WESTBROOK, Minnesota (STPNS) -- Elnora S. Swenson

    Services to Celebrate Elnora S. Swenson’s life were held June 22, 2012 at Faith Lutheran Church, St. Charles and in Westbrook at Trinity Lutheran Church Saturday June 23, 2012. Burial was in the Westbrook Lutheran Cemetery.  

      Elnora, 94, of St. Charles died Saturday June 9, 2012 at Golden Living Center, St. Charles.

    Elnora was born April 29, 1918 in Ottoson, IA to Nehemiah and Nettie (Anderson) Norem.  She was raised in Iowa and the Westbrook, MN area.  Elnora married Clifford Swenson January 1, 1937 in Westbrook.  They farmed in the Westbrook area, moving to Revere, MN  in 1966.  In 1973 they moved to Bailey, CO, then moved to Huron, SD in 1982 after retiring. Elnora returned to Westbrook in 1988.  In 2000 she moved to St. Charles to be near her son Don.  Elnora entered Golden Living Center this February.  



    She served as a Sunday School teacher, a church board member in Huron, SD and Westbrook and was involved in starting a new Lutheran church in Bailey, CO.  In Westbrook Elnora was a very active member of Trinity Lutheran Church and a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Saint Charles.

    She was an avid seamstress; served as a 4-H leader; was MN State Farmers Union Education Council; member of the Heritage House Museum and senior center in Westbrook.

    Survivors include her children: Donald (Sharon) Swenson, St. Charles, Inez (Clark) Koechel, Fond du Lac, WI, Kenneth (Jean) Swenson,Marshfield, WI, Kathryn Erickson, Thief River Falls and Leland (Kathy) Swenson, Centennial, CO; daughter-in-law Marvel Swenson Lakeville; 17 grandchildren,; two step grandchildren; 30 great grandchildren; five step great-grandchildren; one great great grandson, sister Irene Pederson, Westbrook; brother LeRoy Norem, Silver Springs, MD.  

    Preceding her in death were her husband Clifford in 1987; son Curtis; brother Norris Norem; grandson John Koechel; son-in-law Roger Erickson; grandson-in-law Jim Hahn.

Joyce Elaine (Horkey) Voelker

    Funeral services for Joyce Voelker were held Friday, July 13, 2012, at the American Lutheran Church in Windom, MN with Pastor Jay Grave officiating.  Burial followed in Lakeview Cemetery in Windom, MN.      

    Joyce died on Monday, July 9, 2012 at the Country View Assisted Living in Walnut Grove, MN.  

    Joyce was born on February 20, 1956, in Westbrook, MN to the late Elmer and Hattie (Kuehl) Horkey. She was baptized on May 27, 1956 at the First Trinity Lutheran Church in Westbrook. Joyce received her education in Westbrook Public School and graduated from Westbrook High School in the Class of 1974.  After graduation, Joyce worked at Toro in Windom for a few months before going to work at the Westbrook Egg Plant.

    On January 5, 1978, Joyce was united in marriage to Delbert Voelker. In the summer of 1989 Joyce worked for Mom’s Kitchen until it closed. In February of 1990 she started working at Hardee’s in Windom.  She continued to work there faithfully until her health declined, causing her to retire in 2008.

    Joyce was a longtime member of the American Lutheran Church in Windom. Joyce found hours of enjoyment doing crossword puzzles, crocheting, reading, watching television and visiting with family.  

    Survivors include her son, Victor of Windom; two sisters, Lois (Willie) Huerkamp of Janesville, MN; JoAnn Mead of Windom; three brothers, Myron (Nancy) Horkey of Heron Lake, MN; Russell Horkey of Westbrook, MN; Larry Horkey of Westbrook, MN; and  several nieces and nephews.  

    Preceding her in death were her parents; two sisters, Bernice Grunewald and Violet Grunewald; and three brothers, Richard, Arland and Maynard Horkey.

Ruth M. Johnson

    Funeral services for Ruth Marie Johnson were held Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove.  Interment was in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery north of Walnut Grove.  Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com.  

    Ruth, 88 of Walnut Grove passed away unexpectedly Friday, July 13, 2012 at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls.    

    Ruth was born April 19, 1924 to Charles M. and Anna (Bergblom) Benson on a farm northwest of Walnut Grove. She was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church. Ruth graduated from Walnut Grove High School in 1942 and Gustavus Adolphus College in 1945, majoring in social work.

    On June 1, 1952 Ruth wed Donald B. Johnson at Trinity Lutheran Church and recently celebrated their 60th anniversary. After their marriage, she moved to the farm with Donald. They were blessed with six children. She was devoted to her children, gardening, and helping on the farm. She was very active in her church teaching Sunday school, singing in the choir, quilting and active in the ladies aid. Her interests also included traveling, especially spending time in Mexico, playing scrabble, and doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles. She was an avid reader, collector of recipes, and loved to cook and bake.

    Survivors include her husband Donald B.; sons: Brian (Sue), Bruce, Eric (Judy), Bradley (Laurie); daughter Linnea (Matt) Surprenant; nine grandchildren: Kaylan (Nathan) Pool, Anna, Ben, Alison, Boyd, Nicole, Caitlin Johnson, Rebecca and Megan Surprenant; and half siblings Judy Glass and Charles Benson.

    She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Emma Benson, Lucy (Dale) Bolling, Edith (Charles) Carter, brother-in-law Morris Johnson and son Steven.