Obituary
Ellen B. Truax
Ellen B.Truax, 80, of Esmond, ND, died Friday, April 20, 2012, at Trinity Medical Center in Minot. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM, Wednesday, April 25th, 2012, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Esmond, with Pastor Harold Ovre officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4 to 7pm at the church. Casketbearers will her nephews: Jay Adam, Dr. Douglas Bengson, Curtis Reierson, Bob Reierson, Craig Reierson, Duane Reierson, Scott Reierson, Wade Reierson. Music will be from Stephanie Van Beek, soloist, with Jennifer Hagen, organist. The Nelson Funeral Home of Maddock is in charge of the arrangements.
Ellen B. Truax was born September 17, 1931, on a farm east of Esmond, ND, to Henry and Clarissa (Karlsbraaten) Reierson. She attended grade school at the Isabel Township School, two years of high school at Minnewaukan and graduated from the Esmond High School in 1949. Ellen attended the Interstate Business School in Fargo and then worked several months as a bookkeeper for Lake Chevrolet in Devils Lake and later at the Farmers and Merchants Bank in Esmond. She married Basil Truax on June 15th, 1952 in Esmond. The couple lived in Jamestown for a short time before making Esmond their home. She served as treasurer for the city of Esmond and city auditor for 47 years. Ellen was currently serving a term on the Esmond City Council. Basil died August 24th, 2006.
Ellen was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, taught Sunday School, and had served as vice president, treasurer, secretary of stewardship of the WELCA. She was also a member of the Esmond VFW Auxiliary. Ellen enjoyed gardening, cats, quilting, knitting and nature. Her special love was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed attending their school activities over the years.
Surviving are her children: Jacqueline (Gerald) Dosch of Rugby, Gregory (Wendy Kihne) Truax of Pembina, ND, Janelle (Joe) Tuchscherer of Rugby and Tom Truax of Esmond; 4 grandchildren: Tyler (Tonia) Dosch, Jenna (Brian) Thompson, Brady and Hunter Tuchscherer; 4 great-grandchildren: Brekkyn and Brynlee Thompson, Adison and Tallie Dosch; 3 sisters: LaVonne (Bud) Bengson of Minot, Dorothy (Al) Adam of Langdon and Mary (Dwight) Jelsing of Rugby.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and a brother: Merton Reierson.
Obituary
Marvin
Laverne
Aamodt
Marvin Laverne Aamodt, the son of John and Mabel (Opstedal) Aamodt was born June 22, 1939 at Rugby, North Dakota. He died unexpectedly at the age of 72 years on Thursday, April 12, 2012 at his home in Rugby.
Marvin was raised in the home of his parents and attended grade school in a Russell Township school in Rolette County. He completed his education at Dunseith High School, graduating in 1957. Following high school, he enlisted into the U.S. Army on October 22, 1957 and served as radio operator until his honorable discharge on October 20, 1960. Following his military service, Marvin returned home to Thorne, North Dakota where he started his lifelong career in the management of grain elevators. On June 16, 1962, he was united in marriage to Lorette Casavant at St. Michael’s Church in Thorne. Following their marriage, the couple would make their home and raise their family in several communities including; Hamberg, Towner, Churchs Ferry and Devils Lake where Marvin continued in the grain elevator operations in those communities. In June of 2001, Marvin accepted a position with the Heart of America Ag Center in Rugby and retired from there ten years later. Marvin had a love for cars, both in collecting and repairing and enjoyed morning coffee with the guys.
He is survived by his wife, Lorette of Rugby; one son, Stacy of Leonard; three daughters, Vicki (Derek) Woidyla of Holdingford, Minnesota, Karen (Chad) Hunt of Devils Lake and Debbie (Dan) Billings of Bismarck; ten grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; two brothers, Robert of Rolette and Larry (Pat) of Goodyear, Arizona; one sister, Jeanette McBain of Osburn, Idaho; an aunt, Ella Lemieux of Rolla; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by one brother, Raymond; step-father, Casper Aamodt; and his parents, John and Mabel.
Memorial services were held on Tuesday, April 17, at the Anderson Funeral Home Chapel in Rugby, North Dakota. Burial will be at a later date in the Thorne Community Cemetery. Reverend Shawn Bowman, officiating.
There will be no visitation or reviewal.
Honorary Casket Bearers: The Grandchildren.
Arrangements with Anderson Funeral Home, Rugby.
Obituary
Theresa
“Terri”
Corneillie
Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, April 25, 2012, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake, for Theresa “Terri” Corneillie, 86, Devils Lake, who died Saturday, April 21, 2012, at the Heartland Care Center.
Burial was in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery.
Theresa “Terri” Corneillie was born December 16, 1925 in Grafton, ND, a daughter of Edward and Emma (Delorme) Pelletier. She was reared and educated in the Glasston and Joliette area. Her mother had severe health problems and her father died when she was very young so Theresa helped to raise her younger siblings and also worked as a telephone operator in Grafton. Theresa was united in marriage to Gaston J. “Jack” Corneillie on October 8, 1946 in Joliette, ND. They established their home in Grafton where they worked and raised their family. In 1962 they moved to Devils Lake where they lived the rest of their lives. There, Theresa cooked at Camp Grafton for several summers. Gaston passed away on December 19, 2007.
Theresa was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.
She is survived by her children Yvonne Kaul, Grand Forks; Gene Corneillie, Devils Lake; Victoria Webb, Cavalier; Deborah Mears, Rugby; Diane Bonine, Young America, Minn.; Charlotte Anderson, Fargo and Terry Lee Corneillie, Devils Lake; thirteen grandchildren; nineteen great grandchildren; half sister Marian, Worthington, Calif. and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; step- father, Archibald LaHaise; husband Gaston; brother Henry “Hank” Pelletier and sister Juliette Pelletier Berry; half-brothers Gerald, Albert and Lawrence LaHaise and half-sisters Emma and Alice LaHaise.
Fr. Jason Asselin officated.
Casketbearers were Stephanie Schmaltz, Nick Anderson, Heather Anderson, Nadine Kruk, Traci Pederson, Richard Webb, Travis Corneillie and Tammie Skari.
Arrangements by Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake.
Obituary
Obert Stutrud
Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Rugby, for Obert Stutrud, 94, who died Wednesday, April 18 at the Heart of America Medical Center, Rugby.
Burial was in Tunbridge Free Lutheran Cemetery.
Obert Sutrud was born July 9, 1917 in Tunbridge, ND, the son of Martin and Petra (Westgard) Stutrud. Obert was raised in the rural home his parents near Tunbridge and received his education at a rural school near his home. After his schooling, he continued to help on the family farm and ranch and did independent trucking, hauling cattle and coal. In December of 1959, he was united in marriage to Loretta Getzlaff in Kelso, Wash. The couple made their home and raised their family, ranched and farmed just west of Obert’s parents for eight years until they purchased a home and ranch north of Berwick in Dewey Township. A lifetime rancher, Obert was still haying at the age of 92. Loretta died December 3, 1992.
Obert is survived by a son, Myron, Rugby; two step-daughters, Betty Vig, Rugby and Sharon Palmer, Minot; nine grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; a brother, Melvin, Rugby; three sisters, Elsie Anderson, Helen Kuhnert of Rugby, and Alma Lowe, Hazel Green, Wisc.; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife; brothers, Earl and Ray; and his parents.
Pastor Mike Pretzer and Chaplain Brenda Burns officiated. Music was provided by organist, Pam Anderson and vocalist, Rachel Heupel.
Casketbearers were Roger Anderson, Curt Anderson, Sheldon Shearer, Shawn Shearer, Nathan Genre and Chuck Vig.
Arrangements by Anderson Funeral Home, Rugby.
Obituary
Wayne N.
Oeffner
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, April 28, 2012, at Leeds Lutheran Church in Leeds for Wayne N. Oeffner, 86, Leeds, who died Thursday, April 19, at the Heart of America Long Term Care Center in Rugby.
Burial will be in the Leeds Cemetery.
Wayne was born April 4, 1926 in Great Falls, Mont., a son of Walter and Nora (Landa) Oeffner. He attended school in York and Leeds. He then worked on the family farm until entering the Army in 1946 and was discharged in 1947. Wayne and Margie Torgerson were married on October 21, 1948 in Leeds. He worked in the construction business for many years and assumed the operation of the family farm in 1962, retiring in 1991. Margie passed away on October 14, 1982.
Wayne was a member of Leeds Lutheran Church, active in the Leeds American Legion Post #101, a member of the Elks, Masons and Lions.
He is survived by a son, Steven Oeffner, Champlin, Minn.; three grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; a sister, Deloris Kolstad, Sioux Falls, S.D.; and a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Margie; a daughter, Julie Schumacher; and a brother, Russell Oeffner.
Pastor Richard Budd will officiate. Music will be provided by soloist, MiChelle Nybo and organist, Dan Nybo.
Casketbearers will be Greg Schmidt, Tim Tuchscherer, Scott Todahl, Dustin Schumacher, Russell Schumacher and Tex Smeltzer.
Arrangements by the Nelson Funeral Home, Leeds.
Obituary
Gladys
Josephine
(Olson)
Pederson
Funeral services were held Saturday, April 21, 2012 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Rugby for Gladys Jose-phine (Olson) Pederson, 101, Rugby, who died Tuesday, April 17 at the Heart of America Medical Center in Rugby.
Burial was in Union Cemetery, Knox.
Gladys was born November 5, 1910 in rural Barton, a daughter of Dagfin and Petra (Pederson) Olson. She was the oldest of 13 children and was raised in the farm home of her parents west of Barton. At the age of six she began to help her dad with farm chores. She received her education in a rural school near her home where in the first grade, she began to learn English. In 1931 at the age of 21, she moved to Fargo and worked on a dairy farm doing the housework, taking care of the couple’s children and cooking for the hired hands. She moved back to Rugby in September of 1933 and worked for Dr. Jenson until March 1934, where she went to work for Ed Pederson and his family. On September 1, 1934, she was united in marriage to Edward Alvin Pederson in Barton. They made their living farming, selling cream and eggs; they also took care of Ed’s father until his death. The couple left the farm in 1968, moving into Knox. Ed died May 2, 1998.
Gladys was a 4-H leader and a Farmers Union Leader while her children were growing up, taught Sunday school, was active in the Knox 55 club, a birthday club, served on the County Election Board, held offices in the Knox Lutheran Ladies Aid, served as Sergeant of Arms in the Knox Ameican Legion Auxiliary and served as secretary and treasurer of the Knox Union Cemetery. She was also a member of the Knox Lutheran Church and Bethany Lutheran Church.
She is survived by a son, Rodney, Knox; a daughter, Marie Sattler, Rugby; eight grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Ruth Bjornstad, Devils Lake; Annie Scheet and Bernice Schneibel, both of Longview, Wash; sisters-in-law, Lily Olson, Butte, Mont; Gertie Olson, Willow City, and Jessie Olson, New Mexico; several nieces, nephews, other relatives ad friends. She was preceded in death by her husband; a son and daughter-in-law; a granddaugher; two great-grandchildren; brothers, Anton, Walter, Otto, Art, Don and Pete Olson; sisters, Inga Pederson, Olga Bond and Dagny Anderson; and her parents.
Pastor Mike Pretzer and Chaplain Brenda Burns officiated. Music was provided by organist, Pam Anderson and vocalists, Arlene Johnson and Eldon Borgen.
Casketbearers were Jonathan Fritel, Mike Peterson, Matt Graber, Kelly Bonn, Seth Shively and Josh Sattler.
Arrangements by Anderson Funeral Home, Rugby.
Obituary
Frances
“Sally”
Selland
Frances Lorraine “Sally” Selland, the daughter of Axel and Louise (Sveum) Swanson was born on June 15, 1924 at Minneapolis General Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She died at the age of 87 years on Monday, April 30, 2012 at the Heart of America Care Center in Rugby, North Dakota.
Sally was raised on the family farm in Aitkin, Minnesota and enjoyed spending time on the farm during the summer months; she received her education from Central High School and graduated in 1942. Following high school, Sally ventured west to San Francisco, where she found employment as a roller skating office messenger. At the onset of WWII, Sally moved to Los Angeles and became a “Rosie the Riveter” for MacDonald Douglas. Later, Sally gained employment at Pacific Bell Telephone where she worked for ten years. Sally followed her mother, Louise, to Rugby, North Dakota, where she took employment with the Citizens State Bank. On Oct. 3, 1954, Sally was united in marriage to Norman Edward Selland at Tunbridge Free Lutheran Church in Tunbridge, North Dakota. Sally made the transition from city girl to country girl quickly following their marriage, making their home on the Selland family farm in rural Tunbridge. To this union, three daughters were born. Sally and Norman farmed hand-in-hand until 1983 and during this time they spent many years as snowbirds in Mission, Texas. Norman died March 21, 1995.
Sally was a former member of the Tunbridge Free Lutheran Church and a current member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Rugby and was active in the Ladies Aide of both congregations. She enjoyed the political arena too, serving as the Democratic District 7 Chairperson for several years. She loved bowling and golfing, with many trophies to her name. Later, Sally followed her love of birds and joined the Metigoshe Ministries Retreat Center Birding Group. Sally traveled extensively over the years, enjoying cruises and road trips. She was an active volunteer with the Good Samaritan Hospital Auxiliary and served Library board of directors. She was an avid reader, reading eight to ten books every three weeks.
Sally is survived by three daughters, Sandra Selland-Lichter and her husband Gerald of Grand Forks, North Dakota, Cheryl Dauphin and her husband, Edward of Apple Valley, Minnesota, and Charlotte Selland and her husband, Eric Pederson of Fort Ransom, North Dakota; six grandchildren, Jessica and Natalie Lichter, Alexander and Stephanie Dauphin, and Gunnar and Conrad Pederson; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband; a brother Art Swanson; and her parents.
Funeral services held: 10:00 a.m. Friday at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Rugby with burial in the Persilla Watts Cemetery, Rugby. Rev. Mike Pretzer and Rev. Sharon Baker, Co-Pastors of First Lutheran Church, Rugby officiating.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Anderson Funeral Home in Rugby with a prayer service and sharing of memories beginning at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the time of services at the Church on Friday.
Organist: Pam Anderson
Vocalists: Charlotte Selland
Casket Bearers: Grandchildren Jessica and Natalie Lichter, Alexander and Stephanie Dauphin, and Gunnar and Conrad Pederson
Arrangements with the Anderson Funeral Home of Rugby
Obituary
Frances
“Sally”
Selland
Frances Lorraine “Sally” Selland, the daughter of Axel and Louise (Sveum) Swanson was born on June 15, 1924 at Minneapolis General Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She died at the age of 87 years on Monday, April 30, 2012 at the Heart of America Care Center in Rugby, North Dakota.
Sally was raised on the family farm in Aitkin, Minnesota and enjoyed spending time on the farm during the summer months; she received her education from Central High School and graduated in 1942. Following high school, Sally ventured west to San Francisco, where she found employment as a roller skating office messenger. At the onset of WWII, Sally moved to Los Angeles and became a “Rosie the Riveter” for MacDonald Douglas. Later, Sally gained employment at Pacific Bell Telephone where she worked for ten years. Sally followed her mother, Louise, to Rugby, North Dakota, where she took employment with the Citizens State Bank. On Oct. 3, 1954, Sally was united in marriage to Norman Edward Selland at Tunbridge Free Lutheran Church in Tunbridge, North Dakota. Sally made the transition from city girl to country girl quickly following their marriage, making their home on the Selland family farm in rural Tunbridge. To this union, three daughters were born. Sally and Norman farmed hand-in-hand until 1983 and during this time they spent many years as snowbirds in Mission, Texas. Norman died March 21, 1995.
Sally was a former member of the Tunbridge Free Lutheran Church and a current member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Rugby and was active in the Ladies Aide of both congregations. She enjoyed the political arena too, serving as the Democratic District 7 Chairperson for several years. She loved bowling and golfing, with many trophies to her name. Later, Sally followed her love of birds and joined the Metigoshe Ministries Retreat Center Birding Group. Sally traveled extensively over the years, enjoying cruises and road trips. She was an active volunteer with the Good Samaritan Hospital Auxiliary and served Library board of directors. She was an avid reader, reading eight to ten books every three weeks.
Sally is survived by three daughters, Sandra Selland-Lichter and her husband Gerald of Grand Forks, North Dakota, Cheryl Dauphin and her husband, Edward of Apple Valley, Minnesota, and Charlotte Selland and her husband, Eric Pederson of Fort Ransom, North Dakota; six grandchildren, Jessica and Natalie Lichter, Alexander and Stephanie Dauphin, and Gunnar and Conrad Pederson; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband; a brother Art Swanson; and her parents.
Funeral services held: 10:00 a.m. Friday at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Rugby with burial in the Persilla Watts Cemetery, Rugby. Rev. Mike Pretzer and Rev. Sharon Baker, Co-Pastors of First Lutheran Church, Rugby officiating.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Anderson Funeral Home in Rugby with a prayer service and sharing of memories beginning at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the time of services at the Church on Friday.
Organist: Pam Anderson
Vocalists: Charlotte Selland
Casket Bearers: Grandchildren Jessica and Natalie Lichter, Alexander and Stephanie Dauphin, and Gunnar and Conrad Pederson
Arrangements with the Anderson Funeral Home of Rugby
Obituary
Pete Volk
Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, April 30, at Little Flower Catholic Church, Rugby, for Peter Mike “Pete” Volk, 78, who died Wednesday, April 25, at the Heart of America Medical Center in Rugby.
Burial was in Little Flower Cemetery.
Peter Volk was born December 24, 1933, in the home of his parents in rural McHenry County, N. Dak. He was raised on his parents’ farm near Berwick and received his education in a country school near the farm. On June 18, 1956 he married JoAnn Wentz at Esmond, N.Dak. They made their home on the Volk family farm where he worked for area farmers. Later the couple moved to Tunbridge, where they lived and raised their family. In 2008 they moved to Rugby. Pete worked as a carpenter for Hutton Construction of Towner for many years, and later did carpentry on his own. He also worked on the Kuhn farm. He was a member of Little Flower Catholic Church.
He is survived by his wife, JoAnn, Rugby; one son, Dean, and one daughter, Debra Black, both of Rugby; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a brother, David, Garrison; three sisters, Barbara Kuntz, Rugby, Theresa Adam, Minot, and Alice Kraft, Gladstone, Mo.; many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by three grandchildren, John, Mary and Joseph Black; a brother, John; a sister, Dora Adam; three brothers-in-law, Mike and Tony Adam, and Edward Kraft; a sister-in-law, Mary Volk; and his parents.
Father John Ejike officiated. Music was provided by organist, Glenda Mack, and vocalist, Galen Mack.
Casketbearers were Alan Black, Rick Volk, Cody Slaubaugh, Neil Black, Kevin Volk and Bob Adam.
Arrangements by Anderson Funeral Home, Rugby.
Obituary
Dorothy
Richter
Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, April 27, 2012, at Little Flower Catholic Church, Rugby, for Dorothy Richter, 87, Bemidji, Minn., formerly of Rugby, who died Friday, April 20, at the Gold Pine Care Center in Bemidji.
Burial was in Little Flower Cemetery.
Dorothy Grace Richter was born February 3, 1925, in Post Falls, Idaho, a daughter of Theodore Oscar and Zena (Cornish) Tonnessen. As a young child she moved with her parents to Denbigh, N. Dak. where she was raised. She graduated from high school in Granville, N. Dak., and from nurses training in the Cadet Corps Program at Good Samaritan Hospital in Rugby, where she received a registered nursing degree in 1944. She then was employed by the Good Samaritan Hospital. On February 17, 1947, she married Daniel Francis Richter at Little Flower Church in Rugby. They made their home in Rugby where she worked at the Heart of America Medical Center and Johnson Clinic. She retired in 1986 after 42 years of nursing, but worked with home health and hospice following retirement. In 2010 she moved to the Gold Pine Care Center in Bemidji. Dorothy was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Catholic Daughters, Good Samaritan Nurses Alumnae Association, Christian Mothers and Little Flower Catholic Church.
She is survived by one son, Tim, of Cartersville, Ga.; three daughters, Jan Hager, Cass Lake, Minn., Joyce Eastburn, Whchita, Kan., and Lori Richter, Rugby; eight grandchildren; 13 great-granchildren; brothers, Richard, Kerrville, Texas, Kenneth, Towner, and Gerald Lee, Bainbridge Island, Wash.; sisters, Annabelle Banta, Bremerton, Wash;, and Leona Burke, Deer Park, Wash.; sisters-in-law, Bonnie and Virginia Tonnessen; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her husband; brothers, Harry and Martin Tonnessen; and her parents.
Father Tom Graner officiated. Music was provided by organist, Glenda Mack, and vocalist, Sara Selensky.
Casketbearers were Rod Tonnessen, Terry Tonnessen, Chad Frost, Mike Hager, Greg Cleveland, Jason Eastburn and Rod Richter. Honorary pallbearers were members of the Good Samaritan Nursing Association Alumnae and Catholic Daughters-Rugby Court.
Arrangements by Anderson Funeral Home, Rugby.
Obituary
Bernard
J. Meyer
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 5, 2012, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Leeds, for Bernard J. Meyer, 80, Harlow, N. Dak. who died Monday, April 30, at the Heart of America Medical Center in Rugby.
Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Bernard James Meyer was born October 26, 1931, to Joseph Meyer and Elizabeth Shery Meyer on the farm that was homesteaded in the early 1900s in Butte Valley Township near Harlow. He attended school in Harlow. He married Jean Elverude of Churchs Ferry on September 1, 1955, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Brinsmade. They made their home on the original Meyer homestead, raising cattle, hogs and small grains. After 50 years of farming they retired, although they continued to live on the farm. Bernard was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and served on the parish council. He served on the board of the N. Dak. Pork Producers, was a member of the N. Dak. and American Angus Associations, a member and director of Benson County Farmers Union, Leeds-York Local and Butte Valley Local, a member of the N. Dak. Farmers Union, and a former member of the Devils Lake Eagles. At the time of his death he was serving on the 2012 Harlow Centennial Planning Committee.
He is survived by his wife, Jean, of Harlow; a daughter, Tammy Meyer, Harlow; sister, Irene Risovi, Hamberg, N. Dak.; two brothers-in-law, John Piatz, Minot, and LaVaine Christensen, Granville; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, James Meyer; one brother, Roy Meyer; four sisters, Alice Buchta, Mabel Fitzpatrick, Albina Erickson, and Marie Piatz; two sisters-in-law, MaryLou Meyer and Shirley Christensen; and four brothers-in-law, John Buchta, John Fitzpatrick, Henry Erickson and Joe Risovi.
Arrangements by Nelson Funeral Home, Leeds.