Obituaries

Babe Schoo was born on January 14, 1934, in Round Lake, Minnesota to Ernest and Clara Schoneman Wieck. Shortly after Babe’s birth the family moved to Belle Fourche, SD and later Devils Tower, WY where her father owned a sawmill. Babe attended Sundance High School and worked at her father’s mill. At a young age Babe left Wyoming and moved to Minnesota to live with a cousin. On August 3, 1955, she, and John “Jack” Schoo were married at St. Columba Church in Iona, MN. Following their marriage, they farmed the Schoo family farm west of Iona and raised their four children. In 1985 they retired and moved to Fulda, MN. Jack passed away on October 28, 2000. Babe remained in Fulda until September 2023 when she moved to Prairie View Health Care Center in Tracy, MN. Due to failing health Babe moved to Our House Hospice Home in Slayton on June 26, 2025. She passed away there on Monday, June 30, 2025, at the age of 91. She was a member of St. Gabriel’s Church in Fulda, MN and was active in the CCW. She also was a past member of the Iona VFW Auxiliary. Babe enjoyed visiting with friends over a cup or pot of coffee, playing cards, finding a good deal at rummage sales, caring for her outdoor flowers, house plants and succulents. She was an avid cook with many secret recipes.

Arlene Pauline (Littau) Post, Chandler, MN, was born on February 8, 1934. She passed away June 24, 2025, due to failing health at the age of 91. Arlene was the 8th of 10 children born to Benjamin and Katherina (Burr) Littau on the ranch by Carter, SD.

Ann Westbrook, age 87, of Granite Falls passed away peacefully on June 23, 2025. Funeral services were held on Monday, June 30, 2025 at 11:00 AM at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Granite Falls, MN with interment at the St. Andrew Catholic Cemetery.

Roger Alan Lindmeier was born on December 6, 1951, in St. Cloud, MN, the son of Lorenzo and Evelyn (Primus) Lindmeier. Roger lived life to the fullest, spending time in Springfield, Tracy, Avoca, and Slayton throughout his life. He served Avoca as mayor for a few terms, always dedicated to making his community a better place. He worked as a bar manager, car salesman, and most recently, the manager of BP gas station in Slayton. Known for his easygoing nature and warm smile, Roger was a friend to many. His love for cars and car shows kept him busy, and he could often be found chattering away about the latest models or reminiscing about classic rides. Music was his passion, and whether he was at home or at a casino, he enjoyed sharing good tunes and even better times with his family and friends.

Daniel Lee Short, 77, passed peacefully on June 9, 2025, at Commonwealth Senior Living in South Boston, Virginia. Dan (“Danny” to his family and close friends) was born on May 20,1948, in Slayton, Minnesota, to John and Gretta Short.

Donald Glenn Nielsen was born on August 16, 1947, in Tyler, Minnesota to Everett and Martha Pouwe Nielsen. He grew up in the Ruthton area and graduated from Ruthton High School in 1968, that same year Don was drafted and joined the United States Navy serving in Vietnam. Don served 29 years in the United States Navy. On October 20, 1973, he and Marlys Gunnink were married at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lake Wilson, MN. Following their marriage, they made their home in Lake Wilson where Don did over the road trucking until opening his mechanic shop in Lake Wilson. He sold the business in 1990. Don then went to work for the City of Lake Wilson not long after starting with the city the Chandler/Lake Wilson tornado hit Lake Wilson. Don was tasked with the enormous city-wide clean-up of city property. Don retired from the city in 2018.

Gaylen Walter Jensen was born on July 16, 1935, to Walter and Grace Verdeck Jensen and raised on the family farm in Lyon County. After graduating from Milroy High School in 1953 and briefly enrolling at Bethel College in St. Paul to attend Classes and play football, Gaylen enlisted in the United States Army. Following his honorable discharge in January 1957, Gaylen made his home in Mankato, MN. On January 2, 1958, he and Ann Stoltzman were married in Mankato. Following their marriage, they made their home in Mankato while Gaylen pursued a Bachelor of Education Degree at Mankato State. In 1964 they moved to Slayton, MN where Gaylen taught business classes and coached at Slayton High School. In 1986 he and Ann divorced. Gaylen retired from teaching in 1994. Although Gaylen had a deep passion for teaching, he was a farmer at heart and loved being on the land and caring for his pigs. Gaylen was a strong advocate for the underdog and loved being involved in the community which led him to serving as Murray County Commissioner from 1995 to 2002. Gaylen could be seen racing around town in his golf cart or in his pick-up always ready to lend a hand or help someone out. Due to failing health Gaylen moved to Our House Hospice in Slayton on June 9, 2025. He passed away there on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at the age of 89, with his family by his side. He was a regular attendee of the First Reformed Church in Slayton. He was a member of US Veterans Affairs and the American Legion. In addition, he was a former member of the Slayton Optimist Club and the Slayton Kiwanis Club. Gaylen (or Grandpa Piggy, as he was loving called by his grandchildren) enjoyed spending time with his family, farming, draft horse shows, racing, Sudoku, reading, coffee with friends at Slayton Bakery, and riding around town in his golf cart.

The Slayton North Cemetery is home to the only columbarium in Murray County. Located just north of Slayton, across from the golf course on highway 59, the North Cemetery stretches from the highway back to a creek at the edge of the property. Towards the back of the cemetery, cremated remains are housed in an aboveground granite structure called a columbarium.

Mass of Christian burial for Rodney “Butchie” Joseph Krueger, 72, of Slayton, MN took place on Friday, June 13, 2025 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy, MN beginning at 11:00 a.m. Public visitation began one hour prior to the funeral mass. Upon conclusion of the funeral, a luncheon was provided at church. Private family burial will take place at a later date.

John Thomas Rzeszutek was born on August 16th, 1942 in Minneapolis, MN to Frank and Margaret (Shudy) Rzeszutek. He grew up and attended school in Spring Lake Park, MN. John entered the U.S. Army in June of 1964 course trained in Engineering with an Expert Rifleman badge. He was honorably discharged and moved on to become a Millwright/ Supervisor. Throughout his career he worked as a held foreman/supervisor level positions in metal fabrication, welding and metal fabricator, engineer liaison for finalizing structural prints and installation of bridge cranes, monorails, service rails, conveyors, and various construction positions. John often succeeded in projects through his innovation, creativity and his ability to build and construct. He built garages, outbuildings, numerous playhouses and portable fish houses.