Leo Eugene Wakefield, 91

Leo Eugene Wakefield, 91, of Austin, died Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2002, at St. Mary's Hospital, Rochester.

He was born Dec. 29, 1910, in Sioux City, Iowa, to William J. and Lillian (Freeman) Wakefield.

He spent his early years in Albert Lea, married Jennie Evangeline Miller on Feb. 20, 1936, in St. Ansgar, Iowa and moved to Austin at age 30.

He was employed at Hormel Foods for 32 years.

A member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, he enjoyed bowling, golf, sporting events, traveling and fishing.

Survivors include son, William (Deborah), Austin; daughter, Janet (Bruce) Lees, Austin; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, four brothers, three sisters, and two grandchildren, Jeffrey and Eric.

Visitation: 5 to 7 p.m., today, Aug. 23, 2002, at the funeral home and Saturday at the church for one hour before the service.

Service: 2 p.m., Saturday, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church with Pastor Ron Barnett officiating.

Funeral Home: Worlein Funeral Home, Austin.

Memorials: To the donor's choice.

Lillian Braness, 84

Lillian Dorothy Magnuson Braness, 84, of Austin, died Sunday, Aug. 11, 2002, at Comforcare Good Samaritan Center.

She was born Oct. 5, 1917, in Minneapolis, to Nels and Ellen (Fredrickson) Magnuson.

She graduated from Webster, N.D. High School in 1934.

She moved to Minneapolis where she held several jobs in the downtown Dayton's store, eventually becoming manager of the customer service department.

In 1938, she married Leonard Braness, a barber in Minneapolis. He died Oct. 2, 1963.

Lillian retired from Dayton's in 1987.

A member of Central Lutheran Church, she worked for many years at the main reception desk on Sunday mornings.

She moved to Austin in May of 1997 where she lived at the Cedars, the Catherwood, the Colony and Comforcare. She joined St. Olaf Lutheran Church.

Survivors include nieces, cousins and her friends, Daniel and Kristin Wee, and their children.

Service: 11 a.m. memorial service, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2002, in Westby Chapel at St. Olaf Lutheran Church.

Funeral Home: Worlein Funeral Home, Austin.

Memorials: To Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis or St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Austin.

Dean Wilson Zellar, 69

Dean Wilson Zellar, 69, of Austin, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2002, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester surrounded by loved ones.

Dean was born July 15, 1933, in DeKalb, Ill., and spent much of his early life in Sterling, Ill., where he met the love of his life, Sandra Lee (Bragg) Zellar.

Sandy and Dean were married on June 28, 1959, and later moved to Austin where they raised four children, cultivated many lifelong friendships and were active in the community and the First United Methodist Church.

For many years, Dean was the owner of Zellar Tire Service in Hollandale, but he devoted much of his time and attention to his extended family and friends.

Despite the fact that his heart never quite worked properly, in all things essential it was everything a heart could and should be.

Dean was a champion of compassion, simple pleasures, the underdog and the powers of optimism and faith.

He loved baseball, was a devoted Minnesota Twins and Chicago Cubs fan. He was also a first-rate free throw shooter, loved to drive and monkey around, couldn't sing a lick and was incapable of being embarrassed. His passion for Whiffleball has been passed down to each generation of his family.

Dean was adored by his wife, children, and grandchildren, and he adored them in return.

He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by his beloved wife, Sandra, daughters Nel Ann, Austin, and Elizabeth (Sean Byers), Plymouth; sons Bradley (Sheila Kennedy Zellar), Minneapolis, and Martin (Carolyn Beaudot), Austin, Texas, eight grandchildren, brother, Duane, Sterling, Ill.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Nellie Zellar, his much-loved Grandma Wilson, and his older brother Lou.

Service: 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 24, 2002, at First United Methodist Church.

Funeral Home: Clasen-Jordan Mortuary, Austin.

Memorials: To First United Methodist Van Gang, the YMCA, the Salvation Army or the donors choice.

Heloise Schollmeier, 76

Heloise Ann Schollmeier, 76, of Winona, died Friday, Aug. 16, 2002, at Community Memorial Hospital, Winona.

She was born March 9, 1926, in Winona, to Alfred and Augusta Plank and was baptized at St. Stanislous Church in Winona. She had been a member of St. John's parish since 1968.

On Nov. 9, 1946, she married Carl Schollmeier in Winona. They lived in Cochrane, Wis. before moving to Austin and returning to Winona in 1968.

Heloise worked for many years in food services and at the College of St. Teresa's before retiring from Community Memorial Hospital in 1993.

Survivors include daughter, Carol Schollmeier, Austin; sons, Charles (Sandy) Schollmeier, Winona; Gary (Peg) Schollmeier, Duluth; John Schollmeier, Winona; Paul (Chris Meyer) Schollmeier, Rollingstone; Alan (Nancy) Schollmeier, Rochester; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister, Mary Jane May, Winona.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; infant son, Gene; and sister, Ruth.

Service: 10 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 24, 2002, at St. Stanislous Church.

Memorials: To the Dan Corcoran House in Winona.

Eloise R. Best, 82

Eloise R. Best, 82, of Austin, died Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2002, at Prairie Manor Nursing Home, Blooming Prairie.

She was born Sept. 17, 1919, in Spring Valley, to Archie and Calla (Wilkins) Triggs.

On June 28, 1947, she married John R. Best in Spring Valley.

Eloise is a retired employee of Hormel Foods.

Survivors include husband, John Best, Austin; daughters, Gail and Jay Dorsett, Orange Park, Fla.; Lori and Michael Rockers, Little Rock, Ark.; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Joe Triggs and Ralph Triggs; sister, Betty Triggs.

Visitation: 4 to 6 p.m., today, Aug. 23, 2002, with a 5:30 p.m. rosary at the funeral home and Saturday at a luncheon following the service.

Service: 11 a.m., Saturday, at St. Edward's Catholic Church with Father Joe Fogal officiating.

Funeral Home: Mayer Funeral Home, Austin.