Roger Dale Sanford, age 78, of Cherry Grove, Minn., passed away peacefully on April 11, 2025, in Mesa, Ariz. He was born May 27, 1946, in Spring Valley to Wilbur and Georgia Sanford. Roger married Judiene Meyer in 1966; they had three children: Jackie, Corey and Jody, and were later divorced. He married his soul mate Carol Langdon in 2012. Together they enjoyed traveling, … [Read more...]
John Finke
John Allen Finke of Rochester (formerly of Cherry Grove) passed away Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at age 94. A funeral will be held Sunday, April 27, 1 p.m., at Cherry Grove United Methodist Church. Pastor Mark Rader will officiate, and Phil Hebrink will deliver a eulogy. Visitation will begin at noon with interment immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, … [Read more...]
Leonard E. Leutink Jr.
Leonard E. Leutink Jr., 77 years of age, sadly passed away on Monday, September 16, 2024, at Mayo Clinic- St. Mary’s Campus. Leonard was born in Rochester, Minn., on March 12, 1947. He grew up and attended school in Wykoff, Minn., graduating in 1965. In February 1967 he joined the Army, where he served as a mechanic until February 1970. During that time he was stationed in … [Read more...]
Mariel Jean Greenlee
Mariel Jean Greenlee, age 89, died peacefully at home on November 24, 2023, surrounded by her family. She had been ill with Parkinsonism. Mariel was born in Preston, Minn., on August 6, 1934, to Leslie and Mae (Apenhorst) Vreeman. She grew up in rural Cherry Grove and graduated from Wykoff High School in 1952. After graduation, Mariel worked 10 years at the First National … [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...]
Bernis Finke
Bernis Finke, age 90, passed away Friday, March 31, 2023, in Rochester, Minn., from the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. Services will be held April 15 at Cherry Grove United Methodist Church with a 9 a.m. visitation, followed by an 11 a.m. funeral with Pastor Deanna Woodward officiating. A eulogy will be shared by good friend, Pastor Mark Rader. On November 23, 1932, … [Read more...]
Jerry R. Nielsen
Jerry R. Nielsen, age 79, of Cherry Grove, died on Thursday, January 12, 2023, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, Wis. Jerry was born on the 8th day of June, 1943, to Rudolph and Bernice Nielsen while his dad was away fighting in World War II. After the war, Jerry’s dad farmed in Albert City, Iowa, and Jerry’s sister Shirley was born. Later, his brother Larry … [Read more...]
Tina Marie Osborne Millette
Tina Marie Osborne Millette, 58, of Cherry Grove, Minn., passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 4, 2022, at 10:55 a.m. at Mayo Clinic- Methodist Campus in Rochester, Minn. Tina was born December 25, 1963, to James and Shirley Osborne at Fort Carson Military Base in Colorado Springs, Colo. Having a military dad, the family got to see many parts of the country. Tina … [Read more...]
Harlan J. Nagel
Harlan J. Nagel, age 78, of Spring Valley, Minn., passed away at Regional Health Services of Howard County on July 28, 2022. Harlan James was born on January 05, 1944, to Orrin and Clarice (Bessingpas) Nagel in Cresco, Iowa. He attended country school in Cherry Grove, Minn., and graduated from Wykoff High School in 1961. He continued his education at Westmar College in Le … [Read more...]
Frederick James Mundfrom
On the morning of July 13, 2022, Frederick James Mundfrom was called home to heaven. Trusting in the saving work of Jesus Christ, the words of Matthew 25:21 became real for him: “Well done, good and faithful servant... Come and share your master’s happiness!” Frederick James Mundfrom was born on the family farm near Cherry Grove, Minn., on March 26, 1929. He was the eighth … [Read more...]
Richard Bessingpas
Memorial service for Richard Bessingpas will be held 11 a.m. Monday, June 13, 2022, at Cherry Grove United Methodist Church in Cherry Grove, with Pastor Deanna Woodward officiating. Burial will be in the Cherry Grove Cemetery. Richard D. Bessingpas, of Harmony, Minn., passed away June 8, 2022, at the age of 84, due to heart failure. He was born on the family farm in York … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion – “Faith’s Check Book” inspiring and uplifting
By Pastor Mark Woodward Maple Leaf Parish Spring Valley: Faith, Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston (and Lenora) Uanited Methodist Churches During a particular rough time in my life, I very much appreciated the inspiring, uplifting, encouraging words of a wonderful pastor who lived in England. Charles Spurgeon lived from 1834-1892 and he was a prominent clergyman during this … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion – Planting the seed
By Rev. Deanna Woodward Maple Leaf Parish United Methodist Churches of Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston and Spring Valley Have you ever had this experience? You walk up to someone you know and ask “How are you?” The person answers, “Well, I lost my job last week. My spouse left me. I haven’t been able to sleep lately. My daughter fell and broke her arm in two places, and my … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion – An attitude of gratitude
By Rev. Deanna Woodward Maple Leaf Parish United Methodist Churches of Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston and Spring Valley If I had my “druthers” in the winter, I would either fly to a warmer climate like the snowbirds, or go into hibernation like some other woodland creatures. I’m not a fan of winter. It’s common at this time of the year to go for weeks without seeing my … [Read more...]
Dennis D. “Denny” Hofner
Dennis D. “Denny” Hofner, 69, of Waterloo, died Friday, December 10, 2021, at UnityPoint Health - Allen Hospital. Denny was born January 24, 1952, in Waterloo, Iowa, the son of Frank Floyd and Viola Jean Ter Maat Hofner. He graduated from Waterloo West High in 1971. In 1972 Denny went to work for John Deere starting in the foundry; he retired from the Northeast Site in … [Read more...]