The following obituaries are from the July 31, 2008 print edition of the Chanhassen Villager newspaper:

Leola Rose Hjermstad

Leola Rose (Carron) Hjermstad, 84, of Cape Coral, Fla. and previously of Chanhassen and Hopkins, passed away peacefully in her sleep on the morning of July 16, 2008.

Leola was born in Elk River, Minn. on Aug. 4, 1923 to William and Elizabeth Carron.

She is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, Edward Hjermstad; also her son, Edward (Connie) Hjermstad Jr. Chanhassen; daughter, Rosemary (Doug) Herman, Choctaw, Okla.; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. Leola is also survived by sister, Bea (George) Grabowski, St. Paul; two sisters-in-law, Betty Carron, Boulder, Colo., Evelyn Carron Muskogee, Okla. Preceded in death by brothers, Leon, Harry, Floyd; sisters, Isabelle, Maureen, and Margie.

Leola was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a successful business woman in Chanhassen and Hopkins for many years, owning a grocery store and catering business with her husband. Leola loved to travel and be with her family. She was a member of the Chanhassen American Legion Auxiliary (Past President), and belonged to the Hopkins Elks, Minneapolis Eagles, and Cape Coral Moose Clubs. Leola will be missed by all who knew her.

A Memorial Graveside Service will be held for family and friends on Friday, Aug. 1, at 1 p.m. at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery Assembly Area 1. A gathering of friends and family will follow at the Chanhassen American Legion from 2-4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to donor's choice or the Chanhassen Legion Auxiliary.

Chester J. Lobitz

Chester “Chet” Lobitz, 88, of Chaska, passed away Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at his home in Chaska.

Funeral service was Friday, July 25, at 11 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Excelsior, with the Rev. John Zahrte officiating. Interment was in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in Chaska. Casketbearers were grandchildren Adam, Chris, Chelsie, and Gracie Lobitz, Joey and Danielle Mielke.

Chet was born June 21, 1920 in Chaska, the son of Fred and Elizabeth (Zitur) Lobitz. He was baptized July 4, 1920 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Chaska by the Rev. O.H. Schmidt and confirmed on April 9, 1933 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Chaska by the Rev. Otto Kohn; confirmation memory verse was “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto You,” Matthew 6, 33.

On Dec. 27, 1947 he was united in marriage to Joyce H. Kelm at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Chaska by the Rev. Otto Kohn. This union was blessed with three children: Cheryl, Richard (Rick) and Timothy.

Chet was a loving husband, dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa. He was a graduate of Chaska High School. Chet was a W.W.II veteran and a member of the Chaska V.F.W. Post 1791. Military graveside services were held for him in Chaska. He was a heavy equipment operator until retiring in 1986. Chet spent is retirement as a handyman and enjoyed spending time in his workshop doing crafts and anything mechanical. He was very happy about spending winters in Arizona. He was an associate member of Christ Lutheran Church in Coolidge, Ariz.

Chet was preceded in death by his parents; brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Lorraine Lobbitz; brother-in-law, Roy Vogel; father-in-law and mother-in-law, George and Hilda Kelm; brothers-in-law, Roy and Wayne Kelm; sister-in-law Dee Kelm.

Chet is survived by his loving family; wife of over 60 years, Joyce Lobitz of Chaska; children, Cherie (Ron) Tanghe of Eden Prairie, Rick (Connie) Lobitz of Glencoe, Tim (Cindy) Lobitz of Otsego; grandchildren, Chelsie, Gracie, Adam and Tracy, Chris, Danielle, Joey and Kari, Kevin and Jill, Jeanette, Crystal; great-grandchildren, Madelyn, Emily, Ellexis, Zory, Maya, Jordan, Jaden, Gabby and Audrey; sister, Helen Vogel of South St. Paul; sisters-in-law, Lucy Kelm of Watertown and Nancy Kelm of Le Center; nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

Arrangements were made with the Johnson Funeral Home of Waconia, 952-442-2121. www.johnsonfh.com