Obituaries for October 16, 2002

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, October 16, 2002

Rudolph W. Hanson, 99

Funeral services for Rudolph W. Hanson, age 99, of Albert Lea will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, 2002, at Bayview/ Freeborn Funeral Chapel. Rev. Jerry R. Hanson will officiate. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Glenville. Military honors will be accorded by area servicemen's organizations. Visitation is 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 17, 2002, at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the services at the Chapel.

Rudolph died Saturday, Oct. 12, 2002, at his home in Albert Lea.

Email newsletter signup

Rudolph William Hanson was born in Pickerel Lake Township on May 30, 1903, son of Hans L. and Gustina (Alm) Hanson. He graduated from Albert Lea in 1919 and University of Minnesota Law School in 1937. After admission to the bar, he opened a law office in Albert Lea in December 1937. Except for service in the United States Navy during World War II, he spent many years practicing law, retiring in 1980. During those years he also served two terms as Freeborn County Attorney (1946-1954) and four terms in the Minnesota Senate (1954-1970).

Survivors include two sisters-in-law; four nieces; three nephews; 17 grandnieces and nephews; and many other relatives and friends.

Rudolph was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, one sister and several other relatives.

Memorials are preferred to the Freeborn County Historical Society.

Verda M. Viker, 73

Verda Mae Thompson Kent Viker, 73, of Stewartville, died Monday, Oct. 14, 2002, at St. Mary's Hospital.

She was born July 22, 1929, in Racine.

On Dec. 19, 1953, she married Norman E. Viker in Rochester. He died May 16, 1985.

Verda was a homemaker and enjoyed music, baking, fishing and her grandchildren.

Survivors include stepsons, Larry (Patricia) Viker, Zumbro Falls; Roger Viker, Rochester; sons, Dennis (Bonnie) Kent, Elizabethville, Pa.; Eugene Viker, Rochester; Darwin (Tekla) Viker, Austin; Bobby (Patricia) Viker, Rochester; daughters, Rita (Bob) Wren, Bradley, Ill.; Beverly (Rick) Williams, Fort Meyers, Fla.; Debbra (James) Andersen, Rochester; 23 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; sisters, Lola (George) Lawson, Stewartville; Marlyn Iverson, St. James; brother, Harold "Pete" (Lenora) Thompson, Silver Bay; special friend, Ervin Hodge.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two sisters; one brother; one great-grandson.

Visitation: 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 17, 2002, at the funeral home and Friday at the church for one hour before the service. There will be no public reviewal.

Service: 10:30 a.m., Friday, at East St. Olaf Lutheran Church in rural Byron with the Revs. Douglas Westerlund and Frezil Daniel-Westerlund officiating.

Interment: Grandview Memorial Gardens.

Funeral Home: Vine Funeral Home, Rochester.

Phyllis A. Svenson, 72

Phyllis A. Svenson, 72, of Austin, died Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2002, at her home.

She was born June 6, 1930, in Udolpho Township, to Herman and Clara (Billadeau) Miller.

On Sept. 2, 1950, she married Henry S. Svenson at Grace Lutheran Church in Austin.

Phyllis was a homemaker and mother. She loved playing cards with family and friends at the Senior Center. She did woodworking and sewing.

Survivors include daughters, Linda (James) Stark, Austin; Darla (Dean) Blowers, Mantorville; son, Wesley Svenson, Austin; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brothers, Duane (Janette) Miller, Faribault; John (Rena) Benson, Madison; sisters, Marcella Sorenson, Austin; Audrey Seira, Faribault; Doris (Peter) Kent, Selina, Kan.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Svenson; son, Robert Svenson; parents; brothers, Edwin Miller, Orville Miller and Delbert Miller; sisters, LaVonne Timmerman and Marjorie Wilde; granddaughter, Judith Stark.

Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 17, 2002, at the funeral home and Friday at the church for one hour before the service.

Service: 11 a.m., Friday, at Crane Community with Pastor Randy Petersen and Father Paul Nelson officiating. The casket bearers will be Alan and Nancy Stark, Rich and Christine Schyma, Jason and Amy Orris.

Interment: Enterprise Cemetery, Rose Creek.

Funeral Home: Mayer Funeral Home, Austin.

Memorials: To the American Cancer Society -- Breast Cancer Research.