Local Municipality Minutes: Burnhamville Township

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 EdwardandHelenReed.Shehad4brothersand 2sisters.MelvinReed(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 sweetheartStanley Roketain 1981,they weremarriedfor39 years. Rightaftertheywere 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 wouldcatch5 gallon pailsofshrimp,andwewouldhaveplentytoeat and drink until the wee hours of the morning. While living in Florida she learned her famous skills to crackcrab,shells wouldevenfly across the restaurant and hit other patrons. Sandy movedbackto MinnesotainOctoberof2008 to liveintheSt.CloudareaandthenontoBowlus. This is where she could keep track ofher father and herfatherin-law and motherin-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.Shelovedspendingtimewiththemasmuch 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 hermind good orbad she said itthe way itwas. Sandi struggled with having 2 brain aneurysm inthe pastyearandahalf,during the yearanda halfshebegantohaveseizures.Someminorand Mass of

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 forher.

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).

Sheissurvivedbyherlovinghusbandof39 years,Stan; children,Gary,Christina,Jeremiah,

Alvina Theis

and Lucas. Christian Burial was held Tuesday, September 1, 2020 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Upsala for Alvina Theis, who passed August29,2020. 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 adairyfarm.SheattendedschoolinBrainerd andthenmovedtoStPaul,wheresheworked 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 CrosbyandlisteningtoherbrotherRaymond sing and play guitar as well. She loved the Catholic Church and was a member of ChristianMothers.Shelovedherfamily,was avery friendly,patient,kindloving soul. She always puteveryone else first.

She was areal 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 herhusband Frank,herparents and infantsisterShirley.

Central Lakes Landscape & Construction

Ken Frieler

320-285-5715 Grey Eagle

Patios, Decks, Retainer Walls, Ceramic Tiling, Remodeling

Local Municipality Minutes

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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 boardmembers receivedletters 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 switch; he said the state said it would be okto 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 onAugust11, 2020 board members will set up booths on Monday, August10 at3 pm.

In the road reportthe 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 theditchon331stAve.Thereareissues with rocks in the ditch on minimum maintenance part of 321st Ave. Dunlin Road had a washout thatneeded work.

The township received a petition for a cartway off of Ermine Road from a landowner that does nothave directaccess to theirproperty. The board set the hearing for Thursday, August 28 at 6 pm and theregularmeetingwillbethatevening at7 pmonamotionfromSup. Berscheit and a second from Sup. Johnson. Motion passed. The board suggested getting Joe Krueger of Brown & Kruegerforattorney.

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 adjournedat7:44p.m. Nextregular 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, BurnhamvilleTownship 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 amemberofthe ChurchofAll 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 toytractorcollector. NomatterwhatRusswas doing, he always had a smile on his face. We will miss seeing thatsmile and curly long hair.

Russ is survivedby his parents,Gerry and MaryHeitzman; sisterJanelle(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 IsabellaLoehlein.

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: Atapproximately21:18 hours, the Todd County Sheriff’s Office respondedto areportofashooting inruralLong Prairie. The victim’s vehicle was laterstopped byaToddCountyDeputyneartheintersection ofUS 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 thatmayhaveseenanyvehiclesorpeoplenear the intersection of County 38 and County 11 between9 pmand9:30 pmtocontacttheTodd 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 ofAge) ofLong Prairie has been arrested and charged with 2ndDegree MurderAid/Abettin 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 theMNAttorneyGeneral’s Office. Thepublic is asked to contact the Todd County Sheriff’s Office ifthey have any information related to this incident.

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 SaukCentrewithRev.MartyPorterofficiating. Inurnment will be in Greenwood Cemetery in SaukCentre.

Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday atthe funeral home.

Marguerite RuthBinkly was bornJanuary 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 inWisconsin.

She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Sauk Centre where she was a Vacation Bible School teacherand coordinator and a member of the Paul F. Donart V.F.W. Post 2853 Auxiliary in Sauk Centre. Marg enjoyedplaying BINGO,gardening,andloved doing tons of crafts. Her favorite craft was making Ukrainian Easter eggs and she made hundreds ofthem.

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; andsisters,JeanSolomon 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:Atapproximately 7:26 pm, the Stearns County Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a two-vehicle crash near the address of42363 190th Avenue in Holding Township, Stearns County. This location is about1.5 miles northwestofthe City ofHoldingford.

Thecallerreportedthatoneofthevehicles 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. A2001 Oldsmobile Alero, driven by Russell Heitzman, 33, of Avon, was traveling southbound on 190th Ave. The vehicles collided on 190thAvenue near the crest ofthe 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 NorthAir Care Helicopter. The Minnesota State Patrol also assisted at the scene and will provide crash reconstruction. The accidentremains underinvestigation