Obituaries: Matchinsky, Zilka, Holdvogt, Harren Allord, Groetsch

from Hometown News July 14, 2022

Harvey Mackay

Surrounded by the love of their family, Richard “Dick” Matchinsky (March 10, 2021) and Jacqueline “Jackie” Matchinsky (November 20, 2021) left this earth to join our Heavenly Father and remain together for all eternity. There is not a day that goes by that they are not missed and loved.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 21, 2022 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating. Interment will follow at St. Patrick's Cemetery with military honors provided by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the Mass at the church.

Dick was born in Melrose, Minnesota on May 4, 1935, to Frank and Helen (Flock) Matchinsky. Jackie was born in Freeport, Minnesota on April 20, 1936, to Elmer and Adeline (Cech) Stommes. Dick and Jackie attended Melrose High School and became high school sweethearts. Their love continued to blossom and on August 20, 1955, Jackie (Jace as she was known in high school) and Dick were married. Together they would be blessed with a large family of 6 children who they loved and nurtured. They embraced every opportunity to visit and catch up with their children. They raised their children in St. Cloud, Detroit Lakes, and Perham, Minnesota. They later moved to Glendale, Arizona and after they retired, they moved to Tucson, Arizona. They were known as “Papa” and “Nana” to not only their grandchildren and great grandchildren, but to anyone who got to know them. Over the last several years, they savored the love and companionship of their precious spoiled puppy, Lily, who remained by both of their bedsides.

They purchased a home away from home where they were able to enjoy their summers at their cabin in Forest Lakes, Arizona, in which they absolutely loved being in the tall timbers with nature all around them. They loved to sit on the deck swing and watch the grass grow, the wildflowers and trees bloom, and wait for their vegetables to grow. They created a place for family and friends to enjoy, which will be a cherished legacy for many years to come. Even though their hobbies were not always the same, Jackie did get the pleasure of tagging along on many hunting and fishing trips. However, if the “kids” were coming to visit, she never hesitated to send Dick on his way so she could stay home and spend time with her family. Over the years, the cabin was that special place for them to spend time with family and watch the kids grow up and learn all about gardening, planting trees, growing grass, experiencing wildlife up close, and of course fixing things as needed.

Dick and Jackie continued to love each other more every day, and they grew that love through their ever-growing family over the more than 65 years they were married. They leave behind their beloved puppy, Lily, and their children; Joan Baumann, Rick (Kathy) Matchinsky, Sandy (Phil) Riestenberg, Mary (Maarten) Kalway, Margo Scialo, and Amy (Dan) Miller, 12 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren. They also leave behind many relatives and friends.

They are preceded in death by their parents, Dick’s twin brother Robert “Bob” Matchinsky, and their granddaughter, Cassidy Matchinsky.

Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral and Cremation Services of Melrose. Genevieve C. “Gene” Zilka, age 98 of Sauk Centre, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 in Murray, Utah. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 16 at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Greg Paffel officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Genevieve Catherine Super was born October 1, 1923 in Flensburg, Minnesota to Michael and Catherine (Maciej) Super. On October 23, 1941 she married Anthony “Tony” Zilka at Flensburg, Minnesota. The couple farmed near Little Falls before moving to Minneapolis. While in Minneapolis, she worked at Sears, The Bridal Shop, and kept books for the family business. Tony and Gene moved to Sauk Centre in the mid 80’s. Gene worked at the Corner Drug Store, later called Winter’s Drug, for many years in Sauk Centre. After her son passed away, she moved to Utah to be closer to family.

Gene was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church. She enjoyed working and never really retired. She also enjoyed playing and would make occasional trips to Grand Casino Mille Lacs. Gene stayed active by playing cards, Bingo, baking, tending to her flower gardens, and in her earlier years, bowling on a league. Her greatest love was spending time with her greatgrandchildren.

Survivors include her grandson, Marc (Sharon) Zilka of Murray, Utah; and three great-grandchildren, Mauraya Zilka (Oaklee AKA Alan) of Sauk Centre, Lainey Zilka, and Anthony Zilka both of Murray, Utah; and many nieces and nephews.

Genevieve was preceded in death by her husband, Anthony Zilka on October 19, 2011; son and daughter-in-law, Marvin and Rita Zilka; parents; brothers and sisters, John Super, Sophia Jelinski, Mary Hamernick, Rose Kedrowski, Annie Super, Andrew Super, Pete Super, Michael Super, Stella Grauer, Pauline Hlad, Philip Super, Thomas Super, Frank Super, and Adam Super.

Arrangements were made with PattonSchad Funeral & Cremation Services in Sauk Centre.

The family of Grace Solarz would like to thank you for your kind expression of sympathy, whether that was attending the funeral services, sending a gift, flowers or card. No acknowledgements will be sent.

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Thomas K. Holdvogt, age 34 of New Munich, passed away while working on his family’s farm on Tuesday, July 5, 2022 in New Munich, Minnesota. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, July 11 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich with Rev. Dan Walz officiating and Rev. Derek Wiechmann concelebrating. Interment was in the parish cemetery.

Thomas Kenneth Holdvogt was born May 29, 1988 in Albany, Minnesota to Alvin and Bernadette (Wielenberg) Holdvogt. He graduated from Melrose High School in 2008 then in 2009 from Alexandria Technical College with a welding diploma. He then went on to help operate the family dairy farm.

Thomas was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich. Thomas was a sincere, humble, and kind person that enjoyed all aspects of farming. He farmed with his father, brother, and nephews. His strengths included troubleshooting and repairing equipment. He loved John Deere machinery, working with animals, field work, round baling, and the harvest season. Thomas was a patient role model to his nieces and nephews.

Survivors include his parents, Alvin and Bernie Holdvogt of New Munich; siblings, Judy (Pierre) Jensen of Clear Lake, Gerald (Naomi) Holdvogt of New Munich, Teresa (Jon) Mueller of Avon, Betty Holdvogt (friend, Trent Habiger) of Dallas, Texas, Joanie (Ryan) Hiltner of Sartell, Katie (Eric) Lauer of St. Martin, and Gina Holdvogt (fiancé, Austin Mittleider) of Alexandria; his puppy, Hershey; eight nephews and seven nieces with one on the way; many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Thomas was preceded in death by his Godfather, Kenneth Holdvogt; grandparents, Norbert and Helen Holdvogt, Joseph Sr. and Marie Wielenberg; niece, Evelyn Mueller; and other aunts and uncles.

Arrangements were made with PattonSchad Funeral & Cremation Services of Melrose.

LeRoy (Roy) Harren

LeRoy (Roy) Harren, 90, Albany MN, formerly of Upsala MN, died on July 5, 2022, at Mother of Mercy in Albany. Mass of Christian Burial was held Wednesday, July 13, 2022. Interment took place at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls. LeRoy was born on July 22nd, 1931, in Elmdale Township, Morrison County, MN to Norbert and Frances (Lange) Harren.

LeRoy was an Army veteran, serving from September 19th, 1949, with an Honorable discharge on October 8th, 1952. LeRoy was a Sergeant First Class serving Company C 86th Infantry Regiment. He was a member of the Upsala Legion Post.

LeRoy worked the family farm in Burtrum, MN and later bought a Hobby Farm by Upsala to raise pigs. Later, in 1975 LeRoy sold the dairy farm and focused on hog farming. Later LeRoy worked as a tile setter.

LeRoy enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, and tried moose hunting with family and friends. He loved spending time with his friends.

Survivors include his children, Jeff Harren (Pat) of Swanville, Diane Lashinski (Duane) of Bowlus, Denise Harren of Buffalo, Joan Harren (Randy Peterson) of Hutchinson, Jack Harren of Melrose; siblings, Fr. Robert Harren, and Bill Harren; grandchildren, Jenny Harren, Chad Harren, Kristy Deslosrayes, Tina Harren, Ashley Lashinski, Michelle Lashinski, Kaitlyn Freeman, Joe Pommerer, Dillan Peterson; and great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Norbert and Frances (Lange) Harren; brothers Ralph, Larry, Leander, and LaVerne Harren; granddaughters, Amanda Pommerer (daughter of Joan), and Vanessa Hazard (daughter of Joan).

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Randall. Richard “Rich” L. Allord, 77 year old resident of Swanville, MN, passed away Saturday, July 9, 2022, at his residence. A Mass of Christian will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, July 18, 2022 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Swanville, MN with Father Ron Dockendorf officiating. Burial will be in Bearhead Cemetery in Pillsbury, MN. A visitation will take place from 10-11 A.M. on Monday, July 18, 2022 at St. John the Baptist Church in Swanville, MN.

Richard was born on June 21, 1945, in Little Falls Minnesota to the late Leonard and Mary (Hubner) Allord. He grew up in Belle Prairie Township, later moving to Swanville Minnesota and graduated from Swanville High School in 1963. Upon graduating he served in the US Navy until he was honorably discharged on November 12, 1965. Richard was united in marriage to Irene Hedin on July 29, 1967, at Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Little Falls, Minnesota. The couple moved to Coon Rapids, MN where Richard worked for Moorhead Machinery & Boiler Co. for 40 years until he retired. After retiring he moved back to the place he loved the most, his up north home in Swanville, Minnesota. In his free time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gardening. He was also an avid outdoorsman that loved to camp, cut wood and was known for his famous tomato juice “liquid gold”. Another one of his happy places was his hunting shack in Kelliher, Minnesota where he spent many years deer hunting since he was a young man. Richard’s children and grandchildren will forever remember the time he spent with them teaching them to hunt and fish. He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.

Richard is survived by his wife, Irene Allord; children, Jeff (Joelle) Allord of St. Francis, MN, Kim (Scott) Heger of Carmel, IN and Rob Allord of Oak Grove, MN; siblings, Patty Jernigan of Columbus, GA, Ruth Olson of Anoka, MN and Hank Allord of Cushing, MN; and grandchildren, Alex (Jessica) Heger, Ryan Allord, Ben Allord and Claire Heger.

He was preceded in death by parents, Leonard and Mary Allord.

Rita Groetsch

Rita M. Groetsch, age 90 of Albany, passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease on Friday, July 8, 2022 at Mother of Mercy Nursing Home in Albany, MN. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11a.m. Thursday, July 14 at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany with Rev. Edward Vebelun, O.S.B. officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the Seven Dolors Gathering Area in Albany.

Rita had two favorite career experiences in her life. Her first passion was manager of the music department at Weber Jewelry and Music Store in St. Cloud, and her second was at Liturgical Press, St. John’s Abbey as a customer service representative.

Rita was a member of the Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany, the Christian Mothers, St. Ann Society, the St. Jude Mission Group, and the church choir. Rita had a love for all music, especially piano. She was often found in her sewing room working on projects and enjoyed sewing workshops to learn all the techniques, always reading books, magazines, taking classes, traveling, walks, and spending time with and helping her family and friends.

Survivors include her children, Larry Groetsch of Sauk Rapids, Sandra (Rick) Davis of Monticello, Rick (Anne) Groetsch of St. Cloud, and Mary Jane (Ken) Schleif of Becker; 11 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Rita was preceded in death by her husband, Alfred H. Groetsch on November 14, 2008; her parents Frank and Mary Kutzer; her brother, Allen Kutzer and infant brother Jerome.

Swanville Lions members and volunteers serving up their famous BBQ chicken at the Swanville Mid-Summer Carnival. "Country Living” was the parade theme for Freeport’s 41st Annual Sacred Heart Parish Festival held on Sunday, July 10, 2022. Grand Marshall's Gary & Judy Meyer are second generation local family farmers, who have been on the family farm for nearly 50 years. Now that’s country living! Submitted by Lee Meyer.