The Funeral Lunch
February 24, 2009
Even though the furnace was not working at St. Genevieve’s Parish Community Center last Thursday I knew not to miss the funeral lunch as I could smell the chicken when setting up before Rayoume Houle’s Funeral. Watching the ladies and gentlemen working hard in the kitchen and others dropping off deserts and dishes is a testament to how people come together when a family loses a loved one. Coon Lake Beach is another example of how a small tight knit community supports their own as the community center funeral lunch is at the top of our list. After the great lunch I reminded Tim that we cannot miss St. Genevieve’s Annual Chicken Dinner & Picnic. No matter the place, the funeral lunch is a great time to continue celebrating the life lived, sharing memories, making connections and hopefully a tradition that future generations will not let go of.
Kelly
Rayoume M. Houle of Lino Lakes, MN
February 15, 2009
Age 75 of Lino Lakes, passed away on Sunday February 15, 2009. Preceded in death by parents, Paul and Eva. Survived by wife, Marlene “Susie” (nee Tourville); daughters, Desiree (Bob) Schneider, Leslie (Randy) Zurn, Denice (Steve) Dudero and Mary (Dave) Leonhart; son, Guy (Jennifer) Houle; 11 grandchildren, David, Stephanie (Clint), Nicole, Brandon, Mick, Christy, Chantel, Brad, Alie, Jacob and Grant; great grandson, Nolan; siblings, Marguerite Seifert, Wallace (Peg), Joyce (Vern) Marier, Daniel, LeRoy and Eugene(Kathy). Visitation 4-8 PM Wednesday, Feb. 18th at Roberts Family Funeral Home, 555 Centennial Dr. SW, Forest Lake. Mass of Christian Burial 10 AM Thursday, Feb. 19th at St. Genevieve Catholic Church, 7087 Goiffon Rd., Centerville with visitation beginning at 9 AM until time of mass. Interment St. Genevieve Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred.
My Wonderful Life
February 11, 2009
Nancy Bush’s husband John died of cancer in 2006 at the age of 53. John & Nancy did not want to give up so therefore never wanted to think about funeral planning. before he passed. This led Nancy and friend Sue Kruskopf to create www.MyWonderfulLife.com, a place where a person can leave their wishes for a funeral along with any other important information a family will need to know. The Minneapolis company emphasis non traditional funeral and memorial services geared towards the “Celebration of Life” trend that consumers are wanting.
More than anything we encourage families to talk openly about their funeral wishes, or document them on a website like MyWonderfulLife.com or in a simple planning guide that we offer. A funeral is a once in a lifetime event, worthy of careful planning. I have posted a funny and thought provoking video that sums up the message. Enjoy! casketcamsounddesign_05-28-08small
Kelly
Yvonne J. Madson of Forest Lake, MN
February 11, 2009
Age 70 of Forest Lake passed away unexpectedly on February 11, 2009. Preceded in death by daughter, Linda Carlson. Survived by husband of 51 years, Charles R. Madson; daughter, Cheryl Madson; grandchildren, Tyler Carlson and Nicole Carlson; sister, Darlene Radi. Visitation 3-7 PM Sunday, Feb. 15th at Roberts Family Funeral Home, 555 Centennial Dr. SW, Forest Lake. Memorial Service 1:00 PM Monday, Feb 16th at Hosanna Lutheran Church, 9300 Scandia Trail N., Forest Lake with visitation beginning at 12 Noon. Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
Marcella Ann (Dietrich) Gassler of East Bethel, MN
February 8, 2009
Age 74 of Coon Lake passed away at her home on February 8, 2009. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Donald Dietrich in 1980. She later married Raymond Gassler. Marcella is survived by her husband, Ray; her children, Ronald (Gwen) Dietrich, Richard (Brenda) Dietrich and Lori (Randy) Dyson; the Gassler children, Michael (Sue), Penny, Patty (Jim) and Mary (Darwin); 18 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; brother, Warren Nelson and other relatives and friends. Besides her first husband, Marcella was preceded in death by six brothers and a step-daughter, Molly Flader. A funeral service will be held on Friday, February 13, 2009 at 11 AM at Roberts Family Funeral Home, 555 Centennial Drive SW, Forest Lake with visitation beginning at 10 AM until the time of the service. Interment Oak Park Cemetery, Forest Lake.
David E. Doyscher of Forest Lake, MN
February 2, 2009
10th Judicial District Court Judge, Forest Lake, MN, died at age 69, Feb. 2, 2009. The Honorable Judge Doyscher is survived by his wife, Gena (nee Lemke) and their daughters, Hilary (Mark) Cheeley and daughter Kindra born 1/31/09 and Karen (Marshall) Nelson and son Howard born 3/23/07; siblings, Doyle (Jean) Skarda, Doris (James) Bower, Dennis (“Trish”) Doyscher and Dean (Kathy Sheran) Doyscher; other relatives and friends. David was born in Jackson, MN, graduated from Jackson High and Maryville College in TN. In 1971 he graduated from the University of MN Law School. David practiced law for 15 years and was appointed District Court Judge by Governor Rudy Perpich, in 1985. In 2007 David was diagnosed with colon cancer. David retired from the bench, due to health reasons, on December 12, 2008. A visitation at Roberts Family Funeral Home, 555 Centennial Dr. SW, Forest Lake will be held on Fri., Feb. 20. 4-8 PM and a memorial service will be held at Faith Lutheran Church, 886 No. Shore Dr., Forest Lake, Sat., Feb 21 at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Faith Lutheran Church, Books For Africa (Law and Democracy Project) or Family Pathways Foodshelf.
Douglas G. Swenson of Forest Lake, MN
February 1, 2009
Former Legislator and District Court Judge Doug Swenson died February 1, 2009 from Myelogenenous Leukemia Blast. He died peacefully surrounded by his family and dear friends. Preceded in death by son Greg; parents, Maurice and Alice Swenson; infant brother, Paul and sister, Shirley Olson. Survived by his beloved adoring wife, Sandie (Sandra); son and daughter-in-law Kirk and Rhonda; grandchildren, Christian, Brittany and Gunnar David Douglas; brothers, Howard (Jane) and Owen (Evie); sisters, Mable (Harold) Handel and Karen (John) Radway; aunts, Eda Swenson and Olive Peterson, nieces, nephews, colleagues and dear friends. Doug was respected as an honest and fair man with a sharp mind, a commitment to justice, deep compassion and quick wit. His unassuming nature, laughter, and generosity will be deeply missed by all. Visitation 4-8 PM Friday, Feb 6th at Hosanna Lutheran Church, 9300 Scandia Trail N., Forest Lake. Funeral services will be all held at Hosanna Lutheran Church Saturday, Feb 7th at 11AM with visitation beginning at 10AM until the time of services. Interment Scandinavian Cemetery, Forest Lake. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Doug Swenson Memorial Tree Fund.