1940’s
F. Joy (Seifert) Schilling ’42 (Somerset, Wis.) died Feb. 15, 2016. She married Clinton Schilling in April 1946 in Woodbury, MN. In 1954 they moved to a farm in Somerset, WI. She enjoyed a full and healthy life, shared with her family and friends. Joy was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, brother, sister and grandchild. She is survived by her daughter, Sylvia Dalzell (Norm Becker); son, Gaylen (Cheryl); grandchildren, Bradley and Ryan (Abby) Dalzell, Melanie Schilling; step granddaughter, Susan Montgomery; great grandchildren, Josie, Audrey and Edith Dalzell; sister-in-law, Margaret Seifert; nieces, nephews and cousins.
Joseph Flynn ’45 (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) died Dec. 12, 2015. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Lorraine. His long life allowed him to develop special relationships with his children, their spouses, and his grandchildren, and to establish many family traditions and happy memories. His early successes as a teacher and coach in his native Minnesota prepared him for a successful business career in Cedar Rapids as co-founder of Suburban Lumber Co., which remains a family business. All his life, Joe was an avid sports participant and fan. In his early years, he played baseball and football at Winona State Teachers College. Joe captained the 1941 football team and set a school record that stands today.
Ruth (Francis) Anderson ’46 (Lake Delton, Wis.) died suddenly on Aug. 31, 2015. She graduated from high school in Stewartville, MN, in 1942, went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Winona State Teachers College in 1946, and a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1967. She made her career as a high school English teacher.
Marian (Johns) Raymond ’48 (Modesto, Calif.) died Sept. 24, 2015. A native of Utica, Minn., Marian began her teaching career in Minnesota in 1943, when she was issued a temporary teaching credential due to a teacher shortage during World War II. At the age of 19, she taught a 16-pupil classroom with students in grades K-8. After the war, Marian finished earning her teaching credential, and she and her husband, Lloyd “Chic” Raymond, moved to California to work as teachers. Marian was hired to teach second grade at John Sutter Elementary School. Family and education were front and center in the Raymond household. Marian put her paid teaching career on hold to raise their family, but teaching went on every day in the house, whether the kids were learning life lessons, mechanical skills or how to do laundry correctly.
Betty (Torrens) Krause ’49 (Oakland, Minn.) died Dec. 29, 2015. She grew up in Oakland and graduated from Winona State Teachers College in 1949. Betty was married to Roger Krause and was a devoted teacher. She taught for seven years at the lower elementary level in Southern Minnesota. She then received a degree in special education and taught for 23 years in the Albert Lea school system, retiring in 1993. Betty enjoyed quilting, gardening, reading, visiting with family and friends, and spending time with her granddaughters.
1950’s
William F. Beseler ’50 (Trempealeau, Wis.) died Dec. 14, 2015. He graduated from Winona Jefferson Senior High School and worked as a mariner aboard a Great Lakes iron ore freighter. In 1944, he joined the U.S. Merchant Marine as an officer cadet, training at Merchant Marine Academy at San Mateo, Calif. During World War II, Bill delivered supplies to American troops overseas. When the war ended, Bill returned to Winona, enrolled at Winona State Teachers College and earned a BS in business administration. Following graduation he was accepted as a Naval Aviation Cadet, reporting to Naval Air Station Pensacola for flight training. At Pensacola, he flew the North American Aviation SNJ advanced training aircraft. Bill completed his Navy service and returned to Winona, working a variety of jobs through the years, including selling Singer sewing machines and fertilizer for Armour Fertilizer. He later worked for the State of Wisconsin in the Health, Education and Welfare Department, and served several terms on the Gale- Ettrick-Trempealeau School Board.
Note: An incorrect photo was published with Bill’s memoriam in the spring ’16 issue of Currents. We wish to apologize to the Beseler family for this error. – Currents editorial team
Charles Mettille ’50 (Winona, Minn.) passed away on Thursday, April 7, 2016. He was a graduate of Cotter High School and served in the United States Army, after which he obtained a business degree from Winona State Teachers College. He served the Winona community through his many volunteer commitments. He had a special place in his heart for Winona Volunteer Services. He was a warm, kindhearted man and a devoted husband and father. He met his wife, Anita Stang, while attending Winona State Teachers College and they were married on June 21, 1952. Chuck is survived by his children Kathryn Wnuk Todd, Laura (Thomas) Dreas, Linda (Michael) Spiten, Frank Mettille, Julie (Glen) Steberg, the late Michael (Pamela) Mettille, Nancy (Karl Hedin) Mettille, and Connie (Thomas Sawyer) Mettille. He was preceded in death by his wife, Anita, and son, Michael. Memorials may be sent to the Winona State University Mettille Family Scholarship.
Pat (Heise) Enz ’51 (Red Wing, Minn.) died Feb. 25, 2016. She graduated from Lake City High School and went on to attend Winona State Teachers College, where she received her master’s degree in education. Her passion for education led to a 55-year career in teaching. Pat volunteered for many organizations throughout the years. She served as a trustee for the WSU Foundation from 1979 to 2009. She enjoyed gardening, baking, cooking, needlework and reading. Her husband of 63 years, Richard Enz, passed away Aug. 15, 2016. He graduated from Red Wing High School and went on to serve in the Army in Korea, later becoming a lineman for NSP. They are survived by their daughter, Missy (Jeff) Larson of Red Wing; and two granddaughters, Molly and Karla Larson.
Regina (Hudrlik) O’Brien ’56 (Stillwater, Minn.) passed away Oct. 10, 2015. Gina graduated from Owatonna High School and received a degree in elementary education from Winona State Teacher’s College. She taught first grade for a year in Rochester, MN, then moved to Farmington, MN, where she taught second grade for 33 years. Following retirement in 1995, Gina volunteered for Farmington Public Schools, Community Action Council, Dakota County Heritage City, and Boutwells Assisted Living.
Mary (Tripp) Rusert ‘57 (Lewiston, Minn.) passed away unexpectedly May 5, 2016. She graduated from Park High School in 1953, and went on to earn her teaching degree from Winona State Teachers College in 1957. Mary completed her graduate work in education at the University of Minnesota, and received her master’s degree in education in 1960. She had a long career as a secondary special education teacher, and taught in Minnesota City, Altura, Lewiston, and Winona. Following her retirement from the Winona Public Schools in 1993, Mary continued to work under the Federal Education Program, and she served as the director of special education at Winona State University from 1994 to 1997. She had a deep devotion to helping children, and in recognition of her commitment to education, Mary was awarded Teacher of the Year in 1968. Mary will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved her.
Donald Erpelding ’59 (Minnetonka, Minn.) passed July 8, 2015. He graduated from Lewiston High School in 1955, and was a graduate of Winona State. He married Mary Ann Speltz. Don began his teaching career in Elgin, MN, where he taught math and science. After receiving his master’s, he began teaching physics at Hopkins High School. He retired from teaching in 1993, after 31 years.
1960’s
Lorry Gunhus ’60 (West Concord, Minn.) passed away March 22, 2016. He graduated from Kenyon High School
in 1953. He enlisted in the Army in 1953 and was honorably discharged in 1955. He then went to Winona State College, where he played football, basketball, and track and served as a graduate assistant basketball coach. He graduated from Winona State in 1960 with majors in history and social science, and a minor in physical education. In 1961, he tried out for the first Minnesota Vikings football team and made the roster, but he then broke his elbow and could no longer play. He turned his attention to a career in teaching and coaching that spanned 33 years in various towns in Minnesota. He married Sharon Lang of Winona and moved to West Concord, where he taught social studies, history, psychology, and sociology. He also coached football, basketball, and track. He was awarded the opportunity to attend two Fulbright- Hays seminars that allowed him to travel to India and Egypt.
Arnold Satter ’60 (Amery, Wis.) passed Dec. 30, 2015. Arnold was a Navy veteran and worked for the St. Paul School District as a teacher and coach. He loved fishing, sports, reading, and his beloved Vikings.
Arley Ihrke ‘63 (Houston, Minn.) died July 6, 2016. He was a 1956 graduate of St. Charles High School. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany from 1957 to 1959. Arley graduated from Winona State College in 1963, where he was named to the Winona State Athletic Hall of Fame and was on the All Century Team for football. He was united in marriage with Mary Rohr on Aug. 31, 1963. Arley received his master of science from Winona State in 1970 and spent his entire teaching career at Houston High School, also serving as the athletic director for 28 years. Arley was active in the athletic community and coached many sports in Houston, and served a long tenure as the head football coach.
Lillian (Heusinkveld) Payne ’65 (Peoria, Ill.) passed away Oct. 12, 2015. Lillian began her career as a teacher at the age of 18 in a one-room schoolhouse in rural Minnesota and became the dean of women at Pillsbury Baptist Bible College. She retired from teaching in 1989.
1980’s
Christopher Paulson ‘89 (Reedsburg, Wis.) passed April 17, 2016. He graduated from Winona Public Schools and then attended Winona State University, receiving a degree in business administration. Chris is survived by his wife, Susan, and their three children, Alex, Andrew, and Spencer, who are all WSU students or alumni; brothers, Erik of Balsam Lake, Archie of Madison, and Clifford of Winona, and by his parents Clifford and Sharon of Amery.
1990’s
David Holien ’90 (Buffalo City, Wis.) passed away March 22, 2016. David attended and graduated from Canton High School. David served his country as a member of the U.S. Air Force, and married Audrey Pavek. David was proud to have accomplished the task of completing his bachelor’s degree from Winona State University.
Faculty & Staff
Kristen Haley (Wabasha, Minn.) died May 29, 2016. She was married to Kenneth Haley. Kris worked for Winona State University as an administrative assistant.
Carl Allen (Minneapolis, Minn.) died April 27, 2016. Carl truly enjoyed being a professor of accounting. He taught at Ohio State, California State, Winona State, and U of M-Twin Cities. While living in Winona, he enjoyed teaching, the outdoors, and bird watching.
Judy Gernander (Houston, Minn.) died April 3, 2016. Judy attended Mankato State University, obtained her juris doctorate from the University of Minnesota Law School, and was a professor at Winona State University for 40 years, retiring in 2010. She also practiced law in Winona and Houston Counties, and was an assistant public defender for Winona County.
Diane Ristau (Winona, Minn.) passed away Aug. 12, 2016. She graduated from Cochrane Fountain City High School in 1968. She first worked at Winona State with ARAMARK Food Service in Lourdes Hall, and later as a general maintenance worker for the university. She retired from WSU after 10 years.
