Joel Anthony Menuey Sr., age 76, of Dexter, Minn., passed away suddenly at home on November 10, 2025. Joel was born on October 25, 1949, in Oelwein, Iowa, to Carl and Elba (Larson) Menuey. He attended Arlington Iowa School District and graduated from Starmont High School in 1967. After graduation, Joel entered the Navy on USS Simon Lake which traveled all over the world. … [Read more...]
Orlean M. (Chiglo) Strand
October 12, 1937 - November 7, 2025 Orlean was born on October 12, 1937, in Whalan, Minn., to Peter Sr. and Myrtle (Sveen) Chiglo. She grew up in a large close-knit family and carried those strong family values throughout her life. On June 7, 1958, Orlean married the love of her life, Richard Strand. Together they built a home filled with love, laughter and faith. They … [Read more...]
Clifford “Cliff” Heiden
Clifford Diedrich Heiden, age 93, of Rushford, passed away peacefully on November 6, 2025, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Rushford. Cliff was born on January 26, 1932, on the family farm in Hart to Leo and Dorathea (Meyer) Heiden. Farming was at the heart of his life from an early age. He attended Rushford High School until age 16, when he returned home to help farm. … [Read more...]
Sandra Kay Cole
Sandra Kay Cole, age 82, passed from this world into Heaven on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. She was born in LeMars, Iowa, May 7, 1943, to Huel and Bonita (Muller) Paulin. Sandra was educated at Union Consolidated and LeMars Community Schools, Westmar and Buena Vista colleges. She earned a BA in elementary education in 1965, and later earned a special ed endorsement from … [Read more...]
Barbara Jo Laumb
Barbara Jo Laumb, 74, of Rushford, died Saturday, November 8, 2025, after a six-month battle with cancer, surrounded by her family at home. Barb was born June 27, 1951, in La Crosse, Wis., to Charles and Wanda (Williams) Carrier. She attended Houston High School and on March 16, 1968, she married Gerald “Jerry” Laumb at Rushford Lutheran Church. Barb worked various places … [Read more...]
Lois Schmitz
Lois Schmitz died November 4, 2025, at the age of 90. She was born August 7, 1935, to Henry and Genevieve (Hoscheit) Meyer. She attended Catholic Central Grade School and Loretto High School, graduating in 1953. On August 30, 1955, Lois married Miles Schmitz, they were blessed with 12 children. In her lifetime Lois had the privilege of working with many good people at … [Read more...]
Olive Daphne Peterson
Olive Daphne Peterson, age 90, of Canton, Minn., formerly of Stewartville, Minn., passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 25, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Olive was born on October 2, 1935, in Lanesboro, Minn., to Obert and Delia (Erickson) Halvorson. She grew up on the family farm near Peterson, Minn., where she developed a lifelong love of nature, family, and … [Read more...]
Faye M. Claussen
Faye M. Claussen, 84, of Stewartville, Minn., died on Saturday, October 25, 2025, of natural causes at the Chosen Valley Care Center where she had been a resident for the past week. Faye Mary Campbell was born September 8, 1941, in Red Wood Falls, Minn., to Everett and Grace (Nolting) Campbell. She grew up in Jasper, Minn., and attended Jasper High School, graduating in … [Read more...]
Jeanne M. Smith
Jeanne M. Smith, 95, of rural Spring Valley, Minn., died Wednesday, October 29, 2025, of natural causes, at the Harmony Health Care Center where she had been a resident since 2018. Jeanne Margaret Hanson was born February 16, 1930, in St. Paul, Minn., to Evald and Helen (Thorstad) Hanson. She moved with her family as an infant to Rochester, Minn., where she grew up and … [Read more...]
Kimberly Ann Pongratz
Kimberly Ann Pongratz, age 64, of La Crescent, Minn., died peacefully on October 29, 2025. She was born on February 17, 1961, in Caledonia, Minn., to Roger and Marilyn (Snyder) DeWitt. She graduated from Caledonia High School in 1979 and attended the Technical College in La Crosse, Wis., earning a degree in radiography. She married Dana James Pongratz on September 25, … [Read more...]