Obituaries

Duane “Stretch” Mulder, age 92, of Luverne, Minnesota, died on Sunday, June 28, 2026 at the Sanford Luverne Medical Center. Duane “Stretch” John Mulder was born on June 15, 1934 to Henry and Hermina (Meester) Mulder in Ellsworth, Minnesota.

Bernadine (Zahorsky) Hennings, of Lake Wilson, MN passed away peacefully at the Good Samaritan Home in Pipestone on Friday, June 26, 2026. A visitation will be held prior to the service at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Slayton, MN from 9:00-10:00AM on Monday, July 6, 2026, with the funeral service to follow at 10:30AM. A burial service will take place at the Hillside Cemetery in Lake Wilson, MN following the service.

Betty Gardner, age 86, of Denton, TX, formerly of Albertville, MN, Spring Valley, MN, Plymouth, MN, New Hope, MN, passed away peacefully on June 17, 2026. Affectionately known as “Betty the Bookie”, for her enthusiasm to win a $2 bet (and her extreme displeasure of losing) was born on January 17, 1940, to Wendell and Francianna Keeler.

Joanne Conrad was born on July 23, 1941, in Hebron, North Dakota to John and Edna Iszler Moos. She grew up in Hebron and graduated from Hebron High School. On August 27, 1961, she and Marvin Ben were married in Hebron. Following their marriage, they traveled for Marvin’s work building elevators. Eventually calling Lakefield, MN home once they started their family. Marvin passed away on January 15, 1977. In March 1979 Joanne and Noel Conrad were married. They made their home in Lamberton, MN where Joanne worked as a Dietary Aide at the Valley View Manor in Lamberton. Following their retirement, they moved to Slayton, MN to be near family. Noel passed away on August 28, 2018. Joanne remained in their home. Joanne passed away on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 84. She was a member of Highwater Lutheran Church in Lamberton where she was active on several committees. She was a member of the Lamberton American Legion Auxiliary and the VFW Auxiliary in Lakefield. Joanne enjoyed going for coffee, spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, her dogs, and great grand-dogs, attending her grandkids sporting events, and loved shopping at Costco. In her younger days she enjoyed camping, the Spencer Fair and square dancing.

It seems appropriate to write on Father’s Day 2026, to remember my father and his life with us. Jesus prayed “ our Father who is in heaven,” ; well, now I have two fathers there.

Ralph Yotter, 89, passed away on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at the Prairie Senior Cottages Care Center in New Richland, MN. A Celebration on Life will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026 from 10am-2pm at the Purple Goose in Janesville, MN. Pastor Christina Mitchell Kadelbach will be officiating.

Joseph Gerrit Olsem passed away on June 20, 2026 at the age of 78 at Good Samaritan Society- Windom, MN. A private graveside service will be held at the Springfield Township Cemetery. An open house/memorial for the public was held on Thursday, June 25, 2026 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at the Heron Lake Community Center in Heron Lake, MN. Joe was born in Windom, MN on June 15, 1948 to Martin and Katherine (Cuperus) Olsem. He was the 2nd oldest of 11 children. He attended the District 48 country school until 8th grade and graduated from Storden High School in 1966. After graduation he joined the National Guard and farmed with his father and brothers. He married Carolyn Haken on November 26, 1977 and together they raised 5 children and farmed for 50 years in Cottonwood and Jackson Counties. He was a member of the Springfield Township board and a member of the Storden American Legion for over 50 years. Joe was an exceptionally hard worker that loved farming and he did not stop until his health forced him to retire in 2025. He could fix anything on the farm or in the house and spent countless hours in the “shop” repairing or building things for the farm. He did take time to enjoy farm shows, parades, county fairs and several trips with Carolyn over the years. Joe loved to talk about the weather, care for his vehicles, and had an excellent memory. For many years, he and Nick hosted the “Power Hour” at the shop and all were welcome for a cup of coffee and to share the latest news. More recently he took a large interest in the tile business his two youngest sons had started. He is survived by his wife Carolyn, daughter Diana (Shawn) Stoermann, Melissa (James) Vande Weerd, Scott (Amanda) Olsem, Michael (Catherine) Olsem, and Jason (Taylor) Olsem. 15 Grandchildren: Kaden Stoermann, Adriana, Braiden, Kenzie Olsem, Jacob, Kenzie, Andrew Albrecht, Ashlyn, Jaxson, Everlee Vande Weerd, Matthew, Caleb, Madison Olsem, Kolten Sieben and Elijah Olsem. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Nick and John, and aunt Annie. The Totzke Funeral Home in Fulda is assisting the family with arrangements. Send condolences online at www.totzkefuneralhome. com.

Mike Kuehl was born on January 31, 1934, on the family farm southwest of Westbrook, Minnesota to L. Arthur and Erma Christensen Kuehl. He grew up on the family farm and attended Country School District #108. On February 10, 1955, Mike enlisted in the United States Army. Following his honorable discharge on February 8, 1957, he returned to the Westbrook area.

LaDonne Faye (Mulder) Christians was born September 10, 1935, to parents John and Fanny Mulder in Rushmore, MN. She lived on the farm which housed a large loving family. Her father, John, was instrumental in starting the First Baptist Church in Adrain, MN and she accepted Jesus there and began to nourish souls. She attended Worthington High School where her best friend introduced her to her brother, a light-hearted man with a wicked sense of humor named Merle. After graduating from Worthington High School, LaDonne went on to Northwestern College in Minneapolis, MN for a year. And returned to Rushmore and the love of her life, Merle, and the rest is history! LaDonne and Merle were united in marriage on June 1, 1956. To this union three children were born: Kevin, Kimberly and Kendall. LaDonne and Merle first lived in Sioux City IA, where she worked in insurance until they began a family. In 1971, they took a grand leap of faith and purchased a farm north of Lake Wilson, MN. Together they spent their years farming until 2005 when Merle passed. LaDonne remained on the farm several more years until moving to a beautiful home in Lake Wilson, MN and then to the Medows Assisted Living in Worthington. It takes an industrious woman to be married to a farmer, and that she was. Always cooking, gardening, canning, cleaning, decorating and entertaining…which was her delight, she loved having family and friends over. There was always a cup of coffee and lunch for anyone who dropped in. Along with all these things and more, her heart was ever toward Jesus and her children, a mother’s love felt so strongly. Outside the farm life, LaDonne was very involved in Christian Women, which she was President of for many years and involved in her church where she taught Sunday School and was a deaconess. She was committed to helping others. In 1976, LaDonne began to work at Southwest Minnesota Opportunity Council (SMOC) in Worthington, doing outreach in the surrounding counties. She retired after 25 years, Retirement did not slow LaDonne down as she continued living on the farm for a few years after Merle passed, then moving to Lake Wilson. She loved her flowers, hosting many neighborhood and Red Hatters parties, taking bus trips, and volunteering! She volunteered at the hospice house, Atlas foundation, and the hospital in Luverne, to name a few. She was instrumental in her church serving where needed and furnishing many meals and treats, and she loved helping with the children during Awana on Wednesday nights.

Alvin Boock was born on April 24, 1947, in Pipestone, Minnesota to William “Bill” and Alice Knee Boock. He grew up in Pipestone until 1951 when the family moved to the Bemidji area. In 1961 the family moved to Lake Wilson, MN where Alvin graduated from Lake Wilson High School in 1965. On October 26, 1965, Alvin enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served in Vietnam. Following his honorable discharge on October 25, 1968, returned to the Lake Wilson area. On February 27, 1968, he and Mary Ann “Snooks” Gehlsen were married at the Iona Presbyterian Church in Iona, MN. Following their marriage, they made their home in 29 Palms, CA for a short time before moving to Slayton. In 1974 they moved to Ocheyedan, IA where they remained until 1977 when they returned to Slayton. Alvin drove truck for Sathers for over 30 years, worked for Rupp Construction Company, and drove bus for Ludolph Bus Services. He retired in 2009. Alvin always looked forward to time at the lake, pontoon rides and fall hunting season with his grandkids. Due to a stroke in May 2026 Alvin moved to Our House Hospice Home in Slayton on June 5, 2026. He passed away there on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at the age of 79 with family by his side. He was a member of the Iona Presbyterian Church and served as groundskeeper for many years. Alvin served on the Badger Lake Cemetery Board and was a member of the Wilmont VFW Post. Alvin enjoyed time with his family, playing cards, watching the Minnesota Vikings, and the Minnesota Twins, old Westerns and WWE Monday Night RAW, mowing lawns and just being outside.