The following obituaries are from the June 19, 2008 print edition of the Chaska Herald newspaper:

Gayle Richard Kling

Gayle Kling, 54, of Chaska, died Thursday, June 12, 2008 at his home.Gayle Kling

A memorial time of gathering was held Tuesday, June 17, from 4-7 p.m. at the Bertas Funeral Home, Chaska.

Gayle was born Aug. 18, 1953 in Shakopee to Lester and Bernice (Schueble) Kling, one of six children. He was proprietor of Kling Construction in Chaska for seven years, and also had been employed at Coopers New Market in Chaska for 15 years. He retired from the Carver Fire Department, Carver, due to failing health. He enjoyed hunting and playing softball.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Chad, who died in January of 2008.

Survivors include his son, Joshua of Cologne; his daughter, Kristi of Cologne; four grandchildren, Caitlin, Madison, Emma, and Madelyn, and one future grandson, Tucker Matthew; brother, Donald of Mankato; sisters and brothers-in-law, Judy and Leon Hoen of Cologne, Carol and ****** Stang of Prior Lake, Barb Kling of Mankato, Donna and Roger Olson of Eden Prairie; other relatives and many friends.

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

Grace D. Simota

Grace Simota, 87, of Sun Haven Assisted Living in LeCenter and formerly of New Prague, died Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at The Lodge on Natchez, Elko.

Grace was born in Chaska on Nov. 27, 1920, the daughter of Frank and Molly (Zemple) Zamjahn. She married George F. Simota on Jan. 24, 1948 in Chaska. She was raised in Chaska, where she played basketball in high school and enjoyed speed skating at Depot Lake in Chaska. She moved to New Prague after her marriage to George. A homemaker, Grace also candled eggs for Emil Dvorak and worked at Green Giant in Montgomery. Grace also helped her husband with farming in Helena Township, where she enjoyed the farm animals and had a large garden. She helped as ticket taker and concessions for the New Prague Robins baseball team.

She is survived by son, John M. (Mary Sue) Simota of Montgomery; daughter, Mary P. (Stanley J.) Dvorak of Lakeville; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brother, Martin (Mary) Zamjahn of Rochester, Minn.; sister, Margaret Pagelkopf of Chaska.

Preceding her in death were her husband, George (Oct. 16, 1990); sons, Frank G. Simota and twin sons in infancy; parents; brothers, George, Ernest, Frank, Clarence and Ted Zamjahn; sisters, Alice Zamjahn, Julie Zamjahn and Molly Ryski.

Visitation was Friday, June 13, from 4-8 p.m. and 7:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 14, at Bruzek Funeral Home, New Prague.

Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. Wenceslaus Church, New Prague, with the Rev. Kevin Clinton presiding. Her grandchildren served as pallbearers, Tom Simota, Tim Simota, Tracy Novak, Nick Dvorak, Nate Dvorak and grandson-in-law, Dale Novak. Interment at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery, New Prague.

Bruzek Funeral Home provided arrangements. 952-758-4949.

Constance L. Brinkhous

Constance “Connie” Brinkhous, 62, of Chaska, died Thursday, June 12, 2008 at her home.

Memorial service was held Tuesday, June 17, at 10:30 a.m. at the Bertas Funeral Home, Chaska, with the Rev. Robert Bushaw, of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jordan, officiating. The inurnment was at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis.

Connie was born Nov. 21, 1945 in Shakopee, to LeRoy and Ethel (Dahl) Kerkow, one of three children. On July 27, 1985 Connie married Ervin Brinkhous at Interstate Park, Taylors Falls, Minn. They have been Chaska residents since their marriage. Connie owned her own housecleaning business for 20 years, and also worked at Center Drug in Chanhassen for seven years. She was a member of the Chaska American Legion Auxiliary Post 57. She enjoyed dining out, going to gift shops, and collecting various items, such as figurines, statuettes of angels, music boxes, and teacups.

Connie was preceded in death by her mother, Ethel.

Survivors include her husband, Ervin; son, Sean Haas of Burnsville; grandson, Sean Haas Jr.; father, LeRoy Kerkow of St. Anthony; sister, Bonnie (Jeff) McMurchie of Bloomington; brother, Rick Kerkow of St. Paul; other relatives and friends.

Arrangements with Bertas Funeral Home, Chaska. 952-448-2137.

Gloria R. Thiede

Gloria R. Thiede, 80, of Waconia, passed away on Friday, June 13, 2008 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.

Funeral service was held Monday, June 16, at 11 a.m. at Lake Auburn Moravian Church in Victoria with the Rev. Frank Jones officiating. Visitation was Sunday, June 15, from 6-8 p.m. at the Johnson Funeral Home in Waconia. Interment at Lake Auburn Moravian Cemetery in Victoria.

Gloria was born Nov. 14, 1927, the daughter of Frank and Lillian (Suter) Sittel in Jersey City, N.J. She was confirmed in April of 1939 at the First Reformed Church in Guttenberg, N.J. On Sept. 14, 1947, Gloria was united in marriage to Walter T. Thiede at the First Reformed Church in Guttenberg by the Rev. Edward Swartout.

Gloria was preceded in death by her husband, Walter; parents; sister, Lillian Myers; brother-in-law, Carl Thiede.

Gloria is survived by her loving family, sons and daughters-in-law, Roger and Nancy Thiede of Victoria, Scott and Madonna Thiede of Excelsior, Wally and Teresa Thiede of Carver; grandchildren, Kristine and Nate Moser, John Thiede, Sarah Thiede, Kyle Thiede, Katie Thiede; great-grandchildren, Alex Forbes and Katelyn Moser; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Marshall Myers of New Jersey, Gerda and Jerry Schmieg of Victoria, Lola Thiede of Hopkins; nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Casketbearers were Kristine Moser, John Thiede, Sarah Thiede, Kyle Thiede, Katie Thiede and Nate Moser.

Arrangements were with the Johnson Funeral Home in Waconia. Online condolences are available at www.johnsonfh.com.

LeRoy J. Bauer

LeRoy Bauer, 76, of Shakopee, died Friday, June 13, 2008 at North Memorial Medical Center, Robbinsdale.LeRoy Bauer

LeRoy was born in Jordan on Oct. 11, 1931, the son of Benedict and Mathilda (Wick) Bauer. He married Lila A. Eiden on Jan. 5, 1957 in Jordan.

LeRoy was a veteran of the Korean War, having served in the United States Army. He was an active member of St. Mark’s Catholic Church and was a member of the New Prague American Legion Post 45. He served for 18 years on the Jackson Township Board. He was a retired farmer.

He is survived by wife, Lila; 11 children, Allan Bauer, Anita (Steve) Baudoin, all of Shakopee, Roger (Rose) Bauer of Jordan, Kenny Bauer of Shakopee, Geralyn (Jim) Cooper of Jordan, Diane (Joe) Hentges, Jim (Jacki) Bauer, all of Shakopee, Dennis (Jessica) Bauer of Jordan, Cathy (Danny) Theis of Prior Lake, Jeff Bauer, Bruce (Kelly Nevin) Bauer, all of Shakopee; 22 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; brother, Wilbert Bauer of Jordan; four sisters, Marita (Barney) Riesgraf of Carver, Betty (Walter) Donney of Watkins, Helen (Donny) Pauly of Cold Spring, Delores Wallerius of Montgomery; sisters-in-law, Stella Bauer of Shakopee, Mary Ann Bauer of Jordan.

Preceding him in death were his parents; grandson, Jason Baudoin; two brothers, Edwin and Cletus; brother-in-law, Donny Wallerius.

Visitation was Monday, June 16, from 3-8 p.m. and one hour prior to the Mass on Tuesday at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Shakopee.

Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, June 17, at 10 a.m. at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Shakopee with the Rev. William F. Stolzman, Rev. James T. Schoenberger, Deacon Allan Schroeder and James Pufahl officiating. The grandchildren served as pallbearers: Shane, Shannon, Ben, Kayla, Daniel, Aimee, Jenna and Nathan Bauer, Nicole Lindstrom, Jeremy and Tiffy Baudoin, Jessica, Luke and Adam Cooper, Matt, Andy, Sammie and Becky Hentges, Jennifer, Amanda, Rachel and Megan Theis. Interment at the Catholic Cemetery, Shakopee. The Shakopee Veteran Memorial Unit provided military honors.

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