Obituaries

Gerald Edward Kuecker was born December 27, 1942 to parents, Clarence E. Kuecker and Ruby E. Kuecker near West Bend, Iowa. After moving to Minnesota in 1952, Mr. Kuecker graduated from Slayton High School in 1960 and received his B.S. from South Dakota State University in 1964. He was commissioned in 1965 and completed fixed wing and rotary wing flight training in Pensacola, FL in 1966. As a Naval Officer and Naval Aviator he completed two deployments to Southeast Asia during the Vietnam war. Flying the UH-2C helicopter he rescued two downed U.S. Pilots. He was awarded two Air Medals, Navy Citation, Vietnamese Service Medal, Vietnamese Campaign Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, two Naval Reserve ribbons, and National Defense Medal, and U.S. Navy Pistol Expert.

Mary Ann Martens, the daughter of Sylvester and Margaret (Fischer) Biegler, was born on February 14, 1941, in Worthington, MN and baptized March 2, 1941 in St. Columba Church Iona, MN. She grew up in Lake Wilson, MN and attended school, graduating from the Lake Wilson High School. Mary Ann was united in marriage to Richard Martens on October 24, 1959, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Lake Wilson. After their marriage they made their home in Lake Wilson and moved to Slayton in 1965. Mary Ann worked for over 50 years at the Murray County Hospital in Slayton, MN. She remained at home after Richard passed away in February of 2003. Mary Ann moved to the Good Samaritan Assisted Living in Pipestone and then to the Slayton Golden Living Center before its closure. Mary Ann then moved to the Crossroads Care Center in Worthington and passed away there on Friday, March 4, 2022, at the age of 81. She was a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Slayton. MaryAnn enjoyed fishing, landscaping, watching the cars go by from her garage and playing the nickel slots. Survivors include her son, Ricky (Ruth) Martens of Slayton, MN; 2 grandsons, Joshua Dierks of Renville, MN and Nick Dierks of Currie, MN; 2 brothers, Buddy (Louise) Biegler of Slayton, MN and Ronnie (Betty) Biegler of Lake Wilson and sister, Sylvia Lingen of Slayton, MN. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter, Lori Dierks and brother-in-law, Terry Lingen.

Donna Rae Chambers, 72 of Aitkin, was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She passed away peacefully at home on March 2, 2022 after a courageous 3-year battle with cancer. Donna was born November 11, 1949, to Ray and Darlene Streff in Le Mars, IA. She grew up in Slayton, MN. and graduated from Slayton High School in 1967.

Roger Wilkison was born on December 24, 1932, in Egan, South Dakota to Kenneth and Ida Jensen Wilkison. He grew up in southwest Minnesota and graduated from Fulda High School in 1950. On September 10, 1952, Roger enlisted in the United States Air Force and on December 22, of that same year he and Arlene Dorpinghaus were married at St. Gabriel’s Church in Fulda, MN. Following his honorable discharge on September 9, 1956, he returned to southwest Minnesota where they farmed and raised their four children. Following their retirement, they made their home in Arizona and South Dakota before returning to Minnesota. Roger passed away surrounded by his family on Monday, February 21, 2022, at his home in Fulda, MN at the age of 89. He was a member of IHM Church in Currie, MN. Roger enjoyed spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, horseback riding and camping.

Arnold Ziemann was born on December 1, 1935, in Slayton, Minnesota to William “Bill” and Christina Reese Ziemann. He grew up in Lake Wilson, MN and graduated from Lake Wilson High School in 1954. Following high school Arnold attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD. On January 3, 1955, Arnold enlisted in the United States Army. He was stationed in Dugway, UT. Following his honorable discharge on December 10, 1957, he returned to Lake Wilson. On June 7, 1962, he and Jean Paige were married at Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton. Following their marriage, they made their home in Lake Wilson. Arnold worked for Hudson Bro’s Construction and Robert L Carr Construction before going out one his own. Jean passed away on November 3, 2018. In June 2021 Arnold became a resident of the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne. Arnold passed away at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at the age of 86. He was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lake Wilson, MN. He also was a member of the Lake Wilson American Legion Post. Arnold enjoyed fishing, wood working, watching the Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota Twins.

Myrna Surprenant was born on October 17, 1940, in Slayton, Minnesota to Donald and Laura Schaffer Busch. She grew up on a farm near Hadley, MN and graduated from Slayton High School in 1958. She then worked at the Slayton High School as the School Secretary. In 1960, Myrna went to work for the Murray County Extension Office. On December 29, 1962, she and Ralph Surprenant were married at St. Ann’s Church in Slayton. Following their marriage, they made their home on a farm south of Tracy and raised their three children. Myrna passed away on Wednesday, February 23, 2022, at the Avera Hospital in Marshall, MN at the age of 81. She was a member of IHM Church in Currie where she served as head of the prayer chain, song leader, lector, sang in the choir and was part of the WCCW. She also was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, the Extension Club and served as a 4-H Leader in her younger days. Myrna enjoyed spending time with her family, gardening, sewing, puzzles, coffee with friends, crossword puzzles, traveling, attending her kids and grandkids events, and watching wildlife.

Dianne Joyce Lundblad was born on November 27, 1949, in Tracy, Minnesota to Floyd and Virginia Weaver Saxton. She grew up in Slayton and graduated from Slayton High School in 1967. Dianne and William Engbarth were married in Woodstock, MN and to this union came four children, John, Billy, James, and Stacy. Dianne and William later divorced. On September 3, 1983, she and Dennis Lundblad were married at Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton. They made their home in Slayton, Beresford, SD, and most recently Pipestone, MN. Due to failing health Dianne moved to Ava’s House in Sioux Falls, SD on February 14, 2022. She passed away there on Sunday, February 20, 2022, at the age of 72. She was a past member of Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton. Dianne loved spending time with her family and grandchildren, shopping with her sisters, playing cards, and puzzles.

JoEllyn Marcelline Ruppert was born on February 14, 1936, in Slayton, Minnesota to Aloysius and Elsie Bremer Illg. She and her twin sister, JoAnn Wisdorf grew up on the family farm near Avoca, MN. JoEllyn graduated from Slayton High School in 1954. On October 5, 1955, she and Melvin Ruppert were married at St. Rose of Lima Church in Avoca. Following their marriage they farmed near Currie, MN and raised their five children. In 1996 they moved to Currie.

Carroll Joyce Coffitt was born on June 17, 1932, in Fulda, Minnesota to John and Helen Fish Coffitt. The family later moved to Minneapolis, MN where Carroll attended Cambridge Elementary. Carroll lived in several facilities until 1983 when she moved to Slayton, MN. Carroll made her home with Myron Elq, and with Roy and Laura Carter. She later had an apartment at Southgate in Slayton. Carroll worked at the Slayton DAC and the Slayton Pizza Ranch.

Verna Sabin, age 93, of Lake Wilson, died Thursday, February 10, 2022, at the Pipestone County Medical Center in Pipestone, MN. She was born October 27, 1928, at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar, MN, to Wieber and Evelyn (Bauman) Swart. She was the oldest of three children and grew up on the Swart family farm in the Prinsburg area. Verna attended country school through the eighth grade and graduated from Clara City High School in 1946. She was active in 4H and church choir. She had many cousins and they enjoyed getting together for picnics, rollerskating and kitten ball.