Obituaries
Edna L. Fenn, 62
Died July 11, 1999Edna Leona Fenn, 62, a longtime Hudson resident, died Sunday, July 11 at the River Falls Area Hospital where she had been admitted five days earlier. She was born Oct. 19, 1936, in Byron, Minn., the daughter of Nels and Effie (Holt) Carstensen and received her education in a country school at Salem Corners, near Byron. On Nov. 12, 1954, at East St. Olaf's Church in Rock Dell, Minn., she was married to Donald Arthur Fenn. He preceded her in death in June 1975. After raising her family, she took employment at the Andersen Corporation in Bayport where she worked for 23 years until she retired in January of this year. She was a member of the First Presbyterian of Hudson and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2115 of Hudson. Watching sport events and shopping were among her enjoyments. Much of her free time was spent in camping, fishing and outdoor activities with her family and grandchildren who were important and dear to her heart. Surviving are two daughters, Brenda L. (Dick A.) Foust of Hudson and Linda (Steve) Dulon of Somerset; a son, John Allen Fenn of Hudson; five brothers, Clayton (Darlene) Carstensen of Deerwood, Minn., Clinton (Darlene) Carstensen of Kasson, Minn., Lyle (Ruth) Carstensen and Russell Carstensen, both of Byron, Minn., and Paul Carstensen of Preston, Minn.; grandchildren, Lindsay Dalton, Jason Dalton, Cody Dalton, Amanda Foust, Donald Foust and step-grandchildren, Matt Foust and Brennen Dulon. Funeral services are at 10 a.m., Thursday, July 15 at the First Presbyterian Church in Hudson with Pastor Sandra Stuart-Gray officiating. Organist will be Jody Branson and vocalists, Connie and Bruce Swanson and David Dalton. Visitation was Wednesday, July 14, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the O'Connell Family Funeral Home in Hudson, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Burial will be in the family lot in Willow River Cemetery in Hudson where active pallbearers will be Daniel Carstensen, Robert Carstensen, Brian Carstensen, Terry Carstensen, Steven Peskar and Ronald Head. Honorary casketbearers will be Allan O'Connell and Randy Peskar. Memorials preferred.
Elvera C. Deiss, 75
Died July 6, 1999Elvera Clara Deiss, 75, of Hudson, died Tuesday, July 6 at the Baldwin Care Center after a brief illness. She was born March 30, 1924, in the town of Oak Grove, Pierce County, daughter of William J. and Veronica (Engel) Huppert. On Oct. 10, 1944, at St. Mary's Church in Big River, Pierce County she was married to Marvin E. Deiss. She was a homemaker and farm wife, but in recent years she was employed at Cub Foods in Stillwater. She enjoyed gardening, traveling and playing bingo. Preceding her in death were her parents, William and Veronica Huppert. Survivors are her husband, Marvin; a daughter, Karen (Kenneth) Kreye of Hudson; two sons, Tom Deiss of Ellsworth and Richard (Sherry) Deiss of Hammond; grandchildren: Kandi Kiesler of Hudson, Jim and Robyn Cicchese of River Falls, Kevin Deiss of West Virginia, Trent and Heidi Kowalchyk of Hudson; two great-grandchildren, Kayla and Katelyn Kiesler; a brother, Gene (Ginny) Huppert of Big River; six aunts, Mrs. Leon (Marge) Engel, Ida Dalow, Matilda Brickner, Marie Brickner, Idell Huppert and Evelyn Huppert and an uncle, William Huppert. Funeral services were Friday, July 9 at St. Bridget's Church in River Falls, with the Rev. Gerald Harris officiating. At the service gift bearers were a brother and sister-in-law, Gene and Ginny Huppert, and the readers were Jim and Robyn Cicchese. Burial was in the church cemetery in River Falls where active pallbearers were Kevin Deiss, Jim Cicchese, Trent Kowalchyk, Dan Reis, Joe Huppert and David Ray. Honorary bearers were Kandi Kiesler, Robyn Cicchese, and Heidi Kowalchyk. Arrangements were by Cashman Mortuary in River Falls.
Karl Ludvigson, 25
Died July 3, 1999Karl Ludvigson, 25, of Dresser, died Saturday, July 3 as a result of a boating accident in the St. Croix River near Bayport. He was born April 9, 1974, in New Richmond, the son of Guy and Judith (Kuehndorf) Ludvigson. He graduated from Osceola High School in 1992 where he played basketball, football and golf, attended the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in December 1997. For the past year he taught history to 11th and 12th-graders at Frederic High School. Recently he had become engaged to Amy Beahm. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf, snowmobiling, fantasy football and all sports. In 1974-1976, his father, Guy Ludvigson, a lawyer, had been employed in the office of the St. Croix County district attorney in Hudson. Surviving are his parents, Guy and Judy Ludvigson of Osceola; a sister, Moria; his fiancee, Amy Beahm; and his grandparents, Thela and Russell Badger of Lakeland, Fla. Funeral services were Friday, July 9 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Osceola. Arrangements were by Grandstand Funeral Home in Osceola.
John M. Griffith Sr., 80
Died July 10, 1999John M. Griffith Sr., 80, of Station Circle in Hudson and Sarasota, Fla., and formerly of Golden Valley, Minn., died Saturday, July 10. During World War II, he served as a pilot in England with the Eighth Army Air Force. He graduated from the University of Minnesota where he was a member of the Psi U Fraternity, Epsilon chapter. He will be remembered for his entrepreneurial spirit. He and his wife, Betty started a business in 1950 that continues today under the guidance of the second generation of the family, and includes many third generation members. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Betty (Bloomquist) Griffith; a daughter, Nancy (Griffith) Gilbert of Hudson; a son, John "Grif" (Alana) Griffith Jr., of Robbinsdale, Minn.; three grandsons, John M. Griffith III of Minneapolis, Michael J. Gilbert of Hudson and Adam J. Griffith of Robbinsdale; a granddaughter, Kristine A. Gilbert of Hudson; three sisters, Mary Dean of Hot Springs Village, Ark., Genevieve Bolger of Prior Lake, Minn., and Naples, Fla., and Ann Scoggin of Edina, Minn., and a brother, Leonard E. Griffith of Tucson, Ariz. A celebration life service was at 2 p.m., Wednesday, July 14 at Lakewood Cemetery Chapel in Minneapolis. Memorials are preferred to the Hudson Girls Hockey Association or the World War II Minnesota War Memorial Fund. The Cremation Society of Minnesota handled arrangements.
Marlys L. Romslo, 75
Died July 11, 1999Marlys Lorraine Romslo, 75, of Hudson and formerly of New Brighton, Minn., died unexpectedly at her home, Sunday afternoon, July 11. She was born Oct. 28, 1923, in Minneapolis the daughter of William and Anna (Peterson) Anderson and attended grade school in South Minneapolis and graduated from Roosevelt High School. On Aug. 7, 1959, she was married to Archie Joseph Romslo in Minneapolis. She and her husband lived most of their married life in New Brighton. Earlier in her adult life, she did clerical work for the North American Life Insurance Company. After raising her daughter, she worked assembling computer chips for the National Cash Register Company, retiring in the early 1990s. Later she worked in childcare in New Brighton. In May of this year, she moved to Hudson to be close to her daughter, Joan (Brian) Wert and family of Hudson. She enjoyed spending times with her friends and especially her grandchildren who were very special to her. Her other interests included shopping, growing flowers and plants and enjoying all animals especially her pets. Besides her daughter JoAnn (Brian) Wert of Hudson, she is survived by her three grandchildren, Adam, Chad and Lindsay and a brother, Raymond (Betty) Anderson of Brookfield. Preceding her in death were her husband, Archie Romslo, who died Aug. 8, 1998; a sister Evelyn Berg and a brother, Billy Anderson. Funeral services were at 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 14 at the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Burkhardt, with Pastor Marilyn Thurber officiating. At the service, organist Kathy Hildebrandt accompanied the vocalist Debbie O'Keefe. Private family burial will be in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Visitation was from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, July 13 at the O'Connell Family Funeral Home in Hudson. Memorials are preferred.
John F. Simpson, 91
Died July 12, 1999John Fraser Simpson, 91, of Hudson, died Monday, July 12 at his home after a short illness. He was born Aug. 1, 1907, in Newcastle, New Brunswick, the first son of Joseph Stanley and Carolyn Lenore Simpson. He grew up in Loggieville, New Brunswick, until his move in 1922 to Wyndotte, Mich. While in Wyndotte, he sailed the Great Lakes in the shipping industry and later worked at Arlington National Cemetery as a tree surgeon. For 11 years he was employed in the Michigan Steel Mill and then secured a position with the Wyndotte Chemical Company until his retirement at the age of 63 after 40 years of service. Farming always had been a joy to him and he continued that part-time throughout his life. On Sept. 23, 1935, he married Florence P. Staples in Aldershot, Ontario, Canada. He had been married for 64 years. He and his wife moved to Hudson in 1978 to be with their daughter Donna and her family. He enjoyed summer trips to Canada, fly fishing, card playing, story telling, figure skating (until he was 86 years old), and watching members of his family and friends show horses. He was a member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist of Boston, Mass., and Stillwater, for 60 years. In the Stillwater church he served as an usher, board member and reader for 10 years. Preceding him in death were his parents; two brothers, Harry Sterling and Robert MacKenzie Simpson and a granddaughter, Stephanie Howard. Surviving are his wife, Florence; a daughter Donalda Speer-Bast (Kernon) of Hudson; a son, Gerald (JeriLou) Simpson of Carleton, Mich.; grandchildren, Amy (Fred) Coulter, Sara (Peter) Felland and Kathryn Speer, all of Hudson, Robert (Lauren) Speer of Elk River, Minn., and Anne and Daniel Simpson of Carleton, Mich., and great-grandchildren, Michael, Claire, Chelsea, Zachary, Brandy, Jason, Jamie and Sarah. A celebration of life service is planned for next week. The place, date and time will be printed in next week's Star-Observer. Memorials are suggested to Heartland Hospice of St. Croix County or First Church of Christ, Scientist, Stillwater.
James R. Kidd, 52
Died July 10, 1999James Raymond (Jim) Kidd, 52, a lifelong resident of Hudson, died of cancer at his home Saturday, July 10. He was born in Hudson, Aug. 15, 1946, the son of Leonard and Elizabeth "Betty" (Thompson) Kidd and attended local schools, graduating from Hudson High School in 1964. After completing high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served at Redstone Arsenal, Ala., and in England and France. After leaving the military, he entered the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and graduated in 1972 with a degree in business and psychology. He was employed as a medical sales representative for HealthEast Med Home in St. Paul. On Aug. 14, 1971, he was married at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Hudson to Donna Lynn Stanek and they continued to make their home in Hudson. He enjoyed fishing, golfing and woodworking and spending time at their cabin near Danbury. Surviving are his wife, Donna of Hudson; three brothers, Richard (Geraldine) Kidd of Hudson, Eugene Kidd of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Timothy (Anne) Kidd of River Falls; five nephews and a niece. Preceding him in death were his parents. Memorial Mass was said at 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 13 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Hudson with the Rev. James Kinney officiating. Organist Elsie Sandquist was accompanied by the Hope Choir at the service. Visitation was Monday, July 12 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the O'Connell Family Funeral Home in Hudson. Burial was private. Memorials are preferred.
|