Obituaries: Rafteseth, Ahrens, Hartwig, Mrozek

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 abroken 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 atthe funeral home in SaukCentre.

KennethJeromeRaftesethwas bornMay 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 differentelementary schools. Kenneth attended the last two years ofschool in ThiefRiver 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,RCAandthenmovedontoGeneral 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 OkHardware’ until 1985. He alsodroveschoolbusfor30years,charterbus for the St. Cloud Bus Company and Mayers Bus Company ofMelrose. He enjoyed music, singingwiththevariouschoirsinMinneapolis, 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 ofAlbany; brothers and sister; Merle(Ruth) RaftesethofCrookston,Delores Harder of DeLand, Florida and Duane Rafteseth ofHawley.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents; and wife Darlene Rafteseth on September29,2017.

Arrangements were handled by PattonSchad Funeral & Cremation Services ofSauk 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 attackwhileriding 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 inSt. Bernard’s CemeteryinWardSprings.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the church in Grey Eagle.

DeanVirgilAhrens 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 TechnicalCollegein1988withanemphasis 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 nearGrey 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 cabinandwasacollectorofJohnDeere435 tractors. Dean loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren in which he adored. He loved taking them on gatorrides and watching themdance.

Survivors include his wife, Sue Ahrens of Grey Eagle; four sons, Chris (Samantha)Ahrens,MitchellAhrens,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,DeniseClifton, Dennis (Nancy) Ahrens, Donna Ringler, and Dan (Sara) Ahrens; and sister-in-law, KathyVonWahlde.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents; father and mother-in-law, Ray and RitaVonWahlde.

Arrangements were made with PattonSchad Funeral & Cremation Services of Grey Eagle.

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Night Light • Plus Much More! Milo Hartwig, 86yearoldresident 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 knowntobeagreatcook,especiallyhis 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 hewas agreathandymanthatwas willingto help others.

Milo is survived by sisters, Wilma Hedin of Swanville, MN, Elaine (Mike) Johnson of Alexandria, MN, and Gladys (John) Schultz ofLong 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,SandyMenke;nephew,CalvinHedin; 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 of74.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 oldestsister of their 10 children; 6 brothers, 3 sisters & 1 angel sister. Darlene married the love of herlife,PhilMrozekonJune15,1964.They were blessed with 56 years ofmarriage 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 ofApple Valley, MN, Netta (Jason) MrozekHodgkins&their4children of Shakopee, MN, Rae Mrozek & her 3 children of Little Falls, MN, Rory (Jessie) Mrozek& their6 children ofSartell,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.

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Kids who stutter have a lot to say, gets kindofannoying whenyou wantto and friends can show themhow in Stutsay something and you can’t. I also get tering: For Kids By Kids, a DVD in worriedwhatotherpeoplemightthinkif English and Spanish starring kids who I do stutter and wonder ifI’ll be able to stutter,availableatmostpublic libraries getoutofmy blocks and things.” orthrough interlibrary loan. “All those interestedin helping kids

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August 20, 2020: At 11:22 respondby LifeLink with serious injuries. Meled to a residence on the 27000 block of roseAmbulance,Grey Eagle Rescue,MN CountyRoad98,GreyEagleforadamage State Patrol and Petries Towing assisted to property complaint. Agarage had been with the accident. shot by a shotgun. If you have any inforAugust 24, 2020: At 11:10 David mation, please contact the Todd County Olson of rural Long Prairie reported that Sheriff’s Office. his mailbox was damaged. Anyone with

August 21, 2020: At18:06responded information is encouraged to contact the to County 13 near the Hub Supper Club Todd County Sheriff’s Office at 320-732- fora2vehicleaccident.TimothyDraxten, 2157. 56 of Long Prairie, was traveling south August 24, 2020: At 14:28 Dylan when his van left the roadway. The van Bennett appeared in Todd County Disthen traveled out ofthe ditch and collided trictCourtforapleahearingregardingthe with a Ford pickup, driven by Jason Themurder of Carol and Barry Bennett. The isen, 39 of Burtrum, traveling north on murder of Carol and Barry Bennett ocCounty 13. Theisen and his passenger recurred inAugust 2019 in rural Long Praiported minor injuries. Draxten was taken rie. DylanBennettenteredaguilty pleato totheCentraCareHospitalinLongPrairie 2counts of1stDegreeMurder.Dylanwas with minor injuries. Grey Eagle Rescue, sentenced to life in prison with no chance Long PrairieAmbulance andPetries Towofrelease. TheToddCounty Sheriff’s Ofing assisted with the accident. fice would like to thank the agencies that

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Schools Receive PPE and Local Support Sourcewell to coordinate regional distribution, serve as MDH liaison

A shipment of more than 200 cases and the Minnesota departments of health of state-allocated PPE arrived at Forestand education to monitor COVID-19 casviewMiddleSchoolinBaxteronWedneses and school response/planning throughday, Aug. 26. Sourcewell staff will sort outthe school year. the equipment, then coordinate pickup Perthis distribution: time later this week for 29 area schools. • Every K-12 studentwill receive one Schools from our area include: Swanville cloth face covering. Public School, Upsala Public School, and • Every school staff member will reLong Prairie-Grey Eagle School District. ceive one cloth face covering.

GovernorWalztaskedallnineMinne• Every school will receive three dissotaServiceCooperatives withsupporting posable face masks perstudent. theirregional schools in two ways: • Every school will receive face 1-Distribution ofstate-provided PPE. shields for all licensed teachers and 50% 2-Serve as a liaison between schools ofnon-licensed staff.

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To have agreatschool year,kids need sible forlearning,memory,and attention. to stay healthy. Healthy students arebetter Connect with kids at school and home learners. The Center for Disease Control “Adolescent connectedness” refers (CDC) has tips for parents and schools to children’s sense ofbelonging, ofbeing to help children and teens get fit and stay cared forand supported by parents, teachhealthy whether they’re just starting kiners, and other important people. Teens dergarten orheading offto high school. with higher levels of connectedness are Wash your hands less likely to experience adverse health

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Schoolagreatplacetolearnandpracdren and teens as they grow into adulttice healthy eating - a gift that keeps on hood. Making sure their children get vacgiving for a lifetime. And did you know cinatedisoneofthemostimportantthings that being physically active can help reparentscandotoprotectthehealthoftheir duce anxiety and even help with a child’s child. Vaccinations also protect a child’s focus in school? classmates, friends, relatives, and others Don’t use E-cigarettes in the community.

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