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Jerry A. Olson, 84, of Rochester, MN passed away April 25, 2022 at the Olmsted Medical Center Hospital in Rochester, MN.
Jerry Allen Olson was born September 18, 1937 in New Richland, Minnesota, the son of Arvil and Inga (Ausen) Olson. He graduated in 1955 from New Richland High School. Jerry entered into the United States Air Force in 1955 and served for four years. He was stationed overseas, serving in Korea, Germany and France. Following his time in the Air Force, he worked at Streater Store Fixtures in Albert Lea. He continued his education at Austin Area Vocational School and earned a two year degree in engineering. He was then employed as an electrical technician at IBM for 31 years. Following his retirement from IBM, he attended Minnesota Riverland Technical College and earned a certificate in truck driving. He worked as a truck driver for a farmer and also spent 10 years driving for Rochester City Delivery.
Jerry was united in marriage to Lois Brewer on August 28, 1960 in Mansfield, MN. They were blessed with three children. He was a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and spent countless hours volunteering and serving on the ushering team. He enjoyed fishing, camping, and golf and recently achieved a hole in one.
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Darlene L. Van Hal, 88, of Geneva, passed away Sunday, April 17, 2022 at St. John’s the Woodlands.
Darlene was born in Steele County on November 16, 1933, to Aaron and Lorinda (Linse) Eaker. She grew up in Blooming Prairie and attended the school. After graduation, she worked for a local bank. She began dating Wilford “Bill” Van Hal and waited two years for him to return from Korea.
On November 21, 1954, the two were wed. The two welcomed three sons to their union: Bruce in 1955, Dean in 1956, and Mark in 1959. The family lived and farmed north of Hollandale until 1992, when the couple retired and moved to Geneva.
Darlene spent her time being a great home maker, mother, and wife. Family was extremely important to her, and she made her life about those she loved. She was a fantastic cook and would feed everyone until her arthritis made it difficult to do so. She gardened and loved canning the things she grew. She loved to travel with Bill, and together they were able to visit every state in the country. They enjoyed many bus trips, road trips in their car, and overnights in their Winnebago.
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LeRoy Vernon Hedin, age 85, of New Richland, MN, and formerly of Mankato, passed away to his eternal home on April 4, 2022, from complications of Parkinson’s Disease.
LeRoy was born in Stanton Township, Cannon Falls, MN, on June 3, 1936. He was the son of John and Paula (Berg) Hedin. He attended Cannon Falls schools. At a young age, LeRoy began his life as a farmer. He raised crops and all kinds of livestock, especially horses and dairy cattle. He had a variety of other jobs throughout his life including working in sod fields, and as a mechanic at Norris Implement, and at Calvary Cemetery in Faribault. He raised his family in the Cannon Falls and Warsaw areas. In 1984 LeRoy’s life was forever changed when he met Inez Thomas and the couple moved to Mankato. He worked at National Poly (Atlantis Plastics) in Mankato and then became the owner/operator of Roy’s Landscaping. He continued this business until retiring in 2017. His footprints have left a true legacy in Mankato and surrounding areas, where he excelled in a job well done. LeRoy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2018 and has been cared for at the New Richland Care Center since that time.
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Chad Sommer, 42, son of Luann (Lee) Granholt, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, April 2, 2022, at his home in Ramsey, MN. A celebration of life service will be held on a later date. Bonnerup Funeral & Cremation Services is assisting the family.
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Paul Luther Groth, age 85, of Ellendale, MN passed away on April 4, 2022.
Paul was born on November 18, 1936, to Oscar and Alice Groth in Mason City, IA. He attended school in Mason City until moving to Ellendale in 1953. He graduated from Ellendale-Geneva High School in 1954. Paul went to Waldorf College.
Paul married Mary (Bartsch) on December 16, 1956. He worked briefly at Wilson’s in Albert Lea, MN. Upon his father’s death, Paul went to work laying floors for his mother. He and Mary bought Groth Furniture and Floor Covering in 1967. For the next 40 years, the two of them built up a strong business. Paul was a huge part of the flooring side of the business, doing installations and sales. Paul was active in the community as he served on the city council for 38 years. He was a charter member of the Ellendale Lions, belonged to the Ellendale Commercial Club, and belonged to Community Lutheran Church where he did numerous things within the church. Paul enjoyed fishing, the MN Vikings, and a good card game.