The following obituaries are from the May 8, 2008 print edition of the Chaska Herald newspaper:

Darrell G. Stewart

Darrell Stewart, resident of Minnesota Veteran’s Home of Minneapolis, formerly of Chaska and Grand Rapids, Minn., went home to be with the Lord on Monday, April 28, 2008.Darrell Stewart

He was the son of Samuel and Rhoda Stewart of Marshalltown, Iowa, where he was born.

Darrell was married to Jean Adele Shadford for 64 years. He spent 22 years of active service in the U.S. Army and served in the European and Asian theatres during World War II.

He is preceded in death by brother, Jerry Stewart; brother-in-law, Mike Lukehart. He will be deeply missed by his loving wife, Jean; children, Alan of Hudson, Wis., Donald of Fridley, Gary (Kathie) of Lynchburg, Va., Kelly (Steve) Nolte of Chaska; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sisters, Susan (Jamie) Freland, Donna Lukehart; sister-in-law, Marilyn Stewart; nieces, nephews other family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, Jean requests that you make a donation to the Disabled American Veterans in Darrell’s name. Online, you can donate at www.dav.org/donations [1] or donate by mail: Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-0301, Attention: Gift Processing.

Funeral services were held at Fort Snelling in Minneapolis on Friday, May 2.

OE Larson Osborne Mortuary, 612-789-3571.

Virginia Lou (Brown)Lano

A memorial service celebrating the life of Virginia “Sis” Lano, age 78, of Harlingen, Texas and formerly of Chaska, will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at the Guardian Angel’s Catholic Church in Chaska. Officiating will be Father Paul Jarvis. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. A Legion Auxiliary service will be held at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society. Burial will be held at a later date in the Valley Cemetery in Shakopee.

Virginia Lou “Sis” (Brown) Lano was born May 30, 1929 in Shakopee, the daughter of Robert L. “Les” Brown and Daisy M. (Fulmer) Brown. She was baptized and confirmed in the faith at the Presbyterian Church in Shakopee. Sis graduated from the Shakopee High School. She received the sacraments of Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation in the Catholic faith and on June 14, 1947 Sis was united in marriage with Clarence Lano, all at the Guardian Angel’s Catholic Church. This union was blessed with children Terrance and Victoria. The family made their home in Chaska year-long until 1984 when they started spending the majority of their time in Harlingen. Sis was a devoted wife and mother. She was very active at Guardian Angel’s Catholic Church and Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Harlingen, volunteering for many various tasks. In earlier years, Sis volunteered at the Assumption Seminary and College. Sis was a past member of the Chaska American Legion Auxiliary, where she had served as Chairperson.

Sis loved being with family and friends, and especially enjoyed being involved with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s activities. She enjoyed playing cards, reading and dancing.

On April 3, 2008 Virginia “Sis” Lano entered her eternal rest at the Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen at the age of 78 years, 10 months and 3 days. She is preceded in death by her parents; son, Terrance “Terry” Lano; sister, Roberta Chadwick and her husband, Ed Chadwick; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Esther Brown, John and Barbara Doyle, Joseph Lano, Marie Henk.

Sis is survived by her husband, Clarence Lano of Harlingen; daughter, Victoria “Vicki” Zebell (husband, Gary) of Le Sueur; grandchildren, Josh Zebell of Norwood Young America, Jill Weinand (husband, Dan) of Norwood Young America, Jamie Zebell of Eagen, Nathan Lano of St. Louis Park, Meta Lano of St. Louis Park; great-grandchildren, Alyssa, Justin, Jacob and Jesse; brothers, Cal Brown (wife, Rose) of Shakopee, Gene Brown of Shakopee; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, ****** and Del Lano of Norwood Young America, Gerhard “Hauser” and Rebecca Lano of Eden Prairie, Ben and Mercedes Lano of Chaska, Cecil and Ray Maiser of Big Lake, and Audrey Lano of Chaska; brother-in-law, ****** Henk of Harlingen, Texas; daughter–in-law, JoAnne Lano of Eden Prairie; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Arrangements are with the Paul-McBride Funeral Chapel in Norwood Young America. For online guestbook visit www.mcbridefuneralchapels.com [2]

Linus James Stelten

Linus Stelten, 79, of Chaska, died Friday, May 2, 2008 at his home.

Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, May 5, at 11 a.m. at Guardian Angels Catholic Church, Chaska, with Father Paul Jarvis celebrating. Casketbearers were Doug Stelten, Mark Stelten, Andy Stelten, John Weckman, Steve Weckman, and Jim Becker. Burial was at Guardian Angels Catholic Cemetery, Chaska.

Linus was born March 9, 1929 in Chaska to John and Theresa (Meuwissen) Stelten, one of seven children. He was baptized, confirmed and attended the parochial school at Guardian Angels Catholic Church, Chaska. On June 1, 1968 Linus married Phyllis Herrmann at Guardian Angels Catholic Church. Linus farmed on the home farm in Chanhassen Township for many years. He also drove school bus for Salden Bus Company and was farm manager for the Jonathan Development.

Linus was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Bill and Leander; sisters and brother-in-law, Evelyn and Hubert Weckman, Marion Weckman, infant Jeanette; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Elaine and Harold Parpart, Wesley Herrmann, Edward Herrmann, and Francis and Shirley Karels.

Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Phyllis; brother and sister-in-law, John and Lorna of Cologne; brother-in-law, Earl Weckman of Shakopee; sister-in-law, Elaine Stelten of Chaska; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Gerald and Lois Herrmann of St. Bonifacius; half sisters, Clara Stelten of Chaska, Cecelia and Savarius Becker of New Prague.

Funeral arrangements were with the Bertas Funeral Home of Chaska. 952-448-2137.

Joseph W. Paul Sr.

Joseph Paul, 83, of Cologne, passed away Saturday, May 3, 2008 at Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia.

Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, May 6, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Cologne with Father Martin Shallbetter as Celebrant of the Mass. Final Resting Place was at the St. Bernard’s Catholic Cemetery. Casketbearers were Bill Paul, Ronald Paul, Tom Paul, Steve Riesgraf, Roger Riesgraf, and Jeff Gansen.

Joe was born on Dec. 6, 1924 in Dahlgren Township, Carver County, the son of Otto and Amelia (Bleichner) Paul. Joe was baptized and confirmed both at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Cologne. On June 14, 1949 he was united in marriage to Elizabeth A “Betty” Riesgraf at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Carver.

Joe was a loving husband, dad, and grandfather. He loved to spend time with his grandchildren. He farmed until 1965. Joe was then employed by Westerman Lumber Company for 27 years. Joe served in the U.S. Army in World War II in Japan. The Cologne V.F.W., which Joe was a member of, stood guard and held graveside services honoring Joe’s service to his nation. Some of Joe’s hobbies were playing cards, fishing, restoring old tools, gardening, collecting John Deere tractors, and enjoying his cabin in Backus.

Joe was preceded in death by his son-in-law, LeRoy Nelson; father and mother, Otto and Amelia Paul; brother, Stanley Paul; sister-in-law, Marge Paul; father-in-law and mother-in-law, George and Frances Riesgraf; brother-in-law, George Riesgraf Jr.

Joe is survived by his loving family; wife, Betty; daughter and son-in-law, Jean and Kendall Nelson Ewing of Norwood Young America; son and daughter-in-law, Joe and Deb Paul Jr. of Cologne; grandchildren, Justin Nelson, Matthew Paul, Nicole Hadges; brothers and sisters-in-law, Albert Paul of Cologne, Norman and Lu Paul of Waconia, Richard and Lorna Paul of Cologne, Mildred Paul of Cologne; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Dolores and Eugene Mayerhofer of Richfield, Leon and Mona Riesgraf of Chaska, Judy and Dale Feldt of Kiester, Donna Riesgraf of Jordan; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Arrangements were made with the Johnson Funeral Home of Waconia; online guestbook is at www.johnsonfh.com [3].

Jacquelyn E. Schmidt

Jacquelyn Elise Schmidt, 77, of Hastings, died Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Home in St. Paul. Jacquelyn Schmidt

Jacquelyn was born to John T. and Agnes C. (Ruff) O'Leary on April 13, 1931 in Kenosha, Wis. She had worked as a clerical secretary, and for the U.S. Postal Service, and married Philip L. Schmidt Sr. on Nov. 19, 1978 in Chaska.

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Susan Swensgaard; husband, Philip; siblings, Muriel, Joan, Virginia, Mary, and Thomas.

Jacquelyn is survived by her son, Roger Swensgaard of Finland, Minn; granddaughter, Daniella (Brian) Teuber; great-grandchildren, Gabriella and Collin Teuber, all of East Bethel; sister, Eileen O'Leary of California; brother, Gilbert O'Leary of Duluth, Minn.

The funeral service was held Monday, May 5, 2008 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hastings. The pallbearers were Brian Teuber, Gary Bennett, Jeff Bennett, Herman Teuber, Charles Schmidt, Denny Keogh, and Allan Bongard.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Our Lady of Good Counsel Home, 2076 St. Anthony Avenue, St. Paul, Minn. 55104.

Arrangements were made with the Caturia-Smidt Funeral Home, Hastings. 651-437-9419 or visit www.caturia-smidtfh.com [4]

Denell L. Peterson

Denell “Del” Peterson, 65, of Blakeley Township (rural Belle Plaine), died Friday, May 2, 2008 at Central Healthcare of LeCenter, Minn.

Born July 4, 1942, in the village of Gaylord, Del was the son of Arthur C. and Iona “Onie” (Wendorff) Peterson. He graduated from LeSueur High School and served in the United States Air Force. Del was in sales most of his life and owned Five State Advertising. In later years he enjoyed reading, bird watching, socializing and spending time with his family.

Del is survived by his wife, Carol; children, Jesse (Chris), Lori (Tara), Daniel (Stephanie), Debra (Jeff), David (SeoHee); grandchildren, Ashley (Shawn), Emily, Nathaniel, Alexander, Alisha, Casey, Andrew, Kaitlyn; great-grandchildren, Noah and Isiah; aunt, Betty Quinn; uncles, Walter Krekelberg and Wilmer Malz.

He was preceded in death by his parents; mother and father-in-law; infant granddaughter.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 10, at 11 a.m. from St. John’s Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine with the Rev. Mark Johnson officiating. Visitation will also be two hours prior to the service on Saturday at the church. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Belle Plaine.

Funeral arrangements with the Wagner Funeral Home of Belle Plaine. 952-873-3424.

Joseph Dean Kubat

Joseph Kubat, 21, of Chaska, died suddenly on Sunday, May 4, 2008 in St Paul.Joseph Kubat

Funeral service will be held on Friday, May 9, at 11 a.m. at the Bertas Funeral Home, 200 West Third Street, Chaska. Visitation is Thursday, May 8, from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home and also one hour prior to the service. A private family inurnment will take place at a later date.

Joe was born Jan. 26, 1987 in Burnsville to Dave and Denise (Hanson) Kubat. Joe was musically gifted; he played the guitar, bass guitar, harmonica, the mandolin and “guitar hero.” While he enjoyed playing music, he also was very creative in writing music and stories. Joe was bilingual, a positive thinker that thought outside the box. He had a zest for life and always had a great outlook on life. Most of all, Joe was a kind and gentle person who loved his family dearly. He would always say “no matter what happens it’s all good!”

Joe was preceded in death by his grandparents, Frank and Mary Kubat. Survivors include his mother and step-father, Denise and Kevin Chapman of Chaska; father, Dave Kubat of Farmington; brothers, David Kubat of St. Paul, Luke Kubat of Chaska, Marc Kubat of Chaska, Mikee Reymann of Chaska, Dan Chapman of Bloomington, Eric Chapman of Pennsylvania. Also survived by grandparents, Dean and Ellen Hanson of Brainerd, Pat and Joe Reymann of Eagan; great-grandmother, Florence Hanson of Brainerd; many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Funeral arrangements were with the Bertas Funeral Home of Chaska, 952-448-2137.