Charles Joseph Thompson, 90

Charles Joseph Thompson, 90, of Austin, died Friday, July 18, 2003, at St. Mark's Lutheran Home, of cancer.

Chuck was born December 16, 1912, in Austin, Minn., to Harvey and Kathryn (Bushman) Thompson. He grew up in Austin and attended St. Augustine Schools. He served in the Army during WWII as an engineer on the Iranian State Railroad. On October 26, 1946, he married Louise Dorothy Bellrichard. The couple lived in Austin all of their married life. Charles worked as an engineer on the railroad out of Austin for many years.

He enjoyed traveling, fishing, camping and bowling and being with his family and friends. A group of his railroad co-workers have continued to meet for breakfast or supper together a couple times a month over the years. Chuck enjoyed these gatherings very much and never missed any if possible. He was a life long member of Queen of Angels Church, the American Legion and the VFW. On February 14, 1993, he married Bueta Sweazey at Queen of Angels Church.

Survivors include his wife, Bueta Thompson, Austin; daughter, Darlene Exline, Denver, Colo.; four grandsons: Steve Thompson, Galen Thompson, Brad Exline and Todd Exline; three granddaughters: Tonja Seha, Vicki Exline and Tara Exline; 16 great grandchildren; two step-daughters; one step-son; 10 step-grandchildren; 22 step-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Gladys Thompson; two cousins: Evelyn Jorgenson and Francis Paterson.

He is preceded in death by his first wife, Louise Thompson on March 13, 1987; son, David Thompson; twin brother, Chester; brother, Vernon.

A funeral mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 22, 2003, at Queen of Angels Catholic Church with Father William Becker officiating. There will be a 6:30 p.m. wake service on Monday at Mayer Funeral Home where friends may call from 5-8 p.m. and also one hour before the service at the church on Tuesday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post #91 and VFW Post #1216.

Verna Clara Kruger, 88

Verna Clara Kruger, 88, of Owatonna, Minn., died Thursday, July 17, 2003, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester.

She was born September 20, 1914, in Blooming Prairie, Minn., the daughter of Ed and Clara (Hanson) Johnson. After her mother's death, she was raised by the John and Hannah Wold family of Blooming Prairie. Verna married Willard Kruger, April 3, 1937, at the Wold family home. They farmed in several locations in Freeborn and Mower counties until moving to Owatonna in 1952. Verna worked at the Fairlanes bowling center for 23 years and was known to make the best hamburgers in town; she retired in 1977. Verna was a charter member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church. She was a 2000 hour award recipient of the Owatonna Hospital Auxiliary. She enjoyed community events, threshing events, lutefisk dinners, pancake breakfasts, and old-time music. Verna was active for many years in a sewing circle with friends from Austin and Owatonna, and enjoyed doing embroidery and yo-yo quilts.

She is survived by two daughters, Jurene and Don Mortensen, and JulieAnn Kruger, Owatonna; daughter-in-law, Jackie Kruger, Rochester; six grandchildren, Stuart Mortensen, Charlene Wetzel, Jolene Mortensen, Dean (Shelly) Kruger, Dawn Kruger, and Kevin (Emmy) Kruger; eight great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Helen Jacobsen and Blanche Johnson, Owatonna, and Clara Kruger, Blooming Prairie; brothers-in-law, Russel and Dorothy Kruger and Zeph Marsh, Blooming Prairie.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Willard; son, John P. Kruger; her parents; an infant child; a brother, Palmer Johnson; a sister, Sina Coggins; and a half-sister, Frieda Hafemann.

Visitation will be held at Michaelson Funeral Home on Sunday from 4-8 p.m. and on Monday at Our Savior's Lutheran Church from 10-11 a.m. Funeral services will be held Monday, July 21, 2003, at 11 a.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Owatonna. The Rev. David Droog will be officiating. Burial will be in the Red Oak Grove Cemetery Mower County.