Virginia Mae Meres, 73

Virginia Mae Meres, 73, of Yuma, Ariz., died Saturday, April 6, 2002, at her home in the company of her husband and children.

Born Sept. 30, 1928, in Taopi, she worked many years at the Hormel Meat Plant in Austin prior to her retirement to Yuma, Ariz. with her husband, Leslie. Virginia enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

Survivors include husband, Leslie Meres, Yuma, Ariz.; son, David Fischer, Eau Claire, Wis.; daughter, Connie Spaulding, Brainerd; step-daughter, Brenda Spangenberg, Eagle Lake; step-son, Bruce Meres, Austin; step-daughter, Peggy Ruble, Austin;

seven grandchildren; 10 step-grandchildren; brother, Roger Bell, Huron, S.D.; friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Elsie and Leslie Bell; brothers, George Bell and Francis Bell; son, Larry Fischer; and grandson, Daniel Fischer.

Service: 5:30 p.m. memorial gathering, Friday, April 12, 2002, at the Casa Manana Clubhouse in Yuma.

Memorials: To the Arthritis Foundation, 1330 West Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309.

Richard &uot;Dick&uot; Donald Koski, 55

Richard &uot;Dick&uot; Donald Koski, 55, of Waltham, died Wednesday, April 10, 2002, at his home.

He was born Oct. 2, 1946, in Austin, to Albert and Lottie (Modderman) Koski.

He was a graduate of Austin High School, Austin Community College and Winona State University. He started work at Hormel Company in 1964, and served as Union President of Local 9 for the past nine years.

On June 15, 1968, he married Linda Johnson in Austin.

Dick served in the United States Air Force for two years and in the Air Reserves for four years. He was a member of the Hayfield American Legion Rothie Post #330.

He enjoyed family and friends, fishing, golfing, and playing pool.

Survivors include wife, Linda Koski, Waltham; sons, Dustin (Charissa) Koski, Byron; Weston (Crystal) Koski, Hayfield; daughter, Leslee Koski, Waltham; four grandchildren; sister, Margaret (Robert) Peterson, Davenport, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant daughter.

Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m., Sunday, April 14, 2002, at the funeral home and one hour before the service at the church on Monday.

Service: 10 a.m., Monday, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hayfield with the Revs. Stephan Sandness and Charlie Talcott co-officiating.

Interment: Grandview Cemetery, Austin, with military honors by the Hayfield American Legion Rothie Post #330.

Funeral Home: Czaplewski Family Funeral Home, Hayfield.

Benjamin J. Winkels, 77

Benjamin J. Winkels, 77, of Austin, died Thursday, April 11, 2002, at his home.

He was born Nov. 6, 1924, in Taopi, to William and Barbara (Schaefer) Winkels.

He graduated from Adams Sacred Heart School and Adams High School.

He entered into service in 1950 during the Korean Conflict.

On Feb. 14, 1953, he married Donna Bauch at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Adams.

He worked as a milk man for Sheedy Dairy and in construction with Joseph Wagner.

He was active in Cub and Boy Scouting for 14 years. He served as the American Legion County Commander and the VFW Post #1216 Commander for three terms.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, his grandchildren, woodworking and working on the farm.

Survivors include wife, Donna Winkels, Austin; sons, Richard and Carol Winkels, Grand Forks, N.D.; Michael and Patty Winkels, Luverne; Dwaine and Dawn Winkels, Albert Lea; daughters, Debra and Larry Callahan, Lyle; Linda Winkels and Kevin Hansen, Austin; Robin and Larry Wangen, Albert Lea; 14 grandchildren; brothers, Roman Winkels, Adams; William Winkels, Adams; George and Linda Winkels, Adams; Herman Winkels, Moorhead; Kenneth and March Winkels, Chester, Iowa; sisters, Sister Mary Marcella Winkels, Broken Arrow, Okla.; Ardella and Paul Krysan, Cresco, Iowa; Nita and Gerald Gadient, Goodhue; Viola and Ronald Muenzhuber, Osakis; Philomena Carnahan, Glendale, Calif.; nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and two sisters.

Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m., today, April 12, 2002, with a 7 p.m. wake service and Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home.

Service: 11:30 a.m., Saturday, at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Father Paul Nelson officiating. Casket bearers will be Matt Callahan, Sam Callahan, Jeremiah Hansen, Ben Winkels, Jason Hansen, Dustin Wangen and Jacob Winkels.

Interment: Calvary Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post #91 and VFW Post #1216.

Funeral Home: Mayer Funeral Home, Austin.