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Created: 19 March 2018

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Joan A. Lohberger, age 88 of Waldorf, died peacefully on Saturday afternoon, March 17, 2018, at Mayo Clinic Health Systems-Mankato. 

Joan Anna, the daughter of Claus and Gertrude (Hodapp) Hammerstrom, was born on October 26, 1929, in Mankato.  Following her graduation from Mankato High School with the class of 1947, Joan was united in marriage to Ralph Schwichtenberg; they later divorced. In 1964, Joan was united in marriage to Gerald “Jerry” Lohberger at the Little Brown Church. They enjoyed attending many dances together, wintering in Alamo, Texas, and spending time with their family and friends. 

Joan worked for a few years at the elevator in Waldorf, but her main specialty was making all types of dresses by hand. Over the years, Joan went through a number of sewing machines as she worked to create anything someone would want. She also enjoyed tailoring clothing, crocheting afghans, and spending time in her flower and vegetable gardens.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents; son, Terry Schwichtenberg; first husband, Ralph Schwichtenberg; and by her siblings, Kenneth Hammerstrom and Elaine (Robert) Leiferman.

She is survived by her loving husband, Jerry; children, Elaine Witkowski, Ken (Sue) Schwichtenberg, Jim (Diane) Schwichtenberg, and Patti (Paul) Schlaak; eleven grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren; and by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

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Created: 20 February 2018

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Dale passed peacefully at the age of 78 in the presence of his immediate family at Valley Regional Hospital in Brownsville, Texas. Dale and his wife, Laurel were in their 22nd year of wintering on South Padre Island, Texas. Cause of death was complications due to pneumonia.

Dale grew up in Hopkins, Minnesota and attended Gustavus College. After studying Chemistry, he became a science teacher and worked 35 years dedicating his life to enriching his students in Waseca, Minnesota. He loved teaching. Since Dale retired 22 years ago, he and Laurel have spent time between wintering in South Padre Island, Texas, summer fun at the family cabin in Northern Minnesota, and their home in Victory, Wisconsin. Their 54 years of dedication to each other along with faith, family and children, is the legacy they pass on as the family expands across Minnesota, Wisconsin and California.

He was a father and friend of many. He loved and introduced his children to the outdoors and to the tangible things of life. He helped his father build the cabin on Big Turtle Lake in Northern Minnesota. He raised his family in the country in Waseca, Minnesota. He loved gardening and spending the summers vacationing with his family. Dale lived life to the fullest and did everything with gusto even up to the end of this life. He had brought fishing gear, a tennis racket and camping gear for tenting out west for the month of March. His energy and drive for life will always be an inspiration to everyone.

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Created: 11 March 2018

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James “Jim” W. Johns, age 74, of Blooming Prairie died Friday, March 9, 2018, at Prairie Manor Care Center in Blooming Prairie. Jim lost a long battle with a brain disease called Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).

Jim was born on October 5, 1943, at home in Buckingham, Iowa. At the age of 5, Jim’s family moved to Blooming Prairie, MN.

As a young man, he helped make hay and pick potatoes for area farmers. During his high school years, Jim lettered in football and track; he was involved in FFA, choir, and class plays. He graduated in 1961 from Blooming Prairie High School.

After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. His basic training was in Ft. Carson, Colorado advancing to Ft. Belvior, VA for heavy-duty equipment mechanic training. While on leave, he met Joyce Lewison, (who lived a mere three miles from his parents’ farm), at Archie’s Drive Inn in Geneva, MN. Instead of going to Germany like Jim thought the orders read, he served in Thule, Greenland from 1961 to 1964. Upon returning home from Greenland, Jim started working at Lindekugel Chevrolet as a parts manager.

Jim and Joyce married on June 26, 1965 at Aurora Lutheran Church by Owatonna. In 1966, Jim and Joyce moved to St. Louis, MO, where Jim attended and graduated from Bailey Technical School. The couple returned to Blooming Prairie, where Jim worked as a shop foreman at Ed’s Repair Shop in Owatonna. Jim and Joyce welcomed their first born, Jaclyn Joyce Johns, on August 21, 1970. Jim also worked for Fretheim Excavating in Owatonna and Midwest Diesel in Austin during the 1970’s. Jim and Joyce welcomed their second child, James (Jay) William Johns II, on December 5, 1975. From the early 1980s until retirement, Jim operated his own mechanic shop and farmed with his brother-in-law, Richard Lewison, and son, Jay.

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Created: 19 February 2018

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Lloyd S. Otterson, age 85 of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, passed away Sunday, February 18, 2018 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 22, 2018 at First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie, Minnesota with Pastor Heidi Heimgartner officiating.

The Otterson family will greet friends from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at the Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home, and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.

Interment will be in Blooming Prairie Cemetery with military honors by American Legion Post 52 and V.F.W. Post 878.

Worlein Funeral Home of Austin, Minnesota is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.