Funerals

Mary Ellen Hale, age 99 formerly of Hastings, MN, died peacefully on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019 at home, in Vancouver, WA, surrounded by family.  Mary Ellen, daughter of Stephen and Irene (McKinnon) Gray was born Dec. 13, 1919 in Superior, WI.

     Mary Ellen met the love of her life, Bob (Robert E) Hale in LaCrosse, WI.  They were married in Superior, WI on April 20, 1943.  They were blessed with 12 children, 42 grandchildren, 58 great grandchildren, and 4 great great grandchildren. She was very proud of all of her family.

     Mary Ellen was a life member of the American Legion Auxilliary Post 47.  Over the years she held local and district Auxilliary offices.  She retired from the Dakota County Sheriff’s Department as the Head Cook for the county jail.  She always enjoyed sewing and various crafts.  She taught classes at Joanns and Northwest Fabrics in MN.

      Mary Ellen moved to Vancouver, WA in 1990. She joined St John the Evangelist Church and immediately became an active member of the Catholic Daughter of America Court 2105. She helped with the making of many quilts and her talents in crafting and sewing became well known in the Holiday Bazaar world; she always had orders from returning customers, which kept her busy throughout the year.           

     Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, 2 brothers and 1 sister, husband Bob (Robert E.), son Steve, son in law Ralph Shingledecker, and 2 infant grandchildren.  She is survived by 4 sons, Fran (Sharon) Vancouver, WA, Mike (Becky) Green Valley, AZ, Pat (Monica) Aberdeen, SD, and Jim, Apple Valley, MN and 7 daughters, Nancy Shingledecker, Hastings, MN, Kathy (Paul) Shingledecker, Maiden Rock, WI, Sally (Jack) Siebenaler, Hampton, MN, Sue (Mike) Rembleski, Hastings, MN, Mary Lou (Jim) Drahota, Jackson, MN, Lisa (Byron) Woltersdorf, Battleground, WA , Penny (John) Marugg, Battleground, WA, and 1 brother, C. Leo Gray, Lakeville, MN, sisters in law, Javonne Gray, Bemidji, MN, Ursula Pazera, West Bend, WI, brother in law, Ed Hale, LaCrosse, WI, and many nieces and nephews.

     A Mass for Mary Ellen will be celebrated Thursday, March 07, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. at St John the Evangelist Church, 8701 NE 119th St, Vancouver, WA 98662.

    A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 29, 2019 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hastings, MN. Click here for directions to SEAS. Interment, following a luncheon at the church, will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, St. Paul, MN.  Visitation will be held Friday morning 1 hour prior to Mass at the Church.

 Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.
 

The funerals below have already taken place. May they rest in peace.

Marty Cullen, age 80 of Hastings, died February 2, 2019 after a long battle with dementia (LBD). She was preceeded in death by her parents and brother. Marty is survived by her husband, Pat; his children, Eileen (Amal), Dave (Kristen), Rob (Katie); grandchildren, Anna, Lucy, Delia, Charlie and Rose; and sister Tricia (Bella). Marty got great enjoyment working in her garden and keeping the bird feeders full. In Marty's earlier years she was a competitive ballroom dancer and dance instructor. Marty was very proud of having taken an active volunteer role in the presidential campaign for John F. Kennedy. She ran her own small business accounting firm before retirement. Marty supported her husband, Pat, throughout his business career. Marty would often reach out and offer thanks to first responders and military personnel for their service. She will be remembered for her many volunteer projects as well as her kindness and strong spirituality.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, February 9, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 2035 West 15th Street in Hastings. Click here for directions to SEAS. A gathering will be held at church one hour prior to Mass. A luncheon will follow. Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers.
 

Lisa A. Bolster, age 48 of Hastings, died peacefully on January 26, 2019 at Regions Hospital in St. Paul. 

Lisa was born July 5th, 1970 in South St. Paul. She and her husband David were blessed with 4 children. Lisa loved and cherished her family and enjoyed the company of her grandkids. Her favorite thing to do was spend time with David, while gardening together in their back yard. 

Lisa will be lovingly remembered by her husband, David Conner; children, Sammie, Sabrina, David Conner Jr., and Thomas Conner; grandchildren, Jeremy Jr., Matthew, and Addalynn; her father, Eugene Bolster; sister, Kristine (Dave) Korngable; and brothers, Troy and Daniel; nieces, Emma and Olivia; step-father, Charles Larson; In-laws, Rick and Barbara Conner.
Preceded in death by her beloved mother, Joan and paternal and maternal grandparents.

A Memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, February 1, 2019 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2035 W. 15th St., Hastings. Click here for directions to SEAS. A gathering will be held one hour prior to the service at church. Luncheon to follow.

 Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.
 

Alwyn F. “Al” Albright, age 93 of Hastings, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Sunday evening, January 20, 2019.

Al, the son of Alwyn and Della (Miller) Albright, was born on December 6, 1925, in Austin, Minnesota.  Following his graduation from St. Augustine High School with the class of 1943, Al enlisted in the United States Army and later received an Honorable Discharge.  On October 27, 1947, Al was united in marriage to Joyce Beckel in Austin.  Al rose to the rank of Captain over his twenty-two year career with the Austin Fire Department.  In 1969, Al became a Firemanship Training Instructor for the State of Minnesota, which allowed him to instruct countless volunteer fireman over the next twenty-two years.  He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and also enjoyed snowmobiling, boating, and golfing.  Al and Joyce enjoyed traveling around the world and have visited over thirty countries and all continents except for Antarctica.  Al was a Lifetime Member of the VFW, and a longtime member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and by his brother, Wayne (Eileen) Albright.

Al is survived by his wife of seventy-one years, Joyce; children, Douglas (Colleen) Albright, LaVonne (Gerald) Anderson, JoAnn (Jack) Kramer, Barbara (Marc) Jaques, and Kenneth (Zoe) Albright; grandchildren, Grady Albright, Caylee Albright, Kelly Kramer, Ted Kramer, Tony Albright, Andy (Melissa) Albright, and Jon Albright; two great grandchildren, Jazmyne Albright and Madison Albright; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 24, 2019, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hastings, with Father David Hennen officiating. Click here for directions to SEAS. Immediately following the Mass, Military Honors will be provided by the VFW Lyle Russell Post 1210.  Private family interment will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.

Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Thursday morning at church.

Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.
 

Mary Ann (Superak) Amelse, age 83 of Hastings, died peacefully on Monday afternoon, January 14, 2019, at Regina Senior Living in Hastings. 

Mary Ann Angela was born February 18, 1935, at home in Vienna, Ohio, to Bernard & Mary (Tomory) Superak. She grew up on a 57-acre farm, with an acre of grapes from which her father made wine every year. Her father immigrated to the United States from Hungary and lived in upstate New York. Mary Ann was 8 years old when her father passed away. Mary Ann’s mother was born in United States and took care of children of wealthy families near Ellis Island before marrying Bernard and moving to Ohio.

Mary Ann would work doing dishes alongside her mother at the Youngstown Airport. She graduated from Vienna High School and went to Youngstown College for a teaching degree. She went to work for Capital Airlines in the ticket office before getting her degree. Capital Airlines later became United Airlines and she transferred to the Washington National Airport and worked there for 35 years, and also worked at Dulles Airport for 5 years. While working for the airlines, she was able to fly all over the world, taking every opportunity to travel. Some of her highlights were Hong Kong, Tokyo, Nova Scotia, Italy, Jerusalem, and Egypt. That is where she met and married Gerald Amelse on June 9, 1973, at St. Thomas More Church in Arlington, Virginia, and they honeymooned in Portugal. Because of the warm reception from Hastings residents, they decided to call Hastings their home after retirement. Jerry passed away December 18, 2001.

When she would walk her dog, people would say hello. She was a dedicated volunteer at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church and was not afraid to try anything if it interested her. She enjoyed painting, knitting, crocheting, sewing (she even made her own wedding dress), and was a great tailor.

Mary Ann is survived by brothers & sisters-in-law, Audrey Superak, Richard Amelse of Sun Prairie, WI, Lawrence (Virginia) Amelse of Rosemount, MN, Peter (Mary) Amelse of Chicago, IL, Jackie Amelse of Dyer, IN, and Betty Amelse of Chippewa Falls; and by many nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bernard & Mary Superak; brother, Bernard Superak; husband, Gerald Amelse; brothers-in-law, Cornelius, Anthony, Rudolph, John, Edward Amelse; and sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Lewis, Dorothy Yeager, Mary Ann Speckien, Diane, Kay and Adrianna “Jane” Amelse.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 18, 2019, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hastings, with Father David Hennen officiating. Click here for directions to SEAS. Interment will follow at the parish cemetery. 

Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation one hour prior to Mass at church on Friday morning.

Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.
 

Margaret Emma Rohlfing was born on March 27, 1921 in Cleveland, MN to Adolph and Albertine (Strauman) Rohlfing.

In 1938 she was Valedictorian of her Cleveland High School class. She graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1942 with a degree in Home Economics.

Margaret was united in marriage in 1943, to Richard Benhard Behrends of Hastings, MN in Melbourne, FL. where he was training to be a Navy pilot. After World War II, they made their first home in St. Paul. Margaret taught in St. Paul schools and Richard completed college and worked as a Dairy Bacteriologist for the State of Minnesota. In 1951 they purchased a farm in the lower St Croix valley. Margaret was a homemaker and helped with the farm and egg route. In later years she taught home-economics and substituted in area public schools. Margaret was a 4-H leader of the Riverside Routers Club, a member of the Mother’s Club and the American Association of University Women. She enjoyed her family, especially grandchildren and great grandchildren, reading novels, traveling and water aerobics at the YMCA.

Left to remember Margaret are her children: Bruce (Sue), Mark (Sue), Tim (Janel), Barb (Jim) Godfrey, Jean (Rolf) Annexstad. Margaret delighted in her grandchildren: Alec (Abigail), Nathaniel (Kirsten), Peter (Kelsey), Jana (Steve Scholl), Tyler (Megan), Anna, Sam (Jenna), Wyatt, Emily, Matthias and Leif; and her great-grandchildren: Calen, Selma, Kacey, Samuel, Otto, Liza, Emerson, Benjamin and Wynn.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, and her siblings Mabel, Helen and Robert Rohlfing.

Margaret passed away peacefully on January 10, 2018 at the Regina Long Term Care Center in Hastings, at the age of 97.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hastings. Click here for directions to SEAS. A luncheon will take place in Mother Seton Hall immediately following the service with interment following at Lakeside Cemetery in Hastings.

Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Tuesday morning at church.

Margaret's family wishes to extend their many thanks to the caring staff at Regina Long Term Care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Hastings YMCA or St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.

Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel.
 

Raymond “Ray” L. McCoy, age 66, of Hastings, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at his home on Christmas Day, 2018, from cancer. 

Ray was born on May 19, 1952 to Robert “Bob” and Rosella (Gergen) McCoy. He graduated from Cannon Falls High School in 1970. He then spent six years in the Army Reserves. 

Ray worked at the Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant and the Louisville Kentucky Plant for a total of over 33 years. He was a proud member of the United Auto Workers. He worked on the assembly line and later became a master tool and die maker.

Ray was a strong-willed and determined man with an ever curious mind. He enjoyed traveling and discovering new places and experiences, taking trips with his wife, Sandy, and their children to favorite spots in Hawaii and Missouri. Ray found joy in the craft of woodworking, metalworking, and enjoyed playing a good game of cards. He was also a lover of the outdoors. He took pleasure in fishing and hunting with his father, brothers, and sons and always held a special fondness for his love of labs.

Ray was a longtime member of the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Parish in Hastings. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #1600.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra of Hastings; his children, Chad of Hastings, Shaun of Stillwater, Timothy of Hastings, Lisa (Cory) Ferdig of Hastings, and Ryan of Janesville, WI; his step-children Betsy (Rich) Moenkedick, Amanda (Matt) Schaeuble; 3 grandchildren, Tressa, Gabe, and Bella; 2 step-grandchildren, Nick and Sammie; Sister-in-law Cathy (Byron) Hanson, Sisters and Brothers; Jeanne McCoy, Robert (Brenda) McCoy, Janice (Tom) Filkins, and Randall McCoy; aunts, Eleanor Charlton, and Mary McCoy; and many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ronald McCoy, and step-son, Robert Graves.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, December 31, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Click here for directions to SEAS. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00-11:00 a.m. prior to the mass.

Honorary pallbearers will be his sons; Chad, Shaun, and Ryan McCoy, his brothers; Robert and Randall McCoy, and cousin, Andrew McCoy.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorials be made to Beyond the Yellow Ribbon of Dakota County.

Arrangements are being provided by Wise Family Funeral Home and Crescent Tide Cremation Services in St. Paul.

Alberta J. Horsch, age 87 of Hastings, passed away peacefully on Christmas Day, December 25, 2018, at Regina Senior Living in Hastings.

Alberta Jean, the daughter of John and Jeanette (Schaffer) Weber, was born on March 28, 1931, in Red Wing.  Following her graduation from Hastings High School with the class of 1949, Alberta was united in marriage to William J. Horsch on May 16, 1953.  They were blessed with four children and fifty-seven years of marriage prior to his passing on April 2, 2010.  Alberta worked for Eddy’s Drug Store, the State Hospital in Hastings, and later retired from Dakota County as a Court Clerk.  She enjoyed quilting, sewing, playing cards, watching sports, especially her grandchildren’s sporting events, and was an excellent seamstress.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, William; and by her brothers, Bernard, Gerald, and Jack Weber.

Alberta is survived by her children, Jeff (Karen) Horsch, Bruce Horsch (Julie Flipus), Mitch (Peggy) Horsch, and Chris (Mel) Werner; grandchildren, Catherine (Brent) Burns, Andrew (Ashley) Werner, Jordy Horsch, Greg Werner, Ted Horsch, Nick Horsch, Ben Horsch, Jake Werner, Dan Horsch, Rebeka Horsch, Meredith Horsch, and Joey Werner; great grandchildren, Brad and Lexi Burns, and Carson Werner; siblings, Ann McGree, Harriet Wiederholt, and Jim (Jan) Weber; sisters-in-law, Kathy Horsch, Marion Weber, and Marlys Weber; and by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 29, 2018, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hastings, with Father David Hennen officiating. Click here for directions to SEAS. Interment will follow at the parish cemetery.

Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday evening at Caturia, Smidt & Starkson Funeral Home & Crematory of Hastings, and will continue for one hour prior to the Mass at church on Saturday morning.

In lieu of flowers, Alberta’s family requests you to make a donation to a charity of your choice in her memory.

Arrangements are being completed by Caturia, Smidt & Starkson Funeral Home & Crematory of Hastings.
 

Barbara J. Hurley, age 69, of Hastings, passed away December 21, 2018.

Preceded in death by parents; and sister, Susan Johnson. Survived by children, Shannon (Robert) Roeser; Shawn (Jennifer); Brian (Lisa); 7 grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday (12/28) at 11:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2035 W. 15th St., Hastings. Click here for directions to SEAS. A gathering will be held one hour prior to Mass at church.

Arrangements are being completed by Wise Family Funeral Home & Crematory of Hastings.