Steven Alfred De Gear, 55

Steven Alfred De Gear, 55 of Austin, died Friday, Nov. 8, 2002 at his home.

He was born Jan. 4 1947 in La Crosse, Wis., to John and Eleanor (Bakken) De Gear.

The family moved to Bloomington where he attended school. He married Katherine Kittridge June 21, 1969, at St. Edward's Catholic Church in Austin. She died in February of 1986. He was employed as a District Sales Representative for Martin Bros. On Sept. 30, 1989, he married Paula Ann Hofmann at Bethany Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. In April 2001 he was diagnosed with ALS and retired from his job in June 2001 to spend more time with his family.

He was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church. He was an avid wine collector and enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling and spending time with his daughters.

He was survived by his wife, Paula, Austin; daughters Kirsten and Katherine, Austin; brother David DeGear, New Richmond, Wis.; sister Sue Ellen (Les) Prestegard, Atlanta, Ga.; stepmother, Toni De Gear, Lake Ozark, Mo.; half sister Jodi Grable, Camdentaon, Mo.; mother-in-law and father-in-law Gerda and George Hofmann, Wisconsin Dells, Wis.; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Linda and Richard Olson, McFarland, Wis., Karen and Dennis Wampler, Burke, Va.; nieces, a nephew and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and a nephew.

Visitation: 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home and one hour before the service Tuesday.

Service: 11 a.m. Nov. 12 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church with the Rev. Dan Kahl officiating.

Funeral Home: Clasen-Jordan Mortuary

Memorials: ALSA, Minnesota ChapterRoger Forest Hunt

Roger Forest Hunt, 76 of Longmont, Colo., formerly of Austin, died Nov. 2, 2002, at Longmont United Hospital

He was born Dec. 3, 1925, in Austin and moved to Davenport, Iowa, as a teenager. He served in the Navy in the Pacific during World War II. After his discharge, he returned to Davenport Dec. 29, 1945. He married Betty Jean Weltz in Rock Island, Ill. He was a sales representative for Gate City Steel for more than 30 years and retired in 1986.

He was involved with the Optimists Club, Junior Achievement and 4-H. He was a member of the Mississippi Valley Fair Board and raised and showed Arabian horses. He and his wife lived in Tucson, Ariz., from 1989 until moving to Longmont on Oct. 31, 2002.

Hunt enjoyed traveling and golf.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, Jeff of Phoenix and Kevin (Kris) of Longmont; a daughter Susie (Doug) Geiger of St. Germaine, Wis., six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Charles.

Memorial Service: Pending in Iowa

Funeral Home: Howe Mortuary, Longmont, Colo.

Memorials: Nature Conservancy, World War II Monument Fund or donor's choice

Myra Genora Jacobson, 88

Myra Genora Jacobson, 88 of Austin, died Saturday morning, Nov. 9, 2002, at the Austin Medical Center.

She was born July 21, 1914, in Rose Creek Township, Mower County, Minnesota, the daughter of Gilbert and Mable (Naversath) Nelson. She received her education in Lyle, Minnesota. On July 1, 1933, she married Oliver Joy Jacobson in Lyle. They resided in Albert Lea until moving to Austin in 1949. Oliver died on Oct. 8, 1989. She was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church and a former member of Six-Mile Grove Lutheran Church, rural Lyle. She entered St. Mark's Lutheran Home on Dec. 3, 2001.

Survivors include, one daughter, Mavis (Don) Rasmussen of Fremont, Nebraska; one son, Arlen (Mary) Jacobson of West St. Paul; seven grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; one sister, Bernett Nelson of Austin; nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Oliver Jacobson; a son, Dennis Jacobson and a brother.

Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday, Nov. 13.

Service: 1 p.m. Wednesday at Six-Mile Grove Lutheran Church, rural Lyle, with Rev. Lydia Mittag officiating.

Interment: Six-Mile Grove Lutheran Church Cemetery

Funeral Home: Worlein Funeral Home, Austin

Memorials: Six-Mile Grove Lutheran Church of rural Lyle

Merill L. Bennett, 77

Merill Leonard Bennett, 77 of Albert Lea, died on Friday, Nov. 8, 2002 at the Albert Lea Medical Center.

He was born on Oct. 13, 1925, in Albert Lea to William P. and Martha E. (Vangen) Bennett. He was a life-long resident of Albert Lea and graduated from Albert Lea High School. On Oct. 1, 1955, he married Kathleen Mae Langerud at Salem Lutheran Church. He was a retired foreman at Wilson's Garage. He attended First Lutheran Church and was a member of the Elks Lodge. He enjoyed participating in and watching sports, especially the Minnesota Twins. He loved to play cards, do woodworking and spend time with his family.

Survivors include his wife, Kathy, Albert Lea; children Jim (Lisa) Bennett, Clarks Grove, Don (Gayle) Bennett, Walters and Marianne (Julio) Somellian, Albert Lea; three grandchildren, brother Ellsworth (Dee) Bennett; sisters Phyllis Bennett, Albert Lea, Wilma (John) Dittlevson, Clarks Grove and Delores Kelly, Clarks Grove; sisters-in-law Dorothy Bennett, Albert Lea and Mary Bennett of the Twin Cities and Lorraine (Richard) Willmert; brothers-in-law Richard Langerud, Albert Lea and Ray (Joyce) Langerud, Albert Lea and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Myrtle; brothers Harry and Walter; brother-in-law Verne; sister-in-law Mavis and four infant children.

Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11, at the funeral home and one hour before the service at the church on Tuesday

Service: 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12 at First Lutheran Church with the Rev. Lyndon West officiating.

Interment: Lakewood Cemetery

Funeral Home: Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home, Albert Lea