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Doris “Dory” Sletten, 83, passed away peacefully at her home in Ellendale on Friday, July 8, 2022.
Doris was born to Thorvald and Valborg (Selstad) Westland on September 20, 1938 in Hayward Township. She attended and graduated from Albert Lea High School. On April 22, 1961, she was united in marriage to Milton Sletten at the Hayward Lutheran Church.
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George Herbert Wodrich, 91, of Ellendale, died Monday, July 4, 2022 at Benedictine Living Community in Owatonna.
He was born May 9, 1931 in Lemond Township, in Steele County the son of Herbert and Mabel (Hanson) Wodrich. He attended school through the eighth grade. As a young man, he farmed with his father along with working for Lyle Anderson Plumbing and Heating for a while. He was drafted into the service and served in Korea. On May 17, 1957, he married Beatrice Anderson at Trinity Lutheran Church near Bixby. They made their home on the family farm where they raised their daughter, Barbara.
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Geraldine “Gerri” Janice Mendenhall, 79, of New Richland, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Sunday, June 26, 2022 at Homestead Hospice House in Owatonna, MN.
Gerri was born August 1, 1942 in Ceresco Township in Blue Earth County, the daughter of Alvin & Lydia (Klaus) Bergemann. She grew up in Garden City, MN and graduated from Garden City High School in 1960. She attended college in Mankato. She was married to Lee Mendenhall on September 12, 1964. They lived in St. Paul where she worked as a bookkeeper for Honeywell while Lee was obtaining his teaching degree. They moved to New Richland in 1966 where she was a stay-at-home mom until her kids started school and then she got a job as the Office Manager at the New Richland Dental office. She worked at many dental offices before she retired. After retirement, she took a part-time summer job at the Riverview Golf Course. She spent 25 years there and developed many friendships.
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Charles “Chuck” Adolph Herdina, age 93, of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, passed away Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at Prairie Manor Care Center in Blooming Prairie. Chuck was born on June 16, 1929 at home in rural Blooming Prairie Township to Adolph and Martha (Blazek) Herdina. He attended District 84 country school and graduated from Blooming Prairie High School in 1947. One of his proudest accomplishments was being a part of the undefeated Blooming Prairie football team. Chuck was an only child, but grew up with his cousins who were like brothers and sisters to him. He and his cousins enjoyed many hours of hunting, fishing, and celebrating together. On July 2, 1952, Chuck married Betty Pribyl at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Owatonna. From this union the couple was blessed with nine children. Chuck and Betty raised their children on the family farm outside of Blooming Prairie, which was established in 1892 and still exists today. Chuck spent his life farming up until his retirement. Farming was his greatest joy; he also loved to hunt, trap, fish, and enjoyed family genealogy – Chuck had put together over 50,000 family names. He also enjoyed following his children and grandchildren in their school activities and sporting events. Chuck was a member of St. Columbanus Catholic Church and a past Knights of Columbus and National Farmers Organization (NFO) member. Chuck was very proud of his family and all their accomplishments. His children were a great help and Betty was a very devoted wife, always helping Chuck whether it be on the farm or later as his caregiver. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. A special thank you to the staff at Prairie Manor and Mayo Hospice for his care over the past two years.
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Chad A. Sommer, age 42, died unexpectedly at his home on April 2, 2022. He lived in Ramsey, MN with his mother, LuAnn (Lee) Granholt.
Chad lived a full and active life in Ellendale and received a great start in the Special Education system. The family moved to Colorado Springs in 1987 where he attended Air Force Academy Schools. For years he participated in Unified Sports, Special Olympics, and the Therapeutic Rec program where he played many different sports. Sunrise Dog Kennels was his employer for many years where he learned the knack of proper dog care, and pet sitting which he did for the rest of his life everywhere he went. Chad and his mother moved back to the Midwest in 2005 to Ellendale, MN where he enjoyed the town and helped his uncle at Al's Body Shop.