Marion J. Murphy, 88

Marion J. Murphy, 88, formerly of Austin, died Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2002, in New Mexico.

He was born July 19, 1914, in Lyle, to John P. and Lulu (Gregg) Murphy.

He was married to Rachel Hanson.

Marion owned Murphy's Oil Company in Austin before retiring and moving to Rio Rancho, N.M. He had been in the oil business for over 35 years, with his own company for 13 years.

Marion served in the United States Army during World War II. He was a member of the American Legion, VFW, the Rio Rancho Elks Club and the Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church.

Survivors include wife, Rachel Murphy, Rio Rancho, N.M.; daughter, Jana (Joe) Edwards, Placitas, N.M.; son, Jack Murphy, Austin; brothers, Vernon Murphy, Osage, Iowa; Richard Murphy, Austin; two grandchildren; three great grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son, James Murphy; and brother, Chester Murphy.

Visitation: 11 a.m. until the service on Saturday at the funeral home.

Service: 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2002, at the funeral home with Rev. James Peck officiating. The casket bearers will be Chad Schoenfelder, Bob Hanson, David Hanson, Jake Johnson, Larry Murphy and Rick Murphy.

Interment: Grandview Cemetery.

Funeral Home: Mayer Funeral Home, Austin.

Memorials: To the American Diabetes Association, New Mexico Area, 525 San Pedro NE, Suite 101, Albuquerque, NM 87108, in Marion's name.

Ronald M. Grothe, 72

Ronald M. Grothe, 72, of Austin, died Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2002, at the Austin Medical Center.

He was born July 16, 1930, in Milwaukee, Wis. to Leonard and Pearl (Record) Grothe.

He lived most of his life in Austin, graduating from Austin High School in 1948. After graduation, he served with the Army National Guard.

On May 1, 1949, he married Bernice Midje at the Oakland Midway Lutheran Church. They lived in Austin, where Ronald worked for Geo A. Hormel Company for 32 years.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman.

Survivors include wife, Bernice Grothe, Austin; sons, James (Colette) Grothe, River Falls, Wis.; Wayne Grothe, Austin; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; mother, Pearl Grothe, Austin; sister, Lorraine (Joris) Kyllo, Austin; sister-in-law, Lil Grothe, Minneapolis; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father; son, Jon Grothe; and brother, James Grothe.

Visitation: One hour before the service at the church on Saturday.

Service: 11 a.m. memorial service, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2002, at Crane Community Chapel with Rev. Randy Petersen officiating.

Funeral Home: Worlein Funeral Home, Austin.

Willard E. Holmquist, 78

Willard E. "Bill" Holmquist, 78, of Kasson, died Thursday, Nov. 14, 2002, at his home of natural causes.

He was born Aug. 18, 1924, in Mason City, Iowa. He grew up in the Dexter and Grand Meadow areas. He served in the US Navy during World War II as a radio operator on a submarine in the Pacific Theatre from 1942 to 1945. He earned several medals including the World War II Victory, Asiatic Pacific Campaign, American Campaign and Submarine Combat Insignia.

He married Phyllis Jean Ford; they later divorced. On July 10, 1951, he married Betty O. Hovden, Sioux Falls, S.D. The couple lived in Rochester, where Bill managed the AFL-CIO club. They moved to Kasson in 1971, where they owned and operated the Village Inn Restaurant for many years.

Bill was a member of St. John's Lutheran in Kasson. He belonged to the Kasson American Legion, was a lifetime member of the Austin VFW, and was a former Golden Gloves boxer.

Survivors include wife, Betty; sons, Steven (Susan) Holmquist, St. Cloud; Gary (Mary) Holmquist, Lolo, Mont.; daughters, Jody (Thomas) Nygaard, Albert Lea; Pamela Holmquist, Kasson; Michelle Holmquist, Hubert, N.C.; nine grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; step-mother, Florence Holmquist, Austin; brother, Donald Holmquist, Wabasha; sister, Carol Baumgartner, Forest Lake.

He was preceded in death by one grandson.

Visitation: 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2002, at the funeral home and Monday at the church for one hour before the service.

Service: 11 a.m., Monday, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Kasson with Pastor Adolf Quast officiating.

Interment: Maple Grove Cemetery in Kasson, with military graveside services by the Kasson American Legion and the Mantorville VFW.

Funeral Home: Dibble Funeral Home, Kasson.

Eugene E. Hannam, 69

Eugene "Gene-Bud" Hannam, 69, of LeRoy, died Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2002, at his home.

Eugene "Gene-Bud" Hannam was born May 28, 1933, in Mona, Iowa, to Herbert J. Hannam, Sr. and Lavina (Beyer) Hannam. He was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith and was a member of the LeRoy Lutheran Church.

Gene graduated in 1951 from St. Ansgar, Iowa High School. He served in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division for six years from 1951 to 1957. He fought on the frontlines in the Korean War when the war ended. He was honorably discharged in 1957 with the rank of Staff Sergeant. He had 63 jumps credited to him.

On April 15, 1953, he married Shirley "Sal" Aulwes in Mason City, Iowa. They had three children. The family lived many years on an acreage west of LeRoy.

Gene enjoyed his garden and country home.

He worked for Interstate (Alliant) Power Company for 30 years as a lineman and crew foreman, retiring in 1995.

Survivors include wife, Shirley, LeRoy; son, Bret Hannam, LeRoy; daughters, Brenda (Jeff) Grundstrom, Lakeville; Beth (Tim) Slapnicher, Montgomery; three grandchildren; brothers, Herb (Trudy) Hannam, Cedarburg, Wis.; Harlan "Butch" (Arlys), Coralville, Iowa; sister, Darlene (Bob) Anderson, Wichita, Kan.; sister-in-law, Norma Hannam, St. Ansgar; nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Duane (Nick) Hannam.

Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m., today, Nov. 15, 2002, at the funeral home and Saturday at the church for one hour before the service.

Service: 2 p.m., Saturday, at the LeRoy Lutheran Church in LeRoy with Rev. Thomas Kolden officiating.

Interment: At a later date in the LeRoy Cemetery.

Funeral Home: Hindt-Hutchins Funeral Home, LeRoy.