Page 6 • Hometown News • Thursday, September 3, 2020
Sandra “Sandi” Roketa
Sandi Roketa age 54 of Bowlus, passed away on Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at the St. Benedict Care Center in St. Cloud, Minnesota. A graveside service was held Saturday, August 29, 2020 at the Roden Family Cemetery in rural Long Prairie, MN. Sandi was born on October 12, 1965 to Edward and Helen Reed. She had 4 brothers and 2 sisters. Melvin Reed (Robin), Phyllis (Donald) Schwinghammer, Annette (James) O’Byrne, Edward Reed Jr., Raymond (Bonnie) Reed, and James (Barb) Reed. She grew up in the Waite Park, and Bowlus/Royalton area. She married her High School sweetheart Stanley Roketa in 1981, they were married for 39 years. Right after they were married they moved to Florida. She loved the ocean, she could fish, swim, and have a good time, and it did not require a license. She loved to go shrimping where she would catch 5 gallon pails of shrimp, and we would have plenty to eat and drink until the wee hours of the morning. While living in Florida she learned her famous skills to crack crab, shells would even fly across the restaurant and hit other patrons. Sandy moved back to Minnesota in October of 2008 to live in the St. Cloud area and then on to Bowlus. This is where she could keep track of her father and her father in-law and mother in-law. They had 4 children Gary, Christina, Jeremiah and Lucas. Which moved to the St. Cloud area as well. After she started having grandchildren, she also was known as Granny. Gary’s 3 daughters Jade, Meadow, and Willow. Jeremiah’s son Jeremiah Jr, Christina’s son William and Lucas daughter Brynlee Rose. Her children and grandchildren meant the world to her. She loved spending time with them as much as possible. For the last 12 years she worked for St. Cloud School District at Apollo High School as a kitchen worker. She loved her job and made many friends. They all loved her and her antics. Sandi loved spending time outside at a lake, camping, and fishing. She loved to tell stories about passed events. She was very funny and wasn’t scared to share what was on her mind good or bad she said it the way it was. Sandi struggled with having 2 brain aneurysm in the past year and a half, during the year and a half she began to have seizures. Some minor and some major, she was in and out of the hospital regularly. Then during the past several months she had brain bleeds which resulted in 19 brain surgeries. This became too much for her. She was preceded in death by both of her parents Helen (Bartz) and Edward Reed; along with 2 brothers, Melvin Reed and Edward Reed Jr.; 2 great-nephews, and a sister in-law Arlene Reed (Bieniek). She is survived by her loving husband of 39 years, Stan; children, Gary, Christina, Jeremiah, and Lucas.
Alvina Theis
Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, September 1, 2020 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Upsala for Alvina Theis, who passed August 29, 2020. Alvina (nee Puetz) Theis was born in Brainerd MN in 1928 to Anna and Michael Puetz. She had 5 loving sisters (one died in infancy) and one brother. She was raised on a dairy farm. She attended school in Brainerd and then moved to St Paul, where she worked various jobs including at a bakery and S & H Green Stamps. She lived at the Roman Catholic Woman’s Guild for several years. She met Frank Theis at the Prom Ballroom in St. Paul, and later married him and lived on their farm near Marine on St. Croix. Some years later, they moved to Bowlus to a dairy farm which she loved. She loved the country life, clean living, and animals. She helped her husband Frank with chores in the dairy barn because she wanted to. Alvina was a very sweet, kind, loving person who never had a bad word to say about anyone. She had many friends in life and enjoyed meeting new people. She loved life, she loved to read, especially about health issues and homemaking. She loved music such as big bands, Perry Como, Glenn Miller, Bing Crosby and listening to her brother Raymond sing and play guitar as well. She loved the Catholic Church and was a member of Christian Mothers. She loved her family, was a very friendly, patient, kind loving soul. She always put everyone else first. She was a real saint. She leaves behind her children, Bradley (Kingchan), Stanley (Joyce), Maureen, Daniel, Terry; step-children, Donna (David) Galdonik, Jeff Theis; sisters, Marie Bragg, Arlene Freeman, Evelyn Caughey, Darlyne (Jim) Dano; brother, Raymond (Marilynm) Puetz; grandchildren, Christopher, Sara (Chris) Wilkening, David (Maria), Jacquelyn, Noah, Angela, Christina, John and Trevor; great-grandchild, Alexis; brothers-in-law, James Theis, Curtis Theis; sisters-in-law, LaRayne Theis and Ruth Bollig and many loved nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Frank, her parents and infant sister Shirley.
Central Lakes Landscape & Construction Ken Frieler
Grey Eagle
Patios, Decks, Retainer Walls, Ceramic Tiling, Remodeling
Local Municipality Minutes To publish minutes, email to htnews@meltel.net
Burnhamville Township July 28, 2020 The regular meeting of the Town Board of Burnhamville was held July 28, 2020 at the Burtrum Community Center. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Mike Berscheit. Members present include Supervisors: Bruce Johnson, Mike Berscheit; Clerk Shirley Hulinsky and Treasurer Pam Throener. Sup. Joe Muellner was absent. Erv Herdering was also present. The minutes from the regular meeting of June 30, 2020 were approved as presented on a motion by Sup. Johnson and was seconded by Sup. Berscheit. Motion passed. For correspondence the township board members received letters about election judging information, CARES funding, CARES Funding Opiod lawsuit letter, District 8 meeting and a petition for cartway. Also received information from resident concerning fire department
320-285-5715
switch; he said the state said it would be ok to switch. A motion was made by Sup. Berscheit to pay all bills numbered 5943 through 5952: Rev. $736.62; R & B $30,455.89. Sup. Johnson seconded the motion. Motion passed. With the primary coming up on August 11, 2020 board members will set up booths on Monday, August 10 at 3 pm. In the road report the township 331st Ave resident complained of not getting dust control sprayed sooner, but the frost boils near their property needed to be fixed before dust control could be sprayed. The supervisors are working on weed inspections. The contractor for mowing ditches got different mower, but had problems with wire in the ditch on 331st Ave. There are issues with rocks in the ditch on minimum maintenance part of 321st Ave. Dunlin Road had a washout that needed work.
The township received a petition for a cartway off of Ermine Road from a landowner that does not have direct access to their property. The board set the hearing for Thursday, August 28 at 6 pm and the regular meeting will be that evening at 7 pm on a motion from Sup. Berscheit and a second from Sup. Johnson. Motion passed. The board suggested getting Joe Krueger of Brown & Krueger for attorney. Treasurer’s report showed a balance of $107,386.15. Sup. Berscheit motioned to approve and Sup. Johnson seconded motion. Motion passed. A motion was made by Sup. Berscheit to adjourn the meeting which was seconded by Sup. Johnson. Motion passed. Meeting was adjourned at 7:44 p.m. Next regular meeting will be on Thursday, August 27, 2020 with the hearing at 6 p.m. and the regular meeting at 7 pm in the Burtrum Community Center. Shirley Hulinsky, Burnhamville Township Clerk
Russell “Russ” Heitzman
The Mass of Christian Burial, celebrating the life of Russell “Russ” Heitzman, age 33 of Avon, was held Wednesday, September 2 at the former Arban Church location near Holdingford. Burial was in the St. Mary’s Parish Cemetery. Russell died from injuries received in a car accident on Thursday evening, August 27, 2020. Russell was born November 11, 1986 in Albany to Gerald and Mary (Molus) Heitzman. He grew up on the family farm outside of Holdingford. He graduated from the Holdingford High School in 2005. Many people knew him as “Pickles”. He worked for Aggressive Masonry for several years as a cement mason. He lived on the farm all of his life. He was a member of the Church of All Saints, St. Mary in Holdingford. Russ enjoyed spending time with his nieces. After working with Muy and the gang, he would do various tasks on the farm. He loved his job so much he wore an Aggressive Masonry shirt wherever he went. He even tried to wear it to his niece’s first communion. Russell was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. He was an avid toy tractor collector. No matter what Russ was doing, he always had a smile on his face. We will miss seeing that smile and curly long hair. Russ is survived by his parents, Gerry and Mary Heitzman; sister Janelle (Matt) Loehlein, St. Joseph; and brothers, Jeff (Emily Hennek) Heitzman, St. Joseph; and Eric Heitzman, Avon. He is also survived by two nieces, Julia and Isabella Loehlein. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Alfred and Eleanor Molus, Fred and Marie Heitzman, and his aunt Shirley Molus.
Todd Co. Sheriff’s Office
August 29, 2020: At approximately 21:18 hours, the Todd County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a shooting in rural Long Prairie. The victim’s vehicle was later stopped by a Todd County Deputy near the intersection of US 71 and Riverside Drive. The driver had suffered gunshot wounds and was transported to Long Prairie Hospital. The passenger suffered an apparent fatal gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased at the scene of the traffic stop. The investigation revealed that the victims had arranged to meet acquaintances in rural Long Prairie and it is believed that the meeting was related to a drug transaction. Law enforcement believes the suspect(s) were known to the victims and this appears to be an isolated incident. The deceased was transported to the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office for a positive identification and autopsy. The Todd County Sheriff’s Office urges anyone that may have seen any vehicles or people near the intersection of County 38 and County 11 between 9 pm and 9:30 pm to contact the Todd County Sheriff’s Office. **Update: 09/01/2020: The deceased victim has been identified as Edwin Abreu Grullon (19 Years of Age) of Long Prairie. Ricardo Del Valle Martinez (24 Years of Age) of Long Prairie has been arrested and charged with 2nd Degree Murder Aid/Abett in connection with the death of Edwin Abreu Grullon. Bail was set in the amount of $2 million dollars without conditions and $1 million dollars with conditions. This incident is still actively being investigated by the Todd County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. The Todd County Attorney’s Office is being assisted by the MN Attorney General’s Office. The public is asked to contact the Todd County Sheriff’s Office if they have any information related to this incident.
BLENKERS ROOFING, LLC Gutters • Soffits Fascia • Siding
Melrose • 320-256-5400
Marguerite R. “Marg” Rapp
Marguerite R. “Marg” Rapp, age 94 of Sauk Centre, died peacefully on Friday, August 21, 2020 at the CentraCare Nursing Home in Sauk Centre, Minnesota. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 12 at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre with Rev. Marty Porter officiating. Inurnment will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Sauk Centre. Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Marguerite Ruth Binkly was born January 1, 1926 in Leland, Oregon to William and Emily (Turner) Binkley. She was united in marriage to Glen Rapp on January 27, 1962 at Zion Lutheran Church in Sauk Centre. Marg was employed by Minnesota Poll for the 1970 census and later for the Lewis Harris Poll. She also worked as a crop and livestock reporter and was employed by the Sauk Centre Public School as a Title/Teacher’s Instructional Aid. Marg worked for CBS News to set up for the general election in Wisconsin. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Sauk Centre where she was a Vacation Bible School teacher and coordinator and a member of the Paul F. Donart V.F.W. Post 2853 Auxiliary in Sauk Centre. Marg enjoyed playing BINGO, gardening, and loved doing tons of crafts. Her favorite craft was making Ukrainian Easter eggs and she made hundreds of them. Survivors include her children, Ruth Ring of Eden Prairie, Dwight “Ike” Whalberg of Benson, Mary Thompson of Sacramento, California, and Roberta “Chip” Rapp of Alexandria; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and sisters, Jean Solomon and Roxann Davis. Marg was preceded in death by her husband, Glen Rapp; parents; children, LaNor Sopkowiak and William Whalberg; and brother, Lee Brandon. Arrangements were made with PattonSchad Funeral & Cremation Services of Sauk Centre.
Stearns Co. Sheriff’s Office
Fatal crash: August 27, 2020: At approximately 7:26 pm, the Stearns County Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a two-vehicle crash near the address of 42363 190th Avenue in Holding Township, Stearns County. This location is about 1.5 miles northwest of the City of Holdingford. The caller reported that one of the vehicles was on fire and the other car was nearby with the driver trapped inside and not responding. The Holdingford Fire Department responded to the scene and began life-saving efforts. Deputies arrived and spoke with witnesses on scene. Deputies determined that Jacob Westbrock, 21, of Holdingford, was traveling northbound on 190th Ave. driving a 1994 Chevrolet pickup. Westbrock attempted to pass another vehicle that was also traveling northbound. A 2001 Oldsmobile Alero, driven by Russell Heitzman, 33, of Avon, was traveling southbound on 190th Ave. The vehicles collided on 190th Avenue near the crest of the hill. Heitzman was pronounced deceased at the scene. Westbrock was transported to the St Cloud Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Holdingford Fire and Rescue, Mayo Ambulance Service and North Air Care Helicopter. The Minnesota State Patrol also assisted at the scene and will provide crash reconstruction. The accident remains under investigation
Rick’s Painting Residential • Interior/Exterior Painting/Staining Sealing Decks & Driveways
Call for an Estimate: 320-248-0731
