The following obituaries are from the Sept. 6, 2008 print edition of the Prior Lake American newspaper:

Craig W. Miller

Craig Miller, 37, of Duluth, died Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008 at his home.Craig Miller

He is loved and will be greatly missed by his mother, Frances Roen; father, David Miller; seven siblings, Curtis Miller of Blaine, Cressenda Miller of Prior Lake, Carry Miller (Walker) of Belle Plaine, Caleb Miller of Coleraine; Charlyn, Clinton and Charles Roen, all of Faribault; eight nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his stepfather: Ronald Roen.

Family will hold a private memorial service.

Christopher David Kleven

Christopher Kleven, 44, of Prior Lake, passed away Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008 as a result of a fatal auto accident in Gillette, Wyo.

He was born Dec. 1, 1963 in Minneapolis to David and Barbara (Hanson) Kleven. Christopher married Jeannine Ann Jarvis on June 7, 1986 at the Knox Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis.

Loved and forever missed by wife, Jeannine; children, Joshua, Matthew, Joseph, Nathan, Alicen; brothers, Jon (Lisa) Kleven, Andy (Kirsten) Kleven; many relatives and friends. Chris was preceded in death by his parents.

Chris was a member of Union I.B.E.W. 292. He was a strong supporter of the P.L.A.Y. LaCrosse and the PL/Savage Hockey Association. He enjoyed golf, hunting and fishing.

Visitation was Thursday, Sept. 4, from 4-7 p.m. and one hour prior to the celebration of life service on Friday, Sept. 5, at 11 a.m., all at Transfiguration Lutheran Church, Bloomington. Interment will be at Spring Lake Cemetery, Prior Lake. Pallbearers were Tim Jarvis, Brian Jarvis, Jon Kleven, Mike Pederson, Jim Wilson, Don Hanson. In lieu of flowers memorial are preferred.

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

Irene M. Sovereign

Irene Sovereign, 84, of Prior Lake, died Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008 at her home.Irene Sovereign

She was born in St. Cloud on Oct. 24, 1923 to Joseph and Emma (Fedemma) Bidinger. She married Robert Soveregin on Oct. 29, 1946 in St. Cloud. She was a sales clerk at J.C. Penney for 25 years.

“The above few lines convey the sad announcement that all that was earthly of Mrs. Irene M. Sovereign has passed away. Devoted wife and beloved mother, she treated all she new and met alike. To know her was to love her, for she was a friend to all.”

She is survived by children, Robert J. “Joe”, Patricia A. Grogan, Thomas G. (Sharron), Richard G. (Karla), Timothy J. (Theresa); nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren. Irene was preceded in death by parents and brother, Donald.

Visitation is one hour prior to the service at St. Michael Catholic Church, 16311 Duluth Avenue S.E., Prior Lake. Memorial Mass will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, at St. Michael Catholic Church, Prior Lake, with the Rev. Thomas H. Sieg officiating. Private family interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. The family prefers memorials to St. Michael Catholic Church.

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

Richard Forrest Renslow Jr.

Richard “Rick” Renslow Jr., 53, of Prior Lake, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008 in Rochester, Minn.Richard Renslow Jr.

Rick was born Oct. 1, 1954 in Minneapolis to parents Richard Sr. and Diane (Anderson) Renslow. He married Stephanie Lynn Bergstrom June 10, 1978 at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, Minneapolis.

Loved and forever missed by his wife, Stephanie; children, Erin (Doy) Renslow-Jackson of New Prague, Meghan Renslow of Lonsdale; mother, Diane Whitlock of Bloomington; siblings, Debbie (Frank) Kelly of Big Lake, Jim (Teri) Renslow of Riverfalls, Wis.; parents-in-law, Dick and Therese Bergstrom of Baxter, Minn.; brother-in-law, Lee (Patty) Bergstrom of Long Prairie; nieces and nephews, Ben Bergstrom, Courtney Bergstrom, Chandelle Renslow, Corbin Renslow. Rick was preceded in death by his father, Dick Renslow Sr., and his grandparents.

Visitation will be held Sunday, Sept. 7, from 3-7 p.m. at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, 4565 Pleasant Street S.E., Prior Lake, and also one hour prior to the service at church.

Celebration of Life service will be Monday, Sept. 8, at 11 a.m. at Riverside Church, 10201 Nicollet Avenue South, Bloomington. A private interment will take place at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis. Pallbearers will be Bill Jackson, Dan Beckius, Mike Ackerman, Lee Bergstrom, Jim Renslow, Wayne Lawrence, Doy Jackson, Dan Cassidy, and Brent Kane.

Rick was the owner of Renslow Trucking and Landscape, who was a self-employed landscape designer and contractor. He was also affiliated with Jackson Landscape Supply of Lakeville. Rick was a pro wrestler for the WWF and AWA. He was known as the Wild Alaskan, The Ax Man, Big Bad Trucker Daddy and also wrestled using his real name. Rick was a member of the Cauliflower Alley Club (a professional wrestlers association). He was a member of the Snowmobile Club–The Snow Drifters in Itasca County. He was active with the Minnesota Antique Tractor Association. Rick graduated from St. Cloud State University and was a founding member of the Acacia Fraternity, St. Cloud chapter.

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