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May 2002

Friday, May 31, 2002
Fick, Myrtle

Friday, May 31, 2002
Saenger, Jeffery

Thursday, May 30, 2002
Lillemoen, Russell,

Monday, May 27, 2002
Houge, Shannon (Bubba)

Friday, May 24, 2002
Roget, Dr. John Jermone

Thursday, May 16, 2002
Boyum, Earl H.

Monday, May 13, 2002
Helle, Mildred Josephine

Monday, May 6, 2002
French, Evelyn Mae

Evelyn Mae French

Joan Evelyn Mae French, 78, a long-time resident of Evansville passed away at Crystal Care Center in Crystal, MN on Monday, May 6, 2002.

She was born February 21, 1924, the first of 12 children, to Glenn V. and Mildred (Hackett) Anderson of the Tripoli, IA area. After high school she worked briefly for a family in Detroit, MI before enrolling in a business college in Johnson City, NY. She returned to Iowa, serving as secretary to author Paul Hutchens (The Sugar Creek Gang) until an emergency appendectomy caused her to resign the position. Later she worked as a secretary for a business and then a Christian ministry organization.

In her early 20's she enrolled at St. Paul Bible Institute in St. Paul, MN, now Crown College in St. Bonifacius, MN. While a student there she met and became engaged to Flavel M.R. French of Danbury, WI. After their marriage in 1949 they moved to St. John, ND on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation, and for several years they were workers with the Christian & Missionary Alliance. Their nine children were born there as was her tradition of cultivating huge vegetable gardens to provide for her family.

In 1966 her husband’s employment with the Great Northern/Burlington Northern Railroad brought them to Evansville. Mr. French died in 1982, one day after his 64th birthday. She was a resident of Evansville until April 29th of this year when her children moved her to the Twin Cities to be closer to more family members in her illness. She died of congestive heart failure and other complications of diabetes.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; siblings, Letha, Paul and twins Marilyn and Carilyn (Flodin); and daughters, Berte Jean in 1962 and Leda Grace in 1980. She is survived by sons, George (Arly) French of Danbury, WI and Dr. Charles (Peggy) French of Nairobi, Kenya; daughters, Pat (Arlin) Anderson of St. Francis, Becky (Alan) Gildner of Apple Valley, Mona Mohrmann (Dean) Olson of Erdahl, Lis (Doug) Trouten of Minneapolis and Vangi (David) Kindervater of Tokyo, Japan; 26 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren, Aaron and Marissa Mae Mohrmann, Sydnee and Jack Anderson and Gabriel and Jean Pierre Romero; sisters, Lorraine DeLong (Verle) Mason and Loretta Myrhe; brothers, Eugene (Ruth) Anderson, Leslie (Alice June) Anderson, Victor (Margel) Anderson, Wendell (Blanche) Anderson and Kenneth Ellsworth (Karen) Anderson as well as 31 of her 32 nieces and nephews.

Visitation: Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. at the Nilson Funeral Home in Evansville and one hour prior to the service at the church

Service: 11 a.m. Thursday at Calvary Covenant Church, Evansville

Clergy: Rev. Nathan Langager

Burial: Mound Grove Cemetery

Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson of Evansville
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Mildred Josephine Helle

Mildred Josephine Helle, 95, of Ashby died Monday at the Pelican Lake Health Care Center in Ashby.

She was born December 16, 1906 in St. Olaf township of rural Ashby, MN to Adolph and Johanna (Bergstom) Anderson. She was baptized and confirmed at Kvam Lutheran Church by Rev. E Berlie. She attended school in the Ashby area and later worked as a cook at the Northwestern College in Fergus Falls, MN.

On January 12, 1933 she married Anton Helle also of rural Ashby. They farmed for three years in the Dalton vicinity. Then in 1937 they moved to her home place.

She was an active member in the Kvam Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School for many years and belonged to the Ladies Aid. They later moved into Ashby where she was a seamstress for many years. She was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church where she served with the ALCW, Ladies Circles, and taught Sunday School for many years.

She was a member of Peace Lutheran Church, the Ashby Senior Citizens, and enjoyed her flowers and sewing.

She is survived by one son, Arlon (Patty) Helle of Omaha, NE; two grandsons, Steve (Deanna) Helle of Huntington Beach, CA and Gary Helle of Omaha, NE; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Anton in 1972; and brothers and sisters.

Visitation: Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Nilson Funeral Home in Ashby and one hour prior to the service at the church

Funeral Service: Friday at 1 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church, Ashby

Clergy: Rev. Carol Olson

Burial: Pelican Lake Cemetery, Ashby

Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Ashby
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Earl H. Boyum

Earl H. Boyum, age 75, of Battle Lake died Thursday morning at Lake Region Hospital after a long and valiant struggle with lung disease.

He was born on July 11, 1926 in Battle Lake to Henry and Elline (Grinde) Boyum. He was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church. He attended rural school district #34, Battle Lake Public School and continued his education at Morris Agriculture School where he graduated in 1944. After his graduation he farmed until being drafted into the U.S. Army where he served from 1953 to 1955 with the 101st Airborne Infantry Division. After serving with the Army, he returned to farming with his family. While farming he was interested in using conservation practices and enjoyed garden and fruit production. This he continued to enjoy after retiring and moving to Battle Lake.

On August 6, 1955, he married Anita Rydland at the First Lutheran Church in Battle Lake. Together they dairy farmed in Clitherall Township until his retirement in 1991 when they purchased and moved into their home in Battle Lake.

He was a member of First Lutheran Church where he had served as president of the Church council along with other positions. He was also a member of the VFW, American Legion and served on the Battle Lake School Board from 1978 to 1984. He was very supportive of his community and school activities, and as a young man was a member and President of the Rural Youth Organization. He enjoyed the accomplishments and activities of his children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed spending time at the family cabin on Clitherall Lake.

He is survived by his wife Anita; five children, Dr. Sonja (Rev. Bill) Meiers, Heidi, Britta and Christopher of Mankato, Allen (Jean) Boyum, Aaron, Brett and Kristen of Battle Lake, Leslie (Sheri) Boyum, Michelle and Nathaniel of St. Joseph, Missouri, Avis (Jeff) Ek, Becky, Dan and Alex of Mantorville, MN, and Beth (Tim) Schendel, Virginia, Mia, Paul, Charlie and Harley of Battle Lake; one brother, Norman (Gladys) Boyum of Battle Lake; and one sister-in-law, Ann Boyum of Battle Lake. He was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Elline Boyum; one brother, Kermit Boyum and a niece, Martha Rose Boyum.

Visitation: Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Nilson Funeral Home in Battle Lake and one hour prior to the service at the Church

Funeral Service: Monday at 11 a.m. at First Lutheran Church, Battle Lake

Clergy: Rev. George Dahl and Rev. William Meiers

Burial: Church Cemetery

Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Battle Lake
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John Jerome Roget, M.D.

John Jerome Roget, M.D. , 77, of Belle Center, Ohio died Friday, May 24, 2002 at the University of Kentucky Hospital in Lexington, KY.

He was born December 29, 1924 in Superior, WI, to John N. and Sarah Catherine (Blake) Roget. He graduated from the Underwood High School in 1942 and then served with the U.S. Army in the European Theatre during WWII. He received his Bachelors Degree from Taylor University in 1952 and graduated from Indiana University Medical School in 1956. He had been a physician in Belle Center since 1958. He married Elma Neumann. On July 1, 1988 he married Joyce M. Rogers at Edgeley, ND.

He was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Bellefontaine, OH, where he served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher. He was also a member of the Belle Center Kiwanis Club, Belle Center American Legion, Pioneer Auto Association/Classic Car Club, American Medical Association, American Academy of Family Physicians, former member of the Logan County School Board, Hardin County Armory Restoration Foundation and Petroliana Club. For many years he helped sponsor and organize the Belle Center Memorial Day Parade.

He is survived by his wife; sons, Brian (Susan) Roget of Hilliard, OH, Mark (Lori) Roget of Denver, CO and Alan (Micki) Roget of Dallas, TX; daughter, Beverly Czerniak of Farmington, NM; step-sons, Ron B. (Cindy) Rogers and Ed Rogers both of Kenton, OH; grandchildren, Erin, Robin and Michael Czerniak, Ryan, Kyle, Garrett, Hannah, Rachel, Nathalie, Bryce and Victoria Roget and a brother, Rev. Glenn Lord of Underwood. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; one sister and two grandchildren.

Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church

Service: 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Maine Presbyterain Church, rural Underwood

Clergy: Rev. Glenn Lord

Burial: Silent Vale Cemetery with Military Rites by VFW Post 612 and American Legion Post 30 of Fergus Falls

Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls
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Shannon (Bubba) Houge

Shannon (Bubba) Houge, 29, of rural Fergus Falls died Monday, May 27, 2002 at his home as the result of a farming accident.

He was born January 17, 1973 in Fergus Falls to Steven and Diane (Fosse) Houge. He was baptized and confirmed at Stavanger Lutheran Church and graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1992. He attended Moorhead Technical School graduating in 1994. He worked on the Pro-Gold Plant in Wahpeton doing construction and then worked in Valdez, Alaska for Peter Pan Fisheries for two years.

He returned to Fergus Falls and worked for Vinyl lite as a glazer welder. He also worked on the family farm and enjoyed raising and working with his Quarter horses.

He loved his family and enjoyed visiting and helping others. He had a model car collection and also enjoyed duck and deer hunting, fishing, horseback riding, motorcyles and his Chesapeake dog, Ceder. He was a member of Stavanger Lutheran Church, American Quarter Horse Association, FFA and V.I.C.A. He was an excellent mechanic and very good at running equipment. He was a cowboy at heart.

He is survived by his parents, Steve and Diane Houge; grandparents, Clarice Fosse of Rothsay and Sherlock and Marjorie Houge of Fergus Falls; sister, Heidi (Kraig) Kainz of Goodridge; brother, Billy (Tessa) Houge of Fergus Falls; four nephews and nieces, Kiefer, Kaitlin and Daylyn Kainz and Samantha Houge; uncles, aunts and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Frederick Fosse and his uncle, Richard Fosse.

Visitation: Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7 p.m. at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service at the church

Service: 2 p.m. Saturday at Stavanger Lutheran Church, rural Fergus Falls

Clergy: Rev. Arlow Hushagen

Burial: Church Cemetery

Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls.
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Russell Lillemoen

Russell Lillemoen, 88, of Wendell died Thursday, May 30, 2002 at the Broen Memorial Home.

He was born March 11, 1914 near the Grant-Otter Tail County line, north of Wendell, the eldest of four children to Ralph and Agnetta (Vigen) Lillemoen. He spent the first third of his life working as a farmhand on several area farms, as a mechanic for several area shops and as a route driver for the Wendell Creamery.

In the early 1950's he migrated to the San Francisco Bay area in California where he met and married Ruth Van Gerpen in 1954. He worked as an auto mechanic in the Bay area for 25 years while Mrs. Lillemoen provided day care to local children. They were charter members of a Sons of Norway Lodge, begun in San Mateo, CA, and continued to have lasting friendships from that lodge until the present time. They returned to their roots after retirement in the early 1980's, living in Wendell, Windom and again in Wendell until the present. They were members of Rock Prairie Lutheran Church and he was a member of the Wendell Lions Club. Mrs. Lillemoen died October 30, 2001.

He is survived by his son, Roger (Ellen) Lillemoen of Roseville; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Mark (Lori) Lillemoen and daughter, Courtney Mae of Lake Elmo and Matthew (Ann) Lillemoen and daughter, Erin of St. Paul; adopted son, Kenneth of Redwood City, CA; foster son, Bruce (Donna) Balsan of Pensacola, FL and their children, Tracy and Ian; brother, Clifford Lillemeon of Spokane WA and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Agnetta; his beloved wife, Ruth; sister, Ivydell Koeplin and brother, Harvey Lillemoen.

Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church

Service: 11 a.m. Monday at Rock Prairie Lutheran Church, rural Elbow Lake

Clergy: Rev. Dan Cole

Burial: Church cemetery

Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls
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Jeffery Saenger

Jeffery Saenger, 36, of Moorhead died Friday, May 31, 2002 near Ulen as the result of a car accident.

He was born July 9, 1965 in Minneapolis to Wilson and Mary (Heibel) Saenger. He was baptized at Holy Family Catholic Church in St. Louis Park. He moved with his family to Fergus Falls in 1972 and was confirmed at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church. He graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1983 and attended Willmar Community College and Fergus Falls Community College.

In 1986 he married Kim Lundsetter and they have three children, Trista, Taryn and Tiana. In 1999 he married Kristy Anderson and they have one son, Noah. He managed the Service Department at Fergus Motors and then worked for the Wadena Motor Company in the Service Department. He managed the Rothsay Truck Stop in Rothsay. Then he and Kristy owned and operated Yummy’s Treats & Eats at the Westridge Mall in Fergus Falls. Presently he was Management Consultant for four Cenex Convience Stores in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

He enjoyed the outdoors, bow hunting and home remodeling. He had a passion for flying and was an avid reader. He loved his children and family.

He is survived by his wife, Kristy of Moorhead; son, Noah; daughters, Trista, Taryn and Tiana; his parents, Wilson and Mary Saenger of Fergus Falls; sister, Sharon (Scott) Deibert of Batavia, IL; brother, Mark (Marla) Saenger of Big Lake; grandparents, Clara Heibel of St. Cloud, Wilson and Millie Thomas of Charleston, SC and Donald Saenger of Maple Grove; nieces, Angie, Shannon, Kelly and Kelsey; nephews, Ryan, Ian, Tyler and Bryce; mother-in-law, Janice Anderson of Erhard and sister-in-law, Kathy (Quentin) Conklin of Horace, ND. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Jennie Saenger; grandfather, Clarence Heibel and father-in-law, Dale Anderson.

Visitation: Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service

Service: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 207 Vine Street North, Fergus Falls

Clergy: Father Robert Kieffer and Sister Joyce Leibly

Burial: St. Otto’s Catholic Cemetery

Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, 301 E Washington Ave, Fergus Falls
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Myrtle Fick

Myrtle Fick, 86, of Ashby died Friday, May 31, 2002 at Lake Region Hospital in Fergus Falls.

She was born October 16, 1915 in St. Olaf Township, rural Dalton, to Theodore and Emma (Pederson) Risbrudt. She was baptized and confirmed in St. Olaf Lutheran Church and attended School District #2. She then worked for various families in the area.

On June 24, 1939 she married Herbert Fick in Ashby. They lived in Buxton, ND and St. Joseph, MN while he was employed with the railroad. They returned to the Dalton area where they made their home. She worked as a telephone operator and was an Election Judge for the City of Dalton for many years. She also worked as a cook at the Dalton School and then for Medallion Kitchens in Fergus Falls. Mr. Fick died November 2, 1968.

She was a member of Our Savior’s Ten Mile Lake Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School and was active in the Ladies groups. She enjoyed crocheting, quilting, making rugs and needlework. She also enjoyed visiting and talking on the phone. Attending her grandchildren’s activies was her greatest joy and she never missed one of their events.

She is survived by a son, Terry (Val) Fick of Ashby; three grandchildren, Kevin (Dori) Fick, Kristyn Fick and Kyle Fick all of Ashby; four great-grandchildren, Shawn, Benjamin, Hunter and Kyle and two sisters, Theoline Holo of Battle Lake and Irene Thompson of Ashby. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Herbert; brothers, Clark and Truman and sisters, Grace, Evelyn, Lorraine and LaVonne.

Visitation: Monday from 5 to 8 p.m. with a prayer service at 8 p.m. at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service at the church

Service: 11 a.m. Tuesday at Our Savior’s Ten Mile Lake Lutheran Church in Dalton

Clergy: Revs. Duke Lundeen and Wes Moir

Burial: Knollwood Memorial Gardens, Fergus Falls

Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Ashby