Obituaries

Born Nov. 3,1924, in Chicago, Illinois. She was the daughter of Leo and Sophia Biegalski Jaroszewski. She married Gordon (Wally) Dysthe on August 24,1946 at Sacred Heart Church in Chicago, Illinois. As an infant, she moved with her parents to Elmwood Park, Ill., where she grew up and attended grade school. In 1938, she moved with her family to Chicago and attended McKinnly High School. She worked at Onsrud Machine Works which resulted in the loss of her pinkie. After marriage, Della and Wally moved to Iona, where she was a homemaker and worked for two years for Penne Frock in Slayton, Mn. She was an active member of St. Columba Church and the Council of Catholic Women, and a charter member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary in Iona. She was a dedicated member of the Quilting Guild of Iona Church. She enjoyed Wednesday night get-togethers with her lady friends at Kadupers in Iona. In 2022 she entered the Maple Lawn Senior Care Center in Fulda, Mn. She was well loved and cared for. She loved the staff as much as they loved her.

Elaine Johnson was born on September 30, 1935, in Madelia, Minnesota to Oscar and Thea Helling Lilleodden. She grew up in Hanska, MN and graduated from Hanska High School in 1953. She then attended New Ulm Nursing School at Union Hospital. Following graduation Elaine remained at Union Hospital in New Ulm until 1958. On March 1, 1958, she and John Johnson were married at Lake Hanska Lutheran Church in rural Hanska. Following their marriage, they made their home and farmed near Currie, MN. Elaine worked at the Tracy Hospital for over 30 years. John passed away on June 13, 2018. Elaine remained on the farm until 2023 when she moved to Lindenwood Assisted Living in Slayton, MN. In September 2025 she moved to Good Samaritan Society-Westbrook. She passed away there on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at the age of 90. She was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Dovray, MN where she was active with the quilting group, and WELCA. Elaine also volunteered with the bloodmobile and taking blood pressure in Currie and Dovray. She was a member of the Dovray American Legion Auxiliary and active with the Lunch Buddy’s program at MCC. Elaine enjoyed spending time with her family, being on the farm, gardening, yardwork, quilting, cross stitching and cleaning.

Peggy Ann “Peg” Turner, age 73 of Lake Shetek, formerly of Garvin, passed away while surrounded by her family at her home, following a short battle with cancer. A Celebration of Life was held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, September 26, 2026, at the Breezy Barn, rural Tracy. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice. com. Stephens Funeral Service – Tracy Area Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.

Timothy “Tim” Bassett, 67, of Luverne, MN passed away on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at Residential Advantage in Luverne. Memorial services will be on Friday October 2, 2026, at IHM Church in Currie, MN at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church on Friday. Interment is at Calvary Cemetery in Currie, MN. Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangements. To send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome. com

Thomas Earl Snedeker, age 61, of Janesville, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, September 20, 2026 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Waseca. Tom was born on September 2, 1965, in Lawton, Oklahoma, to Mark and Mary Russell Snedeker.

Rodger Orval Anderson, 83, was called to his heavenly home to enjoy the eternal salvation of Jesus Christ, on August 5, 2026, due to complications of Multi-System Atrophy Parkinsonism. Rodger was born in Tyler, MN to Marjorie (Gamber) and Orval Anderson.

LeeRoy Berglund, the son of August and Bertha (Peterson) Berglund was born December 22, 1941, near Iona, MN. LeeRoy grew up on a farm near Iona and graduated from Slayton High School in 1961. LeeRoy was united in marriage to Sandra Langfeldt at the Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Avoca, MN. Following their marriage they made their home in Wilmont, MN raising two children. LeeRoy farmed and worked for Daryl Dawson of Rushmore, MN. Sandra passed away in 1967. Lee-Roy married Sandra Heikes on September 28,1968, at Zion Lutheran Church in Adrian, MN. Together they farmed and raised six children near Iona. In 1997 LeeRoy and Sandra moved to an acreage west of Slayton. LeeRoy then worked for Holiday Delights making and designing different lawn ornaments that were shipped all over the world. It started mostly with Christmas decorations. His most favorite ornaments were Christmas related including Santa, his sleigh and the Reindeer. LeeRoy was a gifted carpenter doing many renovations to the family homes over the years. Sandra passed away in July of 2006. LeeRoy passed away at Our House Hospice Home in Slayton on September 17, 2026, at the age of 84. LeeRoy was a member of the Immanual Lutheran Church in rural Fulda where he served on various boards and helped maintain the facility. He enjoyed farming, being on the farm and visiting with friends and family. He especially cherished his last job working for the United Community Action Council in Marshall and Jackson, MN, where he became a custodian/fixer of everything. He especially enjoyed those who he worked with and talked about them often. He met a special friend and companion Mary Stegeman at the Murray County Fair. LeeRoy and Mary spent many days together enjoying each other’s company and playing cards. Mary passed away in 2023.

Al Wilkison was born on December 19, 1947, in Slayton, Minnesota to George and Kathleen Olson Wilkison. He grew up on the family farm near Garvin and attended Tracy High School. Al enlisted in the United Sates Navy in July 1967 and served aboard the USS Gunston Hall on the Saigon River as a boiler mechanic. Following his honorable discharge in 1971 he returned to the Garvin area. On February 25, 1972, he and Nelda Alexander were married at Lake Sarah Lutheran Church in Garvin. Following their marriage, they made their home in the Garvin and Tracy area, raising their two sons. They later divorced. Al drove over the road truck for Midwest Coast, Schwan’s, Bongard Trucking and B&G. He retired in 2014. Due to failing health Al moved to Pipestone County Hospice House on September 15, 2026, in Pipestone, MN. He passed away there on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the age of 78. He was member of Lake Sarah Lutheran Church in Garvin. Al had a lifelong love of cars and a vast knowledge of mechanics. His passion for cars was more than a hobby-it was a true part of who he was. Al taught his sons about cars, engines and the value of hard work and dedication. Al enjoyed his hotrods and muscle cars especially his challenger (Hellcat and SRT8), his hot rod S-10. Al enjoyed spending time with his friend, Lois, and his sons and their families. His past time included spending time outdoors, collecting antiques, trail riding in his sideby- side, listen to 50’s and 60’s music and cars.

Laurel Nelson was born on October 4, 1938, in Tracy, Minnesota to Ruben and Blanche (DeBlieck) Mickelson. She grew up near Tracy and attended Country School District #51, Murray County until the 5th grade she then transferred to Tracy Public School graduating in 1956. On September 6, 1957, she and Clifford Nelson were married at the Willow Lake Lutheran Church in rural Currie, MN. Following their marriage, they made their home and farmed near Lake Shetek where they raised their five children. In 1972 Laurel attended classes and became an assessor. She worked for 10 years as a local assessor for four townships in Murray County. In 1982 she began working at the Murray County Assessor Office in Slayton, MN and in 1984 she moved to Slayton. In 1987 she became Murray County Assessor and retired after 23 years of working for Murray County. Following her retirement, she went to work for Bob Pazdernik as an Assessor Contractor. In 2025 she moved to Prairie View Healthcare Center in Tracy, MN. Laurel passed away there on Monday, September 14, 2026, at the age of 87. She was a past member of Willow Lake Lutheran Church where she was Baptized and Confirmed. Upon moving to Slayton, she joined Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton. Laurel was active in the Women’s group and served on several church committees and was past President of the Congregation. Laurel enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, coffee with friends, playing cards, traveling (the occasional trip to the Casino), and spending time at the lake. Her biggest pastime was watching the Minnesota Twins and the Minnesota Vikings. She also enjoyed supporting local high school athletes.

Donald “Don” Gene Paplow age 76 of rural Dundee, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at Sanford Westbrook Hospital surrounded by family. Donald Gene Paplow was born on October 28, 1949 at Heron Lake Hospital to Raymond and Esther (Weets) Paplow.