Sylvester John Neis, 93, of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, died Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008, at Emmanuel Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes.
Sylvester was born Oct. 17, 1915, to Joseph and Susan (Loesch) Neis in Waite Park, Minn. He was raised and educated in Stearns County. He married Opal Robbins on June 22, 1946 in St. Joseph, Minn. They had five children together. He worked construction most of his life in Montana, Washington and Minnesota. He also worked for several years at Catholic churches in Billings, Mont., and Anoka, Minn. After his retirement he also lived in Park Rapids, Wadena and Perham.
He enjoyed spear fishing, carpentry and traveling to see his children and grandchildren. He resided at Emmanuel Nursing Home for the last six years, where Sylvester was known as the cookie monster, for his sweet tooth for cookies.
A funeral service was held Saturday, Jan. 3 at Emmanuel Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes with the Rev. Jerry Rogers officiating. Pallbearers were Greg Masteller, Don Spitzley, Steve Kramer, David Kramer, Greg Kramer and Mike Kramer. Interment was in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Pearl Lake, Minn. Services were handled by West-Kjos Funeral Home of Detroit Lakes.
Survivors include his children, Diana Kendall and her husband, Oliver, of Detroit Lakes, Daniel Neis and his wife, Paula, of Veradale, Wash., Jane Neis and her husband, Gary Harkcom, of Dumfries, Va.; daughter-in-law, Julie Neis of Nevis; 14 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Marie Kramer of Bluegrass, Johanna (James) Love of Henning; good friend, Don Spitzley of Detroit Lakes; and numerous nieces and nephews.
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He was preceded in death by his parents, two sons, Joseph and Roger, four brothers, Donald, Albin, Melvin and Andrew; two sisters, Rosemary and Edvina; and brother-in-law, Ambrose Kramer.
