Obituaries from News-Monitor Newspaper

Memorial for Jean Evelyn Bolstad

Born in Wahpeton, ND on Feb. 25, 1932 Departed on Oct. 8, 2011 and resided in Wahpeton, ND.

Jean Bolstad 79, Wahpeton, ND, passed away October 8, 2011 at St. Francis Healthcare Campus, Breckenridge, MN. A Memorial Funeral Service will be held on Friday, October 28, at 1:00 PM at St. Catherine's Living Center Chapel, Wahpeton, ND with Rev. Morris Stephens officiating. Inurnment will be at Peace Lutheran Cemetery, Barney, ND. Jean Evelyn Bolstad was born on February 25, 1932 in Wahpeton, ND to Harold and Nelda (Muehlberg) Bolstad. She attended Ibsen Elementary and Antelope Consolidated schools. She was a willing, helpful person to many people; cleaning homes and babysitting children. She enjoyed music, playing cards and games and being around pets. Jean entered St. Catherine's Living Center in 2002 following a fall in her home which resulted in a fractured pelvis. She spent the rest of her life as a resident there, where she received loving and excellent care. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Wahpeton, ND. She is survived by two sisters; Gloria McLeod, Camarillo, CA and Maxine Murray, Montrose, CO; one brother, Darold Bolstad, Corcoran, CA, special friend, Mary Joyce Breuer, Wahpeton, ND and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, a niece Deborah Murray and a brother-in-law, Bill Murray.

Paul Strege

Born on Jun. 13, 1961
Departed on Oct. 8, 2011 and resided in Milnor, ND
Visitation: Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2011 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Service: Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011 11:00 am

Paul Richard Strege was born June 13, 1961, the son of Elmer and Mildred (Rasmussen) Strege. He grew up near Wyndmere and attended Wyndmere Schools graduating from High School in 1979. He started employment with Nelson Implement, Milnor , ND in 1983. In 1992, Paul suffered a stroke but with the dedication of his brother David and the willingness of his employer, Paul continued to stay active working for Nelson Implement, now Green Iron Equipment, Milnor. Paul enjoyed softball, golf and basketball when he was able to participate and in recent years focused on watching and cheering for the Minnesota Vikings and Twins. Paul is survived by his mother Mildred Strege, rural Lidgerwood, ND; three brothers and a sister: David Strege, Milnor, ND; Daryl Strege, rural Lidgerwood, ND; Chuck (Kami) Strege, Wyndmere; Sharlene, (John) Allen, Barnesville, MN; his nieces and nephews; Courtney, Miranda, and Alyssa Allen; and Cody, Megan, and Parker Strege; aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Elmer.

BERNDT, ALLEN "Bud" R

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Allen "Bud R. Berndt, 84, Wahpeton, N.D., died Fraiday, June 13, 2008 at St. Catherine's Living Center, Wahpeton.
The funeraal service was held at 11 a.m. tuesday, June 17, 2008 at Evergreen United Methodist Church, Wahpeton with the Rev. Paul Baker officiating
Interment was at Zion United Methodist Cemetery, Great Bend, N.D.
Visitation was held from 6-8 p.m. at Willow Creek Chapel, Wahpeton. Visitation was also held Tuesday one hour prior to the time of service at the church.
Allen "Bud" Roger Berndt was born Dec. 20, 1923 to Rueben and Elizabeth (Hoeft) Berndt at his par3ents' farm home southwest of Great Bend. He attended local schools.
On March 25, 1961 he married Lois Japel at Tower City, N.D. He was a fourth generation farmer in Richland County. He farmed with his father until 1990 and then with his sons. He was a diversified farmer; raising grain, feeder cattle and hogs, and had a dairy operation.
He enjoyed spending time with his children and grand-daughters, work horses, auctions and steam threshing shows. His greatest joy was watching things grow. He retired in 1994 and moved to Wahpeton and worked in the fields until 1996 when heart problems forced him to quit.
He was a member of Evergreen, United Methodist Church, Wahpeton.
He is survived by his wife, Lois Berndt, Wahpeton; two sons, Paul (Lori) Berndt, rural Hankinson, N.D., Bradley Berndt, Wahpeton; one daughter, Pamela (Kelly) Volochenko, Balfour, N.D.; three granddaughters, Kaitlyn, Karley and Kenzie Volochenko; two sisters, Marlys Butler, Seattle, Wash., and Betty Livdahl, Bismarck, N.D.; and six nieces.
He was preceded in death by his mother in 1926 and his father in 1990, Rueben and Elizabeth Berndt; his half-brother; Donald in 1989; and two nephews, Earl Livdahl and Kenneth Berndt.

Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton.

HORAK, Timothy J.

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Page 3

Timothy J. Horak, 83, Wyndmere, N.D., died Monday, March 10, 2008 at his home in rural Wyndmere.
The funeral Mass was held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 15, 2008 at St. John's Catholic Church, Wyndmere,
with the Rev. Len Loegering as celebrant. Burial was at St. John's Cemetery, Wyndmere. The organist
was Kairouan Moffet with special music by Anthony Blair.
Visitation was held one hour prior to the service at the church.
Pallbearers were his nephews and Godchildren.
Timothy John Horak was born Feb. 13, 1925 in Wyndmere, the son of John Jr. and Mary (Motl) Horak.
He moved to his current farm with his parents in 1931. Tim helped his parents farm and did custom
farm work and spent winters qorking in Chicago, Ill., and St. Paul, Minn.
He was united in marriage to Clara Waletzko Oct. 8, 1955 in St. Mary's Catholic Church in Willow River, Minn.
After their marriage he spent winters in St. Paul with Clara and summers on the farm in Wyndmere.
In the spring of 1957 Clara joined him on the farm and his parents moved to Wyndmere. Tim and Clara
farmed together until he retired at the age of 65. The past 10 years he struggled with Alzheimer's disease
and was cared for by his loving wife, Clara.
Time was a member of St. John's Catholic Church, Wyndmere, Lidgerwood KC's and the Wahpeton Eagles.
He is survived by his wife, Clara Horak, rural Wyndmere; three daughters: Grace Marie (Erick) Ware, Plymouth, Minn.,
Gladys Anne Horak, Booklyn Park, Minn., and Germaine Clara (Patrick) Olheiser, Apple Valley, Minn.;
three brothers: George Horak, near Wisconsin Dells, Wisc., Wences (Ruth) Horak, Chanhassen, Minn., and
Lawrence (Frances) Horak, Mesa, Ariz.; a sister, Alice (Frank( Waletzko, North Branch, Minn.; three grandchildren:
John and Jennie Ware and Colin Olheiser.
He was prededed in death by his parents, John Jr. and Mary Horak; and a sister, Maria Horak.
Frank Family Funeral Home in Lidgerwood was in charge of the funeral arrangements.

KRUMP, LEO

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Page 3

Leo Krump, 85, Hankinson, N.D., died Saturday, Jan. 19, 2008 at St. Isadore Care Center, Plainview, Minn.
The funeral Maas was held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008 at St. Philips's Catholic Church, Hankinson with the
Rev. Mario Fernandes as celebrant. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery, with militarty honors by the Hankinson American Legion Eberhard Post No. 88.
Funeral Home, Hankinson. There was also visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Organist
was Mary Ellen Krump with special music by Charles Pinkney and St. Philip's Choir.
Pallbeares were: Tim Schmidt, Chris Knudson, Glen Fenske, Paul Fenske, Jan Fenske and Randy Boehning.
Leo Joseph Krump went peacefully home to heaven to join his parents Peter and Anna (Renalt) Krump and five brothers
and two sisters. He was born Oct. 17, 1922 in Brightwood Township. He attended athe local country school
and St. Francis Academy in Hankinson.
He grew up working on the family farm until 1944. At that time he joined the U.S. Navy
as a See-bee and went to see the world. Some of his duty stations included China and the Philippine Islands.
When he returned home he continued farming and worked a short time for the power plant in Wahpeton.
On Sept. 24, 1960 he married Frances Anderson in Sisseton, S.D. They had two daughters, Frances (Mike) McGraw
and Rebecca Wieser (Jerry Wirtz).
They farmed in Greendale Township. He continued to farm after his divorce in 1965. He ended his farming career after a stroke in 1999 when he moved to Zumbrota, Minn., with his daughter. He continued to live in the Rochester area health care facilities until his death Jan. 19, 2008.
Leo enjoyed farming yet his greatest joy was his grandchildren and great-grand children. He was known for loving all children and his gentleness
and compassion will be missed by all his family and friends.
five grandchildren: Milissa (Tim) Schmidt, Rochester, Samantha (Chris) Knudson, Fergus Falls, Minn., Joseph (Julie) McGraw, New Richmond, Wash., Joshua (Ashley), Wahpeton, N.D., and Megan McGraw, Thornton; and five great-grandchildren: Haylee Smith McGraw; MacKenzie Schmidt, Crystal Knudson, Maysenn and Madisyn McGraw; one brother, Joseph Krump, Alturas, Calif.; two sisters, Margaret (Harvey) Boeck, Rathdrum, Idaho and Joann (Bud) Meyer, Fairmount, N.D.; and many nieces and nephews.
Frank Family Funeral Home in Hankinson was in charge of the funeral arrangements.

SCHMIDT, (ZETTLER), Rosa M

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Rosa M. (Zettler) Schmidt, 96
Rosa M. (Zettler) Schmidt, 96 of Waconia, Minn., formerly of Great Bend, N.D., died Tuesday May 27,
2008 at Good Samaritan Center in Waconia.
Mass of Christian burial was held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday May 31, 2008 at St. Philip's Catholic
Church in Hankinson, N.D., with Monsignor Joseph Huebsch as celebrant. burial was at Calvary
Cemetery in Hankinson.
Visitation was held Saturday one hour prior to the Mass at the church.
Casket Bearers were: Steve Malakowsky, Mike Malakow-sky, Dave Buskohl, James Field, Tom Kubela,
Kyle Kubela, Dave Egerdahl, and Cody Buskohl.
Rosa Fah was born Nov. 1, 1911 in Southam, N.D., the daughter of Alois and Anna (Yud) Fah.
On May 2, 1932 Rosa was united in marriage to Arthur Thomas Zettler at Rutten Catholic Church in Crary, N.D.
After marriage, Rosa and Arthur moved to Cato Township in rural Lawton, N.D. In 1946 they moved to
Hoffman, Minn., and purchased their own farm. They farmed there until 1973 when they retired and
moved to Great Bend. There they resided until Arthur Zettler passed away Jan. 15 of 1982.
Rosa moved to West View Acres Care Center in Waconia in 1983 where she married Hugo Schmidt and
resided until moving to the Good Samaritan Center in 2001.
She was also a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Waconia.
Rosa was preceded in death by her husbands, Arthur T. Zettler and Hugo W. Schmidt; a daughter,
Rosella Zettler; granddaughter, Cheryl Kubela; and her parents, Alois and Anna Fah.
Rosa was survived by her loving family: daughters and sons-in law: Elaine (John) Malakowsky,
Chaska,Darlene (Earl) Zeigelmann, Great Bend, Marcella Zettler (Chad Creamer), Seattle, Wash.; granchildren:
Mary Ann (James) Field, Steve Malakowsky, Mike Malakow-sky, Teresa and Toni Chiareli,
Carmen Zeigelman, Tom Kubela, Dawn Rossow, Donna (Dave) Buskohl, Vicky Smith; 19 great-grandchildren;
three great-great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
View the online questbook at www.johnsonfh.com.
Johnson Funeral Home of Waconia was in charge of the arrangements.

SMITH, Elfrieda M., 95

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Elfrieda M. Smith, 95, Lemoore, Calif., died Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at the Hanford Nursing Rehabilitation Center.
Graveside services were Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at the Lemoore Cemetery.
Elfrieda Martha Tiegs was born March 25, 1913 in Hankinson, N.D., the eldest of 10 children of Theodore
and Emma (Westphal) Tiegs. She was baptized and confirmed in Hankinson.
Elfrieda was a member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Lemoore. Her favorite Bible scripture was Psalm 23.
She was married to Leonard "Smitty" Smith June 21, 1932. They lived in Lidgerwood, N.D., where they raised their children:
Marilyn, Darryl and Paul. Elfrieda and Leonard moved to California in early 1960's and settled in Lemoore in 1961.
Elfrieda and Smitty owned the Army Navy Surplus Store in Lemoore for several years.
Elfrieda loved children, and was known by many locals as their favorite nanny.
She is survived by her two children: Marilyn (Roy) Schuschke, Lemoore, and Darryl (Evelyn) Smith, Portola, Calif.:
10 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren; two borthers:
Theodore (Phylis) Tiegs, Santa Maria, Calif., and Arthur (Ann) Tiegs, Yucca Valley, Calif.; three sisters:
Myda Maltby-Bacca, Menifree, Calif., Velma (Onis) White, Cottonwood, Calif., and Wanda (Don) Lunn,
Garden Grove, Calif.; a sister-in-law, Cleo (hart) Tiegs, San Diego; several nieces and nephews;
an aunt, Nina (Tiegs), Schellar, Texas; and several cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Theodore and Emma Tiegs; her husband, Leonard Smith;
a son, Paul Smith; and brothers: Hart, Wilmar and Alfred; and a sister, Elna (Tiegs) Purdy.
Phipps-Dale Funeral Chapel, Lemoore, was in charge of the arrangements.

SCHUBERT, Elroy F

News~Monitor
Page 3, May 20, 2008

Elroy F. Schubert, 89, Hankinson, N.D died Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at the St. Catherines's Living Center in Wahpeton, N.D.
The funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 17, 2008 at St. John's Belford Lutheran Church, rural Hankinson,
with the Rev. Leo Deitemeyer officiating. Burial was in St. John's Cemetery. The organist was Shala Krump.
Visitation was held from 4-8 p.m. Friday, May 16, 2008 with a 7 p.m. prayer service at Frank Family Funeral Home in
Hankinson, and Saturday mornign one hour prior to the service at the church.
Pallbeareres were: Harley Haverland, Richard Iverson, Robert Buck, David Tiegs, David Stoltenow and Gerald Lund. Honorary
pallbearerswere all his grandchildren, greatgrandchildren and all those who called him friend.
Elroy was born Aug. 12, 1918 on the family farm, rural Hankinson, the son of Alvin and Edna (Polfus) Schubert.
He grew up on the farm and was baptized Aug. 25, 1918 and confirmed March 20, 1932 both at
St. John's Belford Lutheran Church, rural Hankinson.
On Aug. 23, 1946 he was united in marriage to Norma Lund in Moorhead, Minn. After their marriage they lived
on the family farm until 1994 when they moved into Hankinson. Elroy farmed the family farm until 1960
and then was employed by Loberg Ford, Wahpeton, for 13 years. He then helped his son Curtis farm.
Elroy was a member of St. John's Belford Church. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards and bowling.
He is survived by his wife, Norma Schubert, Hankinson; two son: Curtis (Debbie) Schcubert, Wyndmere, N.D.,
and Alvin Schubert, Hankinson; three doaughters: Janice (Al) Wiley, Manhattan, Ill.,
Shayla Nelson, West Fargo, N.D. and Ruth (Jerry) Johnson, Brecenridge, Minn.; two sisters:
Evelyn Buck, Breckenridge and Ruth Stoltenow, Wahpeton; 17 grandchildren; 16 greatgrandchildren;
three step-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceeded in death by his parents, Alvin and Edna Schubert; granddaughter, Molly Schubert;
and son-in-law, Harland Nelson.
Family request memorials be given to Riveredge Hospice, Breckenridge.
Frank Family Funeral Home in Hankinson was in charge of the funeral arrangements.

SCHUETT, Warren Everett, 89

News-Monitor
January 8, 2008

Warren Everett Schuett, 89, Perham, Minn., formerly Wahpeton, N.D., died Thursday, Dec. 27, 2008
at Perham Nursing home. The funeral service was held from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007 at United Church of Christ, Wahpeton,
Lunch following.
Visitation was held from 5-7 p.m. Sunday Dec. 30, 2008 at Willow Creek Chapel, Wahpeton.
Warren was born Dec. 21, 1918 in Minneapolis, Minn., son of George and Ann (Hamerlik) Schuett.
He attended school in Hankinson, N.D., and the North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton,
where he graduated from the auto mechanics department.
Warren joined the U.S. Army and served his country during the World War II in New Guinea. He was
honorable discharged as a staff sergeant in 1945 and returned to Wahpeton to teach auto mechanics
at NDSCS. He retired 30 years later having taught thousands of auto mechanics. NDSCS named the
automotive technology building after thim in 1986.
He was a Wahpeton City Councilman for nine years, served as mayor of Wahpeton for 19 years and was
a two-term North Dakota state representative. He was extremely proud of Wahpeton's strong economic
development and the growth of the college, and was a constant ambassador for both. Warren retired in 1984 and he and Dorothy spent summers at their Ottertail Lake, Minn., cabin and winters
in Mesa, Ariz. He was an avid N.Y. Yankees fan and loved dogs, lawn care, painting, outdoor barbecuing, new Oldsmobile's, Clint Eastwood and Dorothy's cooking.
Warren served on the board of United Church of Christ and was the treasurer for more than 20 years. He
was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the El Zagel Shrine, the Community Development Corp, Elks, Eagles,
V.F.W., American Legion and Rotary.
He is survived by and will be deeply missed by his loving wife of 60 years, Dorothy (Cooper) Schuett;
three grandchildren, Rebecca (Richard) Werner, Billy (Jaci) Schuett; one greatgranddaughter, Taylor Wemer;
brothers George, Youngtown, Ariz., and Stan (Jeannine) Schuett, Bel Air, Md.; a sister-in -law,
Marge Hill, Fargo, N.D.; a borther-in-law, George Cooper Jr. (Percy), Seal Beach, Calif.; many nieces
and nephews and long-time friends.
Vertin-Munson Funeral Home of Wahpeton was in charge of arrangements.

WITT, Charles H., 57

News~Monitor
May 13, 2008
Page 3

Charles H. Witt, 57, Great Falls, Va., died Dec. 20, 2007.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 15, 2008 at St. John's Belford Lutheran Church,
rural Hankinson, N.D. Inurnment will be at St. John's Cemetery, rural Hankinson.
He is survived by his daughter, Fredrika Witt; ex-wife, Katri Witt: mother, Erma Witt; and sister, Irene (Greg) Mumm.
Frank Family Funeral Home in Hankinson was in charge of local arrangements.

WITTE, Dolores E.

News-Monitor
July 15, 2008

Dolores E. Witte, 90, West Fargo, N.D., died Friday, July 4, 2008 in her home.
The funeral Mass was held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 7, 2008 at Holy Cross Catholic church, West Fargo. Burial was at Calvary Cemetery, Hankinson, N.D.
Visitation was held from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Monday, July 7, 2008 in Holy Cross Catholic Church, West Fargo.
Dolores E. Witte was born Nov. 23, 1917 at Hankinson, N.D., to Paul and Magdalen (Geiszler) Witte. She grew up in Hankinson and graduated from St. Francis Academy in Hankinson. Dolores moved to Minneapolis, Minn., and later to Washington, D.C., at the beginning of World War II. She worked for the Stars and Stripes Newspaper which was published in the Pentagon. In 1972, she retired and moved to Fargo, N.D. In 1986, she moved to West Fargo. She was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in West Fargo.
Dolores is survived by four nieces: Mary A. (Bruce Anderson, Bowbells, N.D.., Paula (Craig) Leslie, Tillamook, Ore., Mary B. (Howard) Reinke, Hankinson and Mary C. (Bill) Heffron, Berkly, Calif.
She was preceded in death by five sisters: Dora Melby, Marge Hurly, Helen Kotchian, Phillipine Witte and Mary Lewis.
Condolences can be sent online to westfuneralhome.com.
West Funeral Home in West Fargo was in charge of the funeral arrangements.

WOLF, Caroline M., 79

News~Monitor
May 20, 2008

Caroline M. Wolf, 79, Fargo, N.D., formerly Wahpeton, N.D., died Friday, May 9, 2008 at St. Francis
Healthcare Campus, Breckenridge, Minn.
The funeral Maas was held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at St. John's Catholic Church, Wahpeton,
with the Rev. Dale Logodinski officiating.
Visitation was held from 5-6 p.m. Monday, May 12, 2008 with a 7 p.m. prayer virgil at St. John's
Catholic Church, Wahpeton and one hour before the service at the church Tuesday interment was
at Calvary Cemetery, Wahpeton.
Caroline Mary Mauer was born to Pete and Marie (Heck) Mauer March 24, 1929 at Hankinson, N.D.
She attended St. Francis Academy and graduated May 29, 1947. She was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Faith.
On Aug. 8, 1950 Carrie was united in marriage to Richard W. Wolf. During their first year of marriage,
gone, Carrie moved back home to live with her mother. Richard and Carrie made their home in Wahpeton,
where they raised their family. Carrie was employed by Northwestern Bell Telephone as a telephone
switchboard operator. After taking time off from work to care for their children she went back to work
for Sturdevant's as a bookkeeper: she retired Feb. 1, 1989 to be on the farm to enjoy peace and quiet with Richard.
Carrie's passion was watching her cousin, Joe Mauer play for the Minnesota Twins, gardening, watching
and feeding birds, cooking and entertaining family and friends. She was a member of the VFW
Auxiliary and Christian Mothers. She truly loved spending time with her grandchildren.
she will be sadly missed by her loving family.
Centerville, Utah, Mary (Tom) Helland, Wahpeton, James (Mary Pat) Wolf, Fargo, Steven (Shelly) Wolf,
Mooreton, N.D.; 11 grandchildren: Pieper (Brian) Waitzel, Masquan, N.J., Jeremy and Samantha Heiland,
Wahpeton, Emily (Justin) Riveland, Fargo, Andy Molbert, Hong Kong, China, Jason, Allie and Jennifer Wolf,
Fargo, Caitlyn and Apryl Wolf, Mooreton;two great-grandchildren: Madyson Riveland, Fargo and Benjamin Waitzel,
Manasquan, N.D.; a brother Jerome Mauer, Wahpeton; a brother-in-law, Robert Wolf, Wahpeton; a sister-in-law, Lorraine
Wolf, Coronado, Calif.; and many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and great nephews.
Carrie was preceded in death by her parents, Pete and Marie Mauer; a grandson, Casey Helland; her sister
and brother-in-law; Dorothy and Harry "Bud" Worner; her mother and father-in-law, George and Francis
Wolf; her sisters and brothers-in-law, David and Rosemary Wolf, George Wolfe and Delores Mauer.
Vertin-Munson Funeral Home in Wahpeton was in charge of the arrangements.

OBIT. for MIKE LEINEN

Michael Leinen, 90, Fairmount, died Sunday, March 14, 1999, at St. Francis Medical Center, Breckenridge, Minn. The funeral service was held at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, March 18, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Fairmount, with Rev. Donald Leiphon officiating. A prayer vigil was held Wednesday, March 17, at Vertin-Munson Wahpeton Funeral Home. Burial was at Calvary Cemetery, rural Fairmount.

Michael Louis Leinen was born Oct. 11, 1908, at DeVillo Township, near Fairmount, the son of John and Elizabeth (Kinn) Leinen. He grew up and attended rural school and helped on the family farm. He worked in the Civil Conservation Corps in Wisconsin for a couple of years before returning to the area where he married Viola Miller on Aug. 26, 1938, at St. John's Catholic Church, Wahpeton, by Rev. Roman Neva. They lived in Brushville, Minn., before moving to DeVillo Township, where they lived and farmed. They later moved southwest of Fairmount in LaMars Township, where he continued to farm. He retired from his farm at the age of 62, but kept active, helping on the Donald Miller farms.

Mike was a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church, and his youth enjoyed playing baseball in the Fairmount area as a pitcher. He loved to fish with family and friends, and was often heard playing his harmonica. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Viola, Fairmount; 15 children, Jerry (Jeanne), Cletus (Paulette), Paul (Rhonda), all Poplar, Mont., Mark (Marilyn) Culbertson, Mont., Michael, Ronnie (Dyane), West Bend, Wis., Jim, Tigerton, Wis., Donnie, Fairmount, Gail (Donnie) Mayou, Seattle, Virginia "Ginger"(Richard) Haman, Wilton, Carole (Fred) Rowin, Fairmount, Mary (David) Espita, West Bend, Sue (Bill) Renfro, Dallas, Texas, Debbie (Jerry) Kent, Mission, Texas, Rita (Larry) Olson, Wahpeton; 35 grandchildren; 41 great grandchildren; four sisters, Ann Egan, Wahpeton, Phyllis Schmit, Fairmount, Mary Roth, Hasting, Minn., Florence Radtke, Milwaukee; and one brother Jerome "Tom" (Georgina), Milwaukee. He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Max and Lawrence "Bud." Vertin-Munson Wahpeton Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.