Latest Obituaries (573)
Arnold C. “Arnie” Groskreutz, age 88, of Mankato, MN, formerly of Wells, MN, passed away Saturday, July 18, 2015 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato, MN. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, July 22, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wells, officiated by Rev. Mary Iverson. Visitation will be Tuesday, July 21, 2015 from 4–7 p.m. at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Interment will be in First Lutheran Cemetery in Waldorf. Military Honors will be accorded by the Wells Color Guard. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home of Wells is in charge of arrangements. Please see www.brussheitner.com to leave online condolences.
Funeral services for Dorothy Irene Christenson will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, July 20, 2015 at Seventh Day Adventist Church in Albert Lea. Pastor Marshall Bowers will officiate. Interment will be at the Bath Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com
Dorothy died Saturday, July 11 at Parkview Care Center in Buffalo.
Dorothy Irene Evans was born on December 16, 1923 at home in Medford, MN to John and Eva Grace Evans.
She attended grades 1-3 in Medford, grades 4-8 in Matawan and grades 8-10 in New Richland, MN.
On August 23, 1941 she married Raymond Martin Christenson of Bath, MN at New Richland, MN. When Darlene was three months old (Feb. 1943) she took her baby by train to Portland/Vanport City, Oregon where Ray was working in the Swan Island Shipyards. They all came back to MN in August 1943 and lived in the home Ray built at Bath Township, MN.
Judy Kay Valentine of Clearfield, UT formerly of Blooming Prairie, MN, passed peacefully in her sleep due to complications from pulmonary edema on Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at Rocky Mountain Care Center in Utah. Judy was born February 25, 1946 in Owatonna MN to Arthur and Alice Lassahn. She grew up in the small farming town of Blooming Prairie, MN. Judy graduated from Blooming Prairie High School in 1964 and went on to Mankato State University.
Judy began working for the Department of Defense in 1968, a career that would take her to various parts of the country. Judy entered the Air Force Reserves while working as a civilian for the 508 Tactical Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base UT, becoming an Air Reserve Technician and serving our country until 1982. She held many positions at Hill AFB, retiring as a Program Analyst after 34 years of faithful service.
She met and married Bill Valentine and together they had a beautiful son, Stephen, in 1983. She often said that becoming a mother was one of the greatest joys of her life.
James Thomas Farr, age 77, passed away July 8, 2015 at his home in Geneva, MN. James was born on April 1, 1938 in Albert Lea, MN. He has been a lifelong resident of Geneva.
James was a meticulous, hard worker, diligently working long hours every day. He worked many years with heavy equipment and owned his own road maintenance business. James was always involved with and interested in activities involving heavy machinery and equipment; he admired the tractors at various county fairs every summer.
One of his favorite activities was stopping in at Al’s body shop for coffee, gossip, and the joke of the day. He was a proud father of his children and grandchildren.
“Did I ever tell you about that guy? You know, that guy that made everyone laugh, who always had a joke to tell, and always told the best stories?”
His name was Ronald H. Clausen. “Ronnie” was born on April 26, 1939 to Herbert and Evelyn (Krueger) Clausen in Mankato, MN. He was raised in the Pemberton area, where he attended school. As he was going into his senior year of high school, he joined the United States Marine Corps in 1958, where he was stationed at Camp Pendleton in California. He served until his honorable discharge in 1961.
Ronald married the love of his life, Lois (Brandvold) on July 9, 1960, at the LeSueur River Lutheran Church in New Richland. “Smartest thing I’ve ever done” he would say. The couple was blessed with 54 years of marriage. “Love Ya Much,” one Clausen would say to the other. This saying was eventually carried on by their children and grandchildren.
Remembering the life of O’Dean L. Miller….
Funeral Services for O’Dean L. Miller of New Richland will be held Wednesday, June 24, 2015 at 2 p.m. at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, in New Richland. The Reverend Scott Williams will officiate. Interment will be in St. Peter Cemetery. Military honors accorded by New Richland Veteran’s Organization. Visitation will be from 4–7 p.m. on Tuesday at Bonnerup-Friedrich Funeral Home in New Richland, and one hour before the service at the church.
O’Dean died on Friday, June 19, 2015 at Seasons Hospice in Rochester at the age of 77.
O’Dean Lorenz Miller was born to Lorenz and Leila (Krueger) Miller on September 3, 1937, in Byron Township on the home place, a century farm, where he lived his entire life.
He graduated from New Richland High School with the class of 1955.
Remembering the life of Shirley A. Burton..
Memorial services for Shirley A. Burton of Albert Lea, formerly of Blooming Prairie and New Richland, will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 21, at the First Congregational Church of New Richland. The Reverend Kent Otterman will officiate. Interment will be in LeSueur River Lutheran Cemetery. Friends may visit with family from 4-7 p.m. on Saturday at, Friedrich Funeral Home, New Richland, and one hour before the service at the church.
Shirley died on Monday, June 15, 2015 at Good Samaritan Society in Albert Lea. She was 62.
She was born on January 15, 1953, in Albert Lea, the daughter of Ralph and Margella (Bakken) Besser.
Funeral services for Betty Marie Eastvold, of Northwood, ND, were held on Friday, June 12 at Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Northwood.
Betty passed away at home on Tuesday, June 9, 2015, surrounded by her loving family.
Betty was born on January 11, 1951, in Northwood, ND, to Enoch and Madeline (Wasness) Thorsgard. After high school she attended Golden Valley Lutheran College, where she met Lonney Eastvold. They were married on August 9, 1969. They farmed near Hartland, MN and Spring Grove, MN until the fall of 2010, when they moved to a farm near Northwood, ND.
Funeral services for Alberta M. (Leonhardi) Van Hal will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2015 at Community Lutheran Church, in Geneva. The Rev. Dr. Kristen Venne will officiate. Visitation will be held from 12:30 until the time of the service at the church. Interment will take place at Hollandale Cemetery.
Alberta Margaret (Leonhardi) Van Hal, age 89 died peacefully on May 31, 2015.
She was born in Albert Lea on September 7, 1925 to Albert and Cora (Steele) Leonhardi of Alden. She was baptized and confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church of Alden.Alberta Graduated from Alden High School and Minneapolis Business College. She worked at Wilsons in Albert Lea and Federated Mutual Insurance Co. of Owatonna.
Alberta married Walter Van Hal on September 20, 1953. They farmed together near Hollandale until 1979, when they moved to Geneva. During their 40 years together, they enjoyed woodworking, crafts, playing cards, snowmobiling, and traveling to all states in the union. They belonged to an RV camping club, where they spent most of their weekends.
Donald Wayne Zellweger passed away on Sunday, May 3, 2015 in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was 92 years old.
He was born on August 14, 1922 to Samuel Lawrence Zellweger and Nellie Theresa (Proctor) Zellweger in Wilton Township Sec #34, Waseca County, Minnesota. He was delivered at home on the farm by a midwife, Jenny Nelson, a daughter of Asa Sutlief, the first settler in Waseca County.
Donald attended Country School District #49 through eighth grade and graduated from New Richland High School in 1940.
After high school, Donald attended trade school from 1940-41 with United Aircraft in Wichita, Kansas and subsequently worked for Bell Aircraft in Buffalo, New York on the landing gear for the first experimental jet airplanes built in the United States.
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Vlasta Johnson, 87 formerly of Austin, MN, died Monday, May 18, 2015 at the Good Samaritan Care Center in Albert Lea.
Vlasta Hrabak was born August 7, 1927 in London Township of Freeborn County, Minnesota the daughter of Josef and Wilhelmina (Kopp) Hrabak. She graduated from Austin High School. Vlasta worked as a secretary for the Charles Fox Candy Company in Austin. She was married to Dale Alden Johnson on June 22, 1947 at London, MN.
Vlasta was a long time member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church. After starting her family, she was a “stay at home” wife and mother. She enjoyed sewing, knitting and playing cards with the neighbors. Vlasta loved spending time with the grandchildren and the great grandchildren, enjoying their many sleepovers at “Grandma V’s.”
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Dale, sister MaryAnn Rezac and brother Joseph Hrabak.
Memorial services for Earl L. Klinger will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 22, 2015 at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Richland, MN. Reverend Scott Williams will officiate. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at church. Interment will be in St. Peter's Cemetery in rural New Richland.
Earl L. Klinger, of Ellendale, MN, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. He was 81 years old. Earl was born on October 11, 1933 to Elsie (Kroeger) and Lorenz Klinger in Otisco, MN. He attended a rural elementary school and went to high school in New Richland. Earl has lived in the New Richland and Ellendale area his whole life.
On November 13, 1953, Earl married the love of his life, Janis Nesdahl, at Pontoppidan Lutheran Church in rural Ellendale. They have been longtime members at St. Peter Lutheran Church in New Richland and briefly belonged to First Lutheran Church in Ellendale as well.
Earl has held jobs at Owatonna Scrap Iron, Blount, Trails Travel Center, Geneva Liquor, and owned a restaurant in Ellendale. He was a member of the church council as well as the Lions Club and Eagles Club.
A Celebration of Life service for Eleanor V. Schember will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at Salem Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. The Reverend Mark Niethammer will officiate. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.
Eleanor passed away on May 16, 2015 at Hidden Creek Estates, Albert Lea. She was 87 years old.
Eleanor V. (Fischer) Schember was born on February 19, 1928 to Jacob and Rose (Nagel) Fischer on the Standing Rock Reservation in McLaughlin, SD. Eleanor was baptized and confirmed into the Christian faith. The family moved to the New Richland area, where she graduated high school.
Funeral services for Alice Gulbrandson, age 94, of Albert Lea will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 14, 2015 at East Freeborn Lutheran Church. Rev. Matt Griggs will officiate. Interment will be at East Freeborn Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.
Alice died Saturday, May 9, 2015 at the Good Samaritan Society.
Alice Gulbrandson was born May 30, 1920 in New Richland, the daughter of Oscar and Clara (Knudson) Rugroden. She was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Richland. Alice graduated from New Richland High School and went on to graduate from the Mankato Teachers College. She taught at Geneva, Lerdal and Hoidal Schools. On September 27, 1947 Alice was united in marriage to Howard Gulbrandson in New Richland. Alice continued substitute teaching for a short time at Lerdal School after her marriage.