Obituaries

Lucille M. Orth

Lucille M. Orth, age 90 of Melrose, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at the CentraCare Care Center in Melrose, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, July 3 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Ben Kociemba officiating and Deacon Ernie Kociemba assisting. Interment was held in the parish cemetery.

Lucille Marie Meyer was born August 26, 1932, in Melrose, Minnesota to Celestine and Theresa (Schroeder) Meyer. Lucille graduated from St. Francis High School in Little Falls. She married Eymard Orth on August 19, 1952. They farmed north of Melrose, dairying and then converted to raising turkeys. They had 12 children (one died in infancy) and were kept busy with huge gardens, farm chores, and country life. Lucille delighted in serving her family home cooked meals and fresh bread. She was a leader in Christian Women, DCCW, MCCL, 4-H, and very involved in the choir.

In 1978, Lucille flew by herself for the very first time ever, to visit her daughter, Mary in Tanzania, where she was working with Fr. Dan Ohmann and the Maryknoll Lay Missioners.

After retirement, they moved to Melrose, where they were very active at the Pine Villa chapel, leading the singing and lectoring every day for over 24 years. They are known for their huge garden and beautiful grotto in the front yard. Lucille poured her heart into her family and her community.

Survivors include her husband of 70 years, Eymard Orth of Melrose; children, Mary (Richard) Lauer of Sauk Centre, Catherine (Dave) White of Roseland, VA, David (Linda Hinnenkamp) Orth of Melrose, Anne Orth of Becker, Joan (Shawn) Kempenich of Little Falls, Paul (Patty Berscheit) Orth of Randall, Tom (Nissa Eastvold) Orth of Oak Grove, Roseann (Jim) Engelmeyer of Freeport, Gary (JoNell Dahl) of Fargo, Steven (Michelle Beilke) Orth of Richmond, and Peter (Danelle Jutz) Orth of Rogers; 42 grandchildren and 33 greatgrandchildren; and sisters-in-law, Patricia Meyer and Jone Meyer.

Lucille was preceded in death by her parents; infant daughter, Lisa Julie Orth; sisters and brothers, Sr. Cecile Meyer, O.S.F., LeRoy Meyer, infant brother, Leo Otto Meyer, Rev. Thomas Meyer, Vernon Meyer, and Sr. Bernadette Meyer, O.S.F.; sister-in-law, Katherine Meyer; and infant granddaughter, Abbey Grace Orth.

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

Joseph F. “Joe” Loehr

Joseph F. “Joe” Loehr, age 91 of Melrose, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on

Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m.

Thursday, July 6 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be from 8:30 to 10:45 a.m. Thursday at the church in Melrose.

Joseph Francis Loehr was born March 8, 1932 in Spring Hill, Minnesota to Mathias and Theresia (Gardner) Loehr. He farmed at a young age and later took over the family farm west of Spring Hill. On June 8, 1965 he was united in marriage to Jeanette Kortan at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. Together, the couple continued farming until 2002 when they retired and sold the farm to their son. Joe and Jeanette moved to Melrose. Farming was a big part of Joe’s life. Even though Joe was not on the farm, he continued to help his son.

He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose, St. Michael’s Men’s Society of Spring Hill, Paynesville Knights of Columbus and was a longtime member of the Stearns County & MN State Plowing Association. Joe enjoyed bowling, playing cards, especially Solo and 500, but most of all, spending time with his family and grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Jeanette Loehr of Melrose; children, Judy (Andy) Roehl of Foreston, Joey (Pam) Loehr of Spring Hill, Mary Kay (Mark) Spanier of Big Lake, and Stacy (Jeff) Hellermann of Starbuck; and seven grandchildren, Jacob, John, and Breanna Loehr, Mason and Mitchell Spanier, and Emma and Isaac Hellermann.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; brother and sister-in-law, Melvin (Genevieve) Loehr; and brother, Alphonse Loehr. Arrangements were made with PattonSchad Funeral & Cremation Services of Melrose.

Natures View

Daniel J. “Dan” Kulas

Daniel J. “Dan”

Kulas, age 75, of St. Anna, passed away after a year-long battle with cancer on Sunday, July 2, 2023 surrounded by his family at the St. Cloud Hospital. He made his journey to heaven to see Jesus, his parents, relatives, and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m.

Monday, July 10 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Anna with Rev. Gregory Mastey officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Monday at the church in St. Anna. Parish prayers will be at 2 p.m. followed by a rosary from the Holdingford Knights of Columbus at 4 p.m. Sunday evening.

Daniel James Kulas was born April 2, 1948 to Stanis and Mary (Langner) Kulas. He attended country school to the 8th grade and went on to Holdingford High School where he graduated in 1966. He went to work at St. Cloud Meat Packing until 1969 where he learned to cut and handle meat. He then went to St. Cloud VoTech for a month-long welding course. Daniel worked at Stearns Welding Inc. in Winsted, MN. He then went on to work for Paper Calmenson & Co. in St Paul where he helped to fabricate and weld 20 floors of the IDS tower.

Dan married Linda Henning in 1971 and had 4 children, Julieann, Joann, Jill, and Michael. They later divorced. In 1974, Dan returned to the family farm where he farmed crops and milked 48 cows until 1998 when he sold off the cows. He then worked for Archer Daniels until suffering an injury that made him retire. He then started All Saints Septic Service until retiring in 2021.

Dan loved to hunt and fish with his children and friends. His son Michael had many adventures and stories to tell that will live on for family to laugh and learn from. In the winter, he liked to go spearing in a dark house where he speared many big northern pike, some over 20 lbs. Dan hunted with shotgun, muzzle loader, and rifle at the swamp on the family farm. He hunted and yielded many big bucks and does off the property. Dan was a good marksman and loved long range shooting with rifle the best. He loved to play cards, especially Texas Hold’em and spent many Thursdays at Whitney Center in St. Cloud playing cards.

He was a member of St. Anna Sportsman’s Club for many years- an influence in removing carp that took over Pelican and Pine Lakes, a member of the Albany Knights of Columbus Father Pierz Council #3628 then transferred to the Holdingford Knights of Columbus St. Isadore Council #9307, was a very proud member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Anna and the family farm in St. Anna. He was a storyteller about family history and read non-fiction books about wars, religion, history, and politics. He was avid about talking about these subjects and had many debates about them.

Survivors include his children, Michael Kulas of Avon, Julieann (Christopher) Willie of Becker, Joann (Dave Malikowski) Schmitz of St. Stephen, and Jill Walker of South Dakota; grandchildren, Abigail and Alyssa Willie and Wyatt Schmitz; sisters, Bernadette (Ray) Pintok of Opole and Madonna Nentl of Holdingford; many nieces and nephews, loving relatives, and friends.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Stanis and Mary Kulas; son-in-law, Raymond Walker; infant brother, Joseph Kulas; brother-inlaw, Melvin Nentl; nephews, John Nentl and Don Neis; and many other relatives.

Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Melrose.

David L. Kleve

David L. Kleve, age 74 of Freeport, passed away on Thursday, June 29, 2023 at the CentraCare Care Center in Melrose, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, July 3 at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany with Rev. Greg Miller, O.S.B. officiating. Interment was in the parish cemetery with military honors by the Albany American Legion.

David Leo Kleve was born April 13, 1949 in Melrose, Minnesota to Arnold and Marie (Van Heel) Kleve. He was united in marriage to Dianne Gerads on October 3, 1970 at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany. David farmed north of Freeport until October 1, 2007 when David had a stroke. He was a member of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany, Krain Township Board member, and the Albany American Legion. David enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and farming.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Dianne Kleve of Freeport; children, Gwen Kleve of Paynesville, Jason (Denise) Kleve of Osakis, Jeramie Kleve of Holdingford, Josh (Robin) Kleve of Freeport, and Gretchen (Eric) Muellner of Sauk Centre; father, Arnold Kleve; grandchildren, Ashley and Zach Clark, Courtney and Brandin Mackedanz, Zachary Hanson (Evelin Mackedanz), Samantha and Brendon Scott, Emily and Mason Douvier, Damon Kleve, Jackie Kleve, Lisa Kleve, Olivia Kleve, Avery Kleve, Danny Muellner, and Jake Muellner; seven great-grandchildren with twins on the way; brother, Robert (Nancy) Kleve of St. Anna; sisters, Alice Eggert of Waite Park, Marilyn (Roger) Zimmermann of Albany, and Carol Kleve of Albany; and special nephew, Neil Nathe.

David was preceded in death by his mother, Marie Kleve; brother-in-law, Ray Eggert; and Goddaughter, Jody Kleve.

Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral and Cremation Services of Melrose.

Donald J. “Don” Lemley

Donald J. “Don” Lemley, age 75 of Sauk Centre, passed away on Thursday, June 29, 2023 at the CentraCare Hospital in Sauk Centre, Minnesota. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 8 at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Melrose.

Donald Joseph Lemley was born October 13, 1947 in Wellman, Iowa to Leo and Dorothy (Semler) Lemley. Don graduated from Sauk Centre High School and was united in marriage to Roseann Laumeyer in Sisseton, South Dakota. Don was a self-employed over-the-road truck driver as he owned and operated his own trucking company. He later sold his rig and drove for Jennie-O and lastly drove for Bayer Built before his retirement. Don had a passion for flying and loved playing in the dirt at Virgil Niehaus’ farm.

Survivors include his son, Brian Lemley; grandson, Logan; brother, David Lemley; and many loving relatives and friends.

Don was preceded in death by his wife, Roseann Lemley on June 9, 2021; and parents, Leo and Dorothy Lemley.

Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral and Cremation Services of Sauk Centre.