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...]
Dixie Liberty Rudlong
Dixie Liberty Rudlong, born June 11, 2025, took her last breath in the loving arms of her parents Benjamin and Natalie Rudlong of Chatfield, Minn., on June 17, 2025. Though the time spent with their beautiful baby girl was too brief, they shared enough love for a lifetime with her during unexpected complications following her birth. They will honor her precious life (and the … [Read more...]
Myrna Jeanette Luehmann
Myrna Jeanette Luehmann, whose life was filled with unwavering faith, boundless love for her family and friends, and a passionate commitment to education, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 15, 2025, at the age of 77. She was at home, surrounded by her loving family, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on June 25, 1947, in La Crosse, Wis., to Lloyd and Alice … [Read more...]
Stanley Alan Diersen
Stanley Alan Diersen, of Caledonia, Minn., passed away Monday, June 9, 2025, at Emplify Health La Crosse, Wis., at the age of 71. He was born September 3, 1953, in Caledonia, to Wilbert “Jake” and Bernice (Rud) Diersen. He was Confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church - Eitzen in 1958 and always stayed strong in his faith. He was the church treasurer and church elder. After … [Read more...]
Robert David Maust
Robert David Maust, affectionately known as Bob, was born on May 25, 1938, to Chester and Eunice (Pickett) Maust at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minn. He grew up in the town of Preston and spent his childhood helping out on the family farm, driving tractors, delivering newspapers, and assisting his father at the local creamery. He attended Preston High School, where he … [Read more...]
Maynard “Dusty” Johnson
Maynard “Dusty” Johnson, 88, of Rushford, Minn., passed away on June 6, 2025. On June 6, 2025, Maynard Johnson joined his beloved wife Marjo in eternity. He was born August 2, 1936, in Lanesboro, Minn., to Arthur and Myrtle Johnson. After losing his mother at a young age, Maynard struck out on his own, working on local farms before moving to South Dakota to live his cowboy … [Read more...]