Arthur L. Holdgrafer, 82

Arthur L. Holdgrafer, 82, of Austin, died Friday, August 16, 2002 at Prairie Manor Nursing Home in Blooming Prairie.

He was born September 10, 1920, in Haverhill, Iowa to Charles Sylvester and Mary Magdaline (Neuroth) Holdgrafer.

In 1927, the family moved to the Austin area where he attended school and worked on the family farm.

In 1942, he entered the United States Air Force and served during WWII.

Arthur began working for George A. Hormel in 1947 and worked there until 1978.

In 1950, he married Regina Kortuem.

They lived in Austin and were members of St. Augustine Church.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbue, Eagles and the American Legion.

Survivors include daughter Debra (Rick) Franz, Glendale, AZ; six grandchildren; brothers Harold Holdgrafer, Austin, Tony (Marion) Holdgrafer, Austin; sister Ethel Bellrichard, Austin; sister-in-law Luella Holdgrafer, Austin; nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, one brother and two sisters.

Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m., Monday, August 19, 2002 at the funeral home with a 6:30 pm wake service and from 9 to 10 a.m. on Tuesday.

Service: 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, St. Augustine Catholic Church with Father Paul Nelson officiating.

Interment: Calvary Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post #91.

Funeral Home: Mayer Funeral Home, Austin.

Dean Wilson Zellar, 69

Dean Wilson Zellar, 69, of Austin, passed away Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester surrounded by loved ones.

Dean was born July 15, 1933 in DeKalb, Ill., and spent much of his early life in Sterling, Ill., where he met the love of his life, Sandra Lee (Bragg) Zellar.

Sandy and Dean were married on June 28, 1959, and later moved to Austin where they raised four children, cultivated many lifelong friendships and were active in the community and the First United Methodist Church.

For many years, Dean was the owner of Zellar Tire Service in Hollandale, but he devoted much of his time and attention to his extended family and friends.

Despite the fact that his heart never quite worked properly, in all things essential it was everything a heart could and should be.

Dean was a champion of compassion, simple pleasures, the underdog and the powers of optimism and faith.

He loved baseball, was a devoted Minnesota Twins and Chicago Cubs fan. He was also a first-rate free throw shooter, loved to drive and monkey around, couldn't sing a lick and was incapable of being embarrassed. His passion for Whiffleball has been passed down to each generation of his family.

Dean was adored by his wife, children, and grandchildren, and he adored them in return.

He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by his beloved wife, Sandra, daughters Nel Ann, Austin, and Elizabeth (Sean Byers), Plymouth; sons Bradley (Sheila Kennedy Zellar), Minneapolis, and Martin (Carolyn Beaudot), Austin, Tex., eight grandchildren, brother, Duane, Sterling, Ill.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Nellie Zellar, his much-loved Grandma Wilson, and his older brother Lou.

Service: 2 p.m., Saturday, August 24, 2002, at First United Methodist Church.

Funeral Home: Clasen-Jordan Mortuary, Austin.

Memorials: To First United Methodist Van Gang, the YMCA, the Salvation Army or the donors choice.

Ray Wayne Libersky, 82

Ray Wayne Libersky, 82, of Lyle, died Thursday, Aug. 15, 2002, at his home of cancer.

He was born Feb. 10, 1920, to Joseph and Luella (Halverson) Libersky in St. Ansgar, Iowa. He grew up in St. Ansgar, Iowa and attended schools in Lyle.

He served four years in the U.S. Army, fighting in Africa and Italy during World War II.

On Sept. 1, 1945, he married Evelyn Ruiter in Nashua, Iowa.

Ray worked in the sausage department at Hormel for 35 years, retiring in 1980.

Ray and Evelyn enjoyed organic flower and vegetable gardening at their home in Lyle.

Survivors include wife, Evelyn, Lyle; son, Larry (Dee), Magdalena, N.M.; one grandson; two step-grandchildren.

Visitation: One hour before the service on Monday.

Service: 1 p.m., Monday, Aug. 19, 2002, at the funeral home.

Interment: Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Mona, Iowa.

Funeral Home: Worlein Funeral Home, Austin.