September 2001

Friday, September 28, 2001
Peterson, Myrtle A.

Saturday, September 15, 2001
Combs, Gerald (Jerry) H.

Thursday, September 13, 2001
Nelson, Ethel M.

Monday, September 10, 2001
Palm, Gordon O.

Sunday, September 9, 2001
Spanswick, Clella B.

Tuesday, September 4, 2001
Sandberg, James H.
Anderson, Olga

Thursday, August 2, 2001
Larson, Ann

Ann Larson

Because of the recent tragedy out East and the inability of family members to attend, the memorial service for Ann Larson, which was scheduled for this coming Sunday in Evansville, has been cancelled. There will be a private graveside service at a later date.

Ann Takako Larson, a resident of Dunkirk, MD died Thursday, August 2, 2001 at her daughter’s home in Bowie, MD.

She was born March 19, 1932 in Kyushu, Japan, the daughter of Katshtoshi and Hamae Abe. She spent her early years in Japan and Korea where she graduated with top honors in high school. She was a trained professional seamstress and after graduation she opened a tailor shop where she designed and made special order clothing.

In 1956 she met and married Lee Scott Larson from Evansville while he was in the Army and stationed in Japan. From 1964 to 1973 the couple lived in Honolulu, Hawaii where Mr. Larson continued his career in the Army and she returned to school to become a registered nurse. After 1973 they relocated to Dunkirk, MD where she worked as an ICU and CCU nurse until 1983 when she started a new career as an entrepreneur and opened Katherine’s of Old Town, a bridal salon in Northern Virginia. She retired in February 2000 and spent her time traveling, gardening and enjoying her family.

She is survived by two brothers, Hidenori and Kengi Abe and their sister, Fujiko Abe from Fuokokuoku-ken, Japan; a daughter, Katherine (Andy) Gotsis and their two children, Sam and George from Bowie, MD; a son, John (Julie) Larson and their three children, Scott, Brooke and Brandon from Alexandria, VA; her mother-in-law, Mary Tetzlaff and her two daughters, Lucia McNabb and Janie (Terry) Torgrimson of Evansville. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Lee Scott Larson.

Family Gathering: Sunday from 1 to 2 p.m. at funeral home
Memorial Service: 2 p.m. Sunday, 9-16-01, at the Nilson Funeral Home in Evansville
Clergy: Rev. Wm O. Gilbert III
Burial: Mound Grove Cemetery, Evansville
Funeral Home: Glende-Johnson-Nelson & Nilson of Evansville
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James H. Sandberg

James H. Sandberg, 97, of Evansville died Tuesday, September 4, 2001 at the Crestview Manor Nursing Home in Evansville.

He was born December 3, 1903 in Elbow Lake the son of Swedish immigrant parents, John and Anna (Johnson) Sandberg. He graduated from School District 47 near Barrett and then went to work for Albert Retzlaff and Sons near Cooperstown, ND as a mechanic. He later enrolled at the Sweeney Auto & Tractor School at Kansas City, MO and then worked at the Jake Leis Garage in Elbow Lake for several years. In 1927 he accepted a job as mechanic at the Evansville Auto Co, where they sold Chrysler, DeSoto and Plymouth cars, and in 1933 he purchased the business.

While still having his car sales and service he took on the full line of Minneapolis-Moline farm machinery and tractors in 1939. In 1954 he purchased a farm near Evansville which he stated was for the sole purpose of a family operation to keep his three sons busy when they were in school and to teach them about the labors of farm life, preparing and saving for a college education. He sold his business in the 1960's but continued to farm until 1976.

On June 23, 1935 he married Mildred Olson at Barrett. He was a member of the originial Immanuel Lutheran Church, which is now Faith Lutheran, where he served on the church council and taught Sunday School. He was a former member of the Evansville City Council and Volunteer Fire Department. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and was also a Minnesota Twin’s fan.

He is survived by his wife, Mildred Beatrice of Evansville; sons, Harlan (Judy) Sandberg of New Hope and Bruce Sandberg of Farmington; daughter-in-law, Linda Sandberg Plummer of Austin, TX; grandchildren, Stacey Wickman, Betsy Borseth, Molly Sandberg, Brian Sandberg, Erik Sandberg, Jaclyn Sandberg Plummer and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Lee Stewart Sandberg.

Service: Was 10:30 a.m. Saturday, 9-8-01, at Faith Lutheran Church in Evansville
Clergy: Rev. Irving J. Arnquist
Burial: Mound Grove Cemetery, Evansville
Funeral Home: Glende-Johnson-Nelson & Nilson of Evansville
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Olga Anderson

Olga Anderson, 91, of Evansville died Tuesday, September 4, 2001 at Crestview Manor Nursing Home in Evansville.

She was born July 11, 1910 in Eagle Lake Township, rural Ashby, MN, the daughter of Ludvig and Annie Runningen Walseth. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and was raised in the Ashby area. She attended country school and worked for a while in Blue Earth.

She married Mercel Edwin Anderson on December 1, 1931 in Fergus Falls. After their marriage they settled into married life on the home farm south of Ashby. She had been a resident of the Crestview Manor Nursing Home for the past five years.

She was a member of Peace Lutheran Church. She loved to draw farm animals, birds and all types of wildlife. She enjoyed flowers and gardening.

She is survived by one daughter, Corrine (Floyd) Fairchild of Soldotna, Alaska; one son, Floyd (Linda) Anderson of Ashby; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Mercel; one infant son; infant twin girls; her parents, Ludvig and Annie Walseth; brothers and sisters and her last surviving sister, Alice Pikop, who recently passed away last July.

Visitation: One hour prior to the service
Service: 10 a.m. Saturday at Peace Lutheran Church in Ashby
Clergy: Rev. Carol Olson
Burial: Pelican Lake Cemetery, Ashby
Funeral Home: Glende-Johnson-Nelson & Nilson of Ashby
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Clella B. Spanswick

Clella B. Spanswick, 91, of Fergus Falls died Sunday evening, September 9, 2001 at Lake Region Hospital.

She was born June 13, 1910 in Moville, Iowa to Adam and Zella (Black) Andrews. She attended school through the eighth grade in Rothsay and then moved with her family to Foxhome.

On August 11, 1931 she married Walter Beryl Seelye. They were divorced and he died in September of 1970. On July 4, 1960 she married William Spanswick. He died in September of 1986. She was a homemaker in the home and also was employed at Star Laundry & Dry Cleaners for 29 years. After her retirement she and William enjoyed traveling to different states during the winter months.

She is survived by a daughter, Shirley (James) Sha of Fergus Falls; five grandchildren, Connie, Vincent, Christi, Bruce and Colleen; nine great-grandchildren; seven step-children and their families; a brother, Jay (Betty) Andrews of Albuquerque, NM; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; both her husbands; brothers, Roy, Robert, Donald and Verl and one granddaughter, Karen Sha Simpson.

Visitation: One hour prior to the service
Service: 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Nilson Funeral Home in Battle Lake
Clergy: Rev. Ed Starkey
Burial: Girard Union Cemetery, rural Henning
Funeral Home: Glende-Johnson-Nelson & Nilson of Battle Lake
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Gordon O. Palm

Gordon O. Palm, 82, of Ashby died Monday, September 10, 2001 at Lake Region Hospital.

He was born September 9, 1919 in Eagle Lake Township, Otter Tail County the son of Eric and Carla (Langlie) Palm. He was baptized and confirmed at Grue Lutheran Church near Ashby. After his schooling he joined the Forestry Service working in Northern Minnesota and also in the state of Washington. In 1941 he was drafted into the Army serving with the 34th Infantry Division. He received his basic training in Louisiana, Florida and Fort Dix, NJ after which he was sent overseas.

One year was spent in training in north Ireland. Then he was sent to north Africa, where he served as Honor Guard for General Eisenhower. Later he went to Italy where he rejoined the 34th Division and was in combat throughout the remainder of the war. He was awarded the Purple Heart. He received a Battle Field Commission as 2nd Lieutenant while serving in Italy. Later he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. He served three and a half years overseas.

Upon his return home, he purchased the Red Owl Grocery Store in Ashby. On January 1, 1946 he married Irene Evavold Hodnefield. After operating the store for several years they sold and moved to Bend, OR where he worked for Shevlin-Pine Lumber Co. Later they returned to Ashby where they owned and operated a service station and garage for eight years. In 1956 they sold their Standard Oil business and moved to Anaheim, CA where they went into the apartment house business both in Anaheim and Orange, CA. He also worked for Age Engineering and Hyer Hardware Co. for several years. He was then employed at Anaheim Post Office for 18 years.

While living in California they were members of the Garden Grove Church. After retiring from the Post Office and selling their apartments, they moved to Kauai, HI where their son and family lived. They were members of the United Church of Christ where Gordon served on the council and was also an active volunteer in the maintenance of the church and the pre-school.

He enjoyed gardening and traveling overseas to various countries. In 1986 they sold their home and moved back to Ashby. They spent summers in Ashby and traveled to southern states for the winter. In 1992 they moved to Branson, MO for four years, then back to Ashby. They wintered in Kauai near their family in 1998 and 1999.

He is survived by his wife, Irene; daughter-in-law, Nancy Hodnefield; granddaughter, Jan; grandson, Eric and wife, Donna and great granddaughter, Trudy all of Hawaii; three sisters, Juline Lascinski of Rogue River, OR, Eva Risbrudt of Dalton and Kathleen Frye of Tacoma, WA; three sisters-in-law, Marian Palm of Ashby, Virginia Palm of Sun City, AZ, Esther Palm of Detroit Lakes and 28 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a step-son, Jerald Hodnefield of Kauai, HI; three brothers, Erwin, Walter and Robert; three sisters, Blenda Klimp, Hazel Lystrom and Norma Davidson; a niece, Betty Herness and three nephews, Michael larson, Dan Risbrudt and Jon Palm.

Visitation: Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at Nilson Funeral Home in Ashby and one hour prior to the service
Service: 2 p.m. Sunday at Grue Lutheran Church, rural Ashby
Clergy: Rev. Carol Olson
Burial: Church Cemetery with Military Rites by Peterson-Tripp American Legion Post 357 of Ashby
Funeral Home: Glende-Johnson-Nelson & Nilson of Ashby
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Ethel M. Nelson

Ethel M. Nelson, 87, of Ashby died Thursday, September 13, 2001 at the ELEAH Medical Center in Elbow Lake.

She was born December 3, 1913 to Bernard and Bertha (Kunze) Graff in Worthington, MN where she grew up and attended school. She married LeMer "Lee" Nelson in Worthington. They lived in Adrian until moving to Ashby where they purchased the Ashby Motel & Resort in the early 1950's and operated until 1959. They then purchased a farm north of Ashby where they lived and Mr. Nelson farmed.

She worked for Runningens Fur Company for a number of years. Mr. Nelson died in 1969 and in 1973 she moved to Ashby and became the first resident of the Ashby Apartments. She then worked with her son, Doug and his wife, Marlene, at the Standard Station and Restaurant.

She loved reading, watching Jeopardy and the Minnesota Vikings and playing bingo. She especially enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is survived by two daughters-in-law, Marlene Nelson and Delores Nelson both of Ashby; five grandchildren, Troy Nelson, Jacqueline Huseth, Tony Nelson, Denise Herness and Casey Nelson; six great-grandchildren, Curtis Huseth, Samantha Herness, Spencer Herness, Nicole Nelson, Trent Nelson and Jacqueline Nelson; three sisters, Sophia Graf of Worthington, Caroline Kolb of Souix Falls, SD and Gladys Orris of California and a sister-in-law, Etoyle Nelson. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lee; sons, Doug and John (Jack); brothers, Roy and Edward Graff and sister, Martha Rogers.

Graveside Service: To be held at a later date at the Adrian Cemetery, Adrian, MN
Funeral Home: Glende-Johnson-Nelson & Nilson of Ashby - 218-736-7064
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Gerald (Jerry) H. Combs

Gerald (Jerry) H. Combs, 63, of Battle Lake died Saturday, September 15, 2001 at Lake Region Hospital.

He was born August 30, 1938 in Minneapolis. He was raised by his grandparents, Herbert and Cora Heinecke on a farm by Buffalo Lake. He attended rural school at Buffalo Lake graduating from Buffalo Lake High School in 1957. After his grandfather’s death he worked at the Hector Mirror newspaper. On September 7, 1961 he entered the U.S. Air Force. He was in Security Police and then transferred to the Transportation Squadron working in Reports and Analysis.

He married Karen Evenson April 28, 1962 at the First Lutheran Church in Hector. During his Air Force career they lived in Kansas, Arkansas, Guam and Washington. He served in Viet Nam from December of 1970 returning in January of 1972. After his return he was stationed in California, Germany, Italy, Colorado and Korea. He retired from the Air Force June 2, 1982 with numerous decorations from his military service. He and his family then moved to Battle Lake where he has been a DHIA field representative from April 1983 until the present.

He was a member of the Trefoldighed Lutheran Church where he did cemetery caretaking for several years. In high school he played football, was a state wrestler and also boxed. He enjoyed horseback riding, loved to swim and had been a member of a ski team. He also enjoyed motorcycles, cars, fishing and waterskiing. He especially enjoyed time spent with his children and grandchildren and coffee times with his wife.

He is survived by his wife, Karen; one daughter, Deborah (Timothy) Long of Alexandria; two sons, Daniel (Linda) Combs of Fergus Falls and Brian (Betsy) Combs of Little Rock, AR; 10 grandchildren, Angelica, Andrew, Daniel, Timothy, Thomas, Zachary, Victoria, Benjamin, Theodore and Brynn. He was preceded in death by his mother and step-father, Gladys and Charles Mackenzie; grandparents, Herbert and Cora Heinecke; mother and father-in-law, Minnie and Martin Evenson.

Visitation: There will be no visitation or reviewal
Service: Graveside service 2 p.m. Wednesday at Trefoldighed Lutheran Cemetery, rural Battle Lake with military rites by Memorial Color Guard and Rifle Squad, Harold T. Swenson VFW Post 612 of Fergus Falls
Clergy: Rev. George Dahl
Funeral Home: Glende-Johnson-Nelson & Nilson of Battle Lake
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Myrtle A. Peterson

Myrtle A. Peterson, 94, of Battle Lake died Friday, September 28, 2001 at Lake Region Hospital.

She was born March 11, 1907 in Thief River Falls, MN to Hans and Almida (Swanson) Johnson. She was baptized and confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls and graduated from Lincoln High School at Thief River Falls in 1927. She attended Moorhead Teachers College where she received her Elementary Education Certificate.

Her teaching career which spanned 52 years began in rural schools and she also taught in Vining, Henning and Ottertail. She did substitute teaching in Battle Lake School for 12 years retiring in 1972 .She touched many young lives and there are many persons who remember having her for a teacher.After her retirement she sold Avon Products for over 29 years until just two months ago.

She was united in marriage to Edgar O. Peterson in 1934 at Fergus Falls. They made their home in Henning for a short time before moving to Battle Lake. Mr. Peterson passed away July 8, 1969. She was presently residing at the Battle Lake Good Samaritan Center.

She was a member of First Lutheran Church where she was active in Circle along with holding several church offices. She also taught both Bible and Sunday School. She was a member of the Sons of Norway and served as Secretary/Treasurer of the Battle Lake Senior Citizens Center for several years. She was life member of the Teachers Retirement Association of Minnesota. She enjoyed gardening, baking and crocheting.

She is survived by one daughter, Joyce (Richard) Gunderson of Moorhead; two grandchildren, Steven (Connie) Gunderson of Fargo, ND and Dean Gunderson of Plymouth, MN; two great-grandchildren, Ashley Gunderson and Adam Gunderson of Fargo, ND; one sister, Ida (Curdis) Nelson of Thief River Falls, MN and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brothers, Ernest, Hilman and Morris Johnson and two sisters, Harriet Peterson and Esther Peterson.

Visitation: Monday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Nilson Funeral Home in Battle Lake and one hour prior to the service at the church
Service: 1 p.m. Tuesday at First Lutheran Church, Battle Lake
Clergy: Rev. George Dahl
Burial: Church Cemetery
Funeral Home: Glende-Johnson-Nelson & Nilson of Battle Lake