Born ‎17 May 1915 Leven Township, Pope County, Minnesota, died ‎29 Aug 2002 Alexandria, Douglas County, Minnesota Event Description: Calvary Cemetery, Villard MN‎, age 87 years, buried Villard, Pope County, Minnesota
Ambrose Gaffaney, 87

Ambrose Gaffaney was born May 17, 1915 in Leven Township, Pope County , Minnesota. He was the son of James and Catherine (Martin) Gaffaney . Ambrose attended rural school through eighth grade and graduated fro m Villard High School in 1932.

In 1940 Ambrose bought his farm in Hudson Township, Douglas County. H e married Florence Van Amber in 1946 at St. Mary's Catholic Church i n Alexandria. Together they had six children. They retired from milkin g Guernsey cows in 1980. Florence died in 1982. In 1988 Ambrose marrie d Frances (Thoennes) Herzog of Alexandria. Ambrose sold his farm and m oved to Alexandria where he and Frances made their home for 14 years.

Ambrose was a member of St. Bartholomew's Catholic Church in Villard f or many years. He was elected Hudson Township assessor for 14 years an d served on the Alexandria Library Board, the Douglas County Historica l Society Board, the Villard School Adult Education Board and the RE A Advisory Board. He was a farm mediator, Osakis KC Grand Knight, seni or citizen tax counselor and delivered Meals on Wheels. He was activ e in the Forada and Villard Senior Citizens Clubs and served as vice p resident of the Forada Club. He considered the raising and educating h is six children his major accomplishment.

Ambrose died at his home August 29, 2002 at the age of 87 years. He i s survived by his wife, Fran of Alexandria; sons: George (Mary Lou Thu nselle) Gaffaney, Alexandria; David (Karyn) Gaffaney, Roseville; and G reg Gaffaney of St. Paul; daughters: Kathy (Gary) Strunc, Maple Grove ; Lyn (Bill) McMurry, Dallas, TX; and Marybeth (Paul) Jubert, Plymouth ; step-children: Frankie Herzog, Arlene Oelrich, Phyllis Boesl, Mary A nn Zastrow and Lou Ann Carlson; one sister: Margaret Danielson, Carlsb ad, CA; 14 grandchildren; and one great-grandson. He was preceded in d eath by two brothers: James and Harold; and four sisters: Mildred Flan nery, Julia Neilsen, Loretta Gaffaney and Florence Anderson. One siste r, Mabel Johansen, followed Ambrose in death.

Mass of Christian Burial was said at 11:30 AM Tuesday, September 3, 20 02 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Alexandria with Reverend Al Ludwi g officiating. Interment was in the Calvary Cemetery at Villard. Organ ist was Lynn Lynch, cantor, Laurie Youngers and vocalists were Patric k and Stephanie Osterberg. Pallbearers were Jack Gaffaney, Nathan Stru nc, Phil Jubert, Chad Carlson, Jeff Boesl and Justin Swenson.
Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home.

Echo Press, Published September 06 2002

Born ‎1 May 1916 Truman, Martin County, Minnesota, died ‎9 Apr 1982 Hudson Township, Douglas County, Minnesota Event Description: Calvary Cemetery, Villard MN‎, age 65 years

Born ‎21 Aug 1921 Millerville, Douglas County, Minnesota, died ‎10 Oct 2012 Alexandria, Douglas County, Minnesota‎, age 91 years
Frances Herzog, 91

Frances "Fran" Herzog, 91, died peacefully on Wednesday, October 10, 2012.

Fran was born August 21, 1921 in Urbank, the daughter of John and Katherine (Terfehr) Thoennes. She was baptized and confirmed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Urbank.

Fran was united in marriage to Francis Herzog on November 21, 1940. The couple farmed by Garfield right after their marriage and then moved into Alexandria, where they worked for Alex Hardware and then at Wedums Supply. To this union, five children were born: Francis Jr., Arlene, Phyllis, Lou Ann and Mary Ann. Francis died on December 6, 1982.

Fran married Ambrose Gaffaney on October 14, 1988 at St. Mary's Catholic Church.

Fran loved spending time with her family. She loved having coffee and cookies. Fran was very active in her community, volunteering as a Gray Lady, at Knute Nelson Home and the Senior Center. She was a member of the Christian Mothers and D of I. Frances enjoyed playing bingo, cards, pull tabs and going to the casino. Fran will be remembered as having a very spunky personality; she just loved having a good time . Fran was very musically gifted. She had the ability of just hearing a song and then being able to play it. Frances was also a great polk a dancer and a member of the Jolly Jokers Kitchen Band.

She is survived by her children, Francis Jr. and wife, Carol of Phoenix, AZ, Arlene Oelrich of Alexandria, Phyllis Boesl (Tim) of Miltona, LouAnn Carlson of Alexandria, Mary Ann Zastrow (Richard) of Alexandria; 19 grandchildren, 52 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren; brother, Joseph Thoennes of Alexandria; sister, Laura Cichy of Henning; two sisters-in-law, Arlene Thoennes and Marcella Thoennes; stepchildren, George Gaffaney, Kathy Strunc, David Gaffaney, Greg Gaffaney, Mary Beth Jubert, Lynn McMurray and families.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Francis Herzog and Ambrose Gaffaney; son-in-law, Dale Carlson; brothers, Gerhard, Lawrence, Ben, Victor and Richard; sisters, Margaret, Eva, Barbara and Veronica.
Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, October 16 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Alexandria with Father Steve Binsfeld officiating. Pallbearers were George Gaffaney, Shawn Herzog, Dawn Schultz, Jeff Boesl, Chad Carlson and Kristy Larson. Honorary pallbearers were her grandc hildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Burial was at St. Mary's Cemetery.

Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria; www.andersonfuneral.net.
Echo Press
Published October 15, 2012, 03:37 PM