The following obituaries are from the Aug. 21, 2008 print edition of the Shakopee Valley News newspaper:

Robert L. Mayer

Robert Mayer, 84, of Shakopee, died Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008 at Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis.Robert Mayer

He was born in Glencoe, Minn. on Dec. 9, 1923 to Raymond and Myrtle (Roen) Mayer. He married Betty Petrich on June 30, 1948 in Glencoe.

He was a graduate of St. John’s University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and earned a Master of Arts Degree and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Minnesota. Bob served in the United States Army during World War II with the 14th Armored Division. He began his career in education in Waconia where he was a teacher and coach and later served as Superintendent of Schools in Waconia and Shakopee. As an educator, he was instrumental in creating the Scott–Carver Educational Cooperative. Bob was a board member of the Shakopee Education Endowment Foundation for many years and was a member of the James Campbell 1685 Knights of Columbus of Shakopee and a former member of the Waconia Lions Club and the Shakopee Rotary Club. He was a member of the Saturday Night Choir of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and an avid golfer. The spirit for life, abundant generosity, and genuine love that Bob demonstrated throughout his life affected so many people in a positive way. He will remain with us in our hearts forever.

He is survived by four daughters, Connie Mayer of College Park, Md., Kathy (Jeff) Lundin of Apple Valley, Joan (Ron) Karst and Barbara Mayer, all of Shakopee; eight grandchildren, Bryan and Brad Karst, Melissa Wichmann, Mike and Matt Lundin, Jennifer Adams, Jeremy and Joe Heitzman; eight great-grandchildren; sisters, Helen Mayer of Richfield, Ginger (Frank) Kocina; brother, Jim Mayer all of Glencoe; Bob’s special friend, Coralie Haarala of Hopkins. He was preceded in death by wife Betty.

Visitation was Friday, Aug. 15, from 4-8 p.m. at the McNearney Funeral Home, Shakopee.

Mass of Christian Burial was Saturday, Aug. 16, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Shakopee, with the Rev. Peter Wittman, the Rev. James Schoenberger, and the Rev. Tim Power officiating. Pallbearers were Bryan and Brad Karst, Melissa Wichmann, Mike and Matt Lundin, Jennifer Adams, Jeremy and Joe Heitzman. Interment at Catholic Cemetery, Shakopee. The Shakopee Veterans Memorial Unit provided military honors.

Funeral arrangements through the McNearney Funeral Home in Shakopee, 952-445-2755. www.mcnearneyfuneralhome.com

Eugene Schneider

Eugene “Gene” Schneider, 75, of Jordan, passed away at his home on Friday, Aug. 15, 2008.

Gene was born Nov. 7, 1932 at Shakopee. His parents were Albert and Gertrude (Tueber) Schneider. Gene married Joan (Hilgers) Schneider on July 30, 1953 at Mason City, Iowa. Gene loved gardening, bird watching and hunting.

Loved and forever missed by wife of 55 years, Joan of Jordan; children, Wendy (Richard) Mediger of Henderson, Kelly Sonnicksen of Chaska, Tammy (Armando) Alvarado of Jordan, Mickey (Kim Hunstable) Schneider of Campbell, John (Charity) Schneider of Jordan; daughter-in law Diane (Jerry) Beckrich of Cologne; honorary daughter, Lynn Krueger of Chaska; 16 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; sisters, Evelyn Molkenbur of Shakopee, Teresa VanBuskirk of Henderson, Dorothy (Bernard) Schmitt of Shakopee, Geri Carlson of Shakopee; brother, Albert Schneider of Shakopee; sister-in law, Roberta Schneider of Shakopee.

He is preceded in death by daughter, Debra Mathwig; son, Geno Schneider; parents, Albert and Gertrude Schneider; brothers, Harold Schneider and Henry Schneider; sisters, Mildred Unze and Mary Lou Busch.

Visitation was Tuesday, Aug. 19, from 4-8 p.m. at Ballard–Sunder Funeral Home, Jordan. Visitation was also at the church one hour prior to services.

Mass of Christian Burial was Wednesday, Aug. 20, at 11 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jordan. Pallbearers were Trudy Van Olsen, Bruce Busch, Gary Schmidt, Kevin Lebens, Luke Schmitt, Chub Unze and Peter Paul. Honorary pallbearers included Mike Wanquist, David Carlson, Jacob Hunstable, Sue McKinney, Scott Schneider and Chris Schneider. Inurnment at Calvary Cemetery in Jordan.

Funeral arrangements by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Jordan, 952-492-2818. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com

Carolyn Mildred Nelson

Carolyn Nelson, 63, of Shakopee, died Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008 at Fairview Southdale Medical Center in Edina.

Funeral service was held Monday, Aug. 18, at 1 p.m. at the Bertas Funeral home in Chaska with the Rev. Martin Cloeter from St. John’s Lutheran Church, Chaska.

Carolyn was born March 31, 1945 to Otto and Mabel (Morschen) Gnade. She was one of two children. Carolyn was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Chaska. She also attended school at St. John’s Lutheran School in Chaska. Carolyn was a very loving and caring person. She enjoyed playing cards, cribbage and bird watching.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her son, Tracy Heinrich; parents, Otto and Mabel Gnade; brother, Arvin Gnade.

Survivors include her fiance’, Roger Motz of Shakopee; sister-in-law, Beverly Gnade of Carver; cousin, Lorraine Olsen and husband Vernon of Carver; many special nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral arrangements were with the Bertas Funeral Home of Chaska, 952-448-2137.

David Philip Thompson

David Thompson, 68, of Spring Lake Township/Prior Lake, died quietly at a local hospital surrounded by family and friends on Wednesday evening, Aug. 13, 2008.David Thompson

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Sharon; daughter, Melissa; son, Matthew; daughter-in-law, Tracy; grandsons, Dylan, Nick and Sam; uncle, John Lambert; many other beloved family and friends.

David was proceeded in death by his father, Philip; mother, Elsie; older brother, Daniel.

With a deep love for Jehovah God and Christ Jesus, David understood the Bible’s explanation of death as an unconscious/unknowing state of sleep (Ec 9:10), putting his hope in God’s heavenly Kingdom and a resurrection to life on a paradise earth. (John 5:28-29. Psalms 37:9-11, 28-29)

There will be a memorial service in David’s honor at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Shakopee (County Road 69/ Old Brickyard Road and County Road 78) on Saturday, Aug. 23, at 3 p.m.

John Franklin Christie Jr.

John “Jack” Christie went to be with his Lord on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2008. He will be fondly remembered as a loving husband, caring father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. John Christie

He was born Jan. 5, 1925. He was the youngest of four children born to Frank Christie and Eleanor Fresk Christie. His twin sister preceded him in birth by just a few minutes. He was born in Shakopee in his much loved state of Minnesota, where he attended local schools. John attended the University of Minnesota briefly, but joined the Air Force as soon as he was old enough. He was a World War II veteran, having served proudly in The Pacific Theater until the war’s end. Electrical engineering was his choice as he returned to the University. After graduation he worked for a short time with Edwards Company in Minneapolis.

On Aug. 25, 1950 he married Mary Wood in Chaska. Their union was blessed with two children. Early in 1951 John took a job with Lockheed Aircraft in Burbank, Calif. In 1964 he became a part of Lockheed Missile Division, in Sunnyvale, Calif. He worked on balloons, missiles, and the Space Shuttle. He retired in 1986, and moved to Palm Desert in 1997.

He will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 58 years, Mary Wood Christie; son and daughter-in-law, John and Leanna Christie of San Jose, Calif. and his daughter, Dr. Karen Christie, of Rochester, N.Y. “Grandpa” leaves a legacy of love and laughter in his three grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his two older sisters, Edith Christie Weiland and Margaret Christie Boonstra, and is survived by his twin sister, Janet Christie Wilke, of San Antonio, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be given to support missionaries in Paraguay through Grace Covenant – Hernandez mission, P.O. Box 588, Platte City, Mo. 64079. Burial will be at Spring Lake Cemetery.

Kenneth “Ken” Manske

Ken Manske, 81, loving father, grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008 at home with his family. Kenneth Manske

A lifetime employee of Rahr Malting, Ken was known for his sense of humor, his summer garden and his love for his family.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Carol, and daughter, Karen.

He will be terribly missed by his two sons, Keith Manske of Rice Lake, Wis. and Kevin (Lori) Manske of Shakopee; four daughters, Kriss Radermacher (John) of LeCenter, Kathy Luce, Chanhassen, Kim Buesquens (Scott), Burnsville, and Konnie Teague, Eagan; grandchildren, Jaime and Josh Manske, Lisa Tuma (Bob), Sarah Matson (Matt), John Radermacher Jr., Jake Luce (Krissy), Emilie Dodge (Ron), Katie and Kelly Manske, Lindsay and Shawn Buesquens, Leah and Riley Teague; great-grandchildren, Devon, Carter, Reese, Molly, Alex, Ella, Andy, Justin, Ryan, Rayna, Rachel, and Raegan.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, Aug. 19, at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Shakopee.

Memorials preferred to St. Francis Cancer Center, Shakopee.

Michael L. Ivarson

Michael “Mike” Ivarson, 47, of Prior Lake, passed away at his residence on Friday, Aug.15, 2008.Michael Ivarson

Mike was born Aug. 4, 1961 in Davenport, Iowa. His parents are Robert and Barbara (Garnes) Ivarson. Mike married Anita (Helms) Ivarson on Aug. 14, 1982 at Blue Grass Presbyterian Church at Blue Grass, Iowa.

Mike is survived by his wife, Anita Ivarson; daughter, Hillary (Joshua) Lynch of Red Wing, Minn.; four grandchildren, Crystalina, Moraina, Terry Michael and Hailey; parents, Robert and Barbara Ivarson of Tama, Iowa; brother, Mark (Dinah) Ivarson of Union City, Tenn.; sister, Laurie (Doug) Kaltofsen of Eugene, Ore. He was preceded in death by daughter, Crystal Marie Ivarson.

Mike enjoyed genealogy, camping, coin collecting and fishing. He worked as an Operations Manager in the Direct Mail industry.

Visitation was Monday, Aug. 18, from 4-7 p.m. at Ballard–Sunder Funeral Home, Prior Lake, and also one hour prior to services.

Funeral service was Tuesday, Aug. 19, at 11 a.m. at Ballard–Sunder Funeral Home in Prior Lake, with Chaplain Kathleen Burns presiding. Pallbearers were Robert Ivarson, Joshua Lynch, David Helms and Mark Helms. Burial at Dawn Valley Cemetery in Bloomington.

Funeral arrangements by Ballard–Sunder Funeral Home, Prior Lake, 952-447-2633. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com

Daniel G. Stiller

Daniel “Dan” Stiller, 47, of Prior Lake and formerly of Albany, Minn., passed away after a long and courageous battle with leukemia on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008 at Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina.

Daniel was born July 12, 1961 in Little Falls, Minn. His parents are Donald and Eileen (Notch) Stiller. He married Connie (Lenz) Stiller on July 26, 2002 at The Chapel at St. Thomas in St. Paul.

Daniel was a 20-year-plus employee at the Toro Company. He started as an engineer and more recently held the International Marketing Manager position in the Commercial Division.

Dan enjoyed fishing, biking, golfing, hunting and yard projects. He was a wonderful husband and father.

Daniel is survived by loving wife, Connie Stiller; daughters, Alyson (age 4) and Lauren (age 1), all of Prior Lake; parents, Donald and Eileen Stiller of Albany; brother, Neil (Joan) Stiller of Rochester.

Visitation was Sunday, Aug. 17, from 4-7 p.m. at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Prior Lake, and also at the church on Monday, Aug. 18, from 9:30-11 a.m.

Mass of Christian Burial was Monday, Aug. 18, at 11 a.m. at The Church of St. Michael, Prior Lake. Urn bearers were Neil Stiller, Richard “Rich” Prince and Steve Iseminger.

Funeral arrangements by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Prior Lake, 952-447-2633. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com