Obituaries

Brenda Louise “Weezie” Platt was born on June 19, 1952, in Slayton, Minnesota to Paul and Mary Ann “Babe” Schettler Platt. She grew up in Wilmont until 1955 when the family moved to Iona, MN. Brenda attended St. Columba Catholic School and graduated from Slayton High School in 1970.

Patrick Wilfred Dorn died on April 5, 2024 in Walnut Creek, California after a long illness. Pat was born on January 13, 1949 in Adrian, Minnesota as the first of five children of Wilfred Anton Dorn and Rita Mae (Shirley) Dorn. He lived on the Adrian family farm until his family moved to Slayton, Minnesota in the 1950s.

Sharon Lee (Nielsen) Bakken, age 80 of Westbrook, peacefully passed away Thursday, April 18, 2024 in Westbrook with family by her side. Sharon Lee (Nielsen) Bakken was born June 29, 1943 to Clarence and Ireta Grace (DeJaeger) Nielsen at home in the village of Revere. She was baptized and confirmed at the Revere Lutheran Church. Sharon attended school in Revere in her early years and graduated from Walnut Grove High School. On August 5, 1961, Sharon married John Bakken at St. Olaf Lutheran Church and they had three daughters. Sharon was active in her church where she was a deacon and youth group leader, taught Sunday school, led bible study, and served on many committees. She enjoyed Sunday dinners with family, bowling and reading. Sewing was her passion, and she had a talent for making a bride feel beautiful by making and altering wedding gowns and bridal wear for countless brides. She also shared her talents with the community through sewing for the Wilder Pageant, school theatre and other events. Sharon enjoyed being involved with Girl Scouts for over 25 years. As a result of all her time and support of Girl Scouts, she was awarded the Thanks Badge which is one of the highest awards given to adults in Girl Scouts to recognize outstanding service. She lived life to the fullest and her greatest joy was spending time with her children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.

DeLoss Merlin Pieske was born on May 30, 1932, on the family farm near New Ulm, Minnesota to Lawrence and Ethel Gode Pieske. In 1939 the family moved to a farm near Lamberton, MN. DeLoss attended country school until the 8th grade when he was needed on the family farm not only did, he work on the farm he also drove truck for a construction company. On June 26, 1953, he and Martha Duerksen were married at the Bethel Mennonite Church in Mountain Lake, MN. Following their marriage Martha fulfilled her teaching contract and they made their home near Cyrus, MN where DeLoss worked for his uncle on the farm and did construction work. DeLoss later received his GED this was something he was proud to have accomplish. He and Martha moved to a farm near Windom, MN until 1966 when they moved to farm near Lake Wilson, MN where DeLoss continued to farm and drive truck. DeLoss was a man of many talents having invented tools and being his own mechanic able to fix anything. He and Martha were member of the Peace Pipe RV Ramblers Club from Pipestone and enjoyed many camping and fishing trips with family and friends. Martha passed away on January 10, 2009. DeLoss remained on the farm until 2022 when he moved to Boulder Estates in Marshall, MN. Due to failing health DeLoss moved to Our House Hospice Home in Slayton, MN on April 11, 2024. He passed away there on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at the age of 91. He was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lake Wilson where he served as usher and on the church council. He also served on the Cameron Township Broad as a supervisor. DeLoss enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing, hunting, camping, gardening, and collecting Massey Ferguson tractors.

Linda Beth McDonald was born on October 29, 1968 to Wayne and Jean (Potter) McDonald at the Murray County Hospital in Slayton, MN. Linda was greeted at home by her older siblings Janece, Ruth, Dick, Paul and Carolyn. Linda was baptized, received her first communion and was confirmed at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Slayton. Linda graduated from the Slayton High School in 1987 and furthered her education at Ridgewater College in Willmar, MN. After college she worked in the Twin Cities metro area before moving to Sioux Falls. Once in Sioux Falls, she eventually moved to Brandon, SD where she resided the rest of her life. The joy of Linda’s life was the birth of her son, Brody. Linda held many interesting jobs, and even ran her own business, McTidy Cleaning Service. Linda enjoyed going to casinos, pour painting, meeting up with friends and of course, spending time with her favorite child, Brody.

Betty Luise Schwarzenbach, the daughter of John and Frieda (Kardell) Brehmer, was born on July 28, 1931 in Harris, IA. She moved with her parents to May City, IA and was baptized in 1931 and confirmed in 1944 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in May City. In 1945 they moved to Avoca, MN. Betty attended country school, graduating the 8th grade at the courthouse in Sibley, IA, then her freshman year at Hartley High School and graduated from Slayton High School in 1948. She was employed at the Citizen’s State Bank in Fulda until her marriage to Robert C. Holinka on May 16, 1950. After their marriage they farmed in the Fulda and Avoca areas. Betty moved into Fulda after Robert passed away suddenly in September of 1966. She was employed in several positions in Fulda, Slayton and Worthington while raising her 5 children. She moved to Worthington in 1977 and acted as Executive Director of the Atrium High Rise until 1982. She worked as a legal secretary at Mork, Darling and Hagemann Law Office and Lucht Law office until her retirement. On December 27, 1981, Betty married Norman Schwarzenbach in Lake Park, IA and lived on the family farm northwest of Lake Park until 1991 when they built a home in Worthington. Betty passed away on Sunday, April 21, 2024 at the Sunset Hospice Cottage in Worthington, MN at the age of 92. She served as president of St. Rose of Lima Alter Society; president and flag carrier for the Donald E. Ewy Legion Auxiliary at Avoca and was a member of the Friendship Club. Survivors include her, 2 sons, Thomas Holinka of Worthington, MN and David (Gail) Holinka of Worthington, MN; 2 daughters, Diane Sanow of Fulda, MN and Barbara Weibel of Slayton, MN; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; special “granddaughter”, Andrea and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, infant sister, husbands, 2 sons, James Holinka and Terry Schwarzenbach, daughter-in-law, Linda Holinka, 3 sons-in-law, Daniel Staples, Eugene “Pudge” Sanow and Randal Weibel, granddaughter, Kelsey Nims, brother, William Brehmer and 3 sisters, Elsie (Franklin) LaHeist, Marie (Frank) Dass and Lucille (John “Jack”) Larson.

Mildred Delores Strand was born on July 9, 1927, in Pipestone, Minnesota to Harold and Josephine Goeppel Hansen. She grew up in Pipestone and graduated from Pipestone High School in 1945. Following high school, Mildred attended Teacher Training and taught country school in the Lake Wilson, MN area. On August 31, 1948, she and Desmond “Des” Strand were married at St. Leo’s Church in Pipestone.

Donald “Don” Paul Vosberg, age 86 of Westbrook, passed away Monday, April 8, 2024 at Sanford Westbrook Hospital. Donald “Don” Paul Vosberg was born May 6, 1937 to George and Rosa “Rose” (Cohrs) Vosberg on the farm in Murray Township, Minnesota.

Raymond Bernard (Peter) Ebbers, age 89, of Worthington, MN, died Sunday, March 31, 2024, at his home. He was born August 4, 1934, in Iona, MN, to Francis “Frank” and Rose (Kappes) Ebbers. He graduated from St. Columbia Catholic High School in Iona.

Barb Jean (Luft) Surprenant born on July 29, 1941, in Currie, Minnesota, was the daughter of Alfred and Viola (Boudreau) Luft. She initially grew up in a small house connected to Al’s Oasis, now known as Ruppert Oil in Currie. Her childhood memories included playing with her cousin Kay (Boudreau) Ehret and enjoying summers in the icehouse at the gas station. After some time, her family moved to a farm outside of Currie where she grew up with her siblings. Barb attended IHM Catholic School in Currie and graduated in 1959. Following a few years working in Minneapolis, she graduated from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in 1962 as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Barb married James Edward Surprenant on May 25, 1963, at IHM Catholic Church in Currie, and they first settled on a farm south of Tracy before moving to Slayton. Barb balanced raising their three children while continuing to work full-time at Tracy Municipal Hospital and driving through many Minnesota blizzards before the use of cell phones. After 44 years in nursing, she retired but remained in touch with many of her former patients and nursing colleagues. In retirement, she dedicated time to mowing the lawn, updating the house and acreage, sewing quilts and other crafts, and making sundresses for children’s charities. Barb was devoted to her faith, especially to the Blessed Virgin Mary and Divine Mercy Sunday. She contributed to decorating St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Slayton and especially enjoyed the Easter and Christmas seasons. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters and spent many years working with her children on their 4-H projects in their younger years. Barb passed away with her family by her side on Friday, March 29th, at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls at the age of 82. She cherished spending time with Jim, her husband of over 60 years, and they often enjoyed driving around with their classic vehicles together or walking hand in hand around the acreage. They spent a lot of time dancing and were quite the pair to watch on the dance floor back in the day. They also cherished the time they spent traveling the country or visiting their daughters when they lived in Washington, DC. Barb’s family will miss her wit and smile dearly. She was a prankster and there are many a diet coke can that had to be shaken of its sediment before she gave it to you.