Obituaries

Mass of Christian Burial for Reverend Michael D. Schmitz, Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Omaha, age 79, of Yankton, South Dakota was 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Crofton, Nebraska.

Kathryn St. Pierre, age 93, of Cottonwood and formerly of Currie, Minnesota, died under the care of Prairie Home Hospice on Monday, August 11, 2025, at Fieldcrest Assisted Living in Cottonwood. Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 20, 2025, at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Currie, Minnesota. Interment will follow in the Calvary Cemetery, located behind the church. Visitation and will be held one hour prior to her celebration of life, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 20, also at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Prairie Home Hospice in Marshall (507-337-0080 or https:// prairiehomehospice.org/onlinedonation).

John W. McClure was born on July 23, 1943, in Green Bay WI., to Norman and Anna Turan McClure. Jack, as he was known to family and friends, was the 13th of 15 siblings. Jack attended school in Green Bay and graduated from Premontre High in 1962. After graduation he attended the University of Wisconsin before enlisting in the Air Force (AF). His first assignment after AF basic training was Havre, MT and he was subsequently assigned to Chandler Air Force Base where he met his future wife, Sharon Leas. They were married on November 19, 1966, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Avoca. After the assignment at Chandler AFB, Jack moved his wife and young son John to Val d’or, Quebec Canada where he was an Air Force Liaison to the Canadian military. They welcomed their second son, Gary in 1971. His Air Force career spanned over 24 years with a number of career assignments; which included being stationed in Canada, North Dakota, Thailand, California and Nebraska. Early in his career he was a military police officer and then he became a AF Training instructor. His final position was an Air Force courier at Offutt AFB in Nebraska until his retirement from the Air Force in February 1988. While stationed at Offutt he completed his college education with a degree in Business Administration and Psychology. During is his 24½ years in the Air Force Jack was successful at his military positions while raising a family and making lifelong friends. Three of these friends call him their brother, Don Cain, Bob Mc-Collough and Roy Shackelford travel became more difficult later in Jack’s life, long and much anticipated phone conversations with dear friends followed. Once their sons were in college Jack agreed to move to southwest Minnesota with the stipulation that he and Sharon live on a lake. They purchased a home on Lake Sarah in 1996 where he enjoyed fishing, boating and landscaping everything in sight. He also worked parttime at Page One Printing and later with senior transportation of Murray County before finally retiring and enjoying time with family in Green Bay and winters in Arizona with his son John and daughter-in-law Elena. Over the course of the last few years Jack was a true fighter and always stayed positive even as he dealt with numerous health challenges. As his health declined Jack enjoyed spending time with family, watching movies, Golf or anything sports related. His two favorite teams were the Green Bay Packers and Nebraska Cornhuskers. The worst day was anytime he knew either team was playing, and he could not receive them on a local channel. On August 22nd he was airlifted to Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD and passed away there on Sunday, August 24th surrounded by family. Jack was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church where he served as Eucharist minister and usher; member of the Knights of Columbus where he had served as Grand Knight and was also a member of the American Legion where he was Commander of Erwin March Post 64 in Slayton in the early nineties.

Melinda is survived by her daughters, Aaliyah and Kaylan Strode; her partner Ivor Hansen; her beloved dog, “ Shadow”; Parents, Dawn Green (Daryle) and Dave Einck; her sister, Stacy Einck-Paul (Christopher); her nieces, Madison and Aubrey Einck; two stepbrothers and two stepsisters as well as their families. Celebration of her life will be held as an open house on Saturday, September 27,2025 in Worthington, Minnesota at 1525 BioScience Drive from 2pm-4pm. All are welcome. Flowers and cards can be sent to Cambridge Technologies c/o Stacy Einck-Paul, 1525 BioScience Drive, Worthington, MN 56187.

A funeral mass for Joan Nowak, 85, of Welcome, MN, was held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Fairmont. A private family burial will be held at a later date in Holy Family Catholic Cemetery in East Chain, MN. Visitation was 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday, September 15, 2025, at the Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont and one hour prior to the time of service at the church. Joan passed away Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at Temperance Lake Ridge in Sherburn, MN. The Lakeview Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Fairmont is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Doug Anderson was born on July 13, 1937, in Tracy, Minnesota Ted and Emma Demuth Anderson. He grew up in Tracy and graduated from Tracy High School in 1956. On December 3, 1956, Doug enlisted in the United States Army. Following his honorable discharge on December 3, 1958, he returned to Tracy. On June 15, 1963, and Janet Pacholl were married at St. Ann’s Church in Slayton, MN. Following their marriage, they made their home in Slayton where Doug worked at the Slayton Bakery. Eventually Doug and Janet purchased the Slayton Bakery and owned and operated it until 1996. Due to failing health Doug moved to Sunset Hospice Cottage in Worthington in February 2025. He passed away there on August 31, 2025, at the age of 88. He was a member of St. Ann’s Church in Slayton. He also was a member of Ducks Unlimited serving as President and Pheasant’s Forever. Doug enjoyed waterfowl hunting, waterfowl habitat development and golfing.

DOUGLAS ANDERSON Douglas “Doug” Anderson 88 of Slayton, MN passed away on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at the Sunset Hospice Cottage in Worthington, MN. Memorial services will be on Monday, September 8, 2025, at 10:30 a.m.

Virgil Halbur was born on December 28, 1929, on the family farm near Iona, Minnesota to William and Mary Testroet Halbur. He grew up there and attended St. Columba School in Iona. Following school Virgil worked on the family farm until he was drafted into the United States Army in September 1951. Virgil was stationed in Germany until his honorable discharge in September 1953, he then returned to Iona. That same year on November 16, 1953, he and Lucille Olthoff were married at St. Leo’s Church in Pipestone, MN. In the spring of 1954, they started farming on a farm near Hadley, MN where they raised their five children, Gail, Cheryl, Douglas, Debra, and Gregg. Virgil retired in 1992 but they remained on the farm where Virgil assisted his two sons, Doug and Gregg, with their farming operations. In 1996 they built a new home in Slayton, although Virgil continued his trips out to the farm throughout his later years to help the boys and feed his beloved barn cats. On August 26, 2025, Virgil was admitted to the Murray County Medical Center under hospice care. He passed away there on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at the age of 95. He was a member of St. Ann’s Church in Slayton serving on the finance council and as an usher. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, also the Slayton VFW Post 6322 where he served as commander for over 29 years. Virgil served on the Hadley Elevator Board for 15 years, the Cattleman’s Association for 30 years and the Advisory Board of the Farm Credit System. Virgil enjoyed helping his sons on the farm, spending time with family and friends, playing cards, traveling, and the occasional casino trip. Virgil took great pride in watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow and they became the light of his life in his later years.

The funeral service commemorating the life of Raymond Jay “Ray” Kirk, 90, of Balaton, MN, will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Balaton. Visitation will be Tuesday, September 2, 2025, 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the Horvath Remembrance Center in Balaton with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. A visitation will continue on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church. Interment with military honors will follow the service at the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery. A luncheon will follow the interment at the Balaton Community Center.

Rory Lee Lolkus, 59, formerly of Chandler and Pipestone, Minnesota, passed away on August 20, 2025, at his assisted living home in St. Cloud. Born in Adrian, on November 12, 1965, to “Casey” Cornelius and “Sis” Cecelia (Balstad) Lolkus, Rory was a 1984 graduate of Slayton High School.