George Winter

March 21, 2012

Life long Buffalo Center resident and owner of Winter & Sons Funeral Homes, George Winter, 88, died peacefully at home on Monday, February 6, 2012.

George Winter was born on July 13, 1923, to parents Ubbe and Hermena (Sleper) Winter at Buffalo Center. He grew up and was a 1942 graduate of the Buffalo Center High School. Mr. Winter then entered the United States Navy to do his part in World War II. After his honorable discharge, George entered and graduated from the University of Minnesota Mortuary Science program, graduating in 1951.

In 1952, George purchased the Schutter Furniture Store and in July 1953, the Schutter Funeral Home. He was united in marriage to Evelyn Bappe, his partner of 58 years, on September 13, 1953, at Correctionville. George and Evelyn owned and operated Winter Furniture Store and Floor Covering; Winter Ambulance Service until 1969 and Winter Funeral Home and Cremation Service for 60 years. George took great pride in serving local families in their time of need and considered it to be his primary calling until the very end. George was to be honored at the Spring Iowa Funeral Directors Convention for his 60 years of dedication to funeral service as a licensee in the State of Iowa. Even recently, George mentored younger funeral directors who crossed his path.

He was also very active in his community, serving the American Legion Post #21 for over 66 years, the Buffalo Center Fire Department for 42 years and was also an active member of the First Reformed Church in Buffalo Center.

George was an avid golfer, walking nine holes almost every day. He followed both professional and local sporting events and loved the Yankees and Packers. He took pride in keeping his yard looking its best at all times and enjoyed the morning coffee gang. Mr. Winter took great interest in his son's professional careers and found it humbling that they all decided to serve the same local public that he served, all staying within 30 miles of home.

George is survived and will be greatly missed by his loving wife, Evelyn; three sons, Randall (Laura) Winter of Forest City, Bart (Medara) Winter of Lake Mills and Kirk (special friend Marge) Winter of Buffalo Center; grandchildren, Kyle (Kelly Ruth) Winter, Natalie (fiancée of Ben Simonet) Winter, Rebecca (Bill) Meyer, Kessa Olson, Samantha (special friend Jeff Wittmer) Winter, Tyler Olson, Alex (special friend Mikki Holstad) Winter, Jenny (John) Kolb, Sarah (Brett) Coberley; great-grandchildren, Kayla Coberley, Grace Kolb, Cody Kolb, Jacob Kolb and Lillian Ruth Winter; brother, Lawrence (Carmen) Winter of Stewartville, Minnesota; sisters, Margie Miller of Des Moines and Minnie (Merlin) Walker of Algona; and sister-in-law, Ruth Winter of Buffalo Center.

He was preceded in death by his parents; twin brother, Andrew; brothers and in-laws, Edward (Irene) and John (June); brother-in-law, Merle Miller; daughter-in-law, Cyndi; two infant brothers; and two infant sisters.

Roger A. Stenberg
September 17, 1938 - February 7, 2012

Roger A. Stenberg, age 73, of Leland, died on Tuesday, February 7, 2012, at his home in rural Leland.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., on Saturday, February 11, at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Thompson, with Pastor Boyd Longshore and Pastor Wayne Halvorson officiating. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Thompson. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 p.m., on Friday, at the Petersen Lund Funeral Home in Forest City and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church.

On September 17, 1938, on the family farm in Rake, Iowa, parents C.N. and Hazel J. (Helgren) Stenberg brought into this world Roger Allen Stenberg. Roger was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He attended grade school at the No.8 King country school located on his father’s farm through eighth grade. Roger credits his sister, Harriet for being his best teacher as she was the one who taught him how to read. He graduated from the Thompson Community High School in 1956, where he excelled in the Coon Grove FFA chapter.

Upon graduation he married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Ann Brandt. Roger worked for several area farmers and ag-related businesses until finally settling on a farmstead west of Leland in 1959, where they harvested grain and raised cattle and hogs. Along with his farming, he did custom bailing and combining. In 1974, he moved the family across the “tracks” and has resided there, farming until the last day of his life.

Roger was involved in his community. He was an active member of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Thompson. Roger also served as a board member for the Thompson Co-op and a volunteer for the Winnebago County Pork Producers. He really enjoyed his hunting and fishing trips with his buddies. However, the best times of his life were spent with his family.

Roger is survived by his wife of 55 years, Barbara; three children, Cynthia K.(Stenberg) Johnson married to Kingsley, residing in Thompson, a son Kennath A. Stenberg residing in Leland and a daughter, Tamara M. (Stenberg) Sheehan married to Stephen, residing in Thompson; six grandchildren, Kelsey K. Eveland (Jason), Adam R. Stenberg (Shylouh), Anthony R. Stenberg, Jeremiah K. Johnson (fiancé, Annie), Cord N. Stenberg, Kirsten M. Johnson and two adopted granddaughters, Abby and Emily Bray; five great-grandchildren, Ana, Misty, Samantha, Zackery and Nathaniel; sisters, Harriet (Stenberg) Hagenson and Mavis (Stenberg) Linde married to Dean; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, Reyburn Hagenson; nephews, Kent Hagenson and a nephew in infancy.

The Petersen Lund Funeral Home, Forest City, was in charge of the arrangements.

Sarah M. Ryerson
November 24, 1912 - February 10, 2012

Sarah M. Ryerson, 99, of Mankato, Minnesota and formerly of Forest City, passed to her heavenly home on Friday, February 10, 2012, at the Laurel's Peak Rehabilitation Center in Mankato.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, February 25, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City, with Rev. Greg Anderson officiating. Burial will be in the Crystal Township Cemetery in Crystal Lake. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the church. The Petersen Lund Funeral Home in Forest City, is in charge of the arrangements.

Sarah Marie Ryerson, was born on March 24, 1912 in Crystal Lake, Hancock County, Iowa, to Severin and Malinda (Hope) Haugland. She was baptized in the Lutheran faith. At the age of six, she started country school. She only spoke Norwegian and could not speak or understand English when she started to school. In 3rd grade she went to the Crystal Lake School graduating from the Crystal Lake High School in 1930. In high school Sarah was active in the Methodist Church in Crystal Lake. Sarah attended college at Iowa State Teacher's College in Cedar Falls, Iowa and was certified to teach country school grades 1-8. Sarah taught school for 3 years. On October 12, 1935, Sarah married Ralph Ryerson in Galatin, Missouri. They kept their marriage a secret until Sarah finished out the school year. Born to Sarah and Ralph were two daughters, Sharon (Dillon) and Helen (Coughlin). Linda Sutter lived with Sarah and Ralph for two years. Eggo "Swede" Bulton lived with Sarah and Ralph for over five years. Swede was like a son to Sarah and Ralph. Sarah and Ralph farmed near Thompson, Iowa for 34 years. They then moved into Forest City.

Sarah kept very busy giving piano lessons until 1995. Sarah was active in 4-H as a leader and committee woman. Sarah taught Sunday School at the Linden Lutheran Church and Immanuel Lutheran Church for many years. She was active in the women’s groups at Linden, Bethany and Immanuel Churches. Sarah was the pianist and organist at Linden Lutheran Church. She also served as the Sunday School Superintendent at Linden Church. Sarah enjoyed music and Bible study. Her hobbies included playing the piano, reading, china painting, and gardening. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Sarah was an active member of the Music Teachers of North Iowa. In 1995, Sarah moved to Mankato, Minnesota. She lived with her daughter, Helen’s family for three years. Then Sarah lived at Old Main Village for twelve years. In October 2010, she moved to Laurels Peak. In Mankato Sarah was an active member of Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) for many years. She also enjoyed the activities offered at Old Main Village and Laurel’s Peak.

She is survived by her daughter, Helen (JB) Coughlin of North Mankato, Minnesota; son-in-law, Ron (Marjorie) Dillon of Lenexa, Kansas; daughter-in-law, Wanda Bulton of Early, Iowa; nine grandchildren, Ralph (Eva) Dillon of Mundelein, Illinois, Rick (Beth) Dillon of Lenexa, Kansas, Nancy (Dave) Woodin of Laurens, Iowa, Patti (Jeff) Griffiths of Okoboji, Iowa, Danny (Amy) Mathias of Aurelia, Iowa, Jan deRegnoir of Urbandale, Iowa, Tristen (Jennifer) Larson of Bloomington, Minnesota, Malinda Twigg of Apple Valley, Minnesota and Alyssa Coughlin of Mendoza, Argentina; eleven great-grandchildren, Madison (Terry) Powers, Brian Kooker, Jay Dillon, Jenna Dillon, Jeffrey Dillon, Sharon Griffiths, Jenifer Griffiths, Ashley Gag, Caroline Twigg, JJ Twigg, Elise Larson and Harper Larson; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Haugland of Britt; and many nieces and nephews.

Sarah was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph in 1987; daughters, Sharon Dillon in 1988 and Linda Sutter in 2001; foster son, Swede Bulton in 2009; brothers, Jimmy, Eric (Edna), Carl, Grant (Lois), Stanley (June), Bjarne, Lloyd (Lydia) and Bennett Haugland; and foster grandson, Dave deRegnoir.

The Petersen Lund Funeral Home, Forest City, was in charge of the arrangements.

Bessie Eastvold

March 21, 2012

Bessie Eastvold, age 89, of Rake, passed away at the Blue Earth United Hospital in Blue Earth, Minnesota, on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, March 5, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Rake, with Pastor Terry Mahnke officiating. Visitation was on Sunday evening, from 4-7:00 p.m., at the Winter Funeral Home in Buffalo Center. Burial was in the United Lutheran Cemetery in Frost, Minnesota. The Winter Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Buffalo Center, assisted the family with the arrangements.

Bessie Arlene (Durby) Eastvold, was born on January 17, 1923 near Woden. Bessie was the daughter of Levi and Mabel (Rogenhaugh) Durby. She grew up in the Buffalo Center area and graduated from the Buffalo Center High School in 1940. She attended the Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis the following year; this is where her sweetheart Julius Eastvold proposed marriage to her. Bessie was married to Julius Eastvold on June 4, 1941, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Rake. The union was blessed with 5 sons, Allen, Merlin, James, Paul and Darrell. Julius and Bessie worked side by side as they farmed, milked cows, and raised hogs and chickens for 45 years. They made their home over the years on farms by Frost, Wells, Leland, Thompson and in 1955 moved to the farm they purchased east of Rake. Following the death of her husband, Julius, Bessie moved to a house in Rake. She lived there until recently when she made her home at the Friendship Court Assisted Living in Blue Earth, Minnesota.

Bessie loved to do craftwork, care for lawn, garden, flowers and help with quilting for Ladies Aid and other groups at the Zion Lutheran Church for many years. She had a special place in her heart for her children, grandchildren and her precious great-grandchildren. Bessie found great comfort in her family and in her faith in Christ. Bessie and Julius traveled to Norway to visit relatives and also to Bolivia, South America to visit Bessie's sister, Marjorie and her husband, Henrick, who were missionaries there. These trips were very memorable to her and she talked of them often.

Bessie was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Julius in 1999; a son, Allen in 2010; and infant son, Merlin LeRoy; a sister, Ordale Hefta; an infant brother, Paul David; and seven brothers-in-law and four sisters-in-law.

She is survived by her sons, James (special friend Carole) of Grimes, Paul (Karilyn) of Springfield, Illinois and Darrell (Ginny) of Mankato, Minnesota; one sister, Marjorie Erickson of Minneapolis, Minnesota; grandchildren, Tim Eastvold, Darla (Brad) Evenson, Matthew Eastvold, Jeffrey (Tara) Eastvold, Joshua (Katie) Eastvold, Janna (Tom) Daily, David (Rachel) Eastvold, Jonathan (Katharine) Eastvold, Philip (Elizabeth) Eastvold, Renae (Chris) Schenk, Darin (Shanna) Eastvold and Todd (Jenae) Eastvold; 28 great-grand children; two sisters-in-law, Marion Eastvold and Lillian Eastvold of Blue Earth, Minnesota; and many nieces and nephews.

The Winter Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Buffalo Center, was in charge of the arrangements.