In Passing

David L. Anderson

David Leroy Anderson “Sambo”, age 79, was promoted to glory on Friday, October 16, 2015.

David was born to Van and Esther Anderson in Grand Rapids on May 2, 1936. He worked at Blandin Paper Company for 37 years.

David was an avid golfer, living on the Pokegama Golf Course for 20 years and loving every minute of the time he spent with family and friends enjoying the game.

He was a star athlete in Grand Rapids, graduating in 1955. David played baseball, football, basketball and track. He played basketball for ICC’s National Championship team in 1956. David refereed many team sports across the Iron Range. He was a life-time member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles.

He married his high school sweetheart, Margaret Dethloff, on February 15, 1958. They celebrated 50 years of marriage until her death in 2008.

David was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Margaret; brother, Dainy; nephew, Dale; and son-in-law, Donald Pollard.

He is survived by children Teresa Pollard, Steven Anderson, Barry Anderson and Judy Anderson. Also survived by brothers, Don (Dee Dee Hudak), Ken (Jymie), Roger, Frank (Margie) and sister Aggie (Gordy) Bickford, sister-in-law Linda Anderson, grandchildren Amber (Jason Wilson), Jared (Sara Gramke), great-grandchildren Austin Anderson and Jackson Wilson. He is also survived by his partner and best friend, Ann (Aanes) Tellor.

In recent years he lived in Grand Rapids, MN and Sun Lakes, AZ with many friends in both towns. Special thanks to Nancy (Aanes) Gooding and Matthew Gooding for their loving support.

A Memorial Service was held on Thursday, October 22, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. in the United Methodist Church in Grand Rapids with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Rev. Al Bolte officiated.

A celebration of David’s life will be held in Sun Lakes at a later date.

Arrangements are with Rowe Funeral Home and Crematory, Grand Rapids, MN. To sign the online guestbook or send condolences visit www.rowefuneralhomeandcrematory.com.

Donna Jean Bobier

Bobier, Donna Jean, 83, a native of Michigan, passed away October 13, 2015. She also lived in Ohio, Colorado and Arizona. Donna loved her family. She “made memories” with her beloved husband, Dick, during their 39 cherished years of marriage. She is survived by her son, Paul Czohara (Donald Miller), Gilbert, Arizona, and countless extended family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances whose lives she individually brightened.

Donna professionally served the banking community for 34 years – most recently for Bank of America customers for 25 years. She was an accomplished cook and baker and her greatest joy in life was making memories with her family. Donna was predeceased by her parents, Lyle and Lula Chatterton, Belding, Michigan; sisters Arlene Warren, Greenville, Michigan, and Geraldine Green, Belding, Michigan; and husbands Walter L. Czohara, Cleveland, Ohio and Richard M. Bobier, Sun Lakes, Arizona. Family memorial services will be private. Condolences may be sent to the family.

I promise if you keep searching for everything beautiful in this world you will actually become it – Tyler Kent White

Bruce Leonard Brown

Bruce Leonard Brown, age 89, of Grand Rapids, MN and Sun Lakes, AZ, passed away on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

Bruce was born May 6, 1926, the first born of William “Bill” and Edna (Boe) Brown in the home of his grandparents, Erick and Tomina Boe, in Lima Township, at Remer, MN. He grew up and graduated from Remer High School. He was an active member of Bethany Lutheran Church, Remer, MN and has remained active in the Lutheran Faith throughout his life. On September 16, 1944, he was inducted in the Army, and after basic training in Camp Hood Texas was shipped overseas, and was assigned as a replacement to L Company, 382 Infantry Regiment, 96th Infantry Division on Okinawa, where they fought the last battle of World War II. Bruce began attending school at the Minnesota School of Business in Minneapolis, until he became a farmer after purchasing the home place of his parents. He also worked in the iron mines as an analyst in the laboratory for Oliver Mining Company. On September 1, 1950, he married Pearl Northway Sepin, the widow of John Sepin, and the mother of John, Duane, and Judy. Bruce and Pearl became the parents of Linda, David, and Rodney. In 1965, he was offered the position of Deputy County Assessor of Beltrami County, and the family, consisting of the three youngest children, moved to Bemidji, MN. In 1969, Bruce was offered the office of County Assessor of Wadena County and the family moved to Wadena, MN. In 1974, Bruce was hired by the City of Wadena as City Clerk Treasurer, remaining in that position until retirement in 1988, at which time he and his wife, Pearl, moved to Grand Rapids, MN and built a home. They enjoyed retirement, joined St. Andrew’s Lutheran church where they both were involved in the activities of the church until Pearl’s death on February 21, 1997. Bruce married Carolyn Johnson, a former classmate, and they have been enjoying summers in Grand Rapids, MN and winters in Arizona.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Pearl; a brother, Donald Brown; step children, Judy Erickson and Duane Sepin.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Carolyn; his children, Linda Brown of Seattle, WA, David (Robin) Brown of Grand Rapids, MN, Rodney (Ange) Brown of Freeburg, IL, John (Donna) Sepin of Eveleth, MN; sister, Clarice Karkula of Park Rapids, MN; brother, Allen Brown of Savage, MN; 18 grandchildren; 51 great grandchildren; many great-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church at a later date.

Granville Parker Flagg

Granville Parker Flagg, of Sun Lakes, Arizona, passed away quietly at his home on Friday, October 30, 2015. He was 87 years old. Called Parker his entire life, he is survived by his six children, Gran Flagg, Nancy (Flagg) Teel, Susan Flagg-Scruggs, David Flagg, Carol Flagg, Robert Flagg, his two daughters-in-law, Ann and Kim Flagg, sons-in-law Steve Teel and Blake Scruggs, future son-in-law Lee Pollock, his five loving grandchildren (Parker, Kevin, Katelyn, Daniel and Taylor), his brother Peter Flagg, and his entire extended family.

Throughout his life, Parker enjoyed and pursued many passions including fishing, traveling, photography, hiking, the Green Bay Packers, card playing, coffee ice cream and, last but not least, golfing. Above all else, his greatest passion was his love for his wife of 51 years, Beverly (deceased), and fulfilling his role as a devoted father, friend and role model to his six children. Simply put, he was an extraordinary husband and father.

Words cannot express how much he will be missed. He taught us so much and loved us so deeply it is hard to imagine him gone though we are comforted knowing he left us peacefully and is now reunited with our beloved mother. No service is planned. His remains post-cremation will be joined with his wife’s.

Thomas (Tom) Foy

Tom Foy, 78, of Sun Lakes, AZ passed away on Saturday, November 7, 2015 due to complications from his long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Tom was born in Glen Ellyn, IL on February 10, 1937. He was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears and every year he never gave up hope that they would come out on top. He retired from Procter and Gamble and moved to Sun Lakes in 1997 where he enjoyed golfing, cards and socializing with his many new and old friends.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Judy, and daughters, Gail (Ray) Thyfault and Lori Foy. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Ryan and Megan Thyfault, whom he adored. A special thank you to his two caregivers, Ed and Esther of Desert Palace Assisted Living.

A celebration of his life was held on Saturday, November 14, 2015 at Valley of the Sun Cemetery. He truly will be missed by many.

Andrea W. (Yerkes) Hendrix

Andrea W. (Yerkes) Hendrix, age 100, of Waynesboro, PA, passed away on Tuesday, November 3, 2015 in Quincy Village. Born on January 29, 1915 in Vinton, Iowa, she was a daughter of the late Earl Yerkes and Winifred (Bridge) Yerkes. She was the widow of Orby T. Hendrix.

She is survived by her daughter, Geri Knouse, and husband, Roy S. “Skip” Knouse, II, of Waynesboro; two grandchildren, Christine Smith and Scott Alan; and three great grandchildren, Savannah, Logan, and Colby Smith.

Donations in her memory may be made to Safe Harbor Ministry, 436 East Baltimore Street, Greencastle, PA 17225.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Thomas L Geisel Funeral Home & Cremation Center; www.geiselfuneralhome.com.

Gerald Franklin (Jerry) McHugh

McHugh, Gerald Franklin (Jerry), aged 78, died at home in St. Louis Park, Minnesota on October 15, 2015. He was born on August 30, 1937, in Litchfield, Minnesota, to Frank P. and Irene C. (McGraw) McHugh. He attended Litchfield schools.

Jerry married Geraldine (Geri) Vandeberg in Minneapolis on January 9, 1965. After serving in the U.S. Army, Jerry became a Conservation Officer with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in 1964, and worked as a Conservation Officer until his retirement in 1997. An avid outdoorsman since childhood, Jerry began his career with the DNR in Montevideo, Minnesota. Then he and Geri lived and worked in Virginia, Minnesota, for more than 30 years before retiring to Sun Lakes, Arizona. They moved back to Minnesota in 2015 to be closer to family.

Jerry used the G.I. Bill to complete his education at Mesabi College. He valued education and was an avid reader his entire life. Jerry loved hunting, fishing, and just walking through the woods in northern Minnesota often with his constant companion, his dog Buggs. In Sun Lakes, he was a twice daily regular on the dog walking circuit with his dogs and dog-walking friends and was a volunteer with Neighbors Who Care. He was active in the Lion’s Club in both Virginia and Sun Lakes.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Geraldine, his daughter, Mary McHugh of Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, his son, Patrick McHugh, daughter-in-law, Laura McHugh, and much-loved grandchildren, Maggie and Liam McHugh, of Minneapolis, brothers Gene (Patricia) McHugh of Minneapolis and Jim (Dorothy) McHugh of Savage, sister Sara (Randy) Meyer of Mankato, many nieces and nephews and his dogs, Mickey and Goldie.

Mass of Christian Burial was October 24 with internment at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Rae Randall

Rae Randall, 95, passed away on October 22, 2015.

Rae and her husband moved to Sun Lakes in 1979. She spent many years enjoying golf and bridge. She also took many cruises with her family.

Rae is survived by her daughter, Kim, two grandsons and four great-grandchildren.

Rosemarie Geiger McGrath Testa

Rosemarie Geiger McGrath Testa, 85, of Sun Lakes, passed away on October 12, 2015.

Following her graduation from St. Francis Nursing School in Pillsburgh, PA Rosemarie spent several years as a school nurse. Most recently she worked at St. Mary Basha Catholic School in Chandler until she retired.

Rosemarie loved to travel the world, holidays and spending time with family. She loved to give and receive hugs from anyone and put God above all things.

She is survived by her loving husband Michael J. Testa, her sisters and brothers-in-law, Jayne and Bill Osborn, Mary Therese and Jack Bartlett. She was loved by her children, Gary Geiger, Al Geiger, Carolann Farley, Rick Geiger and preceded by Ron Geiger. She also enjoyed and was beloved by her 11 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Burial services will be held at a later date in Pittsburgh, PA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rosemarie’s name to St. Mary Basha Catholic School, 200 W. Galveston Street, Chandler, AZ 85225.

Sydney Jeannette Winters Wood

Sydney Jeannette Winters Wood died on October 9, 2015 at her residence in the Renaissance Senior Assisted Living Center in Sun Lakes/Chandler.

Many family members had the opportunity to visit with her during her last month. Her daughter, Wendy Holt, was with her during her passing.

Her other surviving children were Ron and Dennis. Sydney lived a vibrant active life. Her husband of over 70 years, Don Wood, died four years ago. Both were graduates of the University of Redlands and were quite active in university activities during their long lives. “Mom” played bridge several times a week, golfed until she was 95, and played the piano daily right up until her death.

She raised three children, Ron, Dennis and Wendy. Her family expanded to six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Though her life in Southern California centered around raising family, friends and yachting (she loved sailing her boat, Golly, to Catalina Island) and travel (both internationally and widely with their RV) her life during retirement in Sun Lakes, AZ was a blessing. She loved the heat, clear skies and her many friends in her church and the community.

Sydney’s vibrant, activity filled and zestful life endured her to many. She will be missed.