Eldon A. O'Brien, 60

Eldon A. O'Brien, age 60, of Austin, died Thursday, April 17, 2003, at his home.

Eldon was born April 23, 1942, in Lake City, Minn., to Lyle and Rosalie (Bechel) O'Brien. He was raised on a farm where he learned his strong morals and good work ethic. Eldon graduated from St. John's University in 1964. He began employment with General Adjustment Bureau in Duluth and Minneapolis.

Later he sold securities for State Bond and Mortgage Company in St. Cloud. On September 23, 1967, he was united in marriage to Elaine Guthrie at the Church of St. Augustine in St. Cloud.

In 1970 they moved to Austin where Eldon began working for Jim Weber Adjusting Company and in June 1971 he began his 31 year career with the Hormel Employees Credit Union as a loan officer.

Eldon's family and faith in God came first in his life. He cherished spending time with his grandchildren and children.

He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed God's works of nature.

His family reaped the benefits of his labors in the garden.

Eldon enjoyed people and will be remembered by all for his sense of humor, quick wit and straight forward candor.

Survivors include his wife, Elaine O'Brien, Austin; four daughters: Nancy (Frank) Lowe, Bloomington, Minn.; Lisa (Derek) Reichl, Aurora, Colo.; Colleen O'Brien, St. Cloud, Minn.; Suzanne O'Brien, Eau Claire, Wis.; son, Michael (Samona) O'Brien, Ottumwa, Iowa; five grandchildren: Kiera and Garrett Lowe, Taylor O'Brien, Isabella and Jack O'Brien; mother, Rosalie O'Brien, Lake City, Minn.; brother, Lloyd (Joni) O'Brien, Fairmont, Minn.; brothers-in-law: Dean (Nancy) Guthrie, Kansas City, Mo.; James Guthrie, Marion, Iowa; sisters-in-law: Mary O'Brien, Lake City, Minn.; Janice (Arthur) Stein, Overland Park, Kan.

He is preceded in death by his father, Lyle O'Brien, and brother, Edward O'Brien.

A funeral mass will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. on Monday, April 21, 2003, at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Father Paul Nelson officiating. There will be a 6:30 p.m. wake service on Sunday at Mayer Funeral Home where friends may call from 4-8 p.m. and also from 9-10 a.m. on Monday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.

The casket bearers will be Dennis Maschka, Joe Sunderman, Todd Waterbury, David Hartwig, Barry Fett and Mahlon Krueger.

Memorials to The American Cancer Society or the American Diabetic Association.

Joseph F. Cerny, 89

Joseph F. Cerny, 89, of Austin, died early Friday morning, April 18, 2003, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester. He was born July 16, 1913, in Lansing Township to Anthon and Jesse (Christianson) Cerny. A lifelong Austin resident, he was a heavy equipment operator for many years. He enjoyed reading, watching television and spending time with his friends and relatives.

Survivors include four daughters, Janice (Thomas) McPhillips, Rockford, Ill.; Kathleen (Richard) Kanzenbach, Wells; Joan Cerny, Rockford, Ill.; Carol (James) Hester, Bellflower, Calif.; two sons, Robert (Diane) Cerny, Monticello, Iowa; Andy (Kris) Cerny, Rockford, Ill.; 18 grandchildren; sisters, Dorothy I. Winn, Blooming Prairie; Marian (Adam) Allas, Lansing; many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Steve; and two grandchildren.

Visitation: Saturday, May 3, 2003, one hour before the service at the funeral home chapel.

Service: 2 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at the funeral home chapel.

Funeral Home: Worlein Funeral Home, Austin.

Memorials: Donors choice.

Dorothea M. Cress, 90

Dorothea M. Cress, 90, formerly of Austin, died Tuesday, April 15, 2003, at Ebenezer Hall in Minneapolis where she resided.

She was born August 9, 1912, in Adrian to G. Roman and Adelheide (Tennessen) Hartman. On April 29, 1943, she married Nicholas A. Cress. She was a homemaker.

Survivors include two sons, Joseph (Elaine Peaslee) Cress, Bettendorf, Iowa; Robert (Margina) Cress, Minneapolis; daughter, Mary (Burton) Berlowe, Minneapolis; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Nicholas Cress; granddaughter, Jennifer Cress; three brothers, Herbert Hartman, Alphonse Hartman and Basil Hartman.

Visitation: Tuesday, April 22, 2003, one hour before the service at the church.

Service: 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Queen of Angels Catholic Church with Father William Becker officiating.

Interment: St. Peter's Cemetery in Rose Creek.

Funeral Home: Mayer Funeral Home, Austin.

Memorials: St. Stephen's Human Services, Minneapolis, or Red Cloud Indian School, Pine Ridge, S.D.