Obituaries

Arthur J. Foster, 93

Arthur J. "Art" Foster, 93, died Oct. 13, 1999, at the Sunset Home in Anchorage, Alaska. He is the last direct descendent and grandson of Joel Foster, the first white settler of the city of River Falls.

He was born May 23, 1906, in River Falls. He farmed in River Falls, was in the insurance business and helped form the Farm Safety Council. He moved to Alaska in 1955 and was surface foreman of the Red Devil Mine.

In 1958 he moved to Anchorage and worked at Brown's Electric until retiring in 1972. After his retirement, he spent several summers in Kasilof, fishing for salmon. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, and spending time at the lake, watching his family play.

He cared for a pair of African lions at Brown's Electric and took them for outings in his car.

He was a loving and generous husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who enjoyed his children and made life fun and interesting. He taught three generations to ice skate, fish, hunt, and take pleasure in work and doing a good job.

He shared the bounty from his garden, especially his raspberries and was always ready to share his knowledge.

His grandfather, Joel Foster, began the settlement of River Falls after he explored the Kinnickinnic River in the summer of 1848. He and his 20-year-old indentured servant, Dick, reportedly spent the winter under a rock shelf along the banks of the river. That winter of 1848 became the first official year documenting the history of River Falls.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Evelyn; his daughters: Ruth Davis of Tucson, Ariz., Alice Viney of River Falls and Lois Smith of Anchorage; a son, Robert Foster of Chattaroy, Wash.; 10 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service was held Monday, Oct. 18, at Witzelben's Bragaw Chapel in Anchorage, with Rushing Graham officiating. A reception followed at the home of his granddaughter, Diane Elledge, in Eagle River. His ashes were to be scattered at Rainbow Lake in Willow.

Margaret M. Baerenwald, 68

Margaret "Marge" Mary Baerenwald, 68, of River Falls died Monday, Nov. 8, 1999, at the River Falls Area Hospital.

She was born July 25, 1931, in St. Paul, the daughter of Maximillian and Agnes Cieminski. She grew up and attended school on the east side of St. Paul and graduated from Johnson High School in 1949. She attended the University of Minnesota for 2 years.

On July 13, 1957, she married Dean Baerenwald at Bethel Lutheran Church in St. Paul. They raised two children and moved to River Falls in 1987.

Marge loved the Lord and her family. She enjoyed studying the Bible, listening to music, playing the piano, gardening, and spending time with her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Max and Agnes Cieminski; her brothers: Jack and Ray Cieminski; and her nieces, Jo Ann Hiller and Maureen Caswell.

She is survived by her husband, Dean Baerenwald of River Falls; her daughter, Darla and Jim Wilson of Spring, Texas; her son, Steven and Lanelle Baerenwald of River Falls; her grandchildren: Rebecca, Joshua and Joy Wilson and Karis Baerenwald; her nephew, Dick Cieminski; and many beloved friends in Christ.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 13, at the River Falls Assembly of God Church, with the Rev. Steve McGinnis officiating.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 12, at Cashman Mortuary, and one hour before the funeral service on Saturday at the church.

Cashman Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Bernice C. Daeffler, 75

Bernice D. Daeffler, 75, of River Falls, died Tuesday, Nov. 2, 1999, at The Lutheran Home: River Falls.

She was born April 8, 1924, in St. Paul, the daughter of John and Catherine Switala.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Catherine Switala; and her husband, Jacob Daeffler.

She is survived by her sisters: Helen Egan of California, Florence and George Kandels of St. Paul, and Dorothy and Donald Peterson of Minneapolis; special friends: Celine and Alan Lauermann and their children; many nieces and nephews.

Funeral was Friday, Nov. 5, at St. Bridget Catholic Church.

Burial was in St. Bridget Cemetery.

Cashman Mortuary handled arrangements.

Edna Cordua, 84

Edna Cordua, 84, of Hyattsville, Md., died Oct. 28, 1999, in Lanham, Md.

She was born Dec. 30, 1914, in Washington, D.C., the only child of Willie and Marie (Meyer) Boege. She attended Eleanor Roosevelt High School. She married Rudolph Cordua on Oct. 7, 1935.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Rudolph.

She is survived by her sons: UW-River Falls Professor William and Jan Cordua of River Falls, and Jeff Cordua of Hyattsville, Md.; cousins, nieces and nephews in the Washington area.

Funeral was Tuesday, Nov. 2, at Fort Lincoln Funeral Home in Berntwood, Md.

Memorials may be sent to the UW-RF Foundation, Edna and Rudy Cordua Scholarship.