Roger Van Dorn Phillips

The Rev. Roger Van Dorn Phillips passed away peacefully with his family at his side on May 22nd following a brief illness from an aggressive Lymphoma at the age of 85.

Roger was born to Dr. Roger E. Phillips and Maud “Larrie” Larkin Phillips on October 8, 1937 in Philipsburg, PA. After graduating from Edgewater High School in 1955 and the University of Florida in 1959, he taught Social Studies at Colonial High School. Roger was commissioned a Naval officer in 1962, was captain of two LSTs in Vietnam, and left the Navy in 1971. He met his wife Rosemary singing in the Virginia Beach Civic Chorus in 1970, a hobby they both enjoyed up until October 2022. After returning to Orlando, Roger became a Certified Property Manager and in 1984 he and Rosemary formed AttwoodPhillips, Inc., which they owned until retirement in 2007. They bought a lake home on Big Birch Lake in Minnesota in 1989 where they would eventually spend six months of the year. Roger was ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church in Minnesota in 2004 and served at The Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan while at the lake and supplied at various parishes in the Diocese of Central Florida during the winter months.

Roger is survived by his loving wife Rosemary Burger Phillips, his sister Amy Phillips Grant; son Michael Ford (Melissa); daughters Kelly Best (Joe) and Lisa Eberlein; grandchildren Kinsley, Carson and Brynna Ford; Sean (Victoria) and Kevin (Jessica) Best; Ford (Abby) and Stella Eberlein; Will (Carissa) Simmons; William Simmons; and Seth (Rachel) Simmons; great grandchildren Ash and Ian Best, as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Marian Phillips Simmons; son-in-law Martin Bradford Cox; grandson Nolan Patrick Best; granddaughter Brielle Caroline Ford; sister-in-law Sandra Burger; brother-in-law Richard Grant; brother-in-law John Burger; and nephew-in-law Daniel Burger.

A memorial service will take place at The Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan, 529 Mains Street South in Sauk Centre, MN on Saturday, July 29th at 11 am. Memorial contributions may be made to The Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan or to the Big Birch Lake Association.

Eunice G. Lentz

Mildred Ann Taylor

Eunice G.

Lentz, 95 year old resident of Little Falls, formerly of Swanville, passed away Monday, July 3, 2023, surrounded by loved ones at St. Otto's Care Center in Little Falls. A funeral service was held on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Swanville, MN with Pastor Kevin Zellers officiating. Burial took place in St. Peter's Cemetery. Caring for Eunice and her family was the Shelley Funeral Chapel of Swanville.

Eunice Gwendolyn Johnson was born on November 7, 1927 to Iver and Gertie (Jorgenson) Johnson in Morrison County, Minnesota. Eunice attended school in Swanville where she met the love of her life, Fredrick (Fred) Lentz. Eunice worked for the Swanville Public School District as an administrative assistant to the superintendent. Eunice and Fred were joined in holy matrimony on November 24, 1951, at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Upsala, MN. Their love story lasted 69 years before Fred passed away in August of 2021. They had four children: Richard, Elaine, Kenneth, and Jean. In May of 1954, Eunice and Fred settled on Fred’s family’s farm. Together Eunice and Fred worked on the family farm until March of 1990. Eunice also worked at the Swanville Creamery. Once they retired from the farm, Fred and Eunice had homes in both Burtrum on Long Lake and Long Prairie, MN. Additionally, they resided at Bridgeway Estates in Little Falls, MN. Eunice was kindhearted and was always willing to lend a helping hand. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was an avid gardener and took pride in her raspberry patch. She was known for her homemade buns, as they were always requested at family gatherings. She enjoyed winters in Texas, traveling the country, card games, sewing, and watching Days of Our Lives. Eunice and Fred spent many hours on Sunday drives where they would enjoy ice cream cones and stop to visit with family and friends. Eunice was extremely patriotic and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She was also a devoted Christian throughout her life. She taught Wednesday religion classes for 1st grade and assisted with vacation bible school at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Swanville, MN.

Eunice is survived by her son, Kenneth (Leann), Oronoco, MN; daughter Jean (John) Schulte, Burtrum, MN; daughter-in-law, Mary Lentz, Onamia, MN; son-in-law, Wayne Skinner, Oseola, WI; brother-in-law, Duane (Pat) Lentz, Burtrum MN; brother-in-law, Robert (Gen) Thieschafer; 12 grandchildren and 28 greatgrandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred; father, Iver and mother, Gertie; son, Richard and daughter, Elaine Skinner; grandson, Adam Lentz; brother, Marvin Johnson and wife, Rosella Johnson; sisters, Delores Knoll and her husbands, Walter Knoll and Loren Gunderson, Helen Keller and her husband, Howard Keller, and Erma Thieschafer.

The Mass of Christian Burial, a celebration of life, for Mildred Ann Taylor, will be Monday, July 17, 2023, at 11 AM at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Grey Eagle, MN. Burial will be at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Camp Ripley, Little Falls, MN. Mildred passed away on July 4, 2023, at Melrose Care Center, Melrose, MN. Arrangements by Miller-Carlin Funeral Homes, Albany, MN.

Mildred was born on October 7, 1931, in Stark, MN to Michael and Mary (Zemler) Sieg. Mildred was one of 11 children. She grew up in Delhi, Sleepy Eye, and Stewart, MN. In 1950, she married Norman Taylor. They had three sons, Dennis (Trish), Ronald (Yvonne) and Curtis (Beth). They lived in New Brighton, MN for many years before moving to their house on Big Birch Lake, near Grey Eagle. Mildred worked for Control Data for 20 years as an engineering technician. She enjoyed her grandchildren and created many great memories for them as well as teaching them to sew, cook and plant. Mildred enjoyed family times and get togethers. She wintered in Florida and made many friends there. Her last years were living in the assisted living and CentraCare in Melrose.

She is survived by her 3 sons, 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren, sisters, Bernette Sieg and Judy Athmann, and many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by her husband, Norman, sisters, Rita, Monica, Mary, and Carol, brothers, Fritz, Gene, Kenneth, and Leo. Mildred will truly be missed.

Freeport Lions Club to Sponsor Blood Drive Aug. 15

The Freeport Lions Club is sponsoring the American Red Cross Blood Drive on August 15, 2023 at the Freeport Community Center from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Give the precious gift of life. Appointments are needed.

We are always in need of people with type “O” blood.

Schedule your appointment online at redcross.org or call Janet Butkowski at 320836-2837 or 320-282-2904.

Pulse on People

Lyneah Knopik, of Melrose, was named to the Hamline University College of Liberal Arts Dean’s List for the Spring 2023 term. Knopik was among 566 students to make the Dean’s List in Spring 2023. To qualify, students must earn a GPA of 3.5 or higher and complete a minimum of 16 credit hours.

Justin Girodat of Avon, has been named to the Carthage College Dean's List for the Spring 2023 term.

Dean's List honors are accorded to Carthage students who achieve a minimum 3.5 grade-point average while carrying at least 12 letter-graded credits in a given semester.

50th Anniversary Open House

Dennis and Deb Koopmeiners

Dennis and Deb Koopmeiners invite you to a 50th anniversary open house party on Sunday, July 16, 2023 from 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Holdingford Legion.

Dennis and Deb (Elfering) Koopmeiners were married July 7, 1973 at Seven Dolors Church in Albany.

Birth Announcements

Garrison James Wenninger

Dacotah Wenninger and Cassidy Holmquist of Sauk Centre are proud to announce the birth of their son, Garrison James Wenninger born on Monday, July 3, 2023 at 7:38 p.m. at CentraCare-Melrose Hospital.

Garrison weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces and measured 21.5 inches long

He has a big sister Faith, 8 years old at home. Grandparents are Dondi and Sue Wenninger of Sauk Centre, and Jamisty and Dion Claseman of Long Prairie.

Tatum Joseph Engelmeyer

Tyler and Cortiney Engelmeyer of Melrose are proud to announce the birth of their son, Tatum Joseph Engelmeyer born on Monday, July 3, 2023 at 7:25 a.m. at CentraCare-Melrose Hospital.

Tatum weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces and measured 21 inches long.

His big sisers are Lexi 4 years old, and Gabi 3 years old, both at home.

Grandparents are Kenny and Sandi Kerfeld of St. Rosa, and Joe and Kim Engelmeyer of St. Rosa. Great-grandparents are Ervin and the late Jeannette Kerfeld of St. Rosa, Roger and Irene Boeckermann of St. Rosa, Marge and the late Art Engelmeyer of St. Rosa, and Ron and Pat Toenies of St. Anthony.