Joann Elizabeth Gillespie, age 87, of Chatfield, Minn. passed away at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minn., and was welcomed with open arms into Heaven on April 27, 2023. Joann was born on March 2, 1936, to Fred and Lucy (Farmer) Madison in Marengo, Iowa. She graduated as salutatorian from the class of 1954 in Goldfield, Iowa. On August 15, 1954, she married Howard … [Read more...]
Gertrud Kroshus Solem
Gertrud Kroshus Solem, 98, of Mabel, died Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at Green Lea Senior Living in Mabel. Gertrud Laurayne Kroshus Solem was born May 19, 1924, in Waterville, Iowa, to John and Selma (Bergland) Hancock. She was baptized and confirmed at Waterville Lutheran Church. Gertrud graduated from Waterville High School. After graduation, she moved to Decorah where … [Read more...]
James F. Todd
James F. Todd, 94, of Harmony, Minn., passed away on April 24, 2023. He was born January 29, 1929, to Stanley and Josephine (Clark) Todd in Sioux Falls, S. Dak. His family moved to Harmony when he was an infant, and his growing-up years were spent there. He graduated from Harmony High School in 1947. In 1951, he entered the Navy, was discharged in 1955, and went back to … [Read more...]
Leonard A. Plaehn
Leonard A. Plaehn, age 91, of Spring Valley, Minn., died Monday April 24, 2023, at Spring Valley Living. Leonard was born December 18, 1931, to Emma and Henry Plaehn; He was their tenth child. Leonard lived on farms in Grundy County, Iowa, until WWII when his older brothers left for the service and the family moved to Reinbeck, Iowa. He attended school there and graduated … [Read more...]
Shirley Whalen
Shirley Whalen, age 76, of rural Harmony, Minn., passed away in the early morning hours on Sunday, April 23, 2023, surrounded by her family. Shirley Mae was born on June 26, 1946, to Vendolin “Ven” and Agnes (Anderson) Beckman in Cresco, Iowa. She attended Harmony High School, graduating with the Class of 1964. On May 13, 1967, Shirley married the love of her life, David … [Read more...]
Dale Eugene Thomas
Dale Eugene Thomas was born May 18, 1936, to Adrian and Mildred Thomas. He died April 20, 2023. He is survived by his wife Shirley, siblings Glen, and Loraine Klomps; children Tammy, Theresa, Jeff and Cathy; and by his grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He is preceeded in death by siblings Lyle, Ellen Nickels, and Loran. Dale was a dairy farmer for more than 30 … [Read more...]
Shirley Hathaway
Shirley Hathaway died peacefully, near her daughter on February 21, 2023, at Foulkeways Continuing Care Retirement Community in Gwynedd, Penn. Born Shirley Cornwell in Minneapolis on November 15, 1925, she was the oldest of four children of Agnes Harrang Cornwell and Finch J. Cornwell. She was raised on farms near Spring Valley, and in the city of Minneapolis, graduating as … [Read more...]
Brandon Tornstrom
Brandon Tornstrom, age 26, of Caledonia, passed away April 16, 2023. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 am, Saturday, April 22, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Caledonia. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Friday, at St. Mary’s Holy Family Hall, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will also be from 10-10:45 a.m. before the service at St. Mary’s Holy Family Hall. … [Read more...]
Elwood Russell Brusse
Elwood Russell Brusse “Woody,” age 75, of Wewahitchka, Fla., passed away on December 27, 2022, at the Lake City VA Medical Center in Lake City, Fla, following a short illness. Woody was born May 4, 1947, to Russell and Bernice (Lange) Brusse in Preston, Minn. Woody graduated from Wykoff High School in 1965. He served in the U.S. Army from October 1966 to October 1968. … [Read more...]
Thomas J. Frederick
Thomas J. Frederick, age 61, of rural Wykoff, Minn., died Friday April 14, 2023 at his home. Tom was born October 4, 1961, in Neenah, Wis., to Thomas A. Frederick and Sharon Lee (Tate) Frederick. Following high school Tom enlisted in the United States Navy in 1979 and served aboard the USS Ramsey for three years before being honorably discharged. He was united in marriage to … [Read more...]