The following obituaries are from the Sept. 20, 2008 print edition of the Prior Lake American newspaper:

David J. Anderson

David J. Anderson, 44, of Savage, died at his home on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008.

He was born May 14, 1964 to parents, Richard L. and Lucille M. (Smith) Anderson in Minneapolis. He married Shannon Marquardt on May 9, 1992 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville. David had 14 years of volunteer service with the Savage Fire Department where he was president of the Relief Association. He was a 20-year employee for Katun Corporation.

Loved and forever missed by his beloved children, Megan and Austin; wife, Shannon; parents, Dick and Lucille Anderson of Plymouth; sister, Kim Levercom of Golden Valley; many other relatives and friends.

Visitation was held Friday, Sept. 19, from 9 a.m.-noon at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, 3611 N. Berens N.W., Prior Lake. The Celebration of Life service followed at noon. Final resting place was at Spring Lake Cemetery, Prior Lake, on Monday, Sept. 22, at 1 p.m. Memorials preferred.

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

Gustav Henry Lamp

Gustav “Hank” Lamp, born Nov. 30, 1926, died Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008 at home in Savage, surrounded by family.Gustav Lamp

He was preceded in death by son, Richard. Survived by wife, Kristine; sons and daughters, Robert (Judith), Lucy, Jeffrey, Leslie (Don); grandchildren, Kristy (Erik), Jeffrey (Rieko), Johanna, Kristen (Adam), Kat, Allison, Douglas, Jordan, Julia; great-grandson, Alexander; brother, Don.

Hank was a true patriarch, in the best sense of the word, a loyal son, brother and friend, and an inspiring mentor. He always had a word of encouragement for everyone and was a rock of strength in hard times. Hank believed the best in others and proved it each day by his actions. He always had time and advice for others, but his words were tempered by extraordinary love and wisdom.

Hank served his country in two wars, worked hard all his life to support his family and professed great faith in God. To him the greatest riches were to be found in the loving people who surrounded him, and he was enriched and embraced by them as he passed from this life to the next.

Memorials in his name can be directed to the Internship Fund of Saint Mary Magdalene Lutheran Church, Savage, Minn.

Deborah Anne Spencer

Deborah Spencer, 47, of Shakopee and formerly of Prior Lake, died peacefully at home on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008. Deborah Spencer

Survived by husband Mark; two children, Samuel, 18, and Hannah, 15; parents, Prof. Martin and Lois Schroeder; siblings, Jonathan, Timothy, Rebecca, and Benjamin.

Deborah attended Martin Luther College, Augustana College, and received her degree from the University of Minnesota at St. Cloud. She worked many years in the human services field, helping disabled adults. In their 26 years of marriage, the Spencers lived in New Ulm, Sioux Falls, Willmar, Coon Rapids, Prior Lake, Mankato, and now in Shakopee. Deborah will always be remembered as a loving wife and mother. She fought a courageous battle with painful medical problems the last few years, but we take comfort that she is at Peace now.

Services were last week at Bloomington Lutheran/Living Hope Church. The Spencers currently reside at 2080 Pheasant Run Street, Shakopee, Minn. 55379.

Richard E. Rau

Richard “Dick” Rau, 78, of Prior Lake, passed away Monday, Sept. 15, 2008 at his home.Richard Rau

He was born March 1, 1930 to parents Arthur and Kathryn (O’Keefe) Rau in St. Cloud. He graduated in 1949 from Shakopee High School and served our country in the U.S. Air Force from 1950-1954. He attended the University of Minnesota and graduated in 1956. He enjoyed golf, sports and his grandchildren, Natalee, Amanda, Jacob and Elizabeth Chromy and Mitchell Krueger. He worked as an insurance broker for 50 years and was past president and 25 year member of the Prior Lake Lions Club. He was a lifetime member of the Prior Lake V.F.W. Post 6208. He married Joanne (Olson) Rau on Nov. 30, 1957. Together they had five children, Kelley (Dave) Chromy of Prior Lake, Kimberly of Sun City West, Ariz., Karen (Matt) Krueger of Longville, Jeffrey (deceased) and David of Waconia.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Kathryn Rau; brothers, Ronald and Jerome Rau.

Visitation was Wednesday Sept. 17, from 4-7 p.m. at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Prior Lake, and also one hour prior the service at church.

Mass was Thursday, Sept. 18, at 11 a.m. at Church of St. Michael, Prior Lake, with Father Sieg presiding. Pallbearers were Dave Chromy, Matt Krueger, Natalee Chromy, Amanda Chromy, Jacob Chromy, Elizabeth Chromy. Final resting place will be at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery, Prior Lake.

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

Clifford Krutilek

Clifford “Cliff” Krutilek, 47, of Prior Lake, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008 at St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Shakopee.Clifford Krutilek

Cliff was born April 21, 1961 at Port Arthur, Texas. His parents were Eugene and Shirley (Milburn) Krutilek.

He is survived by wife, Lynne; daughter, Sarah; son, Austin, all of Prior Lake; brothers, Mitch (Desiree) Krutilek of Kingwood, Texas, Kyle (Cherie) Krutilek of Pearland, Texas.

Visitation is Sunday, Sept. 21, from 4-7 p.m. at Ballard–Sunder Funeral Home, Prior Lake, and one hour prior to the service at church.

Funeral service is Monday, Sept 22, at 11 a.m. at Friendship Church, Prior Lake. Interment will be at Spring Lake Cemetery, Prior Lake.

After experiencing a wonderful childhood in Louisiana and Texas, Cliff was a 1984 bachelor’s degree graduate of Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. His successful business sales career consisted of two years with Frito-Lay, three years with Johnson & Johnson, 16 years with Norelco/Philips, and two years as VP of Sales and Marketing with Water Sensations. Cliff is a strong Christian and spent many years of his children’s lives teaching their Sunday school classes, participating in bible studies, and working hard to develop his family in a God honoring fashion. Cliff’s biggest disappointment in dying so young is missing out on another great 30 years on earth becoming a better servant of God and a better man.

Life’s challenges, of course, came along over the years, and in 2000 Cliff was happy to relocate his family to Prior Lake where the family began attending Friendship Church of Prior Lake. Cliff has had the honor of being part of a Thursday 6 a.m. weekly men’s bible study breakfast group at Prior Lake for eight years, which created camaraderie for all and high accountability to God, as well as being part of wonderful 4-6 family building cell groups which allowed for the development of life–long relationships. Cliff’s hobbies included hunting, fishing, boating, watching movies, music, and attending sports events (especially football, baseball, and automobile racing). Cliff and his wife Lynne liked to eat out locally 2-3 times per week. Prior Lake is a great place to live!

In closing, Cliff wishes to thank all of his church, professional, and family friends for helping him in his difficult struggle with stomach cancer after his Sept 7, 2007 diagnosis. May God Bless you all. Cliff’s final messages for Jesus to all is viewable by turning to these books of the Bible: (Ephesians 2:8 states “for it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this in not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.) Also look at the book of (John, Chapter 5, Verse 24 where Jesus says “whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life.)

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