Obituaries

Sandra Rose (Barlund) Smit, 82, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on August 11, 2025, four months to the day after the passing of her beloved husband, Cornelius “Corny” Smit in Aberdeen, SD.

Ken Zabella 60 of Orlando, FL passed away on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at the AdventHealth East Hospital in Orlando, FL. A memorial service will be on Friday, August 29, 2025, at IHM Church in Currie, MN at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, August 28 and 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 view online obituary and send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome. com

Mervin Junker was born on February 2, 1943, in Mountain Lake, Minnesota to Henry and Irene Gilling Junker. He grew up on a farm in Cottonwood County, MN until 1951 when the family moved to a farm near St. James, MN. Mervin graduated from St. James High School in 1962 and drove truck for Hormell. On February 3, 1964, he and Shirley Randall were married in Mountain Lake. Following their marriage, they made their home in St. James. To this union a daughter Shelley was born. The family later moved to North Mankato, MN where Mervin worked as a police officer before moving to Minneapolis, MN for a short time. They then returned to St. James and Mervin worked with his parents operating their Drive-In. After selling the Driver-In, Mervin returned to trucking. Mervin and Shirley later divorced. Mervin continued to live and work in the St. James area for a few years before moving to the Twin Cities and then to Afton, MN where he drove truck for different companies and later owned and operated his own trucking company. Mervin was a firm GOP member with a Pro-Trump and Pro-Life stance. He retired in 2015 and moved to Tracy, MN to be near family. Mervin passed away unexpectedly at his home on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at the age of 82. He attended Tracy Alliance Church. Mervin enjoyed spending time with his daughter and her family, riding his motorcycle, old country gospel music, and animals, especially his cats.

Bernice Stoderl was born on December 8, 1930, in Iona, Minnesota to Edward and Margaret Kellen Breitbarth. She grew up in Iona and graduated from St. Columba High School in 1948. Bernice then attended St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing in Mankato, MN graduating with a Nursing Degree. On August 1, 1951, she and Edgar “Oscar” Stoderl were married at St. Columba Church in Iona. Following their marriage, they made their home in Iona and raised their three children. Bernice worked at the Slayton Home Hospital until it closed, and the new Murray County Hospital was built. Bernice worked as a surgical nurse at the new hospital. Oscar passed away on March 25, 1995. Bernice retired in 1998 after 42 years of service. Bernice passed away at her home on Sunday, August 10, 2025, at the age of 94. She was a member St. Columba Church in Iona until it closed. Bernice enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, playing cards, and casino bus trips. Bernice was known for her Christmas bags which were filled with her homemade treats like peanut clusters, Chex Mix, caramel corn, and her knitted hangers.

Scott Sandhurst, the son of Vincent and Marlene (Bruns) Sandhurst, was born on June 8, 1958 in Heron Lake, MN. He graduated from Fulda High School in 1977. After graduation, Scott went on to work for a water tower painting Company in Slayton, MN. On May 13, 1978 he fell 75 feet and crushed three vertebrae in his back, which left him with paralysis in his legs. Scott was able to walk with crutches for several years and he could still go fishing, which he loved to do. Scott eventually needed a wheelchair, and he continued to enjoy his love for fishing with the help of family and friends. Scott went to Auto Mechanics School in Pipestone, MN for 2 years. Another passion was to take things apart and fix them. For a short time, Scott had a motorcycle repair shop in Worthington, MN and that’s when he met Lori Harvey. They had a beautiful baby girl, Stephanie, a couple of years later. Scott helped Lori raise her two children, Jason and Teia; and he now had a family with three great kids. Scott did auto repair work for several years out of his garage at his home in Fulda. His health continued to decline over the years and Lori helped to care for him as long as she could; then Stephanie stepped in and helped care for her dad. Scott passed away on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at the Sanford Medical center in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 67. Scott was a good father, brother and son and he will be missed.

Gwendolyn (Gwen) Fae Hartlep (Prahm), of Fulda, MN, passed away on July 24, 2025, at the Good Samaritan Society in Westbrook, MN, aged 90 years, 4 months and 9 days. Gwen was born in Chandler, MN, on March 15, 1935, to Elmer and Jennie (Swart) Prahm.

Alice Knutson, 100, of Oakdale, MN passed away at The Waters of Oakdale on Monday, August 4, 2025. Funeral services will be on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at St. Ann’s Church in Slayton at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church on Tuesday. Interment is at St. Ann’s Cemetery in Slayton, MN. Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangement. To view online obituary and send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.

Robert Gerdes 72 of rural Brewster, MN passed away on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at his sister’s home in rural Fulda, MN. A private graveside service was held at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Brewster, MN on Friday, July 25, 2025.

Cyril Thier Jr., age 80, passed away on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at his residence in Worthington, MN. Visitation was held on Monday, July 28, 2025, from 4:00 p.m.

Ronnie Schreier was born on February 26, 1941, in Slayton, Minnesota to Peter and Alice Beach Schreier. He grew up on the family farm near Currie, MN and attended IHM Catholic School in Currie. Ronnie graduated from Slayton High School in 1959.