Jeffery Forrest Brown, 36, of Albert Lea, died Friday, June 6, 2003, at his home.

He was born July 13, 1966, in Tachikawa, Japan, to Forrest and Anne (Bergstrom) Brown. He attended Austin Public Schools and the Staples Technical College.

He lived and worked in the Staples/Wadena area before returning to the Austin area in 1993. For the past three years, he had lived in Albert Lea where he was employed at Streater Inc. and the Rainbow Foods Store.

Survivors include his parents, Anne and Dennis L. Hanson, Austin; Forrest and Lola Brown, Bloomington; sisters and brothers, Michele Kassel, Austin; Nickole Roberts, Minneapolis; Tony Wadding, Farmington; Tracy Wadding, Lakeville; Amy Mooney, Portland, Ore.; Jason Brown, Edina; grandmothers, Viola Gavle, Emmons; Inger Hanson, Austin; nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his son, Brandon; and his maternal and paternal grandparents.

Visitation: In the Rasmussen Refectory of the church following the service.

Memorial Service: 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 10, 2003, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church with the Rev. Kristin K. Wee officiating.

Private Interment: Oakwood Cemetery.

Funeral Home: Clasen-Jordan Mortuary, Austin.

Clara M. Wallen, 97

Clara Matilda Wallen, 97, of Austin, died Sunday, June 8, 2003, at Sacred Heart Care Center.

She was born Jan. 17, 1906, in Unadilla, Neb., to August and Mary (Behrens) Siepelmeier.

She graduated from Syracuse, Neb. High School and attended the University of Nebraska. She taught school in a one-room schoolhouse near Unadilla, Neb. and was married to Clarence E. Wallen on June 19, 1930. They moved to the East Coast, living in Boston, New Naven, Watertown, N.Y., Ohio and Wisconsin before moving to Storm Lake, Iowa, where they owned the Wallen Stores. As the business grew, they opened the Storm Lake Wholesale and Distribution and the Town and Country Discount. In 1997 Clara moved to Austin.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Storm Lake and the Methodist Manor Auxiliary. She was also a 50-year member of the Eastern Star.

Survivors include her son, Donald Wallen, Mesa, Ariz.; daughter and son-in-law, Mary Anne and Gary Leonard, Austin; six grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband and two sisters, Josie Wallen and Ida Wallen.

Visitation: 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, 2003, at the mortuary.

Service: Thursday at The United Methodist Church in Unadilla, Neb.

Interment: Unadilla Cemetery, Unadilla, Neb.

Funeral Home: Clasen-Jordan Mortuary, Austin.

Walter R. LaTondresse, 91

Walter R. LaTondresse, age 91, of Hopkins, formerly of Austin, died Friday, June 6, 2003, at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park.

Walter was born Oct. 10, 1911, in Chassell Township, Mich., to Eugene and Arminie (Soumis) LaTendresse.

He graduated from Chassell High School and earned his masters degree in industrial arts from Stout Institute in Menomonie, Wis.

He was united in marriage to Dorothy M. Peck. She preceded him in death on Dec. 8, 1998. Beginning in 1938, Walt taught at Austin Junior College, the Austin Vocational School, and Austin High School and became head of the Industrial Arts department. Many in Austin remember sitting under his instruction. During World War II, he served with the Navy and helped to develop the aircraft repair and maintenance training program at Navy Pier in Chicago and reaching the rank of Second Lieutenant. In 1997, Walt became Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds for the Austin Public Schools and oversaw the construction of many of Austin’s school buildings including Ellis Junior High (the original building), Austin Vo-tech, and Austin State Community College.

Since retiring in 1974, he had resided in Austin at his home in Burr Oaks, and the Oaks Condominiums and at Sacred Heart Assisted Living Center. On May 30 of this year Walt moved to Augustana Chapel View Nursing Home to be near his son’s family in Hopkins.

Survivors include his son: Andre (Barbara) LaTondresse, Hopkins; two grandchildren: Christopher and Claire; sister: Helen Schils.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife: Dorothy; brothers: Anatole, Cyril and Norbert; sisters: Edna &uot;Sister Mary Sylvia&uot; and Lorraine.

A funeral mass will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 10, 2003, at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Father Paul Nelson officiating. There will be a 6:30 p.m. wake service on Monday (tonight) at Mayer Funeral Home where friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. and also from 9 to 10 a.m. on Tuesday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post #91.

David H. Lidtke, 76

David Herman Lidtke, 76, of LeRoy, died at the Adams Health Care Center, Adams.

He was born Nov. 24, 1926, in Lime Springs, Iowa, to Herman and Ruth (Davis) Lidtke. In the early 1940’s, he worked and ran Lidtke Mill in Lime Springs, Iowa. He enlisted in the Army in February of 1945 and served until December of 1946. He was with the Military Police and served under General McArthur in Japan.

On Sept. 25, 1948, he married Leora Johnson at Bethany Lutheran Church in LeRoy. David worked as a baker at the Leroy bakery for about 18 years. He later worked until his retirement for the City of LeRoy as street commissioner.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards and spending time with family.

Survivors include his wife, Leora, LeRoy; children, Susan (Mark) Pittelko, LeRoy; Dennis (Vickie) Lidtke, LeRoy; Michael (Tamara) Lidtke, LeRoy; Judy (Daniel) Winkels, LeRoy; Kevin Lidtke, LeRoy; Kathi (Nick) Bunne, LeRoy; Jerry Lidtke, Austin; 16 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brothers, Roy (Ruth) Lidke, Lime Springs, Iowa; Paul (Donna) Lidtke, Lime Springs, Iowa; Charles (Carol) Lidtke, Waterloo, Iowa; sisters, Hope Souhrada, Lime Springs, Iowa; and Joy Reis, Cresco, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Doris Lidtke; and two grandsons.

Visitation: 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, 2003, at the funeral home and Thursday at the church for one hour before the service.

Service: 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the LeRoy Lutheran Church in LeRoy with the Rev. Tom Kolden officiating.

Interment: LeRoy Lutheran Cemetery.

Funeral Home: Hindt-Hutchins Funeral Home, LeRoy.

Vesta M. Bergland, 81

Vesta M. Bergland, 81, of Adams, died Sunday, June 8, 2003, at Adams Health Care Center.

She was born May 10, 1922, to George and Eva (Johnson) King, in Riceville, Iowa, where she grew up and attended school.

She later moved with her family to Austin, where she eventually began to work for the Hormel Foods Corporation. She worked at Hormel for over 35 years. She lived at St. Mark’s Apartments before moving to the Cedar Court apartments in Adams.

Vesta enjoyed traveling and growing flowers.

Survivors include brothers, Marreld King, Alma, Iowa; Melvin King, Austin; sister, Irene Weber, LeRoy; brother-in-law, Loren Murphy, Rose Creek; nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and three sisters.

Visitation: One hour before the service Wednesday at the funeral home.

Service: 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 11, 2003, at the funeral home with Pastor Cathy Mannel officiating.

Interment: Woodbury Cemetery, Lyle Township.

Funeral Home: Adams Funeral Home, Adams.

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 Tuesday 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.