Kyle C. Jorgenson, 19

Kyle Christopher Jorgenson, 19, of Decorah, Iowa, died Sunday, Aug. 25, 2002, at Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital, Decorah, of complications from cancer.

He was born May 4, 1983, to Gregg and Gwen (Jensen) Jorgenson in Charles City, Iowa.

He graduated from Decorah High School in 2002. He participated in many school activities.

He was a charter member of Decorah Covenant Church, was active in Young Life, Decorah Area Faith Coalition, several other youth church groups and was a board member of Decorah Covenant Outreach Committee. He had participated in several mission trips to the Czech Republic with his father.

Survivors include parents, Gregg and Gwen Jorgenson, Decorah, Iowa; sisters, Jill and Kyrie, Decorah, Iowa; grandparents, Gayler Jensen, Austin; Eugene and Betty Jorgenson, Austin.

He was preceded in death by his grandmother, E. Audrey Jensen.

Visitation: There will be no visitation.

Service: 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2002, in the Center for Faith and Life at Luther College with the Revs. Michael Blevins and Michael Blair officiating.

Interment: Private family interment at Six Mile Grove Lutheran Cemetery, rural Lyle.

Funeral Home: Fjelstul Funeral Home, Decorah, Iowa.

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 Austin 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 sisters, Doris (Bob) Harber, Blooming Prairie; 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., today, 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.

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., today, 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.

Ruth J. Berg, 96

Ruth J. (Mrs. Alvin O.) Berg, age 96, formerly of Faribault, died Monday, Aug. 26, 2002, at St. John's Lutheran Home in Albert Lea.

Funeral services will be at St. John's Lutheran Home Chapel in Albert Lea on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2002, at 1:30 p.m. with Chaplain Conrad Monsager officiating. Interment will be in Maple Lawn Cemetery, Faribault.

Visitation will be at the St. John's Lutheran Home Chapel for one hour prior to the service.

Ruth J., the daughter of Alexander and Lydia Karhoja, was born Feb. 19, 1906, near New York Mills, Minn.

On Nov. 28, 1923, she married Alvin O. Berg of Ottertail, formerly of New Richland. In 1925, the couple moved to Glenville where he later owned Berg Motor Co. Ruth worked at Kensota Farms in the summer, wallpapered and painted in the area and, in 1938, she operated the D-X Service Station in Glenville. The station was sold in 1945, and she began working at Decker Grocery Store. In 1949, the garage business was sold, and they moved to Faribault residing on Cannon Lake. Ruth worked at the Faribault Regional Center until she retired in 1971 because of her husband's failing health. He preceded her in death on May 11, 1972.

She is survived by a son, Robert (and Laurie) Berg of Austin; four grandchildren, Jan (and Dale) Thorn, Michael (and Mary) Berg, LuAnn (and Tom) Kasak, and Jim (and Barb) Berg; six great-grandchildren, Robert Kasak, Kelly, Daniel and Madalyn Berg, and Abby and Tyler Thorn; a dear friend and caregiver, Marilyn Grasdalen of Albert Lea, and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her spouse, Alvin; a son, Thomas, in 1981; eight sisters and one brother.

Arrangements are being completed by the Boldt Funeral Hom, Faribault.

A. Daniel Miller, 79

A. Daniel Miller, 79, of Austin died Sunday, Aug. 25, 2002, at his home.

He was born July 21, 1923, in rural Austin, to Alex and Amanda (Bolstorff) Miller.

He graduated from Austin High School and served in the United States Army during World War II, receiving the Bronze Star and Oak Leaf Cluster. He was a fireman for the city of Austin for 23 years and was then named fire chief, serving until his retirement in 1993.

On Aug. 25, 1951, he married Joyce E. Thorpe in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Dan was a member of the Noon Kiwanis Club and the Elks Club.

He was an avid reader, enjoyed bicycling and doing crossword puzzles and watching wrestling on television.

Survivors include sons and daughter-in-law, Dana and Sue Miller, Austin; Daren Miller, Minneapolis; daughter, Tamara Christopherson, Albert Lea; four grandchildren; sisters, Kathryn LaDue, Rochester; Janet Miller, Minneapolis.

He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; brothers, Phil and Richard; and sister, Tootie.

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

Service: 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church with the Rev. Glenn L. Monson officiating. Casket Bearers will be The Austin Fire Department Retired and Active Members.

Interment: 3:30 p.m. graveside service at Lansing Cemetery, Lansing, with Austin Post 91 American Legion in charge of military rites.

Funeral Home: Clasen-Jordan Mortuary, Austin.

Memorials: To the donor's choice.