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Joan Marjorie (Thompson) Vanden Heuvel, 86, went home to Jesus on July 20, 2020, at her home in Geneva, Minn., following a short battle with acute myeloid leukemia. Joan was born on Sept. 12, 1933, on the family farm outside of Ellendale, Minn., to Anna Julia (Thompson) and Ole O. Thompson, the youngest of three children. She graduated from Ellendale High School at the age of 16 as class valedictorian.
Joan married her high school sweetheart, Elmer Vanden Heuvel, at age 18 on Sept. 30, 1951, at First Lutheran Church in Ellendale, Minn., and together they raised their four children. In 1960, they moved to Geneva and settled into small town living. They enjoyed life to the fullest with lots of love and laughter.
A writing on her wall at home says, “Home is where your story begins.” And her home and family were the center of her life story. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her priority and she made a point to attend as many activities as possible. Joan and Elmer were always on the go.
In addition, she instilled a love of music (and discipline) in her children by “encouraging” them to practice at 5:30, 6, 6:30 and 7 in the morning before they went to school.
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Margaret Irene Dobberstein, age 93 of Waseca died on Monday, July 27, 2020 at the Lake Shore Inn in Waseca.
Margaret Berndt was born in Alton Township, Alma City to Walter and Augusta (Volkmann) Berndt on June 28, 1927. She attended District 70 of Waseca, then Waseca High School and graduated from Waldorf High School.
Margaret worked at Johnson’s Variety Store, Johnson Radio during WWII, and A.J. Anderson’s Creamery of Waseca right after high school. She married Art Dobberstein in 1948. To their union, three children were born.
Together they built the family farm and raised dairy cattle, then beef cattle, hogs, chickens, and grew corn, wheat, and soybeans while raising a family. Margaret grew enormous gardens of fresh vegetables, fruits, and flowers. She was involved with the local extension club, the Ladies Aid, and Aid Association for Lutherans. Margaret was a dedicated Sunday School teacher for over 30 years. In her later years, she worked at Waseca Bird’s Eye and Wal-Mart in the deli and as door-greeter for over 15 years. She had such a special smile and gave generously from her heart.
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Barbara Louise Grunwald, 78, of Ellendale, died Tuesday, July 14, 2020, at Homestead Hospice House in Owatonna surrounded by her family.
She was born September 3, 1941 in Mankato, the daughter of Lyall and Marie (Marzinske) Berg. Barbara was confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Alma City. She graduated from New Richland High School in 1959. On January 11, 1959, she married Dennis Grunwald in Alma City and they made their home in rural Ellendale. Barbara helped on the family farm and worked for a few local florists. She was very talented and created her own jewelry. Barbara also had her antique store called the Country Coop which was located on the family farm. She enjoyed spending time with family as well as antiquing and attending auctions. She also enjoyed traveling, especially wintering in Lake Havasu City, AZ over the past 22 years. Barbara was a member of First Lutheran Church in Ellendale, where she attended Bible study and was active in ladies aid. She also was a Sunday school teacher and helped with confirmation classes.
She is survived by her husband, Dennis Grunwald of Ellendale; children, Rhonda Grunwald of Ellendale, Cheryl Smith of Ellendale, Richard (and Patti Larsen) Grunwald of Surprise, AZ; 5 grandchildren; 2 step-grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; 2 step-great-grandchildren; brothers, Louis “Skeeter” Berg of Mazeppa, Robert (Evelyn) Berg of New Ulm; sisters-in-law, Sylvia Berg of New Richland, Kathy Berg of New Richland and Kaye Allen of Otsego; many nieces and nephews; and special angel with fur, Gracie May.
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On July 23, 2020, Suzanne Lorraine Scholljegerdes passed away suddenly from a heart attack in her home. She was born on September 28, 1947. At 72 years of age, she was full of love for her family and friends. A lifelong Waseca area native, Susie was well-loved in her small town. Susie was the mother of four children and grandmother to six grandchildren. In addition to working a part-time job, remodeling her home, and traveling, she always made time for a three hour coffee visit. She looked forward to providing support and love for her family. She was a dedicated mother and worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for her kids and looked forward to caring for her grandkids.
Susie was a lifelong member of the St. Peter Lutheran Church in Otisco, a previous committee member, worker at ice cream socials, and a Sunday School teacher. Susie loved being busy at all times. She rarely took the time to rest and always put the needs of others first. She was always looking for her next travel adventure, home project, and listening ear. Susie grew up and worked on her family’s farm in rural Otisco. She graduated from New Richland High school in 1965 and then attended college in the Twin Cities where she received her Associates Degree. She returned to the Waseca area, married Harlan Gekeler in 1967, and worked on the farm managing the business all while raising four children. She was employed at Brown Printing for over 23 years in the Customer Service Department and Scheduling. Retirement wasn’t an option for her busy lifestyle so she took a part-time job at HyVee. Suzie made friends everywhere she went and enjoyed talking with friends and neighbors in the community.
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Jane Wanda (Peterson) Rasmussen, 77, of Apple Valley, MN died on Thursday, July 9th at Our Lady of Peace Hospice in St Paul, MN after a long struggle with autoimmune liver disease, complicated by a recent hip fracture. She was born in Waseca, MN on May 5, 1943 to Stanley W. and Anna Mae (Jacobson) Peterson. After attending District 48 School, Waseca County, she graduated from New Richland High School in 1961. She attended her first year of college at Gustavus Adolphus College, St Peter, MN and went on to obtain her Bachelor of Science in 1965 at the University Of Minnesota in St Paul, MN, majoring in Home Economics; Household Equipment. Her first job was with Northern States Power in St Cloud, MN and later as a sporting goods buyer for Target Corporation. She ultimately served as an office manager for Farmers Insurance in Apple Valley for over 40 years before retirement.
She was united in marriage to Donald A. Rasmussen on June 26, 1971 at Vista Lutheran Church in Waseca County, MN. Together they enjoyed collecting Royal Doulton character jugs and figurines. Two of their greatest joys were sharing their home and experiencing exciting Twin Cities adventures for one week each summer with their nine nieces and nephews; Troy Peterson, Tom Peterson, Sandy (Peterson) Tollefson, Tyler Peterson, Eric Knutson, Brian Knutson, Michael Bartholow, Jenny (Bartholow) Tessness and Ryan Bartholow. After her husband died in 1992, Jane continued to host the annual Thanksgiving celebration until she moved to an independent living facility in 2018.