Myrlin O. Troftgruben, age 89 of Grand Forks, ND, formerly of Adams, ND, passed away on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at the Valley Senior Living of Grand Forks. Myrlin was born February 1, 1935 in Edinburg, ND, the son of the late Halfdan and Margaret (Windingland) Troftgruben. He grew up and attended school near Adams, graduating from Adams High School. He was employed by the Johnson Store while in high school and he continued working there until being drafted into the US Army in March of 1957. He was stationed at Ft. Bragg, NC until his discharge in March of 1959. Following his discharge, he returned to Adams and was united in marriage to Carol Hanson on June 27, 1959. The couple made their home in Adams and he worked for Orville Hagen at the implement for several years. He purchased Myrlin’s Repair in 1962 which he ran until retiring in 1995. He was a member of the Adams Mountain Lutheran Church and the Adams American Legion Post. He later joined the Lankin American Legion Post. He served many years as the Mayor of Adams and also served as Fire Chief of the Adams Fire Department. He enjoyed going to the lake, fishing, and hunting. Myrlin is survived by his wife Carol Troftgruben; children: Eileen (Doug) James, Barbara (Wayne) Brandvold, Rhonda (Mark) Griecar, and Rodney (Cariann) Troftgruben; 11 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; siblings: Duane (Lorraine) Troftgruben, Orlan Troftgruben, Mavis (Jim) Boura, and Bonnie Espelien; sister-in-law Mayvis Troftgruben; as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandson Brian Barclay, brother LeRoy Troftgruben, sister-in-law Alice Troftgruben and nephew Shawn Troftgruben. Memorial services will be Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at 4:00 PM at the Valley Senior Living on 42nd Chapel. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service. Military rites will be provided by the Lankin American Legion Post and the North Dakota National Guard Honor Guard. The service will be livestreamed on the Tollefson Funeral Home website.
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Donna M. Sunstrom, age 73 of Grafton, ND passed away on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at the First Care Health Center of Park River. Donna Hayden was born in Britton, SD on September 22, 1950 to the late Lyle and Verna (Matthiesen) Hayden. She grew up and attended schools in Henning and Deer Creek. She graduated from Deer Creek in 1968. Following her education, she was united in marriage to Jerome Sunstrom on October 4, 1969. The couple made their home in Deer Creek and then moved to Wadena where she worked at Pamida.They later moved to Argyle and then to Grafton, ND where she was active in the River of Life Church where she taught Sunday School and was in charge of hospitality. She was a member of Blowers Chapel in Ottertail County. She enjoyed baking, playing games, and spending time with family. She is survived by her husband Jerome, Grafton, ND, sons: Rick (Jennifer) Sunstrom, Grafton, ND, Jason Sunstrom, Phoenix, AZ; grandchildren: Chris, Kali, Jeremiah, Josiah, Jordan, Joshua, and Joelle (Jacob) Schmuck ; great grandchildren: Lincoln and Holden; siblings: Bill (Dawn) Hayden and Dan (Ruth) Hayden, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, and brothers: Lyle Jr., Rodney, and Jerry. Memorial services will be Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the Faith Evangelical Free Church of Grafton. Visitation will be for 30 minutes prior to the service at the church. A graveside service will take place at the Wadena Cemetery on June 8th at 1 pm with a meal to follow. Theresa Schuster Lambert passed away on Sunday, May 5, 2024 in Seattle, Washington at the age of 92. Theresa J. Schuster was born September 9, 1931 to Harry and Eva (Stoltman) Schuster in Pulaski Township, near Grafton, ND. Theresa attended grade school at School District #83, which was a mile away from home. She went to high school in Grafton, ND. After moving to Seattle, WA, Theresa continued her education, studying psychology and sociology. In October 1951, Theresa left the farm and moved to Seattle, where she met and married Glen Lambert on December 31, 1952. Theresa was a master at meeting people wherever she went, so working as a waitress and managing restaurants gave her the perfect opportunities! Theresa worked with handicap citizens and taught at a school while attending class herself. Theresa was an active volunteer in fundraisers and instrumental in the building of a group home for special needs children, where she eventually placed her special needs daughter, Sheri Lee. Theresa enjoyed Western Swing dancing and traveled throughout the US with her dance club. She received a Washington State Swing Championship award and a Hall of Fame Star from the Seattle Swing Dance Club. Theresa enjoyed sports; especially the Seattle Mariners baseball team. Her season tickets, along with a city bus ride to the park, made her day for many years. Theresa knew all the opposing team players and especially players who were from the Midwest. She knew all their stats! Theresa is survived by her daughter Terri Jean (Ron) Shelton; granddaughter Ronda Shelton; great grandson Nicolas Shelton; brother Ken (Judy) Schuster; as well as nurse friend and caregiver Margret and her dance club friends. Theresa is preceded in death by her parents: Harry and Eva Schuster; daughter Sheri Lee; brothers: Joseph, Eugene, and Herman Schuster; sister Evelyn Feltman; sisters-in-law Lorraine Schuster and Leona Schuster; and ex-husband Glen Lambert. Funeral services will be Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 2:00 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton, ND. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will be at the St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery in Warsaw, ND. Craig Martin Brumbaugh passed away on May 2nd, 2024 at 67 years of age at his home in Cavalier, North Dakota. Craig was born in Westfield, New Jersey on October 29th, 1956 to John and Jane Brumbaugh. He attended and graduated from the University of Colorado, Fort Collins after studying forestry. After working in the state of Colorado, he moved to Walhalla, North Dakota, where he worked in the North Dakota Forest Service for 20 years and met his wife, Brenda. He afterward transitioned to the National Resource Conservation Service and served in numerous locations throughout the state, Langdon, Minnewaukan, Forman, and Rolla. He had just transitioned back home to Cavalier the week of his passing. Craig married Brenda Gussman on August 1st, 1992 in Cavalier, with a reception at Frost Fire Ski Lodge, a place they both treasured. They made their home in Walhalla and lived there together for 5 years, a time in which their daughter Bethany was born. They then moved to Cavalier a few years later, where they lived for 25 years. He was an active member in faith communities, including the Baptist Church of Cavalier and Gideons International. His favorite place and activity was being in the Brumbaugh Christmas Tree Farm, where he poured his heart and soul season after season. He is survived by his loving wife Brenda, daughter Bethany, dog son Ollie, his brothers Mark (Gaye Swanson) and Peter (Patty) Brumbaugh and Cheryl (Kevin) Sikkema, numerous nieces and nephews, and his in-laws Kathleen (Gussman) and Victor Kentor. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. and the Celebration of Life on Wednesday, May 8th, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. all at the Cavalier Evangelical Free Church, Cavalier, ND. Craig will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Elaine Kalis, 90, of Cavalier, ND passed away Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the Wedgwood Manor in Cavalier, ND. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Brigid of Ireland Catholic Church in Cavalier, ND. Visitation will be held Monday May 6th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. vigil service at the church. Elaine Doyle was born January 27, 1934 to George and Yvonne (Martineau) Doyle at Leroy, ND. She was raised and attended school in Leroy. On April 4, 1951, she married Lawrence Kalis. Elaine worked at the Gadaire Store in Leroy, Eagan Farms for over 40 years, and the American Crystal beet piler at Midway. She enjoyed her grandkids, great grandkids, and great-great granddaughter. Elaine was the life of the party as she enjoyed people, having fun, dancing, and being with friends. Elaine is survived by her son, Francis (Mary) Kalis, Walhalla, ND, grandson: Corey Kalis, Jamestown, ND and Shon (Jenny) Kalis, Devils Lake, ND, great grandchildren: Michael, Natsha, Ethan, Preston, Max, Addisson, Courtney, Laci, Connor, and Ty, great-great granddaughter, Reign. Also surviving are her siblings: Mary Peterson, Jimmy (Corrine) Doyle, Francis Doyle, Junie Doyle, Ann Armstrong, Patricia Rodvold, Grace (Harry) Pelletier, and Manny (Nordis) Doyle. Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, Lawrence, sisters: Evelyn, Carolyn, and Marie and nieces and nephew who were very special to her. Dennis Alfred Johnson, age 78, passed away peacefully in his home on March 12, 2024. He was born November 26, 1945 to Alfred and Dorothy (Knutson) Johnson at home in Brinsmade, ND. He grew up on a farm outside of Leeds and graduated from Leeds High School in 1963. Dennis met Shirley Peiler during high school and they married on November 29, 1963 at North Prairie Lutheran Church. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary along with their children last fall. Dennis graduated from UND and worked as a high school business teacher, first in Dickinson, ND and later moving to Grafton, ND where he led the DECA club. In 1975, he took a job as a juvenile probation officer in Cavalier, ND where he covered Cavalier, Pembina and Walsh counties. His work had a positive influence on many teens. Dennis and Shirley made their home in Cavalier, where they raised their three daughters. He was a fan of all sports and loved watching his girls and grandkids participate in their activities, making it a priority to attend as many events as he could. He was an “original” girl dad who put together and coached a girls softball team for his girls and their friends. He also led confirmation for many years at United Lutheran Church. After 32 years, he retired from the State of ND and he and Shirley decided to become snowbirds. They found a second home in Viewpoint Resort in Mesa, AZ. There they found plenty of both golf and good friends. Dennis had many hobbies. He was an avid reader, and as his eye sight deteriorated, due to macular degeneration, he found audio books and consumed a countless number of them. He enjoyed bowling, tinkering in his garage, building things, spending summer weekends at Roy Lake, being captain of the pontoon, fishing, hunting, and, above all, doing anything with his grandkids. After his kids left home, Dennis and Shirley enjoyed traveling. Their trips included Hawaii, Alaska, cruises and many bus trips across the United States. One day he tried golf…and was hooked! From then on, he took his clubs everywhere he went and golfed as many courses as possible. During his first year in ViewPoint, he and a friend found a need for a more relaxed golf league where friends could get together and enjoy a round of golf. They created the Bummers league which quickly became very popular. Dennis found great enjoyment in running the league and interacting with all the golfers. His friends were an important part of his life and he enjoyed hunting and fishing trips, golf leagues, happy hours and hosting get-togethers. His Cavalier golf buddies were especially dear to him. Dennis loved his grandchildren and was very proud of them. He was very close to them all and he and Shirley loved visiting with them and talking about their lives. Dennis’ great grandchildren were especially precious to him. The joy he got from playing with them was undeniable. Dennis is survived by his wife, Shirley; children, Cheryl (Ken) Kresien of Roy Lake, MN, Christi (Kirk) Carlson of Horace, ND, and Nancy (Tim) Holub of Tabor, MN; grandchildren, Eric (Stephanie) Kresien, Colton (Starlee) Holub, Dillon (Nicole) Bachand, Alec Kresien, Courtney (Zach) Dent, Zach Carlson and Nick Carlson; great grandchildren, Olivia, Deklan, Everlee, Charlotte (Charlie) and Harper. He was preceded in death by his parents Alfred and Dorothy, sister Evadean Baglien and brother Wayne Johnson. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of donations to: Eye-Link North Dakota (this organization provided Dennis with many tools as he lost vision including magnifier readers and other vision resources)- https://nd.eye-link.org/, P.O. Box 7535, Fargo, ND, 58106 United Lutheran Church (Endowment Fund or Wednesday School Fund), 104 Bjornson Drive, Cavalier, ND 58220 A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, May 3, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the United Lutheran Church in Cavalier, ND. Visitation will be held at the church for one hour before the time of services. Jane Gertrude Jimenez, age 78 of Plymouth, Minnesota, formerly of Grafton, North Dakota passed away Friday, January 12, 2024 at the Methodist Hospital, St. Louis Park, MN.
Jane was born November 15, 1945 in Laredo, Texas, the daughter of the late Juan and Antonia (Sanchez) Jimenez. She worked on multiple farms throughout her childhood and younger years. At the age of ten, she was picking cotton with her family in northern Texas. In addition to that, she harvested cucumbers in Wisconsin, corn in Nebraska, and potatoes and beets in North Dakota. She continued working in the fields after graduating high school, but then took on the duties of cooking meals for her family and caring for her family’s home alongside her mother. She became an excellent cook, and her extended family always looked forward to her excellent holiday meals. Jane’s hobbies and interests included cooking, sewing, reading, writing, singing and listening to music, both English and Spanish, especially Tex-Mex, Rock ‘n’ Roll and country. She also loved dancing, telling jokes, and watching action movies throughout her entire life. Despite working hard from a very young age, Jane was a very positive person who loved to laugh, tell jokes, sing and dance. Jane is survived by her sister, Nickie Jimenez, brother, Joe Jimenez and her many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Juan and Antonia Jimenez, sisters: Connie and Maria Jimenez and brother George Jimenez. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 10:30 A.M. at the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Grafton, ND. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at the St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, Grafton, ND. Joseph "Joe" Carik, 83, of Cavalier, passed away Thursday, April 18, 2024 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Brigid of Ireland Catholic Church in Cavalier. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Askew Funeral Home in Cavalier. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the St. Brigid of Ireland Catholic Church. Joseph Keith Carik, Jr. was born May 11, 1940 at Svold, ND to Joseph and Lena (Rousseau) Carik. Joe graduated from Cavalier High School in 1958. He worked at the Cavalier Elevator, Mayo Construction, Solar Gas, and the State of North Dakota and Pembina County Highway Departments. Joe also worked for Aaland and Robbins Farms, for Bill Lage and Carik Bros. Family and faith were a very important part of his life, especially the events his children and grandchildren were involved in. His grandchildren described him as their “Best Friend.” “Joe was a pied-piper” with animals, they all loved him. Other things he enjoyed were western music, sports, and antique farm equipment. Every meal had the Catholic Blessing followed by “We thank you Lord, for family and friends and neighbors” and he did this sincerely every day. On December 27, 1958, Joe married Deanna “DeeDee” Ault in Cavalier. He is survived by his children: Jodi and Scott Becker, Lori and Tim Sayler, Jay Carik and Sue Anderson, Robert “Bobby” and Marianne Carik, grandchildren: Amanda (Becker) and Daniel El-Dweek, David and Julia Sayler, Patrick Sayler, Ashlyn (Carik) and Colin Trottier, J.J. Carik, Christine Sayler, and Adam Sayler, Cadence Nantt, and Joshua Nantt, great-grandson, Sage Goodwin. Also surviving are his siblings: Alice Perpich, Walter Carik, Patrick Carik, Charlie (Lana) Carik, and his furry companion, Ella. Preceding him in death were his wife, DeeDee, parents, Joseph and Lena, stepfather, Edwin Nelson, sister, Mary Lehnert, brother-in-law, Robert Perpich and sister-in-law, Vicky Carik. Charles A. Bjerke, 87, of Cavalier, ND passed away Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at the Pembilier Nursing Center in Walhalla, ND. Funeral service will be Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Trinity Methodist Church in Cavalier. Visitation will be held at the church for one hour before the time of services. Charles was born April 10, 1937 in Cavalier, ND to Carl and Olga (Stromstad) Bjerke. He grew up on a farm south of Cavalier with three sisters. At a young age he ran a tractor for the neighbor’s potato harvest. Charles graduated from Cavalier High School in 1955. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1960. After his discharge from the service, he returned home and farmed with his dad for many years, along with doing carpentry work. After he was done farming, he kept busy doing yard work for people for several years. Charles was so very kind and hardworking. He knew many people and enjoyed visiting with them. He was able to travel to Norway a few times to visit family, which was so important to him. Charles had several family gatherings over the years at his farm before moving to town. He was the best Uncle anyone could have. He was so good to his nieces and nephews and loved them very much. He is survived by his sister, Odella Dalzell, Walhalla, ND, brother-in-law, Wes Thomas, Ada, MN, 13 nieces and nephews, and many great nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents, sisters: Clarice Dahl and Audrey Thomas, and brothers-in-law: Kenny Dahl and Clifford Dazell. Karl Julius Henschel, 89, of Bathgate, ND passed away Friday, April 12, 2024, at Pembina County Memorial Hospital in Cavalier, ND. Funeral service will be held Thursday, April 18, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Lutheran Church, Cavalier, ND. Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 17, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Askew Funeral Home in Cavalier. Karl Julius Henschel was born the last of 10 children to Julius and Juliane (Drager) Henschel on May 15,1934 in Hallson, ND. He attended country school there for several years. His family moved to Carlisle Township where his parents farmed, and he continued his education at Carlisle #9. Dad was awarded for his perfect attendance during his 7th grade year and graduated from 8th grade at the City Auditorium in Cavalier on June 15, 1948. Karl worked on the farm with his family until joining the U. S. Army in 1956. He served actively in Germany until 1961 as an engineer equipment repairman and was transferred to standby reserve in August of 1961. Dad was decorated with the Good Conduct Medal and presented with the Sharpshooter Badge (Carbine) and Sharpshooter Badge (Rifle) during his tenure. He was honorably discharged in April of 1964. Dad married Mom, Deloris Jean Saiger, on October 6th of 1961 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Grand Forks. They moved to the Bathgate area in 1962. Dad was farming, and they spent the winters in Grand Forks from 1964-1967. Dad worked at the potato house, various gas stations, and Rydell’s. In 1968, they built a house on Mom’s parents’ farm east of Bathgate that still stands today. They became members of Christ Lutheran Church in Neche. Dad started farming on his own in the Bathgate and Carlisle areas until 1992. In 1969, he began working winters at Motor Coach Industries until retiring in 1999. Dad spent a brief period of time working in the warehouse and truck at Happy Harry’s in Pembina, and enjoyed driving beet truck in Bathgate for McColl Farms. After Kelly, Karla, and Karmen were born, the folks stayed in the Bathgate area to live and work. Dad and Mom enjoyed playing cards with relatives in Cavalier and weekly games of Smear, the game of choice, were held at Reiny’s Bar in Bathgate. When Mom passed away in June of 2023, Dad was a resident at Wedgewood Manor in Cavalier until his death. Karl is survived by Kelly (Jayme) Henschel, Pembina, ND, Karla (Amy) Henschel, Bathgate, ND, Karmen Ruffatto, Columbus, MT, Deb Henschel, Vergas, MN, Jeff Ruffatto, Columbus, MT; his grandchildren Kassondra (Darren) Henschel, Vergas, MN, Megan (Justin) Tweeton, Perham, Joanna (Chandler) Wickham, Billings, MT, Kari Ruffatto, Columbus, MT, Laightyn Henschel, Mesa, AZ; great- grandchildren Charlie and Millie Graten; and sister Ruth Tully, Bismarck, ND, and sister-in-law Hattie Henschel, Grafton, ND. He is also survived by many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Preceding Karl in death were his parents, wife Deloris, 5 brothers, and 4 sisters. Family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Susan Thompson, Ron Thompson from Christ Lutheran Church, and the staff members at Wedgewood Manor and Pembina County Memorial Hospital for their compassionate care. |
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May 2024
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