January 2025 Breeze Newsletter Online

In Memory of Stephen “Steve” Warren Sunde

July 9, 1954 ~ December 31, 2024

Stephen “Steve” Warren Sunde, 70-year-old resident of Cushing, MN, passed away Tuesday, December 31st, 2024, at his home surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral service will be held on Friday, January 10, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. at the Motley United Methodist in Motley, MN, (847 3rd Ave. S – Motley, MN 56466) with Pastor Greg Leslie officiating. Visitation will be held from 9-11:00 A.M. on Friday, January 10, 2025 at the Motley United Methodist. Caring for Stephen and his family is the LeMieur Funeral Home in Little Falls, MN.
Steve Sunde was born on July 9th, 1954 in Grand Forks, ND to Warren and Genevieve (Papenfuss) Sunde. Steve grew up with his family in Dilworth, MN where he graduated high school in 1974. He worked various jobs until his graduation from St. Mary’s Junior College in 1984 with his associates degree in Physical Therapy. Steve worked for St. Gabriel’s Hospital, including St. Otto’s Care Center and Little Falls Orthopedics, as a Physical Therapy Assistant for over 35 years until his retirement in 2022. Steve married Alice Coenen on September 14th, 1991 in Randall, MN. They were married for 33 wonderful years and loved traveling the world together. Steve also enjoyed golfing, fishing, and in his younger years, training and running marathons; he took immense pride in having completed eight marathons. Steve was a lover of all animals and had many pet dogs and cats throughout his life, and he cherished his time spent with his family and friends.
Steve is survived by his wife Alice, his sister Pat (Del) Palloch of Moorhead, MN, mother-in-law Ardy Coenen of Little Falls, MN, numerous brothers and sisters-in-law, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great, great nieces and nephews, and his two beloved dogs, Cinder and Tinker.
He was preceded in death by his parents Warren and Genevieve Sunde, brother Dean Littlejohn, sister Wendy Winter, infant brother Warren Jr., and father-in-law Odell Coenen.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Kindred Spirits Rescue, Lakewood Health System Cancer Center, and/or Lakewood Health System Hospice.

In Memory of Robert “Bob” Wilfred Choate, Jr.

April 17, 1947 ~ December 31, 2024

Robert Choate, Jr., of Cushing, passed away at his home on December 31, 2024.

He was born on April 17, 1947, in Dayton, Ohio, to Robert Sr. and Carol (Lindquist) Choate.

He is survived by his wife, Jomyla Choate; children, Wendy (Jenifer Rabins) Orth and Matthew (Nicole) Choate; and four grandchildren.

Services for Bob will be held in July of 2025.

In Memory of Bruce Kendell Quinn;  May 13, 1930 ~ November 1, 2024

Bruce Quinn was born May 15, 1930, in Bastrop, Louisiana, and passed away November 1, 2024, with his wife Gayle and 2 daughters at his side.  He was 94.

Bruce served in the Korean War as secretary to the Brigadier General in Alaska.  He went to work at the railroad for a short time and then joined the Lutheran Brotherhood, raising money for churches.  He was then employed by the Minnesota United Methodist Conference when he met his wife, Gayle (Lategola).

While in Minneapolis, Bruce and Gayle lived downtown, giving their family access to music and theater venues.   Bruce loved to sing, and they both sang in a choral group that performed often.  They traveled east and west to Mt. Rushmore and the Grand Canyon and to Canada.

They moved to Motley, MN, in 2005, where they were active in the Motley United Methodist Church choir and other activities.  Bruce had a deep faith and a drive to live his life according to the example of Jesus, and he had a great love for people.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Gayle; Son Daniel (wife, Amber); daughters Susan (Quinn), Laurie (Rich Petersen), Tracy (Dan Calkran,)  Shelly (Joel Deutsch); 8 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. His parents and siblings preceded him.  He will be missed by his family and friends.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Bruce Quinn held at the Motley United Methodist Church on Saturday, January 11, at 11 am.  If you wish to watch the service on Zoom, it will have the same link and password as the Christmas Eve Service.