Robert M. H. Mitchell, 30

Robert Michael Herbert Mitchell, 30 of Austin, died Sunday, March 2, 2003, at his home.

He was born Feb. 7, 1973, to Donovan C. and LeAnn (Sullivan) Mitchell in Austin. After attending Austin High School, Robert worked doing janitorial jobs.

On Nov. 4, 1996, he married Tanya Haarstad in Albert Lea. Robert was employed by A. Best Janitorial in Austin and at Schweigert's Foods in Albert Lea. He was currently on disability due to a riding accident. He volunteered for Mower Council for the Handicapped and enjoyed woodworking and being with his family.

Survivors include his wife, Tanya Mitchell; daughters, Shynia Mitchell, Joslyn Mitchell and Dalirie Mitchell; parents, Donovan and LeAnn Mitchell, all of Austin; brothers, Donovan Mitchell, Elvis Mitchell, both of Austin; sister, Marrianne (Jon) Boley, Austin; parents-in-law, Russell and LaVaughn Ohm, Eagle Lake; step-grandmother, Linda Mitchell, Rochester; brothers-in-law, Carl (Kari) Haarstad, Dexter; Kenneth (Tess) Haarstad, Austin; sisters-in-law, Tina (Dominic) Casey, Portland, Ore.; Tracy (Joe) Howe, Byron; Sharmain Yartiz, San Antonio, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents and father-in-law, Andrew Haarstad.

Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 5, 2003, and Thursday for one hour before the service at the funeral home.

Service: 2 p.m. memorial service Thursday at the funeral home.

Interment: Grandview Cemetery at a later date.

Funeral Home: Worlein Funeral Home, Austin.

Shirley M. Meyer, 73

Shirley M. Meyer, 73, of Austin, died Friday, Feb. 28, 2003, at her home.

She was born April 4, 1929, in Austin, to Bert and Mabel (Krambier) Meyer.

She worked as a bookkeeper at Norwest Bank (Wells Fargo) for many years.

Shirley enjoyed sewing, needlepoint, crafts and reading. She loved dogs, her birds and all animals.

Survivors include cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Visitation: One hour before the service at the church.

Service: 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 5, 2003, at St. John's Lutheran Church with Rev. William Natzke officiating. Casket bearers will be Harry Davis, Paul Davis, Lawrence Rathbun, Michael Heidtke and Dennis Kramer.

Interment: Oakwood Cemetery.

Funeral Home: Mayer Funeral Home, Austin.

Paul J. Thompsen, 60

Paul J. Thompsen, age 60, of Waseca, died on Saturday, March 1, 2003, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 4 at 2 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Waseca with Rev. Roger Haug officiating. Interment will be in the Woodville Cemetery following funeral services.

Visitation was held on Monday from 3 to 8 p.m. at McRaith Funeral Home in Waseca, and will continue on Tuesday afternoon for one hour prior to services at church.

Paul Jerome was born on Aug. 4, 1942, in Albert Lea, Minn. to Leo and Dorothy (Monson) Thompsen. He graduated from Owatonna High School in 1960.

He was united in marriage to Joyce Moeckly on Jan. 21, 1967, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Medford.

Paul received his bachelors degree from Mankato State College in 1970. He continued his education in a masters program at Mankato State. Paul served as a reserve in the U.S. Army. He moved to Waseca in 1972. He was employed with E.F. Johnson for 34 years. From 1976 until the mid 1990's Paul and his brother Roger owned and operated Thompsen Rebuilders in Waseca.

On April 23, 1994, he married Marsha Howard at Grace Lutheran Church in Waseca.

Most recently Paul had been employed with Wenger Corporation in Owatonna, and for the last year with Winland Electronics in Mankato.

Paul was a longtime member of Grace Lutheran Church in Waseca where he was instrumental in the development and growth of the youth group. He was very active booster of Waseca Blue Jay athletics. He was also very involved in establishing the WBA program for Waseca youth. Paul was an avid sportsman, during his high school and college years, as well in his adult life. He enjoyed fast pitch softball, and community ed. basketball. He had a special interest in old car restoration. Paul was a recipient of the WCCO Good Neighbor Award. He enjoyed time spent landscaping at his home.

He is survived by his wife, Marsha of Waseca; by two sons, James Thompsen, and Matthew Thompsen, both of Waseca; by two step-sons, Andrew Howard of St. Louis Park, and Kyle Howard of Minneapolis; by one sister, Doris (and Mark) Christensen of Elysian; by nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and by one brother, Roger.

Casket bearers are Kevin Gunther, Pat Fury, David Ellingson, Dan Attig, Harley Randall, and Jerry Moeckly.

Robert L. Christopherson, 75

Robert L. Christopherson, age 75, of Cohasset, Minn. died Sunday, March 2, 2003, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth, Minn.

He was born Feb. 5, 1928, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minn. to Olaf and Dorothy (Winkels) Christopherson. In 1946, he graduated from Pacelli High School and began employment at George A. Hormel & Co. in Austin, Minn.

On Sept. 2, 1950, he was united in marriage to Beverly Ann Daily in Austin, Minn.

Robert was federalized into the U.S. Army during the Korean War and received an Honorable Discharge in May of 1952. At that time, he returned to his employment with the Hormel Co. where he remained for the next 42 years. He was blessed with six wonderful children. Bob was an active member of St. Edward's Catholic Church in Austin, Minn. and also a member of Minnesota Concerned Citizens for Life.

In 1991, Bob and Bev moved to northern Minnesota to live out their retirement years. Bob enjoyed gardening, walking in the woods and playing with his grandchildren. His concern for others was always apparent and his quick wit will be deeply missed.

Preceding him in death were his parents, one brother and one grandson.

He is survived by his wife: Beverly; three daughters: Cathy Battles of Faribault, Minn., Mary (Tom) Jones of Cohasset, Minn., Judy (Marc) Busker of Belle Plaine, Minn.; three sons: Dave, John (Jude) and Bob (Ha) Christopherson, all of Maple Grove, Minn.; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one sister: Betty Wagner of Austin, Minn.; three brothers: Bill (Mary) Christopherson of Austin, Minn., David (Margaret) Christopherson of Long Meadow, Mass., Michael (Neita) Christopherson of Hutchinson, Kan.

Visitation and Funeral Mass: Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 6, 2003, at St. Augustine's Catholic Church in Cohasset, Minn. Rev. Fr. Bruce Engen and Rev. Fr. Roman Spors will officiate.

Graveside Services: will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2003, at 1 p.m. at Calvary Cemetery in Austin, Minn.

Arrangements By: Rowe Funeral Home, Grand Rapids, Minn.