Hometown News • Thursday, August 27, 2020 • Page 5
Obituaries
Kenneth J. Rafteseth
Kenneth J. Rafteseth, age 92, of Sauk Centre, died on Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at the St Cloud Hospital in St Cloud, Minnesota; after suffering from a broken hip. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, August 27 at Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre with Rev. Becky Thomas officiating. Interment will follow at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls, Minnesota. Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home in Sauk Centre. Kenneth Jerome Rafteseth was born May 16, 1928 in Thief River Falls, Minnesota to Hjalmer and Nellie (Wiseth) Rafteseth. His mother passed away when he was 8 ½ years old and he was brought up in various foster homes, attending several different elementary schools. Kenneth attended the last two years of school in Thief River Falls, Minnesota and graduated in 1948. Kenneth was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls on July 8, 1928 and was confirmed at Holt Lutheran Church in Holt, Minnesota. He served in the United States Army from 1951 to 1953 and then attended the Northwest Electronic School in Minneapolis. He installed and repaired mobile radios for Motorola, RCA and then moved on to General Electric, repairing small appliances. Kenneth married Darlene Zarbok of Parkers Prairie on April 11, 1959 at Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria, Minnesota. In 1973, they purchased a hardware store in Sauk Centre and it was known as ‘Ken’s Ok Hardware’. Kenneth, Darlene, and family operated ‘Ken’s Ok Hardware’ until 1985. He also drove school bus for 30 years, charter bus for the St. Cloud Bus Company and Mayers Bus Company of Melrose. He enjoyed music, singing with the various choirs in Minneapolis, a barbershop group in Alexandria, and the choir at First Lutheran Church. Kenneth’s favorite was the ‘jam’ sessions with various friends playing his electric steel guitar. Survivors include his son, Dale (Kelly) Rafteseth of Albany; daughter, Donna Rafteseth of Hendersonville, North Carolina; grandsons, Adam Rafteseth and Matthew Rafteseth both of Albany; brothers and sister; Merle (Ruth) Rafteseth of Crookston, Delores Harder of DeLand, Florida and Duane Rafteseth of Hawley. Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents; and wife Darlene Rafteseth on September 29, 2017. Arrangements were handled by PattonSchad Funeral & Cremation Services of Sauk Centre.
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Dean V. Ahrens
Dean V. Ahrens, age 53 of Grey Eagle, died at the St. Cloud Hospital after having a heart attack while riding his motorcycle on Sunday, August 23, 2020. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 29 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Grey Eagle with Rev. Ron Dockendorf officiating. Interment will be in St. Bernard’s Cemetery in Ward Springs. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the church in Grey Eagle. Dean Virgil Ahrens was born February 17, 1967 in Sauk Centre, Minnesota to William and Darlene (Jacobs) Ahrens. He graduated from Sauk Centre High School in 1985 and graduated from Alexandria Technical College in 1988 with an emphasis in Diesel Mechanics. He was united in marriage to Susan “Sue” Von Wahlde on November 28, 1987 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. Dean worked at Jures Repair in Wadena for two years and then purchased the farm where he raised his family near Grey Eagle. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Grey Eagle. Dean enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, riding motorcycles and snowmobiles, going on family vacations, spending time at the cabin and was a collector of John Deere 435 tractors. Dean loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren in which he adored. He loved taking them on gator rides and watching them dance. Survivors include his wife, Sue Ahrens of Grey Eagle; four sons, Chris (Samantha) Ahrens, Mitchell Ahrens, Tyler (Tina Bauer) Ahrens, and Douglas Ahrens; grandchildren, Amelia, Emmera, Aubrey, Everett, Adaley, and Everly Ahrens; brothers and sisters, Deborah (Joseph) Tauer, Dale (Patsy) Ahrens, Denise Clifton, Dennis (Nancy) Ahrens, Donna Ringler, and Dan (Sara) Ahrens; and sister-in-law, Kathy Von Wahlde. Dean was preceded in death by his parents; father and mother-in-law, Ray and Rita Von Wahlde. Arrangements were made with PattonSchad Funeral & Cremation Services of Grey Eagle.
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Milo Hartwig
Milo Hartwig, 86 year old resident of Swanville, MN, passed away Wednesday, August 19, 2020, at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, MN. A Christian Burial was held Tuesday, August 25, 2020, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Swanville, MN, with Pastor Kevin Zellers officiating. Burial took place in Springbrook Cemetery in Swanville, MN. Arrangements were with the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Swanville, MN. Milo was born on December 17, 1933, to the late William and Emma (Strom) Hartwig in Swanville, MN. He attended School District #91. He entered the U.S. Army in 1957, and was honorably discharged. Milo started a career in long haul trucking working with Janesville Auto in Dilworth, MN, until transferring to Janesville, WI, where he lived until retiring in the late 1990’s and moved to a farm in Swanville, MN. He enjoyed taking care of his farm yard and growing sweet corn. Milo rented out the remaining crop land to local farmers. In his free time, visiting with family and friends was his favorite. Milo was known to be a great cook, especially his potato sausage. It was not odd to find him with a bowl of ice-cream. He also could be found working on small projects in his wood shop, and helping fix anything else as he was a great handyman that was willing to help others. Milo is survived by sisters, Wilma Hedin of Swanville, MN, Elaine (Mike) Johnson of Alexandria, MN, and Gladys (John) Schultz of Long Prairie, MN; nieces and nephews, Kathy Van Norman, Allen Hedin, Craig (Sue) Johnson, Connie (Scott) Zuther, Kurt (Tabitha) Schultz, and Kent Schultz. Milo was preceded in death by parents; niece, Sandy Menke; nephew, Calvin Hedin; grand-nephew, Matthew Hedin; and close friend, Lucille Dehn.
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Darlene C. (Spieker) Mrozek
Darlene C. (Spieker) Mrozek, entered her eternal life on Monday, August 24, 2020 at her home surrounded by her loving husband & family at the young age of 74. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, September 1, 2020 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls, MN with Father Joseph Herzing officiating. Burial will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls, MN. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 PM on Monday at the Shelley Funeral Chapel and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church. Her faithful journey began on June 2, 1946 in Bertha, MN to Gerald and Anna (Schmidt) Spieker. She was the oldest sister of their 10 children; 6 brothers, 3 sisters & 1 angel sister. Darlene married the love of her life, Phil Mrozek on June 15, 1964. They were blessed with 56 years of marriage and together they had 5 beautiful children and raised them in their hometown of Little Falls, MN. Becca Mrozek-Scott of Apple Valley, MN, Roberta (Chuck) Tichy & their 6 children of Apple Valley, MN, Netta (Jason) Mrozek Hodgkins & their 4 children of Shakopee, MN, Rae Mrozek & her 3 children of Little Falls, MN, Rory (Jessie) Mrozek & their 6 children of Sartell, MN. Her interests included reading, camping, quilting, cooking & spending precious time with her family. She was a devoted Catholic and an active member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church. Darlene’s love of children showed throughout her 40 years of childcare. She was greeted in heaven by her loving parents and infant sister, Geraldine. 24 HOUR SERVICE • Well Drilling - Residential / Commercial • Well Service / Maintenance • Pump Sales & Service (Jet / Submersible) • Water Treatment & Conditioning • Water Softeners / Salt • Irrigation / Geo-Thermal Drilling Melrose, MN
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