The following obituaries are from the Jan. 3, 2009 print edition of the Prior Lake American newspaper:

Barry W. Beck

Barry Beck, 63, of Prior Lake, passed away Monday, Dec. 22, 2008 at St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Shakopee.

Barry was born to parents Edgar and Marion (Stover) Beck on May 23, 1945 at Harrisburg, Pa.

He is survived by mother, Marion Berens of Belle Plaine; sister, Jackie (Ken Torborg) Bombeck of Prior Lake; niece, Eileen (Jim) Reich of Prior Lake; great-nieces, Taylor and Jessica Reich. Barry is preceded in death by his father, Edgar Beck.

Memorial service was held Friday, Jan. 2, 2009 at 11 a.m. at Ballard–Sunder Funeral Home, Prior Lake, with visitation one hour prior to service. Interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.

Barry was a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Navy. He was a lifetime member of the Prior Lake V.F.W. The Prior Lake V.F.W. Honor Guard provided the military honors.

Barry enjoyed taking pictures of animals, especially his cats. His favorite eating place was Subway, where he ate daily.

Funeral arrangements by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Prior Lake, 952-447-2633. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com

Diana M. Chrz

Diana Chrz, of Prior Lake, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008 after a courageous three-year battle with ovarian cancer.

She is preceded in death by mother, Betty Johnson. Diana is survived by loving husband, Eugene; daughter, Jill (Michael) Culver; son, Tom (Ange) Chrz; father, James D. Johnson; sister, Debby (Ed) Dixon; brother, Tim (Julie) Johnson; mother-in-law, Josephine Chrz; loving nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral service is Saturday, Jan. 3, at noon at Cross of Peace Church, 1506 Wood Duck Trail, Shakopee. Visitation is two hours prior to service at church. Interment at Lebanon Cemetery in Apple Valley.

Memorials preferred to MOCA, 4604 Chicago Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minn. 55407.

White Funeral Home, Apple Valley, 952-432-2001. www.whitefuneralhomes.com

Ernest L. Larson

Ernest Larson, 66, of Little Canada, Minn. and formerly of Prior Lake, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in St. Paul of a brain aneurysm.Ernest Larson

Ernest was born Sept.10, 1942 in South Dakota to Edna and Engolf Larson. He was an engineer for Control Data Corporation for 23 years, followed by 20 years as a Broker Realtor for Realty House in Edina.

Ernest is preceded in death by his father, Engolf Larson. Survived by his mother, Edna Larson; his wife of 26 years, Suzanne Kruse; five children, Connie (John) Rioko, Jaime (Sally) Larson, Jennifer Kruse, Rebecca (Keith) Krouse, Robert J. (Deanne) Kruse; 14 grandchildren; three brothers, Howard (Kiyoko) Larson, Don (Pat) Larson, Quentin (Lori) Larson.

Memorials are preferred to the donor’s favorite charity.

Steven C. Warner

Steven Warner, 62, of Prior Lake, passed away Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008 at his home.

Steven was born to parents Roy and Lila (Bottolfson) Warner on Dec. 7, 1946 in Minneapolis. Steven married Nancy Kroohn on July 29, 1967 at Spring Lake Park Lutheran Church, Spring Lake Park, Minn.

Loved and forever missed by wife, Nancy Warner of Prior Lake; children, Christopher Warner of St. Paul, Sarah (Todd) Rodenwald of Maple Grove, Robert Warner of St. Louis Park; three grandchildren, Danielle, Andrea and Brandon Rodenwald; mother, Lila Warner of Minnetonka; brother, Michael Warner of White Bear Lake. He is preceded in death by his father Roy E. Warner.

Steven was the retired president of Meridian Title Guarantee Company. He was a former longtime employee of Old Republic Title Insurance Co. He enjoyed golf, auction bidding and home projects.

Visitation was Thursday, Jan. 1, from 5-7 p.m. at Ballard–Sunder Funeral Home, Prior Lake. Visitation was also held one hour prior to services at the church.

Funeral services were Friday, Jan. 2, at 11 a.m. at Wooddale Church, Eden Prairie.

Funeral arrangements by Ballard–Sunder Funeral Home, Prior Lake, 952-447-2633. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com