2010 Memorial Updates

Dr. Jim Libby, 75, of Bloomington, MN died in Naples, Florida on Friday, January 8. Jim was born in St. Paul, Minnesota. He received a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1959 from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, and was on the faculty there from 1968 -1974. He established the South Hyland Pet Hospital practice in Bloomington, Minnesota, in 1974 and retired in 2004. Jim was honored with several professional awards. He was instrumental in the creation of the MVMA Surgery Suite and the Miracle of Birth Center at the Minnesota State Fair, enabling State Fair attendees to witness live animal surgeries and animal births for public education. The Libby family has had a long association with the Minnesota State Fair; Jim's brother John was Secretary and General Manager of the Minnesota State Fair, and his father James L. Libby was employed by the Minnesota State Fair for over 60 years. Jim was also active in other areas of the MVMA including being its president and on its executive board.  He also received the honor by the MVMA as veterinarian of the year. He was also actively involved with the MVMA's foundation (MVMF) and was a trusted financial advisor for the foundation. Jim was a past president of the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. He was appointed by the governor to the Minnesota Health Advisory Committee. Jim was a passionate golfer, fisherman, and boater. He loved Florida sunsets and walks on the beach. He enjoyed many years of international travel with wife Pat and veterinary friends. Jim is survived by his wife, Patricia "Pat"; his daughter, Sara Libby Wilson; son and daughter-in-law, James B. "Jay" and Teresa Libby, and daughter, Susan Libby Leslie; and sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Laudy Ribar. A memorial service celebrating Jim Libby's life was held on Friday, January 29, at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Bloomington, Minnesota. Memorials may be made to the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Foundation or the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Griselda F. "Bee" Hanlon, Age 87, of Roseville, died January 14, 2010. Preceded in death by husband, Wallace. Bee retired from the University of MN after 32 years as a faculty member in the School of Veterinary Medicine. She was a volunteer with the American Red Cross and the MN Veterinary Historical Museum. She was an active member of the MVMA and had received its veterinarian of the year award. Memorial Service was held on January 23, 2010 at the Roseville Memorial Chapel.

In 1952, she was one of two women at the U to earn her doctor of veterinary of medicine degree. She stayed at the university for the next 33 years, attaining her board certification in veterinary radiology there and becoming the first female tenure-track professor at the U's College of Veterinary Medicine. She taught a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses on her way to earning the rank of full professor in the early 1970s. She retired in 1985.

"Dr. Hanlon served as a wonderful example for students and co-workers with her dedication, hard work and passion for veterinary medicine and research," said Trevor Ames, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. Hanlon became the first female diplomate in the American College of Veterinary Radiology in 1969, and later served as secretary and president of the organization. She was a member of several professional societies, including the Minnesota State Veterinary Medical Association, the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Council and the American Association of Veterinary Clinicians. In 1973, she was selected as the U.S. representative to the International Association of Veterinary Radiology and was chairwoman of its international program that year.

With her passion for research, "at times it was hard to pull her out of the lab," Madden said. She authored numerous articles for publications such as the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Veterinary Pathology and Journal of the American Veterinary Radiological Society. She received the College of Veterinary Medicine's Distinguished Service Award in 1992 and the Veterinarian of the Year Award in 2006, the latter given for her work in establishing the Minnesota Veterinary Historical Museum, Ames said.

She was included in the 1970 edition of "American Men and Women of Science," the 1973 listing of "Who's Who of American Women" and 1978 "Who's Who of Women in Education."

Dr. Walter Bonnett, Age 88, of Edina, MN, passed away on June 25, 2010. He is survived by his wife, Mary, of 60 years; son, Tim Bonnett (Kate Richards); daughter, Kathy (Scott) Waterman. Dr. Bonnett served in the US Navy in WWII. He graduated from the University of MN School of Veterinary Medicine in 1954 and he founded the Edina, Southdale, Eden Prairie, and Eagan Pet Hospitals. He was the Past President of the MN Veterinary Association and Past President of Edina Rotary. He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church of Edina for over 40 years. Dr. Bonnett was a constant learner. He obtained both his private pilot's and real estate licenses. He loved meeting people and sharing experiences. Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 6820 St. Patrick's Lane, Edina, MN 55439.

Dr. Conway Rosell of Stillwater, MN passed away on June 25, 2010, after a long-term struggle with pulmonary interstitial fibrosis. He was a retired veterinarian after being an owner of a small animal practice, WWII Veteran, POW, 41-year member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Stillwater, and a Rotarian for many years. Preceded in death by wife, Lila. Survived by wife, Kay; children, Roxanne (Bob Moravec), Joe (Barb), Jeff (Marybeth); Funeral services were held at Our Savior's Lutheran Church.

Dr. Ralph Rieke passed away on Friday, July 9, 2010. He graduated from New Ulm High School, completed his pre-veterinary studies at the U of MN and received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Iowa State University. While at Iowa State, he served in the Cardinal Guild student governing board, was a member and president of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity; and a member of Phi Zeta the National Veterinary Honorary Fraternity.

Ralph established a veterinary practice in Fairmont in March of 1944. On Aug. 13, 1944, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth (Bette) Tietz at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Dora, Iowa. Dr. Rieke and Bette Rieke raised their four children in Fairmont.

Dr. Rieke was a life member of the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association and an Honor Roll Member of the American Veterinary Medical Association. A member of Grace Lutheran Church, he served on the council with a term as president. Ralph served on the City Board of Zoning and Appeals and the City Planning Commission. He was member of Kiwanis for 50 years. He was a member of Heritage Acres. He loved growing up on the farm, and he used raising horses (Shetland ponies, Tennesee Walkers and Arabians) as a way to connect his children to farm animals. He also enjoyed playing golf and all kinds of hunting.

In 1986, after 42 satisfying years of veterinary medicine, he retired. He and Bette enjoyed wintering in Arizona and Mexico and traveling in the U.S. and Europe.

Dr. Rieke is survived by his wife Bette; son Clark (Robin), son Todd, son Tedd (Nancy); and daughter Nan (Mark Johnson). He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers; and one sister.

John "Doc" Busch passed away on July 25, 2010. John or "Doc" lived in Stevens County his entire life. He was the youngest child born to Bernard and Bertha (Milkey) Busch. John graduated from Alberta High School in 1931, attended the West Central School of Agriculture, Morris and studied pre-veterinary medicine at St. John's University.

In 1942 Doc entered the United States Army, 124th Cavalry Regiment. At the end of WWII, he was separated from the United States Army as a First Lieutenant. Returning home John attended Iowa State University and in 1947 entered the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota. John had the distinction of being a member of the first graduating class of Veterinary Medicine.

John married Helen (the love of his life) in August of 1949. Together they had six children.

In 1951 John moved to Chokio to begin his veterinary practice. He traveled the countryside with his equipment in his car while Helen managed the office. In 1963 John purchased a two-way radio and a state-of-the-art climate controlled mobile clinic.

Milestone firsts: He was the only licensed Chokio veterinarian, he owned mobile clinic, he supervised confinement pig barn and treated carbon monoxide poisoning in a dairy herd in Stevens County. He retired in August 1989.

John is survived by Helen; sons Michael (Joyce) Plymouth, Thomas (Sandra) Owatonna, Steven (Robin) Lake Park, David (Amy) Chanhassen; daughters Barbara (Tom) Braatz St. Cloud, Sheila (Russ) Winkels Perham. Grandchildren: Erik (Katie), Kendra, Aaron and Matthew Busch: Sara and Zachary Braatz, Nicholas, Benjamin and Johanna Winkels, Noah and Kate Busch and Cody (Sheree) Eilertson.

Dr. Arthur B. Magnusson, 96, of Missoula, passed away on July 27, 2010 at Hunter's Glen Assisted Living Center of natural causes. He graduated high school from the Agricultural School in Grand Rapids, MN. He attended the University of Minnesota where he received his B.S. degree in Animal Science and M.S. degree in Genetics. After teaching Agricultural Sciences at the University of Alaska at Fairbanks and working for the U.S. Geological Survey in Alaska, he attended Veterinary College at Iowa State University. In September, 1944, he married Mary Ella Gilmore. He earned his veterinary degree in 1945, while serving in the U.S. Army Reserve. His first veterinary position was at the Wyoming Hereford Ranch in Cheyenne, WY. Returning to Minnesota in 1946, he and his young family joined a mixed animal veterinary practice in Blooming Prairie, MN., where they spent the next 30 years. During this time the family grew to 6 children. Arthur was active in the community and his profession, serving as mayor of Blooming Prairie, president of the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association, member of the Executive Board of the American Veterinary Medical Association, and member and president of the Minnesota Livestock and Sanitary Board. In 1977, he retired from practice and he and his wife, M.E., moved to Frenchtown, Montana. He continued to be involved in veterinary medicine through relief work, cattle inspection and testing at the Missoula Livestock Auction and serving as secretary of the Montana State Veterinary Medical Association. They also were involved in the Backcountry Horseman, First Responders, Centennial Wagon Train, and Shriners. Art lived to hunt and fish. He enjoyed stain glass creation, painting and sculpturing, raising and training mules, gardening, scuba diving and tree farming. He was twice honored as Minnesota Tree Farmer of the Year. He is survived by three daughters; Ann (Stephen) McCool, Missoula, MT; Linda (Gerardo) Cornejo, Omaha, NE; Kathy Magnusson, Philomath, OR.; three sons; Roger (Kathryn), La Grange, KY; Dale (Diane), Hudson, WI; Ralph (Betty), Wyoming, MN; 13 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.  Memorial services were held at Garden City Funeral Home, Missoula, MT.

Dr. Glen H. Nelson (Age 88 )- Professor Emeritus, University of Minnesota School of Veterinary Medicine Of Roseville, passed away on September 29, 2010. Preceded in death by wife, Mary, daughters, Mary and Greta, and sister, Alice. Survived by sons, James (Karen) and Jay (Kristin). Glen graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1951 and was instrumental in forming the College of Veterinary Medicine and was a member of the first graduating class. After leaving private practice in 1961, Glen became a professor of Veterinary Medicine and retired in 1992. Glen also served as the executive secretary of the MN board of veterinary medicine from 1965 to 1986. He received the U of M College of Veterinary Medicine distinguished service award in 1990 and received the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association distinguished service award in 1991. Born and raised in Brainerd, Minnesota, Glen served as a tank officer in the United States Army during World War II under General George S. Patton. He also served in the Korean War as an officer in the United States Army Veterinary Corps. He was a member of Mizpah Lodge 191, Zuhrah Temple and the American Legion Post 0255 Brainerd, MN. Memorial Services were held on October 6, 10:30AM at Roseville Memorial Chapel with private interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

David "Doc" Naatz, 72, of Wheaton, MN passed away on October 11, 2010. Funeral services were held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Dr. Naatz graduated from Austin High School in the spring of 1955, after which he attended Iowa State University, and later transferred to the University of Minnesota where he met his future wife Solveig Olson and also earned his degree as Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Shortly after graduation, the newly named 'Doc Naatz' moved to Wheaton, MN to purchase the local Veterinary practice and the home where he would live out the rest of his days. He was a County Commissioner in Traverse County for 12 years, and a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and several community service organizations. Dr. Naatz is survived Wife, Solveig Naatz, of Wheaton; four children: Duane (Kay) Naatz, Peder Naatz and Jennifer Sannes and Sarah (Devon) Bream.

Dr. Ken Schulte, age 69 of Milbank, SD passed away December 25, 2010. Dr. Schulte grew up on a farm just south of Corona, SD where he helped with many of the farming operations. He graduated from Corona High School in 1959 and attended college at South Dakota State University in the pre-veterinary curriculum.

In 1962, he was joined in marriage to Janet Ellen Mors in Milbank, SD. In 1966, he received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree from the University of Minnesota. After assisting Veterinary Practices in Dickinson, ND, and Pierz, MN, he purchased the practice in Arlington, MN, in May of 1967. In September of the same year, their first son, Charles Allen was born. Two more sons Jack Andrew and Ross Kenneth joined the family in 1970 and 1971.

In the fall of 1972, he was given the opportunity to join the Veterinary Practice in Milbank, SD. After much thought and prayer, the difficult decision was made to leave friends and a growing practice in Minnesota. On January 1, 1973, the family moved to Milbank allowing the children to grow up with the influence of their grandparents. Ken practiced in Milbank for 24 years. He oversaw many changes during his career, including a new veterinary clinic in 1978 and growth of the practice from 2 to 5 veterinarians.

In 1997, he left clinical practice and formed Dairy Production Services, a nutrition-based, dairy-management business. His deep desire to help others, along with his love of the dairy industry made him a true specialist in his field. Ken expanded his services both regionally and nationally, problem-solving for GPS Dairy and Venture Milling.

He was a strong advocate for his profession serving on numerous boards, including the Monsanto Dairy Advisory Board, the Emergency Disaster Task Force, and the Novus Dairy Strategic Advisory Panel He was chosen as Veterinarian of the Year by his peers in 1995, and served as President of the SD Veterinary Medical Association for the 1996-97 term. Dr. Ken Schulte is survived by his wife, Jan of Milbank, SD; his mother, Florence Schulte of Sioux Falls, SD and his three sons. Funeral services were held at Cornerstone United Methodist Church in Watertown, SD.

Archived Memorials