Gene Kotula

Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Eugene “Gene” Steven Kotula, 89, of Clarissa will be held on Friday, January 27, at 11 a.m., at Christ the King Catholic Church in Browerville with Father Peter VanderWeyst officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday, from 4-7 p.m., at the Iten Funeral Home in Browerville and on the day of the service beginning at 10 a.m. at the church. Gene passed away at the CentraCare Health System on January 21, 2012.
Gene was born on December 12, 1922 to Thomas and Frances (John) Kotula in Todd County. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Browerville and he graduated from Clarissa High School. After graduating he lived on the family homestead where he farmed for many years; he served on the Browerville Creamery Board and was Iona Township Treasurer for 50 years.
In 1946, Gene was united in marriage with Audrey Smith and they were blessed with five children. Gene worked at 3M in Alexandria for 20 years before retiring; during that time he and Audrey also owned and operated the Timberlane Resort on Lake Ida for seven years.
Gene enjoyed hunting and he and Audrey enjoyed couples league bowling, traveling and playing cards.
Gene remained on the family farm until he moved to the Long Prairie Nursing Home. He especially enjoyed entertaining children, and spending time with family and reading.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter Sandra (Dennis) Reed; sisters Mary Rodriguez, Sister Doris (Caroline), Genevieve Pieroni, Hattie Irsfeld, Pat Dropping and Agnes Kotula; brothers Robert, Lawrence and Ed.
Gene is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Audrey; children Sharyn (Roger) Busswitz, Avoca, Gene (Judy) Kotula, Stayton, Oregon, Donavon (Catherine) Kotula, Apple Valley and Richard (Amy) Kotula, Baton Rouge, Lousiana; 8 grandchildren: Todd (Elaine) and Tracy (Rhonda) Busswitz, Erin (Justin) and Brent (Amy) Kotula, Jeremy (Angie) Reed, Nicole (Lance) Gilson, Kyle Reed and Jayme Reed; 8 great-grandchildren: Coty and Amanda Busswitz, Hailey and Grayson Busswitz, Sam Kotula, Brady and Lydia Reed and Harmony Gilson; sisters Cecilia Eldred and Shirley McAnaney; and brothers Frank, Vern and Tom Kotula; along with many other relatives and friends.
The pallbearers will be his grandchildren.
Interment will be held at Christ the King Catholic Cemetery, Browerville.

Eldon Maland

Funeral services for Eldon James Maland, 72, of rural Eagle Bend, were held on Wednesday, January 18 at the Faith Lutheran Church in Eagle Bend with Pastor Melissa Ehrhardt presiding. Eldon passed away on Friday, January 13, 2012 at his home in Burleene Township.
Eldon was born on November 30, 1939 to Miles and Velma (Conley) Maland at their home in Todd County. He graduated from high school and began his service to his country when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy on June 18, 1957. He was honorably discharged on October 28, 1960 and returned to Todd County. He was united in marriage with Betty Jane Wolf on April 21, 1962 in Eagle Bend.
Eldon worked in rock picking and landscaping around the area. He enjoyed bowling and spending his time outdoors hunting, fishing and camping. He also loved spending time with all of his family and friends.
Eldon was preceded in death by his parents Miles and Velma; brothers John and Kermit; and sister Mavis Gerlach.
He is survived by his wife of over 49 years, Betty; sons Brian (Catherine) of Browerville and Eugene (Barb) of Eagle Bend; daughters Lonnie (Ron) Sandmeyer of Eagle Bend, Denise Schultz of Eagle Bend and Karrie (Jeff) Tesch of Burtrum; 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; brothers Bob (Geraldine) of Elk River and Donnie (Liz) of Long Prairie; sister Alice Ann (Ralph) Sanders of Alexandria; sisters-in-law Shirley (Wolf) Maland of Eagle Bend and Alice (Wolf) Maland of Arizona; and godchildren Dave Wolf Sr. of Rock Falls, Illinois, Dave Wolf Jr. of Inglewood, California and Wanda Runge of Eagle Bend.
Honorary pallbearers were Eldon’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Alan Braatz, Ryan and Clay Sandmeyer, Shawn Dause, Jordan Maland and Jeremy Schultz .
Military honors were provided by MNARNG Honor Guard assisted by the American Legion Post #280 and Veterans of Foreign Wars post #6318 of Eagle Bend. Funeral escort and honor guard was provided by the Wadena and Little Falls Patriot Guard.
Interment was in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery located at Camp Ripley, Little Falls.