Obituaries

Lou Huerkamp was born on April 27, 1933, on a farm in Nobles County, Minnesota to Robert and Alma Brake Voss. She grew up on the family farm north of Wilmont, MN and graduated from Worthington High School in 1950. On September 18, 1950, she and Joseph “Jody” Huerkamp were married at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Wilmont. Following their marriage they farmed south of Iona, MN for a short time before moving to a farm near Garvin, MN for a year. They then moved to a farm north of Iona for 17 years later moving to the current farm south of Iona. Lou was an Avon Lady for 40 years serving as Assistant Manager of her district. Jody passed away on November 24, 2010. Lou remained on the farm until her death on Monday, September 2, 2024, at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 91. Lou was a member of St. Columba Church in Iona, MN. Lou enjoyed spending time with her family, bowling, casino bus trips, jewelry, and her love of flowers.

Vesta Marie Berglund was born in a rural farmhouse near Slayton, Minnesota the first of three children to Arthur and Melba Carney on December 18, 1935. Vesta grew up on her parents’ family farm north of Lake Wilson, Minnesota. She attended school in Lake Wilson and was baptized at Lake Wilson First Methodist Church. She married the love of her life, Theodore Alfred Berglund, on August 30, 1952. They lived on a farm south of Slayton that was their home until 1990 where they raised their five children. As a young mother, Vesta returned to school graduating from Slayton High School in 1969. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in high school education for physics, chemistry, and mathematics from Southwest State College in Marshall, Minnesota in 1974. She put her degree to work by being a teacher at Verdi, Minnesota, and other area high schools in the following decades including Westbrook and Chandler-Lake Wilson High Schools. In 1989 she earned her master’s degree in social work and counseling from North American Baptist Seminary. She utilized her newly acquired skills at Sunshine Bible Academy in Miller, South Dakota. From there she worked at a Nebraska Native American reservation; Swea City Iowa School; and Good Samaritan Society of Algona, Iowa where she retired from in 2007. Vesta was an EMT, a member of Daughters of the American Revolution, active in Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Algona Gideons Camp.

Dale Nelson was born on July 17, 1957, in Slayton, Minnesota to Jim and Ruth Sagmoen Nelson. He grew up on the family farm south of Garvin, MN and graduated from Slayton High School in 1976. Dale then attended Canby Vo-Tech for Welding. On June 16, 1979, he and Linda Finke were married at Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton. Following their marriage, they made their home in Slayton and raised their two children. Dale worked construction and then in the early 1990’s when he went to work for the Murray County Sheriff’s Office as a dispatcher. He later received his Peace Officer License changing from dispatch to deputy with the Murray County Sheriff’s Office. He also worked for the Slayton Police Department, and the Fulda Police Department. Dale retired in 2018. Although retired Dale kept busy working at Midwest Supply in Slayton, doing a variety of construction projects, and just tinkering in his garage. Dale and Linda celebrated their 45th Wedding Anniversary this past June. Dale passed away on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at Ava’s House with his family by his side at the age of 67. He was a lifetime member of Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton, MN. Dale served on the Slayton Fire Department for over 20 years. Dale enjoyed spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, and racing.

Dean Richard Larson, aged 71, passed away at his home on August 4th, 2024. He was the first-born child of Eleanor (Johanesen) & Harold Larson, and was welcomed into the world on August 23rd, 1952 in Slayton, Minnesota. In 1958, his sister Julie (Bonnstetter) was born and they all resided in Hadley, Minnesota. Dean was a member of the Slayton High School class of 1970. He later attended classes at Willmar Technical College for welding and machine work.

Bernice Schafer was born on September 8, 1928, on the family farm in Mason Township, Murray County, Minnesota to Herman and Caroline Reinholdt Johnson. She grew up on the family farm and attended County School District #2 and graduated from Slayton High School in 1947. After graduation Bernice worked for Audrey James the County Superintendent. On June 24, 1951, she and Harold Schafer were married in Mankato, MN. Following their marriage, they farmed north of Slayton and raised their three children. Bernice was a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker. She was a great seamstress and enjoyed sewing for her children and grandchildren. In 1994, they retired and moved to Slayton. Harold passed away on July 2, 2013. Bernice moved to Sunrise Terrace in Slayton in 2017 and enjoyed her friends and many laughs were shared while doing puzzles together. She then moved to Lindenwood Assisted Living in Slayton in July 2023. Bernice passed away on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at the age of 95 at the Edgebrook Care Center in Edgerton, MN. Bernice was a lifetime member of Lake Sarah Baptist Church in rural Slayton where she served as Sunday School teacher, Ladies Group Chairman, and on the Mission Committee. She was a member of the Mason Belles Extension, served on the Prairie View Board and was involved in Christian Women for many years. Bernice enjoyed sewing, cooking, baking, embroidering dish towels, bingo, and watching the Minnesota Twins and Timberwolves. Her greatest joy was being with her family and being a mom, grandma, and great grandma. She loved her extended family, and many reunions were planned by her. Survivors include her three children, Douglas Schafer of Worthington, MN, Shelley and Phil Sweetman of Slayton, MN, and Sue and John Peters of Sauk Centre, MN, six grandchildren, Shannon Sweetman (Jay Fourniea), Stacie (Nick) Obermoller, Jake (Makenzie) Sweetman, Joe (Chelsy) Peters, Maggie Peters (Dylan Bangert), and Shane Sweetman, 14 great-grandchildren, two sisters-in-law, Eileen Johnson of Marshall, MN and Shirley Johnson of Slayton, MN and many loved nieces and nephews and their families. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Harold, seven siblings, Violet Eichten, Virgil Johnson, Verna “Tricky” Joosten, Ray Johnson, Lloyd Johnson, Jesse Johnson, and Earl Johnson.

Robert “Bob” Howard Bunting, age 85 of Westbrook, passed away Sunday, August 4, 2024 at the Good Samaritan Society in Westbrook. Funeral Services were held on Friday, August 9, 2024 at Grace Lutheran Church in Westbrook. Burial is in Emmanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Rose Hill Township. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Grace Lutheran Church or Murray County Hospice. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice. com. Stephens Funeral Service – Westbrook Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Frank Bellcourt passed away on June 24, 2024, at the age of 87. He was born on September 24, 1936, in Renville, MN to Ray and Lavada (Paradee) Bellcourt. Frank was preceded in death by his parents and siblings. Frank joined the National Guard in 1953 and eventually moved to Slayton, MN where he met Patricia “Pat” Laible. Frank and Pat were married on June 22, 1958 and celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary this year. They had two children Tim (Jeannette) who reside in Illinois and Tom who preceded in death. The family lived in various parts of the United States where Frank continued his education while working and supporting his family. After receiving an Engineering degree, the family moved to Florida in 1963, settling in Titusville, where he worked for GE on the Saturn Rockets and Apollo Program at the Kennedy Space Center. When the space program was shut down, he was transferred to Illinois where Frank continued to work for GE in the Nuclear Energy Program until he retired in 1988. He and Pat moved back to Florida to run the family business until 2001 when they sold the business to enjoy their retirement which included playing tennis, biking, boating and scuba diving.

Richard Roy Pierson, age 78, of Niwot, Colorado, passed away in Brighton, Colorado on February 16, 2024. Richard was born in Minnesota on March 29, 1945 to Maxine and Roy F.

Dorothy A. (Fix) Otto was born on August 13, 1928, in Ashton, Iowa. At a young age Dorothy began working as a hospital caregiver in Sioux City, IA and met her husband to be Edmund Otto they married in 1950 and farmed near Cherokee, IA. In 1965 they moved to a farm near Hadley, MN. Following Edmund’s death in 1979 Dorothy moved to Slayton. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Slayton and served as custodian until December 2023. Dorothy passed away at her home in Slayton on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at the age of 95. Dorothy volunteered at the Murray County Food Shelf, Murray County Hospice Rummage Sale, and Slayton Senior Dinning. Dorothy was given the WCCO Radio Good Neighbor award in 2012. She enjoyed her pets, gardening, dancing to polka, old-time music and listing to the Minnesota Twins while baking.

Krista Rehnae Larson was born to Eldon and Sharyl (Reese) Larson on April 28, 1976 at the Slayton Hospital in Slayton, MN. She was baptized at the Avoca Lutheran Church. She gave her heart to the Lord at age 8, asking Jesus into her life. Krista attended Word of Faith in Avoca for many years, going to Sunday school and learning about her Savior. Krista went home to her Lord Thursday morning, July 25, 2024. Krista attended Slayton Elementary through the 2nd grade. The family moved to the Fulda school district, Krista entered 3rd grade at Fulda Elementary. While in 3rd grade she won the school spelling contest for 3rd grade, going on to compete at the county level. She continued her education through high school in Fulda, graduating in 1994. While in junior high and high school, Krista participated in choir, speech, band, track, basketball, she was a cheerleader for football and wrestling. Krista also enjoyed competition archery and fishing with her dad and brother, learned some trapping and her fur handling skills from her dad. As a teenager Krista enrolled in Firearms Safety training surpassing the boys in the class with her marksmanship. She competed in the Miss Fulda pageant as a senior in high school. Growing up she loved spending time with her aunt and uncle (Julie and Ed Kellen) and cousins on vacation trips and camping. As a child, Krista had difficulty learning to pronounce the “R” in words. While staying with her aunt and uncle, Ed worked with her to be able to say the “R” words correctly. After high school, Krista attended Riverland Technical College, transferring to Worthington Community College. She moved to Sioux Falls for work, entered Kilian College, was a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honorary Society, graduating with a degree in Associates of Science in Public Service. Later she attended Augustana College graduating with a B.S. in psychology. Krista worked at the Sanford Hospital as support staff in the nursery. She applied for and received the job as H.R. Director at Select Specialty Hospital. She worked for POET for a short time, tended bar at various places before starting her own business “Re-Invented Relics”. She refinished furniture, crafted new items from all sorts of leftover “relics” to make and sell beautiful home décor. Through this business Krista contracted to remodel homes. She loved gardening, especially flowers, she built several raised vegetable gardens. Krista met John McNeil, her life partner. Together they enjoyed riding their Harley Davidson motorcycles. They made several trips to the Sturgis Rally over the years. She was involved in the Children’s INN organization in the Sioux Falls area, giving time and talent to this project. She was adamant about “Paying it Forward” and always doing something for someone. Most of all she loved John, her family and friends. We will all miss you Girlie-girl.