PAGE 22 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - OCTOBER 21, 2009
OBITUARIES
Florence Marion Clausen Florence Marion Clausen, 86, died on Oct. 12, 2009, at the Golden Age Manor in Amery. Florence was born in Winona, Minn., on Jan. 18, 1923, to Adolph and Emma Koshatka. At the age of 7, her family settled near Balsam Lake, where Florence attended school, and she later moved to Centuria. On March 9, 1945 Florence married Arlie Clausen, and four children were born. They made their home in Milltown, where Arlie and Florence owned and operated Clausen TV and Radio for many years. Florence was active in the Milltown Women’s Club, Commercial Club and served as a Sunday schoolteacher at Milltown Lutheran Church. Florence also worked at the United Pioneer Nursing Home in Luck, for a number of years. After their retirement, Florence and Arlie enjoyed spending winters in Harlingen, Texas. Following Arlie’s death in 1988, Florence moved to Harlingen. In recent years, she was a resident of Golden Age Manor and Anita’s Garden in Port Washington. Florence was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; four brothers; and great-granddaughter, Leah Clausen. Florence is survived by her children, Linda (Mark) Lesar of Port Washington, Mary (Mike) Betz, La Crosse, Laura Behling, and Dave (Sue) Clausen, Amery; seven grandchildren, Andrew Clausen, Matthew Clausen, Thane Nelson, Nicholas Theisen, Lukus Theisen, Lee Behling and Margaret Behling; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Amery on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009, 11 a.m., with Pastor Keith Ruehlow officiating. Pallbearers for the service were Florence’s grandchildren. Interment was at Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Milltown. Memorials are preferred to Golden Age Manor. The Williamson-White Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Amery were entrusted with the arrangements.
Donald Ernest McLeod
John Andrew Okerstrom, Webster, died Oct. 10, 2009. He was 77 years old. John was born on Jan. 22, 1932, to Roy and Ellen (Olson) Okerstrom in Ashland. At the young age of 5, he lost his mother in a car accident. His father remarried two years later to Bernice Brastad, who he adored and loved. John attended elementary and high school in Bayfield, where his parents operated the original Bayfield Inn on Lake Superior. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Wisconsin State College - Superior in 1954 and also completed Air Force ROTC. His first job after college was teaching history and coaching basketball at Bayfield High School prior to serving in the United States Air Force. John earned his pilot’s wings as a jet pilot and while in the service he met Sharon, his wife of 52 years. Soon after his honorable discharge and marriage on Dec. 8, 1957, he and Sharon moved back to Bayfield, where they managed the Bayfield Inn and John began his hotel management career. It was also then that they started their family that would ultimately grow to five children - Jon, Thomas (Sue), David (Vicki), Ellen (Tom Nelson) and Norman (Kim). John and Sharon, with kids in tow, moved from northern Wisconsin to the Twin Cities where he was employed at the Curtis Hotel. He progressively moved up to manage the Hopkins House, Hopkins House - Golden Valley and Breezy Point Resort in Brainerd, Minn., which, at the time, were all under one ownership. Their next move came when John was offered the position of vice president of the Sheraton in Madison. Two years later, John was offered the opportunity to build, from the ground up, a new hotel and to serve as the general manager of the Sheraton Northwest located in Brooklyn Park, Minn. He received many awards including Manager of the Year for all Sheraton franchises. Although he enjoyed this recognition, he was quick to point out that his leadership team and every employee could take credit for these accomplishments. John served on many civic and community organizations in both the Twin Cities and in Webster. He loved the outdoors and cheering his kids and grandkids on with their numerous activities. After retiring in 1995, John and Sharon moved to their lake cabin on Johnson Lake where he cherished times watching his kids, grandkids and friends celebrating life on the lake. John was preceded in death by his father Roy, mothers Ellen and Bernie, and an infant sister, Christine. He is survived by his wife Sharon, his five children, nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, his brother, R. Theodore (Shirley) Okerstrom of Traverse City, Mich.; special cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. He is also survived by nine canine friends whom he also adored. Funeral services were held Saturday, Oct. 17, at Yellow Lake Lutheran Church with Pastor Doug Olson officiating. Music was provided by organist Annette Arnold and soloists, Pat Taylor and John’s niece, Susan Cole. Interment followed at the Oakland Cemetery in Oakland Township. Casket bearers were his grandsons, Andy Okerstrom, Teddy Okerstrom, T.J. Okerstrom and Tyler Nelson, and friends, Marty Proops and Sunny Munson. Military honors were provided by the Wisconsin State Honor Guard Team of Spooner. The Swedberg-Taylor Family Funeral Home, Webster, was entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.swedbergtaylor.com.
Faye M. (Hovda) Espeseth, 91, Prairie Farm, died Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009, at the Pioneer Nursing Home in Prairie Farm. Faye Marie Espeseth was born on April 19, 1918, in Vance Creek Township, Barron County, the daughter of Glen and Laura (Gale) Hovda. She was baptized at the Reeve Church, grew up in the Vance Creek area and graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1935. Faye attended the State Teachers College at Steven’s Point and began teaching at the Breen Country School at Prairie Farm in 1937. On March 21, 1940, she was married to Bennie L. Espeseth in Stillwater, Minn. Faye put her teaching career on hold to help Bennie farm and to raise their five children, Donald, Richard, Ann Marie, Mae and Robert. In 1960, Faye began teaching again in Prairie Farm and worked as the elementary school principal there. Also during this time, she attended college and received a Bachelor of Science degree from River Falls. She then moved to South St. Paul, Minn., and taught school at Inver Grove Heights, while at the same time attending the University of Minnesota, where she received a master's degree. Faye continued to work and teach until her retirement. She returned to Prairie Farm and was an active member of the Reeve Evangelical Free Church. In her spare time, Faye enjoyed reading, gardening and entertaining. She loved being around people, socializing with friends and family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bennie Espeseth; parents, Laura (Gale) and Glen Hovda; son, Robert Ben Espeseth; great-grandsons, Jackson Ben Espeseth and Elijah Gale; three sisters, Doris (Thomas) Blahoski, Phyllis (Fred) Olson and Beatrice (Vernon) Saterly. She is survived by sons and daughters, Donald (Eleanor) Espeseth of Huntley, Ill., Richard (Cathy) Espeseth of South St. Paul, Minn., Ann Marie Gale of New Richmond and Mae Irene (Gary) Osterbauer of New Richmond; daughter-in-law, Bonnie (Kahl) Krahenbuhl; grandchildren, Eric (Marla) Espeseth, Bethany Espeseth, Michael (Michelle) Espeseth, Nicole (David) Croft, James (Liesa) Espeseth, Emily Osterbauer, Sean Gale, Brian (Jessica) Gale and Matthew Owczarek; 15 great-grandchildren; one great-greatgranddaughter; stepmother, Florence Hovda; stepsisters, Janet (Mike) Day and Kay (Marlin) Bergerson; sisters, Verva (Richard) Brohmer and Lilias (Clyde) Winegar; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral service was at the Reeve Evangelical Free Church at Reeve, on Monday, Oct. 19. Clergy was the Rev. Todd Groat. Organist was Nancy Bergmann with Becky Hedstrom as the soloist. Casket bearers were Eric Espeseth, James Espeseth, Michael Espeseth, Matthew Owczarek, Sean Gale and Brian Gale. Interment was at the Reeve Cemetery in Reeve. Scheuermann-Hammer Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Clear Lake were entrusted with arrangements.
EDLING FUNERAL HOME Serving our community since 1903.
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715-463-2994
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Donald Ernest McLeod, 90, St. Croix Falls, died on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009, at United Hospital, St. Paul, Minn., surrounded by his loving family. Funeral service will be held on Friday, Oct. 23, at 11 a.m., at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Centuria. The family will greet visitors at the Kolstad Family Funeral Home, Centuria, on Thursday, Oct. 22, from 4 to 7 p.m., and on Friday, Oct. 23, at the church for one hour prior to the service. Donald will be laid to rest at the Balsam Lake Cemetery following the funeral service. A luncheon will be served at the church following the cemetery service and the family wishes to invite their guests for the meal and fellowship. A complete obituary will appear in a future edition of this newspaper. Online condolences may be expressed at www.kolstadfamilyfuneralhome.com. Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Centuria has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Faye M. (Hovda) Espeseth
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Judith R. Wolfe, “Judie,” 69, Luck/Milltown, died at Frederic Nursing and Rehab in Frederic, after a short battle with cancer, on Oct. 15, 2009. Judie was born Dec. 22, 1939, in Menomonie, to Raymond and Edna Kamish. She married Delmar Wolfe in 1959 and they moved to Beloit for his employment at General Motors. Judie spent more than 25 years as a waitress and bartender in the Greater Beloit area where she met many people and made wonderful friends. Del died in 1992 and in 1999, she, her daughter Missy and grandson Zachary moved to Milltown. Here Judie enjoyed “God’s Country” and met and made many more dear friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Raymond Kamish; sister, Virginia Kamish; daughter, Lynda Burbey and grandson, Zachary Wolfe. She is survived by her mother, Edna Brieley, Menomonie; brother, David (Elizabeth) Kamish, Michigan; son, David (Janan) Wolfe, Indiana; daughter, Melissa (Danny) Horky, Luck; grandsons, Curtis and Colten; granddaughters, Caylissa and Jenna; nieces, nephews and many, many friends. Judie’s final resting place will be in spring 2010 at Haustrup Cemetery with her darling grandson, Zach. Northwest Wisconsin Cremation Center in Milltown was entrusted with arrangements.
John Andrew Okerstrom
498694 9L
Judith “Judie” R. Wolfe
715-483-3141