FUNERAL SERVICES are pending at this time.

FUNERAL SERVICE will be at 11:00 AM on Friday, July 30th at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mora. 

VISITATION will be 1 hour prior to the service on Friday at the church.

INTERMENT will be at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery.

Helen Elizabeth Melius  was born October 5, 1919 at home in St. Paul, MN to Lawrence & Elizabeth (Horwath) Schmidt, being the oldest of 12 children.  She attended elementary and high school in St. Paul, except for 1 year during the depression when the family lived on a farm.
 Helen married Elmer (Al) Melius in 1942 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in St. Paul.  Al & Helen had 2 children, Kim & Mary Jo.  Helen returned to the work force in 1959 after Al was severely burned at his place of work and was out of work for a long period of time.  She worked with an inventory crew for “Piggly Wiggly” grocery stores, in the accounting department for “Applebaum” food stores, and as a loan closer for Chicago Title Insurance Co., all in St Paul.
 In 1980 Helen & Al sold their home of 30 years and moved to Mora, MN.  She was a member of St. Martha’s Mission Circle at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, being very proud to have served a year as its president.  She enjoyed crocheting, quilting and reading.  In 1989 Helen suffered a stroke which left her with limited use and mobility of her right side.  In spite of this, she was still able to be a part of the Mission Circle and enjoy some traveling time with her children and grandchildren.  In June of 1994 Al was diagnosed with lung cancer, and she took care of him at home until 3 days before his death in May of 1995.  After living alone for 2 years, Helen came to live with her daughter Mary Jo and husband Tom.  She lived with them for 9 years until 2006 when she decided she should enter an assisted living facility because she and Mary Jo were not comfortable with her staying alone when Mary Jo and Tom were away working in Sioux Falls for a week or two at a time.  She was in an assisted living facility for only 3 months when some health issues with her leg necessitated her going into a nursing care facility.  That stay extended to 4 years.
 Helen was a wonderful, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.  Her greatest enjoyment was her grandchildren & great-grandchildren.  She will be truly missed by all who knew her and cared for her.
 She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; 3 brothers and 4 sisters.
 Helen is survived by her son Kim and wife Pat of Tyler, TX; daughter Mary Jo and husband Tom Masloski of Akeley, MN; grandchildren Tom (Brenda) Masloski, Keith (Stacy) Melius, Chuck (Jolene) Masloski, Scott (Christine) Melius, & Cyndie (Chad) Masloski Taylor; great-grandchildren Brandon, Carly & Justin Masloski, Rachel & Isabella Melius, Isabelle, Nathan & Alexis Masloski, Emily, Collin & Evelyn Melius, and Alex & Julia Helen Taylor.  She is also survived by 2 brothers and 2 sisters, many nieces & nephews, other extended family members and friends.

FUNERAL SERVICE will be at 11:00 AM on Friday, July 30th at Akkerman-Ingebrand Funeral Home.

VISITATION will be 1 Hour prior to the service on Friday at the funeral home.

INTERMENT will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Mora.

Stella Elsie (Wobschall) Kujath, age 97, of North Branch, formerly of Mora, died July 26, 2010.

She was preceded in death by her husband Alvin; daughter Deloris Lofgren.

Stella is survived by daughter Donna Lofgren of Anoka;
sons Dwaine (Jean) of Mora,
Darvin (Denise) of Bethel,
Dennis (Mildred) of Killen, Alabama;
 brother Wallace (Marjorie) Wobschall of Austin, MN;
sisters Gladys Weed of Montana, Ellis Reese of Ellendale, MN, Mae Hightshoe of Austin, MN; 15 grandchildren; 25great-grandchildren and
5 great-great grandchildren;
10 step grandchildren, 10 step great-grandchildren; many nieces & nephews.

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.

PRAYER SERVICE will be held on Saturday, July 24, 2010 at the Akkerman-Ingebrand Funeral Home at 1:30 PM  with Rita Clasmann presiding.

VISITATION will be held from 11 AM until 2 PM on Saturday, July 24, 2010 at the Akkerman-Ingebrand Chapel.

INURNMENT will take place on at Oakwood Cemetery of Mora at a later time.

Zudora Belanger was born on February 6, 1914 to John and Lena (Fost) Draper in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  She grew up in Minneapolis, often referring to the Seven Corners area and happy times as a child.  She attended school until the age of 17.  She had four brothers and a sister.
She married Frank Fred Belanger on July 30, 1931 in Elk River.  They had seven children.  They moved to Zimmerman in 1952 and then to Mora in 1960, where they spent their remaining years.
Her happiest times were when family members would visit and she could see her grandchildren and prepare a large meal for all.  She enjoyed crafts, her vegetable garden and her pickle patch.  She will be truly missed.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers and sister; husband Frank; daughters Barbara and Marion (and husband Daniel Molloy); son Michael (wife Joan Larsen).
Zudora is survived by her daughter, Rosemary Belanger of Mora;
sons Lloyd (Georgene) Belanger of Zimmerman, Frank (Linda) Belanger of Ogilvie, Fred (Jo) Belanger of Snolomie, WA;
14 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren
and 3 great-great-grandchildren

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

INURNMENT will be on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at 2:15 PM at assembly area 5.

Dorothy Mae Stulc, of Hinckley, died on Friday, July 16 at the Kanabec Hospital in Mora.  Inurnment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at 2PM.  She is survived by her sons, Gary (Arlette) Toepper, Les Toepper, and Gerold Toepper; daughters, Janice Downs and Joyce Pelquin; 16 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

MEMORIAL SERVICES will be held at the Akkerman-Ingebrand Funeral Home in Mora on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at 2 pm with Rev. Duane Fowler presiding.

VISITATION will be from 5-7 pm on Monday July 12, 2010 and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday

INURNMENT will be at Oakwood Cemetery of Mora.

Ruth Ella (Moore) Magnuson was born on January 8, 1935 at home in Kanabec County, Minnesota to James Albert “Bert” and Nellie (Butterfield) Moore.  She grew up in Kanabec County, the youngest of four siblings, and graduated from Mora High School in 1953.  Ruth traveled to Texas where Lee “Buzz” Magnuson, her childhood sweetheart, was serving in the United States Air Force.  They were married in the Foster Air Force Base Chapel on October 1, 1953.  To this union four children were born.  Lee was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1955.  Ruth and Lee returned to Lee’s childhood home in Ford Township, Kanabec County, Minnesota where she resided until September, 2009 when Ruth’s health was failing.

Ruth was employed at Deluxe Café, Sportsmen’s Café, and Fingerhut before retiring in 1998.  Her hobbies were competitive shooting with her target 22 rifle, camping, fishing and deer hunting.  Ruth was a longtime 4-H leader, with focus on the 4-H Shooting Sports Program from its beginning.  She was chosen to coach the Minnesota 4-H Shooting Team at the National Competition for several years.  She also was a member and former officer of the Snake River Chapter of the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association.

Ruth enjoyed all family gatherings, large or small, and was always ready to welcome everyone with a smile or joke.  She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.  The youngsters in Ruth’s life brought her great joy.  She will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her. 

She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister Alberta Forshier.

Ruth is survived by her husband Lee of Mora; children Rita (Rodney) Barnhart of Mora, Jim (Kathy) Magnuson of Brook Park, Carol (Larry) Dutton of Mora, Dale (Laurie) Magnuson of Mora; 16 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; sister Sylvia Faylor of Mora; brother Ellzy (Twilla) Moore of Mora; nieces, nephew, other relatives and friends.

Memorial services were held on Tuesday, July 13 at Akkerman-Ingebrand Funeral Home with Rev. Duane Fowler officiating.  Inurnment was at Oakwood Cemetery in Mora.

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.