Vesta M. Staples, 91

Vesta Moltz Staples, 91, formerly of Brownsdale and Austin, died Sunday morning, Oct. 6, 2002, at the St. Croix Nursing Center, New Richmond, Wis.

Vesta Lydia Moltz Staples was born Feb. 5, 1911, in Broadland, S.D., daughter of Ben and Mary (Gascoigne) Moltz. Her mother and brothers died in the flu epidemic of 1918. Vesta and her sister, Mathilde, went to Austin, Minn., to be raised by Paul and Cora Dahlke, who was their father's sister.

Vesta graduated from Austin High School in 1929 and Normal Teacher Training, Austin, in 1930. She taught school for two years in one-room schools in the Brownsdale/Waltham area.

On March 25, 1933, she married Mark Staples in Owatonna, Minn. After their marriage, Vesta was a busy farm wife and loving mother of five children. In 1955, she and her husband Mark built a roller rink in Brownsdale, which they owned and operated for several years. They also had roller rinks in Waseca and Dodge Center, Minn. Throughout the years, she worked in partnership with her husband Mark in their farming and roller rink operations.

She was a member of Crane Community Chapel in Austin, Minn. In their earlier years, she served on the School Board of District #37 east of Brownsdale and was involved with the family in 4-H activities. She loved fishing, cooking, canning, flowers and baking cookies and rolls for her family. Vesta was blessed with a special aura of love and shared it liberally, always thinking of others rather than herself.

Survivors include daughters and son-in-law, Darlene and Delmas Studer, North Branch, Minn.; Joanne and Larry MacVey, Blue Grass, Iowa; sons and daughter-in-law, Delmer Staples, Greenfield, Mo.; Mark Paul and Jeaneen Staples, Star Prairie, Wis.; 13 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, four step-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father; husband, Mark; daughter, Greta Bissell; brothers, Benjamin and Merrillin; "adopted" parents by whom she was raised, Paul and Cora Dahlke; sister, Mathilde Moltz Kehret Neu; half-sister, Lorraine Moltz Pappas; half-brother, Leland Moltz; four grandchildren.

Pallbearers are grandchildren Dale Studer, Dennis Studer, Douglas Studer, Terry MacVey, Randy Staples, Jon Staples and Scott Staples.

Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, at Crane Community Chapel in Austin, Rev. Petersen officiating.

Visitation will be held 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7, at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary and one hour before the service Tuesday at the church.

Interment will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Brownsdale.

Roland E. Blom, 65

Roland "Ron" E. Blom, 65, of St. Francis, died Friday, Oct. 4, 2002.

Born in Austin, he was a retired salesman for John Deere. He enjoyed his retirement home in Mesa, Ariz.

Survivors include wife of 45 years, Janet; children, Melody (Dave) Karanen; Dave (Kathy); Kris (Brian) Suhon; 11 grandchildren; mother, Katheran; brother, Gary Blom; sister, Gen Thorsen; niece, nephew, family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Rudy Blom; sister, Barbara Brown; and granddaughter, Marah Beth.

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

Service: 10 a.m., Tuesday, at Zion Lutheran Church, 1601 Fourth Ave. S, Anoka.

Interment: Hoflander Church, Rose Creek.

Funeral Home: Methven-Taylor Funeral Home, Anoka.

Harry A. Bauers, 76

Harry A. Bauers, 76, of Austin, died Saturday, Oct. 5, 2002, at his home.

He was born April 4, 1926, in Freeborn County, to Benard and Ella (Behrends) Bauers.

On April 22, 1972, he married Sandra L. Jensen at the First Methodist Church, Albert Lea.

Harry farmed north of Lansing for 43 years before he and Sandra moved to Austin.

Harry worked at the OMC in Owatonna for 14 years.

He enjoyed working on cars, attending auctions, antiquing and dancing.

Survivors include wife, Sandra Bauers, Austin; daughter, Leah Bauers, Stewartville; sisters, Frieda Miller, Albert Lea; Betty Bale, Rochester; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Harold and Herb Bauers.

Visitation: 5 to 7 p.m., today, Oct. 7, 2002, and Tuesday for one hour before the service at the funeral home.

Service: 1 p.m., Tuesday, at the funeral home with the Rev. Dan Baker officiating.

Interment: Hillcrest Cemetery, Albert Lea.

Funeral Home: Worlein Funeral Home, Austin.

Memorials: To donor's choice.

Edward I. Kerling, 91

Edward I. Kerling, 91, of Austin, died Saturday, Oct. 5, 2002, at the Austin Medical Center.

He was born Nov. 22, 1910, in Canby, to Mathias "Matt" and Katherina (Meyer) Kerling.

On Dec. 4, 1948, he married Violet Miller at St. John's Lutheran Church, Austin.

Ed was a retired employee of Hormel Foods.

Survivors include wife, Violet Kerling, Austin; daughters, Norma Jean and David Bitner, Minneapolis; Carol and John Perkins, Minneapolis; Terry Hagen, Monticello; sons, David and Janice Jepsen, Sacramento, Calif.; Jerry and Renee Jepsen, Watertown, S.D.; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Mathilda "Tillie" Schumacher, Austin; Adeline and Clinton Christianson, Blooming Prairie; Lucille and Don Ramlo, Austin; brothers, Albert and Francis Kerling, Green Valley, Ariz.; Leo and Ramona Kerling, Austin; Vernon and Pat Kerling, Sparta, Wis.; nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, a sister and a grandchild.

Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2002, at the funeral home and Wednesday at the church for one hour before the service.

Service: 11 a.m., Wednesday, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church with Rev. Robert Stohlmann officiating. Casket bearers will be Janice Jepsen, Carol Perkins, David Jepsen, Leo Kerling, John Perkins and Vernon Kerling.

Interment: Grandview Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post #91.

Funeral Home: Mayer Funeral Home, Austin.