Augie Willliams passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully, at his farm south of Rushford, Minn., on June 15, 2025. Born in Rochester, Minn., on August 31, 1938, to William “Bill” Williams and Arlie (Anderson) Williams, Augie graduated from Rochester High School, Rochester Junior College, and Mankato State University in 1960 with a business degree. After college Augie … [Read more...]
Mary Esther Amundson
March 20, 1948 – May 15, 2025 Mary Esther Amundson, 77, of rural Spring Grove, was born on March 20, 1948, in Caledonia, Minn., to Raymond and Esther Fruechte. Mary was a lifelong resident of the area, with the exception of her time attending Stout State in Menomonie, Wis. Mary had a deep-rooted connection to her community and spent her life pouring her creativity, … [Read more...]
Elsie A. Franzen
Elsie A. Franzen, 84, of La Crosse, died Thursday, June 19, 2025, at her home surrounded by her family. Elsie was born May 22, 1941, in Washington, Iowa, to William and Emily (Florang) Chmelar. She graduated high school and went on to school to be a beautician. On June 2, 1990, she married Donald Franzen. In retirement they lived in Haines City, Fla., before moving to … [Read more...]
Eugene Ronald Mulhern
Eugene R. (Butch) Mulhern passed away on June 23, 2025, at his home in Spring Valley, Minn., after a long struggle with his health. Eugene was born to Clayton and Emma (Eickhoff) Mulhern on November 23, 1937, in Preston, Minn. He was baptized as an adult in Cherry Grove United Methodist Church prior to leaving for military service. Eugene was a member of Wykoff United … [Read more...]
Robert William Jones
Robert William Jones, 63, of Spring Valley, Minn., passed away on June 23, 2025, surrounded by his beloved family. Bobby was born on November 4, 1961, to Robert L. Jones and Rhoda A. (Thompson) Jones in San Francisco, Calif. In 1965, the Jones family moved to Spring Valley where he became a well-known kid on Lyndale Avenue and North Section in Spring Valley, attaining long … [Read more...]
Donna Mae (Thompson) Benson
Donna Mae (Thompson) Benson, 84, of Mabel, died Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at Gundersen Harmony Care Center in Harmony, where she had been for a short time. Donna was born June 8, 1941, in La Crosse, Wis., to Arnold and Minerva (Topness) Thompson. She attended school in Peterson, Minn., and graduated from Central High School in La Crosse. Donna was married to Jim Lowers. They … [Read more...]
Genevieve Marie Haakenstad
Genevieve Marie Haakenstad passed away in her 94th year, at home with family, June 8, 2025. Gen was born in La Crosse, Wis., the second daughter of Rueben and Irene Kimpton Olson. She grew up here with sister Marian, 11 months her senior. She moved to a farm outside Baraboo, Wis., at age 16 and graduated from Baraboo High School. On June 2, 1950, she married Richard … [Read more...]
Lyle E. Johnson
Lyle E. Johnson, 83, of Rushford, Minn., died on Friday June 20, 2025. He was born on February 27, 1942, to Erlyn and Luella Johnson of Highland, rural Lanesboro. Lyle was a graduate of Lanesboro High School in 1960 where his two favorite subjects were Industrial Arts and Agriculture and he earned All-Conference Honors playing football as a guard. He attended Dunwoody … [Read more...]
Douglas Johnson
Douglas Johnson, alias “Engineer Doug,” 74, passed away on Monday, June 16, 2025, with family members by his side. Doug worked at Winona State University, where he fixed student’s laptops in what was called “walk in.” Doug built two kit cars before moving to Rushford, where over a period of five years, he built a 1906 Buckboard Orient, his pride and joy. He became … [Read more...]
Virginia Marie (Freiheit) Mandelko
Virginia Marie (Freiheit) Mandelko, 84, passed away Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at Harmony Place, Harmony, Minn., surrounded by her family. Virginia was born July 9, 1940, at her parents, Earl and Thelma (Finch) Freiheit’s home near Wykoff, Minn. She was baptized and confirmed at Dr. Martin Luther Church of Spring Valley. She married Allan Eugene Mandelko August 19, 1960, at … [Read more...]