Obituaries which appeared in the November 21, 1999 edition of the Austin Daily Herald.

Saturday, November 20, 1999

Obituaries which appeared in the November 21, 1999 edition of the Austin Daily Herald

Steven Danks, 37

Steven Glenn Danks, 37, Dodge Center, died Thursday, Nov. 18, 1999.

He was born Feb. 14, 1962 in Rochester. He married Jodi Janes Jan. 2, 1981 and later divorced. He married Kim Johnson July 12, 1991.

He grew up in Waltham. He was a 1980 graduate of Hayfield High School. He also graduated from Rochester Vo-Tech as an Auto Mechanic. He worked at Sears and then went to work for Quest in Rochester as a technician.

He was a member of the N.R.A. and had served in the US Army from 1981-1983.

Steven is survived by sons Ryan Danks, Sargeant, Wyatt Danks, Dodge Center; daughter Ashlie Danks, Dodge Center; mother Lois Danks, Waltham; step son Joshua Johnson, Dodge Center and step daughter Kayla Roberts, Dodge Center; sisters Marilyn Danks, Northfield, Debra Danks, Waltham.

He was preceded in death by his father and grandparents.

· Service: 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 22, 1999 at Christ Community Church in Rochester with The Rev. Paul Brushaber officiating.

· Interment: Fairview Cemetery in Hayfield

· Visitation: Friends may call Monday, Nov. 22, 1999 from 11 until the time of the service at the church.

Garth Vrieze, 89

Garth Vrieze, 89 of Spring Valley died peacefully Thursday evening Nov. 18, at his home.

Garth was born May 1, 1910 in rural Fillmore County to William and Lucy (DeVos) Vrieze. On March 20, 1942 he was united in marriage to Dorothy Maricle in Spring Valley, and together they farmed in the Spring Valley area until their retirement in 1985. Garth was on the Spring Valley Township Board, active in Faith United Methodist Church, the Spring Valley Hospital Board and the Coffee Klutch Board.

He is survived by his wife Dorothy, Spring Valley; three sons: Clifford and Karen, Trimont, Gary and Marilyn, St. Francis and David, Spring Valley; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brother Burton, Spring Valley; and sister Ila Seabright, Spring Valley.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister and six brothers.

· Service: 1:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 22, 1999 at Faith United Methodist Church with Rev. James Ross officiating.

· Interment: Spring Valley Cemetery

· Visitation: Friends may call at the Hindt-Hutchins Funeral Home in Spring Valley Sunday afternoon from 2-4 p.m. and at the church for one hour prior to the service.

Catherine C. Inman, 95

Catherine C. (Gorman) Inman, 95, died Thursday, Nov. 18 at Burr Oak Manor in Austin, where she resided.

She was born April 12, 1904 in Lanesboro to Dennis A. and Katherine (Quinn) Gorman. She was united in marriage to Chester H. "Jack" Gorman in 1941 in the state of Missouri. He preceded her in death on Nov. 26, 1986. She is survived by two sons, Gary and Arline Inman, Tempe, Ariz., Weston and Sharon Inman, Northridge, Calif.; a daughter, Mary Ann (Loren) Bruessel, Owatonna, five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and a sister, Marie Gorman, Austin.

Casketbearers were Wayne Gorman, Ardel Gorman, Bruce Gorman, Brad Gorman, Kenneth Gorman and Mike Gorman.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Nov. 20, with Fr. Virgil Duellman officiating. Internment was at Oakwood Cemetery.

Esther (Peggy) Lathrop, 87

Esther (Peggy) Lathrop, 87, of Austin died Friday, Nov. 19 at Austin Medical Center.

She is survived by a son Ken Berry, Austin; daughter Judy Lish, Idaho Falls, eight grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, two great-great-children; brother Russell Berge, Calif.; sister Dorothy Steen, Calif.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

· Service: A memorial service will be held Tuesday, Nov. 23 at 1:30 p.m. at the Clasen-Jordan Mortuary Chapel in Austin, with the Rev. James I. Mikkelson officiating.

· Interment: Grandview Cemetery

The family prefers memorials.

Amelia O’ Sullivan

Amelia O’ Sullivan died Nov. 19 at St. Therese Nursing Home in New Hope. Arrangements are pending and will be announced by the Adams Funeral Home.

Gustav A. Gehrking, 92

Gustav A. Gehrking, 92, of rural Spring Valley died Friday evening, Nov. 19 at the Ostrander Care Center.

Gus was born May 3, 1907 in Fillmore Township, Fillmore County, the son of August and Minnie (Meyer) He worked on his family’s farm until his marriage to Dorothy R. Hinkson on Dec. 16, 1931 in Wykoff. The couple made their home on the Gehrking farm in Fillmore Township for four years before purchasing a farm in rural Spring Valley, where they had since resided. Dorothy died April 20, 1986.

He was a lifelong member of St. John Lutheran Church in Wykoff.

He is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Leonard and Gladys of rural Spring Valley; one daughter-in-law Marilyn Gehrking, Spring Valley; eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one son, Maynard, one daughter, Marlys Halvorson, one grandson, Lyndon, one sister, Mary Freiheit, and five brothers, Fred, Albert, Walter, Ernest and Edwin.

· Service: 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 23 at St. John Lutheran Church in Wykoff with Rev. Robert Burmeister officiating.

· Interment: St. John Lutheran Church Cemetery

· Visitation: Friends may call at the Thauwald Funeral Home in Spring Valley from 5-8 p.m. Monday and at the church Tuesday one hour before the service.

Avis Louise Greenlee, 67

Avis Louise Greenlee, 67, Park Rapids, formerly of Austin, died on Friday, Nov. 19, 1999 at the Heritage Living Center in Park Rapids following a lingering illness.

Avis was born Dec. 23, 1931 to Charles Lloyd and Charlotte Louise (Ward) Babcock, As a young girl, she moved to Austin, where she attended country school and grew into womanhood. There she met Maynard Eugene Greenlee and fell in love. The young couple were united in marriage on Feb. 7, 1953, at Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Austin. This union was blessed with five children. She devoted herself to making a warm and loving home for her husband and children. When her children were young, she was active as a Cub Scout leader. She was a wonderful baker and will be long remembered for her special cakes. She enjoyed working with her hands doing cross stitch and plastic canvas. She would often work late into the night to meet the needs of her growing family. Avis and Maynard made their home in Austin until 1986, when they moved to Park Rapids. There she assisted her husband in managing the Edgewater Motel and the Travelers Motel and Cafe. Most recently, she had been answering phones for Ken’s Fix-It business.

She was a long time member of the Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Austin. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, and looked forward to raising a beautiful rose garden every year. Above all she dedicated her life to her children and grandchildren, whom she loved with all her heart.

She is survived by two daughters, Kathie and Bob Pickett, Park Rapids, Susan and Walter Wollenburg, Austin; three sons, Paul and Marcy Greenlee, Stonington, Ill., Michael and Peggy Greenlee, Wabasso, Minn., and Dale Greenlee, Austin; 16 grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; her mother Charlotte Babcock, Grand Rapids; two sisters Carma Branstner, Bovey, Minn., JoAnn and Milo Aakhus, Effie, Minn.; three brothers: Nathan Babcock, Fridley, Lloyd "Butch" Babcock, Santee, Calif., and Dennis and Starr Babcock, Maple Grove, Minn; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Maynard in 1997, her father Charles Babcock in 1971, a sister Wanda in childhood, an adopted grandson Justin; and a nephew, Chris.

Organist will be Shirley Cahill.

Casketbearers will be Paul Greenlee, Jason Greenlee, Walter Wollenburg, Steven Wollenburg, Dale Greenlee and Michael Greenlee. Honorary casketbearers will be her grandchildren.

· Service: 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 23 at Queen of Angels Catholic Church, Austin, with Fr. Virgil Duellman officiating.

· Interment: Calvary Catholic Cemetery

· Visitation: 3:30-6 p.m. today, with a prayer service at 5:30 p.m. at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home of Park Rapids, and from 6-8 p.m. Monday, with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. at Queen of Angels Church in Austin. A luncheon will be hosted by the ladies of the church following the service.

Alta P. Nesler, 85

Alta P. Nesler, 85, formerly of Austin, died Friday evening, Nov. 19, at the home of her daughter Mary Nelson in Preston, where she resided.

She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law: Robert and Harriet Daiker, Perham, and Rev. Bernard and Barbara Daiker, Elizabeth, Ill.; three daughters and sons-in-law: Lois and Burt Svedine, Austin, Mary and Stephen Nelson, Preston, and Sue and Steve Nelson, Rose Creek; a stepson and daughter-in-law, James and Phyllis Nesler, Port Orchard, Wash.; one stepdaughter and sons-in-law Helen and Dean McFarland, Wilmington, N.C., and Robert Evans, DesMoines; 25 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren and many great-great-grandchildren, as well as a nephew, Dale Thompson, Milwaukee.

· Service: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 23 at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Fr. Paul Nelson and Fr. Tom Loomis officiating.

· Interment: St. Henry’s Cemetery, Perham, Minn.

· Visitation: Friends may call at Mayer Funeral Home in Austin from 4-7 p.m. Monday, with a 6:30 p.m. wake service and from 9-10 a.m. Tuesday.

 

Alta P. Nesler, 85

Alta P. Nesler, 85, formerly of Austin, died Friday evening, Nov. 19, at the home of her daughter Mary Nelson in Preston, where she resided.

She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law: Robert and Harriet Daiker, Perham, and Rev. Bernard and Barbara Daiker, Elizabeth, Ill.; three daughters and sons-in-law: Lois and Burt Svedine, Austin, Mary and Stephen Nelson, Preston, and Sue and Steve Nelson, Rose Creek; a stepson and daughter-in-law, James and Phyllis Nesler, Port Orchard, Wash.; one stepdaughter and sons-in-law Helen and Dean McFarland, Wilmington, N.C., and Robert Evans, DesMoines; 25 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren and many great-great-grandchildren, as well as a nephew, Dale Thompson, Milwaukee.

· Service: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 23 at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Fr. Paul Nelson and Fr. Tom Loomis officiating.

· Interment: St. Henry’s Cemetery, Perham, Minn.

· Visitation: Friends may call at Mayer Funeral Home in Austin from 4-7 p.m. Monday, with a 6:30 p.m. wake service and from 9-10 a.m. Tuesday.