
Obituaries from the Jan. 14 Valley News
John Elgethun
John Elgethun, 91, of Shakopee, died Nov. 25, 2009.
Memorial service is Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010 at noon with visitation one hour prior and reception to follow at Washburn-McReavy Eden Prairie Chapel, 7625 Mitchell Road; 952-975-0400.
Emil A. Kubiszewski
Emil Kubiszewski, 52, of New Prague formerly of Shakopee, died Monday, Jan. 11, 2010 at his home.
Visitation is Thursday, Jan. 14, from 4-8 p.m. and Friday, Jan. 15, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the McNearney Funeral Home, Shakopee. Memorial Mass is Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Mark's Catholic Church, Shakopee. Interment in the Catholic Cemetery, Shakopee.
Complete obituary will appear next week.
Arrangements with the McNearney Funeral Home, 952-445-2755. www.mcnearneyfuneralhome.com
Jennifer Ann (Carlson) Ryan
Jennifer Ryan, 47, of Waconia, formerly from Shakopee, died Monday, Dec. 21, 2009.
She was preceded in death by her father, Wayne Carlson, and brother, Jerry Carlson. She will be greatly missed by her children, Brandon Fridolfson, Michael Ryan and Deborah Ryan; granddaughter, Lacey Fridolfson; mother, Judith Cramer; stepfather, Bill Cramer; siblings, Daniel Carlson, Jeffrey (fiancee Jodi) Carlson, Michael Carlson, Leslie (Wayne) Perkins, John (Robin) Carlson; stepbrothers, Scott (Rebecca) Cramer, Todd (Ann) Cramer, Wynn (Shelby) Cramer, Kipp (Caroline) Cramer, Trent (Amy) Cramer; numerous nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, Jan. 4, 2010 at 11 a.m., with visitation one hour prior to the service at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Savage. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred for the children's education fund.
Thomas Drake
Tom, a dedicated Christian, an avid sports fan and outdoorsman, with a passion for education. A dedicated husband, father and a special love for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Tom Drake, 77, of Prior Lake, and formally of Algona, IA, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010 at McKenna Crossing in Prior Lake. He was born Sept. 27, 1932 in Sutherland, IA, the son of John and Ella (Mahn) Drake. He was united in marriage to Phyllis Neibuhr in Zion Lutheran Church in Paullina, IA. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War. During his education years he was appointed by the Iowa governor as a member of the Professional Teaching Practices Commission. He also belonged and served as president of the Iowa Association of Secondary School Principals, and belonged to the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Tom was selected to membership in the Hall of Recognition of the Iowa State Teachers College. He was an honorary member of the Delta I.O.T.A. Chapter of the Beta Beta Beta Fraternity and the Kiwanis International. Tom was a volunteer at the Kossuth County C.A.R.E. Team, a women's shelter in Algona, as well as an active member of his political party. He served as an elder and member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Algona. As a lover of sports and the outdoors, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, jogging and biking. He loyally attended family sporting events and was also an avid fan of the Iowa State University Cyclones.
Loved and missed by his children, Mike (Kay) Drake of Lincoln, NE, Steve Drake of Lancaster, PA, Paul (Pauline) Drake of Prior Lake, Kent (Kellie) Drake of Lewisville, TX, Mark (Nina) Drake of Des Moines, IA; 14 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brother, Dr. James (Marlys) Drake of Ocean Springs, MS; other relatives and friends. Tom is preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis; son, Gary Drake, and parents.
Visitation will be Thursday, Jan. 14, from 4:30-7 p.m. with a memorial service at 7 p.m., all at McKenna Crossing Chapel, 13810 Shepherds Path in Prior Lake. The Rev. Dr. Marggi Pleiss-Sippola will officiate. Funeral services will be Saturday, Jan. 16, at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Algona, with an hour prior visitation. Pastor Steve Turner will officiate. A private family inurnment will be at Fairview Cemetery in Cedar Falls, IA. Memorials preferred and will be distributed by the family in Tom's memory. Urn bearer and honorary bearers will be his grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements made by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Prior Lake Chapel, Prior Lake. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
Audrey Dawn Kasten
Audrey, a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, who loved, protected and enjoyed spending time with her family.
Audrey Kasten, 78, passed away peacefully Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010 at St. Gertrude's Health Care Center in Shakopee.
Born Feb. 17, 1931 in Grayslake, IL, she was the daughter of Frank B. and Luella (Haldeman) Wilkinson and raised by Frank's brother George and Viola (Haldeman) Wilkinson. She was united in marriage to Alvin Otto Kasten on May 21, 1948 at the Methodist Church in Chemung, IL.
Loved and missed by daughter, Audrey Ann Sharp of Duluth; son, Larry (Vicky) Kasten of Lydia; granddaughters, Heather Campbell, Rachel (Andrew) Olson; grandsons, Jeremiah (Stacy) Kasten and Josiah Kasten; great-grandchildren, Connor Campbell, Benjamin Simonitsch, Ezra Olson, Gabriel Kasten, Abigail Kasten; brothers, Harold (Arlene) Wilkinson of Johnson City, TN; George M Wilkinson Jr. of Ruskin, FL.; special cousin, Lois Prendergast of Lake Villa, IL; many nieces, nephews and cousins and a special church friend, Bradley Greenwald.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Alvin, in August of 2009; granddaughter, Peggy Ann Taylor; parents; sisters, Luella Johnson and June Butte; brothers, Frank Wilkinson Jr., Charles Edwin Wilkinson and Calvin Daniel Wilkinson.
Celebration of Life Service will be Saturday, Jan. 16, at 11 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service, all at Zion United Methodist Church, Lydia. Pastor Jon Marburger will officiate. Inurnment will be at Concord Hill Cemetery, Lydia.
Arrangements made by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Jordan Chapel. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com.
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