Obituaries

John M. Felt, 63

John M. Felt, 63, of Ellsworth died Saturday, Jan. 15, 2000.

He was born Feb. 17, 1936, in Red Wing, Minn., the son of Eric and Vera (Straub) Felt. He was a graduate of Prescott High School. He worked for Jim Cambell's Standard Station for 2 years. He served in the U.S. Air Force for 4 years, stationed in the South Pacific, California Scott Air Force Base, in West Losey, Ill. John worked for Ford-Philco on government contacts in Ireland, where he met Helga Jonsdotter. They were married Dec. 21, 1962.

In 1963 he took a leave of absence from Philco to attend UW-River Falls. He graduated in 1967 with a major in math and physics and a minor in chemistry.

After graduating, the couple moved to Glendale, Md. Their son, John Erik, was born in Washington, D.C. They moved to Ellsworth in 1968 and John began working for Northwest Refinery in Newport, Minn.

In 1971 he went to work for Economics Laboratory as a scientific computer analyst. A daughter, Anna Hulda, was born that same year in Red Wing.

In 1984 the couple purchased Swanson's Jewelry in Ellsworth, later named Helga's Jewelry. They retired in 1999, when they sold the store.

He was a member of Hancock Lodge #229, F. and A.M.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife, Helga, of Ellsworth; on son, Erik and Maureen Felt of McFarland; one daughter, Anna Hulda of New York, N.Y.; one granddaughter; and one grandson.

Memorial services were Tuesday, Jan. 18, at the Hill Funeral Home, Ellsworth, with the Rev. Laurel Stockness officiating.

Memorials are preferred.

Arvilla Olson, 87

Arvilla "Billie" Olson, 87, of Hudson died Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2000, after a short illness.

She was born Sept. 4, 1912, in Tomahawk, the daughter of Tobias and Mathilda (Strom) Olson. At a young age, they moved to Hudson where she received her education and graduated from Hudson High School.

After school she worked a short time in Hudson prior to going to work for U.S. Bedding Company in St. Paul. She worked 40 years manufacturing bedding before retiring.

She enjoyed sewing, crossword puzzles, reading and was an avid bowler. She entertained and had holiday gatherings where she prepared lefsa, boll and lutefisk. She loved her family and looked forward to weekend stays, projects or shopping with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be missed by her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her siblings: Phyllis, Margaret, Gladys "Goggie," and Harold; and a niece, Margaret Susan Cameron.

She is survived by her daughter, Nanci Sayre of Shoreview, Minn.; her brothers: George "Shorty" and Norval "PeeWee" Olson, both of Hudson; her grandchildren: Melinda "Mindy" Sayre, Debbie Sayre, Timothy and Lisa Sayre, all of St. Paul; her great-grandchildren: Amanda, Brandon, Alicia, Tyler, Ashley, Marissa Johanna, Makenzie and Cortney; many special nieces and nephews; and many great-nieces and nephews.

Funeral was Jan. 20 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Hudson with the Rev. Joanne Sorenson officiating. The organist was Delores Willi and the vocalist was Cheryl Forester.

Interment was in the family plot at Willow River Cemetery in Hudson. Active pallbearers were Robert "Buster" Lyksett, Erling Strom, John Martin, Bruce Janovec, Kevin Smith and Scott Bennett.

Honorary pallbearers were Brandon and Tyler Sayre.

Memorials are preferred to the family.

George J. Nelson, 85

George J. Nelson, 85, of River Falls died Friday, Jan. 21, 2000.

He was born April 11, 1914, in Red Wing, Minn., the eldest child of Gust and Helga Nelson of Vasa, Minn.

He was baptized in 1914 at Vasa Lutheran Church and confirmed in 1929 at Eidsvold Lutheran Church in Esdaile. After graduating from 8th grade he attended Bay City High School for six weeks. He then began work on the home farm at Esdaile.

In 1929 his parents moved from Esdaile to a town of Hartland farm south of Ellsworth.

In the early 1930s he began doing jobs off of the farm. He worked at the Trimbelle Rock Quarry, repairing the Prairie Island Dam and later worked at the Alma Dam #2.

In 1934 he bought his first car, a 1929 Chevrolet Coup for $165.

In the fall of 1936 he gave Elsie Bartlett an engagement ring and they were married on July 2, 1938, at her home.

He began farming in 1938 and expanded to a 157-acre crop and dairy farm in 1942. In 1969 he sold the farm and worked for 10 years for the Pierce County Highway Department.

During his farming years he was active in a number of civic organizations. He began as treasurer of the Drake School, was on the town of Hartland Board for 16 years (including 12 years as chair), the Farmers Union Oil Co-op Board, the National Farmers Organization Board, and the Pierce County Highway Commission.

He also served on the Bethlehem and English Lutheran Church boards.

He and Elsie liked to travel whenever possible. Their travels included a visit in 1967 to his cousins in Sweden, Finland and Norway.

He was a member of Ezekiel Lutheran Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Kenneth; a granddaughter, Julie; a son-in-law, Tom Dusek; and a daughter-in-law, Thorild.

He is survived by his wife, Elsie, of River Falls; five children: James Nelson and Ann Dusek of River Falls, Robert Nelson and Jane Schmidt of Ellsworth, and Ruth McWain of Cottage Grove, Minn.; one sister, Rose Hylle of Minneapolis; and one brother, Gordon Nelson of Ellsworth; 16 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

Funeral was Tuesday, Jan. 25, at Ezekiel Lutheran Church with the Rev. William Montgomery officiating.

Burial was at Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery in rural Ellsworth.

Philip C. Hitzeman, 76

Philip C. Hitzeman, 76, died Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2000, at Crosby, Minn.

He was born Oct. 29, 1923, in Cedar, Minn., the third son of Edward and Emma Swanson.

He survived the Normandy invasion during World War II, returning home to marry Martha Godman on Nov. 29, 1947.

He is survived by his wife, Marty; one son, Bruce and Sue of River Falls; his granddaughter, Kelley and Jason Prosser of Spring Valley; his grandsons: Ryan and Brenne Hitzeman; his daughter, Marie and Gordy Fuchs; his grandsons Jason and Bradley, and his granddaughter, Lora Fuchs, all of Butte, Mont.; two brothers and one sister.

Funeral was at First Lutheran Church of Crosby, Minn., on Saturday, Jan. 22.

Interment will be a Camp Ripley at a later date.

Linda J. Cram, 51

Linda Jane Cram, 51, of Wyoming, Minn., died Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2000, the result of an automobile accident.

She was born Aug. 17, 1948, to Edward and Mable Rohl. She attended school and college in River Falls.

On May 20, 1967, she married Henry W. Cram. She was a homemaker and a home school teacher for her family. She belonged to the Robbinsdale Women's Center, was active in pro-life counseling and church activities. Her family was a priority.

She was preceded in death by her father, Edward Rohl; and a grandson, Joey Chiappetta.

She is survived by her husband, Henry W. "Hank"; her children: Michelle, Christy, Jessica, Tim, Paul, Joe and Isaiah; her grandchildren: Jacob, Ashley, Rebecca, and Austin; her mother, Mabel Rohl; her brothers and sisters: Bonnie Kusilek, Mary Huppert, Donnie Rohl, Marguerite "Peggy" Kobylarczyk, John Rohl, Joanne DeLeon, Kathlyn Rotty, Richard Rohl, James Rohl, Tim "Gary" Rohl, Paula Fiedler, and Steve Rohl; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral was Saturday, Jan. 15, at Emmanuel Christian Center in Fridley, Minn., with the Rev. Tom Geselle officiating.

Interment was in the Scandinavian Cemetery at Forest Lake, Minn.

Memorials are requested to: Faith Assembly, P.O. Box 312, Chisago City, Minn., 55013, for special adoptions and pro-life work.

Emil Hanson, 95

Emil Hanson, 95, of Spring Valley died Saturday, Jan. 22, 2000, at the Spring Valley Health Center in Spring Valley.

He was born Oct. 29, 1904, the son of Andrew and Marie (Edvardatter) Hanson at Hudson.

He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Spring Valley in his younger years and had been a long-time member of Rush River Lutheran Church in rural River Falls.

His mother died when he was 3 years old and he was raised by Ole Skinnes. He grew up north of Spring Valley in the town of Eau Galle and attended Wildwood School. He enjoyed baseball and played on the Wildwood baseball team.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the service he worked a short time for Douglas Air Craft in California. He moved back to Wisconsin where he farmed and also worked painting homes and farms. He was an avid gardener and still enjoyed baseball.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Hans, Marcus and Ingvald Hanson; and one sister, Alma Hanson.

Survivors include: nine nieces and nephews; a number of great-nieces and great-nephews; great-great nieces and great-great-nephews; other relatives and friends.

Funeral was Wednesday, Jan. 26, at Rush River Lutheran Church in rural River Falls, with the Rev. John Sutherland officiating. Music was provided by organist David Westbrook, with congregational singing.

Spring burial will be in the Martell Lutheran Cemetery in the town of Martell.

Pallbearers were Levan Kverenckiladze, Mark Poff, Bill Christenson, Marus Poff, Eric Poff and Christopher Fasching.

Benedict J. Meyer, 102

Benedict J. Meyer, 102, of Reedsburg and formerly of River Falls, died Thursday, Jan. 20, 2000, in Racine.

He was born Sept. 20, 1897, in Canton, Miss., the son of John and Margaret Meyer.

He was very loving, alert and witty until his death. He will be missed by his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lucy, who died on Feb. 1, 1984; his daughter-in-law, Dorothy; two brothers; and three sisters.

Survivors include his son, Robert B. and Rebecca Meyer of Reedsburg; five grandsons: David and Marcia of Deerfield, Rodney of Reedsburg, Jerry of Lake Delton, Don and Brenda of Fargo, N.D., and Craig and Debbie of Wisconsin Dells; five granddaughters: Wanda and Bill Brethorst of Racine, Judith Meyer of Madison, Linda and Evan Meyer of Reedsburg, Roberta Meyer of Reedsburg and Susan and Olaf Gregerson of Wisconsin Dells; one step-grandson, John and Ellen McDonough of Reedsburg; 10 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Mass of Christian Burial was Monday, Jan. 24, at St. Bridget Catholic Church. Burial was in St. Bridget's Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to St. Bridget's Church.

Cashman Mortuary handled arrangements.