Star Tribune from Minneapolis, Minnesota • Page 25

I I classifications: To place a paid classified notice call 612-673-4130; Fax 612-673-7435 242 Funerals Obituaries Werp Funeral Notices LeRoy 0., age 56, of Brooklyn Park. Preceded in death by mother. Lorraine; daughter, Nikki. Survived by chitdren, Tony, Lori and Mindy; 8 grandchildren; sister, Edna Jensen; other relatives and friends. Funeral service Thursday, 11 am, with visitation one hour prior to service only at Christ Lutheran Church, 641 89th Ave NE, Blaine.

Private interment. Thurston-Lindberg 763-421-0220 Westerhaus Joanne, age 64. of Burnsville and Rainy Lake, Ontario, died March 19, 2001 of an undiagnosed brain disease. Preceded in death by father, Ed Willems. Survived by loving husband of 41 years, Andy; children, Gregg (Mary), Beth (Pat) Julik, Amy (Greg) Tucci, Rita (Scott) Siverhus; beautiful grandchildren, Emily, Becky, Joe, Grace, Sam, Luke and Anders; loyal dog, Ginger; mother, Gen; siblings, Joe, Joyce, Jean, Eddy, Mary and Gwen.

She loved her cabin, to cook, garden, fish, garage sales, card games, but most of all, to gather her family for celebrations. Mass of Christian Burial 5:30 pm Friday at Mary, Mother of the Church, 3333 Cliff Burnsville. Visitation pm Friday in the church. Memorials preferred to Methodist Hospital Hospice. As one of our Lord's good and faithful servants, she now enjoys His embrace.

White (Snyder) Dolores Jean White, age 76, on Loving mother and grandmother. Retired from Longview Fibre. Graduated South High School in 1942. Preceded in death by husband, Albert H. White; parents, Edith Frank sister, Ruth Long; brothers, Elmer "Shorty" Snyder, Robert Snyder, Roy Snyder and Walter Snyder.

Survived by sister, Roma Lane; brother, James (Ruth) Snyder; son, Stephen (Melba) a White; daughter, Patricia (Mark) Mikish; grandsons, Daniel and Derek Mikish; and many other friends and relatives. Memorial service Saturday, 1 pm, Gramercy Room at Gramercy Park, reception to follow, 6711 Lake Shore Drive, Richfield, 612- 866-0650. Park across or in rear. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the American Cancer Society. Whitman Edith age 83, of Long Lake.

Preceded in death by loving husband of 60 years, Albert Whitman. Survived by children, Randal Smith and husband Robert, Barbara Dahl and husband Arthur, John Whitman and wife Donna, William Whitman and wife Judy; grandchildren, Kimberly Smith, Douglas Smith, Leslie Smith, Keith Smith, John Dahl and wife Katharine, Elizabeth Dahl, Michael Whitman and wife Patricia, Chad Whitman, Sarah Whitman and Marc Whitman; great-grandchildren, Tyler Moen, Cassandra Whitman, Jessica Whitman and Erik Dahl. Edie lived a life of persistence, strength and dedication to her family, her interests andher friends. She was a winning athlete, gifted artist and avid gardener. She began her family in New York City in 1938 and returned with Al and their four children to his Minnesota roots in 1950.

She was a community leader and devoted wife and mother. Edie's community involvement included the Pillsbury Settlement House, exchange students from Holland, Turkey and Uruguay, the Minnetonka Center for the Arts, Girl Scouts and Brownies, Big Sisters, the Garden Club of America, Courage Center and Dirt Diggers Garden Club. Memorial Service Saturday, 3 pm, March 24 at Wayzata Community Church. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the Minnetonka Center for the Arts, Washburn Child Guidance Center or Courage Center. Private family interment.

Rettinger Funeral Home LongLk 952-473-6954 Wright Herbert age 88, of Red Wing, on March 20, 2001. Service 11 am Friday at Cottage Grove United Church of Christ, 7008 Lamar Av. Cottage Grove. Visitation 5- 8 pm Thursday at CATURIA-SMIDT FUNERAL HOME, 201 E. 7th Hastings 1 hour prior to service at church.

Complete notice Thurs. Caturia-Smidt 651-437-9419 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21 2001 Obituaries Becky's owner dies; Jeanne Sonmore had retired in '86 Home-style cook shared the gospel By Kavita Kumar south Minneapolis, where Bibles were always on hand for customers while they drank coffee and dined on Becky's homemade fixings. "It is such a satisfying business. It is a ministry I don't know another Jeanne Sonword to use," she more and her told the Minne- husband took apolis Star in over Becky's 1971. "This can in 1949.

be a little lighthouse on the corner." Sonmore, of Minnetonka, died Saturday from liver cancer at the NC Little Memorial Hospice in Edina. She was 76. During the lunch and dinner hours she would float around the restaurant and talk to customers, sometimes offering a religious verse or two. "She had a unique ability to come up to somebody, put her hand on their shoulder and ask, 'How are you said her son Tim of Copley, Ohio. Spiritual and classical music often filled the Kenwood neighborhood restaurant, complementing its red carpet, religious paintings and antique furnishings.

Sometimes Sonmore took a break to play hymns and spiritual I songs on the piano and organ. She was born in Minneapolis, the daughter of Norwegian immigrants. She met her husband through church and attended a Bible camp with him. When he returned from the Navy during World War II, he said he received his calling from God to be a Christian businessman. So in 1949 they sold their car and piano, borrowed money from their families and cashed in their war bonds to put down a deposit to buy Becky's Bakery, started by the Beck sisters in 1925.

They transformed it into a Minneapolis institution where food and religion often met. People from the Guthrie Theater and the Walker Art Center frequented the place, as did theatergoers. But it also catered to the less fortunate, to those people who couldn't always afford a meal. "It was a haven a good place to go for a hot meal and a cup of coffee," Tim Sonmore said. "And there was a peace there.

People felt at home there." Star Tribune Staff Writer Jeanne Sonmore offered her customers the gospel with their prime rib. For 37 years, she and her husband, Clayt, owned Becky's Cafeteria near the corner of Hennepin and Franklin Avs. in Sonmore and her husband retired and closed the business in 1986. Becky's is now the location of the restaurant Auriga, where a clue to the place's past remains with the 'B' stenciled on the floor. Besides her son, survivors include her husband, Clayt, of Minnetonka; daughters Lonnie of Hopkins and Pam of Superior, son Gary of Westminster, sister Minerva Anderson of St.

Louis Park, and 12 grandchildren. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Calvary Worship Center, 9500 Minnetonka St. Louis Park. Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Friday at the David Lee Funeral Home, 1220 E. Wayzata Wayzata. Kavita Kumar can be contacted at Also noted Wendy Carol Roth, 48, a TV producer whose battle with multiple sclerosis led her to an activist role, died from complications of the disease March 14 in Santa Barbara, Calif. She wrote and produced the NBC-TV series "The Human Animal" in 1986. She also wrote a guide for the disabled to national parks.

STAR TRIBUNE PAGE B7 Obituaries Funerals nes Edward Trow, age 88, died peacein his sleep at his ne in Edina. Family sician in Minneapolis Richfield until his rement in 1990, he dered over 4000 babies ing his career. Served Alaska on the Alcan hway during World Il as Senior Medical icer. Educated at the Medical School, duating in 1939. rried Lois Ruth LamTrow in 1942.

Sured by four children, (Ginger Moschetta) JD of CA, Barbara oward Stith) of Dover, and Tom of Mpls; 3 andchildren, Nora, ily. and Max Trowaw of Berkeley, CA; other, Dr. William H. )W of Eden Prairie. He be missed by family friends.

Memorial vice Saturday, March 1 pm at St. Stephen's tholic Church, 22nd nton Ave Mpls, th reception afterrds. Memorials prerred to St. Mary's alth Clinic, 1884 RanIph St. Paul 105, or Class of 1939 holarship Fund, of edical Foundation.

Enga-White-Gleason 612-827-5838 an of St. Louis Park. receded in death by isband, Ben; sisters brother. Survived by aughters sons-inw, Donna Mayer olf, LA, CA, Nancy Mcay, Minnetonka, Bonnie Robert Flood, Minnenka; sister, Miriam Colan, St. Louis Park; randchildren, Dov, oshe and Aryeh Wolf, ebecca McKay, Ben and mma Flood; greatrandchildren, Eliron, diel, Ranana and Jonah.

uneral service THURSAY, 1 PM, BETH EL YNAGOGUE CHAPEL, 224 W. 26th St. ouis Park. Memorials referred to donor's faorite charity. SHIVA, 813 Hamilton Lane, linnetonka (Thurs.

at. eves). Arr. with lodroff Sons. etell Marie, age 42, of MendoHeights, formerly of armington, on March 0, 1 2001.

Survived by oving parents, Robert R. Clara Vetell; sisters, Valerie (Ed) Lorenzen nd Anita (Tom) Bates; rother, Robert A. Vetell. Mass of Christian Burial 0 am Friday at St. Mihael's Catholic Church Farmington, with visiation on Thursday from 1-8 pm at the White Fueral Home (901 3rd St), also one hour prior Mass at church.

Internent church cemetery. White Funeral Home Farmington, MN 651-463-7374 lakefield Richard E. "Dick" Wakefield, age 75, of Excelsior, died of natural causes on surrounded by his loving children. Preceded in death by wife, Betty; brother Brad. Survived by children, Rick (Rachel), Beth (Charlie), David (Christine), and Diane (George); 9 grandchildren; and many loyal friends.

Dick proudly served his country in WWII and the Korean War. He was a generous contributor to the community while he owned and operated the Copperstein Restaurant in Excelsior for 21 years. His love of motorcycles allowed him to tour 48 states. Memorial Service Thursday, March 22, 2001, 3 pm at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 301 Cnty Rd.

19, Excelsior (952-474-8893). Gathering of friends and family immediately following service in Luther Hall. Private interment Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Mpls. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Excelsior Men's Garden Club, 530 3rd Excelsior MN 55331 Huber Funeral Homes Excelsior Chapel 952-474-9595 Wallace Mahlon age 74, of Elk River, on March 17.

Survived by wife, Pat; children, Randy (Joyce), Renay (Gerry), Deb (Tim), and Jim (April); brothers, Gerald (Madlyn) and Clifford (Marlys); 7 grandchildren. Memorial service Saturday, March 24, 11 AM at Elk River United Methodist Church, 1304. Main Street, Elk River. Memorials preferred to Children's Home Society of Minnesota or Elk River United Methodist Church. Dare's Funeral Home Elk River 763-441-1212 242 Funerals Obituaries Zimmer Harla of Apple Valley, passed March 19, 2001.

Survived by husband, John and sons, John, Timothy, Colin and Patrick; mother, Iola; sister, Julie; brother, Spencer and sister-inlaw, Susan. A memorial service will be held March 21 (TODAY) at 2 pm at the Hazel Park Congregational United Church of Christ, 1831 Minnehaha Ave St. Paul (651-735-2555). In lieu of flowers, memorial donations preferred to Crisis Center Nursery, B. Robert Lewis House, or Hazel Park Congregational UCC.

Cremation Society of MN Mpls 612-825-2435 246 Cemetery Lots GLEN HAVEN 2 choice plots Good Samaritan Garden 651-687-0968 MORNINGSIDE MEMORIAL GARDEN, above ground, 2 person lot, 252 Funeral Directors Helpful Telephone Numbers Social Security Admin. 1-800-772-1213 Service available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on business days. Call to provide notification of death or to inquire about survivor benefits.

U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA) 1-800-827-1000 Call for survivor benefits, burial benefits or to provide notification of death. United Way First Call For Help Metro: (651)291-0211 Service is available 24 hours every day. Call if you need to know where to turn for help.

First Call for Help offers information and referral to local health and human service agencies. Reawy, FUNERAL CHAPELS CREMATION SERVICES EDINA 952-920-3996 HOPKINS 952-938-9020 EDEN PRAIRIE 952-975-0400 ROBBINSDALE 763-537-2333 COON RAPIDS 763-767-1000 LOWRY AVE N. 612-529-9691 JOHNSON ST. 612-781-6828 HENNEPIN AV 612-377-2203 CENTRAL AV 612-379-2368 MILLER FUNERAL HOME ANOKA RAMSEY CREMATION SOCIETY Fridley 763-571-1300 GEARTY-DELMORE Funeral Chapels Robbinsdale 763-537-4511 St. Louis Park 952-926-1615 Plymouth 763-553-1411 Billman-Hunt 2701 Central Av.

NE. 789-3535 0.E. Larson- Osborne 2301 Central NE 789-3571 EVANS-NORDBY 533-3000 424-4000 MORRIS NILSEN 6527 Portland 612-869-3226 254 In Memoriam IN MEMORIAM It is the custom of many persons to publish an In Memoriam verse as a token of respect to thememory of one who has gone. Insertion of an ad In Memoriam additional assistance in correct phrasing may be arranged by telephoning 673-4130 BEAN: It has been a year since you made the trip to Heaven. To you, it must be like the blink of an eye.

To me, it's more like an eternity. Still, I'm glad didn't know the way it all would end. The way it all would go. life is better left to chance. couid have missed the pain But I'd of had to miss the Thanks for the dance love you! Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there, I do not sleep I am the thousand winds that blow I am the diamond's glints upon the snow I am the sunlight on ripened grain I am the gentle autumn rain When you awaken in the morning's hush I am the swift uplifting rush Of birds in circling flight I am the soft star that shines at night Do not stand at my grave and cry I am not there, I did not die -Unknown Middle-school newsletter is no more The publication for Minneapolis parents was popular and pioneering.

By Allie Shah Star Tribune Staff Writer A popular newsletter for Minneapolis middle-school parents is calling it quits. Middle School Connection published its last issue in December and will not publish again, staff members announced this week. Founders of the groundbreaking publication said they pulled the plug because of a lack of money and because of changes in their own lives. Most of their funding came from a two-year grant from the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation in New York. Ef- forts to secure money from ask questions.

local foundations failed, leav- They published six times a ing the staff at a crossroads. year, with 1 most issues coming At the same time, many out in the fall and early winstaff members no longer had ter, when parents were chooschildren in middle schools. ing schools. The newsletter "We were discovering that the the only one of its kind in the further away we got from mid- nation reached more than dle schools, the harder it was 11,000 households in Minneto maintain a credible voice apolis, mostly families with and be aware of real issues for children in fourth through middle schools," said Linda eighth grades. Some schools Jury, one of the newsletter's also received a copy.

founders. Now it's up to school newsShe and Bev Prawalsky letters, the district's commustarted printing Middle School nications department and Connection four years ago, neighborhood newspapers to when their own children were provide useful information to in middle school. Through the middle parents, Jury newsletter, they hoped to said. "We're kind of back to guide parents of preteens word-of-mouth and networkthrough the maze of school ing," she said. choices and other issues affecting middle-school chil- Allie Shah can be contacted at dren.

They also set up a hot line for parents to vent and Special to the Star Tribune by John Gregor About $1.7 million of the 3M grant will be used to preserve prairie grassland in the Wallace C. Dayton Conservation and Wildlife Area, a patchwork of land along the borders of Kittson and Roseau counties and Canada northwest of Roseau. GRANT from B1 Some funds will be used to work with neighbors He said grants often are used to leverage other money to buy land. Katherine Reed, 3M Co. staff vice president for environmental technology and safety, said that as the company gears up for its 100th anniversary next year, "we want to celebrate our past environmental achievements and launch our new century with a continued commitment to the environment." McKim said the Nature Conservancy will use the 3M grant money in two areas of "beautiful" land: $1.7 million for the Wallace C.

Dayton ARRESTED from B1 Concerned citizens made tip on man's whereabouts Flipping, the purchase and rapid resale of property for a big gain in price, is illegal if based on fraudulent documents such as inflated appraisals. Several major flipping rings surfaced in the Twin Cities area between 1995 and 1998. Agboola, a Nigerian who has been living in the United States since 1985, was alleged in a 1999 lawsuit to have headed one of the rings. WMC Mortgage a Californiabased lender, last year obtained a $2.9 million default judgment against him for alleged flipping losses, plus more than $3 million against companies he used to buy and sell property and to broker mortgages. WMC alleged when it sued Agboola in federal court that he or his companies flipped 60 properties.

Conservation and Wildlife Area, a patchwork of land along the borders of Kittson and Roseau counties and Canada northwest of Roseau. Dayton, a longtime conservationist, helped acquire 10,000 acres in 1999. It is in a large stretch of prairie-to-forest transition land in Minnesota and Manitoba known for aspen, balsam, prairies and fens, and as habitat for moose, gray wolf, black bear, sharptail grouse, yellow rail and sandhill cranes. $1.5 million in the area of the 581-acre Ordway Prairie Preserve and 173-acre Moe Woods Preserve near the Kandiyohi-Pope county line northwest of Willmar. The area of lakes and rolling hills includes tallgrass, dry gravel hill prairies, calcareous fens, wetlands and forests of maple, basswood and oak.

The Nature Conservancy said it supports "a tremendous diversity of species," of prairie, raptors and wetland birds. McKim said the Conser- The indictment also lists mail fraud, perjury, money laundering and other financial charges against Agboola. Differing figures In his bankruptcy, Agboola claimed assets of $4,885, but a federal investigator asserted in the affidavit that he and his companies reaped almost $756,000 in less than one year on real-estate sales of $1.6 million. The affidavit also claimed that his mortgage company collected at least $177,000 in fees. And it said he deposited hundreds of thousands of dollars obtained from real-estate deals based on fraudulent appraisals into multiple bank accounts.

A search warrant affidavit contains facts and allegations in support of a search but is not a criminal charge. The indictment also alleges that Agboola lied in his bankruptcy when he attributed his real-estate transactions to a purported brother. Larsen said he did not know where in Florida the arrest occurred. The U.S. Attorney's Office in Minneapolis is asking a federal judge in Florida not to release Agboola from jail because it considers vancy will use grant money not only to buy and maintain land but, in a new initiative, to work with neighboring land owners and "be good ambassadors in the community." That sometimes means working on joint land-management projects, he said.

In Texas, the 3M grant will be used for land acquisition along the Lower Rio Grande River, home of some rare birds and reptiles. In the past, 3M has donated land to the Nature Conservancy, which in turn sometimes donated land to the state. Temperance River and Tettegouche state parks on Lake Superior's North Shore include former 3M holdings. Grants by 3M totaled about $16 million last year. At least part of the Nature Conservancy grant will come from additional funding this year, spokesman Rick Renner said.

Robert Franklin can be reached at him a risk to flee before trial. Larsen said the tip that Agboola was in Florida and expected at a closing on a piece of Minnesota real -estate came from "concerned private citizens." The flipping epidemic left buyers owing more on their houses than the properties were worth and has left lenders without sufficient collateral to cover their mortgages if they foreclosed. Most of the transactions connected to flipping rings were concentrated in north Minneapolis. In 1999, federal lawyers successfully prosecuted a small five-person flipping ring that included a Norwest loan officer. Last year, they indicted two flipping rings that had some overlap.

One revolved around Michael A. Meehan of Minneapolis, and the other around Roseville businessman Burnie Battle. All nine members of the two rings eventually pleaded guilty to various charges, but one member indicted in both cases, Mark Levine, also was convicted after standing trial. Steve Brandt can be contacted at or 612-673-4438. 1.