James Burgstahler

James "Jim" Howard Burgstahler, 95, Hutchinson, passed away Saturday, December 29, 2012, at Cornerstone Hospice House in Tavares, Florida.

James was born June 6, 1917 in Grafton Township, Sibley County, the son of Howard and Bertha (Boehlke) Burgstahler. Jim was baptized as an infant and later confirmed in his faith as a youth. He received his education in his home area in Sibley County. Jim furthered his education at the VA Agricultural School for four years.

He entered active military service in the United States Army Infantry on March 17, 1941 and served his country during World War II. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, the American Defense ribbon, the Philippine Liberation ribbon, the Pre-Pearl Harbor and the Asiatic -Pacific ribbon. Jim received an honorable discharge on December 7, 1946 at Camp McCoy.

On March 23, 1946, Jim was united in marriage to Irene Marie (Thompson) Burgstahler. This marriage was blessed with three daughters, Lynn, Diane and Beverly. Jim and Irene resided and farmed south of Cosmos until 1978, when they moved to Hutchinson. They shared 59 years of marriage until Irene passed away on October 26, 2005.

On June 3, 2006, Jim was united in marriage to Ellen L. Knee. Jim and Ellen resided in Hutchinson and spent the winter months in Leesburg, Florida. They shared six years of marriage.

Jim was a lifetime farmer and retired in 1978. He was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Cosmos. He was a member of Hutchinson DAV and the Hutchinson Hassan Valley Odd Fellows Lodge. #109.

Jim enjoyed golfing, fishing, playing card games, flower gardening, and he loved to polka dance. Jim especially enjoyed spending time with his family, grandchildren and friends.

Blessed be his memory.

Jim is survived by his wife, Ellen Burgstahler of Hutchinson; daughter, Lynn (David) Raddatz of Somerset, WI, stepdaughter, Anne (Justin), great-grandchild, Ryan; daughter, Diane (David) Olson of Alexandria, grandchildren, Ronnie Olson, Robin Payre, Randy Olson; great-grandchildren, Jazmine Olson, Devyn Olson, Dylan Payre, Gabriel Payre; daughter, Beverly (Jack) Wold of Safety Harbor, FL; grand-dog, "Kwai Chang;" stepson, Robin (Holly) Hartzell, step-grandchildren, Stephanny Smith, Aaron Hartzell and Sean Hartzell, great-great-grandchildren, Grace Smith, Christian Hartzell, Wesley Hartzell; sisters, Lois Bryan of Buffalo Lake, Jean Pittman of Stewart; brothers, Ned (Arlene) Burgstahler of Stewart, John (Sharon) Burgstahler of Stewart; nieces, nephews, and many other relatives and friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Bertha Burgstahler; first wife, Irene Burgstahler; brothers-in-law, Delmar Pittman, George Bryan; and sister-in law, Zelda Burgstahler.

Funeral services will be held Monday, January 7 at 10 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church in Cosmos with Pastor Marlaine Doidge officiating. Organist is Charles Lietzau and soloist is Pastor Marlaine Doedge.

Honorary bearer is Robert Payre. Casket bearers are Ronnie Olson, Randy Olson, Reed Burgstahler, Grant Burgstahler, Neil Burgstahler and Steve Burgstahler.

Military honors are by Cosmos American Legion Post #126 Honor Guard.

Interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis at 2:15 p.m.

Visitation is Sunday, January 6 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Hutchinson.

The family invites everyone to the luncheon at the church immediately following the service.

Arrangements are with Dobratz-Hantge Chapel in Hutchinson. Online obituaries and guest book are available at www.hantge.com. Please click on Obituaries/Guest Book.

Charles Lee Benner, Jr.

Charles Lee Benner, Jr., age 51 of Annandale passed away suddenly on Thursday, June 23, 2011.

The family plans to have a private service in memory of Charlie.

Charles Lee Benner, Jr. was born July 2, 1959 in Perth Amboy, NJ to Charles, Sr. and Sandra (Spack) Benner. He grew up in Robbinsdale and has lived in Annandale for the past 18 years. Charlie spent his career as a machine tool operator at Malco Products in Annandale. He was a man of the outdoors, very knowledgeable and a historian. He enjoyed reading, hunting, trapping, fishing and collecting coins.

He is survived by his children, Hanna Roberg & her husband, Ross of Minneapolis, Brandon Benner & his wife, Abby of Milaca and Eric Benner & his fiancé, Brittany Leibfried of New Richmond, WI; grandchildren, Isabella and Andrew; parents, Chuck and Sandy Benner of Le Sueur; brothers and sisters, Scott Benner & his wife Barb of Lakeville, Jill Weglarz of Le Sueur and Robert Benner & his wife Lori of Zimmerman. He also leaves behind his beloved cat, Hailey.

Arrangements are entrusted with Dingmann Funeral Care, Annandale.

Earl D Forslund

Earl D Forslund
(March 29, 1927 - February 7, 2012)

U.S. Veteran

Earl D. Forslund, age 84, of Iron River, WI, passed away Tuesday, February 7, 2012, at Memorial Medical Center, in Ashland, WI. He was born March 29, 1927, in Milwaukee, the son of Otto and Bertha (Odegard) Forslund.

In 1945, he graduated from Iron River High School. From 1945 to 1948, he served in the US Air Force. Upon returning from the military, he graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree. Upon graduation, he married Beverly J. Smith of Iron River, WI. For 35 years, Earl worked for Interstate Power Company (Alliant Energy), in Dubuque, IA. He retired as Vice President of production and gas operations in 1990. He was a member of Calvary Presbyterian Church, in Iron River. Even at a young age he showed his engineering interests, as he was skilled at working on cars and motorcycles. Earl went on to build his homes in Dubuque, IA and Iron River, WI, where he did the majority of the work himself.

He is survived by his daughter, Bonnie (Brian) McAreavy, Branchburg, NJ; a son, Dennis Forslund, Omaha, NE; two grandchildren, Jennifer (Chris) Wilkins and Jake McAreavy; a great-granddaughter, Penny Wilkins; a brother, LeRoy (Gert) Forslund, Superior; nieces; nephews; and he also leaves behind his dearest friend of the last seven years, Renie Nollet.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Beverly on September 9, 1999; and a son, William.

A memorial service will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, February 11, 2012 at Calvary Presbyterian Church, in Iron River, with Pastor Joel Huenemann officiating.

Spring inurnment will take place in the Iron River City Cemetery.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, on Saturday, at Calvary Presbyterian Church, in Iron River.

Memorials may be made to the Calvary Presbyterian Church, in Iron River, WI.

Arrangements are by Frost Home for Funerals and Cremation Services of Ashland.

Tony Gail Irons

Tony Gail Irons, 64, Webb Lake, WI, passed away Thursday, March 22, 2018 after a battle with cancer. Tony was born November 23, 1953, a son of Crystal (Gardner) and Lowell Thomas Irons. He was a 1973 graduate of Grantsburg High School.

Tony was enlisted in the United States Army from 1980-1983 stationed in Germany and Holland. He also had his own business in construction as well as owning a resort and bar. He resided in Webb Lake for 33 years.

Tony loved the outdoors. He especially enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. Tony found pleasure in working with wood, including building log homes for himself and residents of the area of Webb Lake. He also loved to travel to see sights both in the United States and Germany.

Tony was preceded in death by his father, Lowell Irons; his paternal grandparents, Ted and Shirley Irons; his maternal grandparents, Rush and Bernice Gardner; his brother, Randy Irons; and his son, Kelly Rae Irons.

He is survived by his wife, Rita Irons; his daughter, Jennifer (Chris) Goetz; his grandchildren, Brock and Calista; his mother, Crystal Irons; a sister, Robin Irons; and many aunts, uncles, relatives, and friends.

The memorial service honoring the life of Tony Irons will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, March 29, 2018 at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner, WI. A luncheon will follow at 12:30 PM at Crossroads Christian Church, 28509 CTH H, Webster (just north of CTH A, Town of Scott). In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster. Online condolences may be expressed at www.swedberg-taylor.com.

Crystal LaVone Irons

Crystal Irons, passed away Thursday, January 31, 2019, at the age of 83, after a battle with cancer. Crystal was born on February 4, 1935 in Park Falls, WI to Rush and Bernice Gardner. On August 9, 1952, Crystal married Lowell Irons and they enjoyed 50 years of marriage together. They spent most of those years in Webb Lake, WI. Crystal loved the outdoors. She enjoyed fishing, gardening, picking berries, going to rummage sales, playing cards, puzzles, reading the Bible and watching the many wildlife that would come to her feeders. Crystal also enjoyed spending time with family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Rush and Bernice Connor; her husband, Lowell Irons; sons, Tony and Randy Irons; grandson, Kelly Rae Irons; sister, June Jordan; and brother, Bernard Deuse. She is survived by her daughter, Robin Irons; daughter-in-law, Rita Irons; granddaughters: Tara Almadhoun, Jennifer Goetz, and Jennifer Tubb; 6 great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandson, sisters: Rose Harwood, Bea Ellen Williams, Harriet Storey; and other relatives and friends. The Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 16, 2019 at 11:30am (visitation from 10:30am - 11:30am) at Crossroads Christian Church in Webster, WI. Arrangements have been entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home in Webster, WI. Online condolences may be expressed www.swedberg-taylor.com

Frank Blinkiewicz

Frank A. Blinkiewicz, age 86 of Montello passed away peacefully Friday afternoon, May 17, 2013 at Golden Living Center in Wisconsin Dells. Frank was born in Milwaukee on March 10, 1927 to Stanley and Mabel (Forslund) Blinkiewicz. He worked for Harnischfeger Corporation in Milwaukee as a steel worker for 30 years until he retired in 1983 and shortly after he permanently moved to the Montello area with his twin brother John. John preceded him in death on December 5, 2005. Frank is survived by his cousin, LeRoy Forslund of Superior, WI and is preceded in death by his parents and twin brother, John. Following Frank's wishes, he will be cremated and private family services will be held at a later date. Crawford Funeral and Cremation Service of Montello and Oxford is honored to be assisting with the arrangements. www.CrawfordFH.com