Michael J. Gwilt, 43

Michael J. Gwilt, 43, of Blooming Prairie, died Friday, Aug. 23, 2002, as the result of a motor vehicle accident.

He was born June 24, 1959, in Rochester, to James W. and Evelyn P. (Callahan) Gwilt.

He grew up in Austin and married Kim Pell on March 31, 1979, at Church of Christ in Austin. The couple moved to Blooming Prairie in 1993.

Michael worked as a carpenter for Custom Drywall in Minneapolis and also worked for A.J. Lysne Construction for 17 years.

He enjoyed spending time with his grandson, family and friends. He also liked to drive his four wheeler, snowmobiles.

Survivors include wife, Kim; son, Jonathon (Alisha) Gwilt, Austin; daughter, Stacy, Blooming Prairie; one grandson; parents, James and Evelyn Gwilt, Blooming Prairie; grandmother, Elvera Callahan, Rochester; father-in-law, Donald (Margaret) Pell, Santa Ana, Calif.; mother-in-law, LaVonne Scott, Austin; brothers, Richard Gwilt, Blooming Prairie; Lloyd (Tiffany) Gwilt, Austin; James "George" (Laura) Gwilt, Blooming Prairie; Jeff (Jelaine) Gwilt, Blooming Prairie; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Jim and Richard; grandmother, Dorothy Balcome; step-grandfather, Lloyd Balcome; uncles, aunt and cousin.

Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2002, at the funeral home and Wednesday at the church for one hour before the service.

Service: 11 a.m., Wednesday, at First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie with the Rev. Heidi Heimgartner officiating.

Interment: Pleasant Grove Cemetery, rural Stewartville.

Funeral Home: Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home.

Memorials: Preferred.

Donald E. Mellem, 70

Donald E. Mellem, 70, of Austin, died Saturday, Aug. 24, 2002, at Austin Medical Center.

He was born May 8, 1932, in Austin, to Carl O. and Gudrun O. (Jacobson) Mellem.

A lifelong resident of Austin, he worked at Hormel Foods Corporate office.

He belonged to St. Olaf Lutheran Church where he sang in the choir. He was a former member of Northwestern Singers and belonged to the Sons of Norway, Elks and American Legion.

Survivors include brother, Doris (Bob) Harber, Blooming Prairie; sisters, Carol Whalen, Austin; Beverly (Allan) Adamson, Minneapolis; Patricia (Irv) Johnson, Muskegon, Mich.; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Shirley Folken.

Visitation: 5 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2002, at the funeral home and Wednesday at the church for one hour before the service.

Service: 11 a.m., Wednesday, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church with the Rev. Ronald Barnett officiating.

Interment: Rose Creek Enterprise Cemetery, rural Austin, with military rites by American Legion Post 91.

Funeral Home: Worlein Funeral Home, Austin.

Memorials: To St. Olaf Lutheran Church, American Heart Association or American Legion Post 91.

Thomas W. Flannagan, 70

Thomas W. Flannagan, 70, of Rice Lake Road, died Monday, Aug. 19, at his home.

He was born in St. Paul to John and Bernice Flannagan and grew up in Onamia, Minn. and Wahoo, Neb.

He received a B.A. Degree from the University of Minnesota in Psychology and his M.A. Degree in Vocational Rehabilitation from Mankato State University.

He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War and was the Executive Director of the Cedar Valley Rehabilitation Workshop in Austin for 12 years before moving to Duluth and becoming the Executive Director of Goodwill Industries where he worked for almost 20 years, retiring in 1997.

He was a national surveyor with the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, based in Phoenix, Ariz.

He was a member of the Duluth Kiwanis Club and Ducks Unlimited and was an avid fisherman and hunter.

Survivors include wife, Ann; children, Daniel Flannagan, St. Paul; William Flannagan, Duluth; John Flannagan, Minneapolis; Molly (James Chihak), Madison, Wis.; Susan Flannagan, St. Paul; two grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and first wife, Josephine Ida Wubben.

Service: A memorial service was held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Gnesen with the Rev. Fr. Jerome Weiss officiating.

John E. Hanson, 75

John E. Hanson, 75, of Austin, died Saturday, Aug. 24, 2002, at St. Mary's Hospital, Rochester.

He was born Jan. 6, 1927, in Corning, to Archie and Hattie (Braaten) Hanson.

He served in the United States Navy during World War II.

On June 21, 1952, he married Addie Schaefer at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Rose Creek.

John worked for Hormel Foods for 42 years and served as P-9 Union president from 1978 to 1980.

His hobbies included golf and woodworking.

Survivors include wife, Addie Hanson, Austin; sons, Daniel Hanson, Austin; John Jr. and Christine Hanson, Lakeville; Michael Hanson, Austin; daughter, Barbara and Dean Mattick, Austin; seven grandchildren; brothers, Harry and Lucille Hanson, Austin; Archie Hanson, Austin; sisters, Henrietta Greenameyer, Grand Meadow; Katie and Donald Burgess, Austin; Shirley and Gordon Saaranen, St. Ansgar, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.

Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m., today, Aug. 26, 2002, with a 7 p.m. rosary and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Service: 11 a.m., Tuesday, at Queen of Angels Catholic Church with Father William Becker and Father Paul Nelson officiating.

Interment: Calvary Cemetery.

Funeral Home: Mayer Funeral Home, Austin.

Chris J. Peterson, 75

Chris J. Peterson, 75, of Auburndale, Fla., died Saturday, Aug. 24, 2002, at IHS, Auburndale.

He was born Jan. 8, 1927, in Austin.

He was a retired payroll clerk and was a worker for Florida Distillers Winery for 13 years.

He lived in Auburndale, Fla. since 1971 and was a Methodist.

Survivors include wife, Betty Peterson, Auburndale, Fla.; sons, Brian Peterson, Lakeland, Fla.; Chris Peterson, Kissimmee, Fla.; Terry Peterson, Frenchtown, N.J.; daughter, Karen Stowell, Austin; seven grandchildren; mother, Dorothy Peterson, Winter Haven, Fla.; sister, Joyce Dulac, Auburndale, Fla.

Visitation: 9 to 10 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2002, at the funeral home.

Service: 10:30 a.m. graveside service, Wednesday, at Auburndale Memorial Park, Auburndale, Fla.

Interment: Auburndale Memorial Park, Auburndale, Fla.

Funeral Home: Kersey Funeral Home, Auburndale, Fla.