DEATH NOTICES

LUVERNE H. NORBY
APRIL 14, 1928 – FEBRUARY 11, 2017

 
LuVerne H. Norby, age 88, of Benson, Minnesota died Saturday, February 11, 2017, at Bethesda Nursing Home.  Visitation will be from 5 – 7 p.m., Friday, February 17, 2017, and will continue from 10 – 11 a.m., followed by the funeral at 11 a.m., Saturday, February 18, 2017, at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Benson.  Interment will be in the Swenoda Lutheran Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church and The Gideons International.

LuVerne Herbert Norby was born on April 14, 1928, to Herbert A. Norby and Julia E. (Holstad) Norby, in Swenoda Township, Swift County.  He was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church of Swenoda Township, by Rev. M. O. Andrews and confirmed at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, in Benson, by Rev. Harold Nasheim.  He attended Country School, District 49 in rural Swift County and the West Central School of Agriculture at Morris.

Pastor Charles “Chuck” Jacobson
April 12, 1931 - February 9, 2017
 

Pastor Charles “Chuck” Jacobson, age 85 of Northfield, MN, passed away on Thursday morning, February 9, 2017, at the care center of the Northfield Retirement Community.

Charles Eugene Jacobson was born April 12, 1931, in Benson, Minnesota, to Eugene and Ethel (Anderson) Jacobson.  He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church and graduated from Benson High School in 1949.  Following high school he attended Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, where he met the love of his life, Marilyn Anderson.  They married on July 18, 1953, at Swedlanda Lutheran Church in rural Hector.  After marriage they made their home in Rock Island, Illinois, while Chuck attended Augustana Theological Seminary, graduating with his Masters of Divinity in 1957.  He was ordained that same year.  He later received his Masters of Arts in Religious Studies from Stetson University in DeLand, FL.  

Connie Renae Diehl
February 6, 2017

Connie Renae Diehl was called from this life February 6, 2017.

Visitation will be held at St. Francis Catholic Church in Benson, Sunday, February 19 from 3-5 p.m.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, February 20 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Benson officiated by Father Steve Verhelst.

Connie is the daughter of Margaret “Peggy” Skarsten (Mortenson) and Lester Erickson of Benson.  Connie graduated from Benson High School in 1975 and attended Willmar Vocational & Technical School in Medical Transcription.  She worked for Affiliated Community Medical Center in Benson for 32 years before retiring.  

Grant Michael Brustuen
February 10, 1994 - February 2, 2017
 

Grant Brustuen, age 22, of rural Appleton, died Thursday, February 2nd in Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar.  Funeral services were Friday, February 10th at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Morris officiated by Pastor Michael Hanson.  Burial followed in Long Lake Cemetery, Hegbert Township.
 
Grant Michael Brustuen was born February 10, 1994 in Willmar, Minnesota, the son of Stuart and Cindy (Hanson) Brustuen.  He was baptized May 22, 1994 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church –Hegbert Township, by Pastor Mary Feistner.  Grant attended Appleton and Milan Elementary Schools and Lac qui Parle Valley High School, graduating May 27, 2012.

Catherine A. Zinda
September 27, 1933 ~ February 3, 2017
 
Catherine A. Zinda 83, of Kerkhoven passed away on Friday, February 3, 2017, at Prairie Senior Cottages in Willmar.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 am on Friday, at The Church of St. Mary in Willmar.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery in Kerkhoven.  Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home.  www.hafh.org
 

Hon. Richard A. Bodger
February 4, 2017

The Honorable Richard A. “Dick” Bodger, retired. Age 91 of Edina passed away Feb. 4, 2017 at home with his wife, Jeri, by his side.

Preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Pat; brother, James; son-in-law, Rich Nieland. Survived by wife, Jeri; children, Suzanne (Michael) Anderson, Jacqueline Nieland; four grandchildren, three great grandchildren; brother, Donald (Helen); sister-in-law, Laura; nieces and nephews; Jeri’s children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Dick proudly served in the US Navy during WWII. He was a 1951 graduate from the University of Minnesota Law School. Dick practiced law in Benson, MN for 16 years before becoming a judge. He served as a judge for 23 years until his retirement as Chief Judge of the 8th Judicial District. 

Manford Otto Oyen
June 2, 1930 • January 25, 2017

Manford Otto “Manny” Oyen, 86, of Mesa, AZ passed away January 25, 2017 in Mesa.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Fountain of the Sun in Mesa, AZ on February 20, 2017 at 1 p.m. and in Minnesota at 1st Lutheran Church of Crystal this summer.

Manford Otto Oyen (Manny) was born  June 2, 1930 in Benson, Minnesota and died  January 25, 2017 in Mesa, AZ.

Manny worked for Barton Sand & Gravel  for 42 years out of Osseo, Minnesota and was very proud to have helped build the road infrastructure around the State of Minnesota (and to drive his children around on the roads that weren’t even opened yet).  He was an active member of 1st Lutheran Church of Crystal and Our Saviors Lutheran Church of Mesa.  He was a member of Sons of Norway, the Fairhaven Lions Club, and the Norske Torske Klubben.  He was a volunteer at the Banner Baywood Hospital for many years.

Anne Dolan Kelly
Oct. 20, 1920 - Jan. 26, 2017

Anne Dolan Kelly was born on October 20, 1920 and passed peacefully on
January 26, 2017 at St. Therese in New Hope.  She graduated from Benson
High School and the College of St. Catherine.   She began her career
with the United Way in St. Paul, but she spent the bulk of her career as
a very successful life insurance agent for the Penn Mutual Company.

SUSAN RAE GENS
DEATH NOTICE
NOVEMBER 30, 1956 – JANUARY 24, 2017
 
Susan Rae Gens, age 60, of Benson, died Tuesday, January 24, 2017, at home under Hospice care. 

A memorial service will be held at a later date in South Dakota. 

Zniewski Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.  www.zniewskifuneralhome.com

CURTIS H. PIERCE
JANUARY 20, 1922 – JANUARY 24, 2017
OBITUARY
 
Curtis Harry Pierce, age 95, of Benson, Minnesota died Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at Gabriel House Assisted Living.  Visitation will be from 4 – 7 p.m., Friday, January 27, 2017, at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Benson.  Visitation will continue from 10 – 11 a.m., followed by the funeral at 11 a.m., Saturday, January 28, 2017, at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church.  Arrangements are with Zniewski Funeral Home.