Obituaries

Betty Onken was born on July 18, 1929, in Tea, South Dakota, to Reiner and June Madden Johnson. The family later moved to Iona, MN where Betty graduated from Fulda High School in 1946. After graduation Betty moved to Slayton and worked at Murray County State Bank in Slayton. On July 18, 1948, she and Kenneth “Ken” Onken were married at the Slayton Presbyterian Church. Following their marriage, they made their home in St. Cloud, MN until 1953 when they moved to Thief River Falls. While in Thief River Falls, Betty attended Northland Community College. In 1975 they returned to Slayton, MN. Betty and Ken enjoyed spending their winters in Gulf Shores, AL. Betty loved making Sally Ann cookies, and for 68 years at Christmas she would bake gingerbread cookies for her growing family. Ken passed away on August 5, 2013. In 2018 Betty moved to Sunrise Terrace in Slayton. Due to failing health in August 2025 Betty moved to Prairie View Healthcare Center in Tracy and on February 17, 2026, she moved to Our House Hospice Home in Slayton where she passed away on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at the age of 96. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Slayton where she was a member of the Dorcas Society. Betty was an active member of the Slayton Community serving as past Secretary of the Worthington Circuit Missionary Society, hospice volunteer, past President of the Monday Study Club, Women’s Golf Association, A.C.E. volunteer, served as Election Judge and worked at the Murray County Fair for many years. Betty enjoyed family and church activities, needlework, playing cards, volunteering, Library Book Club, and coffee time with friends at the Slayton Bakery and Sunrise Terrace.

Jeanette C. Wieskus, age 89, of New Prague, formerly of Fulda, died peacefully with her family at her side on Friday, February 20, 2026, at her home at Praha Village. Jeanette was born on November 8, 1936, in Fulda, MN, to William and Agnes (Dorpinghaus) Odenbrett. She grew up in Fulda, graduating from Fulda High School and then a calling led to a degree as a nurse from St. Mary’s College in Rochester, with her career beginning on night shifts at St. Mary’s Hospital. After graduation, she worked for Jackson and Worthington Hospitals until the nursing home in Fulda begged her to come work for them. It was perhaps a bit of divine intervention that she met a dashing young man at a dance, who captured her heart almost immediately. She married Eddie Wieskus on June 7, 1958, at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in Fulda. It was her greatest desire to have a large family, and they would be richly blessed with 12 children. Jeanette’s caregiving spirit found time to devote 42 years as a nurse at Maple Lawn Senior Care in addition to successfully raising her children.

Jeff Zea was born on January 4, 1962, in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Darrell and Vida Pettis Zea. He grew up in Lakefield, MN and attended Lakefield High School. Jeff served in the Minnesota National Guard. Jeff made his home in Slayton, MN and worked as a Nursery Manager for Green Prairie Pork for 20 years until it closed. He then went to work for Monogram Food in Chandler, MN working in the cheese room. Jeff then found the jobs he was meant to do working as a clerk at Cenex and later Ag Plus both in Slayton. Jeff loved to visit with his regular customers as well as anyone that stopped in. Too many he was affectionately known as Cenex Jeff. Jeff passed away on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 64. Jeff enjoyed coffee at Cenex with the guys, hunting, fishing, visiting with friends, auto racing and spending time with his bonus grandchildren.

Catherine (Post) Kuhl, age 87, passed away peacefully into the hands of the Lord on February 15, 2026. Kathy was born on October 18, 1938, on a farm near Chandler, MN to James and Jennie Post, the ninth child of ten. Cathy often said they never had extra money but they always had plenty of food to eat.

Gary Richard Hudson passed away peacefully at home on January 27, 2026, in Stillwater, Minnesota. He was born on July 26, 1946, in Stayton, Minnesota to Richard and Lois (Pommier) Hudson.

Marge Miranowski was born on March 30, 1932, in Marshfield, Wisconsin to Nick and Eldora Michels Henseler. She grew up in Bakersville, WI until 1936 when the family moved to Worthington, MN where Marge graduated from Worthington High School in 1950.

Jane Giese was born on January 19, 1939, in Slayton, Minnesota to Lester and Lois Hopkins Cohrs. She grew up in Westbrook, MN and graduated from Westbrook High School in 1957. On July 27, 1957, she and John Giese were married at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Currie, MN. Following their marriage, they made their home in Westbrook until 1972 when they moved to Pipestone, MN. In 1974 the family moved to Slayton, MN. John passed away on November 16, 2014. In December 2023 Jane moved to Edgebrook Care Center in Edgerton, MN. She passed away there on Friday, February 6, 2026, at the age of 87. She was a member of St. Ann’s Church in Slayton. Jane enjoyed spoiling her grandchildren, golfing, knitting, crocheting, sewing and oil painting.

Larry Lee Betz, the son of Lawrence and Lela (Frohwein) Betz, was born on October 14, 1941, in Sheldon, IA. He grew up in Sheldon and attended school before moving to Avoca, MN and then graduated from the Slayton High School in 1960. Larry was united in marriage to Darlene Dirks on July 3, 1965. They started their adventures in Avoca, MN with their 4 children, making pit stops in Brewster, MN and Paonia, Co. They then returned and settled in Avoca, MN where he could enjoy activities with his kids and grand kids. Larry served in the Army National Guard. He worked as a truck driver and retired in 2013 from Buffalo Ridge Concrete. Larry passed away on Friday, January 30, 2026, at the Maple Lawn Senior Care in Fulda at the age of 84, surrounded by many loved ones. He was a member of St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in Fulda. Larry enjoyed dirt track racing with his boys, hunting, camping and reading all the Louis L’Amour books. He was always looking and ready for any new adventure he could come up with.

Raymon Harold Randall, age 84 of Tracy, passed away on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral Services was held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 27th, 2026 at the Tracy Area Funeral Home, Tracy, MN, with visitation one prior to service. Interment is in Tracy City Cemetery in Tracy, MN. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice. com. Stephens Funeral Service – Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Corstiaan “Corky” Van Eck was born on January 7, 1930 to Bastiaan and Annie (Van’t Hof) Van Eck on a farm near Chandler, MN and passed away peacefully on January 21, 2026, at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne, MN. He lived a life dedicated to his family and his work.