Document 6442585

B2
SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2013
POST-BULLETIN • www.PostBulletin.com
Obituaries / local news
Robert Francis Kelly — Elk River
Richard F. ‘Dick’ Searles — Pine Island
Robert Francis Kelly of Elk River, son of Arthur and Rose,
died Sunday, April 14, 2013, at the age of 87.
Robert was born June 16, 1925, in Simpson,
graduated from Rochester High School, and
served in the U.S. Navy from 1944-1946. Robert
retired after 37 years from the Chicago Northwestern Railroad in 1987 and farmed from 1967
until 2011 in Simpson where he grew up.
Robert is survived by his wife, Ina; four
daughters, Barbara (Lynn) Moeller of Minnetonka, Catherine “Kitty” of Plymouth,
Colleen (Kris) Kareti of Albuquerque, N.M.,
and Diane (Robert) Weikle of Shakopee; and
Kelly
six sons, Timothy (Debra) of Laurel, Maryland,
Michael (Elaine) of Big Lake, Steve (Nancy)
of Erie Colo., Jerry (Melanie) of Chanhassen,
Robert (Fern) of Ocean Springs, Miss., and
Kevin (Peggy) of Brighton, Colo. He was the
grandfather of 14, Ben and Alexandra Moeller,
Christine (Dean) Singley, Matthew (Michelle), Melissa (Kenny)
Kamper, and Rachel, Tracy, Mikayla (Tim) Sager, Michael,
Courtney and Nick, Ryan (Amy) and Jena, (Bryan) Hartley and
Luke. He was a great-grandfather of 12; and great-great-grandfather of four. He is also survived by his sister, Rosella Bernard
of Chatfield; and his brother, Vincent of Rochester; and many
nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his grandson, Jesse Jensen.
Viewing will be held Friday April 26, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in
the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester
and a half hour prior to the service at the church. The funeral
mass for Robert will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 27 at
St. Bridget church in Simpson, Minn., officiated by Rev. Matt
Fasnacht, with interment to follow service.
Online condolences are welcome at mackenfuneralhome.com.
Richard F. “Dick” Searles, 94, of Pine Island died on Wednesday, April 17, 2013, at the Pine Haven Care Center, where he had
been a patient for the past two days.
The funeral service will be on Tuesday, April
23, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Paul Lutheran
Church in Pine Island with the Revs. John Torris Lohre and Kip Groettum officiating. Burial
will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Monday, April 22,
2013, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Mahn Family
Funeral Home ‑ Mahler Chapel in Pine Island
and on Tuesday for one hour prior to the service at the church.
Searles
Richard Frank Searles was born on Dec. 16,
1918, in Pine Island, Minn., to Ray and Alvina
(nee Fiek) Searles. He grew up in Pine Island,
attended Pine Island Schools, graduated from
Pine Island High School in 1937 and attended
one year of college. On May 8, 1940, Dick married Helen Stucky in Cresco, Iowa. And they
made their home in Pine Island. On Jan. 30, 1942, Dick entered
the U.S. Navy. He served in the Pacific Theater of Operations
with the Seabees. Dick was honorably discharged on October 29,
1945. After returning to Pine Island, Dick started Searles Construction and worked as a self-employed carpenter/contractor
for over thirty years. Over the years, Dick enjoyed fishing, bowling and attending Seabees reunions. He was active in Saint Paul
Lutheran Church, Charles Cowden American Legion Post #184
in Pine Island and as a volunteer at the Pine Haven Care Center.
Dick is survived by his wife, Helen; daughter, Paula (Robert)
Hofer of Elk River; son, Brian (Jane) Searles of Hanover Park,
Ill.; granddaughters, Tracy (Pete) Nielsen of St. Paul and Angela
(Matt) Huber of Fridley and great-granddaughter, Celia Huber
of Fridley.
Dick was preceded in death by an infant son and his parents.
T. Dean Borland — Albert Lea
A Celebration of Life for T. Dean Borland, 88, of Albert Lea,
will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, April 26, 2013, at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home in Albert Lea.
Military honors will be accorded by Albert Lea
servicemen’s organizations, VFW and American Legion.
Online condolences are welcome at bayviewfuneral.com.
Dean died Tuesday, April 9, 2013, at Saint
Marys Hospital in Rochester.
T. Dean Borland was born Dec. 2, 1924, the
son of Archie and Anna (Putman) Borland
in Hampton, Iowa. He grew up in Albert Lea
Borland
where he graduated from Albert Lea High
School on June 3, 1943. Dean served his country in the European Theater during World War II in the United
States Army. He was honorably discharged on April 16, 1946. On
Dec.11, 1947, Dean was united in marriage to Dolores Larson
at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Dean was a small
business owner including the Looking Glass Beauty Salon, BoDean Beauty Supply and the Rochester Beauty School.
He enjoyed golfing, traveling and fishing.
Blessed be his memory.
Survivors include his wife, Dolores; children, Dale Borland,
Marsha (Borland) Kranebell, LoJean Borland and Scott Borland; grandson, Chad (Nikki) Kranebell; great-grandchildren,
Jackson Kranebell and Audrey Kranebell; and sister, Marion
Thompson.
Dean was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Lois
Madzia.
In memory of Dean Borland memorials are preferred in lieu
of flowers to the Freeborn County Historical Museum, 1031
Bridge Avenue Albert Lea, MN 56007.
George ’Roger’ Gilbert — Spring Valley
Funeral services for George “Roger” Gilbert will be held at
11 a.m. Monday April 22, 2013, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church
with Revs. Dennis Timmerman and Laura
Fladten officiating. Visitation will be held Sunday 5 p.m. to 7 P.M. at the Hindt Funeral Home
in Spring Valley and will continue for one hour
prior to the service at the church.
Mr Gilbert, 77, of Spring Valley passed away
peacefully at his home surrounded by his
family on Friday April 19, 2013, after a lengthy
illness.
George Roger Gilbert was born Nov. 4, 1935,
at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester, to George
Gilbert
Walter Gilbert and Clarice Hillestead Gilbert.
He attended school in Spring Valley and was
united in marriage to Ramona Ruud on Aug. 1, 1955. Roger
worked at Land O’ Lakes in Spring Valley where he retired
as Chief Boiler Engineer after 43 years. A true outdoorsman,
Roger was an avid trout fisherman, trapper and hunter, hunting
rattlesnake and ginseng in years past. He also loved to ride motorcycles and was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church.
Roger was a quiet, gentle and honest man and also a great
steward of the land. His greatest joys in life were his wife, children and family.
He is survived by his wife, Ramona Gilbert of Spring Valley;
son, Roger Daniel (Susan) Gilbert of Spring Valley; daughter,
Lavonne Knutson (Steven Kraling) of Ostrander; seven grandchildren,10 great-grandchildren; and two siblings, Patricia (Robert) Grabau of Stewartville and Marilyn Gehrking of Spring
Valley. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter,
Lucy Gilbert; a son-in-law, Bradley Knutson; and a great grandson, Joseph Mlinar.
Condolences may be left at Hindtfuneralhomes.com
Notices of death
George “Roger” Gilbert, 77 of Spring Valley died Friday at his
home. Service will be 11 a.m. Monday at Our Saviour’s Lutheran
Church in Spring Valley. Hindt Funeral Home, Spring Valley.
Robert Francis Kelly, 87, of Elk River, formerly of Rochester,
died Sunday. A Mass will be 1 p.m. April 27, at St Bridget’s in
Simpson. Macken Funeral Home, Rochester.
Robert Duaine Knudson, 80, of Crosby, formerly of Rochester
and Dodge Center, died Wednesday at his home. Funeral services
will be 2 p.m. Sunday at the Zion Lutheran Church in Crosby. Koop
Funeral Home, Crosby.
Jean Schuett, 90, of St. Charles, Minn., passed away Friday
at the Golden Living Center in St. Charles. Funeral services will
be 2 p.m. Tuesday at the St. Charles Bible Church in St. Charles.
Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home of Winona.
Reno Vantaggi, 100, died Thursday, April 4, 2013, at Maple
Manor Healthcare and Rehabilitation where he had been confined
for the past several weeks. A memorial service for Reno and Zola,
will be 1 p.m. May 2, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Rochester.
Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, Rochester.
Virginia D. ‘Gini’ Anderson — Minneola, Fla.
Virginia D. ‘Gini’ Anderson, 69, of Minneola, Fla., formerly
of Rochester, passed away Friday, April 12, 2013, after a brief
illness.
Gini was born Dec.1, 1943, in Rochester. She
was a mother and housewife and traveled extensively around the world with her husband.
She enjoyed playing golf and kept busy with
her craft hobbies.
She is survived by her husband of 48 years
Larry “Swede”; daughters, Tammy (Dewey)
Mullan and Janet Rabe; four grandchildren,
Miranda, Jonathan, Cody and Kyle; and two
great-grandchildren,
Braydon and Bryson.
Anderson
A memorial service will be held Saturday,
May 4, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Becker Family Funeral Home,
806 W. Minneola Ave, Clermont, Fla.
A Celebration of Gini’s Life will be held June 15, at 25582 E.
Comfort Drive, in Chisago City.
Cremation Choices, Minneola is in charge of arrangements.
Alfred Edward McGinnis — Rochester
Alfred Edward McGinnis, 84, of Rochester, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 19, 2013, at Saint Marys Hospital, Rochester, Minn.
Al was born Dec. 16, 1928, to James and Martha (Schmidt) McGinnis in Caledonia, Minn.
He graduated from Loretto High School,
Caledonia, and St. John’s College, Collegeville,
Minn.
Al served four years in the U.S. Navy, from
1951 to 1955. On July 2, 1955, he married the
love of his life, Maureen Hildhal. Shortly after,
he began his 35 years at International Harvester.
McGinnis
Al is survived by his wife, Maureen; three
daughters, Kate, Colleen (Don) Taylor, Maggie
(Andy) Walsh; three sons, Dennis, Jim (Sally), John (Beth); siblings, Bob (Shirley), Bill (Darlene) and Sister Martha Ann; and
13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, Mike; a daughter, Martha;
siblings, Dr. Jim, Monsignor Joe, Mary, Rita (Klug), and John.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday,
April 23, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 450 S. Pine, Caledonia.
The Rev. Gregory Leif will officiate and burial with military
honors will be in Calvary Cemetery, Caledonia. Visitation will
be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday at Holy Family Hall, next to
the church, where a rosary will be said at 4 p.m. and a scripture
service at 7:30 pm. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the
service at the church on Tuesday. McCormick Funeral Home is
assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences
may be given at mccormickfuneralhome.net
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Riverland instructor named
educator of the year
By Brian Sander
[email protected]
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of
Trustees has named Riverland
Community College biology
instruct Alan Erdahl one of
its educators of the year.
Erdahl was one of four
selected from among 36 nominated by students, faulty peers
and staff. The other three
recipients are Andrew Aspaas
of Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Darci Goeden
of Central Lakes College, and
Susan Thaemert of Hennepin
Technical College.
The MnSCU board bestows
the award to acknowledge and
reward exceptional professional accomplishment and to
encourage ongoing excellence
in teaching, according to a
press release.
This is the seventh year of
the awards.
“These faculty members
have all gone well beyond expectations to provide support
to their students in achieving
their academic goals,” Clarence Hightower, chairman of
the board of trustees said in a
press release.
Riverland Community
College, a member of the
MnSCU system, serves approximately 4,900 students annually through a wide range
of credit-based educational
opportunities. An additional
5,400 students are annually
served in non-credit courses.
Facilities are located in Albert
Lea, Austin, and Owatonna.
Comments? Local news editor Mike Klein/[email protected]
Rochester wants
local DMC money
requirement
scaled back
Staver: New $128M price tag a stretch
By Heather J. Carlson
[email protected]
ST. PAUL — Rochester
officials are urging lawmakers to scale back the $128
million local match for Mayo
Clinic’s Destination Medical
Center initiative.
A House plan unveiled
earlier this week more than
doubled the amount of
money the city of Rochester
and Olmsted County will
need to chip in toward
Mayo’s expansion plan.
Rochester City Council
interim President Randy
Staver said the city had
initially planned to contribute $60 million and was
prepared to go up to $88
million, but the new $128
million price tag “is a real
stretch.”
He added,
“What’s
important
to me is we
don’t want
to unduly
burden the
taxpayers of
Rochester.”
Those
lobbying
Staver
efforts are
primarily
centered on the Senate
where a new version of the
plan is slated to be unveiled
on Monday during a Senate
Taxes Committee hearing.
Mayo Clinic says it is
pledging to invest $3.5 billion
to expand its Rochester
campus and leverage an
additional $2 billion in
private investments over 20
years in an effort to remain
globally competitive. In
exchange, Mayo wants the
state to help the city of
Rochester and Olmsted
County pay for the public
infrastructure upgrades
needed to support that
project. Those dollars would
go toward roads, bridges,
transit and site preparation.
Funding plans
The initial project called
for up to $565 million in state
assistance with funding
coming from a portion of the
additional state taxes
generated by the 20-year
project. But that idea hit a
roadblock in St. Paul where
legislators said they were
concerned about setting a
precedent that would lead to
other companies across the
state wanting to do the same
thing. Under the latest House
plan, Mayo Clinic is required
to spend $200 million on
construction before the state
dollars begin to flow. The
state’s commitment would be
$338 million for non-transportation projects and $83
million for transportation.
Olmsted County’s contribution to transportation-related projects would be capped
at $33 million.
Included in the House bill
are a number of options for
the city and county to raise
the needed dollars. They
include allowing the city to
extend its half-cent localoption sales tax, raise its
lodging tax, use a food and
beverage tax. The county
would have the option of
impose a quarter-cent sales
tax and/or imposing a
wheelage fee of up to $10 per
vehicle.
Senate Taxes Committee
Chairman Rod Skoe said in
an interview on Friday he
has been working closely
with the House Taxes
Committee Chairwoman
Ann Lenczewski and Rochester legislators. While the
Senate plan will not be
identical to the House plan,
he said there will be many
similarities. As for the local
match, Skoe has advised the
city to work closely with its
lawmakers if they want to
get that figure lowered.
At this point, Mayo Clinic
spokesman Karl Oestreich
said the clinic is pleased to
see the proposal continuing
to advance.
“We’re still happy with the
progress of the bills,” he
said. “We’re happy with the
progress, it’s consistent with
our original principles and
goals.”
We want to make
sure we are treated fairly
and able to capture back
some of that tax base.”
— John Wade
Also concerned about the
potential for higher local
taxes is Rochester Area
Chamber of Commerce
President John Wade. If the
city and county need to chip
in more for the project, Wade
said he wants to make sure
that it doesn’t lead to higher
property taxes. Ideally, he
would like the city and
county to have choices about
how to raise that money,
including being able to use a
portion of the additional tax
revenue generated by
development to cover the
cost.
He added, “We want to
make sure we are treated
fairly and able to capture
back some of that tax base.”
Who oversees the DMC?
One area where the House
and Senate plans are expected to differ is in the oversight of the DMC plan. The
House puts the Rochester
City Council in charge of
determining how the public
dollars are spent. The
current Senate version
creates an authority board to
oversee the DMC project.
Rochester residents would be
prohibited from serving on
that authority and all of the
board members would be
appointed by the governor.
Rochester officials said they
have concerns about putting
an authority
made up
entirely of
non-residents in
charge of
determining
what local
projects
advance.
Rochester
City Council
Wojcik
member
Michael Wojcik said he
believes the city council
should get the final say in
how these dollars are used
and should play a greater
role in determining who is
on the authority. He also
backs a change made to the
House plan that requires the
DMC board abide by the
state’s Data Practices Act.
“If the local taxpayers
have to put money in, the
local taxpayers deserve to
have representation, oversight and open meetings and
that is why that authority is
so important,” he said.
Like Staver, he is also
concerned about how much
the city is being asked to
contribute and said it seems
as though Rochester is
being treated unfairly when
compared to other cities
where large projects have
been done like the Vikings
stadium and Twins stadium.
Sen. Dave Senjem, R-Rochester, said he expects that the
Senate plan will change to
allow for at least some
Rochester representation on
the authority, but he said it’s
also important for statewide
representation.
“We can’t entirely give up
the state taxpayers’ perspective on this over 20 years,” he
said. “They have to be part
of the project.”