Obituaries

Mindi Joan (Berg) Mathern, 75, passed away peacefully at Our House Murray County Hospice in Slayton, Minnesota, on July 3, 2026, surrounded by family. Born on February 19, 1951, in Cando, North Dakota, Mindi was the daughter of Ben and Dolores (Nelson) Berg. In 1958, her family moved to Edgeley, North Dakota, where she attended school and graduated in 1969. Following graduation, she pursued her passion for style at the Patricia Stevens School of Fashion Merchandising in Minneapolis, Minnesota, though she ultimately decided that the big city life was not for her. Mindi was united in marriage to Alan Mathern on September 22, 1973, at Transfiguration Catholic Church in Edgeley. They began their married life on a farm near Edgeley while welcoming three daughters. As Alan’s career transitioned away from farming, Mindi embraced new chapters, creating homes in Mobridge, South Dakota, as well as Lisbon and Towner, North Dakota, and Fairmont, Minnesota, prior to settling into retirement in Slayton, Minnesota. Mindi’s greatest joy in life was her family, to whom she was fiercely devoted. She loved to spoil her grandchildren, and they could always count on hearing her embarrassingly loud whistle from the sidelines of their activities. An avid reader and familiar face at the local library, Mindi was happiest curled up with a good book and a bowl of popcorn. Deeply proud of her family’s military service, she was the daughter of a WWII veteran, wife of a retired Air National Guard member, and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Fran Carlson was born on July 26, 1932, in St Mary’s, Kansas to Francis and Martha Boelens Stockman. She grew up in St. Mary’s and graduated from Rossville High School. On December 16, 1952, she and Emerald Carlson were married in St. Mary’s. Following their marriage, they made their home in Alaska until Emerald’s discharge from the United Sates Army. In 1953 they moved to the Beresford and Hartford, SD area where they farmed until 1966 when they moved to a farm east of Fulda, MN. In the mid 1970’s they moved to a farm east of Slayton eventually making their home north of Slayton. Fran worked as a cook at several area restaurants, The Downstairs, Jr’s Town and Country Café and the County Host. Emerald passed away on December 21, 2002. In February of 2023 Fran moved to the Maple Lawn Senior Campus in Fulda. She passed away there on Friday, July 10, 2026, at the age of 93. She was a member of St. Ann’s Church in Slayton. She was a lifetime member of Slayton American Legion Auxiliary. Fran enjoyed spending time with family, cooking, baking, and dancing.

Bernadine Hennings, 103, of Lake Wilson, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 26, 2026, at the Good Samaritan Home in Pipestone, Minnesota. Bernadine was born on February 22, 1923, to Michael and Antonia Zahorsky.

Walter Van Dyk was born on September 3, 1939, in Sibley, Iowa, to Cornelius Van Dyk and Gertrude (Vos) Van Dyk. At the age of 11, Walter moved with his family to a farm northwest of Lake Wilson, Minnesota, where he developed a strong work ethic and a lifelong love of agriculture. He graduated from Lake Wilson High School in 1957.

Mindi Mathern, 75, of Slayton, MN passed away on Wednesday, July 3, 2026, at Our House Hospice Home in Slayton. Memorial services will be on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at St. Ann’s Church in Slayton at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be on Monday, July 20, 2026, at the church from 4-6 p.m. and one hour prior to the services at the church on Tuesday. A private family interment will be held at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Edgeley, ND. Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangements. To view online obituary and send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome. com In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to Hospice of Murray County or the Slayton Public Library.

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.