Obituary Listing

Recent Obituaries

Bernadine B. Kuhn

Bernadine B. Kuhn

Nov 9, 2026

Bernadine Betty (Lang) Kuhn passed away on Monday, November 10, 2026, at the age of 83, at Cedar Lodge in Owatonna.

Bernie was a devoted Christian wife and mother, and her life was framed always by family and faith. Bernie was born on January 21, 1943, to parents Ted and Louise (Gums) Lang in Napoleon, ND, the second of seven children....

Jeff G. Wilday

Jeff G. Wilday

Nov 9, 2026

Jeff G. Wilday, 65, of Brooklyn, New York and formerly of Owatonna, died unexpectedly on November 9, 2026. Born on November 29, 1960, in Owatonna to the late George and Marjorie (Case) Wilday, Jeff was the youngest of three children. Growing up, Jeff was very musical; he played in a musical group in Owatonna, Nova, as well as sang duets...

Ruth E. Thompson

Ruth E. Thompson

Nov 8, 2026

Ruth E. Thompson, 72, of Owatonna, died on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester.

She was born May 14, 1954, in Faribault, the daughter of William and Martha (Ehrich) Schmoll. Ruth attended school in Claremont. She was united in marriage to Marvin Thompson on February 13, 1971, in Medford. Ruth was employed for many years at the...

Janice J. Putnam

Janice J. Putnam

Nov 2, 2026

Janice Jeanine Putnam, 89, of Owatonna, died on Monday, November 2, 2026, at Medford Senior Care.

She was born February 8, 1937, in Olivet, South Dakota, the daughter of Clarence and Iola (Grim) Steffen. Janice was united in marriage to Arnold Allen Putnam on Sunday, June 21, 1959, in Menno, South Dakota.

She is survived by her husband, Arnold of Owatonna; children,...

Emily D. Fox

Emily D. Fox

Nov 2, 2026

Emily Fox drew her final breath in the early morning of November 2nd, 2026, at the age of 30 years old. After more than a year of battling with brain cancer the Lord granted her respite from her hard fighting to sleep peacefully for His return.

She was a cherished daughter, a brash but ever-caring sister, an incredible wife, and a...

Lavern F. Marik

Lavern F. Marik

Oct 31, 2026

Lavern F. Marik, 93, of Owatonna passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at the Owatonna Hospital.

Lavern Fredrick Marik was born on February 8, 1933, in Somerset Township, the son of Hubert and Hanna (Phiefer) Marik. He attended Owatonna High School.

Lavern met Laura Spitzak at the Owatonna Canning Company where they were both employed. They were united in marriage...

Chuck E. Nelson

Chuck E. Nelson

Oct 29, 2026

Charles “Chuck” Edward Nelson, 68, of Owatonna, Minnesota, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota, after a short yet courageous battle with cancer. 

Chuck was born on May 19, 1958, in Little Falls, Minnesota, to parents Richard and JoAnn Nelson, the fourth of six children. He graduated from Owatonna High...

Bobbie J. Knealing

Bobbie J. Knealing

Oct 28, 2026

Bobbie Knealing passed away on October 28th surrounded by family and friends after a long battle with GPA Vasculitis, Fibromyalgia, and kidney failure. Preceded in death by mother Sherry and daughter Jean. Survived by daughters Caitlin (Cas), Ellen, and Melanie, bonus children Kaela and Riley, partner Jeremy, father of her girls, Carl, siblings Melissa, Justin, and Westley, father Larry, stepmother...

Evalu "Do" M. Bain Kasper

Evalu "Do" M. Bain Kasper

Oct 28, 2026

Evalu “Do” Mary Bain Kasper, 87, of Owatonna, died on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at Timberdale Trace with her family by her side.

She was born September 26, 1939, in Arlington, South Dakota, the daughter of Harold and Ruby (Elverud) Fulmer. Do grew up in Elkton, SD, and graduated from Elkton High School in 1957. Following high school, she married her...

Loraine I. Ripka

Loraine I. Ripka

Oct 27, 2026

Loraine Ina Ripka, 69, of Owatonna, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at Owatonna Hospital due to complications following a recent cancer diagnosis.

Loraine grew up on the family’s dairy farm with her parents, Anton “Tony” and Alma, and 11 living brothers and sisters in Dodge Center, Minnesota.

During high school, Loraine developed health issues that led to her first...

Gene A. Gullickson

Gene A. Gullickson

Oct 25, 2026

Gene Alan Gullickson, 66, of West Concord, passed away on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at home with his wife, Brenda, by his side.

Gene was born to Eugene and Barbara Gullickson (Schaefer) on November 15, 1959 in Rochester. Gene had met Brenda Peterson on August 27, 1993, at a party that his cousin told him to go to. Brenda saw him...

Marlis J. Madsen

Marlis J. Madsen

Oct 19, 2026

Marlis “Peg” Bishop Madsen, 92, of Owatonna, formerly of Dodge Center, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on October 19, 2026.

Peg was born May 31, 1934, to Floyd and Wanda Sackett. She grew up with her nine siblings, who remained very dear to her. They enjoyed getting together for coffee and playing cards, especially 500.

On July 3, 1954, Peg married her first...

Mary Ann Wanous

Mary Ann Wanous

Oct 19, 2026

Mary Ann Wanous, 61, of Owatonna, died on Monday, October 19, 2026, at Benedictine Living Community surrounded by her family.

She was born February 5, 1965, in Owatonna, the daughter of Luverne and Marilyn (Wagner) Wanous. She graduated from Owatonna High School in 1983 and started working at Cedar Valley Services where she proudly worked for 43 years doing various janitorial...

Marilyn J. Betlach

Marilyn J. Betlach

Oct 18, 2026

The Betlach family mourns the peaceful passing of a beautiful soul October 18. Marilyn Jean was born July 27, 1932 to Albert & Gladys (Gullickson) Westby, and at age 6 welcomed a sister Karen (Karen Lindsay of San Diego, CA). While a lifelong Minnesota resident, her life changed when she met John Betlach in Owatonna, and they soon became high...

Shawna M. Fleshman

Shawna M. Fleshman

Oct 14, 2026

Shawna Fleshman, 55, of Blooming Prairie, died on October 14, 2026, at home. At this time, no services will be held.

Duane D. "Perk" Perkins

Duane D. "Perk" Perkins

Oct 11, 2026

Duane Dennis Perkins “Perk”, 69, of Owatonna passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at Rochester Mayo Clinic – Methodist Hospital Campus surrounded by his loving wife, Barbara and sister, Jodene.

The son of Dennis and Delores (Vaith) Perkins was born June 28, 1957, in Owatonna. He was raised on the family farm. Duane graduated from Owatonna High School in...

Walter "Walt" Gaul Jr.

Walter "Walt" Gaul Jr.

Oct 11, 2026

Walter “Walt” Gaul Jr., 87, of Owatonna, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Sunday, October 11, 2026. Walt was born May 15, 1939, to Walter Freeman Gaul Sr. and Grace (Panzer) Gaul, on a farm near Ellendale, Minnesota, in Steele County. He had four sisters and two brothers.

As a young teen, he spent many days loading...

Lois G. Estrem

Lois G. Estrem

Oct 5, 2026

Lois Geneva Estrem, 82, of Kenyon, died on Monday, October 5, 2026, at her home.

She was born December 7, 1943, in rural Sogn, Minnesota, to Everett and Gladys (Esterby) Hommedahl.

She grew up in Cannon Falls. She started her schooling at District #47 school southeast of Urland Church. From there she went to Wastedo school and graduated from Cannon Falls High...

Shirley G. Johnson

Shirley G. Johnson

Oct 4, 2026

Shirley Grace Johnson, 84, of Owatonna, died on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at her residence.

She was born December 22, 1941, in Owatonna, the daughter of Donald and Pearl (Hutton) McMartin. Shirley was a 1959 graduate of Claremont High School.

Shirley was united in marriage to Larry S. Johnson on August 19, 1961, on her parents’ farm in Claremont. They lived in...

Delmer Leroy Paulson

Delmer Leroy Paulson

Oct 4, 2026

Delmer Paulson, 89, of West Concord, died on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at home surrounded by his family.

He was born in Olmsted County on March 18th, 1937, to Elmer and Alice (Blanchard) Paulson. Delmer attended rural school through 8th grade and then continued high school, graduating from Pine Island in 1955. He worked various jobs until entering the U.S. Navy...

Subscribe

Subscribe to get alerts on new obituaries

An orange arrow pointing to the right on a white background.
A Year of Grief Support

Sign up for one year of weekly grief messages designed to provide strength and comfort during this challenging time.