MaryAnn Heidtke passed away on September 21, 2022, at the Chosen Valley Care Center, where she was currently residing. She was born on December 23, 1944, in Preston, Minn., to Walter and Erna (Busitzky) Heidtke. She attended and graduated as salutatorian, from Wykoff High School in 1962. She then attended Gustavus Adolphus College in St Peter, Minn., majoring in Political … [Read more...]
Steven George Sobieniak
Steven George Sobieniak, a nationally known maker of bamboo fly fishing rods and owner of Root River Rod Co., a full-service fly shop in Lanesboro, Minn., died Thursday September 22 after a year-long battle with cancer. He was 67. Steve was born November 11, 1954, in Niagara Falls, N.Y., and lived in Lewiston, N.Y., for many years. He began fishing as a boy, and learned fly … [Read more...]
Hope Renae Diekman
Hope Renae Diekman, of Stewartville, Minn., passed away on Saturday, September 24, 2022, at the age of 50, after a lengthy illness. She came into the world on May 2, 1972, to her loving parents, Paul and Sharon Erickson of Rushford, Minn. Hope often fondly recollected early memories of growing up on the farm outside Rushford and playing kickball with her father and two younger … [Read more...]
John Edward Freiheit
John Edward Freiheit, of Spring Valley, Minn., passed away on Friday, September 23, 2022. He was 65 years old. John was born to parents, Darrell and Shirley Freiheit, on December 13, 1956. John graduated from Wykoff Public School in 1975. After graduation, he continued working with his parents on the family farm in rural Preston, Minn., for nearly 25 years. In 1977, … [Read more...]
Stanley C. Bahr
Stanley C. Bahr, 67, of Caledonia, Minn., died Wednesday, September 21, 2022, at his home, with his wife Linda by his side. A funeral mass will be said Monday, September 26 at 11 a.m., at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Caledonia, Minn., with Fr. Matt Wagner and Fr. Greg Leif officiating. Burial will be held in the Calvary Cemetery, Caledonia. Friends greeted the family on Sunday, … [Read more...]
Stephanie Kay Larson
Stephanie Kay Larson died of complications of Huntington’s Disease on Thursday, September 15, 2022, at TBI Residential in Duluth, Saint Louis County, Minn. Stephanie was born November 15, 1965 in St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minn., to Sharon Kay Fransen and Neil Leslie Larson. She attended Coon Rapids Anoka County schools, graduating in 1984. Stephanie graduated from the … [Read more...]
Mary E. Mindrum
Mary E. Mindrum, 92, of Lanesboro, passed away on her birthday, Wednesday, September 21, 2022, at her home in Lanesboro. Mary Eleanor Nelson was born September 21, 1930, in Lanesboro, to Willie “Bill” and Bertha (Gates) Nelson. She grew up in Lanesboro and worked for Hanson’s Drug Store while she was in high school. Mary graduated from Lanesboro High School in 1948. In … [Read more...]
Donald David Wynia
Donald David Wynia, 97, went to be with the Lord on September 14, 2022, at his home at McCook Lake, S. Dak. Donald was the first born to David and Laura Nadine (Halsey) Wynia on October 3, 1924. He grew up on the farm, where he experienced the Great Depression and the hardships of the Dirty Thirties. He graduated from Springfield High School in 1942. He attended Southern … [Read more...]
Susan R. Gehrking
On September 16, 2022, Susan (Sue) R. Gehrking passed away unexpectedly in her sleep. Sue was born in Harmony, Minn., on October 25, 1960, to Ronald and Evelyn Gehrking. She was the second of five siblings. She grew up in Spring Valley and graduated from Spring Valley High school in 1980. Sue married Terry Brusse in 1981. They lived just outside of Cherry Grove, Minn., … [Read more...]
Evelyn Irene Johnson
Evelyn Irene Johnson passed away on September 17, 2022, at the age of 93. Evelyn was born on October 25, 1928, to Sever and Emma (Housker) Narum in Mabel, Minn. She was baptized and confirmed at Scheie Lutheran Church. She attended Riceford country school and graduated from Mabel High School in 1946. On August 31, 1948, she married Odell Johnson in a double wedding ceremony … [Read more...]