The following obituaries are from the Dec. 30, 2010 print edition of the Jordan Independent newspaper:
David F. Eimermann
David Eimermann, 64, of Prior Lake, formerly of Jordan, died peacefully Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010, at his residence.
Graveside service is on Thursday, Dec. 30, at 10 a.m. at Calvary Cemetery in Jordan.
Ballard Sunder Funeral Home in Jordan provided arrangements.
A celebration of the life of Sr. Alda Riesgraf will be held Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011 at 10 a.m. as a Memorial Mass at St. John the Baptist Church in Jordan. Internment was at St. Joseph Convent cemetery.
After high school, she worked many office jobs and most recently was office manager for American Family Insurance in Shakopee. On March 1, 1974 she married the love of her life, Frank Hilgers. They were blessed with four children: Pete, Mike, Lisa, and Shawn. The family had many fun times living in Jordan. Upon retirement, Ruth and Frank lived in a lovely lake home in Cleveland that they enjoyed very much. They also enjoyed camping at Rush River Park in Henderson.
Serving as an American Cancer Society volunteer, Ruthy also volunteered on the Zion Church Council, the Zion Altar Committee, Zion Prayer Chain, Jordaness Lions and was a Henderson Heritage Days street actress. Ruthy especially loved Pekarna Meats, ranch dressing, seafood salad and was the proud owner of Pepe, the poodle.
She was a wonderful babysitter, caregiver, great cook, faithful telephoner, card sender and friend to many. She had a special way with children and was especially proud of her grandchildren. Ruthy was a strong, prayerful, and courageous woman and once she set her mind to do something, she did it.
Ruthy Hilgers, 59, went to be with the angels in Heaven on Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.
Loved and will always be missed, Ruthy is survived by her beloved husband, Frank of Cleveland; sons, Pete (Kim) Hilgers of Mosinee, WI, Mike (Kim) Hilgers, of Lake Elmo, MN, Shawn (Andrea) Hilgers of Henderson; daughter, Lisa (Jaime) Laughlin of Chanhassen; grandchildren, Kelsey, Madeline, Mikayla, Matthew, Amy, Luke, Andrew, Emma, Jeremy (Kristin), and Muriel; siblings, Jane Schuette, Mark Simcox; brother-in-law, Bob (Joan) Moody. She's also survived by Frank's sisters, Joan Schneider and Mary (Bob) Brown; faithful poodle, Pepe, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Ruthy is preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; sister, Lynn Moody; brother-in-law Butch Schuette.
Visitation will be Thursday, Dec. 30, from 4-8 p.m. at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, 104 W. First St., Jordan. Celebration of Life Service will be Friday, Dec. 31, at 11 a.m. at Zion United Church of Christ, 240 S. Elmwood Ave., LeSueur, with a visitation one hour prior to the service. The Rev. Beth Benson will officiate. Pallbearers will be Matthew Hilgers, Nathan Muehlenhardt, John Breunig, Doug Nachbar and Cody Gerold. Ruthy's honorary pallbearers will be Kelsey, Madeline, Mikayla, Amy, Andrew, Emma, and Muriel. The interment will be at Schlegel Cemetery in Blakeley Township.
We thank the Lord for the life of our dear Ruthy.
Arrangements made by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Jordan Chapel. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
Born on April 14, 1920 in Lone Tree, IA, Earl was the son of Harvey and Ethel (Creech) Dean. At a very young age, Earl's family moved to McGregor, MN. There he grew up with his two brothers and a sister on a dairy farm. Earl attended school in McGregor and later graduated from McGregor High School.
Entering the C.C.C. (Civilian Conservation Corp), Earl learned the trade of cooking. He was the last member in Minnesota to be discharged from the C.C.C. Earl's first job was at a butcher shop in St. Paul. Upon moving to Jordan, Earl started working for Pekarna's Meat Market. Later he worked for Beren's Fresh Meat Market in Shakopee. There is where Earl honed his craft of sausage making, with a focus on developing special recipes. He worked his last years and retired from Cooper's Super Valu in Chaska. Earl was credited for creating the first cheese-stuffed hotdog in the area. Some of Earl's recipes are still being used at Pekarna's Meat Market today.
Meeting the love of his life in Jordan, Earl married Marie Prehal on Aug. 19, 1944 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jordan. After they married, they lived in St. Paul for two years. Shortly after they established their roots in Jordan, Earl and Marie were blessed with 10 loving children. Earl was a man of many interests. Having a love for history, Earl was well known as a town historian of Jordan and a collector of anything associated with Jordan. Earl was also a member of the Antique Bottle Club in Minneapolis and had a passion for collecting many antiques. In his spare time, he loved reading; especially poetry, appreciating the arts, and listening to music.
While loving all kinds of sports, Earl's true passion was baseball. A left handed catcher, Earl played for the Jordan Brewers Baseball Team. He later was a coach for the Marystown Baseball Team and also a manager for the Jordan Brewers. After retiring, Earl revisited an interest from his youth: playing competitive horse shoes. He was an accomplished player, winning many championships throughout the state.
He was a dedicated Catholic, a loving and compassionate husband, father and grandfather. His biggest passion in life was being a husband and father. A wonderful provider for his family, Earl always made sure his family came first and he treasured the time spent with all of them.
Earl W. Dean was 90 years old when he passed away peacefully Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010 at the Lutheran Home in Belle Plaine.
Earl is loved and will be deeply missed by wife of 66 years, Marie of Jordan; children, James (Jody) Dean of Eau Claire, WI, Judy Dean of Jordan, Carol Kleinschmidt of Lakeville, Robert Dean of Minneapolis, Richard (Diana) Dean of Shakopee, Thomas (Dorothy) Dean of Apple Valley, Jean Dean of Richfield, Mary Dean of Minneapolis, Joe (Ryn) Dean of Jordan, Dave Dean of Chaska; grandchildren, Jason Dean, Jeff Dean, Jenny Nelson, Nicholas Ohland, Chris Ohland, Ashly Kleinschmidt, Amber Kleinschmidt, Kelsey Dean, Josh Dean, Madison Dean, Jackson Dean, Camden Dean, Megan Dean, Danny Vasquez; many great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Earl is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, John Dean, Edward Dean, and sister Rose Antos.
Visitation was Tuesday, Dec. 28, from 3-8 p.m. at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Jordan, and also one hour prior to the mass at church. Mass of Christian Burial was held Wednesday, Dec. 29, at 11 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Jordan. Father Thomas Joseph officiated. Pallbearers were his sons, James, Robert, Richard, Thomas, Joe and Dave Dean.
A private family inurnment was at St. John Calvary Cemetery.
Arrangements made by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Jordan Chapel. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com