A FUNERAL SERVICE will be held at 11:00am on Monday, July 26 ,2010 at the Braham Covenant church with Rev. Steve Jennisch presiding.

VISITATION will be from 2-4pm on Sunday, July 25, 2010 at the Rock Ingebrand Funeral Home and 1 hour prior to the service on Monday at the Church.

INURNMENT will be at 6:00 pm on Monday at the Mission Covenant Cemetery in Braham.

Eldon F. Peterson was born October 10, 1916 at the family farm in Grass Lake Township in Kanabec County, Minnesota.  His parents were Alfred Theodore Peterson and Bertha Marie (Nelson) Peterson.

Eldon was confirmed at the Braham Mission Covenant church in 1930.  Later that year he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior.

Eldon attended Windom School until the eight grade and then went on to Braham High School, graduating in 1935.  During seventh and eighth grades he was the Windom school janitor.  He also spent a term at Northwestern Schools in Minneapolis (now Northwestern College in Roseville, MN).

His siblings were Carl, Ivar, Ruby Christiana, Ruby Gladys, and Vivian.  Ruby Christiana died from Diphtheria while quite young and Eldon insisted that his next sister was to be named Ruby.

After graduation, he farmed with his dad until 1947 when the farm was sold and he, his father and mother moved to Braham.  Eldon then worked as an electrician for a few years, and then became Braham’s painter and wallpaper man until his retirement.  He was always willing to lend a hand to those who needed help.

He married Alvera Dahlberg on May 24, 1952 at the Braham Covenant Church.  Two children were born to this marriage, Mark and Karen.

Eldon was active at the Braham Evangelical Covenant Church.  He was the adult Sunday school teacher for 50 years, and served as Sunday school superintendent, deacon, and church chairman.  He also sang in a men’s quartet and church choir.

Eldon’s hobby was helping others.  He spent many hours helping with home remodeling projects at his children’s homes.

Eldon passed away peaceful on Thursday, July 22, 2010 at his home in Braham.  He was 93 years old.  He lived his life with strong faith, dignity, spirit, and a great sense of humor!  He will be dearly missed by his family and all that knew and loved him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Ruby Christiana, and brother Ivar.

He is survived by his wife Alvera, son Mark Peterson and wife Kathy of Crown Point, IN; daughter Karen and husband Phillip Oredson of Anoka, MN; grandchildren Tyler, Travis, and Janna Peterson, Anders (wife Betsy), Kjersten, and Erik Oredson; and one great grandson Lars Oredson; brother Carl Peterson and wife Helen of Minneapolis; sisters Ruby Johnson of San Diego, CA; and Vivian Opsal of Minneapolis; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A GRAVESIDE SERVICE will be at Rice Lake Cemetery in Braham on Friday, July 23, 2010 at 11 AM with Rev. Rich Chronis presiding.

Alvin Gilborn of Braham Minnesota passed away July 20, 2010 at the Golden Living Center in Rush City. He was 91 years old.

Alvin was born on May 9, 1919 in Wildrose, North Dakota to Lars and Mary Gilborn.  He grew up with his two sisters, Sylvia and Lorene, on the family prairie farm until the death of their mother when Alvin was 12.  The children then lived with various relatives in the Wildrose area.  Alvin worked as a farm hand on several farms in northwestern North Dakota until he moved to the Twin Cities in the early 1940’s where he worked as a meat cutter. At this time, he was also a member of the Minnesota State Guard.

He married Florella Dunham on December 11, 1943. They had one son Gregory.  They lived in the Minneapolis area until 1962 when they moved to Grantsburg, WI.  In 1968, they moved to Pine City, MM and in 1970, they moved to a farm west of Braham, MN which he considered his home until his death.  

Alvin enjoyed the outdoors especially farming, fishing and all kinds of wildlife.  He also liked cooking, carpentry and his pets. He loved to tell stories about growing up in North Dakota and his fishing trips with Uncle Art.  He also valued the close friendships he developed at Park Manor where he lived for 10 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Florella, his sister Sylvia, and several aunts and uncles.

He is survived by his son, Greg (Carol), Ham Lake, MN, his sister Lorene Sowitch (Mutts), Williston North Dakota, brother-in-law Loren Dunham (DeeAnne Helfritz), Farimont, MN, sister-in-laws: Arlene Sandberg, Madelia, MN, Vera Dunham, Burnsville, MN and Margaret Dunham, Vancouver, WA.  He is also survived by several nieces, nephews and other extended family members.

A Graveside service and interment was held on Friday, July 23, 2010 at the Rice Lake Cemetery of Braham with Rev. Rich Chronis presiding. Arrangements were with the Rock Ingebrand Funeral Home of Braham.  Condolences may be posted at www.aifuneralhome.com

A FUNERAL SERVICE will be held at 2:00pm on Monday, July 12, 2010 at the Rock Ingebrand Funeral Home with Rev. Rich Chronis presiding.

VISITATION  will be 2 hours priors starting at noon on Monday.

INTERMENT will be at noon on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at the Scandinvian Cemetery in Bloomer, Wisconsin.

Virginia Lorraine Peterson, of Cambridge and Braham, formerly of Minneapolis, passed away on Thursday, July 8, 2010 at the Grace Pointe Crossing East Gables of Cambridge.  She was 88 years old.

Virginia Easter Lorraine was born on April 16, 1922 to parents John and Emily (Mattson) Ahlman on the family farm east of Cambridge, MN.  She was the eighth of nine children and attended Cambridge country school.  As a teenager, she stayed with family in Minneapolis, and attended and graduated from West High School.  In 1947 she was united in marriage to Murl McClurg.  To this union three children were born, Daniel, Roxanne, and Kevin.  Virginia took care of her children and worked part time as a waitress to support the family.  Later she began working for the Postal Data Center, and eventually retired after many years.  After retirement she worked as the secretary for the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.
In 1972, Virginia married Melvin Peterson in Minneapolis.  Together they lived in the Harrison neighborhood, until Melvin’s passing.  Virginia moved to Braham in 2001 to be with her family, and in 2005 got her own apartment at Elmhurst Commons.  She loved living there and getting to know the other residents.  However, due to declining health, Virginia spent her final months at Grace Pointe Crossing East Gables in Cambridge.

Virginia had many interests including fishing, watching Twins baseball, Vikings football, and playing Bingo.  She was active with the Golden Valley VFW and American Legion Auxiliary.  Throughout her life Virginia spent much of her time helping others by delivering meals on wheels, and simply helping friends in need. She will be deeply missed.

Virginia is survived by her children Daniel (Linda) McClurg of Vadnais Heights, Kevin (Vicky Selin) McClurg of Eagan, and Roxanne (Deanna Sjodin) McClurg of Braham, brother Jerome Ahlman of Cambridge, 10 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, special niece Mary Pat Tackaberry, also many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
 
She is preceded in death by her parents, husbands Murl McClurg, and Melvin Peterson, brothers Harold, Gordon, and Gilbert Ahlman; sisters Margaret Klouda, Blanche Monson, Ardis Phillips, and LaVonne Tackaberry.

A Funeral Service was held at 2pm on Monday, July 12, 2010 at the Rock Ingebrand Funeral Chapel of Braham with Rev. Rich Chronis presiding.  Music was provided by Marie Grundberg.   Interment was at noon on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at the Scandinavian Cemetery in Bloomer, Wisconsin.

A FUNERAL SERVICE will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, July 31 ,2010 at the Rock Ingebrand Funeral Home of Braham.

VISITATION will be 1 hour prior to the serivce on Saturday.

INTERMENT will be in the Rice Lake Cemetery of Braham.

Longtime Alaskan Dal Persson-Mokvist (aka Dale Pierson) died June 30, 2010 at Providence Alaska Medical Center. A memorial service will be held at the Eagle River Elks July 12, 2010 from 7 to 9 pm. Dale was born May 23rd, 1920 to Albert and Cecelia (Murphy) Pierson. He arrived with his family to the Territory of Alaska on June 16, 1956 where he remained a resident of Eagle River.

Dale’s life was punctuated with service and commitment. He was a member of the Chugiak Advisory School Board 1959-1960 and the chairman/co-chairman of Operation Chugiak High School, 1960-1964.  He was the first president of the Eagle River Elementary School PTA, 1961-1962 and was an elected member of the Anchorage Borough School Board, 1964-1967. Uncharacteristic of many people, Dale enjoyed dual nationality with the Republic of Ireland. He was a member of:  Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Military Officers Association of America, Irish United Nations Veterans Association, All 3 Wars Veterans Association, Inc. Combat Infantrymen’s Association, Polar Bear Association of WWII, Elks Lodge, Sons of Norway, American Swedish Institute, and Chugiak-Eagle River Historical Society. In 1973 he retired as a Chief Warrant Officer in the US Army. Later he retired from the Laborers Union 341.
 
Fun, travel, adventure!  Dale explored all seven continents, 48 counties, 47 of the United States and all six of the Australian states and both of its territories.  He lived four years in the Orient and was a combat veteran of WWII, Korea and Vietnam.  His military awards include: Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Meritorious Unit Emblem, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm Unit Citation Badge, WWII Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with Device (1960), United Nations Service Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four bronze service stars for participation in the Tunisian, Rome-Arno, Po Valley and the Northern Apennines Campaign.  Korean Service medal with three bronze service stars for participation in the Korean Summer – Fall Offensive 1952, third Korean Winter, and the Korean Summer – Fall Offensive 1953 campaigns, Vietnam Service Medal with seven bronze service stars for participation in the Vietnam counteroffensive Phase V, Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase VI, TET 69 Counteroffensive, Vietnam Summer – Fall 1969, Winter Spring 1970, Sanctuary Counteroffensive, Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase VII Campaigns.  Eleven over seas service bars and Korean War Service Medal, Awarded on the 50th Anniversary of the Korean War.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, wife Lydia, and younger brother Ward. He is survived by his son Brett Pierson, daughters Lora Lee Starner and Mara Lee Adams, eight grandchildren, four great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services and internment will take place July 31, 2010 in Braham, MN.

FUNERAL SERVICE will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 3, 2010 at Trinity Lutheran Church in North Branch (38460 Lincoln Trail) with Pastor Gary Guptil presiding.

VISITATION will be held from 9:30 – 11 a.m. at the church on Saturday.

Gladys Olive (Randall) Christensen was born on July 30, 1916 near Staples, MN to Chester and Mary (Welch) Randall.  She grew up in rural Staples until she moved to Crosby, MN at the age of seventeen.  She married Harry Albert Clark in 1933.  They had nine children and lived near Crosby.

Gladys studied nursing at the Cambridge State Hospital under the Civil Service Law and later worked there as an LPN.  On August 10, 1963, she married Donald Henry Christensen.  They had one daughter.  The family lived in Minneapolis, then moved to rural Duluth, and later settled in Pine County.  Together, they owned several small businesses.

Gladys enjoyed fishing, picking berries, embroidering, cooking and canning.  She was an extremely lucky bingo player.  She and Donald loved dancing, listening to the Twins, and traveling.  Gladys loved large gatherings and was most happy when spending time with her husband and family. She is a life member of the VFW Post 6692 in Rush City and the American Legion Post 51 in Pine City. 

Gladys was preceded in death by her parents Chester and Mary Randall; brothers Harold, Arthur, Emerald and Wilbur Randall and sister Lylah Vukelich; son Leslie Clark; and daughter Shayla Wuotila.

Gladys is survived by her husband Donald; sons Kenneth (Marge), Richard, Robert, Edwin (Rita), and Larry (Peggy) Clark; daughters Cheryol Otis, Sherri (David) Johnson, and Shellie Johnson; thirty-eight grandchildren; forty great-grandchildren; and twenty great-great-grandchildren.

Gladys passed away on June 28, 2010 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.  She was 93 years old.

A MEMORIAL SERVICE will be held at 7 pm Thurday, July 1, 2010 at the Gearty Delmore Park Chapel (3960 Wooddale Ave S, St. Louis Park, MN ~ 952-926-1615)

A TIME OF VISITATION will be held 2 hours prior to the service from 5-7 pm at the Park Chapel.

FUNERAL SERVICE will be at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, June 18 at Braham Evangelical Lutheran Church.

VISITATION will be on Thursday, June 17  from 5 to 7 PM at Rock – Ingebrand Funeral Home in Braham and 1 hr. prior to the service at the church on Friday.

INTERMENT will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Mora at 2 PM

Pearl Dorothy Olson succumbed June 15, 2010, at the age of 93 years. She was born in Maple Ridge Township, Isanti County, in the Coin community on February 3, 1917. She grew to young womanhood with her parents, Adolph and Clara (Bloom) Nelson; sister, Elvera and brother, Gordon. The family faithfully attended Siloa Lutheran Church where Pearl was baptized, attended Sunday school and confirmed.

She graduated from Coin School and continued her schooling until retirement. Pearl graduated with honors from Mora High School and later the teacher training department in Mora.  She graduated with top honors with a Bachelor of Science Degree in elementary education from St. Cloud State College and also with a Master of Science Degree as a reading consultant.  One year post-graduate was also acquired.

Her teaching began in the rural schools of Kanabec County.  She loved to teach in the country school with all the grade levels from one through eight.

During her marriage to Wallace Olson, they lived in Mora.  To this union, one daughter, Joyce, was born.  The family attended Grace Lutheran Church in Mora.  After Wally’s sudden death on March 26, 1960, Pearl taught fifth grade in Bloomington, MN.  She supervised U of M students in their teaching practicum.

Pearl enjoyed working as a reading consultant in Farmington, MN, Somerset, WI and Shakopee, MN.  While at Somerset, she developed a reading program for high achievers in kindergarten to learn to read.  A new challenge was always needed, so before retiring, she developed a study skills program at junior high level and taught it.  At the age of 61, in 1978, she retired.  She said, “I thoroughly enjoyed my educational experience.”

Pearl loved traveling, flowers, helping and sharing, giving to others, literature, poetry and entertaining family and friends for luncheons and dinners.

After retirement, she rejoined Siloa Lutheran Church, where her faith was established many years before and where her mother’s parents were among the founders.  During her marriage and years in Mora, she was a member of Grace Lutheran Church where her father’s parents were among the founders.  In April of this year, she joined Braham Ev. Lutheran Church, where all her immediate family attend.

Her world travels included extensive trips to South America, Australia, New Zealand and several tours to Europe which included 13 different countries.  Tours took her to Japan, Thailand, Taiwan and China.  Traveling took her to the first International Reading Conference in Paris, France and later years to conferences in Buenos Aries, Argentina and Vienna, Austria.  Cruises included the Caribbean, Aegean Sea, Atlantic and by Alaska.

Her daughter and granddaughters went on car trips with her in the US.  Pearl traveled in all 50 states as well as in Canada and Mexico.  At the age of 91 in January of 2009, she took her family of 16 on a Disney World Land and Sea Trip.

Pearl was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Wallace (1960); sister, Elvera (1985); brother, Gordon (2001).  She is survived by her daughter Joyce (James) Kays of Stanchfield; grandchildren: Jacque (Gordon) Nordby of Braham, Jodi (Jonathan) Hackler of Stanchfield, Jolene (Chad) Anderson of Stanchfield; nieces and nephews Darlene (Charles) Kientop of Polaski, WI, Eugene Gordhamer of Staples, Larry (Carol) Gordhamer of Ogilvie, Betty Jo (James) Williams of Cambridge, Rollin (Joanne) Nelson of Mora, Rodney Nelson of Ogilvie; seven great-grandchildren, other relatives and many friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held on July 24, 2010 from 1-5pm at the Parson home (2274 -120th Ave, Braham, MN 55006).  Bring a chair and a potluck dish to share.  For further infomation contact Caroline at 320-396-3208.

Emery Parson, age 86, of Braham, Minnesota passed away at his home on Sunday, June 13, 2010 after suffering a stroke on March 16, 2010 and a later diagnosis of colon cancer.

Emery was born on January 21, 1924 at home in Maple Ridge Township in Isanti County, Minnesota to parents Karl and Laura (Benson) Parson.   He was one of eight children who grew up on the family farm.  Emery attended Morse school district # 4 and went on to Grasston High school.  Emery enlisted in the US Navy and served at Pearl Harbor from December 27, 1944 to May 4, 1946. On August 20, 1960, Emery was united in marriage to Caroline Stern. 

Emery loved the outdoors; hunting moose, elk, and deer, and the many wonderful fishing trips with his brother, Don, and his many other friends.  He loved his flowers and gardens and was a perfectionist about how they looked.  During his life he had an agriculture lime business, worked with Nordby Construction, and farmed.  Emery especially enjoyed woodworking and making picture frames.

Emery is survived by his wife Caroline, sisters Sylvia (Lyman) Rodenberg of Mora, Ardis Wilkening of Hopkins, sister-in-law Marjorie Dahlquist Parson of Braham, brothers Jean (Lois) Parson of Braham, Wayne (Carol) Parson of Ham Lake, and Donald (Judy) Parson of Braham.  His also survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held on July 24, 2010 from 1-5pm at the Parson home (2274-120th Ave Braham, MN 55006).  Bring a chair and a potluck dish to share.

No Services will be held at this time.

Irvin H. Koepke Jr., age 74, passed away at his home, surrounded by his family on June 8, 2010 from diabetes and heart related complications.

Irv was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on August 19, 1935.  He was employed at US Bedding Co. for fifteen years.  Irv always has a love for farming and purchased his first farm in North Branch in 1957.  He lived there until 1971 when he moved with his family to Newell, South Dakota for several months to “Ranch a little bit”.  In late 1971 he purchased a farm close to Braham where he spent the remainder of his life.  Irv was always a hard worker and took pride in his livestock and crops. 

A gentle man—he leaves to mourn, his wife of 53 years Mary (Bergeron) formerly of Swatara, MN; son Jay (Deb) Koepke of Mesa, AZ; daughter Lisa (George) Rowe of Braham; Grandson Brandon (Jana) Rands, and great granddaughter Aunika Rands all of Rush City; Step- Grandchildren Jason, Aundrea, and Amanda Rowe; brother Richard (Judy) Odeen of St. Paul; Robert (Roberta) Koepke of McGregor; and Thomas (Linda) Koepke of Woodbury; sister Barbara Cardinal of South St. Paul; brother-in-law Vic Anderson of Maplewood; sister-in-law Dianne Schaff of Oakdale; plus many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.  Last but not least, Irv’s pal for 12 years Lucky dog.

Irvin is preceded in death by his parents Ole Odeen, Esther and Irvin Koepke Sr., 3 brothers Arvid Odeen, Larry Koepke, and Leonard Koepke, sister Shirley Anderson, and four infant siblings.

At Irv’s request, no funeral services will be held.  A time for scattering the ashes will be set at a later date.

A FUNERAL SERVICE will be held at 1 pm on Saturday, June 5, 2010 at the North Branch Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (38222 Grand Ave, North Branch, MN 55056).

A VISITATION will be held from 5-7pm on Friday, June 4, 2010 at the Rock Ingebrand Funeral Home in Braham, and 1 hour prior to the service at the church.

INURNMENT will be at a later date at the Rice Lake Cemetery of Braham.

Sara Elizabeth Knowles Ciolino, of Great Falls, Montana, formerly of Braham, MN passed away on May 24, 2010.  She was 24 Years old.
Sara was born on July 16th, 1985 in Rexburg, Idaho to Robert and Karen Knowles. She grew up in Braham, MN, the second child of four siblings. She was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in August of 1993.  She was involved in Church activities and Girl Scouts.  She graduated from Braham Area High School in May of 2003. 
After high school, she married and moved to the west coast of Washington State. She enjoyed outdoor activities, and traveling.
She divorced her first husband and joined the Air Force in August of 2007. She was stationed at Malmstrom A.F.B in Montana.
She met Joseph Ciolino of San Diego, California while stationed there, and they were married May 12, 2009.  She enjoyed motorcycle rides and socializing.
She always loved animals, and in recent years she became an avid scrapbooker and photographer.  She also enjoyed exploring abandoned buildings. She was always willing to lend a listening ear and was a loyal friend. She will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her.
She is preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Paul and Orra Knowles.
She is survived by her husband Joe Ciolino; her parents Robert and Karen Knowles; her three siblings Katrina  (Dan) Jones, Paul Knowles, Bryan Knowles; her beloved nephew Pierce Jones; her maternal grandparents Phil and Marilyn, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.