Deanna Gaare, formerly of Mabel and Preston, Minn., died on February 26, 2025, following a long illness. Deanna was born and raised in Mabel, Minn., daughter of Blaine and Helen Gaare on November 21, 1965. She graduated from Mabel-Canton High School in 1984. Following high school, she went to St. Cloud Technical and Community College. She worked for 35 years in the senior … [Read more...]
Vivien Dawn (Knudsvig) Mathsen
Vivien Dawn (Knudsvig) Mathsen was born on December 26, 1934, to Garth and Mabel (Norgard) Knudsvig in Wheeler, Mont. She was the eldest of three children, after which came her sister Myrna, and the youngest child and brother, Byron. She was born during the height of the Great Depression when life for most Americans was very uncertain and difficult. Garth worked on the … [Read more...]
David Lee Otis
David Lee Otis, 69, of Mabel, Minn., passed away on December 13, 2024, at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, Wis. David was born on July 11, 1955, the son of Howard and Marjorie (nee Adams) Otis in Oakland, Calif. David attended school in the Burnsville, Minn., area and was a graduate of Burnsville High School. He then furthered his education in welding in a … [Read more...]
Arthur “Art” Merlin Ford
Arthur “Art” Merlin Ford, 103, passed away on February 27, 2025, at his home. He was born June 27, 1921, to Alvin and Minnie Forde at the Forde family farm. He was baptized and confirmed at Garness Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Mabel, Minn. He graduated from Mabel High School on June 2, 1939. He enlisted in the United States Navy on February 19, 1942, and was honorably … [Read more...]
Harlan A. Gjere
Harlan A. Gjere, Sr., 89, passed away peacefully on Thursday evening, January 30, 2025, at Green Lea Manor in Mabel, Minn. Harlan was born July 14, 1935, in Spring Grove, Minn., to Alvin and Hattie (Mestad) Gjere. The youngest of three sons, he worked with his parents and uncles to build the house and barn on the family farm where he grew up, south of Highlandville and yet … [Read more...]
Donna J. Jetson
Donna J Jetson, 87, died at New Perspectives Memory Care in Eagan, Minn., on December 5, 2024. Donna was born March 18, 1937, to Charles and Josephine (Hubbard) Shoults. She attended Onalaska High School. On July 5, 1980 she married Milton Jetson of Harmony, Minn. He died October 14, 2017. Donna worked as a cashier at the Harmony IGA for many years. She enjoyed her job … [Read more...]
Minna Hein
Minna Hein, age 95, longtime Canton and Mabel, Minn., area resident, died peacefully at home on November 17, 2024. Private services will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to her daughter Irmgard Hein Ellingson in care of Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel. … [Read more...]
Ramon “Ray” Wickett
Ramon “Ray” Wickett, 89, of Decorah, Iowa, formerly of Canton and Mabel, Minn., died Monday, November 11, 2024, at Barthell Eastern Star Home. Ray was born August 11, 1935, in Canton, Minn., to Frank and Beth (Torgenrude) Wickett. In 1954 he graduated from the Canton High School and on November 30, 1956, was united in marriage to Lorraine Hagen at the Mabel First Lutheran … [Read more...]
Dean Willard Darrington
Dean Willard Darrington, 99, of Rushford, Minn., former longtime Hesper area farmer, died Monday, November 11, 2024, at Gundersen Healthcare in La Crosse, Wis., surrounded by family. Dean was born on October 3, 1925, on the farm in Hesper Township of Winneshiek County, Iowa, to Willard and Cora (Lee) Darrington. He attended the Darrington Country School and graduated from … [Read more...]
John Wayne Westby
John Wayne Westby, age 70, of Mabel, Minn., lost his short battle with esophageal cancer at his home on October 20, 2024, surrounded by family. John was born August 28, 1954, at Waukon Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, Iowa, to Kenneth and Ruth (Ruroden) Westby. The family lived on a farm between Dorchester and Spring Grove where he attended local country schools and … [Read more...]