James P. Sydenstricker, 84

James P. Sydenstricker, 84, of Austin, died Sunday, May 11, 2003, at Meadow Manor Nursing Home, Grand Meadow.

He was born June 25, 1918, in Bartlesville, Okla., to James and Felice (Sheer) Sydenstricker.

He graduated Odessa High School in Odessa, Mo, then attended Park College in Parkville, Mo. for two years and Missouri University in Columbia, Mo. for two more years.

On Dec. 20, 1942, he married Marvella Gosnell at the Presbyterian church in Odessa, Mo.

Jim worked as a chemist for several years, then as a sales representative for the Abbot Laboratories for 18 years. He was an investment broker for 10 years, first with Dempsey Tegler and later Lowie Investments. He was also director of the Mower County Senior Citizens Center for six years.

Jim was a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church, Austin Noon Lions Club, past president of the United Way, Cerebral Palsy, and the Mental Health Association. He enjoyed golf, antique collecting, woodworking, gardening, and stamp collecting.

Survivors include his wife, Marvella Sydenstricker, Austin; son, James Michael Sydenstricker, Austin; sister, Sarah Lee Ferguson, Odessa, Mo.; nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, 2003, at the funeral home and Thursday at the church for one hour before the service.

Service: 11 a.m. Thursday at Westminster Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Andrew M. Lindahl officiating. Casket bearers will be Kermit Hoversten, Lynn Koch, Roger Kahle, James Nepp, Dan Nepp and Douglas Nepp.

Interment: Oakwood Cemetery, Austin.

Funeral Home: Clasen-Jordan Mortuary, Austin.

Memorials: To donor's choice.

Grace E. Wilson, 83

Grace Elsie Wilson, age 83, of Sterling Heights, died Thursday, May 8, 2003, at Father Murray Nursing Home.

Grace E. (Novotny) Wilson was born April 11, 1920, in LeCenter, Minn., the daughter of Anton and Ida (Ehmke) Novotny. She graduated from the LeCenter High School and attended secretarial school.

She was married to Harry E. Wilson on Dec. 30, 1944, in St. Paul, Minn. They resided in Austin where Grace was employed in food services at Ellis Middle School, retiring as food service supervisor after 31 years.

She was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church and an active volunteer with KSMQ public television. She also enjoyed oil painting and a number of them were displayed around Austin.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry; son, Greg; and brother, Glenn Novotny.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 14, 2003, at 11 a.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church with the Rev. Ronald Barnett officiating. Interment will be in the Oakwood Cemetery in Austin. Visitation will be held at the Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on Tuesday from 3 to 7 p.m. and on Wednesday for one hour before the service at the church. The family prefer memorials to St. Olaf Lutheran Church.

The organist will be Neal Erickson and the soloist will be Pat Hule. Casket bearers will be Richard Wilson, Michael Wilson, Steve Novotny, Keith Buehler, Dan Morem and John Hosmer.

She is survived by her daughter-in-law and husband, Jean and Jack LaFontaine of Grand Rapids, Mich.; grandsons and wives, Richard and Tisha Wilson of Grand Rapids, Mich., Michael and Bobbie Wilson of Center Line, Minn.; great-granddaughter, Kayla Marie Wilson; brother and sisters-in-law, Ralph and Arlene Novotny of Austin, Minn., Ephra Novotny of Pine River, Minn.; niece and husband, Sue and Tim Kruger; nephew, Steven Novotny of Byron, Minn.; cousins.

Helen L. M. White, 88

Helen Louise Munson White, age 88, of Buffalo and formerly of Austin, died on Tuesday, May 6 at 3:20 a.m. at Sunrise Cottages in Buffalo.

She was born on March 6, 1915, in Albert Lea, the daughter of Wayne and Myrtle Dowd Claybourne.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Myrtle and Wayne Claybourne; a brother, Willard Claybourne; sisters, Trudy (James) Hill and Florence (Gilbert) Johnson; husbands, William Munson and Orris White.

She is survived by a son, Rev. Charles L. (Bonnie) Munson of Milaca; grandsons, Michael (Janelle) Munson and Richard Munson all of Delano, Jeremy (Diane) Schultz of Orange Park, Fla.; a granddaughter, Ann (Eric) Peterson of Millville; great-granddaughters, Samantha Jo Munson, Hannah Schultz and Erin Peterson; other relatives and friends including (like a daughter) Rose (Cecil) Haskin of Denver, Iowa.

Funeral services for Helen Munson White were held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 8, at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo. Rev. Charles L. Munson officiated and interment followed at Oakwood Cemetery in Austin.

Friends called at the funeral home on Thursday, May 8, from 9 a.m. until the time of service.

The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo assisted the family.

Gary L. Brenno, 55

Gary Lee Brenno, of Ventura, Iowa, died of cancer on Thursday, May 8 at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa.

Gary was born to Fordyce and Beverly Brenno on Feb. 28, 1948, in Spring Grove, Minn. and graduated from Austin High School in 1966. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor of civil engineering degree in June 1972 and became a registered professional engineer.

Gary began his professional career in Des Moines, Iowa as regional engineer for the Portland Cement Association of Skokie, Ill. He moved to Garner, Iowa, working with Yohn-Son Concrete and Construction as quality assurance engineer, and to Ventura, Iowa working for the Lehigh Portland Cement Company as technical services engineer. Gary worked for Cemstone Products Company, Mendota Heights, Minn. as vice president of quality control and returned to Iowa with the Lehigh Portland Cement Company.

Gary was a well respected member of the engineering community and a member of many professional associations including the American Society of Civil Engineers, the National Society of Professional Engineers, the American Concrete Institute and the Iowa and Minnesota Ready Mixed Concrete Associations. He was an eloquent and sought-after speaker for innumerable conferences and lectures on topics ranging from tilt-up and precast construction to the materials and practices necessary for quality concrete and ready-mix construction. His hallmarks were integrity and a devotion to excellence.

Gary had a lifelong love of debate, politics and sports and was active in the Burnsville Athletic Association as a coach for boys' baseball.

He is survived by his four children, Garrison Beau of Farmington, Minn.; Garron Dain of Minneapolis; and Garrett James and Kathryn Lee of Burnsville, Minn.; mother, Beverly of Rochester, Minn.; sister, Arlene (Virgil) Thofson of Hartland, Minn.; brother, Neil (Arlene) Brenno and Christine and Jason of St. Cloud, Minn. and fiance Allison Schwab of Mason City, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his father, Fordyce.

Gary's quick wit and agile mind were a constant delight to family members and countless friends. He will be profoundly missed.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13 at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 North Fourth St., Clear Lake, Iowa. Funeral Services are at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 14 at the Ventura United Methodist Church in Ventura, Iowa.

Maxine S. Gregerson, 70

Memorial services for Maxine S. Gregerson will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 15, 2003, at the Bear Creek Lutheran Church with the Rev. Bernard Daiker officiating. There will be visitation from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14, 2003, at the Bear Creek Lutheran Church.

Maxine Sylvia Gregerson, age 70, of Grand Meadow, died Saturday, May 10, 2003, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester during the middle of a thunderstorm, the sound of which she particularly loved.

Maxine Sylvia (Peterson) Gregerson was born March 3, 1933, at her grandparents home in rural Worth County, Iowa to Herbert and Dena (Halvorson) Peterson. She was baptized and confirmed at Somber Lutheran Church near Lake Mills, Iowa. She graduated from Lake Mills High School in 1951.

Maxine married Robert Gregerson on May 31, 1952, at the First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. Maxine and Robert celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last May.

Throughout her life she had many jobs. She worked as a medical secretary, nurses aide and cook at the nursing home, and co-worker with her husband of the Amoco service station in Grand Meadow. Maxine was very proud to have served as church secretary and for 17 years the organist at both Bear Creek and Pleasant Valley Lutheran Churches.

She enjoyed music, baking, gardening, knitting, bird watching, sewing, the smell of clean sheets from the line, and listening to the Twins game. She was dedicated to her family, friends, and faith.

She is survived by seven children: Roberta and Lyle Julson of Grand Meadow, Ramona Anderson of Grand Meadow, Rebecca and Dan Clemens of Deer Harbor, Wash., Georgia and Jeff Ramaker of Lyle, Todd and Phyllis Gregerson of Grand Meadow, Jeanine and Scott Bly of Spring Valley, and Michelle and Greg Mettler of Cleveland, Minn.; 15 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; her mother, Dena Peterson of Emmons, Iowa; four sisters, Darlene and Duane Kittleson of Tower, Minn., Ardis and Dick Swenson of Thompson, Iowa, Delores and Jerry Goette of Bricelyn, Minn., and Diane and Erwin Naser of Joice, Iowa; two brothers, Richard and Sonia Peterson of Fridley, Minn. and Larry and Debbie Peterson of Emmons, Minn.; two sisters-in-law, Doris Gregerson and Bernie Gregerson, both of Albert Lea; many nieces, nephews, and close friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband and father.

Hindt-Hutchins Funeral Home in Grand Meadow is in charge of the arrangements.

Anthony F. Schmidt, 81

Anthony F. "Tony" Schmidt, age 81, of Austin, died Sunday, May 11, 2003, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester.

Tony was born Aug. 9, 1921, in Walters, Minn. to Joseph and Catherine (Fisher) Schmidt.

He served in the US Naval Air Force from 1942 to 1945. On Nov. 12, 1946, he was united in marriage to Kathryn Kiefer at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Adams, Minn.

He was a neon tube bender and former owner of Theissen Sign Company in Austin. Tony was a member of the VFW, American Legion, Eagles, Knights of Columbus and Queen of Angels Catholic Church.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting, bowling, gardening and most recently playing cards and telling stories. He loved spending time with his wife, family and friends during holidays and reunions, and was always ready for a game of cards or a conversation over coffee. No matter what life dealt him, Tony maintained his good sense of humor. He will be deeply missed.

Survivors include his wife: Kay Schmidt, Austin; six sons: Bill (Patty) Schmidt, Austin; Ron Schmidt, Detroit Lakes; Dave (Cathi) Schmidt, Rose Creek; Randy Schmidt, Austin; Terry (Julie) Schmidt, Burnsville; Tony Schmidt Jr., Austin; seven grandchildren; brother: Benny (Mary) Schmidt, Owatonna; five sisters: Catherine Jenkins, Grape View, Wash.; Alice Bulson, Faribault; Rose Meyerhoffer, Osage, Iowa; Theresa (Ernie) Heimerman, Blooming Prairie; Dorothy (Ron) Swehla, Arizona.

He is preceded in death by his parents; sister: Marie Theissen; brothers: Joe, Carl and George Schmidt.

A funeral mass will be celebrated 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, 2003, at St. Edward's Catholic Church with Father Paul Nelson officiating. There will be a 6:30 p.m. wake service on Wednesday at Mayer Funeral Home where friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. and also one hour before the service at the church on Thursday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post #91 and VFW Post #1216.

The casket bearers will be Daniel Schmidt, Steven Schmidt, Tony Schmidt, Fred Schmidt, Dave Kiefer and Vern Kiefer.