IN MEMORIAM

Dr. Robert A. Hanson, eleventh president of the University, died on Monday, January 9, in Fargo, N.D. after a short battle with cancer. He was 78 years old.  Dr. Hanson led Winona State University from 1977 until December 1981, when he suffered a brain aneurysm from which he never fully recovered. He officially retired in 1983 and lived in the Moorhead area, where he had previously been head of academic affairs at Moorhead State University.  Remembered as kind and caring and a true academic who believed education should be available to everyone. Hanson's wife, Helen, said that education was the most important thing to her husband and he believed everyone deserved a chance to better themselves.  Hanson formed a college of humanities and a college of science at Winona State. He also promoted programs in Rochester and was known for increasing the numbers of female administrators at the University, which was notable for the time.

Dr. David J. Rislove, a Winona State University chemistry professor for over 31 years, died on Thursday, November 3, 2005. He was 64.  Rislove taught organic chemistry and was faculty athletics representative for 23 years. He supervised more than 100 undergraduate research projects, wrote over 40 publications and holds a U.S. Patent.  A Rushford native, Rislove was an all-conference football player in 1960 and 1961 and is a member of the WSU All Century Team, the NSIC Hall of Fame the WSU Hall of Fame.

William A. Owens Jr. died after a long illness on September 28, 2005, at the age of 91. He was a well-known applied psychologist and researcher.  Owens graduated WSU in 1935, where his father was the first chair of the psychology department. After earning his doctorate in psychology from the University of Minnesota, Owens held positions at Iowa State University and the University of Georgia.  In 1960, Owens was the recipient of Centennial Commendation from WSU. He received the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1988. In 1993 his family established the William A. Owens scholarship, which awards $1,000 annually to an outstanding WSU student.

Emma Engebretson, '31 (Sioux Falls, SD) passed away on November 28, 2005.

Carl Fischer, '29/'31 (St. Charles, MN), a WSU graduate who lettered in track, died in a nursing home on November 23, 2005. Carl created hybrid gladiolas at his Noweta Gardens, contributing to St. Charles' claim as the Gladiola Capital of the World.

Orilee (Elton) Kiehne, '32 (Harmony, MN) passed away on December 27, 2005.

Joyce (Milne) Johnson, '36 (Rochester, MN), passed away on May 15, 2005. Joyce began teaching in a one-room school in Minnesota. She later moved to Fontana, CA where she became a well-loved and much-respected kindergarten teacher before retiring after 40 years of teaching. She eventually moved to Oregon to be with her son, Craig, and two grandsons, Derek & Brian.  She loved life and had many dear friends. She also loved to travel and cook.

Laura Schuh, '34/'38 (La Crosse, WI) passed away on January 15, 2006. She attended Winona State College/University of Minnesota and Iowa State University at Ames, Iowa. Laura taught at the College of St. Teresa in Winona, MN; Brookings State College in South Dakota; State College in New Britain, CT; and retired in 1983 as a Professor Emeritus in Biology from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Ruth (Koenig) Kamin,'39 (Pompano Beach, FL) passed away on February 26, 2006. Ruth received a bachelor's degree from WSU and subsequently a master's degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. She was employed as a guidance counselor at Centerline High School in Sterling Heights, MI, until her retirement in 1975. She later held an educational position at the University of Miami.

Howard Rosencranz, '41 (Mystic, CT), passed away on September 8, 2005. Dr. Rosencranz is survived by his loving wife, Mary Lou. Following his graduation from WSU, Dr. Rosencranz continued his education at Michigan State University earning a MA in 1947 and a PhD in 1960. Dr. Rosencranz was Professor Emeritus from the University of Connecticut where he directed the University Program in Gerontology. Dr. Rosencranz is listed in the American Men of Science, Leaders in American Science, and Who's Who in the East. He was a member of many professional organizations and has held several office and committee appointments. He has authored numerous articles, books, and monographs and has presented at a variety of conferences. Dr. Rosencranz had dedicated a major part of his life toward improving the quality of retirement film, A Time of Living, narrated by Roy Bolger. Dr. Rosencranz was the recipient of the WSU Distinguished Alumni Award in 1991.

Theoline (Simons) Carlson, '42 (Marysville, WA), passed away on July 29, 2005. She graduated from Amery Wisconsin High School. After graduating from WSU (formerly Winona Teachers College), Theoline “Teddy” moved to Washington where she taught school in a three-room schoolhouse for several years. When here kids were young, she was both a Blue Bird and Cub Scout leader. She was a skilled seamstress and enjoyed knitting and crocheting. She also loved to camp and fish with her husband and family.

Tammy (Eden) Kirby, '43 (Camano Island, WA) passed away on November 5, 2005.

Lois (Sykes) Wise, '45/'74 (Sparta, WI) passed away on November 20, 2005.

Ronald Schenck, '48 (Madison, WI) passed away on October 25, 2005. Ronald graduated summa cum laude from WSU (formerly Winona Teachers College) with his BS degree in music and mathematics. He taught instrumental music at Harmony High School in Harmony, MN from 1948 to 1952. He returned to Winona State for pre-engineering courses. While in Winona, he played several instruments with the Henry Burton dance band. In 1954, he and his wife moved to Madison where Ronald earned a BS in electrical engineering at the U of W. He was an instructor in the engineering school for the next seven years. He then returned to high school math teaching,  retiring in 1984.

Joseph Casby, '51 (Hudson, WI) passed away on October 17, 2005. He was a graduate of WSU and a member of the last class at St. Paul College of Law.  Joseph retired after 45 years with West Publishing.  He was a member of Shekinah Masonic Lodge and Carmel Chapter O.E.S.

Myrtle (Markegard) Duffield, '54 (Rushford, MN) passed away on February 14, 2006. She  received a degree in elementary education from WSU. She taught in many rural schools and in Rushford, Byron, and Rochester public schools. Myrtle was a member of several educational associations. Myrtle retired from teaching in 1973. Myrtle loved life, traveling, entertaining and people. She enjoyed every minute spent with her great-grandchildren, Dustin and Kaecey, who brought her lots of joy and happiness. She enjoyed visits from her nieces and nephews. She always felt richly blessed.

Harold Burkard, '55 (Rosemount, MN) passed away on November 30, 2005.

Marilyn (Schmuck) Hubbard, '57 (Coon Rapids, MN) passed away on May 1, 2005.

Lois (Jensen) Duel, '58 (Winona, MN) passed away on March 1, 2006. Lois received her bachelor's and graduate degrees from WSU. Lois taught music in Buffalo Lake, MN; Mound, MN; and Cochrane-Fountain City, WI. She retired in 1981. She was active in Buffalo Retired Educators, W.E.A. and N.E.A.

Louis Briska, '59 (Wauwatosa, WI) passed away on January 14, 2006.

Dorothy (Soller) Boettcher, '41/'61 (La Crescent, MN) passed away on January 28, 2006. Dorothy was a 1937 graduate of Harding High School in St. Paul and later received her teaching degree from WSU. She taught her entire life, beginning her career teaching in a one-room schoolhouse and eventually teaching in the La Crescent School District for 18 years before retiring in 1983. She was a member of AAUW, the American Association of University Women, and a member of REAM, the Retired Educators Association of Minnesota.

Ruth Hanson, '61 (Kasson, MN), passed away on August 2, 2005.

Ronald Lien, '63 (Rochester, MN) passed away on February 6, 2006.

Margaret Ploetz, '67/'72 (St. Charles, MN) passed away on November 7, 2005.  She and husband Kermit farmed for 43 years before moving to St. Charles in 1983. In addition to helping farm, raising five children and teaching elementary school, Margaret continued her education in the evenings and graduated from WSU with a masters degree in education.  She ended her teaching career in St. Charles, teaching first grade until her retirement in 1985. Margaret was named Teacher of the Year while in St. Charles.  In 1990, Margaret was inducted into the Winona County Hall of Fame. She was also a subject of "Elder's Wisdom, Children's Song," a project honoring people for their contributions to the St. Charles community. She enjoyed traveling, sewing, quilting, gardening and her grandchildren.

Bertha Holt, '70 (Neillsville, WI) passed away.

Magda Olson, '70 (Madison, WI) passed away on December 19, 2005.

Alice (Rheingans) Greer, '40/'72 (Zumbro Falls, MN) passed away on January 13, 2006.

Peggy Brown, '73 (Red Wing, MN) passed away.

Lenette (Tufte) Maier, '87 (New Richmond, WI) passed away on November 11, 2005.  She worked at Kmart, during and right out of college. She worked as a proof operator then receptionist for Merchants National Bank in Winona, MN.  The past five years, Lenette was fulfilling her lifelong dream of being a stay-at-home Mom and caring for her children. Most recently, Lenette was the co-chair of the New Richmond Mom's Group as well as the Cub Scout Den No. 7.  She loved her family dearly.

John Pratten, '88 (Rochester, MN) passed away on February 20, 2006.

Barbara Dynes, '91 (Inver Grove Heights, MN) passed away on January 8, 2006. Barbara's fulfillment in life came from being with people, helping people and of course, talking to people. She loved to watch sports, play golf and volleyball, and was dedicated to her career and work.

Chantale (Knutson) Michaud, '93 (Canada) passed away on February 28, 2006.

Martin Carkhuff, '97 (Champlin, MN) passed away on July 21, 2005. He graduated from Brainerd High School in 1993. He received a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from WSU and a Masters in Criminal Justice (with honors) from St. Cloud State.

Ali Al-Mohsin, '05 (Winona, MN) passed away on November 4, 2005 in a fatal auto accident in Chester, MN. Ali graduated from WSU in May 2005, and was promoted to scheduler at Benchmark Electronics Winona Division shortly before his death.

Last Modified: Wednesday, June 21, 2006 10:05 by Brooke Sherer