Obituaries

JAMES (JIM) H. LANGE

James (Jim) Henry Lange was born on August 18, 1936, on a farm near Hadley, Minnesota to Henry and Verna Lundeen Lange. He was baptized at Faith Lutheran Church in Avoca, MN. Jim grew up near Avoca and attended country school. He was confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton, MN. On December 1, 1956, he and Joyce Johnson were married at the Hadley Lutheran parsonage. Following their marriage, they farmed south of Hadley until health problems forced Jim to retire from farming after 23 years. Jim bought the radiator shop in Slayton and operated it until 2000 when he sold the business and retired. Although retired, Jim continued to repair hydraulic jacks. He exemplified a strong work ethic. Jim passed away at the Murray County Hospital in Slayton on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at the age of 87. He was a member of the Hadley Lutheran Church. Jim was a family man with a simple faith. He was a master craftsman making projects for family and friends, like cedar chests, bunk beds, cribs, decorations, and yard ornaments. Jim was a race car enthusiast, helping family and friends with cars and spent many hours preparing the Murray County Track for racing events earning him the nickname Dirt Doctor. Jim enjoyed spending time with his family and coffee time with the guys.

ALLAN “NUMBER 7” KRAMER

Allan Kramer “Number 7”, 72 of Currie, MN passed away on March 19, 2024, at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. A service will be held in the summer. Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangements. To send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome. com.

Know What You Believe

Emeritus Rev. Dennis Brech THIS CHURCH OR THAT CHURCH – THAT IS THE QUESTION.

CATHERINE (CATHY) A. HEMENWAY

Catherine (Cathy) Ann Hemenway was born on February 23, 1951, Wessington Springs, South Dakota to Clell and Irene Roth Kirton. She grew up in Wessington Springs and graduated from Wessington Spring High School in 1968. In 1968 Cathy moved to Sioux Falls, SD. On May 5, 1972, she and Lewis Hemenway were married in Sioux Falls and to this union two children were born. Following their marriage, they continued living in Sioux Falls until 1978 when they moved to Chamberlain, SD. In 1982 they moved to Armour, SD, and in 1991 they moved to Wanger, SD and Cathy worked as a nurse aid at the Wanger Nursing Home. Lewis passed away in 1998. In 1999 She moved to Slayton and worked at the Slayton Manor. In 2002 she went to work at Our House Hospice Home in Slayton in housekeeping. In 2004 she met Lawrence Roeder and they shared many wonderful times together over the last 20 years. Cathy delivered the Worthington Daily Globe for 10 years. Cathy passed away on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 73. She was a member of St. Ann’s Church in Slayton. She was a member of the Wilmont VFW Auxiliary and a Murray County Hospice volunteer. Cathy enjoyed bowling, music, and word search puzzles.

LINDA H. GESLER

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Linda Harmsen Gesler, beloved wife, mother, daughter, sibling, aunt, cousin and friend. She peacefully departed this life on March 17th, 2024, in her home, surrounded by her loving family.

DANIEL (DAN) C. KIRKPATRICK

Daniel (Dan) Carl Kirkpatrick was born on March 19, 1964, in Sunland, California to Ronald and LouAnn Amundson Kirkpatrick. He grew up in San Fernando Valley, CA until the family moved to Las Vegas, NV and later to Minnesota. On September 13, 2018 he and the love of his life, Maria Del Carmen Estreda where married. Following their marriage, they made their home in Adrian, MN where Dan drove truck for Son-D-Farms and then Smith Trucking in Worthington. In 2020 they moved to Chandler, MN. Dan passed away with his trucking companion, chuco on Monday, March 18, 2024, at the Sanford Chamberlain Hospital in Chamberlain, SD as the result of a traffic accident near Reliance, SD at the age of 59. Dan enjoyed time with his family, especially his granddaughter, camping at the beach, collecting cars, riding his motorcycle, meeting new people and he was known for his pets as he would often take them out in public and show of their skills. He loved driving the big truck and seeing the country. Dan was very generous and had a gentle soul he would give you his last dollar and the shirt of his back if it helped you. He never met a stranger as everyone was family.

KENNETH R. HATCH

Kenneth Roy Hatch died peacefully on March 8th at The Pillars in Lakeville Minnesota surrounded by those who loved him. He was 81 years old. Mr. Hatch was born on September 4th, 1942 in Algona, Iowa, the second of four children of Clyde Francis Hatch and Ruth Eileen Christiansen.

LORNA M. BADER

Lorna Mary Bader was born on August 7, 1941, in Jackson, Minnesota to Lloyd and Mary (Tusa) Hample. She grew up in Jackson and graduated from Jackson High School in 1959. Lorna attended Luther College in Decorah, IA, graduating with a degree in Elementary Education. She taught third grade for ten years. After earning her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Counseling, Lorna taught part-time at Mankato University. In 1979, she began working for Lutheran Social Services (LSS). After 18 years, she established her own practice, Counseling on the Prairie. On July 6, 1984, she and Dr. Jean Bader were married at Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton. Jean passed away on July 14, 2011. Lorna retired in 2012. Slayton was very fortunate to have her as a volunteer at Murray County Hospice, Murray County Food Shelf and leading grief groups and serving on a variety of boards and committees throughout the community. As a longtime member of Christ Lutheran Church, she served in many capacities, but her true passion was religious education. Lorna passed away unexpectedly at her home on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at the age of 82. She enjoyed spending time with her family, Friends and cat, Poppy, gardening, making cards, bird watching, playing cards, reading, traveling.

MILDRED STRAND

Mildred Strand 96 Chanhassen, MN passed away on March 9, 2024, at Summerwood of Chanhassen. Services will be at a later time..

CHARLETTA M. BENNETT

Charletta Bennett was born on April 19, 1940, on the family farm near Slayton Minnesota to Charles “Billy” and Arleen Amundson Ireton. She grew up on the farm near Slayton until 1945 when the family moved to Slayton. Charletta graduated from Slayton High School in 1958. On October 3, 1959, she and Lloyd Bennett were married at the United Methodist Church in Slayton. Following their marriage, they made their home in Slayton until 1963 when they moved to Hadley, MN. Charletta worked at several area packing plants over the years like Campbells Soup, Swift in Marshall, Monfort/JBS in Worthington, and Ellison Meat in Pipestone, MN. She retired in the mid 2000’s but that did not last long soon she was cooking and cleaning at area restaurants like the Country Host, Chandler Cafe and the Hub Drive-In. She once again retired in 2019. Lloyd passed away on February 9, 2020. Charletta remained in Hadley until, entering Our House Hospice Home in Slayton on March 7, 2024. She passed away there on Friday, March 8, 2024, at the age of 83. She was a member of the Hadley Lutheran Church where in her younger days she sang in the church choir as well as for funerals and weddings. She was a member of the Avoca American Legion Auxiliary, Red Hats, Hadley Lioness, and the Hadley Lions where she received the Helen Keller Sight Award. Charletta enjoyed spending time with family and friends, knitting, crocheting, cooking, baking, planting flowers, gardening, coffee with friends, bus trips, watching the Hadley Buttermakers, playing cards, watching Hallmark movies, old TV shows, reading, and shopping.