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Dana Stimler died unexpectedly of a heart attack the evening of October 14, 2009 in Sandy, Utah. She was born July 27, 1955 at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego, California to the late Dana Diane Stimler 1955-2009 Richard and Diane (Anderson) Stimler. Over the course of her life she lived in Long Beach and Vallejo, California; Washington, D.C.; Key West, Florida; Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Jacksonville and Rogue River, Oregon; and Murray and Salt Lake City, Utah. She graduated from Vallejo Senior High School in 1973 and graduated with a B.A. in History from Southern Oregon College.
Dana was of the Mormon faith and as a consequence she served at a mission in Costa Rica while in her early 20s. She was a tender-hearted person who had a special affinity for animals, children and disabled individuals, and worked for a number of years in Oregon with special-needs adolescents. She was an avid genealogist and frequent contributor to the family web site. She also enjoyed aquatic exercise and passed away while engaging in her favorite sport.
Dana is survived by her siblings, Rae (Leon) Bordua of San Francisco, California; Sandy (Doug) Beck of Columbia, Missouri; Jody Stimler and Joe Donofrio of South San Francisco, California and Paul Stimler and Wendi Jo Nadler of Lagunitas, California; nephews, Nick and Keegan Donofrio; numerous dear friends and relatives; and her beloved kitty Rainbow.
Dana was preceded in death by her parents.
A memorial service celebrating her life was held on Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at 3:30 p.m. at the LDS Chapel located on 8825 S. 150 W., Sandy, Utah. The memorial was followed by a lasagna dinner for family and friends. Internment was on Oct. 23, 2009 at Siskiyou Memorial Park in Medford, Oregon.

Dennis Jabas passed away on September 20, 2009. He was born November 11, 1948 in Little Falls, Minnesota to the late Louis and Ethel (DeZurik) Jabas. He grew up in Little Falls and graduated from Little Falls High School in 1969. For 36 years, Dennis was employed by the Electrolux Company in St. Cloud, Dennis Paul Jabas 1948-2009 MN as an assembly line worker until the time of his death. Dennis loved helping people with various jobs along with enjoying fishing. He was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls, MN and a member of Machinist Local Lodge #623 for 36 years.
Dennis is survived by his brothers, Duane (Kathleen) Jabas of White Bear Lake, MN, and Joseph Jabas of Valdez, Alaska; nephews, Steven and David Jabas; nieces, Dawn Jabas and Toni Ross; great niece, Hannah Ross; and great nephews, Joshua Ross and Caleb Jabas.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Ethel Jabas and a nephew, Karl Jabas.
There will be a Mass of Christian Burial 11 AM at Our Lady Of Lourdes Catholic Church, Little Falls, on Tuesday, September 29th, 2009. Visitations will be from 4:00PM to 7:00PM on Monday, September 28th and 9:00AM to 10:30AM on Tuesday, September 29th, 2009 at Shelley Funeral Chapel. Interment will be at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Cemetery in Little Falls.

Bonnie, Kornelia and Dick Kampa, 2009 Polish pastries and coffee
Dick and Bonnie Kampa spent three weeks in Europe this summer, touring in Tuscany, Provence, Prague and Opole, Poland. They met some of our possible Kampa clan while in Polska Nowa Wies, the village near Opole from which Martin Kampa and family emigrated on their way to Duelm, Minnesota.
Read all about it and see all the photographs in Dick and Bonnie Kampa's Trip to Opole!

Jose "Jo" M. Streit (née Kampa), loving wife, mother and grandmother, of Minneapolis, died peacefully surrounded by family from a stroke on August 19, 2009 at the age of 79. She was born in St. Cloud, Minnesota on Apr. 23, 1930. She taught for 25 years at Nativity of Mary School in Bloomington. Jo was an avid square dancer and enjoyed traveling. Jose Marie Streit (née Kampa) 1930-2009
Preceded in death by her parents, Albert J. and Celestine Kampa; brothers, Albert J. Kampa Jr. and Jim Kampa, Jo is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Jim; sons, Julian (Jeanine), Joseph (Sue), Jeffrey and Jared (Tricia); grandchildren, Joshua, Nicholas, Jessica, Jacob, Kelly, Thomas, Alex, Mikayla, Maddi and Evan; brother, Rev. Dennis Kampa; sister, Kathy Marturano; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
There was a Mass of Christian Burial 10 AM Monday, Aug. 24 at Nativity of Mary Church, 900 Lyndale Ave. S., Bloomington. Visitation was from 4-8 PM Sunday, Aug. 23 at First Memorial Funeral Chapel in Edina and one hour prior to the service at church on Monday. Interment was at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis.
Franciska 'Frances' Cecelia Schaaf (née Stimmler)


We have connected with our Stimmler cousins from the Frances Stimmler and Joseph Schaaf family line, Berne Mitton and Judy Schaaf. They have shared photographs of Frances Stimmler Schaaf, son Joseph N. Schaaf and his wife Anna, Carolyn and Valentine Schaaf, and the gravestone of Joseph N. Schaaf. We are very grateful to Berne and Judy for their contributions.
Funeral of Hubert O'Konek
LoisMarie O'Konek shared some photographs taken at her father Hubert's recent funeral in April.
Sally Berthiaume sent pictures taken at her son Marshall's wedding in Minnesota this July.
Brothers Leo, Mark and Paul Stimmler shared reminiscences of their father's twin brother, their beloved Uncle Val.
Thanks to everyone for their kind remembrances and photos!

Joan Dingmann has graciously shared the results of her many years of diligent genealogical research: Baptismal Record of Crescentia Sohn, Alt Wiesloch, Germany; Certificate of Military Service of Anthony Stimmler, given Sept. 6, 1889; Baptismal Record of Johann Stimmler, Strasbourg, France and photographs taken about 1940 at Bertha Dingmann's place, Clear Lake, Minnesota. Thank you, Joan; we truly appreciate it!
There are new biographies for Bertha M. Stimmler (née Goenner), Rudolph Stanwood Lundblad, Leola Kathryn Dingmann (née Weis), Franciska "Frances" Dziuk (née Kampa), Tomasz "Thomas" Dziuk, Albert John Kampa, Emma Maria Low (née Kaufmann) and Paul Wayne Stimler.

Dick and Bonnie Kampa just received copies of letters Kyle and Kelle got from their schools. They are the children of Ron and Phuong Kampa. Kyle finished his sophomore year at Boston University and was named to the Dean's List for Spring semester. Kelle completed her freshman year at Rice University being named to the President's Honor Roll.
Mark and Suzanne Kampa's daughter MacKenzie graduated high school a year early and with high honors. She's taking her time to decide where and when to attend college but has interests in medical or social services or in the church mission field.
Daughter Kaydie Kampa and Richard Vistelle's daughter Mélanie graduated high school with high honors, national recognition in French Society, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and Scholars Society. She will attend University of Florida this fall.
Congratulations to all the family graduates and scholars!

Kristen and Colin Stimmler Kristen Louise Kern and Colin Michael Smith Stimmler were married at 3:30 p.m. Friday, May 22, 2009 at Saint Francis Xavier R.C. Church in Brooklyn, New York. Father John Gilmartin and Father William Rueger performed the ceremony, and uncle Joe Stimmler assisted in the Liturgy. Parents are Kate and the late Jim Kern and Kathleen and Leo Stimmler of Garden City, New York.
Reception was poolside at the Brooklyn Botonical Gardens. The dinner dance was inside one of the decorated greenhouses. Chad Stimmler gave an extemporaneous toast to his brother without notes that had people gaping in awe.
The bride and groom honeymooned in the beautiful Seychelle Islands. We wish them every happiness as they celebrate the love they share!

Cousins Lance Corporal Spencer Hegenbarth and Captain Roy Mokosso, Iraq, early 2009

Bob Mullally sent a recent photograph of his grandson Lance Corporal Spencer Hegenbarth and nephew Captain Roy Mokosso in Iraq. They are Marine Reservists in the same unit but are working in different locations. Spencer is stationed in Al Taqaddum and Roy in Al Asad, both of which are airbases.

Jane Stimmler, Molly Shepard and Peter Dean were signing their book, Breaking into the Boys Club, a guide for women who want to advance in the workplace, on Wednesday, June 3, 2009 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Head House Books in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In spite of a number of high profile successes for women, the business world is still predominantly a male-dominated culture. This new book help women get ahead by understanding what they may be up against in the organizational culture, and how to acquire political savvy and utilize it in a positive way. The book will be at train stations and airports across the country and at Hudson Books during June in addition to Amazon, Borders etc. Jane has been blogging on womenonbusiness.com and the authors have been interviewed by ForbesWoman and Marie Clare magazine.

Lorraine M. Kosny (née Dezurik) died on Friday, May 1st, 2009 at the age of 82. She was born Sept. 19, 1926 in Benton County, Minnesota to Joseph and Mary Katharine (Popilek) Dezurik. After sister Mary Jane retired from the trick yodelling virtuosos known as the Dezurik Sisters (AKA Cackle Sisters), younger sister Lorraine teamed with Carolyn Dezurik Gill in 1948 to continue the act. In 1949 the Prairie Ramblers and the DeZurik Sisters left Chicago for jobs at WLW radio and WLW-TV in Cincinnati, Ohio. They appeared regularly on the Midwestern Hayride, a Saturday night barn dance type show carried by the National Broadcasting Company's television network. After two years in Cincinnati, Lorraine retired from show business and married seaman and machinist Edward Kosny. They moved to King County, Washington. Edward died in Seattle on Christmas Eve 1974 at the age of 48. Lorraine was a widow for another 35 years before passing away in Renton, Washington, just 18 miles away. She was predeceased by her parents and seven siblings. A younger sister, Delphine, survives.

Carolina Anna Gill (née DeZurik), 1919-2009 The funeral Mass for Carolyn A. Gill (née DeZurik), 90, was held at 10 a.m. Monday, March 23, 2009 at St. Isidore Catholic Church, 427 W. Army Trail Road, Bloomingdale. Visitation was from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 22, at Brust Funeral Home, 415 N. Gary Ave., Carol Stream.
Carolyn was a performer with her sister, Mary Jane, as the DeZurik Sisters, AKA Cackle Sisters. She performed on the WLS National Barn Dance, WSM Grand Ole Opry and is a part of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
She was the loving wife of the late Ralph "Rusty"; loving mother of the late Donald (the late Patricia); loving grandmother of Kevin, Bryan (Jamie) and Karen (Steve) Borris, and great-grandmother of Joshua, Brandon, Connor, Zachary, Alexa, Nicole, Haley and Cody; and beloved sister of the late Ethel, the late Jerry, the late Mary Jane, the late Eva, Lorraine and Delphine.

Thanks to Sharon Farrah's in-depth research and assistance, there are now biographies posted for Anna Mary Gapinski (née Zylla), Victoria Edna Herbst (née Kampa), Charles Joseph Herbst and Joseph P. Kampa. Sue Swanson and Joan Dingmann assisted on biographies for brothers Aloysius Theodore Dingmann, Francis Edward Dingmann and Minrot Paul Dingmann. For those interested in the Bordua family line, there's a new biography for matriarch Oliviana Bordua (née Savaria).
Lynette Panzott has shared some great new photos of her and her adorable daughter Gianna taken earlier this year. Thank you, Lynette!
Pat Stimmler would like the family to know that his brother Charlie has moved into a newly constructed wing of the Good Shepherd Apartments in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota where their mom and dad once lived. Pat moved him in last December and the thing Charlie loves the most are the quiet neighbors. He's the youngest one there, but he really likes it.

Hubert L. 'Hub' O'Konek (1923-2009) Hubert L. “Hub” O’Konek, 85, longtime Superior resident, died Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at the Golden Living Center in Superior.
He was born on July 28, 1923 in Sherburne County in Minnesota to Joseph and Frances (Kampa) Okonek.
He served his country in the United States Navy.
Hub married Ruth Day on October 25, 1944 and has been united in marriage for sixty-four years.
He worked at the former Russell Creamery as a Foreman of the Ice Cream Division retiring in 1979.
He was a member of Cathedral of Christ the King Catholic Church and the Holy Name Society. He was an auxiliary policeman for the Civil Defense League in Superior, an active supporter of the Boy Scouts and PTA, and a charter member of the Fishing Hall of Fame in Hayward, WI.
Hub is survived by his wife, Ruth, children, Judith Ann “Annie” (William) Stephan, Ft. Bragg, CA, Lois Marie (special friend, Roger Pettit) O’Konek, Fairhope, AL, Nancy (Michael) Biele, Lyons, CO, Joseph (Linda) O’Konek, Bellevue, WA and Suzanne (Robert) Radtke, Elkhorn, WI; seven grandchildren, David Rantala, James (Nancy) Rantala, Nathan (fiancée, Tiana Gierke) O’Konek, Tricia and Megan O’Konek, Anthony Biele, and Jessica (Todd) Grabe; three great-granddaughters, Tori and Chelsea Rantala and Olive Grabe; two sisters, Mary Ann Moog, St. Cloud, MN and Mildred B. Reitsma, New Brighton, MN; five brothers, Herman (Rosemary), St. Cloud, MN, Gilbert, Isanti, MN, Eugene (Joann), Columbia, SC, Bernard (Cheryl), Coon Rapids, MN and Virgil O’Konek, New Brighton, MN and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
Hubert is preceded in death by his parents, sister, Genevieve and three brothers, Vincent, Mark, and Jerome.
Visitation was at 12 noon on Saturday, April 18, 2009 at Cathedral of Christ the King Catholic Church where a 1:00 PM Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held with Rev. Fr. Daniel Dahlberg as celebrant. Inurnment will take place at a later date at Ft. Snelling Veteran’s Cemetery.
Should family and friends desire, memorials may be made to the Boy Scouts of America or to the Golden Living Life Fit Program, Superior.
The family would like to thank the entire staff of the Golden Living Center for the care and compassion shown to Hubert.

Dave and Barbara (Mullally) Hegenbarth were featured in a very complimentary business profile of their grocery and convenience store business in the Spring 2009 River Valley Business Report. In additional news, they recently had a "going away" party for their son, Marine Lance Corporal Spencer B. Hegenbarth, on Saturday, March 21st to celebrate his deployment. Congratulations to Dave, Barb and Spencer!
We've had word that one of our Stimmler cousins, Dick Baffa's grandson, Michael Baffa, was injured in Afghanistan. He was a gunner perched on top of a tank when his vehicle was hit. Although his injuries are not life-threatening, he is in a hospital and will need plastic surgery on his face. Michael's father, Dick, is an admiral somewhere over in the Far East. He has two sons in combat, Ricky and Michael; it was Michael who was injured on Monday, March 30th. We send Michael our feverent wishes for a speedy and complete recovery. Many thanks and much honor to him and all our other courageous military men and women for their dedication, bravery and service!

Thanks to Sharon Farrah's diligence and research, there are now biographies for brothers Frank W. Kampa and Valentin M. Kampa, Jr., and Valentin's adopted daughter, "orphan train" baby Theresa "Tracy" Pietron (née Harris).

Heather Stimmler-Hall in ABC News segment, 'The Ugly Americans, Part 1', Jan. 23, 2009
Lovely and charming Heather Stimmler-Hall can be seen in this ABC News video segment, "The Ugly Americans, Part 1", from Jan. 23, 2009.
We would like to congratulate Kendra Kirkpatrick and her fiance Chris upon their recent engagement. He sent her on a treasure hunt that culminated at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in DC. The onlooking crowd gave the amorous couple a round of applause. She and Chris had their engagement party in Santa Cruz, California on Sunday, Mar. 8, 2009.

Leo Stimmler retired after 34 years
Leo Stimmler retired on Feb. 27, 2009 after working with the New York City Health and Hospitals Corp. as the Associate Executive Director of Chemical Dependency. He was honored with a retirement celebration, hors d'oeuvre reception and dinner on the 10th Floor Solarium at the Woodhull Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY. It's a great pleasure to send Leo our congratulations on thirty-four years of service and wish him the best of luck now and in the future.

Dick Stimler throwing a football, late 1940s  There are new biographies posted for Emil Albert Parent (1896-1992), his daughter Mary Eileen Parent (1924-1925), Kay Ann Gapinski (née Jerve), Bernard G. Imholte (1860-1893), brothers John Anthony Dingmann (1891-1954) and Adolph Henry Dingmann (1898-1979), Mildred Edith Shea (née Bordua), Roy William Herbst (1913-1983) and Helen E. Popilek (1903-1919). There also are some photographs of Helen Hengel hunting in October-November 2002. Bob Mullally contributed a book with information that led to a new biography for Elizabeth M. Bender (née Imholte) (1886-1984). Sharon Farrah greatly assisted with research toward a biography of Agnes Kampa (née Brenny) (1825-1908). Cathie Steffen kindly contributed information for biographies of ancestors Frances Labusga (née Kampa) (1851-1911), Mary F. Emmerich (née Labusga) (1887-1972) and Donald John Emmerich (1915-1988). Jeanne Gendreau Carley has graciously shared her modern adaptation of the traditional Poppyseed Strusel Kuchen baked by generations of Kampa women. Sweet Sally Berthiaume provided some photographs of Dick Stimler during his college days. Thank you all for your generous donations!

Alfred 'Al' A. Maier (1928-2009) Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, 2009 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Sauk Rapids, for Alfred “Al” A. Maier who died March 17 at St. Cloud Hospital. He was 80 years old. Reverend Ronald Weyrens officiated. Burial was at Annunciation Parish Cemetery, Mayhew Lake, Minnesota.
Al was born on December 14, 1928 at the St. Cloud Hospital to August “Gus” and Alma Maier. On June 10, 1953, Al married Shirley M. Kessler at St. Michaels Church in Buckman, MN. Al and Shirley raised their five sons on a farm in Graham Township in Benton County. Besides the farm, Al developed a trucking business that he and Shirley operated for over 30 years. They sold the trucking business and Al became “semi-retired”. Al served as a field representative in the dairy industry for several years; he also worked as a driver with Larson Bus Service. Al was also very proud to have served for over twelve years on the Board of Directors for the East Central Electric Cooperative; and this highlighted by the fact that his father “Gus” also served on the Boards in the 1940’s. Al led a fairly diverse life; some of his favorite hobbies over the years included being a private pilot. Learning to fly was a childhood dream, and even though a couple of landings were “rough,” Al often joked that any landing you can walk away from was a good landing. Al also enjoyed the many years he and Shirley were active in the Pantowner’s Antique Auto Club. Al served as President of the club in 1997 and was always honored to be part of the organization; he and Shirley felt blessed to be part of the Pantowner’s and to have so many wonderful friends.
Al survived many physical challenges, including strokes, West Nile Virus, and a handful of other set backs that come with life, but he grew to cherish time with his family and friends... and especially his grandchildren. His stories will live through his “five-good-boys.” All of us enjoyed spending time together with Al and Shirley at the 2007 Stimmler/Kampa Family Reunion.
Survivors include his wife of almost 56 years, Shirley, sons Tom (Allison) in Pittsburgh, PA, Dan in Denver, CO, John in Atlanta, GA, Paul (Julie) in Eagan, MN, and Ray in St. Cloud, MN, four grandchildren, Zak and Hannah in Denver, CO, and Amanda and McKenna in Eagan, MN, sisters, Mary Zlock and Elaine Kaeter both of St. Cloud.
Al was preceded in death by his parents, Gus and Alma, and sister, Ruth Pallansch.

Roy R. Jurek 1915-2008 Roy Jurek, age 93, of Duelm, died Tues., Dec. 9, 2008 at the St. Cloud Hospital.
Mass of Christian Burial was at 10:30 a.m. Sat., Dec. 13 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Duelm. The Rev. Bernard Kahlhamer officiated. Burial was in the parish cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Foley American Legion, Post 298.
Roy Jurek was born Sept. 25, 1915 in Palmer Township to John and Frances (Kampa) Jurek. He married Irene Smelter Nov. 10, 1941 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Morrill. He lived and farmed in St. George Township, Benton Co., all of his life.
Roy worked at Franklin Manufacturing for many years. He was a US Army Veteran of WWII and worked in the CCC Camps after returning from the service. Roy was an avid card player; horseshoe player; liked to deer hunt; cut wood with his children and grandchildren and drive his 4 wheeler. He was a member of Duelm Knight's of Columbus, Foley American Legion, Post 298 and St. Lawrence Catholic Church. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Irene, Foley, sons and daughters; Carol McNeal, St. Joseph; Robert (Judy), St. Cloud; Diane Hansgen, St. Joseph; Curt (Mary), Foley; Cindi (Lyden) Moe, Monticello, 13 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters, Thomas, John, Edward, George, Emma Sobania, Irene Carey, Ethel Andrews, Felix, Ervin, Richard, Helen Winkelman, Lorraine Hamel and son-in-law, Earl McNeal.

Recent Additions prior to March 2009

Stimler Family Crest      Kampa Family Crest
Last modified: December 5, 2009
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