Obituaries

Ronald “Ron” Fay Behrends (1947 - 2025) passed away peacefully on July 22, 2025, surrounded by his family in Slayton, MN. He was born on August 9, 1947, in Slayton, Minnesota to John and Evelyn Nord Behrends. Ron grew up on the family farm in Fenton Township and graduated from Chandler High School in 1965. Following graduation, Ron continued his education at Jackson Vo-Tech where he graduated from the Automotive Specialists Program in 1967.

In the early 1940s, a young Freddie Schneekloth would meet and soon marry Violet Hoffman. Harlo Kent Schneekloth, their son, was born February 18, 1943. Named for Jene Harlow, he was an only child. After a complicated and chronic pulmonary condition, Harlo passed away at his home on July 11th, 2025 at the age of eighty-two.

Rev. Robert Dwain Moritz, the eldest son of Hans and Edna (Jorgensen) Moritz, was born May 29 1935, near Estherville, IA. Bob passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and love, on July 14, 2025, at 90 years of age. Bob grew up on his family’s 210-acre farm north of Estherville, where he helped run the Moritz Jersey Dairy alongside his mother, Aunt Martha, and brothers after his father Hans’s sudden passing in 1946. Those early years shaped his strong faith, work ethic, and deep commitment to serving others.

Maxine I. Heinrichs, age 101, of Glencoe, Minnesota, passed away on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Glencoe Regional Health in Glencoe. Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, July 18, 2025, at 1:00 P.M. at the Church of St. Pius X in Glencoe, with interment in the Glencoe Catholic Cemetery. Clergy Officiating: Father Bob Mraz; Pianist: Carrie Knott; Song Leader: Shari Templin; Musical Selections: “Ave Maria,” “Prayer Of St. Francis,” “Hail Mary, Gentle Woman,” “How Great Thou Art”; Casket Bearers: Todd Cramer, Paige Lacatena, Devin Hunt, James Heinrichs, Matthew Ober, Clarissa Leiseth, Garrett Ober; Honorary Casket Bearers: Payal Cramer, Anthony Lacatena, Amanda Heinrichs, Christopher Hunt, Erin Lux, Adam Norby, Camille Heinrichs, Mason Leiseth, Makiah Ober.

Roger Smith, 80, of Chandler, MN passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, July 14, 2025. Visitation was Thursday, July 17, 2025 at the Chandler Reformed Church from 5-7 PM and a funeral service was held on Friday, July 18, 2025 at the Chandler Reformed Church at 11:00AM. A private burial service took place prior to the service.

Duane Danielson, age 83, currently of Brainerd and formerly of Hanley Falls, Minnesota, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at the Clarkfield Care Center in Clarkfield, Minnesota. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall, Minnesota.

Chuck Haugen was born on March 10, 1951, in Tracy, Minnesota to Lindy and Betty Harbo Haugen. He grew up in Tracy and graduated from Tracy High School in 1968.

The world lost a force of nature when Robert “Bob” John Swenson left this life on July 1, 2025. He faced his final months with grace and grit and is now pain free (though likely still a little gruff).

Esther “Mickey” Schmidt 95 of Mankato, MN passed away on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at the Oaklawn Care and Rehabilitation Center in Mankato, MN. A graveside service will be on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery in Avoca, MN at 11:00 a.m. Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangements. To send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome. com.

The memorial service for Stella Ann Swanson, 90, of Balaton, will be held on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at Balaton United Methodist Church beginning at 11:00 a.m. Public visitation will take place at church Tuesday from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. Upon conclusion of the Memorial service, Committal service will take place at Lakeside Cemetery with a luncheon to follow at the Balaton Community Center.