Robert Duane McDonald, 76, of Fisher, MN, died peacefully early Wednesday morning, February 1, 2012, at Edgewood Vista in East Grand Forks, MN. Bob was born in Grand Forks, ND,
on February 21, 1935, and was the only child of John C.
and Emily (Benson) McDonald. He grew up on the farm, was baptized at Bethel
Presbyterian Church near Mallory, and was confirmed at Fisher Lutheran Church in
Fisher. He attended country school and graduated from Fisher High School in
1953. Bob furthered his education at the University of Minnesota-St. Paul, where
he earned an Associate Degree in Agriculture. On January 25, 1956 he entered the
US Army and served as a Radar Operator with the 23rd Battalion in Germany.
Following his honorable discharge on January 11, 1958, he returned to the farm.
On June 24, 1960, Bob was united in marriage to Etta Mae Wagner at Trinity
Lutheran Church in Fisher. The couple made their home in Nesbit Township and
together raised three children: Rebecca, Debra, and John. Bob farmed through
1999, and upon retirement was very proud to turn the entire operation over to
his son, John. Though he never worked the fields again there was never any doubt
that farming was Bob's life. Bob was a member of Fisher Lutheran Church, where
he served on the council and was a past-president of the congregation. He also
held memberships in the Theodore Stalemo American Legion Post of Fisher; was a
past-president and longtime board member of the Fisher Farmers Co-op Elevator;
served several terms on the Nesbit Township board and was past-president; was a
past-president and board member of the West Polk County Farm Bureau; and
belonged to the Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers' Association. In 1990 he and
Etta were honored by the Polk County Extension Service as recipients of the West
Polk County Outstanding Farm Family of the Year. Bob was a beloved husband,
father, and grandfather who leaves his family with a legacy of honor and
integrity. He was very kind-hearted and hard working, and took great joy in
helping friends, and neighbors. He touched the hearts and lives of many and will
be dearly missed by all. Mourning Bob's loss is Etta, his loving wife of fifty-one years; 3 children: Rebecca (Michael) Brusky of Omaha, NE, Debra McDonald of Elk River, MN, and John (Nancy) McDonald of Fisher, MN; 4 grandchildren: Emily and Naomi Kirkvold, and Adam and Elizabeth McDonald; 3 brothers-in-law, Dale (Sharon) Wagner of Springfield, MO, William (Helen) Wagner of Roseau, MN, and Roger (Cheryl) Wagner of Fisher, MN; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives. May God richly bless the memory of Robert Duane McDonald.
A funeral service celebrating the life of Bob McDonald will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 4, 2012, at the Fisher Lutheran Church in Fisher, MN, with The Rev. Karen Trenne Young officiating. Visitation will be at the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home on Friday from 5-7:00 p.m., with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, and also at the church for one hour prior to the funeral. Interment will be in the Fisher Lutheran Cemetery. Military Honors will be provided by the Theodore Stalemo American Legion Post of Fisher, MN. (Online registry at www.stenshoelhouske.com)
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1927, one of ten children of the union of Isak and Anna (Isakson) Pederson. She
grew up at Fort Ransom, North Dakota and attended school there. Eva later moved
to Crookston and in 1952 was united in marriage to Walter Erdman in a ceremony
that took place in Las Vegas, Nevada. The couple lived and farmed in Andover
Township, near Crookston, and together raised three children: Daniel, Debra, and
Vicki. Walter passed away on May 1, 1995, and Eva later moved into Crookston.
She was a devoted member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, and for many years
served as a Sunday school and Bible school teacher, and choir director. Eva was
a very accomplished horsewoman and longtime member of the Agassiz Riders’
Club. She enjoyed sharing her equestrian knowledge with 4-H club young people
from around the area, and took great pride in watching those she mentored grow
in their confidence and abilities at riding and showing their horses. Eva will
long be remembered, not only for her accomplishments in life, but for her
enthusiasm, kindness, and true spirit of generosity.
Milwaukee. Then he became a member of the United States Air Force and was
stationed at Fort Hood in Texas. In 1967 he married his first love, Lynn Hagen.
They started their family. He soon attended trade school and then culinary
school. After the death of Lynn, he was fortunate enough to find another love,
Kathy Payment and married her in 1986. In 1991 he moved his family to Mentor,
Minnesota. He lost Kathy suddenly in 1996. Leonard was fortunate enough to find
a third love, in 2001 he married Nikki Peterson at Faith Lutheran Church in
Mentor. Leonard was a family man who put his wife and children before anything
else. He often incorporated his hobby of woodworking in with his children to
teach them about being compassionate toward those less fortunate. Leonard was
well-known for his craftsmanship and woodworking skills. He often made rocking
horses, wagons, baby cradles, and toys for children who did not have them at
Christmas. When he wasn’t working on woodworking, Leonard stayed busy running
the Save Our Souls Equine Rescue, which he was the president and designer, until
2007 when it closed due to his declining health. He was an active member of the
National Rifle Association and an award winning craftsman at county fairs. 
1941. On January 6, 1946 she was united in marriage to Adrian “Bud” Chandler
in Climax, MN. Bud and Elaine farmed their entire life in the Nielsville and
Climax area. Elaine also worked at Hartz Grocery Store in Shelly, MN part time.
She was an active community member through the Climax Lutheran Church, Shelly
VFW Auxiliary and she volunteered at the Climax Library and Climax Public
School. Elaine was known for her homemade bread, buns and rolls.
1955, one of eight children of the union of Arly and Doris (Brakob) Volker. She
was baptized and confirmed at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, where she was a
lifelong member, and graduated from Central High School in 1973. Even as a young
woman Rhonda knew that her heart was in care-giving. With that as her mission in
life, she moved to Roseau, MN, where she was employed at the Roseau Children’s
Home for several years. Upon her return to Crookston Rhonda began working as a
Certified Nursing Assistant at the Villa St. Vincent Nursing Home. In 1985 she
became a CNA at the RiverView Care Center, devoting herself to giving expert
care, and large doses of love and compassion, to residents who became more like
her ‘family.’ In 2010 she was recognized for twenty-five years of dedicated
service to RiverView. On February 9, 1998 Rhonda was united in marriage to
Christopher Blokzyl at a ceremony in Las Vegas, NV, attended by family and close
friends. She enjoyed gardening, drawing, taking care of her cats, and being a
sun-worshipper. Four years ago Rhonda was diagnosed with cancer, and since that
time did everything medically possible to combat the dreaded illness, while
always relying heavily on her faith. Through the triumphs and setbacks, Chris
was with her for every step of the journey, giving her his strength, support,
and love. She will be forever remembered and sadly missed by family and friends
who loved her dearly and were grateful to have shared in her life.