Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 1, 2013 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Cold Spring, MN for Mae Virant, age 89, who died Tuesday at Assumption Home in Cold Spring.  Inurnment will be in the St. Boniface Parish Cemetery.

Relatives and friends may gather one hour prior to mass in the church narthex.

Mae was born in Biwabik, MN to Anton Elof and Hilma Marie (Stockey) Youngquist.  She married Bill Virant on July 31, 1948 in St. John Catholic Church, Biwabik.  Mae attended school in Biwabik and nurse’s training in Detroit, MI.  She entered the United States Army as a nurse and served in the South Pacific Theater during WWII.  Mae was a homemaker, Cub Scout leader, and was active in local bridge clubs and Meals on Wheels.  She enjoyed traveling, hiking and picking blueberries.

Survivors include her children, Priscilla Virant (Lee Rosen), William Jr. (Jeanne), Nancy (Steve) Carlson, Tari (Alvin) Ahlgrim, David (Mary); sister, Edie Herr; brother, Gordon Youngquist.

She was preceded in death by her husband Bill, sisters, Ellen and Esther; brothers, Carl, Harry, Marvin “Dutch”, John and an infant sibling.

In Lieu of flowers memorials preferred to Rocori area Dollars for Scholars endowment program.

Arrangements are with Wenner Funeral Home, Cold Spring, MN.

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Funeral Service will be at 10:30 AM on Friday, May 24, 2013 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Long Prairie, MN for Joe L. Klemenhagen, 87 year old resident of Alexandria, MN, formerly of Long Prairie, who passed away on Sunday, May 19th at Grand Arbor Senior Living in Alexandria. Rev. Paul Biegner will officiate and burial will be at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Long Prairie. Friends and family may call from 4 until 8 PM on Thursday at Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home, Stein Chapel in Long Prairie, and from 9:30 to 10:30 AM Friday at the church.

Joseph Leo Klemenhagen was born on February 20, 1926 in Long Prairie, MN to the late John and Eleanor (Kuehn) Klemenhagen. He helped his father in the family restaurant, “Jack’s Café.” Joe graduated from Long Prairie High School and continued his education through a program the U.S. Army conducted to train engineers. He attended the University of Kansas, Penn State University, and the University of Minnesota, where he completed his degree in Civil Engineering. Joe worked for Standard Oil, the Minnesota Highway Department, as City Engineer in Crystal, MN, and finally for Hennepin County as Planning and Programing Engineer, retiring in 1984 after 30 years.
Joe and Neoma “ Mickey” were united in marriage on June 11, 1949. Joe and Mickey had a cabin on Lake Osakis for many years, and they moved into it full time after his retirement. They also wintered down in Arizona. Joe had some health issues starting in 2004, and eventually they moved into a wheelchair accessible house in Long Prairie, and then the Grand Arbor Senior Living in Alexandria. Joe was a member of the Long Prairie Lion’s Club.

Now we pay tribute to this proud man that will be remembered as a man of true wisdom and integrity. Joe received respect and honor from those who truly knew him.
He is survived by his wonderful wife, Neoma “Mickey” that stood next to him through the good and hard times for 62 years. They had five children; Bob (Susan) Klemenhagen of North Bend, OR,  Tom (Cindy) Klemenhagen of Alexandria, Nancy Klemenhagen of Tampa, FL, Susan (Frank) Catanzaro of Gilroy, CA, and David Klemenhagen of Champlin, MN; 11 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, and special friend Megan Bundy.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Bud and Donald Klemenhagen; and sisters, Lorraine Carlson and Florence Schroeder.

Obituary and guest book available online at: www.williamsdingmann.com

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A Funeral Service will be held at 11 AM on Thursday, May 23, 2013 at First Baptist Church in Long Prairie for Arnie Westerberg, 96 year old resident of Long Prairie, who passed away on Monday, May 20th at CentraCare Healthsystem in Long Prairie. Pastor Andrew Brown with Rev. Paul Twist will officiate, and burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Long Prairie. Friends and family may call from 6 to 8 PM on Wednesday and one hour prior to service Thursday at the church. Arrangements are entrusted to Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home, Stein Chapel in Long Prairie.

Ralph “Arnie” Westerberg was born on December 28, 1916 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to the late Robert and Mamie (Larson) Westerberg. Arnie entered service with the U.S. Army on May 18, 1942 and was honorably discharged on Jan. 11, 1946. Arnie was united in marriage to Florence Hardin on January 25, 1947 in Long Prairie where they made their home. Arnie worked at Lux Hardware until he started up his own business of Long Prairie Plumbing and Heating. He continued to own and operate the business for 20 plus years, retiring in 1975. Arnie enjoyed hunting and fishing. He took great care and satisfaction in his yardwork, and was also active with woodworking, making many small crafts, as well as some furniture.

Arnie will be dearly missed by his wife, Florence; sons, Ralph (Betty) Westerberg of Romona, CA, and Roger Westerberg of Nimrod, MN; daughter, Patty (Randy) Anderson of Alexandria, MN; five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Charlie Westerberg; three brothers and four sisters.

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Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, May 23, 2013 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Pearl Lake (Marty), MN for Edward C. Haus, age 47, who died unexpectedly Saturday at his home of natural causes.  Burial will be in the Parish Cemetery.

Relatives and friends may call from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Wednesday at the Wenner Funeral Home in Richmond.

Ed was born in St. Cloud, MN to Cyril and Marian (Valerius) Haus.  He married Kathy Vogt on September 25, 2004 in Holy Cross Catholic Church, Pearl Lake.  Ed owned and operated Quality Haus Builders; he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and was a proud gardener.  He adored his family and was an active member of Holy Cross Parish, Pheasants Forever, and as an avid member of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Ed was devoted to mentoring kids in the outdoors.

Survivors include his loving wife, Kathy; stepsons, Cory Christian and Ryan Christian; parents, Cyril and Marian Haus; brothers and sisters, Diane (Allen) Kuechle, Dave (Judy) Haus, Marge (Willy) Kuechle, Jerry (Lisa) Haus, Alan (Michele) Haus, Mark (Stacey) Haus, Chuck (Sondra) Haus, Jana (Troy) Hilsgen, Debbie Haus, John (Nicol) Haus, Neil (Terese) Haus; mother-in-law, Stella Vogt; brothers and sisters-in-law, Mark (Lynn) Vogt, Randy (Ann) Vogt, Sandy (Russ) Van Beck, Tim Vogt (Julie Steuck); 36 nieces and nephews; 1 great-nephew and 1 great-niece.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Henry and Anna Haus, Clem and Theresa Valerius; father-in-law, Silverius “Skit” Vogt.

Arrangements are with the Wenner Funeral Home in Richmond, MN.

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Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Cold Spring, MN for Richard C. Schramel, age 82, who died Saturday at his home surrounded by his family after a brief battle with cancer.  Burial will be in the St. Boniface Parish Cemetery.

Relatives and friends may call from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m., Monday, May 20th at the Wenner Funeral Home in Cold Spring.  Parish Prayers will be at 7:00 p.m. followed by a rosary with Catholic United Financial.  Visitation will continue from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m., Tuesday morning at the funeral home.

Richard was born in Collegeville Township to Michael and Frances (Ruprecht) Schramel.  He married Virgillett Kammers on August 30, 1955 in Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Richmond.  Richard served in the U.S. Army from 1952 – 1954.  He was a farmer and worked road construction until his retirement.  He enjoyed dancing, playing his concertina, auctions, camping, going to the casino, tinkering, and caring for his lawn.  Richard especially loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, and his dog Riley.

Survivors include his wife, Virgellett; children, Judy (Dave) Ruegemer of St. Joe, Linda (Dave) Schreifels of St. Cloud, Ken (Ann) of Cold Spring, Gene (Shelly) of Cold Spring, Ruth (Perry) Mistry of Los Gatos, CA, Jim (Mary) of Clear Lake, Doug (Carri) of Cold Spring, Dean of St. Joe, Amy (Josh) Rogahn of Otsego; siblings, Clarence (Cecelia), Eldred (Nora), Rita Anderson, Lucille Guck, and Hildegarde Benda; 19 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Joan; parents, and sisters, Marie Aune and Ledwina DeWenter.

Arrangements are with the Wenner Funeral Home in Cold Spring, MN.

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Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Rockville, MN for Jerome F. Bechtold age 86 who died Thursday.  Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Monday in the church.  Parish prayers will be at 8 p.m. Visitation will continue Tuesday from 9:30 – 10:45 a.m.  Arrangements are with the Wenner Funeral Home in Cold Spring.

Jerome was born May 3, 1927, in Waite Park, Minnesota, to Albert J. Bechtold and Clara (Weyer) Bechtold.  He married LeMay Wagner on August 18, 1948, in Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Nashua, Montana.

Jerry farmed near Rockville and was active in conservation work and local politics his whole life.  He was on the Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District since 1957 and served as the board chairperson for 20 years, was a member of the Rockville Township planning commission, was active in the National Catholic Rural Life Conference, and with LeMay, co-chaired the St. Cloud Diocesan Rural Life Committee.  He was a member of Mary of the Immaculate Conception parish in Rockville.  He served in the U.S. Army from 1945 to 1948 in the Pacific during World War II.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, LeMay of Rockville, and his children, Karen (Bernie) Koltes of Albany, Brigid of Plymouth, Barbara (John Tomaro) of Juneau, Alaska, Stephen (Helen) of Blackduck, Mary Ruth of Fort Peck, Montana, Gregory, Mark, and Roger of Rockville, Joyce of Ellicott City, Maryland, and Timothy (Karen Knudsen) of Missoula, Montana; brothers, Philip (Marie) of Covina, California, Cletus (Monica) of St. Joseph, and Alphonse (Betty) of Sauk Rapids, and brothers-in law, Leander Meyer of St. Joseph, J.F. (Arlys) Wagner, and Phil Boerschinger of Billings, Montana, Roger (Laura) Wagner of Nashua, Montana, and David (Dixie) Wagner of Towner, North Dakota.  He is also survived by 19 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, his aunt, Sally Weyer of Sartell, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his son, Michael, in 1973; his sisters, Dolores Meyer and Rosemary Warnert; his brothers-in-law, Robert Warnert, Hugh Wagner, Phillip Wagner, Richard Wagner; his sisters-in-law, Mary Margarette Hanson, Therese Anne Wagner, and Damaris Boerschinger, and his great-grandson, Waylon Beard.

Memorials are preferred to the Post-Polio Support Group or a conservation initiative of your choice.

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Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 23 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Todd Schneider officiating. Entombment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Alexandria, Minnesota following the luncheon. Military honors by the Sauk Centre United Veterans Honor Guard.

Friends may call 1 hour prior to the service at the church.

Edmund Steven Motzko was born August 17, 1920 in Browerville, Minnesota to Bert and Tresa (Drayna) Motzko. Butch served in the U.S. Army during World War II and participated in the liberation of Gardelegen, Germany. He was united in marriage to Harriet JoAnn Halstead on January 14, 1947 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria, Minnesota. The couple lived in Alexandria until 1958, when they moved to Sauk Centre. Butch worked at Wonder Bread for many years and was the truck driver for Hostess cakes. He also worked at St. Michael’s Hospital in shipping and receiving until his retirement in 1975.

He was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre, American Legion Post 67, Paul F. Donart VFW Post 2853, and was a former Alexandria Fire Fighter. Butch enjoyed golfing and hunting.

Butch is survived by his children, Steve (Kay) Motzko of Becida and Mary Kay (Terry) Keenan of Pennock; six grandchildren, Matt (Misty) Motzko, Stacie (James) Goodrich, Joe (Lauren) Motzko, Katie Keenan, Kristie Keenan, and Kevin Keenan; six great-grandchildren, William, Logan, Landon, Greta, Sammy, and Morgan; brother, Jerry Motzko of Roseville; and sister, Marie Sherlin of Glenwood.

He was preceded in death by his wife, JoAnn Motzko on November 25, 2009; infant great-grandson, Luke Motzko; parents; and sister, Appy Aga.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Sauk Centre.

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Mike Middendorf asks his British White bull, Tugboat, to pose for the camera. In the foreground is one of this year’s new calves, Precious. She is a twin who is being bottle-fed to bond with the family.

With the exception of six months’ active duty with the National Guard, Mike Middendorf of Sauk Centre has farmed his entire life.

He grew up on a dairy farm three miles northeast of town and brought his wife, LaVonne, home there when they married in 1970. They raised six children, all of them still in Minnesota.

Middendorf sold the homesite of the old farm in 2005, when he and his wife moved to a home owned by their daughter, near the farm.

“We kept the farmland, about 300 aces,” he said.

Middendorf hcompleted the transition to organic production in 2000. He was encouraged by his daughter Kim to go organic to increase his cash flow.

“With organic milk, I had a more stable market — it didn’t fluctuate so much,” said Middendorf. “You have to make a living and feed your family.”

The majority of organic dairy farmers cross-breed their cows for hybrid vigor, he said. His dairy cows were Jersey, Ayrshire and Swedish Red crosses.

During the dairying years, Middendorf dabbled with various beef cattle.

“I had some Gelbvieh cattle, a breed that originated in Germany,” he said. “They have a good disposition.”

He later acquired a British White bull and some calves. “They interested me — they were unusual,” he said. “They are another breed with a good disposition.”

He had his eye on selling breeding stock, but at one point didn’t have enough feed for both dairy cows and beef cattle. The British White were sold so he could concentrate on his dairy operation. Then, the dairy springer market went bad, and he turned back to beef.

“When I decided to go back to beef, I wanted British Whites again,” he said. “I believe their meat is more tender than other breeds.”

In 2012, Middendorf added Tugboat, an 8-year-old bull, to his herd of British Whites. Tugboat has such a gentle temperament, Middendorf had no trouble helping him pose for a photo.

Eight steers will be ready for slaughter in 2013, with 12 being prepared for 2014.

This year will be Middendorf’s “maiden voyage” selling his beef at the St. Joseph Farmer’s Market. If the Avon market gets off the ground this year, he will be there as well.

His granddaughters, 12-year-old Madi, 11-year-old Brielle and 10-year-old Molly, have taken an interest in some aspects of the farming operation. They named a set of twin calves born this year.

Cinnamon has remained with her mother, but Precious was taken by Middendorf and bottle-fed.

“She was so little that she spent her first two weeks in the heated shop,” he said.

Middendorf’s bull mastiff, Lucy, adopted the calf, cleaning her and sleeping with her. Now, Precious runs right over when she is called.

Middendorf grows hay, corn, small grains and red clover. Most of that goes to feed the cattle, although the second cutting of red clover is left until fall, when it is combined for seed.

Cattle are not the only producing interest on the farm this year. For the first time, Middendorf tapped 60 of his maple trees and ended up with 40 gallons of maple syrup.

“I’ve always thought about doing it; it was on my bucket list,” he said. “This year, it only took 30 gallons of sap to produce one gallon of syrup. It was a really good year.”

To get started, he bought used taps and pails and built his own evaporator. He anticipates having to build a bigger evaporator next year, and will be acquiring a reverse osmosis machine.

His granddaughters were the enthusiastic recipients of the first maple syrup.

“I had cooked some down, and we had pancakes on Saturday and French toast on Sunday,” said Middendorf. “They thought it was so good.”

None of Middendorf’s children farm, but he has a hunch that when he is ready to retire, his son will step in. But that won’t be for a while yet.

“I’m still learning,” Middendorf said. “We’re never done learning.”

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Avon’s Lakeside Craft Retreat is a home remodeled for scrapbooking and quilting groups, family reunions and others to be refreshed and renewed by quiet, relaxing time away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Linda Ertl carefully chose the decorating scheme in each room, including sewing the quilts in this bedroom.

By Jennie Zeitler, Staff Writer
jennie.zeitler@ecm-inc.com

Linda Ertl has enjoyed several quilting retreat weekends in the past few years, many of them at a popular location in Alexandria. The last time she arrived there she was told it would be her last stay.

“They were closing. I wondered where I would go,” she said.

Weeks later, at the end of a rough day at work and with thoughts of a calm retreat in her mind, she told her husband, Chuck, that she was going to buy a house and open her own retreat.

He heard her.

At breakfast soon after, he was looking through the paper for nearby open houses, and Ertl was pleasantly surprised.

“We spent the weekend looking around at open houses,” she said. “He took me seriously.”

It wasn’t until two Saturdays later, when Ertl wasn’t home, that her husband spotted an open house ad at 1:40 p.m. for an event which ended at 2:30 p.m. He rushed over and found what is now known as Avon’s Lakeside Craft Retreat.

The house was built on 1.3 acres by area contractor Jim Sand in 1985, with thick walls and deep windows. It had been on the market for about six years.

“It was perfect; our home is paid for, and we had a good down payment,” Ertl said.

The Ertls rolled up their sleeves for some cleaning and remodeling. Each of the five bedrooms was painted. The ground floor bathroom was gutted.

When it came to decorating, Ertl called the owner of the soon-to-be-closed retreat center in Alexandria and asked about the furnishings.

“She quoted me a price, and it was too good to pass up,” Ertl said.

Ertl got five twin beds as part of the furnishings package, and bought six more twins and one full bed. She found a dining set the right size, and stocked the kitchen cupboards with dishes, kettles, appliances, cooking utensils and an extra coffee pot.

The three-season porch overlooking Upper Spunk Lake was filled this spring with a half-price set of furniture reduced from last season.

There is a bedroom with two twin beds on the main floor with a three-quarter bath across the hall. Upstairs are four bedrooms and two bathrooms.

The former two-car garage was transformed into a brightly-lit craft room stocked with supplies for quilting and scrapbooking. There is a large refrigerator in the room and a large-screen TV.

The fireplace with access to both the living room and dining room has a gas insert. There is a fire pit near the lake and a dock.

The center is licensed for 12 people to stay overnight, with eight cars allowed in the driveway.

Bed linens and towels are provided.

An open house was held over deer hunting season opener in November 2012, with the first booking the following weekend.

A group of four friends from Becker and Elk River recently spent a scrapbooking weekend at the retreat.

“It’s our time to catch up with everyone,” said Cindy Karey. “We try new recipes, talk, sleep, make cards and just be friends.”

“We laugh a lot,” said Mary Strack.

The group heard about the retreat by “word of mouth in the scrapbooking world,” Karey said.

A group of siblings aged 62 – 84 will be gathering for a weekend in July, near the time of their late dad’s birthday.

Ertl and her craft group, which includes her mother-in-law, spent a few weekdays at the retreat, just relaxing. The Ertl family will be coming together for a family reunion in July.

“It’s nice to sit out on the porch with a cup of coffee, maybe put a puzzle together,” she said.

The main floor bathroom also opens onto the porch, which makes for easy access while spending time outside.

Ertl’s husband has continued to be an active supporter of the retreat.

“He promotes this more than I do sometimes,” she said.

The fee for Friday through Sunday is $600 for up to five people. Each additional person is $100 for the weekend. Extra days can be added to the weekend for $40 per person.

For more information, call (320) 363-4944 or visit www.avonslakesidecraft
retreat.com.

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Mitchel and his parents, Bob Niehaus and Deb Mies-Niehaus, heard about the scholarship opportunity through Bob’s employment at Arvig, which donates to the scholarship fund every year. “When I saw the announcement in our internal newsletter, I knew this was something Mitchel should apply for. He’s a smart kid. I’m a proud dad,” Bob said.

Not only has Mitchel kept an impressive 3.9 GPA throughout his high school tenure, but he has managed it while participating in a plethora of activities in the classroom and out in the community. From Student Council and National Honor Society to band, tutoring and helping the elderly, this three-sport athlete is a model student and citizen.

“[He] is ready for college and all the responsibilities that go with that next step,” his high school principal, Chad Doetkott, wrote in his letter of recommendation for Mitchel’s application. “Mitchel is truly an outstanding individual whose leadership and physical presence will be greatly missed here at school when he graduates in May.”

Mitchel plans to continue his studies at St. John’s University this fall, where he was recruited to play football. “We could not be more excited for Mitchel’s bright future,” said David Arvig, vice president/chief operating officer of Arvig. “It’s great to see our employees’ kids succeeding and taking advantage of the opportunities available through the company.”

The Bob Adkisson Scholarship award was given to five high school seniors, including Mitchel, this year. Applicants must be immediate family members of an owner, board of directors member, manager or employee of a WTA Category I or Category II Member Company. The scholarship was established in memory of Bob Adkisson, former president of GVNW Consulting, Inc., who passed away in 2003.

Arvig is a full-service telecommunications provider. In addition to high-speed Internet access, television and phone service, Arvig also provides computer repair services, business telephone systems, security and more. The local office is at 224 Main Street East in Melrose. Call 218.584.4227 or visit arvig.com for more information.

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