Harry A. Wallem, 85

Harry Arthur Wallem, 85, died Sunday, at the Grand Meadow Health Care Center, Grand Meadow, where he had lived for a short time.

He was born Oct. 2, 1917, in Hayfield, Iowa, to Andrew and Anna (Hotopp) Wallem.

He served during World War II from 1941 to 1945. He was stationed in Italy.

On July 23, 1948, he married Ruth Barnett in Austin.

He enjoyed farming, animals, fishing and socializing.

Survivors include his sons, Andrew Wallem, Dexter; Harry (Lisa) Wallem Jr., Brownsdale; daughters, Nancy Wallem, Dexter; Susan (George) Barley, Legrange, N.C.; four grandchildren; sister, Pearl James, Austin.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, four sisters and one brother.

Visitation: There will be no reviewal.

Service: 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 25, 2003 at Zion Lutheran Church north of Dexter with the Rev. Ronald Barnett officiating.

Interment: Zion Lutheran Cemetery with military graveside rites by the Spring Valley VFW.

Funeral Home: Hindt-Hutchins Funeral Home, Grand Meadow.

Myrtle O. Bliton, 93

Myrtle Ovedia Clement Bliton, 93, died Saturday, June 21, 2003, in Peoria, Ariz.

She was born Nov. 5, 1909, in Miles City, Mont., to Bennie and Mattie (Olson) Asper.

She attended school in Adams before business college in Salt Lake City, Utah. She worked at JC Penney Co. and was a school secretary for Austin Public Schools until her retirement.

On June 21, 1930, she married Edwin L. Clement in Austin. Edwin died July 26, 1956. On July 3, 1969, Myrtle married Arleigh N. Bliton at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin. Arleigh died Sept. 23, 1992.

Myrtle was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church and an associate member of the American Lutheran Church in Sun City, Ariz. She was also member of Sons of Norway, volunteered at the Mower County Senior Center, was a member of the Busy Bee Birthday Community Club and The Cedars Kitchen Band.

For the past five years she had lived at Sun Grove Retirement Village in Peoria, Ariz.

Survivors include her children, Gerald (Linda) Clement, Surpise, Ariz.; Judy (Roger) Folven, Lake Mills, Iowa; James (Andrea) Clement, Scottsdale, Ariz.; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; sisters, Irene Hurd, Austin, Texas; Madeline Cockrum, Anaheim, Calif.; brothers, Harold Asper, Orcas Island, Wash.; Maurice (Eva) Asper, Sun City, Calif.; William Asper, Yerington, Nev.; Myron (Gloria) Asper, Shakopee; nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husbands; sisters, Ruth McNamara and Alice Krokus; brothers, Bernard Asper, Oswald Asper, Arthur Asper and Vernon Asper.

Visitation: At the church for one hour before the service Thursday.

Service: 11 a.m. Thursday, June 26, 2003, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church with the Rev. Ronald Barnett officiating. Casket bearers will be Steven Wheeler, Scott Wheeler, James Armbrust, Robert Asper, Roger Asper and Tom Asper.

Interment: Oakwood Cemetery.

Funeral Home: Worlein Funeral Home, Austin.

Robert F. Thayer, 82

Robert F. Thayer, age 82, of St. Paul, formerly of Austin, died Thursday, June 19, 2003, at Comforcare Good Samaritan Care Center.

Robert was born Sept. 7, 1920, in Sleepy Eye, Minn., to Frank and Jule (Lundberg) Thayer.

He served in the United States Army during World War II, serving four years in Anchorage, Alaska as a member of the Army Band.

On June 16, 1946, he was united in marriage to Verna M. Flaskerud in Faribault, Minn.

Robert later worked as a mail carrier in California and then in Austin, but music was his true love.

Survivors include his wife: Verna Thayer, St. Paul; daughter: Chris (Keith) Leif, Austin; three grandchildren: Tony Leif, St. Paul; Kelly Leif, Austin; Kari Leif, Austin; nephew: David John Meland, Seattle, Wash.

He is preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter: Linda Lee; infant granddaughter: Britt Maxine Leif.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 28, 2003, at Mayer Funeral Home with Father Greg Leif and Rev. Greg Strunk officiating. Friends may call one hour before the service at Mayer Funeral Home on Saturday. Military rites will be by American Legion Post #91 and VFW Post #1216. Interment will be in Calmar, Iowa at a later date.

Arvilla DeVries, 86

Arvilla DeVries, age 86, a lifetime resident of Preston, Minn., died Sunday afternoon, June 22, 2003, at the Austin Medical Center in Austin, Minn.

Arvilla Cady was born April 17, 1917, in Spring Valley, Minn., the daughter of Benton and Alma (Rudlong) Cady. She was raised in the Preston area and was a 1935 graduate of Preston High School.

She married Elmer DeVries on Sept. 28, 1938, in Preston, where the couple made their home.

Arvilla was a homemaker, worked at the Victory Cafe, the Five & Dime store, Farmers Merchants Bank, at the DeVries Barbershop where she also had a record store, Northwest Aluminum and was a hostess at the Branding Iron until retiring at the age of 83. Elmer died in 1977.

She was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Preston and was a longtime board member of Crown Hill Cemetery.

Arvilla is survived by one son, Jon and his fiance Christine Williams, both of Chicago, Ill.; one daughter, Kay (Bob) Finney of Austin, Minn.; six grandchildren, Kirsten (David) Shipler of Austin, Kyle (Robyn) Finney of Rochester, Nathan (Becky) Finney of Austin, Dylan (Carla) DeVries of Atlanta, Ga., Kaaren (Lee) Stuart and Marc (Lisa) Kaufholz; nine great-grandchildren; four sisters, Betty Nietz of Scottsdale, Ariz., Donna (Dale) Bork of Inver Grove Heights, Minn., Joan (Curtis) Krebsbach of Austin, Minn., and Lois Fossey of Austin, Minn.; and three brothers, Carroll Cady of Bloomington, Minn., Ivan (Carolyn) Cady and Earl (Mary) Cady, both of Rochester.

She was preceded in death by her husband, one granddaughter and two brothers.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 25, 2003, at Christ Lutheran Church with Rev. Jennifer Grat officiating. Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery in Preston.

Friends may call at the Thauwald Funeral Home in Preston from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and at the church on Wednesday for one hour before the service.

The family prefers memorials be given to the Preston Library.

Thauwald Funeral Home in Preston is in charge of arrangements.

Karla C. Holman, 85

Karla Calais Holman, 85, of Austin, died Sunday, June 22, 2003, at St. Marks Lutheran Home.

She was born March 26, 1918, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, to Johannes and Christine (Hofland) Calais. She immigrated to the United States with her family in 1925.

She graduated from the New Jersey College for Women, Rutgers University.

On March 26, 1943, she married Dr. Ralph T. Holman at the University of Minnesota Chapel. They lived in Minneapolis before moving to Sweden. Upon returning to the U.S., they lived in Texas until moving to Austin, Minn. in 1951.

Karla was a member of the First Congregational Church, where she was active with Women's Fellowship, Pilgrims Fellowship, Sunday School and the church choir. She was also involved with several area organizations.

Survivors include her husband, Dr. Ralph Holman, Austin; son, Nils (Ted) Holman, Minneapolis; nieces and nephews.

Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m. today, June 24, 2003, at the mortuary and Wednesday at the church for one hour before the service.

Service: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at First Congregational Church with the Rev. James Peck officiating.

Interment: 4 p.m. graveside service Wednesday at Community Covenant Church Cemetery, Upsala.

Funeral Home: Clasen-Jordan Mortuary, Austin.

Marie E. Peterson, 88

Marie E. Peterson, 88, died Monday, June 23, 2003, at the Grand Meadow Health Care Center, Grand Meadow.

She was born Nov. 17, 1914, in Rock Valley, Iowa, to John and Mary (Liester) Van-Grevenhof. The family moved to Preston, then to Austin.

Marie worked at the Hormel Co. from age 15 until her marriage to Arnold Peterson on Oct. 26, 1940, in Charles City, Iowa. They moved to the Grand Meadow area and were members of the Grand Meadow Lutheran Church where Marie was active in the women's activities. She was also a member of the Friendly Neighbor Club and a neighborhood card club.

Marie enjoyed sewing, quilting, crocheting, cooking and attending auctions. She loved flowers, gardening and spending time with family.

Survivors include her husband, Arnold, Grand Meadow; children, Norma (Richard) Batterson, Rochester; Ronald (Barbara) Peterson, Milton, Wis.; Mavis (Jerry) Bowman, Rochester; 10 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; brothers, Clarence (Marilyn) VanGrevenhof, Rochester; Harold VanGrevenhof, Washington State; sister, Juanita Malette, Oregon; half-sister, June Wilson.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother.

Visitation: 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 26, 2003, at the funeral home and Friday at the church for one hour before the service.

Service: 1 p.m. Friday at the Grand Meadow Lutheran Church with the Rev. Bernard Daiker officiating.

Interment: Red Oak Grove Cemetery.

Funeral Home: Hindt-Hutchins Funeral Home, Grand Meadow.

Memorials: To Grand Meadow Lutheran Church or for Alzheimer's Research.

John R. Milton, 61

John R. Milton, 61, of St. Paul, has passed away.

He was born April 1, 1942, in Austin, to Steve and Shirley Milton.

He was a retired teacher of School District #622.

Survivors include his daughter, Libby (Jason) Tabaka; sons, Steve (Heather); Jay (Jennifer); six grandchildren; brother, Dean (Marlene).

He was preceded in death by parents; and sister, Dorcas Carlson.

Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 25, 2003, at the funeral home and Thursday at the church for one hour before the service.

Service: 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2499 N. Helen St., North St. Paul.

Interment: 2 p.m. graveside service Friday at Blooming Prairie Cemetery, Blooming Prairie.

Funeral Home: Holcomb-Henry-Boom North Chapel, 515 Highway 96 at Mackubin, Shoreview.

Memorials: To Union Gospel Mission.