Katherine Schlottman, 75

Kath-erine Schlottman, of Los Angeles, Calif., formerly of Austin, died Oct. 6, 2002, at her home.

She was born Dec. 26, 1926, in Miller, S.D., to Agnes and John Bergstrom. The family moved to Austin where she graduated from St. Augustine High School in 1944. She attended the University of Minnesota where she received a degree in Speech Pathology. In 1954 she received her master's degree from the State University of Iowa.

After moving to California she was employed with Crippled Children's Society of Southern California.

She married Richard Schlottman in 1957.

In 1980, she earned her doctorate degree from the University of Southern California. She served as associate director and subsequently vice president of Crippled Children's Society, retiring after 18 years of service.

Survivors include husband, Richard; daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Steve Schoch, Thousand Oaks, Calif.; son and daughter-in-law, Edward and Carol Schlottman, Louisiana; five grandsons; brother, Norbert Bergstrom, Austin; sisters, Mary Bissen, Austin; Margaret Fingarson, St. Cloud; nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Service: Was Oct. 10, 2002, at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Los Angeles, Calif.

Willis C. Wedeking, 75

Willis Clifford "Bill" Wedeking, 75, of Austin, died Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2002, at the Austin Medical Center.

He was born May 18, 1927, in Lakefield, to William and Amanda (Hodnefield) Wedeking. He attended school in Lyle and Austin.

He worked in the shipyards on the West Coast before entering the United States Navy on April 19, 1945. He served in the Pacific during World War II attaining the rank of Seaman First Class and was discharged on Aug. 19, 1946. He returned to Minnesota where he worked in Lyle driving truck.

On Aug. 12, 1950, he married Mayphene R. Graff in Austin. They made their home in Austin where Bill worked for the Geo. A. Hormel Company until his retirement in 1984. Mayphene died Oct. 25, 2001.

Bill enjoyed working in his garage, fixing cars and being the neighborhood handyman.

He was a member of VFW 1216 of Austin.

Survivors include daughters, Margaret (Tom) Nelson, Buffalo; Gayle (Don) Mansir, Ft. Worth, Texas; six grandchildren; brother, Donald (Joyce Flaherty) Wedeking, Austin; other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and brothers, Milford and Walter Wedeking.

Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m., today, Oct. 17, 2002, and Friday for one hour before the service at the funeral home.

Service: 2 p.m., Friday, at the funeral home with Rev. Randy Petersen officiating.

Interment: Grandview Cemetery with flag presentation by members of VFW Post 1216.

Funeral Home: Worlein Funeral Home, Austin.

Benjamin F. Hormel, 88

Benjamin F. Hormel, 88, of McCook, Neb., died Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2002, at Bickford Cottage, Lincoln, Neb.

He was born Jan. 19, 1914, in Austin, to Benjamin Franklin Hormel, Sr. and Flora Mae Kaufman.

He grew up in Austin and graduated from Principia Upper School in St. Louis, Mo. He attended college in Grinell, Iowa and graduated with a bachelors degree in economics from the University of Pennsylvania in 1937.

On Feb. 25, 1937, he married Thalma I. Lowe in Plainview, Neb. She died Dec. 19, 1986.

The couple moved to McCook, Neb. in 1938, where Ben owned and operated his Hormel Chevrolet Dealership. On June 15, 1944, he entered the United States Navy, serving during World War II. He returned his business in McCook following his honorable discharge on March 20, 1946. He retired in 1980.

On Sept. 5, 1987, he married Fritzi (Hinkle) Prest in McCook.

Bill was a member of First Church of Christ Scientist, the McCook Masonic Lodge 135 A.F. & A.M., All Masonic Bodies in McCook and the Tehame Shrine in Hastings, Neb. He was a member of McCook Elks Lodge 1434 and served on the McCook Board of Education from 1947 to 1961. He was a past director of Rotary International and past president of McCook Rotary Club, a former director of the Y.M.C.A. and the United Fund and organized the Crime Stoppers organization in McCook and served on the McCook City Council.

Survivors include wife, Fritzi Hormel, McCook, Neb.; daughters, Anabeth (Frazier) Cox and husband, Ted; Mary Sue Harris and husband, Bill, all of Lincoln, Neb.; stepchildren, Bob Prest and wife, Janet, Phoenix, Ariz.; Billie Rouzee and husband, John, North Platte, Neb.; four grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; 14 step-great-grandchildren; relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Thalma; sisters, Virginia Grounds and Lois Lyons.

Service: 11 a.m. memorial service, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2002, at the Herrmann Memorial Chapel with Theresa Corder officiating.

Internment: Memorial Park Cemetery, McCook, Neb.

Funeral Home: Herrmann Funeral Home, McCook, Neb.

Memorials: To the Hormel Foundation at McCook Community College or left at the funeral home.