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...]
Marlys Caroline (Nordhorn) Ruesink
Marlys Caroline (Nordhorn) Ruesink, age 90, of Cherry Grove, Minn., passed away peacefully at her home on October 31, 2025. Born on August 27, 1935, in Wykoff, Minn., to William and Linda (Jeche) Nordhorn, Marlys attended school in Wykoff and later married her husband of 69 years, Donovan Ruesink, on October 19, 1952. Together they built a family rooted in commitment, … [Read more...]
Norman Vehrenkamp
Norman Vehrenkamp, age 79, of Stewartville, Minn., passed away peacefully on October 28, 2025, surrounded by his family. Born in Wykoff, Minn., on January 15, 1946, Norman was the youngest of six. He attended St. Johns parochial school and graduated from Wykoff High School where he played football, basketball and golf. He was a charming rascal who loved to have a good time and … [Read more...]
Beverly Mensink
Beverly Mensink, age 94, of Harmony, Minn., passed away on October 30, 2025, surrounded by her family at the Gundersen Harmony Care Center, where she had been a resident since 2020. Beverly Jean Mensink was born west of Rochester, Minn., in Salem Township on September 28, 1931. She was the daughter of Elmer and Wilma (Brekke) Kunerth. Wilma passed away when Bev was a young … [Read more...]
Donnie James Simonson
Donnie James Simonson, 76, of Grand Meadow, passed away peacefully on October 26, 2025, at the Spring Valley Care Center after a courageous battle with cancer. Donnie was born on August 28, 1949, in Rochester, Minn., to Everett and Violet (Waller) Simonson. He graduated from Grand Meadow High School in 1968. Following graduation, Donnie attended Austin Area Vocational … [Read more...]