Dean R. Johnson, 71

Dean Roger Johnson, 71, of Austin, formerly of Blooming Prairie, died Monday, Oct. 7, 2002, at Austin Medical Center.

He was born Dec. 18, 1930, to Howard and Ella (Williamson) Johnson in Austin. He attended country school near Austin and helped on the family farm.

He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict from 1951 until 1954 when he returned home to farm with his father.

On March 2, 1957, he married Rosemary Margaret O'Connor at St. Columbanus Catholic Church in Blooming Prairie.

Dean worked in construction for a short time, then for Harrington Service for 10 years, followed by 20 years at Lysne Construction. After retirement from construction in the late 1980s he continued to farm in Newry Township, moving to Austin in 1992.

He was a member of St. Columbanus Catholic Church, VFW Post 878 and Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed being with family and friends.

Survivors include his wife, Rosemary, Austin; sons, Dean (Lisa) Johnson, Blooming Prairie; Mike (Rita) Johnson, Blooming Prairie; three grandchildren; sisters, Jurine (Art) Gerber, Austin; Phyllis (Burnell) Turvold, Belvidere, Ill.; Cleone Johnson, Austin; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Arlene Reed and Elvira Johnson.

Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 10, 2002, with a 4 p.m. Ladies Rosary and an 8 p.m. Scripture service at the funeral home and Friday at the church for one hour before the service.

Service: 10:30 a.m., Friday, at St. Columbanus Catholic Church in Blooming Prairie with Father Richard Dernek officiating.

Interment: At the church cemetery with military rites by VFW Post 878 of Blooming Prairie.

Funeral Home: Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home.

Donald G. Murphy, 73

Donald G. Murphy, 73, of St. Paul, formerly of Austin, died Sunday, Oct. 6, 2002, at his home.

He was born Dec. 12, 1928, in Austin, to Ernest W. and Martha Mae (Brown) Murphy. He graduated from Austin High School in 1948 and enlisted in the United States Army. He moved to St. Paul after discharge from the Army.

He enjoyed football and baseball games and loved his pet dogs.

He worked as a parts cleaner for Northwest Airlines.

Survivors include sister, Fern Lickteig, Austin; brother, Ernest and Clara Murphy, Austin; nieces and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Dorothy Estes; brother, Warren Murphy.

Visitation: One hour before the service at the funeral home on Saturday.

Service: 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 12, 2002, at the funeral home with Rev. James Peck officiating.

Interment: Grandview Cemetery.

Funeral Home:

Mayer Funeral Home, Austin.

Joyce A. Spinler, 47

Joyce Ann Spinler, 47, of Owatonna, Minn., died Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2002, at Owatonna Hospital after a four and one-half year courageous battle with breast cancer.

She was born June 29, 1955, in Austin, Minn., the daughter of Harold and Alice (Johannsen) Beckman. Joyce graduated from Blooming Prairie High School with honors in 1973. She was confirmed at St. Michaels Lutheran Church in rural Waltham. On Sept. 21, 1974, she married her high school sweetheart, Kevin Spinler.

From 1973 to 1977, she worked at Federated Insurance. From 1977 to 1997, Joyce worked side-by-side with her husband and children on the family dairy farm. From 1998 to 2002, she worked at the Owatonna Clinic Mayo Health Systems, in Health Information Systems. While her children attended St. Isidore's, she was a teacher's aide and school board member.

She also taught Sunday School for many years. Joyce was a former lector and choir member at Holy Trinity Church. Joyce was a member of St. Elizabeth's Guild and WFLA. Joyce participated in several Relay for Life events. She enjoyed motorcycling and camping in the 1970's, loved traveling, especially to England and France to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary and the trip to Disneyworld in Florida. Joyce loved cats, especially Molly and Tosha, was an avid Vikings fan, and enjoyed poetry and readings. Her most precious time was that spent with her husband, children and friends, especially her coworkers at the Owatonna Clinic.

Survivors include her husband, Kevin Spinler of Owatonna, Minn.; daughters, Rebekah Spinler of Apple Valley, Minn., Emily and Tom Hutchins of Minneapolis, Minn., Stacey Spinler of Owatonna, Minn.; son, Kyle Spinler of Owatonna, Minn.; brother, Jerry and Lana Beckman of Hayfield, Minn.; sisters, Jille and Howard Peterson of Oakland, Minn., Judy and Olgar Himle of Austin, Minn., Julie and Tony Vann of St. Paul, Minn., and many aunts, uncles, niece, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her father, Harold Beckman, her mother, Alice Johannsen, her step-father, one brother, one niece and many other relatives.

Visitation will be held at Michaelson Funeral Home on Friday from 3 to 8 p.m.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Oct. 12, 2002, at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Trinity Church in Litomysl. Rev. Tim Biren will be officiating. Burial will be in the Holy Trinity Church Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to Owatonna Area Hospice or Holy Trinity Church.