Obituary
Edna May
Foss
Edna May Foss, 93, of Rugby, ND died early Wednesday morning, September 19, 2012, at the Villa St. Vincent Nursing Home in Crookston, MN. Due to failing health, Edna had come to the Villa on April 26th of this year so that she could be closer to her daughter, Jan Vallager.
Edna was born in Kohlmeier Township, near Rolette, ND on October 2, 1918, and was one of six children of the union of Ted and Lora (Rice) Kjorvestad. She grew up on the family farm, near Rolette, and was baptized and confirmed at the Valle Lutheran Church. Edna attended nearby country school and as a young girl began working on neighboring farms doing housekeeping and cooking for the farmhands. She was later employed in the housekeeping and laundry department at the Rolette Hospital, before going on to work in the dietary department of the San Haven Sanitorium, near Dunseith, ND. On October 28, 1960, Edna was united in marriage to Melvin Foss at the Willow Creek Lutheran Church in Overly, ND. The couple lived in Kohlmeier Township and farmed there until Melvin’s passing on October 10, 1982. Edna remained on the farmstead until moving to Rugby ten years later. In 2010 she became a resident of Haaland Estates in Rugby, living there until moving to Crookston.
Edna’s faith played a large role in her life; she was a member of the Willow Creek Lutheran Church at Overly, and the Ladies Aid (WELCA) of the church. While living at Rugby she had been attending Bethany Lutheran Church. Edna also held membership in the Homemakers Club at Overly for many years. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, and baking, especially pies and cookies. Edna liked having company and entertaining, and received guests into her home with a big smile. Taking friends with her to area church suppers was a favorite pastime. Every fall they went to as many lutefisk dinners as they could find and there were lots of them. Edna cherished time spent with her daughter, Jan and family, and especially getting to know her great-grandchildren. May God bless the memory of Edna Foss.
Loving family members include her daughter and son-in-law, Jan and John Vallager of Crookston, MN; two granddaughters and three great-grandchildren: Kris Sufka and her husband, Brad, and their children, Jenna and Jacob, of Minot, ND, and Kari Moe and her husband, Tim, and their son, Grant, of Fisher, MN. Edna also leaves three sisters: Pearl Buck of St. Paul, MN, Marian (Newell) Dostalar of Buena Park, CA, and Lucille Beaver of Rolette, ND; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. In addition to her beloved husband of twenty-one years, Melvin, Edna was preceded in death by her parents, Ted and Lora Kjorvestad; a sister, Mabel Boucher; and a brother, Lyle Kjorvestad.
A funeral service in celebration of the life of Edna May Foss will be held at 2:00 pm, Monday, September 24, 2012, at the Willow Creek Lutheran Church, 115 4th Avenue East, in Overly, ND, with The Rev. John Hesford officiating.
Visitation will be at the church for one hour prior to the funeral.
Interment will be in the Willow Creek Cemetery. Memorials may be given in Edna’s name to the Willow Creek Lutheran Church, c/o Jan Vallager, 520 5th Avenue NE, Crookston, MN 56716. The Gilbertson Funeral Home of Devils Lake, ND is assisting with funeral arrangements. Online registry: www.gilbertsonfuneralhome.com
Obituary
Elizabeth
Schaan
Elizabeth Rosella (Merck) Schaan, devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, greatgrandmother and friend died at age 89, due to complications with cancer, peacefully at her home in Langdon, ND on Friday, September 14, 2012 surrounded by her family, and longtime husband, Vincent M. Schaan.
Elizabeth (Betty) was born on July 12, 1923 south of Karlsruhe, ND to Felix and Mary (Meyer) Merck. Her siblings included Johanna (Merck) Sattler, Catherine (Merck) Duchscherer, John Merck, Mary (Merck) Jose, Regina (Merck) Kahoutek, Joseph, Alex, Bill and Leo Merck.
Betty and Vincent M. Schaan were married on, May 21, 1945 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Balta, North Dakota. They lived the majority of their married lives there where Vincent owned the grocery store, and Betty primarily worked as a teacher’s aide at Balta High School. Betty’s passions were her family, music, especially listening to her kids sing in various weddings and events, her faith, her garden, and her friends. Betty was quick to laugh, loved a good story and always had the right words to cheer up her husband and her kids and several grandkids. In retirement, Betty followed the lives of her kids and grandkids, and loved a good game of Bingo while socializing with friends. In the latter portion of their life together, Vince and Betty moved to Langdon, ND, but they never forgot their friends and the home they had made in Balta.
Betty is survived by her husband Vincent M. Schaan of Langdon, ND, children: Roland Schaan; Richard C. and Sandy (Peterson) Schaan of Langdon, ND; Romaine Schaan of Rolla, ND; Reynold M. Schaan and Debra (Plesuk) Schaan of Fargo, ND; Charlotte (Brandt) Schaan and David Brandt of Rugby, ND; Randall Schaan of Langdon, ND; Robert Schaan of Langdon, ND; Vincent L. Schaan and Darcy (Eslinger) Schaan, Grafton, ND; Kenneth J. Schaan and ManaRae (Mayer) Schaan of Oakdale, MN; 18 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.
Betty was preceded in death by: Daughter Collette; siblings, Johanna (Merck) Sattler; Catherine (Merck) Duschscherer; John Merck; Mary (Merck) Jose; and Alex Merck.
Rosary: 6:30pm Monday, September 17, 2012, at the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church of Langdon, ND
Prayer Service: 7pm Monday, September 17, 2012, at the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church of Langdon, ND.
Funeral: Tuesday, September 18, 2012, at 1:00pm at the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church of Langdon, ND.
Internment: Wednesday, September 19, 2012 at noon at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Cemetery of Balta, ND.
Obituary
James
Dumdai
James Elburn Dumdai, the son of Elburn and Lois (Randle) Dumdai, was born on September 26, 1967 in Dickinson, North Dakota. He died at the age of 44 years on Sunday, September 16, 2012 at the Trinity Medical Center in Minot, North Dakota.
James was raised in the rural Knox, North Dakota home of his parents and graduated from Rugby High School, the class of 1986. He completed his education at Wahpeton State College of Science where he studied Machining Technology. Following college, he moved to LaCrosse, Wisconsin and took employment there as a machinist. He later moved to Jamestown, North Dakota where he worked as a machinist. Becoming partially disabled, James returned to the family farm to help with the family farm and for area farmers. Once he became fully disabled, he worked some odd jobs as able to do so.
James was a member of the Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren in rural York, until its closing and enjoyed NASCAR racing, photography and football.
He is survived by his mother, Lois; one brother, Daniel of Knox; several aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by a sister in infancy, Cheryl Kay Dumdai; his grandparents, Gustav and Amanda Dumdai and Walter and Hazel Randle; and his father.
Funeral services were held Thursday at the Anderson Funeral Home Chapel in Rugby. Burial took place in the Pleasant Valley Brethren Cemetery in rural York. The Reverend Brenda Burns officiated.
Organist: Judy Randle
Hymns by the Congregation: “What A Friend We have in Jesus” “How Great Thou Art”
Honorary Bearers: All Friends and Neighbors
Casket Bearers: Wayne Randle, Fred Baillie, Kevin Fritel, Philip Volk, Richard Wurgler, Kirk Randle, Gary Randle and Ronald Selzler.
Arrangements with the Anderson Funeral Home of Rugby.
The family wishes to express their gratitude for your many acts of kindness evidenced in thoughts and deed and for your attendance at the visitation and funeral service.
Obituary
Jon Harvey
Jochimsen
Jon Harvey Jochimsen, 65, Rugby formerly of Minot, died Saturday, September 15, 2012 in a Rugby hospital.
He was born February 4, 1947, to Harvey and Nevis (Moe) Jochimsen, Mankato, MN. He was raised in Minot and graduated from Minot High in 1965.
Jon enlisted in the United States Army and served in Vietnam. After his honorable discharge he attended NDSU and later graduated from Minot State College with a bachelor’s degree in music. He was married to Roxy Kinyon Nelson in 1980 and their son, Jonathon, was born in 1984. Throughout the years, Jon remained active with the Army National Guard, where he retired after over 20 years of service.
Jon owned and operated Fire Extinguishing Systems in Minot for several years. He later moved to California, where he continued working in the fire suppression and security business. In his later years he enjoyed driving bus for Hartley’s and concrete truck for Deplazes Redi-Mix, both in Rugby, ND.
Jon’s love of the performing arts led him to participate in several musical groups, including, the Centurion Drum and Bugle Corps, Minot Brass Band, the IMC Adult Band, and the Rugby Symphony. He also took great pride in performing on stage with the Des Lacs Laker Playmakers, Mouse River Players, and the Rugby Village Arts.
Jon is survived by his wife, Roxy, Minot; step-son, Toby (Beth) Nelson, Minot; sister, Mary (Paul) Upoff, Minneapolis, MN.
Jon was preceded in death by: his son, Jonathan; his parents, Harvey and Nevis Jochimsen; stepfather, Robert Wiley; and sister, Sara.
Funeral: Wednesday, September 19, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Mark’sLutheran Church, Minot, ND.
Visitation: Wednesday, one hour prior to the service in the church.
Burial: A private burial will be held Rolling Green Cemetery, rural Des Lacs, ND.
Memorials are preferred to the Ronald McDonald House, 608 Ontario St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Those wishing to sign the online guest register or share memories of Jon may sign the online guest register at www.thompsonlarson.com
Obituary
Vernon Pfau
Funeral services were held Monday, September 17, 2012 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Upham for Vernon Gene Pfau, 82, Upham, who died Thursday, September 13 at home.
Burial was in the church cemetery.
Vernon was born on Februrary 26, 1930 in Minot, a son of Albert and Lucille (Zimmerman) Pfau. He was raised in Deep River Township – McHenry County and went to school at the Deep River School a short distance from the farm. He graduated from Minot Model High School in 1948, playing on the football and basketball teams during his time there. After graduation he obtained an asssociate degree in auto mechanics from the North Dakota State School of Scinece, Wahpeton. He married Betty Jewel Anderson in Minot on April 15, 1951.
Vernon was a longtime member of the Bethlehem Luttoeran Church, was a township supervisor for many years, a former member of the Little Deep Club, a member of the NoDak Race Club in Minot, and a licensed pilot and member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
He is survived by his children: Judy Fowler, Denver, Colo.; Michael, Princeton, Minn.; Marc, West Fargo; Murray, Upham; Gerry, Bismarck and Jay, Billings, Mont.; brothers: Lawrence of Minot and Kenneth of Sierra Vista, Ariz.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.
Rev. Daryl Rothchild officiated. Music was provided by Oliene Hall, organist.
Casketbearers were his children. Honorary bearers were his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Niewoehner Funeral Home of Rugby.
Obituary
Theodore
Freeman
Theodore Freeman, 85, of Sterling, Alaska, formerly of Rugby died Monday, September 10 at his home in Sterling.
Graveside services will be held at 4:00 p.m. Saturday at Persilla Watts Cemetery in Rugby.
The Anderson Funeral Home of Rugby is assisting the family with funeral services.