The Tree Project Dedications

A. Bluestem Grove

• 23 trees

• 23 planted

• 5 dedicated

West of Prairie Rose Grove on a smaller ridge that runs in a northwest direction.

• Bur Oak dedicated to Tom and Elsie McKinnon by Peter and Peggy Mckinnon

• Bur Oak dedicated to Margie Vevle Eastwood by Lois S. Vevle

• Bur Oak dedicated in loving memory of our parents Ruby and Oscar Hellerud. Donated by Eileen Hellerud Sarber and Shirley Hellerud Johnson.

• Jennifer Cox Johnson and Bill Johnson dedicate an oak to their grandson Miles Graydon Giroux in honor of his birth on June 1, 2011.

• Jennifer Cox Johnson and Bill Johnson dedicate an oak to honor the baptism of their grandson Dominic Wesley Giroux. Jennifer & Bill also celebrate the wedding anniversary of their daughter Lauren and her husband Brandon.

B. Prairie Rose Grove

• 20 trees

• 20 planted

• 12 dedicated

West of the cemetery on a ridge that runs towards Rice County Road 30. This grove and Bluestem Grove are most visible to travelers on Cty Rd 30.

• Bur Oak dedicated to the memory of Lillian Wasner by the Valley Grove Preservation Society

• Bur Oak dedicated to Marjorie Herrmann Cox by her six adult children: Thomas Cox, Jennifer Cox Johnson, Raymond Cox, Robert Cox, Sarah Currier and Virginia Kearney

• Valley Grove Preservation Society proudly dedicates an oak to Howard Segerstrom. Howard was a board member from the beginning of the society holding every office at various times. From the seventies to the early nineties Howard handled the weddings and cared for the churches’ brass fixtures. Many consider Howard the rock, the quiet strength in the background of the site. He was always willing to help in any way he could and played his keyboard at numerous events.

• Bur Oak dedicated to the memory of Betty Gudmestad by T.K. Gudmestad, Amy Gudmestad and Julie Gudmestad.

• Bur Oak as a memorial to Carl & Emma Iverson. For a number of years, Carl and Emma lived on the farm across the road northwest of the church.

• Marilyn Zielke (Groff) dedicates a tree in memory of her husband Robert Zielke and her parents, Melvin and Liella Groff and twin sons buried at Valley Grove. Marilyn and Robert were married at Valley Grove on June 30, 1952.

• Bur Oak dedicated to the memory of T.K. Gudmestad by Amy & Julie Gudmestad.

• Bur Oak dedicated as a memorial to K. Paul Carson who loved oak trees and carpentry by his wife Mary F Carson.

• A Bur Oak dedicated to Art & Ruby Erickson by Doug Erickson. “Mom and Dad enjoyed the beauty and serenity of Valley Grove and The Big Woods”

• Bur Oak dedicated to Tom Klug by Doug Erickson.

• Bur Oak dedicated to Marge & Arnin Klug, Ken & Cindy Klug and Jim & Diane Klug by Doug Erickson.

• On the occasion of their 60th birthday,  Margaret Barnwell Hargreaves, Anne Barnwell Vavrin, and Elizabeth Barnwell Shirtz dedicate a burr oak to the memory of their parents: Stephen Bull Barnwell and Elizabeth Jane Barnwell.

C. Ken’s Grove

• 30 trees

• 30 planted

• 18 dedicated

On the highest land on the property. Begins at the southwest of the corner of the cemetery and covers most of the hilltop. There is a breathtaking view in all directions.

• Three Bur Oaks dedicated to Ken Sahlin by the Valley Grove Preservation Society for his work on the 2000 land preservation drive. Trees in turn were dedicated to Karin Winegar, Linda Schneewind, Peggy and Peter McKinnon for their endless help and support.

• Bur Oak dedicated to Mathew Nelson by Knecht’s Nurseries Inc. and Landscaping and Strese’s Tree Moving Service, Inc.

• Red Oak dedicated to Albert and Inga Elthon and their son Kenneth by Kenneth & Sylvia Nelson & his sisters Ragna Nelson and Bonna Paulson

• Northern Pine Oak dedicated to “The Harvesters” – Albert and Inga Elthon – Ben and Inger Elthon – Edward and Julia Elthon – Chris and Ann Lockrem by Kenneth and Sylvia Nelson and his sisters Ragna Nelson and Bonna Paulson

• Bur Oak dedicated to Kay Laurine Sahlin by Erik Sahlin, Edna Tow, Jonathan Sahlin & Ken Sahlin

• Bur Oak dedicated to Andrew, Marie, and Leland Rowberg by Brynhild Rowberg.

• Kenneth and Sylvia Nelson and sisters Ragna Nelson and Bonna Paulson dedicate an oak to their father and mother John Martin Nelson and Maria Christina Nelson and their sister Baby Girl Nelson.

• Kenneth and Sylvia Nelson and sisters Ragna Nelson and Bonna Paulson dedicate an oak to Hans Kaurin Mikkelsen, born in Grotaver in Harstad 20 May 1909 and died in Harstad 27 June 2001. He came to Minnesota in February 1928 and worked there for 6 1/2 years. He worked on Albert and Inga Elthon’s farm near Nerstrand for a few years. Hans went back to his home Grotaver in Harstad, Norway, married Magdalene and raised a family (Anne Kirsti and Gerd Anna who married Leif Sigurd Reginiussen). Hans fought the Nazi invaders until the British withdrew from northern Norway.

• Kenneth A. and Sylvia R. Nelson dedicate an oak to honor and remember the men, women and children (called by some the greatest generation) who manned the home front in fields, factories, schools and other pursuits to permit our armed forces to fight and win World War II.

• Kenneth A. and Sylvia R. Nelson dedicate an oak to honor and remember the men and women (called by some the greatest generation) who served in the armed forces of the United States and won World War II.

• Kenneth A. and Sylvia R. Nelson dedicate an oak to the troops of the United States who served and fought during the Korean War.

• Kenneth A. and Sylvia R. Nelson dedicate an oak to the troops of the United States who served and fought during the Vietnam War.

• Kenneth A. and Sylvia R. Nelson dedicate an oak to the armed forces of the United States and their allies who, during “Operation Desert Storm” ejected the Iraqi invaders and restored to freedom the citizens of Kuwait.

• Kenneth A. and Sylvia R. Nelson dedicate an oak to the armed forces of the United States and their Afghan allies who attacked and defeated the Taliban and al Queda oppressors and established a free Afghanistan.

• Kenneth A. and Sylvia R. Nelson dedicate an oak in honor of the men and women of United States armed forces in the freeing of the Iraqi people and the establishment of a free, democratic, and constitutional government in that country.

• The grandmother, aunts, uncles and cousins of Catherine (Catie) Webb dedicate an oak tree in her memory. Although she was taken too soon from us at age 13, we are comforted by the peacefulness of Valley Grove as Catie’s final resting place on earth and heaven as her place in eternity. We miss her lovely smile and zest for life. We will never forget you Catie. Forever in our hearts, Grandma Mary Catherine Chromy, Aunt Barb & Uncle Ken, Matt & Gina, Jonathon, Bethany, Uncle Al & Aunt Laurie, Paige, Roz, Annie Kate, Amelia, Hudson, Uncle Jim & Aunt Renee, Courtney, Quincy, Uncle Marty & Aunt Kristi, Alexis, Natalee, Uncle Jeff, Bev, Trent, Kyle, Austin, Nathan, Aunt Sharon, Dave, and Kayla

D. Gold Finch Grove

• 14 trees

• 14 planted

• 8 dedicated

On the southern edge of the land with a beautiful view of Big Woods State Park. There are several large rocks placed in this grove.

• Red Oak dedicated to the memory of Paul, Sheila and Marsha Wellstone by Friends of Valley Grove

• Northern Pin Oak dedicated to Mimi Veblen Curtin by her husband Donald Curtin as a surprise gift.

• White Oak dedicated to the future by Gro Sandvik of Bergen, Norway

• An oak dedicated by Mary Savina to her parents Anthony R. Savina and Julia J. Savina and to Gary Wagenbach and the other Valley Grove pioneers.

• Bur Oak dedicated to the children of Gary and Linda Wagenbach, Jeff, Paul, and Brian.

• A tree is dedicated to the memory of Lisa Hess of Des Moines, Iowa. While Lisa and her husband Joel lived in Northfield, they attended a couple of weddings at the Valley Grove Church. After moving back to Iowa, Lisa and her mother Marilyn Hrubes happened to stop at the church one evening while a wedding was going on. The sun was setting and the church was aglow from candles in the yard, children were playing outside, and the serenity and peaceful feeling they experience stayed with them for many years. One of Lisa’s wishes was to have a three dedicated in her memory. On June 24th, 2009 Lisa passed away after battling ALS for almost 2-1/2 years. Dedicated to the Memory of Lisa {Smith) Hess from her family: Joel Hess, Shannon & Christopher Johnson, Rachel Johnson & Donovan Bork, George & Marilyn Hrubes, Ellwyn (Bus) Smith, Dennis & Lizabeth Maach, Timothy Smith, Herbert & Julie Barrett and John Barrett, Mike & Bunny Barrett, Jim & Sharon Barrett, and Roger & Liz Wickland. Lisa was such an incredible woman and she will be dearly missed by her friends and family. You never heard her say an unkind word about anyone. She was so self-assured and confident of herself. Lisa was an avid gardener and loved to plant hostas and other shade-loving plants in the Des Moines yard which has lots of trees and plenty of shade. Lisa loved the sun and sought it out whenever and wherever she could. She could work in her garden all day and never break a sweat. Her skin would tan and her freckles would darken, and she just got more and more radiant. She loved living in Minnesota and in Northfield especially. It was a magical place for us. We loved everything about our adopted hometown, and I think it was just a very peaceful and loving time and place for Lisa. Lisa collected Czech pottery and violet plates. She loved to set on her patio and look out over the backyard, listening to the birds and cicadas, watching the wildlife and communing with nature. These are the simple pleasures she got of growing things. She was also a great mother. Her proudest accomplishment in life was raising her daughters, Shannon and Rachel Johnson, to be happy and successful young women. She would sit and listen for hours whenever either one of them had a problem or an achievement to share. She was never critical or condescending, and she always made sure that they knew they were loved. When our grandsons were born, she wanted to be right there to help in any way she could. We were so lucky to be able to share in raising both Christopher and Donovan in their early years. What could have been a very stressful and difficult time for two young women turned out to be a truly happy time thanks largely to her amazing ability to stay positive and to always look for the good in any situation. Lisa had a lot of friends, but her best friends were her mom, dad, sister and brother. When most of her family moved to Arizona, it was really hard not to follow them down there. But Lisa could have never lived that far from her mom, who still lived in Iowa. They shared everything and truly loved spending time together. She and her mom and sister, Liz went on many wonderful trips together. While visiting in Phoenix, Lisa always stayed with her dad Bus. That meant she was also spending time with her brother Tim. Everyone in her family is extremely close and they always shared in a lot of joy and fun. Lisa and her husband Joel enjoyed 29 years together. They had much in common and really enjoyed the time they had together especially the last 2-1/2 years. Lisa taught us all so many lessons, and the most important one to be good to everyone you know. If she had a philosophy, it was to always take care of those you love the most and they will take care of you. We are so lucky to have had the chance to repay her for taking care of us all these years. We will never forget her.

• A bur oak is dedicated to the memory of Cookie Eden (Ruth Cushing Haworth Eden) by her children Brooke, Leah and Nick. She loved the rolling fields and wooded hills of Valley Grove, and the farms and neighbors of the countryside. During the 1960s and1970s she tended 80 acres of gardens, fields and forests as well as the three of us. We are grateful to our mother, who planted our roots in prairie soil, and we hold her safe in our hearts.

• Marilyn Beth Hrubes 1/19/1926 – 2/13/2010 An oak tree has been planted in the Goldfinch Grove and is dedicated to the memory of our mother and grandmother Marilyn Beth Hrubes, who passed away on February 13, 2010. Her tree is planted next to the tree that was dedicated to the memory of Lisa Hess, her daughter who lost her battle with ALS on June 24th, 2009. Valley Grove church held a special meaning for both Marilyn and Lisa. One evening as the sun was setting they drove up the lane to the church as a wedding was taking place. The church was aglow with candles in the windows. Little girls in white dresses were running and dancing in the yard and looked like little angels with wings. Fireflies were lighting the sky with twinkly little lights. It was one of those magical moments that they both spoke of often. Whenever we visited Northfield, we always stopped at the church to experience the peace and tranquility that surrounds The Valley Grove Church. We love knowing that there are two special trees planted in memory of two very special people that we love and miss more than words can express. This tree is dedicated to them from: Timothy Smith, Joel Hess, Shannon and Christopher Johnson, Rachel Johnson and Donovan Bork, Dennis and Lizabeth Maach, Tony, Amber and Hailey Friedley.

• A tree has been dedicated to the memory of Joel Hess. Joel passed away June 7, 2010. He was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather. Joel and his wife Lisa moved to Northfield in 1995 and lived there for 4 years. It was during this time they discovered The Valley Grove Church. They felt a peaceful tranquility among the wildflower fields and beautiful rolling hills. The church held a special place in both of their hearts. Joel and his wife Lisa had a special bond, the strength of which was tested when Lisa was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Joel was a devoted husband who loved, supported and cared for his wife in her time of need. He was her rock, and they loved each other deeply. ALS claimed Lisa’s life in June 2009. Joel found comfort in spending time with family, close friends and riding his motorcycles. The time he spent on the open road, enjoying nature and the beauty surrounding him was when he felt closest to Lisa. We miss Joel every day, but take comfort in knowing he is once again with Lisa, the love of his life, and his mother-in-law Lynn. Their ashes have been scattered amongst the wildflower fields at Valley Grove. It’s very fitting that a place that brought them such peace and joy in their lives is where they have been laid to rest. His tree has been dedicated by Shannon, Rachel and Christopher Johnson, Donovan Bork, Ellywn (Bus) Smith, Tim Smith, and Liz and Denny Maach. This tree along with the trees dedicated his wife and mother in law will form a triangle in Goldfinch Grove.

E. Settlers Grove

• 25 trees

• 25 planted

• 14 dedicated

Located about 200 yards south of the cemetery. This grove follows a ridge that drops as it goes southeast.

• Red Oak dedicated to the memory of Berit & Haldor Hope great grandparents of Peggy, who were homesteaders in the 1870’s and founding members of the Valley Grove congregation. Dedication by Peter McKinnon & Peggy (Hope) McKinnon

• Red Oak bought by a friend of Valley Grove

• Pin Oak dedicated in loving memory of former Valley Grove Pastor Olaf Hanson and wife Helga by their children and grandchildren.

• An oak dedicated in 2008 to honor the 60th wedding anniversary of Truman and Edna Carlson by their children. Edna’s parents were Olaf and Helga Hanson.

• Oak dedicated to the honor of the pioneer ministers by Nancy Powell

• An oak is dedicated to Norman Rosenqvist by family and friends. Norman loved being at Valley Grove. During 2000 when the Preservation Society was in the process of saving the land from development, Norman’s support and especially his calls of encouragement boosted our spirits.

• An oak is dedicated in memory of Gladys Hope Wallin. Valley Grove has been a part of Gladys’ entire life. She grew up just a few miles from the church and was confirmed at Valley Grove as a young woman. She subsequently attended high school and college, married and moved to Duluth and then to Asheville, North Carolina. But she returned to Valley Grove nearly every year with her husband, children and grandchildren to visit cousins, enjoy the birds and wildflowers of the Nerstrand Woods, and to plant flowers at the graves of her father Martin, her mother Gertrude, and later her brother Clifford. Her grandparents Haldor and Berit Hope are also buried in the same corner of the cemetery. Gladys chose to come back to that little corner of Valley Grove at the end of her life.

• Oak dedicated to Ellen Lucille Larson Johnson Born in Chicago, Illinois on March 16th, 1919 Died in Northfield, Minnesota on October 2nd, 2006 Ellen lived a long and rich life surrounded by her caring family of Eldon, Barbara, Eric, Margit, and Tekla, Harpers, Meyers, Larsons, and Scotts, her good friends in Glen Ellyn, Batavia, Northfield and elsewhere, and her appreciative colleagues and customers at Marshall Field’s in Chicago and Oak Brook. “O, home, O, truth, o sun bursting forth through splitting skies! Once more I exist, Once more I breathe, I wander no longer, I live in the embrace of my kin, on my land, in my country, with my people.” -Bertil Malmberg, from Hemma

• An oak is dedicated to Andrew & Helena Engeseth by their grand daughter Karen Rinde Engeseth. Andrew M. Engeseth was the son of Ingebrit I. and Durdei Engeseth. He was born in 1867 and farmed in Wheeling Township his entire life. When the village of Nertstrand was incorporated in 1897, Andrew was elected a Trustee of the village. One of the first schools, prior to the organization of the village, was located on the on the Andrew Engeseth farm. Andrew died in 1955 and is buried at Valley Grove Cemetery. Andrew Engeseth married Helena Rinde, daughter of Hans and Randi Rinde. She was born in 1869 and with Andrew raised seven children on their farm. Helena, known affectionately as “Lena,” died in 1956 and is buried at Valley Grove Cemetery.

• In 1867 Kari Amundsdatter Heje Odden came to the Valley Grove area from Buskerud, Norway together with her husband, Endre Anderson Odden and their three daughters: Kari, Marte and Randi. They farmed in Northfield Township, about 2 miles from the church, near Prairie Creek. All three daughters were confirmed at Valley Grove Lutheran Church (classes of 1873, 1876 & 1878). Not long after Kari died in 1880, her husband, Endre Anderson, and the three daughters moved to the Brooten, Minnesota area. Kari’s grave can be found near the south edge of the cemetery on a direct line from the bottom step of the new white church. The Dedication Oak is given with appreciation by Kari’s Great Great Granddaughters: Carole Lea Arenson (Tempe,AZ) and Patricia Lea Dokken (Newport Richey, FL). In the 1960s Carole and Patricia were living on a farm near Brooten and came back to the Valley Grove area to attend and graduate from St. Olaf College.

• An oak is dedicated to Ingebrit I and Dordei Engeseth by their great grand daughter Karen Rinde Engeseth. Ingebrit I. Engeseth (1815-1892) and Dordei Hamre (1831-1898). Dordei was Ingebrit’s second wife. His first wife was Brita Hukie and they were married in Leikanger, Norway. She died young leaving one daughter, Brita. Ingebrit then married Dordei Hamre and the three of them immigrated to the U.S. in the late 1850’s. Ingebrit acquired land in Minnesota when the Homestead Act of 1892 was passed. They had seven children; twin daughters died of Diphtheria in 1866, at age 2; a son died in infancy, in 1869; four children survived and grew up on the Ingebrit I. farm outside of Nerstrand. Both Ingebrit I and Dordei Engeseth are buried at Valley Grove Cemetery. Dordei’s gold wedding band was passed down to her granddaughter Denora Engeseth upon her death. Today Denora’s niece Karen Rinde Engeseth wears the ring.

• An oak is dedicated to Hans H. (1829-1905) and Randi (1828-1909) Rinde by their great grand daughter Karen Rinde Engeseth. Hans and Randi were married in 1852, both are buried in Valley Grove Cemetery. Hans H. Rinde immigrated to the U.S. from Norway in the mid 1850’s. He was drafted into the Civil War and served as a Private in Co. H, Minn.4th Infantry. He participated in General Sherman’s “March to the Sea.” He was honorably discharged at the end of the War, in 1865 and returned to his farm two miles north of Nerstrand.  Hans Rinde’s brother Erick H. Rinde, servied as a Private in Co. A, 7th Minn. Infantry. He did not survive the War and is buried in the Memphis, TN National Cemetery.

• An oak is dedicated to Henry B & Rose Engeseth by their daughter Karen Rinde Engeseth.

F. Whitetail Grove

• 22 trees

• 22 planted

• 5 dedicated

From the southeast corner of the cemetery and sloping southeast. At almost any time you can see whitetail deer at the lower edge of this grove.

• Red Oak dedicated by the five Quie children and their spouses to honor their parents Albert and Gretchen Quie The Al & Gretchen Quie children are: Fred & Mindy Quivik, Dave & Jennie Coffin, Dan & Luanne Quie, Joel & Sara Quie and Ben & Virginia Quie

• Red Oak dedicated to Lawrence T. Nelson by Charlene Erickson-Knox & Randy Knox.

• Red Oak bought by Friends of Valley Grove

• Oak dedicated in loving memory of Betsy Maitland by David, Todd and Jim Maitland.

• Oak Dedicated to the Rosenqvist Family: Rev Rolf Rosenqvist was born in Baldwin, Wisconsin in 1892. He was a graduate of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa and Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. His first congregation was in Reeder, North Dakota in 1919. He accepted a call to Valley Grove and Little Cannon congregations in 1921 and served these congregations preaching in both English and Norwegian until his death in 1946 in Faribault, Minnesota . Alma (Mrs. Rolf) Rosenqvist was born in Minneapolis in 1896. She died in 1988 at age 92. Both are buried in Valley Grove Cemetery.

• Three sons served in World War II. Rolf – M/SGT U.S. Army Air Corp 1945 He lives in NH with his wife, MaryJane and children, Mark and Ann; Paul – 1st Lt 9th Air Force, served in England & Belgium He lives in Waldport, OR with his wife, Irene; Mark – PFC 12th Armored Division, KIA 1944; Son, Norman, served post-WWII as a1st LT, B52 pilot in the Strategic Air Command died , buried in Valley Grove Cemetery; Daughter, Ruth, born 1926, died in 1994 in a single car accident; Daughter, Carol, born 1927 Lives in Cottage Grove, MN Her children, Pat, David, Joyce and Dean also live in MN with their families.

G. Tyske Grove

• 26 trees

• 26 planted

• 12 dedicated

East of the cemetery extending eastward to the DNR land. The terrain is high at the cemetery and slopes down towards the east.

• We, the members of the First United Church of Christ, Northfield, dedicate a bur oak to Todd Lippert, who served as its senior minister from 2012 to 2020. Todd was a champion of community service, a leader from the pulpit and in the office and on the softball diamond, a teller of stories that we needed to hear, a comforter and friend to the young and the old, and a channel and a source of God’s spirit. As Todd deepened the work of the church through connections with ISAIAH, an organization dedicated to biblical justice and the common good throughout Minnesota, so we honor and remember Todd with these words from the sixty-first chapter of Isaiah: God has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to comfort all who mourn. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting and the glory of God. For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes its seed to spring up, so God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.

• An oak tree dedicated on August 6th, 2020 to honor the 60th Wedding Anniversary of Gary & Linda Wagenbach by their children Jeff, Paul and Brian.

• In memory of Qiguang Zhao, “Oh high, we would be two birds flying wing to wing. On earth, two trees with branches twined from spring to spring.”

• Bur Oak dedicated to the memory of Arnie Rudningen by the Valley Grove Preservation Society

• Bur Oak dedicated to the memory of Louis & Amanda Heggedahl by Leif & Deb Knecht.

• Bur Oak dedicated to Barbara A. Hope’s pioneer ancestors the Hopes and the Hukees.

• Valley Grove Preservation Society proudly dedicates an oak to John Maakestad. On June 21, 1973 John became the first chairman of the board for this society which was then called ‘Society For The Preservation Of The Valley Grove Church Building’. This non-profit was formed to save the 1894 clapboard church from being razed. John was the leader during this troubling time and his action on behalf of the church site can be found in old newspaper articles and many court papers. John was key to in the white church building and along with several other area residents and farmers, he grew crops to help pay the expenses for this cause. The church was officially saved May 29, 1975. This same year John started the evening Christmas eve services. During the 1970’s and 1980’s John was considered the unofficial caretaker of the church. John returned as a board member during the 1990’s and into this century.

• In memory of the family of Ole Halgrimson Vold and Brynhild Engebretsdtr. Gandrud, who emigrated, from Fla, Hallingdal Norway to Rice County, Minnesota in 1861. They resided there for 11 years until they moved to Worth County, Iowa. The oak is dedicated by their great granddaughter The Rev. Cynthia Vold Forde, D. Min.

• An oak tree is dedicated by Ruth Hukee Jeffery of Eston, Saskatchewan, Canada in loving memory of her father Hans Ole Hukee (1876-1927)) and her brother Raymond Edwin Hukee (1921-1999). Hans Hukee emigrated from Minnesota to Semans, Saskatchewan, Canada where he met and married Isabella Traynor in 1920. Their two children, Ruth and Raymond, were born and raised in Semans. Raymond Hukee served as a bomber pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force England in WWII. On his second flight he was shot down and held as a prisoner of war for 18 months. After returning from the war, he settled in Regina, Saskatchewan where he worked at Burroughs office equipment until his retirement. He is most fondly remembered as an accomplished player of the bagpipes with the South Saskatchewan Regiment Bag Pipe Band.

• Bur Oak dedicated to the memory of Arnold and Orpha Elkin, parents of Linda (Elkin) Wagenbach, and Edward Wagenbach and Florence (Maack) Wagenbach parents of Gary Wagenbach.

• An oak tree is dedicated by Bill Jeffery and his children, of Eston, Saskatchewan, Canada in loving memory of Ruth Beatrice (Hukee) Jeffery (1926-2005). Ruth was born in Semans, Saskatchewan on August 4, 1926 to Isabella and Hans Ole Hukee. She received her public and high school education in Semans and graduated from the Regina General Hospital nursing program in 1947. She moved to Eston, Saskatchewan in 1947 to nurse in the Eston Union Hospital. Ruth will be remembered for her commitment to the community of Eston by the many contributions she made through her professional nursing practice, her involvement with the Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Order of the Eastern Star and numerous other volunteer roles. Ruth had a great love of music and for over 30 years sang in the St. Andrews United Church choir and devoted many hours as piano teacher and accompanist, church organist and music festival organizer. She was a creative and gifted seamstress and knitter whose handiwork and needlework still grace the homes of her children. She is missed so much and remembered lovingly by her family and many friends.

• William Albert Jarvey Memorial. On March 25, 2015, Bill Jarvey was laid to rest in the peace and serenity of the Valley Grove cemetery. He passed away at the age of 92 and was surrounded at the time by his wife, Dorothy Severson Jarvey, and their five children. Bill had grown to cherish the Valley Grove churches and cemetery over the years. Sixty seven years ago, the old wooden church had been the site of his marriage to his beloved Dorothy; and 4 years ago one of his daughters was also married there. The Severson farm, just down the road, has been a site of joy-filled family gatherings over the decades. The Nerstrand woods and surrounding farm lands have been the venue for innumerable peaceful walks during his lifetime. It is a place of beauty and serenity that he loved. His life was celebrated on March 26, 2015 at Messiah United Methodist Church in Plymouth, MN . Bill and Dorothy’s children and their families were blessed to spend time as a family for the better part of that week, remembering and appreciating his life. We will miss his determined spirit and his tender heart.

Heaven’s Victory

He came to earth for us to save
Who knew the Holy could know grave?
Yet on that ground he swallowed death
For us Christ Jesus gave up breath.

Now flesh made sacrifice of praise
By Spirit our song in voices raise
And where that winged cherub rests
The Holy makes His presence set.

Earthen temples to dust do fall
First death to one and then to all
Yet now heaven’s touchable space
Welcomes Grandpa, risen by grace.

With faith child-like you have come
Enter to rest Servant, well done
Ushered now to heaven’s true fame
On earth we echo that acclaim.
~Luke Wagner, grandson.