The following obituaries are from the Nov. 21, 2009 print edition of the Prior Lake American newspaper:

Eleanor T. Lebens

Eleanor was an independent woman all of her life and was very dedicated to the Catholic faith. A sister and aunt, who loved to laugh and fun with others.

She was a life-long member of the Church of St. Mark, an active member of the Perpetual Adoration and the Third Order of Secular Franciscans. She was also a member of the National Catholic Order of Foresters. Eleanor enjoyed traveling the world, playing cards, and music. She could always be found walking around town, shopping and visiting people.

Eleanor, 88, of Shakopee, entered God’s arms Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009 at Friendship Manor Nursing Home in Shakopee. She was born April 4, 1921 in Shakopee, the daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Hartman) Lebens.

She is loved and will be forever missed by sisters, Laura Lebens of Shakopee, Esther Rademacher of Shakopee, Mary (Donald) LaTour of Shakopee; sister-in-law, Gladys Lebens of Shakopee; many nieces, nephews and friends. Eleanor is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Harry (Violet) Lebens and Fred Lebens. Pallbearers are Larry Rademacher, Don Rademacher, Ernest Lebens, Alvin Lebens, Robert Lebens, Dan LaTour and John LaTour.

Mass of Christian Burial was Saturday, Nov. 14, at 11 a.m., with visitation two hours prior to the Mass, all at the Church of St. Mark, Shakopee. Interment at the Catholic Cemeteries in Shakopee.

Arrangements made by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Shakopee Chapel. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com

David Dale Plekkenpol

David’s dignity, warmth and acceptance were a gift to his family and friends and he will be deeply missed. In spite of his lifelong deafness, David had a positive, gentle spirit, enjoying a simple life and spending time with his family and friends. He loved the outdoors, fishing, telling tall tales and most of all making treasured family movies.David Plekkenpol

David, 50, of Prior Lake, our beloved son, brother, uncle and friend, made a quiet and graceful exit from this life in the arms of his adoring niece, Brianna, on Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, after a courageous struggle with cancer. He was born Dec. 31, 1958 in Shakopee, the son of Paul and Joan (Mechtel) Plekkenpol.

He will be loved and forever missed by his mother, Joan Plekkenpol of Shakopee; brother, Craig (Judy) Plekkenpol of Bloomington; sisters, Diana (Cliff) Cracauer of Bloomington, Gwenn (Myron) Will of Prior Lake and Linda (Jim) Theis of Prior Lake; many nieces, nephews and friends. He is preceded in death by his father, Paul Plekkenpol.

Private family services per David’s wishes. Memorials preferred to www.caringbridge.org/visit/davesstory.

Arrangements made by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Prior Lake Chapel. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com

Gail Antoinette Taylor

Gail Taylor, loving wife, mother and sister, 63, of Prior Lake, died Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009 after a courageous battle with cancer. Gail Taylor

She is preceded in death by her father, John Hoffman; mother, Helen; brother, Michael; sister-in-law, Vickie.

She is survived by her loving husband of 33 years, John; children, Nicole, Raina, Jesse; stepdaughter, Jill Berc; three step-grandchildren; brother, Charles (Barbara) Hoffman; many nieces and nephews.

Gail worked over 40 years in public relations, retail and human resource management. She loved Golden Retrievers and spent many hours training and competing in field trials with her husband. Weekends were at the lake fishing, playing cards and having great family and friend gatherings. She loved her flower and vegetable gardens and taking trips with her husband in the RV.

A celebration of life for all family and friends was held at John and Gail's home (952-447-6242) in Prior Lake at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21. A private family graveside burial was held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Dawn Valley Chapel and Memorial Park, Bloomington, handled arrangements.

Mary Joyce Exsted

Funeral services celebrating the life of Mary Exsted, 68, of Glencoe, were held Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Arlington.

Mary Joyce Exsted was born Nov. 19, 1940, the daughter of Sylvester and Mildred (Schneider) Unze in Shakopee. She grew up in Shakopee and graduated from the Shakopee High School. Mary moved to the Glencoe area after her marriage to Ken Exsted in 1960 and worked at Green Giant, Lindy’s Café, Bryers Café and also Medallion Cabinetry. Mary enjoyed attending services at the Church of St. Pius X in Glencoe and St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Arlington. Mary loved spending time with her grandchildren and was always open to listen to her family. She enjoyed crafting and crocheting. She was a very giving person with a determined personality.

On Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, Mary, 68, entered her eternal rest at her home. She is preceded in death by her parents.

Mary is survived by her children, Patty Exsted of Arlington, Stephen Exsted of Arlington, Randy Exsted (wife, Julie) of Glencoe, Jeffrey Exsted (wife, Michelle) of Arlington; grandchildren, Michael Exsted (wife, Cassandra), Melissa Wertz (husband, Mick), Tyler Exsted, Mariah Exsted, Dylan Exsted, Shaylee Exsted, Krystal Exsted; great-grandchildren, Destiny Wertz, Faith Wertz, Nevaeh Exsted; siblings, Jeannie Burdau of Las Vegas, Nev., Sylvester “Chub” Unze Jr. (wife, Aggie) of Shakopee; as well as other relatives and friends.

Arrangements are with the Johnson-McBride Funeral Chapel in Glencoe. For online guestbook, please visit www.mcbridefuneralchapels.com.

Kathryn Anne (Kimmerle) Sylvester

Kathryn, a dedicated school teacher, with a great sense of humor, who was a fighter, yet a very kind and caring wife, mother, sister and friend. She was a first-grade school teacher for the Prior Lake School District for 31 years, where her students were always first and most important in her life. She loved to travel and camp with her family, especially those summer vacations to Turtle Lake and the North Shore. In her spare time she enjoyed crossword puzzles, games and reading. Kathryn Sylvester

Kathryn, 59, of Savage, passed away surrounded by her family on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009 at Fairview Ridges Hospital in Burnsville. She was born July 2, 1950 in Minneapolis, the daughter of Harlie and Vivian (Thomas) Kimmerle. She was united in marriage to Thomas Sylvester on March 27, 1982 at Grace Methodist in Minneapolis.

Loved and will be forever missed by husband, Thomas; daughter, Kayla Sylvester of Savage; siblings, Craig (Marcia) Kimmerle of Cold Spring, Kris (Tom) Switzer of Plymouth; many nieces, nephews and other relatives. Kathryn is preceded in death by her parents.

Visitation was Friday, Nov. 20, from 4-8 p.m., and one hour prior to the Celebration of Life Service on Saturday, Nov. 21, at 11 a.m., all at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, 4565 Pleasant Street S.E., Prior Lake.

Arrangements made by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Prior Lake Chapel. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com.

Louise R. Braun

Louise Braun, 93, of Shakopee, died Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009 at St. Francis Regional Medical Center, Shakopee.

She was born in Faribault on Feb.15, 1916, to Louis and Martha (Bauer) Hoffmann. She married Albert Braun on Nov. 20, 1939 in Faribault. Louise was a dedicated and loyal member of Mount Olive Evangelical Lutheran Church in Shakopee. She was a retired bookkeeper for Young America Corporation.

She is survived by daughter, Nancy (Bruce) McLaughlin; five grandchildren, Tony (Lisa) McLaughlin, Dennis (Christine) McLaughlin, Scott McLaughlin, Eric Braun, Ryan Braun; five great-grandchildren; sister, Viola Tripp.

Louis was preceded in death by husband, Albert; parents; sons, Jerry and Keith; two brothers; two sisters.

Funeral service was Thursday, Nov. 19, at 11 a.m. at Mount Olive Evangelical Lutheran Church, Shakopee, with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Officiating at funeral service was the Rev. Mark Schwertfeger. Pallbearers included Tony, Dennis and Scott McLaughlin and Eric and Ryan Braun. Interment at Glen Haven Memorial Gardens, Crystal.

Funeral arrangements through the McNearney Funeral Home in Shakopee, 952-445-2755. www.mcnearneyfuneralhome.com