DEATH NOTICES

RICHARD "DICK" SCHIRMER
August 29, 1943 • June 18, 2018

Richard “Dick” H. Schirmer, 74, of Fridley, Minnesota, formerly of Benson, died  peacefully Monday June 18, 2018, at the Benedictine Health Care Center at Innsbruck in New Brighton.

Visitation was held from 2-3 p.m.  Friday, June 22, followed by the funeral service at 3 p.m. at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church Chapel in Benson.   Interment was in the Benson City Cemetery.  

Richard was born August 29, 1943 in Benson, Minnesota, the son of Harold and Lila Schirmer. He attended school in the Benson area graduating from Benson High School in 1961. He graduated from the University of Minnesota Morris in 1964 and was accepted for post graduate work at the University of Iowa.

ELEANOR JANE FLOAN
July 20, 1930 - June 9, 2018

Eleanor “Ellie” Jane Floan,  87, died Saturday, June 9, 2018 at her home in Benson.  

Visitation will be held 1-2 p.m. Friday, June 29, 2018, followed by the funeral service at 2 p.m., at West Zion Lutheran Church in rural Hancock.  Interment will be in the church cemetery.  

Ellie was born July 20, 1930 to Odin and Olga (Erickson) Floan in Langhei Township, Pope County, Minnesota.  She was baptized  August 10, 1930 at West Zion Lutheran Church. She continued to live on the farm with her parents until her mother’s death.  At that time, she moved into Swift County Homes Number 1 where she continued to live until the time of her death.

Ellie attended the Developmental Achievement Center in Benson for many years where she worked at various jobs and participated in many social activities.

DIANE KAY ASCHEMAN
- June 17, 2018

Diane Kay Ascheman, 69, of Benson, Minnesota, died Sunday afternoon, June 17, 2018, at Homestead Place North in Benson. Visitation was held from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a 4:30 p.m. Parish Prayer Service, Wednesday, June 20 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Benson. A mass of christian burial was held Thursday, June 21, at St. Francis Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m. Interment was in the Church of the Visitation Catholic Church Cemetery in Danvers.

Diane Kay (Sulier) Ascheman was born August 21, 1948, in Benson, Minnesota, the daughter of Richard and Viola (Hess) Sulier. She grew up in the Benson area and graduated from Benson High School.

November 19, 1966, Diane was united in marriage to Robert “Bob” Ascheman at St. Francis Catholic Church. This union was blessed with more than 51 years of marriage, four children, and five grandchildren.

GREGORY E. FISCHER
June 5, 1960 - January 21, 2018

A Celebration of Life service for Gregory E. Fischer of Brighton, TN (formerly of the Benson-Willmar area) will be held July 3, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Spicer, Minnesota.  Greg will be laid to rest in Aitkin near his beloved grandparents, July 5, 2018.

Gregory Eugene Olson Fischer, 57, was born  June 5, 1960 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Sherman and LaVay Olson.

He was baptized at the EUB Church in Norcross and was confirmed at St. Mark’s Lutheran in Benson.  He attended elementary schools in Watertown, Willmar, New London-Spicer and Benson.  He graduated from Benson High School in 1978.  

DONALD "DON" W. FLYNN
May 14, 1943 - June 13, 2018

Donald William Flynn, 75, died at his home in Paynesville, Minnesota, Wednesday, June 13, 2018. Visitation was held from 5-7 p.m., with a 6 p.m. prayer service at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Murdock, Thursday June 21. A private family funeral mass will be held at a later date.

Donald was born May 14, 1943, the son of Glen and Anetta (Schaaf) Flynn. He was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Faith at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in DeGraff. He attended school in Benson until 1962.

In 1965, Don was united in marriage to Lucille Jindra at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church by Monsignor Trainor.

GLADYS ILENE LYSEN
September 20, 1924 - June 14, 2018

Gladys Ilene Lysen, 93, of Benson, Minnesota, died Thursday, June 14, 2018, at Gabriel House in Murdock.  
Visitation was from 5-7 p.m., followed by a Prayer Service at 7 p.m., Monday, June 18, 2018, at Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ in Benson.  Visitation continued from 1-2 p.m., followed by the Funeral Service at 2 p.m., Tuesday, June 19, 2018, at the church.  Interment was in the Benson City Cemetery.  

Gladys Ilene Lysen was born September 20, 1924 to Ernest and Mayme (Gainey) Gunderson in Benson.  She was baptized and confirmed at the Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ.  Gladys grew up in Benson Township and attended country school through the eighth grade.

HARRIET MORTENSON
January 28, 1926 • June 4, 2018

Harriet Mortenson, 92, of Marshall, Minnesota (formerly of St. Louis Park) died  Monday, June 4, 2018, at Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall. Visitation will be held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 12, 2018, with the Funeral service 10:30 a.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church in Golden Valley.  Following a reception, Interment is at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis at 1:15 p.m.

Harriet Marion Flaten was born January 28, 1926, in Camp Lake Township, Swift County, Minnesota, to Elmer and Tillie (Thostenson) Flaten.  She grew up near Benson and after grade school she helped on the family farm and caring for neighboring households.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

Craig and Keith Johnson
Memorial Open House Gathering

An open house in memory of brothers, Keith and Craig Johnson, will be held Saturday, June 23, 2018 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the Benson Golf Club. Keith passed away January 26, 2018 and his brother Craig passed away May 23, 2018.

The memorial gathering will be hosted by their families.

Mervin “Merv” Swanson
April 22, 1921 • May 31, 2018

Mervin Swanson, 97, of North Branch, Minnesota (formerly of Benson) passed away Thursday, May 31 at his home.
Funeral services were held at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Benson, Sat., June 9 at 1 p.m. Visitation was one hour before the service.  A private burial service will be at a later date.

 Merv was born April 22, 1921 to Gust and Martha Swanson at their home in rural Swift County. He was baptized, confirmed, and had religious training.  Merv graduated from Benson High School in 1939. When he was 21 years old, as World War II was starting, he was drafted into the Army.

JEFFREY DOUGLAS VANWINKLE
December 17, 1949 - December 2, 2017

Jeffrey Douglas VanWinkle, 68, of Hugo, Minnesota passed away December 2, 2017 at the Fort Snelling Hospital in Minneapolis due to complications with agent orange.

A  memorial service will be held Monday, June 11 at 11:30 a.m. at the Fort Snelling Vietnam Veteran’s Wall, Assembly Area 2 in Minneapolis.

Jeff was born December 17, 1949 in Winona to John and Lorraine VanWinkle. Jeff served his country during the Vietnam War as a medic.  Jeff was employed at TSI in Shoreview as a mechanic.

Jeffrey enjoyed camping and riding his Harley Davidson. He also enjoyed taking care of his three rescue dogs, Millie, Herschey and Scooter.

Jeffrey is survived by his son, Jesse of Hugo (his longtime caretaker); daughter: Ashley VanWinkle Borden of Evansville, WY; sister Doris of White Bear Lake; grandchildren: Payton, Collin, Brailey and Jace; other relatives and friends.