1. family and parenting
2. children

B2
SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014
POST-BULLETIN • www.postbulletin.com
Obituaries
Comments? Local news editor Mike Klein/mklein@postbulletin.com
James William Ayers — Spring Grove, Ill.
Greggory C. Breland — Rochester
James William Ayers, of Spring Grove, Ill., formerly of Rochester and Waterloo, Iowa, died peacefully Wednesday, March 5,
2014, in McHenry, Ill. Upon his death, Jim was
surrounded by his family and supported by
many family members and friends.
Jim was born in Waterloo, Iowa on Dec. 31,
1941, to the late Lowell and Katherine Ayers. While at Waterloo East High School, Jim
worked as a writer at the Waterloo Courier
and later at the Fort Dodge Messenger and
Rochester Post-Bulletin. In the late 1960s, Jim
worked in Public Affairs with the Minnesota
Republican Party, moving back to Rochester as
Ayers
an editorial writer at the Post-Bulletin. In 1976,
Jim married Margaret “Maggie” Bellingham.
They lived in Rochester for 18 years with their two sons, Nathan
and Brandon, and moved to Johnsburg, Ill., where Jim was an
independent insurance agent.
Jim was a member of All Saints Lutheran Church and the
Johnsburg OldTimers Baseball Club.
Jim’s love of sports was expressed via his officiating recreational, youth, high school and college baseball, softball, basketball, football and volleyball, which continued up until the time
of his death. Jim enjoyed attending local sporting events, as well
as the University of Minnesota Golden Gopher games with Nate
and Brandon. He was a willing traveler, joining Maggie and his
in-laws, Nancy and Brian Houdek, to out-of-the way locations
around the world. Jim had a very unique sense of humor and
did not hesitate to add a joke or pun to most conversations,
especially while playing board and card games with the family.
He loved watching the birds and wildlife from the back deck and
shared squirrel feeding techniques with Brian. Jim was a very
special husband, father, relative and friend; he will be remembered for his easy-going and caring nature. Each day Jim would
strike up a conversation with neighbors, friends and strangers;
he remembered each and every person when their paths crossed
at a later date.
Jim is survived by his wife; his sons, Nathan and Brandon (Giana); his siblings, Josephine (Phil), David (Bev), John (Cathie)
and Joan (Diane); his father and mother-in-law, Bill and Carmen
Bellingham; in-laws; and many nieces, nephews and extended
family and referee colleagues.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at All Saints Lutheran
Church in Fox Lake, Ill., on Sunday, March 9, at 2 p.m. Jim’s family will greet friends at the church one hour before the service.
Memorials in Jim’s name can be made to the American Heart
Association, Greater Midwest Affiliate, Memorials and Tributes
Lockbox, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674.
A special thanks to Veerpal Singh, M.D., the Sage Cancer
Center staff and most recently the Centegra 7th Floor Nursing
and JourneyCare staff. You made an impact for which we will be
forever grateful.
Greggory C. Breland, 53, died Wednesday, March 5, 2014, at
Mayo Clinic Hospital-Saint Marys.
Gregg was born Oct. 2, 1960, in Vicenza, Italy.
He proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps
for 10 years. Gregg married Rosemary Read on
March 30, 1985. He worked for IBM for 20 years.
Gregg enjoyed going to Honker games, fishing, shooting and fantasy football.
Gregg is survived by his wife, Rosey; three
daughters, Brittany (Daniel) Fenley, of Rochester, Courtney (Bryan) Swenson, of Rochester,
and Destiny Breland, of Eden Prairie; four
grandchildren, Jacob, Alayna, Greggory and
Breland
Amelia; and many loving brothers and sisters.
Gregg is preceded in death by his father, Ben
Rogers.
A memorial service with military honors
will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at
Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes. A visitation will be held an hour prior to the service at the funeral
home.
Memorials can be directed to USMC Toys for Tots.
Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place N.W.,
Rochester, MN 55901, 507-289-3600,
ranfranzandvinefh.com.
Norma Dison — Rochester
Dr. Norma Dison, 86, of Rochester, died March 6, 2014, at Saint
Marys Hospital.
Norma Jean Greenler was born near the
village of Florida, Ohio, on Feb. 7, 1928, to Carl
and Nellie Greenler. They had her baptized and
confirmed in St. John’s Lutheran Church in
Holgate, Ohio.
She graduated from Holgate High School,
Holgate, Ohio (1946), Valparaiso University
with a BA degree (1952), Kahler Hospital School
of Nursing (1952) and University of Minnesota
with MA, MS, and PhD degrees (1974, 78 and
85). She was elected to membership in Sigma
Dison
Theta Tau, a national nursing honor society.
During her career, she was a member of local
and national nursing organizations and held a number of offices
in them.
Norma taught at Methodist-Kahler School of Nursing, Saint
Marys School of Nursing, Saint Teresa’s College, Rochester
Community College and Winona State University, retiring as
professor of nursing emeritus. She was the first full-time faculty
member hired by Winona State University to teach on the Rochester Campus. She helped to design and taught in the ladder and
master’s program for nursing at Winona State University.
She wrote four editions of the nursing textbook, Clinical
Nursing Techniques, 11 editions of Drugs and Solutions for
Nurses and contributed to several editions of Mosby’s Comprehensive Review of Nursing and to nursing journals. The
textbooks were translated into several languages. The American
Journal of Nursing recognized Clinical Nursing Techniques as
the book of the year. She presented research nationally. She is
listed in numerous Who’s Who publications and was nominated
by a former student and presented with a faculty Certificate of
Honor by the State Board for Community Colleges in 1991.
She was a member of the Rochester Quilt Society. For several
years, she co-conducted the Bernina Club and the Embroidery
Club at Dave’s Creative Sewing Center. She was an award-winning quilter. She also created a number of banners for Bethel
Lutheran Church. She was a life member and past president
of Methodist-Kahler School of Nursing Alumni. She was a life
member of the Senior Citizens, a member of Bethel Lutheran
Church, Sons of Norway and a member of the History Center of
Olmsted County.
Norma and Harold Dison were married on Aug. 15, 1953,
at Trinity Lutheran Church in Rochester. In addition to her
husband of 60 years, she is survived by one son, Larry (Debbie)
Dison, United States Army retired, Louisville, Ky.; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one son,
Val Ludwick Dison; three sisters; and five brothers.
Norma’s funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday,
March 11, 2014, at Bethel Lutheran Church, 810 3rd Ave. S.E.,
Rochester, officiated by Pastor Norman Wahl. Visitation will be
from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, March 10, 2014, in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home, 1105 12th St. S.E., Rochester, with
a 7 p.m. prayer service officiated by Pastor Anjanette Bandel and
Elizabeth McGeeney, director of the Children’s choir. Visitation
will also be one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to Bethel Lutheran Church, Rochester, or Good Earth Village, Spring Valley.
Online condolences are welcome at mackenfuneralhome.com.
Notices of death
Adeline R. Gruis, 81, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, died Wednesday at
NewAldaya Lifescapes in Cedar Falls. She was a former teacher
in Hollandale Christian School. Services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday
at Richardson Funeral Service in Cedar Falls. Richardson Funeral
Service, Cedar Falls.
Betty Lou (Snow) Helmbrecht, of New Brighton, formerly of
Kasson, died March 1, 2014. A memorial service will be 1 p.m.
Friday at Christ the King Lutheran Church in New Brighton.
E.G. “Jerry” Rutz, 85, of Lake City, died Wednesday at St.
Brigids at High Park in Red Wing. Mahn Family Funeral Home
Anderson-Peterson Chapel, Lake City.
Nancy Jean (Lubahn) Strelow — Rochester
Nancy Jean (Lubahn) Strelow, 53, died Thursday, March 6,
2014, at her home in Rochester, after a courageous battle with
ALS.
Nancy was born Dec. 30, 1960, to Lyle and
Mavis (Bosshart) Lubahn in Rochester. Nancy
graduated from Mayo High School in 1979.
She was a youth cheerleading coach and was
involved with the JM Booster Club; she was a
devoted soccer and hockey mom. Nancy work
at Dermatology and PCIM areas at Mayo Clinic
for 23 years, before taking a medical leave of
absence in May 2012. On Aug. 16, 1980, Nancy
married Mark Strelow at Peace United Church
Strelow
of Christ, and they were blessed with two beautiful children (Joshua and Allison).
She enjoyed crafting, shopping and was an avid NASCAR fan.
Nancy also cherished her time with her children and grandson,
Isaac.
Nancy is survived by Mark; her son, Joshua Strelow, and
daughter, Allison Strelow, both of Rochester; her grandson,
Isaac Strelow; her sister, Barbara (Paul) Pike, Rochester; father,
Lyle Lubahn, Rochester; brothers-in law and sisters-in-law,
Wayne and Claudia Strelow, Rochester, David and Peggy Strelow,
Kansas City, Kan., and Dan and Darlene Strelow, Barneveld,
Wis.; and many nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her
beloved pets, Murphy, Tabitha, Toby and Charlie; many cousins;
and many special friends and great neighbors.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Mavis; father-in-law,
Robert Strelow; and maternal and paternal grandparents.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 15,
Kathy Sue Slesinski, 39, of Rochester passed away peacefully
at Bethel Lutheran Church, 810 Third Ave. S.E., Rochester, with
on March 6, 2014, at Saint Marys Hospital.
the Rev. Dr. Norman Wahl officiating. It was Nancy’s request
Kathy was born on Dec. 14, 1974, in Rochesthat this be a celebration; she wanted everyone attending to
ter to Gary and Jean (Peterson) Slesinski. She
wear bright colors.
graduated from Mayo High School in 1993 and
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 14, at Ranhas been alongside her high school sweetheart, franz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place N.W., RochesAmos Kroening, since that time. Due to her
ter, and one hour before the service at the church on Saturday.
love of animals, she worked at various pet
Burial will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens.
grooming shops. She had a true natural conMemorials are suggested to ALS Society, 333 N. Washington
nection to animals, especially cats. She enjoyed Ave., Suite 105, Minneapolis, MN 55401, or Camp Companion,
her pets, swimming and making jewelry.
P.O. Box 7478, Rochester, MN 55903.
Kathy had a special ability to understand and
To share a special memory or condolence, please visit ranbe compassionate to all those she met, and in
franzandvinefh.com.
Slesinski
turn, people were drawn to her and wanted to
Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place N.W.,
help take care of her.
Rochester MN 55901, 507-289-3600.
She is survived by her soulmate, Amos Kroening, of Elgin;
her parents, Gary and Jean (Peterson) Slesinski, of Rochester;
her sisters, Brenda (Chris) Jepsen and Tammy (Chris) Nash,
both of Long Beach, Calif.; her nephews, Carter and Logan; and
a niece, Korina.
The funeral service for Marion Glover Rowekamp, 85, of RochShe was preceded in death by her grandparents, Ralph and
ester, formerly of Stewartville, will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday,
Angie Peterson.
March 11, 2014, at Trinity Lutheran Church in
Rochester, with the Rev. Joel Haak officiating.
A funeral service for Kathy will be held on Monday, March
Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in
10, 2014, at 1 p.m. in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral
Stewartville. Mrs. Rowekamp died on ThursHome, with Chaplain Scott Jorgenson officiating. Visitation will
day, March 6, 2014, of natural causes at Cottagebe held on Sunday, March 9, 2014, from 2 to 5 p.m. in the River
wood Senior Communities in Rochester.
Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home and one hour prior to the
service.
Marion Dena Schumann was born on
Aug. 5, 1928, to Gerhardt and Dena (Balsem)
Macken Funeral Home is handling the arrangements, and
Schumann. She grew up on the family farm,
online condolences are welcome at mackenfuneralhome.com.
attended Stewartville schools, graduating from Stewartville High School in 1946.
Rowekamp
Marion was married on June 5, 1948, at
St. Johns Lutheran Church in Stewartville to
Franklin “Buddy” Glover.
The couple lived in Stewartville, where they raised their
daughters and made their home for many years. The Glovers
Saturday, March 1, 2014 Murphy, 77, of La Crosse, Wis.
owned and operated Glover Bus Service providing bus service
Arvilla “Billie” Peterson, of
Rex H. Benson, 72, of Plano,
to the Stewartville School District for over 30 years. They also
Rochester.
Texas.
owned and operated Glover Ambulance Service and Glover
Patrick Ray Slaughter, 22, of
Roller Rink, which was an area attraction for generations of
Angela M. Domaille, 89, of
Philadelphia, Pa., formerly of
kids.
Rochester.
Wabasha.
They sold the bus service and retired in 1984, moving to Ryans
Russell Jensen, 75, of Hayfield.
Bay on Lake Zumbro near Oronoco. Mr. Glover died on Sept. 18,
Wednesday,
March
5,
Helen Elizabeth Mullenbach,
1989. Marion moved to Rochester in 1991. She was married on
90, of Adams.
2014
July 6, 1996, in Rochester to Eugene Rowekamp, and they made
their home in Rochester. Marion was a past member of St. Johns
Francis Howard Rumsey, 69,
Ernest J. Bremer, 87, of Lake
Lutheran Church in Stewartville, Holy Cross Lutheran Church
of Austin.
City.
in Rochester and was currently a member of Trinity Lutheran
Alice M. Sathre, 92, of Adams.
Natalia Bender Broderick, 94,
Church in Rochester.
formerly of Rochester.
She was a longtime member of the Stewartville American LeMonday, March 3, 2014
gion Ladies Auxiliary. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, boating,
Richard
William
Butler,
78,
Donald R. Axley, 64, of Viola.
dancing and traveling. Marion loved to spend time with family
of North Mankato, formerly of
Carol L. Crandall, 97, of
especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Austin.
Rochester.
Marion is survived by husband, Gene; her three daughters,
Avis “Blondie” (Lee) Crowson,
Nancy (Don) Hansen, of Long Prairie, Susan Runkle, of StewJohn Deloss Dalager, 61, of
87, of Rochester.
artville, and Vicki(Kevin) Noetzelman, of Delano; five grandAustin.
children, Amy Hansen, Bryan (Melissa) Runkle, Mike (Amy)
Virgil Eggenberger, 87, of
Stephen Leo Glady, 69, of
Runkle, Samantha Noetzelman and Mathew Noetzelman; seven
Lake City.
rural Wykoff.
great-grandchildren, Alex, Brooke, Caylee, Max, Aarianna,
Kathleen Morben, 76, of
Jasmine and Alli; six stepchildren, Mike (Terese) Rowekamp, of
Joyce M. Hart, 75, of
Rochester.
Bloomington, Greg (Cheri) Rowekamp, of Rochester, Paul (Kim)
Stewartville.
Steven John Mortensen,
Rowekamp, of Roseville, Dave (Linda) Rowekamp, of Eden PraiJacob J. Jessen, 89, of
75, of Northfield, formerly of
rie, Kevin (Julie) Rowekamp, of Bloomington, and Kim (Jim)
Hayfield.
Sietz, of Eagan; 16 stepgrandchildren; two stepgreat-grandchilRochester and Brooklyn Center.
Sister Frances de Sales
dren; two brothers, Henry (Luella) Schumann, of Stewartville,
George D. Reinhart, 95, of
McManimon, 92, of Rochester.
and Wilbur (Marilynn) Schumann, of Rochester; and a sister-inStewartville.
law, Betty Schumann, of Stewartville.
Carl Myer, 89, of Lake City.
Paul Trumpold, 69, of St.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Franklin
William F. Murphy, 77, of La
Charles.
“Buddy”; her parents; two granddaughters, Heidi Hansen and
Crosse, Wis.
Holly Emmanuel; son-in-law, Dale Runkle; and her brother,
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Larry W. Reed, 74, of
Gerhardt.
Rochester.
Alma Hilfers, 74, of Rochester.
Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, March 10, 2014, at
Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville and one hour prior
Mandi Seefeldt, 22, of
Frederick G. “Fred” Jorgensen,
to the service at the church on Tuesday morning.
Plainview.
92, of Billings, Mont., formerly of
Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray F.H. in Stewartville.
Chatfield.
Robert C. Seefeldt, 66, of
griffin-gray.com.
Kathy Sue Slesinski — Rochester
Marion Glover Rowekamp — Rochester
DEATH NOTICES, OBITUARIES, March 1-7
Plainview.
Robert D. Simenson, 66, of
Rochester.
Betty M. Timm, 90, of
Chatfield.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Verna Berge, 90, of
Lanesboro.
Angela Mae Domaille, 89, of
Rochester.
Marie K. Flotterud, 90, of
Zumbrota.
Donna M. Hanks, 87, of
LeRoy.
Newell Holt, 84, of Chatfield.
Edna E. Hovde, 90, of
Rochester, formerly of Winona.
Violet Jacobson, 92, of Austin.
Charles G. Labisky, 82, of
Plainview.
Janet L. Lloyd, 70, of
Rochester.
Donna Jane (Snyder) Marckel,
76, of Maplewood, formerly of
Rochester and Austin, Texas.
William “Bill” “Buzz” Fredrick
Ruth M. “Ruthey” Lawler, 84,
of Rochester.
James Svelmoe, 91, of
Rochester.
Mary L. Waller, 93, of Preston.
Friday, March 7, 2014
James William Ayers, of
Spring Grove, Ill., formally of
Rochester and Waterloo, Iowa.
Norma Jean Dison, Ph.D, RN,
86, of Rochester.
Albert E. Langdon, 91, of
Spring Valley.
Kristine Kay Navara, 49, of
Faribault.
M. Duane Norgaard, 83, of
Austin.
Marion Glover Rowekamp,
85, of Rochester, formerly of
Stewartville.
Dr. Robert G. Siekert, 89, of
Rochester.
Kathy Slesinski, 39, of
Rochester.
Nancy J. Strelow, 53, of
Rochester.
Curriculum bill appears
dead in Wisconsin Senate
By SCOTT BAUER
Associated Press
MADISON, Wis. — A bill
that would give the Legislature power to write and
approve Wisconsin’s academic standards is unlikely
to pass in its current form,
the leader of the state Senate
said Thursday as hundreds
of teachers, school administrators and business leaders
converged on the Capitol to
oppose it.
The chairman of the Senate
Education Committee, which
held a hearing on the measure,
told The Associated Press at
least five Republican senators
told him they opposed the
measure that likely would lead
to the undoing of the Common
Core standards adopted in
2010. That would leave the bill
at least four votes shy of the 17
needed to pass.
“The bill isn’t dead, but it
looks unlikely to pass in its
current form,” Republican
Senate Majority Leader Scott
Fitzgerald said in an email.
Fitzgerald, who is in charge
of setting the Senate’s agenda
for the last two or three days
it plans to meet this year, said
the proposal is “still a work
in progress.”
With the bill’s future in
jeopardy, its chief sponsor,
Sen. Leah Vukmir, R-Brookfield, issued a statement
saying she wasn’t giving up
and that she believed momentum for the idea was growing.