Funeral Notices

George H. Duffy of Burnsville, age 92, died on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at
his daughter’s home in Burnsville.

George was second of 16 children born to Harry Edward and Ida Matilda Martha (Janisch) Duffy. Some older records, tracing back to Nebraska, were spelled Janiesch.

George served in the U.S. Navy and met his sweetheart, Dorothy Faye Pemberton, at the Naval Air Station in Grand Prairie, Texas. They were married on November 22, 1947 in Tarrant County, Fort Worth, Texas. He alerted his folks by telegram that he was bringing home his new bride. He was a devoted husband and father.

He wanted his family to understand and learn the rich heritage we have in Christ and His Church. George attended First Trinity Lutheran School as a boy. Dorothy was confirmed at Trinity First Lutheran Church and their first two children, Thomas and Patricia, were also baptized there. He was a faithful steward of the church. George helped relocate and build Redeemer Lutheran Church from Orchard Gardens to Burnsville. His next two children, Randal and Valerie were baptized at Redeemer in Orchard Gardens and his youngest; Stephanie, was baptized at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Burnsville.

After losing his wife of 48 years, George learned to depend on his children and grandchildren for care and support. In his final years he went to church in his living room with “T.V. Pastor,” Dr. Charles Stanley. George was a retired 20 year Navy Vet and retired Republic Airlines Mechanic. He was a farmer at heart and his primary love language was serving with his hands. He loved working outside in his gardens. He planted all manner of vegetables and fruits, trees and shrubs, flowers and rocks, in a pleasing array of color and balance.

These were his gifts to his family and friends---a steward, an advisor.

Preceded in death by wife, Dorothy Duffy (Nee Pemberton)

Survived by children, Thomas, Patricia (Allan) Bodenstab, Randal (Caroline), Valerie (Patrick) Adams and Stephanie Duffy; grandchildren, Christopher, Erica, Bradley, Jennifer, James, Joseph, Matthew and Rachel; great-grandchildren, Lukas and Zachary; brother, Leonard; sisters, Gladys, Ann and June.

Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 10:30 AM at Trinity 1st Lutheran Church 1115 East 19th Street, Mpls. Visitation will be held on Tuesday February 14, 2012 from 4-7 PM at Gill Brothers Funeral Home 9947 Lyndale Ave S. Bloomington, visitation also starting one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday. Interment Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to Trinity First Lutheran Church and School.

                                               www.GILLBROTHERS.com
                                         Bloomington Chapel 952.888.7771

Bjerken, Maurice Raymond, D.D.S.

Age 83, of Edina on February 8, 2012.  Born January 19, 1929 in Minneapolis. Graduate of Roosevelt High School, attended St. Olaf and received his B.S. and D.D.S. degrees from the University of Minnesota. Met and married the love of his life Shirley Antonius in 1953. Preceded in death by wife Shirley (2006), parents Maurice and Gudrun Bjerken, brothers Arthur and Robert,  sister-in-laws Gwen Lindberg and Pearl Bjerken. Survived by children: Lisa Bjerken (Dana Widstrom), Gina Donahue (Chuck), Todd (Barbara), Bret (Kelly), Maura Smiley (Dave): 18 grandchildren: Miles (Sarah Valenziano), Julia Duffy (Devin), Paul (Maddy Schaefer) and Reidar Widstrom; Karl and Kristian Donahue; Taurie and Terra Bjerken; Benjamin Bjerken, Amanda, Blaine, Hayley Rutledge; Kira, Karina, Carter, Nolan, Trevor, Annabelle Smiley: great grandchild Max Widstrom; brother James Bjerken, sister-in-law Jacquie Bjerken, brother–in-law Duane Lindberg, many nieces and nephews. Maurie was a popular dentist who, along with his long time colleague Dr. O.W. Zimmerman, worked hard to serve multiple generations of patients at their 36th and Cedar Ave. clinic. A gifted athlete he was All City in football and hockey for the Teddies, a figure skater, a great golfer with a hole in one at Braemar, USTA 3.5  Tennis Team Nationals in Tucson. Passionate supporter and coach of multiple youth sports for his children and grandchildren.  Served as 2nd Lt. US Navy on the USS Oriskany in the South Pacific. Life long Lutheran who taught 7th grade Sunday school for decades. Proud Norwegian who hosted annual Syttende Mai dinners with Shirley. World travel with life long friends, bridge club, a love of music and many happy years as a snowbird at Carefree in Florida were especially good times. Lake Nokomis, Lake of the Woods and Lake Bess were favorite spots. Dad was a humble and loyal man who loved White Castle sliders, Danny Davis tunes, and his extensive circle of friends. He was the favorite uncle to many and Grandpa Duck to all.

Special thanks for loving care to buddy Jeremiah Maturi and the staff at the Wealshire of Bloomington. Funeral service Friday 2-17-2012 at 12 noon at the Historic Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel. Visitation 1 hour prior to the service at the chapel. Historic Site exit (Bloomington Rd. exit) off of MN Hwy. 55. Lunch to follow at the Fort Snelling Officers Club (395 MN Highway 5-Post Road exit). Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to Alzheimer’s Association.

                                           www.GILLBROTHERS.com

                          MINNEAPOLIS, MN                    612 861 6088

Huwe, Verdeen Ruth

Age 80 of Plymouth, MN.  Born October 6, 1931 in Parkers Prairie, MN to Henry and Marie Kalpin.  Preceded in death by husbands, Glenn Engstrand and Vernon Huwe; and sister Iona.  Survived by children, Robin (Danny) Rudick, Michael (Geriann) Engstrand, Chuck (Traci) Engstrand, and Pamela (Christopher) Woodis; 10 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild; brother, Curt (Linda) Kalpin; sisters, Doris Ann Hauger and LaVonne Castle.  Funeral service will be Thursday, February 9th, 2012 at 11 AM ~ Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 5005 Northwest Blvd. in Plymouth, MN with visitation one hour prior to service at the church.  Interment following reception at Glen Haven Memorial Park.

Gill Brothers  763-531-1777

www.GILLBROTHERS.com

Chouinard, Donald J. “Don”

Donald “Don” Chouinard, age 50, of Rosemount MN., died peacefully after a long
illness on February 4, 2012. Don was born in Minneapolis, on March 1, 1961 to
Charles and Betty Chouinard. Following his youth living in St. Louis, MO.,
Minneapolis, and Sturgeon Bay, WI. Don joined the Marine Corps where he learned
cooking and commissary management. He was discharged at Camp La June, NC., after
four years of Military service. He remained in North Carolina following
discharge gaining employment as a chef at several locations in New Bern and
Beaufort, NC., and later took a position as commissary and environment control
manager at the Carteret General Hospital in Morehead City, NC., for a number of
years until his return to the Twin Cities area to be closer to his family. Don
is survived by his paternal grandmother, Ann Chouinard, age 106, Minneapolis;
mother, Betty Chouinard, Minneapolis; father, Charles (Joyce) Chouinard,
Sturgeon Bay, WI.; sister, Debra (Wayne) Parson and their son, Jason, Maple
Grove, MN,; brother, Robert (Dori) Chouinard, Lakeville, MN.; half-sister,
Michelle (Scott) Jorgensen, Green Bay, WI,; special friend, Becky Howard,
Rosemount, MN.; along with numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins mostly located in
the Twin Cities area.

Private family interment Ft. Snelling National Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the Doctors, Nurses, Staff and Clergy at the
Minneapolis VA Medical Cent for their loving, dedicated and skillful care of
Donald through his illness.

                                                     www.GILLBROTHERS.com
                                              Bloomington Chapel 952.888.7771