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Richard “Dick” Allen Lassahn, Sr., 74, of Ellendale, died Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester.
He was born April 3, 1947 in Owatonna, Minnesota the son of Arthur and Alice (Olson) Lassahn. He graduated from Blooming Prairie High School in 1965.
On July 8, 1983, Dick married Rebecca David in Albert Lea. Dick has been a truck driver all of his life, logging well over one million miles over the years. When not driving truck, he enjoyed spending time with his family, attending the sporting events of his children, watching sports on TV, visiting with people and attending church every Sunday at First Lutheran Church in Ellendale.
He is survived by his wife, Rebecca Lassahn of Ellendale; children, Richard Lassahn, Jr. of Burnsville, Greg (and Sheri) Lassahn of Verona, WI, David (and Kiley) Lassahn of Ellendale, Sean Lassahn of Ellendale, Lonnie Wilson of Ellendale, Tyrone Wilson of Ellendale and Malonna Wilson of Ellendale; grandchildren, Blake Lassahn and Landon Lassahn; siblings, Paul (and Loretta) Lassahn of Montgomery, Gerald (and Barbara) Lassahn of Mount Pleasant, TX, Lloyd Lassahn of Hurst, TX and Harold Lassahn of Blooming Prairie.
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Robert LuVern ‘Bob’ Swearingen passed away on April 16, 2021 at the Prairie Manor Care Center in Blooming Prairie. He was 96 years old.
A visitation for Bob will take place at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 25, 2021 with a memorial service to follow at 2 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church of Ellendale. Pastor Wendell Anderson will officiate.
Robert was born on October 23, 1924 to Marion and Helen (Berg) Swearingen. Faith was important in his family, and Bob was baptized, confirmed and a lifelong member of the First Lutheran Church of Ellendale. He was a graduate of Ellendale High School. On April 14, 1946 he was married to LaVon Marjorie ‘Marj’ Jensen. To their union, five children were born. The couple remained in the Ellendale area, where Bob farmed near his brothers.
As a lifelong farmer, Bob kept very busy in his younger years and he retired in 1988. Upon retiring, Bob, Marj and their children did a lot of camping around Lanesboro, Waseca and in Iowa and Wisconsin. For over twenty years, Bob and Marj would head to Lake Havasu, AZ to spend their winters. They also made their way to England where their son, Roger, was stationed. Bob joined the Prairie Manor community in 2013, and he immersed himself in all of the activities, from playing cards and dice to bingo and helping the ladies bake. He loved the people there and was equally loved back.
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Pastor Brian Kenneth Gegel, 63, of Campbell Hill, IL; born on October 22, 1957 in Sparta, IL; passed away surrounded by loved ones on Saturday, April 10, 2021 at the Randolph County Care Center in Sparta, IL.
Pastor Brian grew up working on the family farm in Baldwin, IL, graduated from Sparta High School, and received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Illinois. He was united in marriage with his high school sweetheart, Jane, on May 24, 1980. Brian worked as a Research Chemist and Senior Scientist at Dow AgroSciences in Midland, MI and Indianapolis, IN for twenty-nine years before retiring early to earn a Master of Divinity from Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. He preached the word of God at Vista and LeSueur Lutheran Churches in New Richland, MN. In 2019, Brian returned to his hometown region and recently began a call to ministry at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Campbell Hill, IL.
Brian was an active member of the many church communities he was a part of, serving as church president, singing with the choir, and particularly enjoying his involvement with the children and youth groups. Brian was happiest when he was outdoors. You could often find Brian in his yard pulling weeds and tending to his garden. He was an accomplished amateur artist and painter. Brian was a model of hard work and dedication, creativity and goofiness, selfless love and steadiness. He loved his large family more than anything, and was always expanding this circle with “darn-near” nieces, nephews, sisters, and brothers.
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Mark Warren Sawyer passed away peacefully on April 17, 2021 in Ellendale. He was 67 years old.
Funeral services for Mark took place at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at Bonnerup Funeral Service - Ellendale Chapel. Pastor Matt Fennel officiated. Family and friends joined for a visitation one hour prior to the service. The funeral was livestreamed and is available on his obituary page at www.bonnerupfuneralservice.com.
Mark was born on March 9, 1954 to Warren and Helen (Berg) Sawyer. He graduated from Ellendale High School and then attended college at Pipestone Community College. He was a lifelong farmer and was the 3rd generation to work on the ‘Berg’ farm in Ellendale. He also spent time working as a butcher at Steve’s Meat Market.
The farm was Mark’s pride and joy. He always made sure the lawn was neat and tidy and that the property was well cared for. Many trips around the land were done on Mark’s favorite toy – his gator, and he put more than 16,000 miles on it. Maintaining his cars and tractors (John Deere ones in particular) was also important, and Mark made sure that they were clean and ready for the next ride.
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JoAnn Ida Beckius 80-year-old resident of St. John’s Lutheran Home in Albert Lea, MN, formerly of New Richland, MN passed away April 11, 2021. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 19 at Lakewood Cemetery in Albert Lea, with Chaplin Don Malinsky officiating. Livestreaming of the graveside service can be viewed at www.BonnerupFuneralService.com
JoAnn was born on February 2, 1941 in Easton, MN to Edgar and Ida (Peters) Drager. She was united in marriage to Gary Beckius on February 14, 1959 in Northern Minnesota. The couple had four children and later divorced. JoAnn enjoyed horseback riding, volunteering at the Arts Center, sketching, creating greeting cards, and attending circle meetings. She will be remembered for her amazing cooking skills. JoAnn’s strong faith helped her cope with Parkinson’s Disease.
JoAnn is survived by her children, Kim Beckius, Lonny (Leah Larson) Beckius, Thomas Beckius; siblings, Aldean Drager, Connie (Scott) Evenson; grandchildren, Tyler Beckius, Jayger Beckius; several cousins; nieces; and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Joy Babb; and sister-in-law, Judith Drager.
Arrangements are with the Bonnerup Funeral Service in Albert Lea.