Robert D. Schafer, 82, Marine on St. Croix, died Thursday, April 3, 2008.

A celebration of life will take place 2-4 p.m., Saturday, April 12, with a memorial service at 4 p.m. at Mattson Funeral Home, 343 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Rosemary; children, Robert (Gina), Jeffrey (Mary), Colleen (Perry) Busch, Willeke, JoAnn, Lauri and Randy; nine grandchildren; one great grandchild.

Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association.

Jack Warren Clifford, 78, Independence, MO, formerly of Forest Lake, died Thursday, March 27, 2008.

A funeral service was Wednesday, April 2 at Immanuel Church, Forest Lake, with interment at Acacia Park Cemetery, Mendota Heights.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Clifford; sons David (Evelyn), John (Dawn); step daughter Sally (Brad); grandchildren Matthew (Laura), Ruth, Jason (Danielle), Justina, Erin.

He was preceded in death by his first wife of 50 years, Janet Clifford; brother Arthur P. Clifford; and parents Arthur A. and Gladys Clifford.

Memorials are preferred to the family in care of Mattson Funeral Home, Forest Lake.

Thomas John Ersfeld, 94, Forest Lake, died Sunday, March 30, 2008.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, April 3, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 1250 South Shore Drive, Forest Lake, with interment at Calvary Cemetery, Forest Lake. A gathering of family and friends will be 5-8 p.m., Wednesday, April 2 and 9-10 a.m., Thursday at Mattson Funeral Home, 343 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake.

He is survived by his wife Lucille Houle Ersfeld; sons, Thomas and Joseph; daughters, Annette Hegler, Mary Keilty, Sister Jean Ersfeld SSND, Kathleen Robinson and Rita Norton; 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Anne Ersfeld; brother Dr. Murray P. Ersfeld.

Memorials are preferred to Allina Homecaring and Hospice 1055 Westgate Drive Suite 100, St. Paul, MN  55114.

Gary R. Gilbertson, 54, Scandia, died unexpectedly from a heart attack on Saturday, March 29, 2008.

A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m., Thursday, April 3, at Elim  Lutheran Church, 20971 Olinda Trail N., Scandia, with  visitation 4-8 p,m., Wednesday, April 2 at Mattson Funeral Home, 343 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Annette; children, Mark R. (Jessica, and sons, Hunter and Trevor), Melisa, Carol (fiancé, Nick Klimek); siblings, Alana Blomberg, Jeanne Koenes, Mari Campbell, Gerald Gilbertson, and their families; many other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and one uncle.

Memorials are preferred to the family to put toward Gary’s favorite projects.

Howard I. Nelson, 95, Lindstrom, died Monday, March 31, 2008.

A funeral service will be at 3 p.m., Saturday, April 5 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Lindstrom, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Visitation is also set 4-8 p.m., Friday, April 4 at Grandstrand Funeral Home, Lindstrom. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery, Lindstrom.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; daughters Carol Peterson, Marcia (Patrick) Smith, Kristine (Richard) Henley; sons Peter C. (Debra) Nelson, George (Teri) Nelson; nine grandchildren; sisters Alma Sands and Ardis McAfee; and many great-grandchildren, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter C. and Dora K. Nelson; brothers Milton (Mick), Vernon and Art Nelson; and one sister Harriet Hart.

Fred R. Torning, 65, Forest Lake, died Friday, March 21, 2008.

A graveside funeral service was Wednesday, March 26 at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

He is survived by daughter Sherry Clements; siblings, Kate, Steve (Rae), Mike (Diane), Jean (Paul) McMullen; eights nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Boneta (Grace); brother Carl Jr.

Edward G. Poupard, 87, Virginia, died Friday, March 14, 2008 at St. Michael’s Health and Rehabilitation Center, Virginia.

A Mass of Christian Burial was Wednesday, March 19 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Virginia, with interment at Calvary Cemetery, Virginia.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Lucy; one daughter, Dianne (Eugene) Rogal, Chicago, IL; two sons, Daniel (Vicki) Poepard, Forest Lake, and Jerry (Robin) Poupard, Redlands, CA; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one sister, Mary Lou (Mel) Skoglund, Virginia; one brother, Richard (Judy) Poupard, Vermilion Lake Township; one sister-in-law, Carmella Kure, Virginia; nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Averie Peterson; and one stepbrother, Joseph Kure.

Caroline M. Petersen (nee Chell), 72, Scandia, died Tuesday, March 18, 2008.

A funeral service was Tuesday, March 25 at Faith Lutheran Church, Forest Lake, with interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Lowell (Jim); children Lowell Jr., Karrie, Eric (Pixie), and Gretchen (Brent); grandchildren Kelsi, Lowell III (James), Krista, Kristopher, Blake, Colin, Dane, Janey, and Hannah; sisters Arlene, Geraldine, and Kathleen; other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her mother Bernice and father Robert.

Memorials are preferred to the Union Gospel Mission, 77 East 9th St., St. Paul, MN 55101.