Elk River Star News

October 3, 1931 - January 20, 2023 Marge Kampa, 91, died at Princeton Hospital shortly after receiving last rites from Father Mark Innocenti. Her son and several grandchildren were present. She was born October 3, 1931, to Walter and Catherine (Shaefer) Delles in St. Cloud. She graduated from Catherdral High School in St. Cloud in 1949. She married the love of her life, Merrill Kampa on April 29, 1950. They were blessed with six children: Sandy (Martin) Tracy, Kay James (Lee Hohlen), Jack (Monika), LuAnn (Brad) Payne, Dawn (Barb Erikson), and Russell. As her children grew, she spent countless hours with them and their 4-H activities including hosting sliding and skating parties,...

Passed away on 1-16-2023. Born on 4-1-1930 in Chatfield, MN Fillmore County to parents John and Olive (Anway) McRae. He resided on farms at Chatfield, MN, Hager City, WI, and Red Wing, MN, where he graduated from High School in 1949. After graduation, he joined the MN National Guards in 1947 and went on active duty in 1950-51 during the Korean War. On 9-4-1953, he married Linnea Marcella Kleiber. After he attended Dunwoody, they moved to Kennewick, WA (later Richland, WA) where Don worked for Hanford Atomic Works near Richland, WA as an Instrument Technician. After 8 years in Washington, they moved to Elk River, MN where Don was employed by RCPA (later known as United Power Association)...

Age 90, died peacefully on January 11th, 2023 at Guardian Angels Care Center. Lloyd was born March 18th, 1932, on the family farm in Otsego Township, (Albertville), to Gotthard and Veronica Barthel. He grew up on the farm using horse drawn equipment which drove his lifelong passion to find an easier way to get things done. Lloyd graduated from Elk River High School in 1949. He married Maxine (Susie) Maue in 1953. They made their home in Columbia Heights and after a few years, moved to Elk River. They were blessed with four children: Jim, Mike, Marilyn and Brian. They were married 65 years and enjoyed many adventures together until her death in 2018. In 1961, Lloyd purchased a 700...

Thompson, Steve, age 65, of Elk River, MN. Preceded in death by father, Wallace; brother, Mike; sister, Audrey. Survived by wife, Sandy; mother, Lois; brothers, Mark, Todd, and Wayne (Tammy) Thompson; stepchildren, Dion, Gary, and Tim Goskey; also nieces, nephews and many friends. Steve operated Steve's Repair for many years, helping countless friends. He enjoyed hunting whether it was for deer or prairie dogs. He enjoyed traveling thoughout the United States with his wife, Sandy, and he loved his 57' Chevy's of which he restored three of them. Visitation Friday January 20, 2023 3-6 PM at Dare's Funeral Home 805 Main St. NW Elk River, MN. Memorial service Saturday, January 21, 2023 11 AM...

John Godfrey Anderson, age 96, of Otsego passed away on Wednesday, January 4, 2023. He was born on November 2, 1926 in Birchdale Township, Todd County, Minnesota, son of Godfrey and Grace (Lockead) Anderson. John was an Army veteran of WWII, being part of the greatest generation. John was united in marriage to Della (Bell) on September 9, 1950. Together they raised their five children on their farm in Otsego, where he farmed for 65 years. He was employed as an inspector at Hoffman Engineering for 30 years. John is survived by his loving wife Della; children Marty Anderson, Sherri Anderson (Jim Burzinski), Jane McAlpine and Wendy (Tony) McAlpine; 12 grandchildren and 22 great...

Vincent Bradley Grupa, our beloved baby boy, passed away peacefully, unexpectedly, and suddenly on January 2, 2023 at his home in Joliet, Illinois, at the age of four months and one day. Vincent was born September 1, 2022 in Naperville, Illinois, to Trent A. and Hope F. (Nordquist) Grupa. Vincent has brought much joy into our lives, his smile would bring tears of happiness to our hearts, and he would snuggle into his blankets as he treated them like they were gold themselves. Some of his favorite things were finding his hands with his tongue, experiencing new things with his fingers, and of course the bath time where he treated the small tub like it was an Olympic swimming pool. Vincent...

Born on May 16th, 1955, of Zimmerman, MN, passed away on December 31, 2022, unexpectedly at the age of 67. He is preceded in death by his father, Carroll Kampa; daughter, Megan Payne; nephew, Kristopher Kampa. Chip is survived by his wife, Michelle (Daufelt) Kampa; daughter, Mallory (Lucas) Koosmann; sons, Joshua (Charlotte) Koosmann and James Koosmann; grandchildren, Alex Lutz, Makayla Langstaff, Natalee Daleiden, Teegan Daleiden, and Dellaray Ward; godchildren, Michael Kampa and Anna Gerszewski; mother, Caroline Kampa; siblings, Mary (Bud) Wright, Steve (Diana) Kampa, Gregory (Paula) Kampa, Debbie (Art) Olson, Sharon Kampa, and Kathleen (Scott) Frost; many nieces, nephews, relatives and...

Age 69, of Elk River. Passed away on December 30, 2023. He is preceded in death by his father, Raymond; brother, Joe Weimer. Don is survived by his wife of 20 years, Pam; children, Dylan (Paige) Weimer, Desirae (McKenzie) Havlik, and Dustin (Crystal) Mahler; grandchildren, Gabriella Lange, Kylan Havlik, and Mea Mahler; mother, Agnes Weimer; brother, LeRoy (Carla) Weimer; other family and friends. A Celebration of Don's life will be from 4-7 PM on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at the Elk River American Legion Post 112, 550 Railroad Drive, Elk River.

of Big Lake, Mn. passed away at Guardian Angels/Triniti Hospice in Elk River,Mn. on Dec. 30th. He was born in Guatemala City, Guatemalan on August 18, 1927, He came to the United States at 19 to continue his education. He graduated from Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa. He married Rosemary McElmuay of Sioux City in 1954. They had three children - J. Roberto, Melisa (Mike) and Richard (Kristina, and four grandchildren - Maggie, Louis, Elena and Nicolas. Bob's entire professional career was in international sales, ending at Owatonna Tool Company with 27 years of service as Director of International Sales. During those years he established distributorships globally. Services...

A public visitation will be at 10:00 AM Saturday, January 7, 2023 at Williams Dingmann Funeral Home in Big Lake, MN, with a private memorial service to follow at 11:00 AM for Margaret Lange, age 77 of Elk River and formerly of Underwood, ND. A memorial service and burial will also be held in the spring of 2023 in North Dakota. Margaret passed away peacefully at her assisted living home in Elk River, MN on Sunday, December 25, 2022. Margaret was born in Minot, ND October 17, 1945. She was the second youngest of 12 children of Lawrence and Beatrice Shaw and grew up on the family farm outside of Makoti, ND. She worked at the Makoti Cafe with her mom and taught catechism class. She married...

Jeanette Glidden, age 86 of Foley, MN, passed away December 24, 2022, at The Gardens at Foley. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, December 30, 2022, at St. John Lutheran Church in Zimmerman. Pastor Tim Savarese will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be held at a later date in Livonia Cemetery. Jeanette June Otteson was born to Elmer and Agnes (Moey) Otteson on August 15, 1936, in the Township of Isle Harbor. Jeanette married Ralph Kreager on April 9, 1955. She worked at Federal Cartridge until she retired. After retirement she started making and selling loomed rugs, embroidery, and sewing projects. She was a member of...

Lloyd Laurence Cyr, age 90 of Albertville, formerly of Dayton, passed away peacefully at home December 17, 2022, under the loving care of his family. Born August 29, 1932 to Elmer and Georgiana (Corrow) Cyr. Lloyd married his loving wife MarieAnne (Plude) Cyr on August 18, 1954, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Dayton, Minnesota. Together they raised their five children in the home he built along the Crow River near Dayton. Lloyd was a good and faithful servant to his Catholic faith, family, community and country. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He also served on the Elk River School Board during the 1970's and early 1980's, with many of those years as chairman....

Age 86, of Anoka. Passed away on December 16, 2022. He is preceeded in death by his parents, A. Helen (Bakos) and Louis Rotz; sister, Mary Louise; brothers, Richard (Wilma) and Gabriel; nieces, nephews and other family. Louis is survived by his siblings, Jim (Amy), Tim (Nancy), John (Marcia), Tony (Rosie), Tom (Jean), Karen (Mike) Davis, Jan (Kenny) Benjamin, George (Denise), Margaret (Dean) Bitner, Kathy (Ted) Mlejnek, and Lori (Kal) Srnsky; sister-in-law, Janet Rotz; numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family. Funeral service at 11:00AM on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at Dare's Funeral Home, 805 Main Street NW, Elk River, with visitation one hour prior. Dare's Funeral Home ...

Jay Allan Mogler, age 67 of Elk River, MN, passed away Friday, December 16, 2022. He was born October 14, 1955 in Sioux Falls, SD, the son of Andy and Freida (Metzger) Mogler. Jay graduated from West Lyon High School in Iowa with the class of 1974. He furthered his education at Northwest Iowa Technical College obtaining his AAS in Mechanical Technology and the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management obtaining his MMA in Executive Management. Jay began his career at FMC in Cedar Rapids, IA, Mudd Cat in St. Louis Park, Caterpillar Paving Products in Osseo, and Minco in Fridley until his retirement in March 2022. Jay achieved many accomplishments during his lifetime, but his...

Muriel A. Courteau, age 80, of Astoria, SD, passed away Thursday, December 15, 2022 at the Brookings Hospital in Brookings, SD. A private memorial service will be held at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Astoria, SD. Burial will be in the Bethany Cemetery at a later date. Houseman Funeral Home in Clear Lake, SD is entrusted with the arrangements. Muriel Anne (LaPointe) was born November 20, 1942 in San Francisco, CA to Merle and Dorilla (Plante) LaPointe. She grew up in Dayton, MN and graduated from Elk River High School in Elk River, MN in 1960. Muriel married Gerald Courteau on May 5, 1962. They lived in Elk River until 1979 when they moved to Astoria, SD. While the children were young,...

"Jeanie," age 87, of Elk River, went home peacefully to be with her Lord on December 15, 2022. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Heidi; brother-in-law, Denny Murphy. Barbara is survived by her daughters, Robin (Jack) Carreno and Terri (Harold) Bills; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brother, Homer (Orma) De Witt Jr.; sister, Sharon Murphy; other family and friends. She was very loved and will be greatly missed. Private interment at Groveland Cemetery in Minnetonka, MN. Dare's Funeral Home, 763-441-1212, www.daresfuenralservice.com

Age 76, of Elk River. Passed away on December 13, 2022. He is survived by his wife Melinda, togetherness of 30 years, her family, his extended family in Michigan and many friends. Memorial service at 2:00 PM on Monday, December 19, 2022 at Dare's Funeral Home, Elk River, with visitation starting at 1:00 PM. Interment Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD. Dare's Funeral Home 763-441-1212 www.daresfuneralservice.com

Lee, Linda J. Age 78, a longtime resident of Elk River Passed away on December 12, 2022. Linda was preceded in death by her husband Terry Lee, parents Elijah and Alice Bennett and oldest brother Lee Bennett. Linda grew up in Mexico, Maine and came to Minnesota in 1962 to attend trade school at the age of 17. Where she met Terry Lee, and they were married on December 2, 1967. They came to live in Elk River in 1975 with their two daughters after Terry was injured in a work accident and wheelchair bound. The first organization she joined was the MN Extensions Service and went on to volunteer for the MN Extension Committee. She also spent time volunteering in the Elk River Community...

Age 88 of Inver Grove Heights Passed away peacefully on December 8, 2022. Preceded in death by husband, Johann; son, John; grandson, Doug Evens. Survived by daughter, Suzette Evens (Matt Diltz); son, Steve (Julie); grandchildren, Andy & Ashley Jozelic, Edward (Ashley) Evens; great-grandchildren, Jayden & Lexi; also other family & friends. Joan was always welcoming with a smile, cup of tea and cookies for anyone who would stop by. Memorial Service was held on Wednesday, December 14th, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 7600 Cahill Ave., Inver Grove Heights. www.robertsfuneralandcremation.com

Norma Elaine Gallati (Gruenhagen), age 82, passed away on December 8th, 2022. Funeral services held at St John's Lutheran Church in Motley, MN on Saturday, December 17th, 2022. Norma and her husband Jerry owned Custom Motors in Elk River, MN where they resided for thirty years. Norma and Jerry retired to the Lincoln, MN area in 1995. Norma is survived by Jerry Gallati, her husband of 64 years; her daughter Lynn Gallati (Marty Cagan) of Durango, CO; son Jeffrey (Natalie) Gallati of Lincoln, MN; three grandchildren; two great grandchildren; one brother, three sisters; three sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews. Arrangements are entrusted to Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Staples

Matthew Perez (Perezly) Thomazin, age 52, born September 1, 1970 of Elk River, MN, passed away peacefully December 5, 2022 after a year long battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his family. He was a self made mechanic and could fix anything. He loved boating and fishing with his family and friends. Matthew is survived by his children, Brittnie Thomazin Gerard (Brian), Geoffrey Fredrickson and Lindsey Fredrickson (Dan); his grandchildren, Aidan, Rubie, Lucas and Mackenzie; his mother, Cher Thomazin and father, Marshall Thomazin; step-mother, Becky Thomazin; his siblings, Aaron Thomazin (Jennifer), Sarah Blake (George), Alisha Atkins (Matt), Kim VanMieghem (Kenny), and several nieces...