Kay Francis Simmons passed away peacefully Monday, Jan. 5, 2015, at the Good Shepard Hospice, Sebring, Fla.
Katie was born Dec. 28, 1936, in Michigan.
She married Jerry Simmons in June of 1957.
They resided in International Falls, Minn., for a number of years and was well known and loved by the community.
After leaving the Falls they made their home in Colorado Springs, Colo., for a number of years and in the fall of 2006 retired and moved to Sebring.
Katie was a devoted wife and mother and a bright light always smiling and making her family laugh.
She was a selfless individual always giving and caring for others.
She will be remembered as a friendly, loving, and caring wife, mother and grandmother, with a strong sense of faith and will be forever missed.
She loved her family very much.
She is survived by her husband, Jerry, of Sebring; daughters, Tami Mesenbourg (Mike), Wendi Bowlin (Mark) and Sheri Edwards (Kevin); son, Patrick Simmons (Paul); and grandchildren, Mike, Jordan, Jorden, Mollie, Jon, Hunter and Makiah.
A private memorial service with immediate family will take place in Sebring.
Mass of the Resurrection for Sarah Jane Johnson, 88, who was called home Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, was conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 9, at St. Thomas Catholic Church.
Officiating was Fr. Dennis Hoffman.
Music was by Joe Belanger.
Eucharistic minister was Michelle Misner with readings by Pat Bjorum and Ross Johnson.
Presentation of Gifts was by Shawna Misner, Sammy Maxwell, Emma Misner and Jack Maxwell.
Ushers were Frank Watkinson and Diane Peters.
Interment was at St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery, International Falls.
Arrangements were with Green-Larsen Mortuary Inc., International Falls.
Mildred Marie Foss, 91, died Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014, in Walker, Minn.
She was born Oct. 24, 1923, on a farm in Davenport-Mapleton area, N.D., and grew-up in West Fargo, N.D.
Mille graduated from West Fargo High School in 1940 and attended Interstate Business College in Fargo, N.D.
She enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in 1944 and served until 1946. Afterward, she worked as a legal secretary in Fargo.
She married Elvin Foss of Halstad, Minn., in 1950 and had two sons, Duane (Sherren), of Walker, and Robin (Joanne), of Gainesville, Fla.
She had four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Mille lived most of her adult life in International Falls, Minn., where she was an active community member of Eastern Star, Rainy Lake Women’s Club, Cub Scout den mother, Ladies Auxiliary and Zion Lutheran Church Sunday School teacher.
She was the 9th District Women’s Club president and Minnesota State Women’s Club president.
Her retired life was spent in Winter Haven, Fla., where she was active in women’s clubs, quilting, and golf.
She returned to Minnesota eight years ago after her husband died in 2006.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Amelia (Dobrinz) Jones; and five of her six siblings — Carmie (Laura) Jones, Detroit Lakes, Minn., Gordon (Aileen) Jones, Moorhead, Minn., Arthur Jones, Fargo, Marvin Jones, San Francisco, Calif., and Joanne (Jim) Wilson, Escondido, Calif..
She is survived by her sister, Luella Laske (Gary) of Fargo and her two sons and their families.
Memorials are preferred to May Creek Senior Living Campus and Hope Lutheran Church.
A memorial service for Mildred will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015, at Hope Lutheran Church, Walker.
A private inurnment will be at a later date.
Arrangements are by Midwest Cremation Association/Dennis Funeral Home, Walker.
Joan A. Stone passed away peacefully at 80 years of age Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014, following a lengthy struggle with dementia.
Joan was born Sept. 1, 1934, in International Falls, Minn., to Alice and Joe Parker.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl, to whom she was married to for 57 years.
She is survived by sons, Jim (Sue) of New City, N.Y., and Bob (Julie) of Ramsey, Minn.; grandsons, Parker and Christian; granddaughter, Kayla; sister, Audrey Leeman of International Falls; and many nieces and nephews.
Joan worked for many years as a faculty secretary at Rainy River Community College.
She and Carl (until his passing in October 2013) had spent the last six years living at the Wellstead Retirement Community in Rogers, Minn.
Joan was a wonderful mother and grandmother and will be missed greatly.
She was an incredible cook and baker and loved to spend time with her three grandchildren.
A memorial service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, 2015, at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, International Falls.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the Alzheimer’s Foundation.
Condolences may be left at www.greenlarsen.com.
Arrangements are with Green-Larsen Mortuary Inc., International Falls.
John Alfred Wastell, of Calgary, Alberta, passed away Friday, Jan. 9, 2015, peacefully, surrounded by his family.
John was born Aug. 18, 1939, in Fort Frances, Ontario.
He attended St. Mary’s School and Fort Frances High School, graduating from Grade 13.
John and his dad ran the Wastell Electric store on Portage Avenue.
In 1975, he and his dad moved to British Columbia, where he met his future wife, Myrna. Eventually they settled in Calgary.
John was predeceased by his parents, Alfred and Jessie.
He is survived by his wife, Myrna; children, Owen (Jana) and Caitlin (James), Devin (Meagan); and grandchildren, Chase, Jaida and Jackson. He is also survived by his sister, Helen and (John E.) Patterson of International Falls, Minn., and family.
He will be remembered for his passion for hockey (especially the Canucks); his love of history and his gentle demeanor.
His profound memory for Big Band and Hymn music frequently prompted him to break into song at the least provocation.
Special thanks to Drs. Blahey and Jalutha and the nurses and staff at the Tom Baker Centre, the staff of the Chinook Hospice and the AB Health Palliative Services.
In our hearts now and forever: angel on your shoulder.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made out to the Calgary Children’s Hospital.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, at the Church of the Ascension.
Patricia Hamalainen, 83, of International Falls, died Tuesday morning, Jan. 13, 2015.
A complete obituary and service times will be announced when arrangements have been completed.
Condolences may be left at www.greenlarsen.com.
Arrangements are with Green-Larsen Mortuary Inc., International Falls.
