Crookston Obituaries

Current Obituaries - (Obituaries are posted for one week)

Marcella May Joseph, 58, of Crookston, Minnesota, died at her home, Thursday evening, September 2, 2010. Marcella was born on April 29, 1952, at Crookston, the youngest of nine daughters from the union of Charles and Rose (McShea) Walsh. She was raised in Crookston and graduated from the Mount St. Benedict School in 1970. Marcella worked for many years at the Villa St. Vincent Nursing Home in Crookston. She loved to cook, especially for special occasions. Marcella enjoyed spending time with her family, or just sitting quietly reading a book or watching television. She also liked going to the lake, or out for car rides. Marcella will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her family and many friends.
Loving family members include three sons, Ty (Sandy) Gruhot of Crookston, MN, Allen (Brenda) Joseph of Deer River, MN, and Charles (Charridy) Joseph of Crookston; grandchildren, Heath Simmons of Crookston, Steven Litzinger of Kindred, MN, Heidi Solem of Grand Forks, ND, Tony Litzinger of Middle River, MN, Benjamin Litzinger of Minot, ND, Andrea Vickerman, Samantha Vickerman, Christina Solberg and Brendan Solberg, all of Deer River; great-grandson, Brayden Solem; sisters, Ellen (Keith) Langhurst of Barnum, MN, Ann Johnson of Carlton, MN, Darlene Highness of Crookston, Melody Jasicki of Minneapolis, MN, Mary Lou (Dan) Schmitz of Red Lake Falls, MN, Colleen (Marv) Bartz of Barnum, and Pat (Dave) LaCoursiere of Crookston; brother-in-law, Ron Stinar of Fargo, ND; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Marcella was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Rose Walsh; sister, Rose Stinar; brother-in-law, Curt Highness; and a grandson, Thomas John Litzinger.
The memorial mass for Marcella May Joseph will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Crookston. Visitation with the family will be from 12:00 noon-2:00 pm before the funeral. Arrangements are with the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home.

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Kenneth C. Wavra, age 76, of Crookston, MN, died unexpectedly early Monday morning, August 30,2010, at the RiverView Hospital in Crookston. Kenny was born in Warren, MN on February 26, 1934, to Cyril and Bertha (Goosen) Wavra. He grew up on the family farm near Dorothy, MN, was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith, and attended school in Dorothy. Kenny entered the U.S. Army on September 23, 1954 and was stationed in Germany for fourteen months. He received his honorable discharge on September 6, 1956 and returned home. Kenny was united in marriage to Helen J. Casavan on August 24, 1957. The couple made their home in Red Lake Falls for a year before moving to Crookston. Together they raised eight children- Debbie, Mark, Tim, Vicki, Brenda, Denise, Barry, and Tammy. Very sadly, Brenda Joy, who had moved to Ojai, CA, died in a traffic accident near Ventura, CA, on February 1, 1988. Kenny first worked in sales for the Ebert Coffee Company, then as a driver for Wang Trucking. In 1962 he became employed as a driver and route salesman for the American Linen Supply Company. At this time he also purchased farmland in Louisville Township of Red Lake County, where he grew small grains. Managing two careers at the same time kept Kenny very busy for over 35 years until he retired from both in 1997. In semi-retirement he worked for MinnDak Asphalt and Crookston Valley Co-op for a few years. He was a long time member of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Crookston Eagles Aerie #873. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus. Ken loved spending time with his children and their families, and nothing compared to Grandpa Kenny's hugs. They were the best! Many precious memories were built around going camping, taking fishing trips to Lake of the Woods, and playing cards with family and friends. He looked forward to days spent at his farm, where he enjoyed hunting, and the special times he and Helen would share as they tended their garden. Kenny will be very lovingly missed by all who were a part of his life.
Family members include his wife of 53 years, Helen; seven children, Debbie (Mark) Engebretson of Crookston, MN, Mark Wavra & Ali Hohmann of Grand Forks, ND, Tim (Laurie) Wavra of Crookston, Vicki (Chuck) Henre of Crookston, Denise (Tim) Eggebraaten of Detroit Lakes, MN, Barry (Niki) Wavra of Duluth, MN, and Tammy (Dave) Wild of Fargo, ND; twenty-four grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. Kenny also leaves two sisters, Lois Proulx of Crookston, and Kathie (Jack) Peterson of Erskine, MN; several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Ray (Gloria) Delorme of Red Lake Falls, MN, Jessie (Diane) Casavan of Red Lake Falls, Larry (Carol) Fontaine of Lake Havasu City, AZ, Larry Casavan of Plummer, MN, Ed Casavan of Red Lake Falls, and John (Janet) Casavan of Roseau, MN; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives. In addition to his daughter, Brenda Joy; he was preceded in death by his parents, Cyril and Bertha; his father-in-law, Jesse Casavan Sr.; brother-in-law, Paul Proulx; sister-in-law, Marlene Casavan; and infant sister, Maryagnes. May God bless Kenny’s memory.
The funeral service for Kenneth Wavra will be held at 10:30 am, Thursday, September 2, 2010, in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Crookston, with The Very Rev. Bob Schreiner, officiating. Visitation will be at the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home on Wednesday from 5-7:00 pm, with a 7:00 pm prayer service, and also at the Cathedral for one hour prior to the funeral. Interment will be in St. Dorothy’s Cemetery, rural Red Lake Falls at 1:00 pm, Thursday, with Military Honors provided by the Minnesota National Guard Honors Unit.

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LeRoy A. Morvig, 84, rural Winger, MN, died on Wednesday, August 25, 2010, at the Riverview Hospital Crookston, MN.
LeRoy was born August 23, 1926, in rural Fertile, MN, to Lloyd and Amy (Lundby) Morvig. LeRoy was baptized at Maple Lake Lutheran Church and later confirmed at Little Norway Lutheran Church. He grew up and attended rural school and then Fertile High School. During his senior year in high school, LeRoy was drafted into the U. S Army. He served in the Pacific, Philippine Islands. After being discharged from the Army, LeRoy drove truck. He also worked at Serger Refrigeration Company in St. Paul, MN. He later returned home to the family farm in Garfield Township to farm. On June 16, 1951, LeRoy was united in marriage to Elaine Solie in Fertile. In 1959, they purchased a farm in Garden Township near Winger, MN, and have lived there since. Along with farming LeRoy was a self-employed trucker hauling milk to the Rindal Creamery for 23 years. He retired from farming in 1996, but continued to help on the farm. LeRoy was a lifelong member of Little Norway Lutheran Church and served on the Church Council. He served on the Garden Township board for 34 years; he was a member of the American Legion for 52 years. LeRoy enjoyed gardening with Elaine, watching the Twins and Nascar Racing, spending time with his family and his dog,
George. LeRoy is survived by his wife, Elaine, Winger, MN, four children, Eileen (Dennis) Martin, Ottertail, MN, Alton (Kathy) Morvig, Fertile, MN, Mark (Susan) Morvig, Winger, MN, DeAnn (Todd) Bruggeman, Crookston, MN, seven grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews, and couins. He is preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Iva Sether.
Funeral services will be on Monday, August 30, 2010, at 11 AM in the Little Norway Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN. Visitation will be on Sunday, August 29, 2010, from 5-7 PM with a prayer service at 6:30 PM in Erikson-Vik Funeral Home, Fertile, MN. Burial will be in Little Norway Lutheran Cemetery, Fertile, MN. Arrangements are with Erikson-Vik Funeral Home, Fertile, MN.

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Edwin John “Ed” Sylvester, 73, of Crookston, Minnesota, died Tuesday evening, August 24, 2010, at the Valley Eldercare Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Ed was born on January 21, 1937, at Crookston, the son of Edwin A. and Mary (Berry) Sylvester. He was raised in Crookston and graduated from the Cathedral High School. Ed enlisted in the U.S. Army and served stateside from January of 1960, until his honorable discharge in 1962. He worked for a short while in the Minneapolis area, but returned to Crookston later. Ed was employed at the Crookston Daily Times newspaper, where he worked for many years before retiring at the age of 62. He was a long-time member of American Legion Post #20. Blessed be the memory of Ed Sylvester.
Loving family members include two sisters, Arlette Wollin of Coon Rapids, MN, and Carol Provost of Richfield, MN; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Ed was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Dale.
The funeral service for Edwin J. Sylvester will be held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Crookston, MN at 10:30 am, on Saturday, August 28, 2010. Visitation will be for one hour before the funeral. Military honors will be provided by the Crookston Veterans Council. Interment will be in the Calvary Cemetery in Crookston. Arrangements are with the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home.

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Long time Crookston resident, Gertrude Dykstra, age 102, passed away Friday, August 20, 2010, at the Riverview Care Center in Crookston. Gertrude was born in Jud, North Dakota, October 29, 1907 to John and Clara (Fisher) Achttien, both emigrants from the Netherlands. At age ten she moved with her family to Clear Lake, Minnesota and, at age 16, to Crookston where she attended high school, graduating in 1926.
With a dream of becoming a nurse, Gertrude attended a nursing school in Chicago until her studies were interrupted by the death of her father. This event required her to return to Crookston and participate in the family business: Achttien & Son, a hardware and grocery store located at the corner of Main Street and Fletcher.
Gertrude married Ivan Dykstra on January 1, 1945, and the couple farmed for a number of years northeast of Crookston, at which time she worked at Broadway Grocery and the Woolworth store. During this period a number of young boys found a loving home through Gertrude and Ivan’s work with the Polk County foster home program. After retiring at age 65 from Woolworth’s, Gertrude, with her husband, spent many years in community service, volunteering time and resources to provide transportation to clinics, doctor appointments, and other places that were important to persons unable to drive.
A strong and uniform thread woven into Gertrude’s long life of service to her family and others was her membership in the Christian Reformed Church. She had been a member since arriving in Crookston, regularly attending services until into her late nineties. A strong Christian faith guided Gertrude throughout her life, and her sweet smile, nonjudgmental attitude, sense of humor and wit made her a delight to all who knew her.
One of eight children, Gertrude was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ivan, brothers Albert, Benjamin, Stephen, and Jacob, and sisters, Myrtle, Elizabeth, and Trenis. Gertrude leaves nieces, Carol Knutson, Colorado Springs, Colorado, Violet Peterson, Grand Forks, North Dakota, and nephews, John Achttien, Marble Fall, Texas and Donald Achttien, Sugar Land, Texas.
The funeral service for Gertrude Dykstra will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, August 27, 2010, in the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home, Crookston, with The Rev. Bill Reck officiating. Visitation will be for one hour before the service. Internment will be in the Oakdale Cemetery, Crookston, Minnesota.

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Since April 12th, 2007