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Margaret Catherine Weins, age 88 of Waseca died on Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at Oaklawn Rehabilitation Center in Mankato.
Born on November 12, 1931 in Winona, Minnesota, she was the daughter of Robert and Theodosia (Verdick) Bedtke. She attended school in St. Charles. She was united in marriage to William Weins on September 22, 1948 at St. Borromeo Catholic church in St. Charles. She was employed at the E.F. Johnson Co. in Waseca for 40 years until her retirement in 1997. Margaret enjoyed gardening, reading, coffee with friends and spending time with family. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca, the Catholic Aid Association of Minnesota for 62 years and was a eucharistic minister for many years.
She is survived by three daughters, Carol (Larry) Klemmensen of Coon Rapids, Jean Larson of Waseca, and Mary Weins (Curtis) Schulz of New Prague; four grandchildren, Aaron (Jen) Klemmensen and their children, Lexie (Bryan), Jack, and Lucy, Kacie (Broc) McConville and their children, Blayke and Declan, Kaitlyn (fiancé, Joe Stutelberg) Klemmensen and their child, Harper, Brandon (Staci) Larson and their children, William and Lincoln.
She is also survived by siblings, Yvonne (Charles) Finn of Mantorville; brothers, Robert (Sara) Bedtke of St. Charles, John (Carol) Bedtke of Dover and James Bedtke of Dover; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one son, William Weins Jr.; and sisters, Mary (Charles) Meisch and Sharon Krahn; and sister-in law, Jan Bedtke.
Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, August 18, 2020 at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca. Visitation was from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Interment followed at Calvary Cemetery in Waseca. dennisfuneralhomes.com
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Wayne Thomas Hanson, age 83, a lifelong resident of Freeborn County, entered the Kingdom of Heaven on April 4th, 2020 surrounded by his wife and children, at St. John’s Lutheran Community in Albert Lea.
Born on Friday, May 8th, 1936, Wayne was the first of four children born to Edyth (Mortensen) and Burneth Hanson of New Richland. As a young boy he went to country school and graduated from Freeborn High School in 1954, where he met the love of his life, Dorothy Ferguson. Within the next year, the high school sweethearts were wed and began life together in Albert Lea. When first married, Wayne worked at DeSoto Produce driving a truck and collecting eggs. Later he became an agent for Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance located in Albert Lea where he worked until his retirement. His children fondly remember that when he sold a policy he often came home with malts. In 1963 they built their dream house on the shores of Pickerel Lake where they lived and raised their three children David, Theresa, and Tamra until moving to Water’s Edge apartments last August.
Wayne’s reverence for nature, and ever inquisitive mind, made him a lifelong adventurer. As an avid outdoorsman, Wayne loved the thrill of a snowmobile race, the rush of canoeing a rapids, and the wallop of a fish on the hook. He relished the quieter moments in his adventures just as well, such as the solace of good campfire, the effortless ease of a nap in a hammock, and grandeur of the nature around him. An expedition to parts unknown wasn’t necessary for one of Wayne’s adventures, as just a trip across town could result in an intricate tale and reminder of important life lessons. Documentaries, books, and journal articles also satisfied Wayne’s curiosity and adventurous spirit with favorite topics including history, aviation, and outer space.
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Velma Eileen Wayne, age 95, passed away peacefully at her home at Whispering Oaks in Ellendale, MN on August 7th, 2020. Velma was born in Spring Valley, MN on December 1st, 1924 to Carl and Alma (Jeche) Jahn. She was the oldest of four. Velma’s family lived in various places around the Spring Valley and St. Paul area. She was valedictorian of her graduating class in Spring Valley and went on to graduate from Mankato Commercial College. She worked as a legal secretary at a law firm in Albert Lea, where she met her future husband, James Wayne of Ellendale. On December 12th, 1945, Jim and Velma were married in Spring Valley and then made their home on the Wayne family farm near Ellendale, MN where they farmed and raised 3 children. While working hard as a farm wife and mother, she also enjoyed working at the Clarks Grove Veterinary Clinic for several years.
Velma loved her huge vegetable garden and various flower gardens. Velma was an avid quilt maker, especially with her quilting friends at the First Baptist Church of Clarks Grove, and she liked to sew. At church she was very active in the choir and often sang in a trio there. She also liked raising Siamese cats for a time. For many years, Velma and Jim enjoyed wintering in southern Texas.
Velma is survived by her children, Robert (Lisa Dunn) Wayne of Ellendale, Rebecca (Robert) Clark of Stillwater, and Milton (Margo) Wayne of Ellendale; grandchildren Spencer (Suzanne) Wayne, Stephanie (Tom) Pulley, Jodi (Chris) Wagner, Jason (Anne) Clark, Jennifer (Scott) Eisel, Tiffany Wayne, and Travis Wayne; 7 great grandchildren; brothers Vernon (Sharon) Jahn and Jim (Jean) Jahn.
Velma was preceded in death by her parents, her husband James, and her brother Carl. A private memorial service was held on Monday, August 10th.
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Janette Helen Byrne, age 93 of Waterville ,passed away surrounded by family on August 7, 2020 at the Lakeshore Inn in Waseca.
Janette was born on November 9, 1926 on her grandparents’ farm north of Lake Tetonka. She was the daughter of Seger and Helen (Kritzer) Seljeskog. She graduated from country school in 1940 and Waterville High School in 1944. She met a handsome man at a dance in Waseca, her future husband, and they dated for a year and a half. She married Robert Byrne Sr. on June 20, 1945 at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Waterville. To this union eight children were born. Together they shared 55 years of marriage before Bob passed away in July of 2000. They shared their last dance together on June 20, 1998 to the “Anniversary Waltz” at their grandson’s wedding in South Dakota.
She spent the early years of their marriage as a homemaker and a mom. Always providing a safe and happy home for Bob and the children. Once the children were grown, she began her professional career. She was a paraprofessional at WEM for 23 years, retiring in May of 1993. During her time at WEM she enjoyed helping and encouraging many students. Her grandchildren would bring their homework over to Grandma’s to help with algebra and fractions.
She was an active member of the Evangelical United Brethren Church, and later the Evangelical United Methodist Church, teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, assisting with the chicken and biscuit supper, the Christmas cookie walk, Bullhead Days hamburger stand and active in various women’s groups.
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Jeanette B. (Staloch) Weydert passed away on Thursday, August 6, 2020 at the New Richland Care Center at the age of 87. Jeanie was born on September 19, 1932 in Faribault County, MN to Andrew and Clara (Sonnek) Staloch. She grew up in the Wells area, and graduated from Freeborn High School. She received her LPN certificate from Mankato State University.
On May 21, 1952, she was united in marriage to Michael C. Weydert at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Wells, MN. To this union, seven children were born. Besides raising her children, you could find Jeanie in the kitchen canning food from her garden and preparing meals to feed her family and the hired help. She was the bookkeeper for the family farm business, and often delivered meals to those working in the field. She was a 4-H leader and in the summer taught her children to sew, cook, and garden. An active member of All Saints Catholic Church, her faith was very important to her. Reading the bible and praying the rosary gave her great joy. She enjoyed reading, sewing, and watching Minnesota sports teams like the Timberwolves and Vikings. Most of all, her family was the greatest joy in her life, and she loved every moment spent with them. Jeanie had a special bond and admiration for babies – her arms were rarely empty! When the kids left home, Jeanie became a Home Health Aid for Freeborn County uman Services. She felt called to love and serve the elderly. Jeanie was loving, caring, and compassionate to her family, her neighbors and to the elderly. Jesus Christ, and her Catholic faith, was the center and foundation of her life.