Karl D. Shurson, 62

Karl DuWayne Shurson, 62, of Mantorville, died Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2002, at St. Mary's Hospital, Rochester.

He was born Oct. 16, 1939, in Austin.

He graduated from Austin High School in 1957. While in high school, he completed the Machine Shop program at Austin Area Vocational School. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Navy for three years. After returning, he worked at Usem's Chevrolet.

In 1962, he married Marlene Kay Magnuson of Blooming Prairie.

He was then hired by IBM in Rochester. He held many manufacturing operation positions until his retirement as production facility manager in 1994. In 1994, he co-founded PEMSTAR Inc., was a member of the board of directors and executive vice president Quality and Corporate Project Office and helped in the creation of PEMSTAR Thailand Production Facility.

He was also involved with the Kasson-Mantorville school board for 18 years, Rochester Chamber of Commerce, Ability Building Center board of directors, co-director Dodge County Care and Share and was active in school-to-work programs.

He enjoyed spending time with family.

Survivors include wife, Marlene Shurson; son, Scott (Shelly) Shurson; daughters, Julie (Kevin) McAdams, Mantorville; Carrie Shurson, Kasson; four grandchildren; mother, Dorothy Felton, Austin; brother, Tommy Shurson, Austin; mother-in-law, Carrie Magnuson, Blooming Prairie.

He was preceded in death by his father, Steffen Shurson; step-father, Corlis Felton; brother, David Shurson; sister-in-law, Judy Shurson.

Visitation: 5 to 8 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 22, 2002, at the church and Monday for one hour before the service.

Service: 2 p.m., Monday, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Kasson with the Rev. Adolf Quast officiating.

Interment: Evergreen Cemetery, Mantorville.

Funeral Home: Dibble Funeral Home, Kasson.

Memorials: To St. John's Lutheran Church, Kasson.

Donald J. Gardner, 71

Donald "Don" James Gardner, 71, of Clarks Grove, died Thursday, Sept. 5, 2002, at his home.

He was born May 18, 1931, in Faribault, to Leon and Mabel (Galley) Gardner.

He was a graduate of Faribault High School and served in the U.S. Army.

On Jan 12, 1968, he married Nettie Avery in Mason City, Iowa.

Don lived in Clarks Grove for the past 30 years and had lived in Nerstrand, Austin and Northfield.

He was employed by the Sorenson Brothers Construction Co., Erin Construction and Valley Paving. He retired in 2000 after 45 years. He was a member of the Local Union 49 ers.

He enjoyed spending time with family, handiwork, auctions and working on the Clarks Grove walking trail.

Survivors include wife, Nettie, Clarks Grove; children, Barbara (Wayland) Eppard, Rochester; Craig Gardner, Dundas; Betty (John) Dawald, Faribault; stepdaughters, Vicki Knape, League City, Texas; Toni (Mark) Walters, Whitehouse, Texas; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; brothers, Gene (Margaret) Gardner, St. Paul; Burton (Esther) Gardner, Mausten, Wis.; nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Service: Was 2 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 8, 2002, at the funeral home.

Interment: Clarks Grove Cemetery.

Funeral Home: Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea.

Memorials: To Crossroads Community Hospice, Albert Lea.

Willard A. Dixon, 86

Willard A. "Bill" Dixon, 86, of Austin, died Thursday, Sept. 19, 2002, at Prairie Manor Nursing Home, Blooming Prairie.

He was born Dec. 29, 1915, in Lyle, to Roy W. and Sarah M. (Knutson) Dixon.

On June 27, 1937, he married Elizabeth "Betty" Boyd at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa.

Willard worked at Hormel Foods for a few years and served in the United States Army in 1945. He was a carpenter with his father. They owned the Dixon Club in Austin. In 1950, Willard moved to Blooming Prairie to farm for 33 years. In 1983, he moved back to Austin. He put up grain bins and storage systems with Harvey Ille until his retirement.

He was a member of the American Legion Post #52 for 47 years.

He loved playing cards and putting puzzles together as well as making things out of wood for his grandchildren.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Austin.

Survivors include wife, Betty Dixon, Austin; son, James Dixon, Minneapolis; daughters, Judith (Lawrence Frank) Wencl, Blooming Prairie; Janice (Rev. Michael Wayne) Tucker, Desert Hot Springs, Calif.; daughter-in-law, Rosalie Dixon, Minneapolis; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sisters, Jean Jeanette Abernathy, Desert Hot Springs, Calif.; Zetta (Robert) Simpson, Austin; nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Kermit and Harold; parents; and grandson, Howard Stevens Jr.

Visitation: One hour before the service at the church on Saturday.

Service: 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2002, at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Pat Toschak officiating. The casket bearers will be Gregg Wencl, Donald Wencl, DuWayne Dixon, Douglas Dixon, Scott Albrecht and Dale Simpson.

Interment: Grandview Cemetery.

Funeral Home: Mayer Funeral Home, Austin.