Janyce Elayne Freiheit, of Spring Valley, Minn., passed away on July 15, 2023, at her home. She was 64 years old. Janyce was born on October 25, 1958, in Leroy, Minn., to parents Earl and Geraldine Sawdey. Janyce married her life-long partner and best friend, John Freiheit, in 1977, who preceded her in death in 2022. Janyce and John had four children together and she … [Read more...]
Leo Stoltz
Leo A. Stoltz, 99, of Caledonia, Minn., passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday, July 16, 2023. Leo was born on May 25, 1924, in Caledonia to Joseph and Dorothy Stoltz. He was the oldest of four children. After graduating from Loretto High School, Leo began dairy farming in rural Caledonia where he raised award-winning Jersey cattle on the DoMorJersey farm. In … [Read more...]
Percy Hendrickson
Percy D. Hendrickson, 85, of Spring Valley, Minn., passed away peacefully at the Spring Valley Care Center on July 14, 2023, after a long battle with cancer. Percy Dale Hendrickson was born September 24, 1937, in Wykoff, Minn., to Cardnal and Mildred (Berning) Hendrickson. He attended country schools in the Cherry Grove area, Wykoff High School until the 10th grade, and … [Read more...]
Leoba Dotzler
Leoba ‘Tobey’ Dotzler died on March 13, 2023, at the age of 93. She was born on April 20, 1929, in Cresco, Iowa, the daughter of Albert and Walburga (Tennessen) Schatz. She attended St. Joseph Grade School, and graduated valedictorian of her class from Assumption High School in Cresco. On June 27, 1950, she was united in marriage to Gerald Dotzler. They farmed in the … [Read more...]
Harriet M. Herrick (née Bondeson)
Harriet M. Herrick (née Bondeson) passed away unexpectedly on July 10, 2023. She was 85. Born June 10, 1938, in Marshall, Minn., to Peter and Minnie Bondeson, she lived in Wabasha and then Chatfield, Minn. Her father was the Chatfield baker in the 1940s and ‘50s. She married Donald Herrick on June 15, 1957. She taught elementary art education until 1974, then pursued … [Read more...]
Naomi Wangen
Naomi J. Wangen, 90, of Rushford, died July 11, 2023, at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Rushford. Naomi was born September 4, 1932, to Herman, Sr. and Beulah (Vickerman) Hermanson, at her grandmother’s home in the Big Woods of Preble Township in Fillmore County. She grew up and attended school in the Black Hammer area. On March 13, 1948, she was united in marriage to … [Read more...]
Bernard “Bernie” Bandel
Bernard “Bernie” Chad Bandel, 66, of Rochester, died Wednesday, July 5, 2023, at Mayo Clinic Hospital - Methodist Campus in Rochester. Bernie was born April 2, 1957, in Rochester. He graduated from Chatfield High School in 1975. On September 22, 1979, he married Cindy K. House in Chatfield. The couple eventually settled in rural Chatfield while raising their family. Bernie … [Read more...]
James “Jim” Hagen
James “Jim” Hagen, 82 of Tampa, Fla., formerly of Mabel, died June 19 in Tampa. Jim was born July 17, 1941, in Spring Grove to Knute V. and Lillian (Haakenson) Hagen. He was baptized in Riceford, confirmed at the Mabel First Lutheran Church, and graduated from the Mabel High School in the Class of 1959. On November 28, 1959, Jim married Mary Jane Hovey. They were later … [Read more...]
Darrel E. Ray
Darrel E. Ray, age 90, of Preston, Minn., passed away on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, surrounded by family at Gundersen Care Center in Harmony, Minn. Funeral services for Darrel will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at Preston United Methodist Church in Preston, Minn., with Pastor Mark Woodward officiating. Burial will follow with military honors at the Minnesota … [Read more...]
Betty Finley
Betty L. Finley, 83, of Chatfield, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 10, 2023, at Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield, with her husband and daughter be her side. Betty Louise Theel was born March 22, 1940, in rural Chatfield to Richard and Irene (Eickhoff) Theel. Betty graduated from Chatfield High School in 1957 and was the class valedictorian. Betty went to work … [Read more...]