Obituaries

DOUGLAS ANDERSON Douglas “Doug” Anderson 88 of Slayton, MN passed away on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at the Sunset Hospice Cottage in Worthington, MN. Memorial services will be on Monday, September 8, 2025, at 10:30 a.m.

Virgil Halbur was born on December 28, 1929, on the family farm near Iona, Minnesota to William and Mary Testroet Halbur. He grew up there and attended St. Columba School in Iona. Following school Virgil worked on the family farm until he was drafted into the United States Army in September 1951. Virgil was stationed in Germany until his honorable discharge in September 1953, he then returned to Iona. That same year on November 16, 1953, he and Lucille Olthoff were married at St. Leo’s Church in Pipestone, MN. In the spring of 1954, they started farming on a farm near Hadley, MN where they raised their five children, Gail, Cheryl, Douglas, Debra, and Gregg. Virgil retired in 1992 but they remained on the farm where Virgil assisted his two sons, Doug and Gregg, with their farming operations. In 1996 they built a new home in Slayton, although Virgil continued his trips out to the farm throughout his later years to help the boys and feed his beloved barn cats. On August 26, 2025, Virgil was admitted to the Murray County Medical Center under hospice care. He passed away there on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at the age of 95. He was a member of St. Ann’s Church in Slayton serving on the finance council and as an usher. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, also the Slayton VFW Post 6322 where he served as commander for over 29 years. Virgil served on the Hadley Elevator Board for 15 years, the Cattleman’s Association for 30 years and the Advisory Board of the Farm Credit System. Virgil enjoyed helping his sons on the farm, spending time with family and friends, playing cards, traveling, and the occasional casino trip. Virgil took great pride in watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow and they became the light of his life in his later years.

The funeral service commemorating the life of Raymond Jay “Ray” Kirk, 90, of Balaton, MN, will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Balaton. Visitation will be Tuesday, September 2, 2025, 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the Horvath Remembrance Center in Balaton with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. A visitation will continue on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church. Interment with military honors will follow the service at the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery. A luncheon will follow the interment at the Balaton Community Center.

Rory Lee Lolkus, 59, formerly of Chandler and Pipestone, Minnesota, passed away on August 20, 2025, at his assisted living home in St. Cloud. Born in Adrian, on November 12, 1965, to “Casey” Cornelius and “Sis” Cecelia (Balstad) Lolkus, Rory was a 1984 graduate of Slayton High School.

Ken Zabella was born on May 3, 1965, in Kouts, Indiana to Leonard and Judy Harp Zabella. He grew up in Bunnell, Fl and graduated from Flagler Palm Coast High School in 1983. After graduating from high school, Ken joined the Air Force, where he served as a Combat Arms Specialist and then as a Special Agent, Office of Special Investigations (OSI). While in the Air Force, he attended the Community College of the Air Force receiving his associate degree of applied Science, Criminal Justice.

Cornelius “Corny” Smit, 84, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 11, 2025, at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen, SD. Private burial was held at the Wilmot Cemetery in Wilmot, SD.

Betty Tyrrell Snelling was born on November 21, 1928, in Chandler, Minnesota to William “Bill” and Anna den Boer Natte. In 1929 the family moved to Slayton, MN. Betty grew up in Slayton and graduated from Slayton High School in 1946. On December 22, 1946, she and Lester “Bud” Tyrrell were married at the Slayton Presbyterian Church. Following their marriage, they made their home in Slayton and raised their three sons. Betty worked at several places in Slayton over the years like Buckles Variety, J C Penney’s, Worthmore Ice Cream, and the Murray County Sheriff Office. Most people will remember Betty as the bubbly and friendly waitress at the Hub Drive-In for over 20 years. Bud passed away on August 4, 1978. Betty and Robert “Bob” Snelling were married on November 20, 1994, in Lake Tahoe, NV.

Judy Holden, the daughter of Richard and Sophie Wanous, was born on May 23, 1943 in Hutchinson, MN. She grew up on a farm near Silver Lake, MN where she attended and graduated from high school. In 1965 she graduated from St. Cloud State University with a degree in Elementary Education. Her first teaching position was at Lakefield, MN, where she taught kindergarten for 3 years. Judy was united in marriage to Gary Holden on August 10, 1968 at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Glencoe, MN. After their marriage they lived in Fairmont, MN and she taught in Sherburn, MN. In 1969 they moved to Fulda, MN to teach. Judy retired in 1995 after teaching kindergarten for 25 years in Fulda. Judy remained in her home after Gary died in February of 2002.

The funeral service commemorating the life of Raymond Jay “Ray” Kirk, 90, of Balaton, will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Balaton. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. at the Horvath Remembrance Center in Balaton. Visitation will continue on Wednesday one hour prior to the service, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church. Interment with military honors will follow the service at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Balaton. A luncheon will follow the interment at the Balaton Community Center.

Sandra Rose (Barlund) Smit, 82, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on August 11, 2025, four months to the day after the passing of her beloved husband, Cornelius “Corny” Smit in Aberdeen, SD.