Elra J. Blumeyer, 83

Elra John "E.J." Blumeyer, age 83, of Blooming Prairie, died of pulmonary fibrosis and congestive heart failure Sunday morning, Feb. 23, 2003, at his home.

He was born July 10, 1919, in George Iowa, son of Ella (Weiman) Blumeyer and Heiko Blumeyer.

He graduated from George Community High School in 1936 and graduated from Iowa State University, Ames Iowa in 1940 with a bachelor of science in mathematics. E.J. taught in Tennant, Iowa from 1940 to 1942 and married Beryl Rossow on Dec. 9, 1942 in George, Iowa. He was drafted into the Army in 1942, where he attended Officer Candidate School and served in the European Theatre as Captain in the Intelligence Division Headquarters until his discharge in 1945. E.J. received a masters degree from Iowa State University in school administration in 1950. He served as school superintendent in Goldfield, Iowa for 16 years and school superintendent at Garner-Hayfield, Iowa for 12 years. In 1973, he moved to Blooming Prairie to become district representative with Aid Association for Lutherans until retirement in 1984.

A member of First Lutheran Church, Blooming Prairie, E.J. was active throughout his life with various civic organizations. He is remembered by his family and friends as a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Beryl Ada (Rossow) Blumeyer; five daughters, Barbara (Bob) Folkmann of Ames, Iowa; Beverly (Bob) Jass of Batavia, Ill.; Jean (Larry) Long of New Market, Md.; Joan (Don) Huston of Boise, Idaho; Amy (Randy) Roggenburg of Ankeny, Iowa; 16 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; two brothers, Albertus Blumeyer of Candby and Russell Blumeyer of Newton, Iowa; many close relatives and friends.

E.J. was preceded in death by his parents, one sister and a nephew.

Memorials may be donated to the American Bible Society, First Lutheran Scholarship Fund, First Lutheran Endowment Fund and Austin Hospice.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 27, 2003, at First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie with the Rev. Richard Hegal and the Rev. Heidi Heimgartner co-officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at First Lutheran Church and one hour before the service. Interment is at First Lutheran Church Cemetery with military rites by Blooming Prairie VFW Post 878 and American Legion Post 52 escort. Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

James O. Barnett, 80

James O. Barnett, 80, of Austin, died Sunday, Feb. 23, 2003, at the Rochester Healthcare Center.

He was born Feb. 14, 1923, in Bradley, S.D., to Oscar and Cetha (Wyantt) Barnett.

Jim was a veteran of World War II, serving in the US Navy, stationed in the South Pacific. He was also a retired employee of Hormel Foods.

Survivors include his wife, Delores, Austin; daughters, Bonnie Brandt, Cedar Falls, Iowa; Jeanne (Duane) Whalen, Ely; son, James A. Barnett, Ely; stepdaughters, Colleen Engelmann, Pescadero, Calif.; Mary (John) Murphy, Cherry Hill, N.J.; Julie (Paul) Wacker, Plymouth; stepsons, Larry Engelmann, San Jose, Calif.; Michael (Nancy) Engelmann, Andover; 15 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; brothers, Clayton Barnett, Donald (Cleo) Barnett and William E. (Marge) Barnett, all of Austin; sister, Margaret Cook, Minneapolis.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Helen; brothers, Lloyd, Howard, Ronald and Kenneth; and sisters, Ruby, Ruth and Alice.

Visitation: At the church for one hour before the service on Wednesday.

Service: 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2003, at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Father Paul Nelson and Pastor Ron Barnett officiating.

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

Funeral Home: Mayer Funeral Home, Austin.

Theodore W. Petersdorf, 84

Theodore William Petersdorf, age 84, of Austin, died at his home Friday, Feb. 21, 2003.

He was born Aug. 25, 1918, to Willis and Cora (Haas) Petersdorf in Zumbrota, Minn. He married Isabel Griffin in Austin. Theodore worked at Hormel Foods for over 30 years and was also a carpenter.

Survivors include wife, Isabel Griffin; daughter, Linda (Jim) Carothers of Johnston, Iowa; four grandchildren, Matthew and Amanda Carothers; Sara Hoza and Sandra Allen; four great-grandchildren; sisters, Mary Klingsporn of Pine Island; Rosella Whitman of Milford, Pa.; brother, Daniel (Cheryl) Petersdorf of St. Paul.

He was preceded in death by two sons, one brother and two sisters.

Private funeral services will be held at a later date. His body was donated to science.

Worlein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Nancy Weydert-Lee, 60

Nancy Weydert-Lee, 60, of Adams, died Saturday, Feb. 22, 2003, at her home.

She was born Feb. 17, 1943, in St. Benedict, Iowa, to Leonard and Gertrude (Klepper) Weydert. She graduated from Adams High School in 1961.

After high school she went to college and became a legal secretary with the US State Department. She spent a couple of years overseas, then moved to Riverside, Calif. where she was a property manager. Eventually, she moved back to Adams where she worked for the Adams Group Home.

Nancy was a member of Sacred Heart Parish and enjoyed knitting, crocheting, candle making and crafts.

Survivors include sisters and brothers-in law, Theresa Crosby, Maple Grove; Trudy and Donald VonFeldt, Webster, Iowa; Carol and Merrill Evans, LeSueur; Jan and Wayne Siffing, Alexandria; Sandra Brintnall, Colorado Springs, Colo.; brother, Leonard Weydert, Adams; nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Visitation: 4:30 to 6 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2003, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with a 5 p.m. Rosary and a 5:30 p.m. Prayer Service.

Service: 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with the Rev. Gregory Leif officiating.

Interment: Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Adams.

Funeral Home: Adams Funeral Home, Adams.

Memorials: Sacred Heart Catholic Church or Sacred Heart School.

Tristan C. McDurmott Warrington, 1

Tristan C. McDurmott Warrington, age 1 year, died Saturday, Feb. 22, 2003, after a valiant battle with Rhabdoid cancer.

He is survived by parents, Sam Warrington and Serena McDurmott; twin sister, Mikayla; grandmothers, Virginia McDurmott of Minnesota and Janet Cramer of California; great-grandmothers, Dolly Warrington of Minnesota and Hilda Hollenbeck of California; great-grandfather, Don Hollenbeck; aunts and uncles, Bob McDurmott of Oregon; Cyndi McDurmott and Kevin VanOverbeke of Minnesota; Beth and Joe Grubisch of Minnesota; Michelle and Bill Hoversten of Ohio; Genae and Bobby Sundby of South Dakota; Lisa Warrington of Colorado; Eileen and Jeff Cooper of California. He is also survived by 10 cousins and numerous other relatives and loving friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Waconia. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the mass at church. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Austin, Minn. following mass.

Loved by all, his life too short, his legacy of love will live forever.

Arrangements by Johnson Funeral Home, Waconia.