- Details
- Hits: 103
Eugene “Gene” Loring Larson, 88, passed away peacefully on his farm after a long, fulfilled life on March 11, 2024. He was born on October 29, 1935 to Loring Orlando Larson and Marian Calista Jane Mortensen.
He attended country school through 8th grade and graduated from Ellendale High School in 1953. He married and was faithful to his wife, Audrey Hemingway, for 60 years (December 21, 1963). Together, they raised their three children, Sheila, Sonja, and Nathan, on their farm located in Ellendale, MN.
Eugene was a dedicated farmer, devoted follower of Christ, dog lover, grandparent, father, brother, and friend. In his younger years, he spent his time raising beef cattle, milking dairy cows, roller skating, bowling and selling Pioneer seed corn. He loved being an auctioneer at fall bazaar as well as attending auctions, taking their pickup camper on family trips, playing cards and dominoes, and chewing his Doublemint gum both day & night. He enjoyed good food, especially bread pudding or a strong cup of black coffee paired with a cookie to dunk in it and spending time with his close friends and family. He served on the Soybean, Farm Bureau & Lemond Township boards. He was an active member of Pontoppidan Lutheran Church serving in roles from Elder to President. In his later years, he attended Hope Lutheran Church. Anyone who had the opportunity to know Eugene knew he loved to talk and didn’t want to miss out on any social event.
- Details
- Hits: 127
After a long and very active life, our beloved matriarch and friend, Audrey Ann Stafford passed away peacefully on March 2, 2024, at 101 years old.
Born on August 4, 1922 to Agnes (Schroeder) and Clarence Korman, Audrey was raised in Waldorf, MN. After graduating from Waldorf High School and Teacher’s College, Audrey taught in rural one room schoolhouses until her marriage to Richard W. “Pete” Stafford on April 5, 1945 at St Peter’s Lutheran Church in New Richland, MN. When Pete decided on a career in the Army, Audrey spent the next 12 years moving around the US with a tour in Japan.
After Pete’s early death in 1958, Audrey with her five young children returned to New Richland where she taught 3rd grade for many years. Upon retirement, Audrey continued to live in NR while spending the winters in Mesa, AZ. In 2017, Audrey left NR and spent the next few years living with her daughter Pat in Alabama and her daughter Susie in Phoenix. She returned to Minnesota in 2022 to live at Colony Court in Waseca. After celebrating her 100th birthday at St Peters in NR, she returned to live with Susie in Phoenix.
- Details
- Hits: 214
Adam Loren Finseth, aged 40, of Savage, tragically passed away in the line of duty on February 18, 2024.
Adam was born in Faribault, MN, on March 12, 1983 to parents Brad and Brenda, the oldest of two children. Shortly after Adam’s sister Amber was born, they moved to Rochester, MN. Even from the start of Adam’s life, he was a daredevil! He was extremely strong willed and would never take “no” for an answer. He could truly do it all. He would go deer tracking with his dad through the woods, snowboard, play soccer, baseball, hockey and was even a lifeguard. While playing baseball one day with his friends, he got struck in the nose, breaking it. But, of course, that didn’t stop him for a second. All he cared about was being a pitcher for the next game!
Adam found his calling in high school when his friend got into an accident while snowboarding together. Adam didn’t hesitate for a second to be there and care for his friend. He made sure to be there every step of the way and continued to check on his friend during his recovery. Once Adam had graduated from high school, he decided to go to technical school. He found that it wasn’t for him at the time and promptly joined the Army.
- Details
- Hits: 131
Lindell Ray Motley, 77 of New Richland, MN passed away on February 21, 2024. Ray was born in Carrollton, IL on May 14, 1946 to Leo Motley and Ruth (Garner) McBride.
After completing his education in Roadhouse, IL, Ray was drafted into the US Army and served his country with dedication, continuing his connection with his Army buddies throughout the years. Upon returning home in 1969, he met the love of his life, Lorna Besser, and together they built a life filled with love and companionship. Their marriage on July 28, 1970, one day before Lorna's birthday, was a testament to his thoughtful nature and his commitment to their shared journey, and Lorna’s wish not to share her birthday with their anniversary and forcing Ray to purchase two gifts to celebrate instead of a shared gift to celebrate both occasions. In 1975 they decided to return and settle down in New Richland, MN. Ray and Lorna spent countless summers on Leech Lake in Walker, MN, where he indulged in his passion for fishing, and together they enjoyed spending time on their houseboat with family and friends.
Ray had a remarkable devotion to his family, finding great joy in spending time with his nieces and nephews. He had a sweet tooth and a love for card games, particularly enjoying a round of Crazy 8s at their kitchen table, though victory often eluded him. Throughout his 42 years as a truck driver, Ray found joy in the open road, relishing the camaraderie of his fellow drivers and the simple moments of coffee and conversation that marked the beginning of his day. He and Lorna shared a special bond both on and off the road, with Lorna joining him on his travels following her retirement, making each mile a little sweeter with her culinary creations.
- Details
- Hits: 133
Brooke Elsa Spurgeon, age 42, died Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024 at her home in Ellendale, MN. A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Meriden (2782 SW 92nd Ave., Meriden, MN 56093) with Pastor Billi Jo Wicks officiating. Burial will be in LeSueur River Lutheran Cemetery in rural New Richland, MN. Visitation will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Meriden on Friday, March 1, 2024 from 4-7 p.m., and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Please see www.nasinecfh.com to leave online condolences.
**In Lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Rilyn Spurgeon’s Education Fund**
Brooke was born June 3, 1981, the eldest daughter of John W. and Linda A. (Cornelius) Olson in Albert Lea, MN. She grew up on the family farm in rural Ellendale, with her brother Bud and sister Bobbi-Jo; and after her high school graduation from NRHEG, the class of 1999, she moved into Ellendale. Her infectious smile and fierce independence (and the occasional cuss word or five), were such a part of her that you can’t have one without the other. After high school, she worked several years in Owatonna at Jostens. She was united in marriage to Matt Spurgeon in 2008 and to this union came Rilyn, and Brooke became the proudest momma around. She enjoyed giving her brother Bud a “bushwacker” and anyone else in her vicinity. She loved her wild adventures on the water with her sister Bobbi Jo. (Hey, if you know, you know).