jackie Fladland; many nieces, nephews and friends.
Sally was known by most kids at Forest View Elementary as “Nurse Sally”, where she worked in the health office for 22 years. Heaven just got greener with Sally’s green thumb. Sally had a great passion for outdoors and flower gardens. Her ‘Hole In One’ at Forest Hills was her fondest golf memory. Special thanks to Fairview Wyoming Oncology Dept. and Fairview Hospice for always being there. Sally will be deeply missed by those who knew her.
Memorial service 11:30 AM Thursday, Oct. 16th at Faith Lutheran Church, 886 No. Shore Drive, Forest Lake with a gathering of friends beginning at 10:00 AM until time of service. Memorials preferred.
My Friend Bill
October 8, 2008
One of the questions I have frequently been asked is “How did you decide to become a funeral director?
My decision to become a funeral director evolved from my childhood. As a young teen, I mowed lawns for senior citizens in my hometown, Toluca, Illinois. As I was mowing one summer day, the local funeral director stopped on the street to talk with me. He asked if I could mow the funeral home lawn and I agreed. As I mowed the funeral home lawn, I wanted to know more about this profession. Pete Aimone, the funeral director and I had many discussions about his occupation and on occasion, I would assist with moving chairs and flowers in the funeral home – never working a funeral. The more I learned about his role in our community, the more I could see myself becoming a funeral director.
From those early days in Toluca, Illinois, I believe I was given a firm foundation on what matters most in funeral service – to care for each family as though it was my family. As a funeral director, I am often considered an “extended family member” after the funeral service is finished and I always enjoy hearing family stories and staying connected.
I have been working with Roberts Family Funeral Home in Forest Lake for nearly two years. During my first month at Roberts Family Funeral Home, I met Bill Woodward. Bill’s wife had died the month before I started working here. Bill stopped by to ask a few questions. Little did I know from the first conversation that Bill would become such a great friend.
Throughout the past two years, Bill would stop in just to say hello – I always enjoyed sitting and chatting with him. Bill attended most of the community events our funeral home has sponsored. It was not uncommon to have emails from Bill too!
This spring, Bill phoned to say that he would be attending our Grief Group as he was hospitalized. After a few days, Bill phoned again to share his Lung Cancer diagnosis. He still managed to stop by the funeral home several times just to say hello. With some nudging from his family, I went to see Bill during several of his hospital stays.
One afternoon, Kelly and I decided to go visit Bill at home. When we arrived, Bill was having a great day – and he was ready for us. He left the living room, went into the bedroom and returned with neck ties for Kelly and me. His words – “At my funeral, I don’t want you guys to be wearing dark ties and white shirt. . .” Then he tossed me a bright red tie with hearts all over it and a sharp white tie to Kelly and continued “You be sure to wear these for me.”
Bill died at his home on Sunday morning, September 28th. Getting that telephone call was very challenging for me. I really cared about him and his family. He had become a “Grandpa” to me. While we were at his home, his daughter reminded us of the neck ties and our promise to Bill.
As we said farewell to Bill, Kelly and I were dressed in colored shirts with our “Bill Ties.” I was so honored to be Bill’s friend and his funeral director. Bill’s family had become like my own – and I knew the love they had for him.
I go back to the question, why be a funeral director? I am honored to serve people in the most challenging times and I want to do what is right for each family. Bill allowed me to become his friend and to serve him with dignity, love and concern.
Carlton S. Carter of Chisago City, MN
October 5, 2008
Passed away peacefully October 5, 2008 at his Vindauga View apartment in Chisago City, MN.
He was born March 7, 1929 to Harold and Marian Carter in the house that he later owned with his wife Charlotte, becoming the 5th Carter to own the house and farm. Together with Charlotte and his three daughters, they shared the beauty and the challenges of the farm on Cedar Road, in Mickleton, New Jersey. Success, in part, was counted by the customers who came from out of state, as well as locally, to buy Carter apples and peaches. His Quaker upbringing and involvement throughout his life melded with his personal temperament very well, for he was known for his trustworthiness. His word was his commitment; his integrity was solid. His sense of duty was immense – to his family, his community, and to society-at-large. He served on 4H, Farm Bureau, Grange and Quaker committees, as well as several terms on the East Greenwich Township Committee, an elected position. He was also known for a high level of fairness and civility -what some might call right speech” and “right action.” He rarely acted in haste, took the time to make thoughtful decisions, and rarely spoke in anger.
He is deeply missed by his wife, Charlotte; daughters, Anita (Ted) Winpenny of FL and CT, S. Lee Carter of NM and June (Greg) Amundson of MN; grandchildren, Erik Amundson and Dana Amundson; sister, Elizabeth “Betty” Crispin of NJ and numerous friends in New Jersey, Florida, Minnesota, and across the country.
A memorial service in Mickleton, NJ will be announced at a later time.