Obituaries

Janice “Jan” Sellman, age 84, of Montevideo, Minnesota (formerly of Arlington, Minnesota) passed away peacefully and entered heaven on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at the Clara City Care Center. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Salem Lutheran Church in Montevideo with visitation from 9:30-11:00 AM. Interment will be at a later date in Slayton, Minnesota.

Raymond Priebe was born on August 28, 1936, in Slayton, Minnesota to Erick and Esther Lundblad Priebe. He grew up on the family farm north of Slayton and graduated from Slayton High School in 1954. On June 3, 1956, he and La-Vonne Hendrickson were married at the Slayton Lutheran Church in Slayton. Following their marriage, they made their home in Tacoma, WA while Ray served in the United States Army. Following his honorable discharge in March 1958 they returned to the family farm north of Slayton where they farmed and raised their three daughters. He and LaVonne enjoyed spending a week each summer with their family at various Minnesota the cabin’s fishing, playing cards and just enjoying time with family. Ray and LaVonne celebrated their farm becoming a Century Farm in 2015, something they were very proud of. In 2021 they moved to Sunrise Terrace in Slayton. In 2022 Ray moved to Westbrook Good Samaritan Society in Westbrook, MN. LaVonne passed away on April 23, 2024. Due to failing health Ray moved to Our House Hospice Home in Slayton in November 2024. He passed away there on Friday, February 28, 2025, at the age of 88. He was a member Trinity Lutheran Church in Slayton where he served on many of the church boards throughout the years. He served on the Mason Farm Bureau Board, Advisory Board for Farm Credit Services, Murray County Coop Oil and was supervisor for Mason Township for 27 years. He also was a member of the Mason 4-H Club. Ray enjoyed spending time with his family, farming, and giving international tractor rides to his grandkids. Survivors include two daughters, Deb Priebe of Norwood Young America, MN and Denise (Chad) Boock of Becker, MN, three grandchildren, Amanda (Matt) Mracek, Tyler (Bri) Boock, and Dylan Boock (Emily Wines), eight great-grandchildren, Evit, Elaina, Grant, Ethan, Elise, Derek, Reed and Melanie and one sister-in-law, Cheryl Krant of Hadley, MN. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, LaVonne, daughter, Doreen Priebe, 2 sisters, Josephine (Bud) Morin and Gordenna (Delbert) Ball in-laws, Carol (Gene) Grayson, Larry (Carolyn) Hendrickson and one brother-in-law, Tony Krant.

Funeral service for Betty Adrienne (Mumby) Towne, 89, of Garvin will take place on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at the Horvath Remebrance Center in Balaton beginning at 11:00 a.m. Public visitation will take place at the Remembrance Center Saturday morning beginning at 10:30 a.m. Burial will take place at Lakeside Cemetery in Balaton following the service.

WILLIAM “BILL” KARSSEN JR., age 82, of rural Chandler, died Friday, February 21, 2025, at Hospice of Murray County, in Slayton after a battle with cancer. He was born June 16, 1942, in Leeds Township, to William Sr. and Jeanetta (Eggink) Karssen. Bill graduated from the Chandler High School in 1960. He served his country in the Army Reserves as a quartermaster.

Bev Wassenaar was born on May 28, 1942, in Slayton, Minnesota to Earl and Maxine Smith Nyssen. She grew up in Slayton and graduated from Slayton High School in 1960. On November 26, 1960, she and Arden Wenzel were married at the Slayton Presbyterian Church. Following their marriage, they made their home in Slayton, Worthington and Fulda, MN. Bev worked at Michael’s Steak House in Worthington and later at Pals Café in Fulda. Bev and Arden divorced in 1984. On November 1, 1986, she and Gerrit “Sam” Wassenaar were married in Slayton. Following their marriage, they made their home in Slayton where Bev worked at the County Host and later as a cook at Prairie View in Slayton. Sam passed away on November 10, 2014. Bev retired in 2019 due to health reasons. Bev passed away on Monday, February 24, 2025, at her home with her family by her side at the age of 82. She was a member of the Slayton Presbyterian Church. Bev enjoyed spending time with her family, camping, crafting, sewing, and tending to her flowers.

John Alan Terry, 89, of Lindstrom, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on January 31, 2025. Born on June 12, 1935, in Slayton, Minnesota, John lived a life defined by devotion to his family, faith and community.

Rosemary C. Hoffman, age 97, of Wilmont, died Saturday, January 18, 2025, at the Sanford Luverne Medical Center. She was born December 1, 1927, in Wilmont Township, to Jake and Mary (Von Holtum) Fath. She attended St. Kilian School. Rosemary helped out at home, waitressed, and helped in different homes as a “hired girl” to help with the general housework until she was married.

Leisha Lavoie was born on September 2, 1960, in Murray County, Minnesota to Robert and Sharon Cox Lavoie. She grew up in the Slayton area and graduated from Slayton High School in 1979. Leisha made her home in Slayton where she raised her daughter, April. Leisha was a resident of South Shore Care Center in Worthington, MN for many years. She passed away at the Sanford Hospital in Worthington on February 14, 2025, at the age of 64. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Slayton. Leisha enjoyed coloring, playing games on her tablet, listening to music, and NASCAR racing.

The funeral service for Melvin Bowman, 47, of Marshall, will be at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at the Horvath Remembrance Center in Marshall. A livestream and recording of the service will be available at www.horvathfuneralservice. com. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. A private family interment will take place at a later date.

Marian Ouverson Mulder was born on May 5, 1923, to Sumner Low Clarke and Millie Bachman Clarke on a farm south of Westbrook, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents and 4 brothers, Lester, Kenneth (Thelma), Raymond, and Donald (Betty), Allen Ouverson (1st husband) and Ralph Mulder (2nd husband). Being the only girl, she climbed trees, hunted, ice skated, and played pranks with her brothers. She walked to a country school and later went to high school in Westbrook. She skipped 3rd grade, which she loved to tell us all. Because of that she was able to graduate early and attend college at Bethel in the cities to become a teacher at 19. At that time, she could get a 2-year lifetime teacher’s license. Years later she got her 4-year teaching degree at Mankato. Her first teaching job was in Waseca, MN. Her roommate and fellow teacher were dating someone who had a brother. This is when she met Carlos Allen Ouverson. He was a sailor from Fertile, Iowa and they would later marry on December 12,1943. Marian was a war bride. She took a train to Norfolk, Virginia. It was a typical love story of that time. She was told that if Allen didn’t come home in 3 days that meant he was shipped off to war and she should go back to Westbrook. Together they had 3 children, Jim Ouverson (Luverne), Judy Harms (Slayton), and Debbie Belmont (California). After farming in Fertile after the war, they moved to a farm near Hadley, MN and farmed until Allen passed. Marian taught country school near Hadley (Leeds Township), then taught in Hadley, and finished her teaching career in Slayton till she retired in 1988. She was known for dressing up every day with heels and jewelry. Her handwriting was impeccable, and she taught hundreds of kids cursive writing. She was honored to be named Teacher of the Year and later Retired Teacher of the Year. She was a dedicated teacher. Her first husband passed in 1991. She had a house built in Slayton and moved into town. She met a nice gentleman form Colorado, Ralph Mulder. They were married in 1996 and had almost 10 years together. He passed in 2006. Marian was able to live in her home until she was 95. She then moved to Maple Lawn in Fulda. Some of Marian’s favorite things were, sewing dresses for her girls, baking apple pie, bread, and desserts. Hospitality was her gift. She loved making meals for missionaries, church friends, and family. She loved her family, church friends, Bible study friends, fellow teachers, and her dogs. It was her prayer that all her kids, grandkids, and great, grands would know and love Jesus. She was a remarkable daughter, sister, wife, mom, grandma, great grandma, and great, great grandma who was loved and respected by all. She accepted Jesus as her Savior as a child and is now with her heavenly Father.