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Anthony “Tony’ L. Arnfelt, age 95 of Waseca, died on the afternoon of Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at the Benedictine Care Center in Owatonna.
Tony was born on his family’s farm in Waseca County on January 19, 1928, to parents Corbie and Esther (Sampson) Arnfelt. He attended school in New Richland and graduated with the class of 1945. He enlisted in the United States Navy directly out of high school and served on the USS Hancock Aircraft Carrier where he was a Plane Captain, Seaman 1st Class. Upon his honorable discharge he returned to Minnesota and was married to Iona May Paulson at the Le Sueur River Lutheran Church on June 13, 1948. Tony and Iona owned and operated a service station in New Richland and were some of the first in our area to sell snowmobiles, campers, firearms, and other outdoor recreational equipment. In addition to the regular service station work they also delivered bulk fuel oil and would change out tires and parts for farmers right out in their fields. Tony was very skilled in automotive body work and was one of the most precise metalworkers you could ever meet. Following their time owning the service station business, Tony and Iona enjoyed driving for Winnebago and delivered RVs all around the United States. Tony was an adventurer who enjoyed hunting and trapping, traveling, dancing, country music, restoring old cars, and collecting coins and costume jewelry. He was a long-time member of the American Legion in New Richland and attended Christ the King Lutheran Church in Waseca.
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JANET DEE JOHNSON, 81, of New Richland, died on July 7, 2023, at the Homestead Hospice House in Owatonna, MN.
She was born on November 5, 1941, in Waterloo, IA, to Howard and Irene (Eaker) Hanson. She moved with her family to rural Ellendale and was baptized in Hope, MN. Janet was a 1959 graduate of Ellendale High School. She married Roger R. Johnson in Meriden, MN, on May 20, 1961. Janet was an excellent mother to her two daughters, Pamela and Annette. Every day she was an example of love and nurturing - to her own children, her two beloved grandchildren, Andrew and Katie, her nieces and nephews, and others fortunate enough to have known her. Janet was a skilled quilter and completed hundreds of them over the years. Some are being enjoyed by friends and family, while others were made for donation to Lutheran World Relief and other charitable institutions. She spent many hours visiting with great friends while quilting. She was also the best cook on the planet. Her family will spend years trying to perfect her lefse and her secret rye bread recipe! Janet was an avid reader and completed at least 200 books in the last year of her life. She also enjoyed annual trips with her sisters, Broadway musicals with her girls, foreign and domestic travel, golfing with friends, and spending as much time as possible with her grandchildren.
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Judith (Mrotz) Waage, 83, of Geneva, passed away on Monday, July 3, 2023, at the Owatonna Hospital in Owatonna, MN.
Born on March 16, 1940, in Glenville, MN, she was the daughter of the late Gustav and Mabel (Franke) Mrotz. The family moved to Ellendale, where Judy grew up and attended school. On September 11, 1964, she was united in marriage to Curtis Waage at the First Lutheran Church in Ellendale. The couple shared more than 40 years and raised two children: Jeff and Jolene.
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Lola Mae Breilein passed away peacefully on 6/17/23 at age 97 in Grand Ledge, MI. She was the daughter of Otto and Susan Foels (Sandretzky) born on 1/27/26 in rural New Richland, MN. Her childhood home still stands and the artesian well on the property still flows.
She attended a one room country school in district 21 in New Richland grades 1-7.
Her teachers were Leona Crane and Genevieve Berg. In 8th grade, she transferred to New Richland High School and graduated in 1943.
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Virginia “Ginger” Fonza, 78, of Hartland, MN passed away June 15, 2023, in Rochester, MN, surrounded by her family.
Born in Burt, IA on January 30, 1945, to the late Charles Lappe and Thelma Sheely. Ginger graduated from cosmetology school in Mason City, IA after attending Burt High School. She had a tremendous career as a beautician for over 30 years. Ginger also dabbled in interior design, Mary Kay cosmetics and Amway, but her true passion was in her crafting abilities and gardening. Her love of gardening lead her to volunteer in the town of Hartland, MN where she planted and cared for not only flower beds/planters on city properties, but also in the local cemetery. When it came to crafting, there was not much she could not create or make. Whether it be homemade greeting cards, painted dried flowers, Cricut projects, or bringing something back to life with a touch-up, Ginger took immense pride in everything that she accomplished. She loved a good bargain and rarely missed a garage sale or thrift store. Ginger had a personality that radiated any place that she went and always had people laughing from her jokes or tall tale stories. She had a heart larger than the universe and had the patience to help or listen to everyone.