Month: August 2020

Roberta “Berta” Lynn Conlon, 59, of Crookston, MN, passed away at her home Saturday afternoon, August 29, 2020, while under the care of Altru Hospice.  Roberta’s loving family was at her side to comfort her.

Roberta was born at St. Michael’s Hospital in Grand Forks, ND on January 17, 1961, the youngest of 8 children of the union of Charles A. and Elsie (Keefe) Bateman. She was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith and her early years were spent in East Grand Forks, MN, and attending Sacred Heart Elementary School. Following a family move to Crookston, she then attended Mount St. Benedict School and was a member of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. During her working career, Roberta was employed as the manager of the bakery and deli department of Super Valu for several years. In 1996, Roberta began working at Altru Clinic in Medical Records and most recently ran the Yorhom Medical Essentials store in the clinic.  Roberta was known for her friendly demeanor by colleagues and customers, she always went above and beyond to help providers and patients with their needs.  Roberta’s sweet smile and contagious giggle will be missed by all, as well as her supply of sweets in her candy stash.

Roberta and Randy were members of the ‘Crookston Classic Cruisers’ family for several years, enjoying the bonds that come from being with so many like-minded friends. She loved her family with all her heart, and nothing brought more joy to her than time spent with her precious grandkids; watching them play hockey and attending their events. Special times were spent with her son, TJ and his wife, Erin, the grandkids, and their dogs at Lake Kabetogama, in Voyager’s National Park, near International Falls. Roberta loved her animals!! She was an avid reader and watching movies was a favorite pastime, with “The Wizard of Oz” and “Gone With the Wind” being two of her all-time favorites. Roberta will be very sadly missed and lovingly remembered for all the love and hugs she shared with her family and friends.

Roberta is survived by Randy, her beloved husband of 20 years; 4 children: Rachel and Tony Rick of Crookston, TJ and Erin LaPlante of Crookston, TJ Conlon of Crookston, and Christy and Jason Mallon of Troy, PA; and 10 grandchildren: Mason and Emma LaPlante, Killian and Xander Kuchan, Hudson Rick, Justene Morlan, Taya Conlon, and Quinntin, Jace, and Bearin Mallon. She also leaves her brother and 6 sisters: Ed (Karen) Bateman, Mill Creek, WA, and 6 sisters: Carolyn (Jerry) Stadstad, Fargo, ND, Mary Wieg, Fargo, ND, Cathy (Charles) Leach, Monroe, WA, Janet Brown, Crookston, MN, Judith Qualley, Pinewood, MN, and Maureen (Scott) Aubol of Crookston; sister-in-law, Judith Shellabargar of Las Vegas, NV; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.  Roberta was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Elsie; 3 brothers-in-law: Gerry Wieg, Scott Brown, and Jerry Qualley; nephew, Jonathan Stadstad; parents-in-law, TJ and Josephine Conlon; and sister-in-law, Margaret Bruce. Treasured be the memory of Roberta Conlon.

The memorial service celebrating the life of Roberta Conlon will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 9, 2020, at the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home in Crookston with The Rev. Vincent Miller, presiding. Visitation with the family will be for one hour prior to the service. The wearing of masks and social distancing will be observed due to COVID-19 restrictions and total attendance will be limited to 90 attendees. Inurnment will take place in the Calvary Cemetery, Crookston, and will be open to all who would wish to attend. In her honor, Roberta’s Classic Cruisers friends will take part in the procession to the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the family.

www.stenshoelhouske.com

Michael Theodore Conneran, 92, of Crookston, MN, passed away Friday afternoon, August 28, 2020, at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks with his family at his side. Mike, as he was best known, was born at  Crookston, MN  on July 16, 1928, one of 9 children of the union of William T. and Margaret M. (Majeres) Conneran.

Mike grew up on the family homestead in Roome township, near Fisher, MN, and was baptized and confirmed at St. Francis Catholic Church in Fisher. His early education began in a one-room country school, followed by elementary school in Fisher. Mike later enrolled at the Cathedral High School in Crookston, graduating as a member of the Class of 1947. Some of Mike’s fondest memories of high school were from playing football for the ‘Blue Wave’ and giving it his all during their undefeated, untied season. Mike was an avid fan of all sports, and loyal to a fault in supporting the Minnesota Vikings and Twins. On December 6, 1951, he entered the U.S. Air Force and served at Roswell Air Force Base in Roswell, NM until his honorable discharge. Mike then returned to the family farm. His love of the land and passion for farming would remain with Mike throughout his life and to his very last breath. Just days before he had toured some of the farms around Crookston and Fisher, checking to see how the crops were doing and making sure the harvest was progressing well for everyone. On March 3, 1953, Mike was united in marriage to Joyce Whiteman at St. Francis in Fisher. Their marriage would be blessed by the births of 4 children: Michael Jr., Brian, Paula, and Julie. Mike always managed to find time in his busy life to attend the kids’ concerts and sporting events and took great pride in all their accomplishments. He was a hard worker, and even after the crops were all harvested in the fall, he would spend winters working for Armour and Company in Grand Forks; as a Fuller Brush Salesman and for the Boeing Aircraft Company, both located in Seattle.

Mike was a lifetime member of St. Francis Catholic Church, and after moving to Crookston a few years ago, he had been attending the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. He also held memberships in the Grand Forks Masonic Lodge and Kem Temple Shrine; Knights of Columbus, Elks Lodge, VFW Post 1902, and American Legion Post 20.

Mike was an international traveler. He had visited Mexico, Spain, Greece, Italy, and Canada’s many provinces, in addition to both coasts of the United States and many stops in between.

Mike will be remembered for his love of the land, beginning with his proud heritage of the Conneran homestead.  Over the years Mike took great pride in his growing of sugar beets, including many grower awards he received from American Crystal Sugar.

Michael was best known for his quick wit and warm heart.  His smile would light up any room and he could enter as a stranger and leave as your best friend.  Mike will be forever loved and missed by all who knew him, especially his four children.

Loving family members include his 4 children and their spouses: Michael “Mickey” Conneran Jr. of Scottsdale, AZ, Brian and Debbie Conneran of Grand Forks, ND, Paula and Brian Conneran-Weig of Montgomery, IL, and Julie and James Dorans of Naperville, IL; 6 grandchildren: Christina (Justin) Brooks, Kelsey Conneran, Ashley Conneran, Bailey Conneran-Weig, Austen Conneran-Weig, and Rhett Dorans; a brother, William “Billy” and Mary Conneran of Charlotte, NC; his former wife, Joyce Conneran of Scottsdale; good friend, Edie Danielson of Crookston; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, William and Margaret; and 7 siblings: Bernice Widner, Lester Conneran, Joanne Jansen, Margaret Crane, Peggy Smith, Eraine McDonald, and Jean Bastnagel. May God richly bless the memory of Michael Theodore Conneran.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Mike Conneran will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 2, 2020, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Crookston with The Very Rev. Vincent Miller, presiding. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service. COVID-19 restrictions will be observed including the wearing of masks and social distancing. The service will be live-streamed by going to Cathedral.org and following the prompts. Interment will take place in the Greenwood Cemetery at Fisher with Military Honors provided by the Crookston Veterans Council, the Fisher American Legion Post, and the Funeral Honors Team from the Grand Forks Air Force Base.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the St. Francis Catholic Church Building Fund in Fisher, MN.

Online registry: www.stenshoelhouske.com