Obituaries, Feb. 13, 2007

PHYLLIS FLUTH, 79, of Emery, died Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007, at Freeman Medical Center, Freeman, S.D.

Born Jan. 12, 1928, in White, S.D., she was the daughter of Philip and Luella Boekholder Winkowitsch. She married Stanley Ontjes June 5, 1950. He died Feb. 19, 1971. She married Don Fluth Nov. 30, 1991.

As a young child, she moved with her family to George, Iowa, where she attended country school and graduated from George High School. She attended Westmar College for two years in LeMars, Iowa. After college, she taught first grade for three years. After her first marriage, they lived in Sheldon, Iowa, until 1957, then moved to Bridgewater, S.D. In 1967, they moved to Boyden, Iowa. In 1980, she moved to George. After her second marriage, they moved to Emery in the spring of 1992. She was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church, George, where she was involved in various women's organizations.

Surviving are her husband; three daughters, Gayle (Lyle) Moret, Littleton, Colo., Roberta (Thomas) Reuvers, Boyden, Rebecca (Richard) Click, Lone Tree, Colo.; two stepsons, Delmond (Denise) Fluth, Chamberlain, S.D., Bradley (Cheryl) Fluth, Emery; one brother, Kenneth (Kathryn) Winkowitsch, Sibley, Iowa; six grandchildren; five step grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and six step great-grandchildren.

The service will be 3 p.m. today at Tabernacle Baptist Church, George, with the Rev. Bryan Anderson officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Lawn Cemetery, George.

Bolin Funeral Service, George, is in charge of arrangements.

ARDITH KARST GUSSLER, 87, of Worthington, formerly of Rapid City and Miller, S.D., died Monday, Feb. 12, 2007, at her home.

Born Jan. 6, 1920, in Burdette Township, near Miller, S.D., she was the daughter of John and Fanny Trotman Dennis. She married Leon Karst in 1943 in Miller, S.D. He died in 1967. She married Clarence Gussler in 1969. He died in 2005.

She graduated from Miller High School in 1938. She attended St. Mary's School of Nursing in Pierre, S.D., and received her RN pin in 1941. She worked as a nurse at Hand County Hospital in Miller, the VA Hospital in Hot Springs, S.D., and Mountain View Nursing Home in Rapid City, S.D. After her first marriage, they lived in Miller until his death. After her second marriage, they lived in Rapid City until his death. They frequently spent the winters after retirement in Arizona. She was active in her church choir, serving for many years as the choir director in Miller.

Surviving are one daughter, Mary Jo (Darrell) Stitt, Worthington; one son, Dennis (Margaret) Karst, Mantorville; two stepsons, Donald (Susan) Gussler, San Diego, Calif., Jim Gussler, Sheridan, Wyo.; nine grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday at United Methodist Church, Miller.

The service will be 2 p.m. Thursday at United Methodist Church, Miller, with the Rev. David Andrews officiating. Burial will be in GAR Cemetery in Miller.

Reck Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

JOAN HARRIET ANDREWS, 86, of Slayton, died Sunday, Feb. 11, 2007, at her home.

Born Dec. 21, 1920, in Heron Lake, she was the daughter of Harris and Nancy Davis Raines. She married Gerard "Doc" Andrews Oct. 27, 1942, at St. Mary's Church in Worthington. He died Aug. 1, 1993.

She grew up in Heron Lake and graduated from Heron Lake High School in 1936. She then attended Worthington Junior College and graduated in 1938. After marriage, they lived in Worthington and she worked for Worthington State Bank. In 1952, they moved to the Slayton area and raised turkeys until 1960 when they moved into Slayton. In 1966, she started working as the secretary for the principal at Slayton High School. She retired in 1991. She continued living in Slayton. She was a member of St. Ann's Church and was active in the Catholic Daughters of America and WCCW.

Surviving are seven children, Tim (Judy) Andrews, Seattle, Wash., Pat Andrews, Pipestone, Jerry (Mary) Andrews, Duluth, Paul (Louann) Andrews, Pipestone, Marg Andrews, Slayton, Jane (Chuck) Dooley, St. Cloud, Tony Andrews, Duluth; two sisters, Carol Andersen and Mary Aida Faust, both of California; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., with a 4:30 p.m. rosary, Wednesday at Totzke Funeral Home, Slayton, and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Ann's Church, Slayton.

The service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Ann's Church, Slayton, with the Rev. Patrick Arens officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

MILDRED ELIZABETH KILEN, 93, of Lakefield, died Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007, at Colonial Manor, Lakefield.

Born Nov. 24, 1913, on her parents' farm in Hunter Township, Jackson County, she was the daughter of Charles and Inez Pepper Rouse. She married Arnold "Jockey" Kilen Aug. 26, 1934, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lakefield. He died in 1985.

She attended county school District 112 in Jackson County and later graduated from Lakefield High School in 1932. She continued her education, graduating from Lakefield Normal Training Class of 1933. She took many classes from Mankato State University over the years. She taught school in Jackson County for 34 years. The last 12 years she spent as a fifth-grade teacher at Lakefield Pleasantview School. She was named Teacher of the Year in 1972. During the first years of their marriage, they lived on a farm. They moved to Lakefield in 1938. She continued to live in Lakefield until 1991 when she moved to the Jackson Pines. In May 2005, she became a resident of Colonial Manor. She was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lakefield.

Surviving are one son, Kent (Peg) Kilen, Spirit Lake, Iowa; three daughters, Alice (Ronald) Anderson, Austin, Ardis (George) Sawaya, Colorado Springs, Colo., Ruth (Joe) Kauth, Golden Valley; one sister, Esther (Donald) Anderson, Jackson; 12 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at Fireside Room, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lakefield.

The service will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lakefield, with the Rev. Stephen Norby officiating. Burial will be in Lakefield Cemetery.

Hansen Funeral Home, Lakefield, is in charge of arrangements.

PAMELA C. STOLEN, 48, of Wilmont, died Monday, Feb. 12, 2007, at her home.

Arrangements are pending with Dingmann Funeral Home, Wilmont.

FLORENCE POTTER, 97, of Windom, formerly of Jeffers, died Monday, Feb. 12, 2007, at Sogge Good Samaritan Center, Windom.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday at LaCanne Family Funeral Home, Jeffers, and from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Friday at Jeffers United Methodist Church.

The service will be 1:30 p.m. Friday at Jeffers United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Clinton Firstbrook III officiating. Burial will be in Jeffers Cemetery.

DAVID DONALDSON, 49, of Moorhead, died Sunday, Feb. 11, 2007, at his home.

Visitation will be from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday at Christ Lutheran Church, Slayton.

The service will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Christ Lutheran Church, Slayton. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Windom.

Totzke Funeral Home, Slayton, is in charge of arrangements.

TRYGVE "TRIG" JARLE VEGGE, 89, of Luverne, died Sunday, Feb. 11, 2007, at Sanford Hospice, Luverne.

Born Aug. 9, 1917, in Rock County, he was the son of Tallak and Johanna Helle Vegge. He married Eunice Berkland. She preceded him in death.

He grew up in rural Luverne and attended District 4 West country school. He farmed and worked as a cattle buyer for Rice Brothers at the Sioux Falls Stockyards. After marriage, they moved to the family farm west of Luverne where they farmed for more than 50 years. He was a salesman for DeKalb Seed Co. and continued in cattle trading for many years. He sang in the choir and served on various committees at Grace Lutheran Church. He was a director of the Luverne Township Board, member of the Luverne Township Zoning Committee, 4-H leader, member of Augustana College Fellows, director on Rock-Nobles Cattlemen's Association Board and a director for Tuff Memorial Home Board in Hills. He was a member of the Norse Glee Club of Sioux Falls, S.D., the Agder Lagt organization and Sons of Norway.

Surviving are one son, Fred (Sara) Vegge, New Brighton; one daughter, Martha (Tom) Nelson, Sioux Falls, S.D.; one sister, Margaret Vegge, Luverne; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the new Dingmann Funeral Home, 300 N. Kniss, Luverne, and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Grace Lutheran Church, Luverne.

The service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Grace Lutheran Church, Luverne. Burial will be in Maplewood Cemetery.

ROSELLA EVELYN MAE SAMP, 85, of Alpha, died Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007, at Jackson Medical Center Hospital.

Born Nov. 25, 1921, in Brewster, she was the daughter of Uhle and Laura von Behren Ulferts. She married Clayton Moore Jan. 1, 1945, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Worthington. He died Feb. 1, 1958. She married Robert Samp Nov. 30, 1968, at Brewster Lutheran Church.

She graduated from Okabena High School in 1939 and later graduated from the School of Cosmetology in Anaheim, Calif., in 1941. After her first marriage, they lived in Brewster where she operated a beauty shop for five years. Then they moved to Kinbrae and later to Dundee, where she owned her own shop for 15 years. After her second marriage, they moved to Alpha, where she operated a beauty shop for many years from her home. She was a member of Union Stateline Lutheran Church, Petersburg, where she was a member of circles and Ladies Aid, taught Sunday school and sang in the church choir. She was a member of American Legion Auxiliary 130.

Surviving are her husband; two daughters, Carol (Harold) Visness, Rosemount, Sheila Ruesch, Longmont, Colo.; three stepdaughters, Julie (Joseph) Ilacqua, Clarendon Hills, Ill., Sheryl (Terry) Mankle, Spencer, Iowa, Marcia Bahr, Jackson; one stepson, Karl (Gail) Samp, Brainerd; one sister, Elaine Nathe, Hanover; 18 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Osterberg Funeral Home, Jackson, and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Union Stateline Lutheran Church, Petersburg.

The service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Union Stateline Lutheran Church, Petersburg, with the Rev. Gordon Syverson officiating. Burial will be in Union Stateline Cemetery, Dickinson County, Iowa.

VIRGIL LAWRENCE VASKE, 80, of Slayton, died Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007, at Our House Hospice Home, Slayton.

Born Sept. 6, 1926, in St. Kilian, he was the son of Lawrence and Margaret John Vaske. He married Dolores Almeida Oct. 25, 1947, at St. Elizabeth Church in Bristol, R.I.

He grew up on the farm and attended school in St. Kilian. He entered the U.S. Navy Nov. 9, 1945, and served in World War II on the USS J.C. Owens until he was discharged Oct. 17, 1947. After marriage, they lived on a farm near St. Kilian. They lived on the farm until they retired and moved to Slayton 25 years ago. They spent winters in Yuma, Ariz., for many years. In January, he moved to Our House Hospice Home. He was a member of St. Ann's Church, Slayton.

Surviving are his wife; one daughter, Deb (Larry) Meyer, Slayton; seven sons, Clifford (Linda) Vaske, Nicollet, Chuck Vaske, Wilmont, Cordell (Deb) Vaske, Fairmont, Randy (Mary) Vaske, Hugo, Curtis (Tammy) Vaske, Wilmont, Roger (LeAnn) Vaske, Springfield, Gary (Michellee) Vaske, Omaha, Neb.; 28 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., with a 7 p.m. prayer service, today at Totzke Funeral Home, Slayton, and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, at St. Ann's Church, Slayton.

The service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Ann's Church, Slayton, with the Rev. Patrick Arens officiating. Burial will be in St. Kilian Cemetery.