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Obits: Miles, Bender, Eye, Elsen, Stevens
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**Orlando Stevens
Orlando Stevens, 101, Britton, a long-time Lake City resident, died Sunday, November 1, 2009, at Wheatcrest Hills in Britton.
In keeping with his wishes, he will be cremated. A memorial service will be held in July of 2010.
Arrangement are under the direction of the Price Funeral Chapel of Britton.
An online guestbook and obituary will be available at www.pricefuneralchapel.net.
**Howard Knecht
Howard C. Knecht, 90, Houghton, died Monday, October 26, 2009 at Bethesda Home of Aberdeen.
Memorial service was held Friday, October 30 at St. Anthony Church in Hecla. Rev. Jay Haaland officiated.
Burial will be at a later date in the Houghton Cemetery, Houghton. Schrivers Memorial Mortuary & Crematory was in charge of arrangements. www.schriversmemorial.com.
Howard C. was born July 23, 1919 to Henry C. and Myrtel (Marlow) Knecht in Houghton, SD. He attended grade school in Houghton and graduated from Hecla High School in 1939. He started farming with his brother Wayne in 1940. He farmed all his life in the Houghton area.
Howard and Helen Zick were united in marriage June 11, 1947 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Aberdeen.
In 1975, they started spending their winters in Mesa, AZ, starting with a week or so and staying longer each winter.
He enjoyed playing baseball, football in school and enjoyed watching his grandchildren participate in sporting events. He also enjoyed golfing, calving in the spring and combining in the fall.
Survivors include, his children, Randy (Deb) Knecht, Houghton, Connie Knecht, Sisseton, and Nannette (Ron) Rankin, North Platte, NE; five grandchildren; four great grandchildren and one sister, Lucille (Charles) Mitchell, Aberdeen.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters and one brother.
The family prefers memorials to the Houghton Cemetery Fund.
**Gilbert Elsen
The funeral for Gilbert "Gib" Elsen, 79, was held Saturday, October 31 at St. John's Lutheran Church of Hecla, with Jay Haaland, SAM, officiating. Music for the service was provided by Janet Elsen, organist and Jay Haaland, soloist.
Burial with military honors was in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Aberdeen under the direction of the Price Funeral Chapel, Britton.
Casketbearers were Russell Martinson, Ralph Sjostrand, Ed Walsh, Dale Elsen, Duane Elsen and Michael Elsen. Honorary casketbearers were all of Gilbert's family and his many friends.
He died Tuesday, October 27, 2009, at MeritCare Hospital in Fargo.
Gilbert Lee "Gib" Elsen was born January 4, 1930 on the Elsen Homestead northwest of Hecla, to Henry O. and Henrietta Marie (Stolle) Elsen. He grew up there and attended rural school in Liberty Township. After receiving his education, Gib helped on the family farm before answering his country's call to service. He was in the U.S. Army from 1952 until 1954, part of that time being served in Korea.
Gilbert married Darlene Mavis Heitmann July 28, 1956 at the Lutheran Church in Lake City. They made their home in Britton for a short time before moving to Ft. Sisseton, where Gib served as caretaker. In 1965 they moved to the Hecla area where Gib was engaged in farming. In 1985, the couple moved into Hecla. Darlene died March 21, 2000 and Gib continued to make his home in Hecla.
Gilbert was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Houghton and Stanley Stearns Post #68 of the American Legion of Hecla. He enjoyed playing cards and shooting pool. He enjoyed tinkering with something that needed fixing or improving and was his happiest when he was helping someone else.
Survivors include; three sons: Curtis Elsen, Neil Elsen and Arlin (Darla) Elsen all of Hecla; two daughters: Twyla Elsen, Hecla, LeeAnn (Curt) Loe, McVille, ND; three grandchildren; three sisters: Rose Moerke, Hecla, Lola (Melvin) Martinson, Ellendale, ND, Helen McBeain, Blaine, MN; two brothers, Willard (Jackie) Elsen and Donnley (Dorothy) Elsen, both of Hecla.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, a son and a brother.
An online guestbook and obituary are available at www.pricefuneralchapel.net.
**Martha Eye
The funeral for Martha L. Eye, 94, was held Monday, November 2 at Pleasant Valley Lutheran Church, rural Kidder, with Reverends Sara and Terrill Sorensen officiating. Music was provided by Dana Tank, organist and Terry Price, soloist.
Burial was in the Britton Cemetery. Price Funeral Chapel, Britton, was in charge of arrangements.
Casketbearers were her grandsons, Andrew Mattson, David Mattson, Michael Mattson, Matthew Eikamp, Jordan Eikamp and Christopher Eye. Honorary casketbearers were her granddaughters, Jennifer Eye, Elizabeth Worth, Jennifer Eye and Michelle Eye.
She died Wednesday, October 28, 2009, at Wheatcrest Hills in Britton.
Martha Lillian Myklegard was born December 23, 1914 at Irene to Andrew and Anna (Sluphaug) Myklegard. At the age of five, she moved with her family to the Kidder area. She attended Victor #3 country school and graduated from Kidder High School in 1932. She earned a degree in Elementary Education from Northern State College.
On June 29, 1941 Martha married Forest R. Eye at Pleasant Valley Lutheran Church. They initially farmed on the Chapin family farm, and later moved to a farm northeast of Kidder, which is still farmed by their sons. In 1985, Martha and Forest moved into Britton. Forest died August 7, 2004, and Martha became a resident of Wheatcrest Hills in April 2005.
Martha taught in several rural schools in the Kidder area, and later in the towns of Veblen, Kidder and Britton. She retired from teaching in 1980.
Martha was a very active member of Pleasant Valley Lutheran Church, where she was the church treasurer for several years. Over the years she also served as President of the W.E.L.C.A., taught Sunday School and Bible School, and belonged to the Ladies Aide and Charities Circle. She was also a member of Marshall County Retired Teachers Association, the Helping Hand Extension Club, and the Sons of Norway Lodge in Webster.
After retiring, Forest and Martha enjoyed camping and traveling. Being 100% Norwegian, Martha especially treasured her trips to Norway. She liked working crossword puzzles, crocheting, and baking Norwegian delicacies such as lefse.
Survivors include; her four children: Jane (Dennis) Mattson. Britton; James (Mary Ann) Eye, Britton; Jeanine (Curtis) Eikamp, Buffalo City, WI; John (Debbie) Eye, Britton; ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and two brothers.
**Valera Bender
The memorial service for Valera (Behnke) Bender, 64, will be Monday, November 9 at 11 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church of Britton. The Reverends Sara and Terrill Sorensen will officiate. Inurnment of her ashes will take place at the Britton Cemetery of Britton at a later date.
Valera died at her home in rural Holly, CO, October 16, 2009 after an extended battle with cancer.
Valera K. Behnke was born on Valentines Day, 1945, to Frank and Esther (Thompson) Behnke in Britton. She grew up on the family farm east of Britton and began her schooling at Pleasant Valley Township #3. She graduated from Britton High School in 1962.
Valera married Marvin Bender December 28, 1963. They made their home in Britton. In 1965, she and Marvin bought her father's homestead and began farming. Valera was very active on the farm taking care of cattle, running equipment and handling all of the business finances. In addition to farming and raising cattle, Valera and Marvin had owned and operated several businesses throughout the years, including Britton Livestock Auction, Bender Trucking, and a custom harvesting business.
While she lived in Britton she was active in the First Lutheran Church, the V.F.W. Post and was a volunteer EMT for the Britton Ambulance. In 1987, they moved to Syracuse, KS and shortly thereafter to Holly, CO. In Holly, Valera owned and operated the Crazy Horse Bar and Val's Pilot Car business while Marvin continued his trucking business.
Valera enjoyed social events, visiting with family and friends, cooking and baking. She also enjoyed reading, gardening and animals especially dogs.
Survivors include; her husband of Holly, CO; her children: Shawnlee Bender, Holly, CO, Bradley (Jane) Bender, Glendale, AZ and Candie (Randy) Beck, Hecla, SD; seven grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; one great- grandson; three sisters: Elaine Juelfs, Britton, Jeannie Osterman, Lebanon, OR, and Bonnie Buhl, Lake City, and one brother, Frank "Butch" Behnke, Jr., Independence, OR.
She was preceded in death her parents, one brother and one sister.
The family suggests memorial donations to Hospice of Lamar, CO - Colorado East Bank and Trust - P.O. Box 607 - Holly, CO 81047.
An online guestbook and obituary are available at www.pricefuneralchapel.net.
**Jim Miles
The funeral for Jim Miles will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, November 5, 2009, at the First Presbyterian Church of Britton, with Rev. Terry Sletto officiating. Burial will be in the Britton Cemetery.
Visitation will be 4-7:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Price Funeral Chapel, Britton.
Jim passed away Sunday, November 1, 2009, ten days after a surgical procedure at MeritCare Hospital in Fargo, ND, at the age of 95.
James Edward "Jim" Miles was born June 27, 1914 in Britton, SD to T. Weston and Mary "May" (Phillips) Miles. He grew up and attended school in Britton, graduating from Britton High School in 1932. While going to school, Jim operated a 3.5 acre truck garden and delivered vegetables to Britton residents. After graduating Jim worked at Delbert Printup's service station until 1937. He then owned and operated the "Nu-Way" dry cleaning plant, later selling it to Claude Steele.
On July 2, 1938 he married Bonnie Anderson in Aberdeen. They made their home in Britton. In 1942, Jim took a position as a collector and salesman for Thorp Auto Co. and operated a farm until 1945. In 1945 Thorp Auto was incorporated and Jim became a stockholder and president of the company. He was also president of Thorp Auto Company, Inc garages located in Oakes and Ellendale, ND. During those years, Jim also kept his hand in farming and cattle ranching. He retired from Thorp Auto in 1982, but retained ownership of the building on VanderHorck. He started to collect, restore and rebuild many antique cars, trucks and tractors. By the time he sold them in 2002, Jim had amassed quite a collection of unique and interesting antique and vintage vehicles. Bonnie passed away on June 14, 2002 and Jim continued to make his home in Britton.
Jim was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Britton and had belonged to the Britton Lions Club. He was one of the founding investors of the Marshall Manor, now Wheatcrest Hills. Jim's success in life came by the sweat of his brow and the hard work of his own hands. He had a creative and mechanical mind and the ability to put those ideas to work.
Jim is survived by his son, George Miles and wife, Kathleen of Moses Lake, WA; his daughter, Jeani Amacher and husband, Jeff of Britton; four grandchildren: Gretchen Hunt, Aaron (Rebecca) Miles, Kelsi (Alan) Heer, Drew Amacher; three great-grandchildren: Scotty Wade, McKenna and Lofton Heer; a brother, Wilfred (Maureen) Miles of Aurora, CO and a sister-in-law, Florence Miles of Aurora, CO.
Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife, a brother, Clenten Miles and a grandson.
An online guestbook and obituary is available at www.pricefuneralchapel.net.
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©Marshall County Journal 2010
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