Obituaries

Vicki Lynn Stoffel passed away on April 26. She battled with respiratory issues and complications from pneumonia. Vicki grew up in Lismore and attended St. Anthony school and graduated from Adrian Public School. She then attended Worthington Community College and graduated from Southwest State University.

Gen Felber was born on Easter Sunday, March 31, 1929, to Hjalmer and Bertha Mickelson Shonblom on a farm outside of Fergus Falls, MN. Gen attended country school District 31 for eight years, the only one in her class. In High School she worked at Woolworth’s in the candy and jewelry department as well as helping on the farm harvesting, haying, and milking morning, and night. She even worked the teams of horses in the fields. She loved working with her dad. Each summer she attended Mount Carmel Bible camp in Alexandria where she was Baptized and accepted the Lord as Savior. Gen graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1946. She then moved to Minneapolis and worked for Honeywell in the purchasing department for two and a half years. She met her husband Sidney at the Bus Depot in Fergus Falls as he was home for Christmas while serving as a paratrooper in the Army at the time. Sidney and Genevieve were married on February 17, 1949, at the First Baptist Church in Fergus Falls. They lived in Barrett, MN, Lake Wilson, MN and moved to Slayton, MN in 1966. Gen and Sid spent sixteen winters of their retirement years in New Port Richey, FL. and many summer days in Fergus Falls, MN at their lake cabin. They were blessed with 5 children, Sidney, Madilyn, Marilyn, Alan, and Bryce and were married for 60 years. Sidney passed away on June 20, 2009. Gen was a caregiver. She generously gave her parents and father-inlaw a home during the winter months, cared for her daughter Madilyn who was severely ill for many years and for Sidney who suffered from diabetes for most of their married life. She also helped raise three of Sidney’s younger siblings while also caring for three young children of her own. Gen was an expert seamstress and spent many hours sewing clothes for her family and continued to make beautiful dresses and costumes for the grandchildren as well as making quilts for each of them as they graduated from high school. She was a Girl Scout leader in Lake Wilson and Gen was a wonderful cook who baked many Norwegian favorites as well as birthday cakes too many to count! She worked outside the home at the Murray County Bank in Slayton and at the Slayton High School for thirteen years as secretary for the Superintendent. Gen was an avid sports lover, she attended high school sporting events throughout her life and later watched all college and professional sports on TV. She was devoted to her faith and shared her many talents at Lake Sarah Baptist Church. Gen faithfully attended services 3 times a week with her young family. Later she supported and assisted in training many of her grandchildren and great grandchildren attending AWANA, Adventure Club, Vacation Bible School, and Lake Sarah Bible Camp. She served as a Sunday school teacher, a leader for AWANA, a Deaconess, on the church board, she took part in many Bible study groups and served on the building committee. Gen was a member of the Home Builders Committee; she served as church treasurer and was President of the Women’s Missionary Society as well as many other activities. She was a member of the Lake Wilson American Legion Auxiliary. Gen was always there to listen, and to give support and advice. Gen shared a special relationship with each member of her family, loving them all and beginning and ending each encounter with the best hugs. Gen’s heart was always overflowing with love for the Lord as well as her love for her family. Gen lived at home until the age of 93, on December 20, 2023, she moved to Boulder Creek Memory Care in Marshall, MN on April 2, 2026, Gen moved to Our Houses Hospice Home. Gen went to meet her savior on Monday, April 27, 2026, having lived a life of 97 years and 27 days. Well done thy good and faithful servant. Matt 25:23 Genevieve will be dearly missed and is loving remembered by her three children Sidney and Joan Felber Blaine, MN, Marilyn Ruppert, Colorado Springs, CO, Bryce and Teresa Felber, Slayton, MN and daughter-in-law Beverly Felber Cave Creek, AZ. 15 grandchildren, Carly (Andrew) Neisen, Whitney (Kyle) Cobb, Sidney A Felber II, Sheri (Bryon) Van-Horn, Angie (Brad) Gates, Charles Green, Eryn Ruppert, Joshua Felber, Julie (Shane) Cunningham, Britt Felber, Alana Felber, Kelly Felber, Jacob Felber, Renee (Aaron) Larson, 21 great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren. Three sisters-in-law, Marvel Peterson, Tioga ND, Caroline Felber, Ventura, CA and Ruth Ann and husband Ronnie Fretland, Snohomish, WA as well as many nieces and nephews.

Rosemary LeTendre, the daughter of Jack and Lillian Applen Collins, was born in Austin, MN, on August 29, 1938. In 1942, her family moved from Blooming Prairie to Austin, where she attended St. Augustine Catholic schools, graduating from St. Augustine (Pacelli) High School in 1956. Rosemary graduated from Mt. Mary College in Milwaukee, WI, in 1960, where she was invited into two academic fraternities: Sigma Tau Delta, a National Professional English Fraternity, and Phi Alpha Theta, a National Honor Society for History. She began teaching English at Archbishop Murray Memorial High School, now Hill Murray, in 1960. In December 1960, she, and Joseph L. LeTendre were married at St. Augustine Church in Austin. In 1961, they moved to Brewster, MN, and then to Slayton, MN, in 1965. In addition to her full-time position as wife to Joe and mother to their five children, Rosemary served local schools as a substitute teacher. She provided assistance many times as a long-term substitute, helping out both the Slayton Public Schools and Fulda Area Schools. Her greatest achievement as an educator lies in her work with what was then termed “homebound” teaching. Rosemary was the sole provider of all education to students who were not able to, or in some cases not allowed to, attend school in the physical building. She worked closely with main classroom teachers to provide appropriate instruction in multiple content areas to students who came to her home. If coming to her home was not an option, she went to the student’s home. Through her efforts, she saw to it that over thirty students earned their high school diplomas! Having a special heart for students in need or crisis, she also taught at the Worthington Area Learning Center for two years. Additionally, her husband’s careers in education, advertising, emceeing, and writing were successful because they were a strong team; he was the creative one, and she was the one who made him, and his work look good by editing and proofreading his work! Rosemary was active at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in many ways. She was a Faith Formation teacher, served as CCW President, served as the Fall Bazaar Co-Chair, and was a Marion Medal Co-leader. She also served on the parish council, as a parish trustee, as a liturgy committee member, and as a sacristan when Mass was held at the Manor in Slayton. Additionally, she taught Vacation Bible School and alongside her husband, Joe, delivered the financial literacy class to engaged couples at Pre-Cana weekend retreats. Rosemary served as the Honorary Chair of the Murray County Relay for Life two separate years. She was a breast cancer survivor. Her hobbies included reading, baking, get-togethers with friends, and supporting family, friends, neighbors, and community members, especially with her famous foods: chocolate chip cookies, banana bread, BBQ, or goulash. She was dubbed a “prayer warrior” by family and friends. Rosemary passed away on Monday, May 4, 2026, at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Mary Galles 76 of Westbrook, MN, passed away on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at the Good Samaritan Society-Westbrook. Memorial services will be on Friday, May 22, 2026, at St. Ann’s Church in Slayton at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at the Totzke Funeral Home in Slayton from 4-6 p.m. and one hour prior to the services at the church on Friday. Interment is at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery in Avoca, MN. To send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome. com

Genevieve “Gen” Felber 97 of Slayton, MN passed away on Monday, April 27, 2026, at Our House Hospice Home in Slayton. Funeral services will be on Monday, May 4, 2026, at Lake Sarah Baptist Church in rural Slayton, MN at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at the Totzke Funeral Home in Slayton from 4-6 p.m. and one hour prior to the services at the church on Monday. Interment is at Lake Sarah Baptist Cemetery rural Slayton, MN.

Janet Grace Kirchner was born on March 23, 1948, in Marshall to Marcel and Theresa (Boerboom) Louwagie. She attended Holy Redeemer Grade School and Central Catholic High School in Marshall, graduating in 1966. Janet met Paul Kirchner at Valhalla Ballroom in June of 1969, and they were united in marriage at St. Clotilde Catholic Church in Green Valley, MN, on March 30, 1970. The couple raised six children while running a successful tire and rim business and farming near Dundee. Over the years, Janet enjoyed sewing, quilting, machine embroidery, canning, and gardening. She loved her children and grandchildren and shared her love of sewing with them, making clothing and projects together, including coin purses, pillowcases, and placemats. Janet was very involved in 4-H for many years and received the Outstanding 4-H Leader award. She especially looked forward to attending an annual sewing conference with her daughters, which evolved into an annual shopping weekend with her daughters and daughters-in-law, where many memories were made and laughs shared. She was active at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dundee, where she was a lifelong member. In 2009, they moved closer to Fulda and built a new home with a dedicated sewing room. They were married for 56 wonderful years at the time of her death.

Ronald “Buzz” Oscar Baumhoefner, the son of Oscar and Lillian (Kahler) Baumhoefner, was born on October 8, 1942, in Martin County, MN. He grew up on a farm and later the family moved to a farm near Wilmont, MN. Buzz attended grade school in Reading and graduated from Worthington High School in 1960. He was united in marriage to Wanda Christians on September 21, 1963, at the First Presbyterian Church in Fulda. After their marriage they lived on the family farm. He served for 6 years in the Minnesota National Guard. Buzz farmed his entire life and drove truck for Sather’s and Larry Pederson Trucking and did custom spraying. In August of 2022 they moved to Luverne, MN. They wintered in Texas for many years. Buzz passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at his home in Luverne at the age of 83. He was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church and served as the Sunday School Superintendent. He was also a past Nobles County 4-H Director and a member of the Worthington Stockers Car Club. He liked playing cards, shooting pool, working on word searches, and spending quality time with his family. His family also recognized him for being a natural “supervisor and delegator.”

Funeral services for Janet Kirchner, 78, of Fulda, MN will be 10:30 AM on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in Fulda. MN. Visitation will be Wednesday April 29, 2026, from 4 to 7 PM at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in Fulda and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Mrs. Kirchner passed away on Monday, April 20, 2026, at the Sioux Falls Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Dundee, MN. The Totzke Funeral Home in Fulda is assisting the family with arrangements.

Edna Catherine Lyons, the daughter of Hilary and Elizabeth (Determan) Galles, was born on July 24, 1932, in Wilmont, MN. She grew up in Wilmont and attended Our Lady of Good Council School, graduating in 1950. After graduating, Edna worked with her father in the family hardware store in Wilmont. She was united in marriage to Duane Lyons on September 21, 1954, at Our Lady of Good Council Church in Wilmont. After their marriage they lived in Dundee, MN. She was a stay-at-home mom until her children were older and then worked at Dundee Steel as a bookkeeper and later at Marv’s Hardware and Appel’s Hardware in Fulda. She was also very active with the Dundee Senior Citizen Center serving as one of the officers. She served on the Dundee Nothing Days food committee and was an election official for many years. She enjoyed flower gardening, gathering wildflowers to make bouquets, sewing, baking and quilting, but her main joy was caring for her family. She was a wonderful hostess for all the holiday celebrations. The annual fish and turtle fry in the garage were always well attended by friends from Dundee. She remained at their home after Duane died in May of 1992. Edna passed away on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Worthington Medical Center at the age of 93. She was a member of St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church and former member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dundee.

Merlyn Anderson was born December 24, 1941, in Slayton, Minnesota to Otto “Minard” and Ethel Vihlen Anderson. He grew up in Slayton and South Dakota graduating from Goodwin High School in 1959. Merlyn then attended Yankton College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1964. He continued his education at the University of South Dakota (USD) where he earned a Master of Arts degree in educational psychology in 1965. After his military service in 1966 and 1967 he served as a guidance counselor at the Freeman, South Dakota Public Schools and worked as a social worker for the South Department of Welfare. Merlyn then decided to pursue a career in law, graduating from USD with a JD degree in 1972. From 1973 to 1979, he worked as a lawyer and city attorney for several cities in the Roy K. Rietz Law Office in Slayton, MN until the death of Roy K. Rietz in 1979. He then began working at a solo practitioner and continued serving as Slayton city attorney, he also served as Murray County attorney. Merlyn served a total of 20 years of military service, retiring in 2005. During his 20 years of military service, he was stationed on the Army bases at Fort Lewis, WA and Fort Ord, CA in 1966 and 1967. After his active military service, he joined the South Dakota Army National Guard Military Band in 1968 and served until 1972. He completed 20 years of military service by joining the United States Army Reserve (USAR), serving from 1991 to 2005, and then retiring. Merlyn has been a member of the American Bar Association and Minnesota Bar Association where he served as a past secretary-treasurer of the 13th District of the Minnesota Bar Association. Merlyn was honored with the Distinguished Worldwide Humanitarian Award (2019) and was a recipient of the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award (2019). He was an honoree of the Outstanding Young Men of America (1976) and featured in the International Register of Profiles. Merlyn has also been included in multiple editions of Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals, Who’s Who in American Law, Who’s Who in the Midwest, Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in the World and The Top Attorneys of North America. Merlyn passed away on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 84.