Obituaries

Lois Marie Williams, née Everett, born May 3, 1931, died May 24, 2024. She was born in Chicago, IL and passed in Washington DC.

Sodona Mae (Nelson) Pearson, 88, of Shakopee passed away peacefully in her sleep June 12, 2024. Sodona was born September 30, 1935, in Ft. Worth, Texas to Horace and Anna Blanton. She attended high school in Ft. Worth, Texas graduating in 1953. In 1954, she married Albert Lewis Nelson Jr. (Lewis) from Hadley, MN. They made their home on the family farm near Hadley. Lewis passed away in 1977. In 1979, Sodona then married Glenn Walter Pearson of Slayton, MN. They first lived in Slayton, then moved to Chaska, MN, where Glenn was employed. They also made residence in Shakopee, New Prague and Jordan, MN. Glenn passed away in 2019. Sodona then resided at St Gertrudes assisted living and long-term care facilities in Shakopee, MN from 2019 at where she passed. Sodona, many times called a ‘SAINT’ to have raised 6 sons, enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing, and crocheting while managing her family on the family farm. She also enjoyed dancing, especially polkas and waltz. Sodona, was a cook at the Royal Supper Club in Slayton. When they moved to the metro area, Sodona took an A/R position with SPS Companies and then worked in the office at Precision Yard Services, a company owned by two of her sons, from which she retired. During her time at St. Gertrude’s she enjoyed playing bingo, conversing with other residents, watching old time westerns and gameshows on TV and most importantly, eating her SPAM with crackers and Butterfinger Bites!

Our dad, Dave Larson, a man of many talents, passed away on May 19th 2024 at the age of 81, from the effects of a debilitating stroke. Dave was born on October 16, 1942 in Worthington, MN to Ted and Marie Larson. He was the 4th child in a family of 13 kids. His life of hard work began early: he started driving the tractor on the family farm when he was 5 years old. He attended Catholic School in Wilmont, MN until his family moved to the farm near Tracy, MN in 1951. He attended country school until 6th grade. He graduated in 1961 from Tracy High School, where he was the FFA King during his senior year. After graduation he moved to Minneapolis and worked at a Gambles store and enlisted in the National Guard.

Gary Woitaszewski was born on September 18, 1951, to Dennis and Cornelia “Cornie” Van Den Brink Woitaszewski. He grew up in Slayton and graduated from Slayton High School in 1971. He went on to attended Pipestone Vo-Tech in Pipestone, MN. In 1972 he and Sharon Wulf were married in Pipestone, MN. Following their marriage, they made their home in Slayton and in 1988 they adopted their son, Daniel Jay “DJ” at the age of 3 months. Gary held various jobs over his lifetime. He worked at Champion Homes, Broadway Bowl, and Culligan all in Slayton. He also worked at Bayliner in Pipestone, MN, Highland Manufacturing in Worthington, MN, and Minnesota Soybean Plant in Brewster, MN. He and Sharon later divorced. In 2020 due to health reason Gary moved to the Heritage Pointe Assisted Living in Marshall, MN. He passed away there on July 17, 2024, at the age of 72. He was a member of the Slayton Presbyterian Church in Slayton where he and Sharon served as custodians for many years. In his younger days, Gary was active in summer softball, golf, and bowling.

Leah Carlson was born on April 30, 1982, in Slayton, Minnesota to Thomas “Tom” and Clarice Rongstad Kappes. She grew up in Slayton and graduated from Murray County Central School in 2000. She then went on to attend Worthington Community College. In 1997 she met Dustin Carlson and on April 8, 2005, the two were married in Cozumel, Mexico. Following their marriage, they made their home in Slayton and started a family that consists of Jaida, Demi, and Mack. Leah worked at Prairie View, the DAC, Heartland Eyecare and most recently at MCC school in the kitchen and as a Para. Leah passed away unexpectedly at the Murray County Medical Center in Slayton on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at the age of 42. She was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton where she was Baptized and Confirmed. Leah enjoyed family time, watching her kids sports and activities, asparagus hunting, exercising, vacationing in Vegas, and music especially Elton John.

RoseMary Schweigert, the daughter of John and Mary (Hromatka) Maciolek, was born on September 17, 1931 on a farm north of Slayton, MN. At a young age they moved to a farm west of Fulda, MN and she attended Country School District 143 in Bondin Twp. and graduated from the Fulda High School in 1949. She then attended the Mankato Beauty School for one year and returned to Fulda. RoseMary was united in marriage to John “Jack” Holinka on June 18, 1951 at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in Fulda. After their marriage they lived on the Holinka family farm where they raised their 5 children. She remained on the farm after Jack died in 1979. RoseMary married Edward Schweigert on July 2, 1983. In 1989 they moved into Fulda. Edward passed away in 2007 and in 2012 she moved into the Maple Lawn Campus in Fulda. RoseMary passed away on Monday, July 15, 2024 at the Maple Lawn Nursing Home in Fulda at the age of 92. She was a member of St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church where she served with the Ladies Aid and the rosary club. RoseMary was active with Murray County 4-H, the Fulda VFW and American Legion Auxiliary, Fulda Tops and the Heritage Society, she enjoyed gardening, neighborhood gatherings and thoroughly enjoyed the Holinka Century Farm celebration in 1989.

Voyl Beers, a Navy veteran and beloved husband, father, and grandfather, left his earthly body the evening of July 5, 2024 from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. Voyl Eugene was born to Wayne and Velna Beers on December 6, 1949.

Opal Soderholm was born on February 13, 1924, on a farm near Walnut Grove, Minnesota to Gilbert and Anna Larson Syverson. She grew up on the family farm and graduated from Walnut Grove High School. Following high school Opal attended Mankato State where she received her teaching certificate. Opal taught in Morton, Lamberton and Fulda, MN before her marriage on June 24, 1953, to Leland “Lee” Soderholm. Following their marriage at the Tracy Lutheran Church in Tracy, MN they farmed near Reading, MN until 1961 when they moved to farm north of Slayton, MN. In 1963 they moved to Slayton. Opal worked at Wonder World, the Slayton Manor, Shetek State Park and West Elementary. Lee passed away on June 7, 2008. In 2009 Opal moved to Westside Apartment in Slayton and in 2023 she moved to Westbrook Good Samaritan Society in Westbrook, MN. Opal passed away on Monday, July 8, 2024, at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls, SD, at the age of 100. She was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton where she taught Sunday School, played piano, served on the Church Library Board and was a Circle Chairman. Opal enjoyed reading, music, walking, nature, and bird watching.

Joyce Larson 96 of Edgerton, MN formerly of Slayton, MN passed away on Monday, July 1, 2024, at the Edgebrook Care Center in Edgerton, MN. Funeral services will be on Friday, July 5, 2024, at Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church on Friday. Interment is at Slayton Memorial Gardens in Slayton. Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangements. To view online obituary and send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com.

Joyce Larson 96 of Edgerton, MN formerly of Slayton, MN passed away on Monday, July 1, 2024, at the Edgebrook Care Center in Edgerton, MN. Funeral services will be on Friday, July 5, 2024, at Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church on Friday. Interment is at Slayton Memorial Gardens in Slayton. Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangements. To view online obituary and send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com.