The following obituaries are from the April 26, 2008 print edition of the Prior Lake American newspaper:

Joel Alan Bleichner

Joel Bleichner, 32, of Shakopee and formerly of Galesburg, Ill., died at his residence in Shakopee.

He was born March 9, 1976 in Galesburg to Mark and Linda (Pitman) Bleichner. Joel loved to fish, ride his Harley and drive demolition derby cars. He was a big Kansas City Chiefs fan.

Loved and forever missed by his son, Jordan; parents, Mark and Linda Bleichner of Shakopee; sisters, Jennifer Thomas of Knoxville, Ill., Tiffany (Brian) Marschall of Lydia, Minn.; nieces and nephew, Amber, Dana and Christian; special friend, Karen Pederson; numerous relatives and friends.

Preceded in death by grandparents, George and Virginia Bleichner and Morrie and Arlene Pitman.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 26, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, 833 South Marschall Road, Shakopee. Funeral service to follow at 1 p.m.

Funeral arrangements by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Shakopee. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com [1]

Glen M. Craig

Glen Craig, 72, of Savage, passed away on Thursday, April 17, 2008 at the Minnesota Veteran’s Home in Minneapolis.Glen Craig

He was born Oct. 29, 1935 in Fairmont, Minn. to Vernon and Ruth (Streimer) Craig.

Glen married Shirley Wehner on Nov. 29, 1958 in Fairmont. Glen served our country in the U.S. Air Force and was a member of the Prior Lake V.F.W. He worked at Honeywell for 38 years and was a member of the Min-reg Group at Honeywell. Glen was a past member of the Prior Lake Lakers Snowmobile Club and an active member of the Sno-trail. He enjoyed bowling and cooking.

Loved and forever missed by his loving wife, Shirley; children, Kim (Phil) Hackbarth of Richfield, Wis., Mark (Kim) Craig of Cottage Grove, Minn., Wayne (Lisa) Craig of Prior Lake; seven grandchildren, Joy, Michael, David, Tyler, Ryan, Brooke, Brandon; brothers, Melvin (LaVonne) Craig of Mankato, Donald (Sue) Craig of St. James; sister, Verna (Erich) Richter of Faribault; many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by parents and step-mother Jenny Craig; sister, Barb (Bill) Lenz; brother, Bill Craig.

Visitation was Saturday, April 19, from 5-8 p.m. at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Prior Lake, and also one hour prior the service on Sunday.

Celebration of Life Service was Sunday, April 20, at 2 p.m. at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Prior Lake. Pallbearers were Mark Craig, Wayne Craig, Joy Hackbarth, LCpl Michael Hackbarth, David Hackbarth, Tyler Craig, Ryan Craig. Honorary pallbearers were Brooke Craig and Brandon Craig. Private interment.

Funeral arrangements by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Prior Lake, www.ballardsunderfuneral.com [2]

Kathryn M. Hammes

Kathryn “Katie” Hammes, 23, of Jordan, died Thursday, April 24, 2008 at The Lodge on Natchez Hospice, Elko. Katie fought a seven-year battle with an eating disorder.

Katie was born in Waconia on March 22, 1985, the daughter of William J. Hammes and Diane E. Grannis. A lifelong resident of New Prague, she attended New Prague Elementary and was a 2003 graduate of New Prague High School. She participated in 4-H and the Girl Scouts.

Besides her parents, she is survived by sister, Erin M. Hammes and brother, Joseph W. Hammes, both of Jordan; grandparents, Dorothy Hammes of Spring Valley, Minn., John and Marjorie Grannis of Belle Plaine; great-grandmother, Irene Grannis of Mankato.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Laura (infant) and grandfather, William G. Hammes.

Funeral service is Monday, April 28, at 11 a.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, New Prague, with the Rev. Steve Trewartha and the Rev. Diane Odermann officiating. Palllbearers are her cousins, Jeff Sickle, Matt Sickle, Ben Martin, Jon Martin, Jared Grannis, Alec Grannis, and Adam Jeurissen. Interment at Czech National Cemetery in New Prague. Visitation will be held Sunday, April 27, from 4-8 p.m. at Bruzek Funeral Home, New Prague, and at the church one hour prior to service.

Bruzek Funeral Home, New Prague, 952-758-4949.