Obituary Listing

May 13, 2023

Jennifer "Jenni" Marie Thorson, 40, of Owatonna, died unexpectedly Saturday, May 13, 2023 at her home.

Jenni is survived by her parents, Francine Montey and Daniel Wear; her children, Mackenzie Vanderlugt and Adan Williams; 4 sisters; 1 brother; 1 grandson and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her late husband, Lance...

May 9, 2023

Elizabeth "Beth" Ann Hammel, 92, of Owatonna, died Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at Homestead Hospice House in Owatonna.

She was born January 24, 1931 in Troy, Kansas the daughter of Harry and Jane (Brynildson) Jensen. Her family moved to New Richland, Minnesota when she was a child, and she graduated from New Richland High School in 1949....

May 8, 2023

Vivian Alice Samlaska, 3, of Kenyon, passed away on May 8, 2023, at the Children's Hospital in Minneapolis in the loving arms of her parents.

She was born on August 12, 2019 in Northfield, Minnesota to Maurice and Alyssa Samlaska. Vivian was a sassy, funny and loving daughter, sister and granddaughter. She loved movie nights, snuggles, and...

May 6, 2023

Signora Ann Boe, 88, of West Concord, died Saturday, May 6, 2023, at the Three Links Care Center in Northfield.

She was born in West Concord on November 24, 1934, the daughter of Oliver and Dorothy (Jedike) Brekke. She grew up in West Concord and graduated from West Concord High School in 1952. Following school she worked...

May 6, 2023

Manuel 'Manny' Villareal, 72, of Kenyon, Minnesota passed away unexpectedly at home on May 6th. Manuel was born July 7th, 1950 in Yoakum, Texas to Joe and Anita Villareal.

Manuel moved to Minnesota in 1967 where he was a Machinist for most of his working years up to his retirement. He enjoyed family gatherings and a good...

May 5, 2023

Mary Ellen Gillard, 95, of Rochester, died Friday, May 5, 2023, at the Rochester Rehabilitation and Care Center.

Mary was born on March 27, 1928, in Springbrook, Wisconsin to Fred and Augusta (Wehmayer) Rhodes. The family moved to the West Concord area in the fall of 1929. She attended rural schools and graduated from West Concord High...

Apr 30, 2023

Carol Esther Wocelka, 84, of Owatonna, passed away on Sunday, April 30, 2023 at the Owatonna Hospital.

She was born October 9, 1938 in Winona, Minnesota to Arthur and Esther (Rihs) Salisbury. Carol grew up in Winona and attended Winona High School. She met Lewis Wocelka and the couple was united in marriage on July 1, 1967...

Apr 20, 2023

Joseph Allen Wickman, 57, of Owatonna, went to be with Jesus Thursday, April 20, 2023 at his home surrounded by family.

He was born April 20, 1966 in Reno, Nevada the son of Harold and Gloria (Johnson) Wickman. He grew up in Waubun and Park Rapids, Minnesota and graduated from Waubun High School, Class of 1984. He...

Apr 19, 2023

James "Jim" David Giesler, 75 of West Concord, died of natural causes, April 19, 2023, at his home.

Jim was born August 11, 1947, in Rochester, Minnesota the son of Gilbert and Florence (Vangness) Giesler. He attended school in West Concord and graduated in 1965. After high school, he was drafted into the Army and served in...

Apr 18, 2023

Nancy Elaine Avery, 75, of Owatonna, died Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at Homestead Hospice House in Owatonna following a hard fought 14 month battle with cancer.

She was born July 17, 1947 in Owatonna, Minnesota the daughter of Marvin and Margaret (Calverley) Heidtke. She was blessed with two children, Matt and Nathan. Nancy married Allan Avery on...

Apr 15, 2023

Laverne Raymond Wilson, age 90, of Owatonna died on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at Prairie Manor in Blooming Prairie.

Laverne was born on June 23, 1932, in Faribault, the son of Raymond and Lillian (Schroht) Wilson. He attended Medford High School and graduated in 1950. He was in the Air Force Reserves while still in high school....

Apr 13, 2023

Gladys Pechacek, age 98, died on Thursday, April 13, 2023, at Sholom home East in St. Paul.

Gladys Louise Pechacek, the daughter of Wencel and Hazel (Kaplan) Wanous, was born on April 10, 1925 in Steele County. She attended rural school District 51 and graduated from Blooming Prairie High School in 1943 as Valedictorian. She worked in...

Apr 13, 2023

Floyd W. Piepho, 98 of formerly of Owatonna, passed away on Thursday, April 13, 2023 at St. Therese-St. Odilia Hospice, Shoreview, MN.

Floyd was born May 7, 1924 in Wheeling Township, Rice County MN to Frank and Bertha (Wille) Piepho. He graduated from Owatonna High School in 1941 and worked until he was drafted.

Floyd...

Apr 9, 2023

Soren Edward Christofferson, 1, of Dundas, passed away, on April 9, 2023, at Minneapolis Children's Hospital surrounded by family.

He was born February 7, 2022 at the Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, to Cody Christofferson and Morgan Kyllo. Soren was a fighter starting from birth. He loved to be outside on the family farm helping with chores, feeding...

Apr 8, 2023

Livestream Patricia's funeral service at:  https://www.youtube.com/@gracebaptistowatonna6555

Patricia Lynn Brown, 71, of Faribault, formerly of Medford, died Saturday, April 8, 2023, at Faribault Medical Center.

She was born May 18, 1951, in Oak Harbor, Washington the daughter of John Sorenson and Gertrude "Trudy" Van Dyke. She grew up in Slayton, Minnesota where she graduated from high...

Apr 8, 2023

Mathilda "Till" Kraay, 93 of Owatonna, passed away on Saturday, April 8, 2023 at Birchwood Cottages.

She was born July 30, 1929 in Hollandale, MN to Garritt and Mathilda (Schimmel) Van Hal. Till graduated from Blooming Prairie High School in 1947, and after graduation she started working at Federated Insurance in Owatonna. On October 29, 1951, Till...

Apr 5, 2023

Alice M. Bergeron, 92, of Blooming Prairie, formerly of Owatonna, died Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at Mayo Health Systems - Austin hospital.

Alice Marie Jensen was born June 26, 1930 in a rural home to Arthur and Olianna (Garnes) Jensen in Oklee, MN. She attended grade school and graduated from Oklee high school in 1948 and then...

Apr 2, 2023

Herbert John Kukuk, 86, of Owatonna, died on Sunday, April 2, 2023 at Benedictine Living Community.

He was born October 6, 1936 in Waseca, Minnesota to John and Rose (Krienke) Kukuk. Herb grew up in Janesville and graduated from Janesville High School in 1955. After graduation Herb worked for the Post office as a rural mail carrier...

Apr 1, 2023

Mardell Helen Held, 94, of Kenyon, died Saturday, April 1, 2023 at Zumbrota Health Services Center.

She was born January 10, 1929 in Kenyon, Minnesota the daughter of Albin and Genevieve (Voxland) Kindseth. She was baptized and confirmed at Holden Lutheran Church in Kenyon. She graduated from Kenyon High School in 1947 and was the St. Paul...

Mar 29, 2023

Jeanne D. Dombrosky, 88, of Owatonna, died Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at Homestead Hospice House.

She was born October 2, 1934 in St. Paul the daughter of Walfred and Myra (Beecroft) Manula. Jeanne graduated from Monroe High School in 1952. On September 18, 1954, she was united in marriage to James W. Dombrosky in Saint Paul. They...