Josephyne Cleaves

Josephyne R. Cleaves, age 95 of Sauk Centre, died Monday, March 14, 2011 at Community Memorial Home in Osakis, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 17 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Todd Schneider officiating and Rev. Sylvester Kleinschmidt concelebrating. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the church.

Josephyne Rosealtha Cleaves was born March 9, 1916 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Lester W. Jewell and Mabel G. Warner. Josephyne came to Sauk Centre with her husband, Dr. William D. Cleaves, in 1946 to start his medical practice after he had come back from the Pacific Theater, where he served as an Air Force Medical Captain. Josephyne was very active in the American Legion Auxiliary in Sauk Centre, where she has served as president. She also served Meals on Wheels for many years.

Josephyne was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church and the Christian Mothers.

Josephyne is survived by her children, Karen (Robert) Boblett of Minneapolis, Robert Cleaves of Lutz, Florida, and John Cleaves of Rice; grandchildren, Michelle (Steve) Langlois of Bloomington and Robby Cleaves of Houston, Texas; great-grandchildren, Nicole (Josh) Oswell of Long Beach, California, Jamie Olson of Brainerd, Callie Olson of Bloomington, Caleb Olson of Bloomington, and Zoe Langlois of Bloomington; and great-great-granddaughter, Ruby Oswell of Long Beach, California.

Josephyne was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. William D. Cleaves; father, Lester Jewell of Jena, Louisiana; mother, Gracie Hannaford of Cross Lake; sister, Margarite Larson of Torrance, California; and brother, David Jewell of Ceres, California.

Serving as casket bearers will be Robbie Kleinschmidt, Phil Behnen, Gary Leinonen, Steve Langlois, Caleb Olson, and Jamie Olson. Serving as cross bearer will be Zoe Langlois and scripture bearer will be Callie Olson.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to St. Paul's Catholic Church.