Phyllis I. McAlister, 69

Phyllis I. McAlister, age 69, of Austin, died Saturday, June 7, 2003, at the Austin Medical Center after a long battle with respiratory disease.

Phyllis was born Nov. 27, 1933, in Osage, Iowa, to Earl and Gladys (Erbe) Tubbs. She was raised in Osage and later moved to Austin after her marriage to Herbert McAlister on Aug. 21, 1951. He preceded her in death on June 1, 1977. To this union were born five children: William "Bill," Kim, Jack, Kris and Kathy. Phyllis was a homemaker.

Survivors include two sons: Bill (Sandy) McAlister, Austin; Jack (Carol) McAlister, Austin; two daughters: Kris (John) Wobschall, Austin; Kathy Pike, Austin; 11 grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; brother: Charles (Barb) Tubbs, Oelwein, Iowa; sister: Joan (Bill) Kenny, Osage, Iowa; father-in-law: R.W. "Bill" McAlister, Austin; nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter: Kim Ellen on April 28, 1978.

Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11, 2003, at Crane Community Chapel with Pastor Randy Petersen officiating. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday at Mayer Funeral Home and one hour before the service at the church on Wednesday. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery.

The honorary casket bearers will be Jessica Erwin, Jenna Weber and Emily McAlister. The casket bearers will be Erin McAlister, Derek Erwin, Joey Weber, Ryan McAlister, Aron McAlister and Evan McAlister.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred.

Gabriel A. Smith, 24

Gabriel Aaron Smith, 24, of Waseca, Minn., died Sunday, June 8, 2003, at Elm Homes.

He was born July 23, 1978, in Austin, Minn., the son of Greg and Elaine (Moltz) Smith.

Gabe was a resident at Elm homes since the spring of 1997. Gabriel had a disease called Tuberous Sclerosis that left him mentally handicapped and led to his brain tumor. Gabriel attended Special Early Education Childhood (SEEC) classes in the Austin Public Schools and graduated from Waseca High School. Gabriel enjoyed listening to music and loved to walk. Gabe also attended Camp Winnebago, Caledonia, Minn., for 16 summers. He enjoyed the company of family and his friends at Elm Homes.

Gabe had touched many people in his short lifetime. Some of them have dedicated their talents to teaching children because of Gabe's influence.

Gabriel worked at Jobs Plus in Waseca.

Survivors include his mother and stepfather, Elaine and Dale Erickson of Owatonna, Minn.; father, Greg Smith of Ankeny, Iowa; maternal grandparents, Chuck and Helen Moltz of Austin, Minn.; paternal grandmother, Doris Smith of Ankeny, Iowa; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jesse and Laurie Smith of Austin, Minn.; Mike and Susan Erickson of Minneapolis; two nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, paternal grandfather and one uncle.

Visitation will be held at Michaelson Funeral Home on Thursday from 1 to 2 p.m.

Memorial services will be held Thursday, June 12, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Michaelson Funeral Home in Owatonna, Minn. The Rev. Pat Toschak will be officiating.

Rick Brashears, 38

Rick Brashears, age 38, of Wylie, Texas, died on Friday, May 23, 2003, in Tyler, Texas from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Funeral services were held Friday, May 30, 2003, at First Baptist Church, Sachse, Texas. The family was on vacation en route to Disney World when the accident occurred.

Rick was born April 12, 1965, to Audie and Joyce Brashears, in Dallas, Texas.

On June 30, 1990, he married Kari Gemmel of Austin, Minn., in Dallas, Texas. They had two sons, Nathaniel, age 8, and Zachary, age 5.

Rick was employed as a service engineer for Veritas Software in Dallas, Texas.

He loved cooking, fishing, cross country skiing in Minnesota and spending time relaxing at their lake home. He was the camp coordinator for his son's Boy Scout troop.

Rick is survived by his wife, Kari; two sons, Nathaniel and Zachary, Wylie, Texas; mother, Joyce Brashears, Dallas, Texas; brother and sister-in-law, Rocky and Carolyn Brashears; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Dick and Dee Gemmel, formerly of Austin, now living in Murchison, Texas; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Nic and Jennifer (Gemmel) Pizana; nieces and nephews, Stacy, Kayla and Rocky Jr. Brashears and Noea and Jaxon Pizana.

Rick was preceded in death by his father, Audie Brashears.

Rick was very much loved and will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him.

Isabel M. Petersdorf, 88

Isabel Mary Petersdorf, 88, of Austin, died Friday, June 6, 2003, at St. Marks Lutheran Home.

She was born June 21, 1914, in Riceville, Iowa, to Roscoe and Anna (McIlravy) Griffin. She graduated from the McIntire High School in 1932.

On March 11, 1946, she married Theodore Petersdorf in South Dakota.

Isabel lived in Austin for most of her life and was the manager of the Coffee Shop at St. Olaf Hospital for 32 years. A member of the St. Olaf Hospital Auxiliary, she volunteered over 8,000 hours. She was a member of the First United Methodist where she was active in circle and UMCW.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Linda and James Carothers, Johnston, Iowa; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband; son, James; daughter-in-law, Jean; two sisters and two brothers.

Visitation: One hour before the service Wednesday at the church. There will be no reviewal.

Service: 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, 2003, at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Patricia M. Toschak officiating.

Interment: Oakwood Cemetery, Austin.

Funeral Home: Clasen-Jordan Mortuary, Austin.

Ethan R. Kestner, Infant

Kestner-Black, Nathan and Kristina announce the birth of their special angel, Ethan Randall, born June 5, 2003, at 11:55 p.m. He stayed long enough to touch many hearts before he died on June 7, 2003, at 4:48 p.m.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, 2003, at the Miller-Carlin Funeral Home Chapel, St. Cloud for Ethan Randall Kestner who died at St. Mary's Medical Center, Duluth. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Ethan is survived by his parents, Kristina Black and Nathan Kestner, Baudette; maternal grandparents, Diane and Bob Claseman, St. Cloud; paternal grandparents, Tom and Mina Grams, St. Cloud; Kim and Kerry Kestner, Austin; maternal great-grandparents, Joann Schwegman Moe, Catherine and Clem Claseman, all of St. Cloud; paternal great-grandparents, Bliss Cleveland, St. Augusta; Melvin and Louise Grams, Little Falls; aunts and uncles, Shannon Black, Robert Black, both of St. Cloud; Jonathan Bash, Oklahoma; Amie (Jason) Bartlett, Molly Grams, Mitchell Grams, all of St. Cloud; Zachary Kestner, Austin; Rob, Randy, and Ryan Claseman, all of St. Cloud.

Ethan was preceded in death by his maternal great-grandfathers, Robert Schwegman and Ron Moe; paternal great-grandparents, Lee and Albert Kestner, Harriet Hagy; and great aunt, Marty Moeykins.

Arrangements by Miller-Carlin Funeral Home, St. Cloud.

Beverly A. Hoban, 72

Beverly A. Hoban, age 72, of Austin, died quietly in the comfort of her home with her family on Monday, June 9, 2003.

She was born Oct. 23, 1930, in Waterville, Minn., to William and Martha (Long) Bartelt. She graduated from Waterville High School in 1948.

Beverly married Donald Hoban on May 20, 1950, in Waterville, Minn. Together they raised five sons and one daughter.

Beverly worked as a waitress at the Austin Country Club and The Old Mill for many years. She was a member at Christ Episcopal Church.

Beverly was known for her sense of humor and her love of family. She also enjoyed golfing.

Funeral services will be held Friday, June 13, 2003, at 1 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church with the Rev. Scott Monson officiating. Interment will be in the Grandview Cemetery in Austin. Visitation will be held at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. and on Friday from noon to 12:30. The organist will be Scott Blankenbaker. Casket bearers will be Douglas Hoban, Gary Hoban, Thomas Hoban, Bradley Hoban, Donald Hoban, Jr. and Richard Fett.

She will be missed by her husband: Donald Hoban of Austin, Minn.; children: Douglas and Cathy Hoban of Dallas, Texas; Gary and Diane Hoban of Owatonna, Minn.; Thomas and Sue Hoban of St. Anthony Village, Minn.; Cindy and Richard Fett of Austin, Minn.; Bradley and Julie Hoban of Eagle Larc, Minn.; Donald Hoban, Jr. and Erin Hays of Austin, Minn.; 14 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; sister: Virginia Brown of Parkersburg, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents; half-sister: Dorothy Burnett; brothers: Robert Bartelt and Will Bartelt; and a grandson: Nathan Hoban.

Memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society.