Nadine Sue Smerud (Jones), 59, of Tomball, Texas died at her home on Thursday, Feb. 21 of leukemia.

Nadine was born on Jan. 11, 1949 in Rochester to Kenneth (“Jake”) and Dorothy Jones (Hayden).

She was very active in her church community, and despite her terminal illness, was influential in starting a children’s choir and an instrumental ensemble at North Houston Seventh Day Adventist Church. She helped organize the Military Family Readiness Group, which supported family members of deployed soldiers.

She is survived by her husband, David of Tomball, Texas, mother, Dorothy Jones of Rochester, Minn., two children, Melissa (Sean) Bauckham of Buffalo Lake, Minn., and Jeffrey (Sheila) Naustdal of Litchfield, Minn., two grandchildren, three brothers, Stan (Deanna) Jones of Sioux City, Iowa, Ron Jones of Keene, Texas, and Kenneth (Linda) Jones of Hope, Minn.

She was preceded in death by her father, Kenneth (“Jake”) Jones.

A wake will be held Wednesday, February 27 from 4 p. m. to 7 p. m. at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home in Rochester.  Funeral service will be held Thursday, Feb. 28 at Seventh Day Adventist Church in Rochester, Minn. with viewing from 10 a. m. to 11 a. m. and service beginning at 11 am officiated by Pastor Wayne Morrison.  Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Rochester.

Ruben Herman, 88, of New Albin, Iowa, died Monday, Feb. 25, 2008 at Franciscan Skemp Medical Center, La Crosse.

Funeral services will be announced by Haugen-Roble-Jandt Funeral Home, Caledonia. 

 
Francis D. “Don” Keefe, age 72, of Brownsville, Minn. died Sunday, February 17, 2008 at his home.

Don was born August 10, 1935 in Caledonia, Minn. to F. Lloyd and Vernice (Corcoran) Keefe.  He graduated from the Loretto High School in Caledonia, earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota, and Master Degrees from South California University and Central Michigan University. He served a total of 23 years in the United States Air Force which included two tours in Vietnam and time at the Pentagon.  Much of his Air Force career was in intelligence and he retired a Lieutenant Colonel.  He then worked for Planning Research Corporation for ten years before retiring and moving to Brownsville. 

On July 23, 1960 he married Elizabeth Knop.  They later separated.  Don was an active member of the St Patrick’s Church in Brownsville where he also sang in the choir.  He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Lions, the Knights of Columbus, the Shamrock Club, and the Optimists.

Don is survived by three children Kevin of Devils Lake, N.D., Michael (Sarah) of London, England, and Katherine (John) Noone of Fargo, N.D.; four grandchildren; two brothers Fr. Joseph Keefe of Rochester and David of Chicago, Ill.; and two sisters Sharon (Vic) Ormsby of Winona, Minn., and Sister Patricia Keefe of Minneapolis.  He was preceded in death by a grandson Samuel Joseph Keefe.

Funeral Mass will be 10:30 AM Friday, February 22, 2008 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Caledonia, Minn. with Fr. Joseph Keefe officiating. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery in Caledonia with military rites by the United States Air Force Honor Guard.  Visitation will be 4 – 8 PM Thursday, February 21st at Holy Family Hall behind St. Mary’s with a prayer service at 8 PM and one prior to services at the church.

McCormick Funeral Home in Caledonia is assisting with arrangements. Memorials are requested to the St. Patrick’s Church in Brownsville.

Gilman W. “Gillie” Meyer, 78, of New Albin, Iowa, died Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008 at Thornton Manor, Lansing, Iowa.

He was born April 29, 1929 in Jefferson Township, Houston County, Minn. to Walter F. and Hulda (Meiners) Meyer. On August 25, 1951, Gillie married Joan Hilkemeier at First Congregational Church in Redfield, S.D. Gilman farmed on his home farm in Jefferson Township until 1968 when he sold the farm and moved his family to New Albin. He then worked for Great Plains Supply Company in New Albin until he retired in 1986. During his years living in Minnesota, Gillie served as Jefferson Township Clerk and on the Eitzen Creamery Board. In New Albin, he was a member of St. Peter’s Church where he served several terms on the church council and as church custodian. He also served on the New Albin City Council and the Volunteer Fire Department.

Survivors include his wife, Joan, New Albin; four children: Alan (Kathleen) Meyer, Holmen, Wis.; Debra (David) Anderson, Rochester, Minn.; Wayne (Jane) Meyer, New Albin; and Clark (Christine) Meyer, Caledonia; eight grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; one sister, Phyllis (Walt) Breeser, New Albin; and one brother, L. Kenneth Meyer, Bloomington, Minn.

Gilman was preceded in death by one brother, Warren Meyer; one sister, Melba (John) Beneke; and one sister-in-law, Leanna Meyer.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008 at 11 a.m. at St. Peter’s Christian Community Church, New Albin. Rev. Dr. William J. Reese will officiate. Burial will be in St. Peter’s Memorial Cemetery. Friends may call at the New Albin Community Center on Tuesday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service.

Haugen-Roble-Jandt Funeral Home, Caledonia, is in charge of arrangements.

Dale Westby Comstock, 74, of Houston, Minn. died in his home on Feb. 8, 2008, after a brief battle with cancer.

He was born on Jan. 18, 1934, in Phillips, S.D. to John and Nettie (Westby) Comstock.  His family moved back to Minnesota in 1935. Dale attended school in Sheldon, Minn. and graduated from Houston High School in 1952. In 1959 he married Marlys Lemke at the Lutheran Church in Houston.

Dale was a Korean War veteran and served in the Army from 1955-1956.  

After returning home, he worked for Fischer Construction in Farmington, Minn.  From 1957 to 1965, Dale hauled bulk milk for the Houston–Money Creek COOP Creamery. In 1965, he went to work at the Holty Feed Mill.  In 1967, he returned to the creamery, initially as a cheese maker and later selling feed and fertilizer. In 1980, Dale became the manager of the Farmers COOP Elevator. Dale also served 16 years on the Board of Directors for the local bank and was a long time member of the Viking Chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America. Dale was a life long member of Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Houston.

He is survived by his wife, Marlys; his son, Tim (Dawn) Comstock of Caledonia; two grandsons; and four step-grandchildren; and a sister, Lelia (Carroll) Blagsvedt.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Linda Kippen; his brother, Neil Comstock; and an infant brother.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008, at 11 a.m. at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church with the Reverend Lane Zaffke officiating. Burial will be in the Stone Church Cemetery.  

Friends may call at Hoff Funeral Home–Houston Chapel on Tuesday from 4:30 to-7:30 p.m. and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday.

The family suggests that memorials may be directed to the Stone Church.

Leroy Dockter, 76, died Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, Wis.

Leroy was born Nov. 8, 1931, in Trail City, S.D. to Theodore and Magdalena (Schrenk) Dockter. Leroy grew up in Ashley, N.D. and served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. In 1956 he came to Houston, Minn. where he married Darlene Ledebuhr on Nov. 9, 1956. Leroy worked for Ace Communications for 36 years. He was a member of Money Creek Methodist Church and the American Legion in Houston. 

Survivors include his wife, Darlene; four children: Douglas (Sue) Dockter, Houston; Timothy (Lee Elson) Dockter, Roseville, Minn.; Thomas Dockter, Money Creek; and Darcy (Lowell) Papenfuss, Bangor, Wis.; five grandchildren; and two sisters: Atlanda Dockter  and Myrdis Heupel, both of Ashley.

He was preceded in death by a twin sister, Lenora and three brothers: Reinhold, Clifford and Lenhard.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 12, at 1 p.m. at Money Creek Methodist Church with the Reverend James Strom officiating.  Burial will be in the Money Creek Cemetery.  

Friends may call at Hoff Funeral Homes – Houston Chapel on Monday from 4 to 7 p.m. and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.

The family suggests memorials may be directed to Money Creek Methodist Church or the donor’s choice.