Obituaries for September 17, 2002

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, September 17, 2002

Lawrence T. Schewe, 90

Lawrence Theodore Schewe, 90, of Austin, died Sunday, Sept. 15, 2002, at Austin Medical Center.

He was born Aug. 13, 1912, to Henry and Ora (Emory) Schewe in Twin Lakes. He attended Twin Lakes-Emmons country school.

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After marriage to Stella Pearl Nelson on Nov. 20, 1934, in Northwood, Iowa, Lawrence farmed in the Twin Lakes area. The couple moved to the Albert Lea-Oakland area and continued to farm. After retirement they moved to Austin and opened a lawn service. Stella died Oct. 19, 1994. Lawrence moved into St. Mark's Lutheran Home in January 2000.

He enjoyed playing cards, belonged to the Senior Citizen Center and attended worship at St. Mark's Chapel.

Survivors include children, Charlotte Lukes (Dean), Austin; Marlene Johnson-Hall (William Hall), Stewartville; Keith Schewe (Deanna), Glenville; L.D. Schewe (Betty), Austin; LaVonne Johnson, Camano Island, Wash.; Dennis Schewe (Geralyn), Austin; Rick Schewe (Cheryl), Austin; 22 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; sister, Marvel Callahan, Twin Lakes.

He was preceded in death by his wife, one grandchild and one great-grandchild.

Visitation: 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2002, and Thursday for one hour before the service at the funeral home.

Service: 10:30 a.m., Thursday, at the funeral home with the Rev. Greg Mannel officiating.

Interment: Grandview Cemetery.

Funeral Home: Worlein Funeral Home, Austin.

Virginia Emma Dunfee, 92

Virginia Emma Dunfee, age 92, of Austin, died Sunday, Sept. 15, 2002, at St. Marks Lutheran Home.

She was born July 26, 1910, in Saline County, Mo., to Clarence and Nellie (Parcel) Ellis. Her family later moved to Austin where she was married to Lawrence Dunfee on July 4, 1930. He was a federal meat inspector and died in 1983.

Virginia was a member of the First United Methodist Church, donating thousands of hours over 50 years. She was chairperson for the U.M.C. Circle Groups, publicity chairperson and chairperson for the dining room committee.

She helped form and organize the Austin Symphony Orchestra, serving as a board member for three years.

She donated hundreds of hours the Austin's United Way, as well as being a volunteer in the American Heart Association Fund Drive for more than 20 years. She received a plaque of recognition for each of these organizations and helped to inaugurate the first Heart Fund Drive in the city.

Other organizations for which she volunteered included the Kidney Foundation, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Arthritis Foundation drive and Memorials Chairperson, Easter Seals Society, Mower County Red Cross Chapter, Cancer Society and St. Olaf Hospital.

She twice received the KAUS Radio "Good Neighbor" award and was the subject of the "People who make a difference" article in the Austin Daily Herald.

She loved to cook, garden, sew and play bridge. She made many special cakes, including "doll" cakes and wedding cakes, until her arthritis would no longer allow her to do so. She also enjoyed golfing with her husband.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Carol Dunfee, Austin; daughter and son-in-law, Lois and Marvin Lenz, Rochester; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sisters and brothers-in-law, Clara and Pat Curtin, Dodge Center; Marjorie and Chuck Cullen, Little Canada; Dorothy and Bill Drechsel, Big Lake; brothers and sisters-in-law, Clyde Ellis, Ostrander; Max and Arvilla Ellis, Osage, Iowa; Arthur and Tressa Ellis, Grizzly Plats, Calif.; Robert and Ruth Ellis, St. Paul; nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, a sister and two brothers.

Funeral services will be Thursday, Sept. 19, 2002 at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Patricia M. Toschak officiating. Interment will be in the Oakwood Cemetery in Austin. Friends may call at the Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on Wednesday from 5

to 8 p.m. and at the church for one hour before the service on Thursday.

Honorary bearers will be Joshua Dunfee and Tom Weiss. Casket bearers will by Ray Dunfee, Lee Dunfee, Ann Dunfee, Linda Pfieffer, Rochard Curtin and Roger Curtin.