Obituaries for May 7, 2000

Published 12:00 am Saturday, May 6, 2000

The following obituaries appeared in the May 7, 2000 edition of the Austin Daily Herald.

Saturday, May 06, 2000

The following obituaries appeared in the May 7, 2000 edition of the Austin Daily Herald

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Russel Biscop, 70

Russel E. Biscop, 70, of Dexter, died Friday afternoon, May 5, 2000, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home. Memorial services are pending and arrangements will be announced later by Mayer Funeral Home.

Marjorie Betlach, 73

Marjorie Elaine Betlach, 73, Blooming Prairie, died Friday, May 5, 2000, at Prairie Manor.

She was born June 20, 1926, to Harvey and Gertrude (Calverley) Klemmensen in Summit Township on her grandfather’s farm near Ellendale, Minn. When she was two years old, her parents moved to a farm near Ellendale, and she grew up in that vicinity. She graduated from Ellendale High School in the spring of 1944; in October, she began working at the Pillsbury Academy in Owatonna. In March, 1945, she did factory work at Jostens in Owatonna until she married Marvin Betlach on Feb. 15, 1949 at Community Lutheran Church in Geneva. To this union two sons were born. In May 1961, Marjorie worked at North Central Plastics in Ellendale as a machine operator until May 1973, then farmed with her husband. In May 1987, she started working with the Green Thumb at the Prairie Manor Nursing Home in Blooming Prairie, then transferred over to the nursing home as a part time employee in January, 1992. She retired from Prairie Manor on July 31, 1998, and became one of their residents March 17, 2000.

A devoted Christian, Marjorie lived by the Golden Rule. A hard worker, she was active in Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (WELCA) at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bixby and taught Sunday School when her boys were young. She loved to work in her flower and vegetable garden, entertain, enjoyed baking and canning, playing cards and visiting friends and relatives. She collected salt and pepper shakers.

Survivors include her husband, Marvin; son Roger (Mary) Betlach of Crystal; Ronald (Marilyn) Betlach of Fergus Falls; five grandchildren; brothers Donald "Bill" (Ann) Kemmensen of Ellendale, Richard "Dick" (Elaine) Klemmensen of rural Blooming Prairie, David (Judy) Klemmensen of Woodbury; nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents.

· Service: 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 8, at First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie, with the Rev. Paul Nelson officiating.

· Interment: Union Cemetery in Bixby

· Visitation: Friends may call at Blooming Prairie Funeral Home Sunday from 4-8 p.m. and one hour before the service at the church.

The family prefers memorials to donors’ choice.

Karl Kraling, 94

Karl F. Kraling, 94, of Adams, died Friday, May 5, 2000, at the Adams Health Care Center.

· Service: 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 9, at Marshall Lutheran Church in Adams with the Rev. Richard Kastner officiating.

· Interment: Prosper Cemetery near Prosper, Minn.

· Visitation: 4-8 p.m. Monday at the Adams Funeral Home and one hour before the service at the church.

Merle Sawyer

Merle Sawyer, of Austin, died Saturday morning, May 6, 2000, at Sacred Heart Care Center. Funeral arrangements are pending with Worlein Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Charles Church, 80

Charles Raymond Church, 80,died peacefully at his home in Stacyville, with his loving family near, early on May 5, 2000.

Charles was born Feb. 10, 1920, on a farm near Osage to Raymond Dunham and Cecile (Hunter) Church. He worked on farms in the Little Cedar area until his service in the U.S. Army from August 1942 until November 1945. He served with distinction, achieving the rank of sergeant and received two Bronze Stars for his bravery in battles in France and Germany.

Charles was united in marriage to Helen A. Simon of Stacyville on June 17, 1948. They began farming near Little Cedar that year. In 1951, they moved to a farm they eventually purchased near Stacyville. During his farming career, Charles served on the Board of Directores of the Stacyville Cooperative Creamery for 21 years and as president of that organization. Charles was a member of the Stacyville American Legion Post 569 and was the post commander for one year. He was also a member of the Eagles Club in Austin.

Charles was an avid bowler for many years in Osage and in Stacyville. As a farmer, he had little time or interest in golf, but upon his retirement in 1983, it became his favorite recreation. He loved golfing with his wife Helen, his many friends and his family. He belonged first to the Riceville Country Club and then to the St. Ansgar Country Club. In 1996, he became a proud achiever of a golfer’s ultimate dream, hitting a hole in one, using the unusual choice of his driver, on the par three number eight hole at the St. Ansgar course.

Besides golfing, one of Charles’ favorite pastimes was visiting and playing with his 13 grandchildren. He enjoyed woodworking and making gifts for family and friends. Memorial donations may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa in Charles City.

Survivors include his wife Helen of Stacyville; brother Rolland (Bub) Church of Osage; three sons: Dennis (Mary-Lou) Church of Madison, Wis.; David (Arlene) Church of Stacyville; Dean (Liana) Church of rural Osage; two daughters Karen Church of Burnsville and Mary (Steve) Wilder of St. Ansgar; six grandsons and six granddaughters.

Preceding Charles in death were his parents, Ray and Cecile Church, sister Vera Hickey, grandson Phillip Church and neice, Sandra (Church) Newton.

· Services: 11 a.m. Monday, May 8, at the Visitation Catholic Church in Stacyville, the Rev. John Moser officiating.

· Interment: Visitation Catholic Cemetery, with military honors by the Stacyville American Legion Post 569.

· Visitation: 3-8 p.m. Sunday at the Visitation Catholic Church, Stacyville, with a Rosary at 3:30 p.m. and a Scripture Service at 7 p.m. Champion Funeral Home of Osage is in charge of the arrangements.

Myrtle Nelson, 87

Myrtle I. Nelson, 87, of St. Mark’s Lutheran Home died.

She is survived by three sons: Marvin Nelson and Mervel Nelson, both of Austin and Devon (Sherry) Nelson of St. Louis, Mo., and grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Nordean.

At Myrtle’s request, there will be no services.

Amy Denisen, 34

Amy E. Denisen, 34, of 1603 Eighth Drive SE, died at home early on the morning of May 4, 2000 after a courageous six-and-a-half-year battle with cancer.

Amy was born on April 19, 1966 in Austin to Harry F. and Lucille M. (Schaefer) Hanson. She graduated from Austin High School in 1984 then went on to manage the County Seat store at OakPark Mall. She was united in marriage with Gregory Denisen on Nov. 28, 1987.

Amy was always happy and smiling – the life of the party. She enjoyed gardening, creating beautiful craft items and especially spending time with her family and friends. Throughout her illness, her positive attitude, courage and love of life were an inspiration to everyone she touched.

She is survived by her husband Greg Denisen, Austin; daughter Shan and son Derek at home; parents Harry and Lucille Hanson, Austin; two sisters and brothers-in-law: Julie and Joe Michel, Mankato; and Ann and Dave Forland, Austin; three brothers and sisters-in-law: Keith and Sue Hanson, Austin; Ken and Glen Sue Hanson, Statesboro, Ga.; and James Hanson, Austin, and special friend Ruth Schmidt, Manly, Iowa; father-in-law and mother-in-law Harold and Doris Denisen; brother-in-law Jeff Denisen, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Jill and Mark Morrison, all of Austin, and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Honorary casket bearers will be Heidi Apold, Edie Lenz, Kim Mohrfeld, Mary Muzik, Lynn Riemann, Jim Rataczak, Mike Rataczak and Sandy Wells.

Casket bearers will be Don Burgess Jr., Mike Hanson, Billy Mogen, Doug Saaranen, Dean Schaefer and Dan Thomas.

· Service: A funeral mass will be celebrated on 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 8 at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Father Virgil Duellman officiating.

· Interment: Calvary Cemetery

· Visitation: There will be a 4 p.m. CCW Rosary Service and there will be a 7:30 p.m. Wake Service on Sunday evening at Mayer Funeral Home where friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. on Sunday and from 9 to 10 a.m. on Monday.