Josepha Kerfeld

Josepha "Sapha" Kerfeld, age 93, of Freeport, died Monday, January 26, 2009 in Pine Haven at the Pine Villa Care Center in Melrose.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, January 30, 2009 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport with Rev. Roger Klassen, O.S.B. officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the church in Freeport. Goldenaires Senior Citizens, Christian Mothers, and Catholic Aid Society will pray at 4 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 5 p.m. Thursday evening at the church.

Josepha Kerfeld was born January 15, 1916 in Melrose Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Henry and Elizabeth (Osterhues) Steinemann. On October 13, 1936 she was united in marriage to Lawrence Kerfeld at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Melrose. Sapha grew up north of Melrose, but after marriage moved and farmed near Freeport for nearly 40 years. She also lived at Das Goldene Wohnheim in New Munich for 2 years, and at Pine Villa in Melrose since 2002.She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport, Goldenaires Senior Citizens, Christian Mothers, Catholic Aid Society, and her Homemakers Group. She enjoyed quilting, playing cards, and playing her two favorite instruments, the harmonica and the accordion.

Survivors include her children, Doris (Charles) Hockert of Conroe, TX, Elaine Stueve of Richfield, Harold (Dianne) Kerfeld of Freeport, Donald (Diane) Kerfeld of Grey Eagle, Glenn (Nancy) Kerfeld of Circle Pines, and Jean (Virgil) Zwilling of Bowlus; 22 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; and sister, Adelle (Norb) Renneker of Freeport.

Sapha was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lawrence Kerfeld on July 24, 2001; 2 grandchildren; brothers, Joe Steinemann and Henry Steinemann; and sisters, Marie Dullinger, and Loretta Hinnenkamp.

Casket bearers will be Jeff Hockert, Scott Stueve, Kelly Kerfeld, Lynn Bjork, Luke Kerfeld, and Paul Zwilling. Cross bearer will be Jodi Kerfeld and scripture bearer will be David Hockert.