Obituaries

Dianne Jennifer Johnson, beloved by family and friends, passed away peacefully on August 9th, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of love and quiet strength. Dianne was born February 6, 1947, in Tyler, Minnesota, blessing her parents, Arthur and Viola Lamb, with her bright blue eyes and angelically placed dimples. She spent her childhood as the oldest of nine rambunctious brothers and sisters, growing up on a small family farm near Dovray, MN. She attended elementary school there and later graduated from Westbrook High School in 1965. It was during these early years that she began to develop the skills, interests, and passions that would remain a part of her throughout her life. Dianne loved simple, beautiful things. She loved her white kitty figurines and her water globes, of which she received countless numbers from family and friends over the years—and then lost countless numbers to the clumsy little fingers of grandchildren who also thought they were pretty. Every year, she planted beautiful flowers to soften the grain-bin scenery that surrounded her. She tended a large garden that helped feed her growing family, with a little “help” from her children, also known as bean snappers and corn shuckers. She served as the pianist at Hadley Lutheran Church for much of her adult life. She always had a book or two within reach. In her early years, it was romance novels; later, she gravitated toward Minnesota history and pretty much anything else she could get her hands on. Her library card never had a chance to accumulate dust. Dianne loved people. She especially loved caring for those in need, a calling she had been answering long before she became an LPN. In May 1976, she graduated from Worthington Community College and began a long and deeply meaningful career in nursing. She served in many roles in Slayton, working at the nursing home, the DAC, Murray County Memorial Hospital, and, after retiring from the hospital, several years as the contract nurse at hospice. When her children had left the nest, Dianne was finally able to fulfill another dream: becoming an RN. She graduated from Southwest State in December 2004, making her family incredibly proud. On March 22, 1975, she married the love of her life and her perfect companion, Brent Wayne Johnson. He could not have been prouder to be marrying the Homecoming Queen of Westbrook High. They complemented each other beautifully and built a life filled with kind words, romantic gestures, faith, and plenty of playful banter, with God always at the center. Their life together was filled with family picnics, hikes, bike rides, camping trips, and vacations, many of them fueled by laughter and Spam sandwiches. As their children grew older, Brent and Dianne were able to enjoy quieter vacations, focusing on each other and exploring more of the country together. In January 2020, they took their last big trip together, traveling to Israel to explore its history and holy lands. Dianne was poised and classy most of the time, but every now and then, her quick wit would make an appearance— usually in response to Brent’s gentle teasing or one of his famously long-winded stories.

Roxy Hakeneis was born on November 15, 1946, in New Ulm, Minnesota to Frank and Irma Schwartz Schwantes. The family moved to northeast Minneapolis, MN and later to Fridley, MN where Roxy graduated from Fridley High School in 1964. In 1972 the family moved to Fulda, MN and purchased Lanoue Bowling Lanes renaming it Fulda Recreation and Café. Roxy worked at the café with her parents for many years. On May 19, 1973, she and Keith Hakeneis were marriage at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fulda. Following their marriage, they made their home near Fulda before settling on a farm northeast of Fulda and raising their two sons. Roxy worked at several area restaurants throughout the years like the Corral, T-Tommy’s, the Fulda Drive-in to name a few. She also could be found at the local farmer’s market selling her homemade baked goods. Roxy passed away unexpectedly at her home on Monday, August 10, 2026, at the age of 79. She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fulda. Above all else, family was her greatest priority. Roxy enjoyed quilting, playing board games with her grandkids, baking, and gardening.

Lois Oldewurtel was born on March 6, 1932, in Slayton, Minnesota to Louie and Lulu Powell Quaintance. She grew up in the Slayton area and graduated from Slayton High School in 1950. On October 5, 1951, she and Keith Oldewurtel were married at Zion Lutheran Church in Iona, MN. Following their marriage, they farmed in Iona Twps. until 1968 when they moved to a farm near Slayton. Keith passed away on December 25, 1987. Following Keith’s death Lois moved to Slayton 1989 and started working at The Hut in Slayton. She remained working there for over 25 years. In 2023 Lois moved to the Good Samaritan Society-Windom. She passed away there on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at the age of 94. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Slayton. Lois loved baking rolls, cinnamon rolls, Christmas treats like fudge, divinity, caramels, popcorn balls, and lefse for family and friends. She enjoyed gardening, canning, square dancing, and attended local sporting events.

Roxanne Hakeneis 79 of Fulda, MN passed away at her home on Monday, August 10, 2026. Memorial services will be on Friday, August 21, 2026, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fulda at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be one-hour prior to the services at the church on Friday. Interment is private. Totzke Funeral Home Fulda, Mn is entrusted with arrangements. To view online obituary and send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome. com

Marilyn Elaine Johnson, age 90, of Westbrook, Minnesota, passed away Monday, July 27, 2026, at the Westbrook Good Samaritan Care Center. Memorial Services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 18, 2026, with a visitation from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at the Westbrook Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Westbrook Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice. com. Stephens Funeral Service - Westbrook Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Dianne Johnson, 79 of Hadley, MN passed away on August 9, 2026, at Our House Hospice Home in Slayton. Funeral services will be at Hadley Lutheran Church in Hadley on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. Visitation were on Friday, August 14, 2026, at the Totzke Funeral Home in Slayton from 4-6 p.m. and one hour prior to the services at the church on Saturday. Interment is at Highland Home Cemetery in Hadley, MN. To view online obituary and send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com

Jan Kunselman was born September 12, 1939, in Currie, Minnesota to Clarence and Martha Peters Leas. Jan spent her childhood in Currie and on a farm west of Slayton, MN. She attended elementary school in Currie and country school near Slayton prior to graduating from Slayton High School in 1957. After graduation she worked for Buckles Variety and the telephone company. On June 7, 1963, she married Alvin Ray Kunselman in Currie. Al’s military career had them calling all parts of the United States home. They returned to Slayton in 1977 after Al’s retirement from the United States Air Force after 25 years. Jan began working in retail in 1980, working at Ben Franklin, Fremstad’s and Henry’s Hometown Variety until it closed. Jan also worked at Sunrise Terrace with activities. Prior to Al’s death in 1999 they were able to travel visiting family and friends and spent countless hours with their grandchildren. Jan became a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 64 of Slayton in 2008. She was very active in the Unit and served as membership chairman for eleven years and treasurer for several years. She was a member of St. Ann’s Church in Slayton. Jan became involved in Relay for Life in Murray County in 1997 and was affiliated with a team every year. Her commitment and compassion for Relay for Life came from being a cancer survivor and having several family and friends affected by the disease. Before Memorial Day Jan and her sister’s placed over 100 bouquets of flowers on neglected or forgotten graves at local cemeteries. Before the Christmas season they would visit nursing homes with containers of candy for each resident and delivered baskets of fruit and cookies to several individuals in the area. These two projects for the community began in 1977. In 1992 Jan and her sisters were honored by KARE 11 television and received the Jefferson Award for their volunteer work and commitment to area communities. Jan enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. In 2025 Jan moved to the Good Samaritan Society Westbrook where she passed peacefully on Monday, August 3, 2026, with her sister, Sharon by her side.

Lois Oldewurtel, 94 of Windom, MN passed away on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at the Good Samaritan Society Windom. Funeral services will be on Monday, August 17, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Slayton, MN at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be on hour prior to the services at the church on Monday. Interment is at Slayton Memorial Gardens, Slayton, MN. Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangement. To view online obituary and send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome. com

Joyce (Smith) Garland was born July 24, 1945, to Earl and Philomine Smith in Staples, Minnesota. She graduated from Staples High School in1963. Following graduation she moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota where she worked at Northwestern National Bank doing microfilming. In 1965 she was united in marriage to Larry Garland, they made their home in Slayton Minnesota where Larry taught school and Joyce worked for the Murray County Assessor. She then had daycare in her home so she could be home with their three children. Following that, she worked part time at the Slayton High School for over 20 years and the Murray County News for over 30 years. She was a member of the Assembly of God church for over 40 years where she served in many roles including but not limited to: Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School and Bible School teacher, Women’s Ministries Leader and Youth Group Advisor. She and Larry opened their home and hosted Bible study and Youth Group on Sunday nights as well to many missionaries when they were speaking at the church. When the Assembly of God Church closed their doors, she became a member of the Lake Sarah Baptist Church until her death. Joyce served as Girl Scout Leader and held many different positions in the Christian Women’s Club Stonecroft Ministries. She enjoyed playing scrabble for over 50 years with her best friend Elonne. She also enjoyed playing cards (especially hand and foot) with family and friends, doing jig saw puzzles, crossword puzzles, reading and cross stitch. Joyce passed away on July 30, 2026, at the age of 81 years old.

Janice Kunselman, 86 of Westbrook, MN passed away at the Westbrook Good Samaritan Society on Monday, August 3, 2026. Memorial services will be on Monday, August 10, 2026, at St. Ann’s Church in Slayton at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church on Monday. Interment is at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery in Avoca, MN. Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangements. To view online obituary and send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com with any questions.