Obituaries

Joanne Lorraine Carter was born on June 26, 1939, in Tracy, Minnesota, to John Louis and Ruth Johnson Prouty. She grew up on the family farm north of Tracy and graduated from Tracy High School in 1957. Joanne continued her education at Bethany College in Mankato, Minnesota.

Kathy Lynn (Terhark) Mitchell was born on October 30, 1958, in Ft. Knox, Kentucky, to Arnold and June (Wendorf) Terhark. Kathy grew up in Balaton and graduated from Balaton High School. She attended Vo-Tech in Willmar to be a medical transcriptionist. She worked for a time in St. Louis Park before moving to Marshall and beginning a long career at ACMC. On August 6, 1983, she was united in marriage to Dennis Mitchell in Balaton. The couple raised their son, Nick, on the family farm near Garvin. Kathy later worked as a nurse scheduler for Avera before retiring in 2020.

Marion Carlson was born on October 14, 1938, on the family farm near Lake Wilson, Minnesota to Louis and Elsie Heimsness Ostergaard. She grew up on the family farm and graduated from Lake Wilson High School. Marion then attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD. On October 19, 1958, she and Fredrick “Fritz” Carlson were married at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lake Wilson. Following their marriage, they made their home on the Carlson family farm and raised their two children. In 1997 they retired and moved to Lake Wilson. In 2018 they moved to Ridge View Estates in Pipestone, MN. Fritz passed away on January 6, 2024. Marion moved to the Pipestone County Hospice Home on Thursday, November 21, 2024. She passed away there on Friday, November 22, 2024, at the age of 86. She was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church where she served as organist for many years, sang in the choir serving as director for a time, and was a past president and member of WELCA. Marion taught many area children piano lessons. She enjoyed spending time with her family, music and traveling.

John Meyer was born on December 26, 1930, on the family farm near Hollenberg, Kansas, to John and Salome Seitz Meyer. He grew up on the farm and graduated Valedictorian from Hollenberg High School. He then attended Jr. college in Fairbury, NE and later Central Business College in Kansas City, MO. Following school John returned to Kansas and taught school for a short time. On January 9, 1951, John enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Chandler, MN. One night at a dance he met his future wife, Darlene Lange. The two would be married on September 30, 1952, at Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton, MN. Following their marriage, they made their home in Biloxi, MS while John was stationed there for training. They later returned to Slayton where John fulfilled his military commitment at the Chandler Air Base. Following his discharge on January 8, 1955, John worked as a TV repair man for Sandbergs Appliances in Slayton. They later purchased a farm south of Slayton and farmed there until 2005 when they built a new home in Slayton. John and Darlene both enjoyed snowmobiling and were members of the Slayton Drift Breakers Club and spent many years as instructors for snowmobile safety. Darlene passed away on August 28, 2019. Due to failing health John moved to Our Hospice Home in Slayton on November 8, 2024. He passed away there on November 16, 2024, at the age of 93. He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church where he served on the church council and as President of Congregation. He was a member of the Slayton American Legion Post and served as chaplain, served on the Hadley Elevator Board and was a member of the National Farmers Organization. John enjoyed snowmobiling, fishing, hunting, racing cars and snowmobiles, welding sculptures, and tinkering around on all kinds of projects.

June Schreier was born on August 20, 1928, on the family farm south of Currie, Minnesota. She grew up on the farm and graduated from IHM High School in 1945. On June 6, 1949, she and Duane Schreier were married at IHM Church in Currie. Following their marriage, they farmed northeast of Currie for 7 years. They then moved to the Illg family farm south of Currie and raised their five children. Duane passed away on April 26, 2014. June remained on the farm until 2016 when she moved to Sunrise Terrace in Slayton, MN. June passed away with her family by her side at the Murray County Medical Center in Slayton on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at the age of 96. She was a member of IHM Church in Currie where she taught Faith Formation, served as song leader, and was in the CCW. She served as a 4-H adult leader and mentor for many youth in the Currie area during her younger years. June loved a good Pinochle game and was active in the Slayton and Fulda Pinochle Club. June enjoyed family time, reading, gardening, computer games, crosswords puzzles, golfing, jigsaw puzzles, bowling, and coffee with her many friends.

Mitchell was born on November 8, 1937, on the family farm near Lake Wilson, MN to Ralph John Runia and Tryntje (Kate) Runia. Mitchell attended school through the 8th grade. He enjoyed working on the farm equipment, cars and trucks but did not enjoy all the farming chores. He enlisted in the United States Navy and served his term. When returned from the navy, he stayed with his sister, Helen while he looked for work in Sioux Falls. He got a mechanic job. On July 10th, 1960, he married Phyllis Jean Tripp of Sioux Falls. (Louis married her sister Carol) Mitchell was then hired by All American Freight Lines which later was called Yellow Freight and worked as a diesel truck mechanic in the shop in Sioux Falls. They had two children Wade and Dawn. Mitchell spent many weekends at his home repairing cars and trucks for his friends and family. He also enjoyed helping his friend, Joe Doly builded race cars which they raced at Huset’s Speedway. In his free time, he was always inventing little gadgets to improve is gas mileage or make an existing item work better. He built a bike with a full-size seat on it and the pedals were out front so he could recline while bike riding. He liked playing ball in the yard, going fishing, riding his motorcycle and pheasant hunting from time to time. He was a Christian man who worked and volunteered many hours at Lynwood Wesleyan Church in Sioux Falls. In October of 1984 Mike, Phyllis and Wade moved to Aurora, CO. Mike took a transfer to the Big Yellow Freight shop there. He continued to work for Yellow Freight until his retirement at age 64. He loved Colorado for the mountains and for all the fishing and biking trails. When you visited Mitchell, tours of the garage and stories of the cars were sure to be part of it. He also collected toy Tonka Trucks, farm tractors, and Corvettes. Many matchbox cars and collector cars which he liked showing off to visitors as well. He Loved going to Grand Lake, CO. His cousin Jerry had an old cabin there on the hillside of the lake. Mitchell and his brothers, Wally, Dick and Bob spent a summer there and rebuilt the basement structure into a nice 2-bedroom cabin. Mitchell and Phyllis were Divorced after 38 years. Mitchell married Carolyn and spent his remaining years together with her. In April of 2023 Mitchell was admitted to a veteran’s senior home as his dementia was worsening. He was of good health but had a sudden unexpected turn that resulted his passing away on June 14, 2023, surrounded by his family at the age of 85.

Jack Sweely was born on June 29, 1949, in Slayton, Minnesota to James and Margaret Ahrens Sweely. He grew up in Slayton and graduated from Slayton High School in 1967. Jack then attended Pipestone Vo-Tech for Produce Merchandising. Over the years Jack made his home in Benson, MN, Mitchell, SD, Pierre, SD, Sioux City, IA, and Jackson, MN. Jack worked as a produce manager in various grocery stores. Following his retirement Jack returned to Slayton. In 2019 Jack moved to Lindenwood Assisted Living in Slayton, MN. In December 2022 Jack moved to Prairie View Health Care Center in Tracy, MN. He passed away there on November 4, 2024, at the age of 75. He was a member of St. Ann’s Church in Slayton. Jack was a big sports fan, he especially enjoyed watching the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins, and University of Minnesota Gopher Football. Jack enjoyed spending time with his family, bowling and watching pro wrestling.

David Paul Larson was born on November 29, 1961, in St. Paul, MN. He was welcomed with love into the home of Paul and Elna Larson along with their three daughters in October 1962. David grew up on the family farm west of Avoca. He was baptized and confirmed at Faith Lutheran Church in Avoca. He attended Slayton Public Schools, graduating in 1980. After high school David lived in Minneapolis, and for a short time in Texas. He held a wide variety of jobs in his work life. David enjoyed collecting science fiction books and other memorabilia, drafting building plans, caring for his pet cats, and sharing meals and games with family and friends. David died on November 6, 2024, at the J A Wedum hospice house where he was cared for in the last days of his life.

David “Mac” McDonald, age 87, of Canby, MN passed away on Monday, November 4, 2024 at the Pipestone County Hospice House in Pipestone, MN. Memorial service will be held at 2:00p.m. on Monday, November 11th at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Canby, MN. Visitation will be held from 3 to 5pm on Sunday, November 10th at the Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel in Canby with a prayer service at 5pm. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial with military honors will be at the Canby City Cemetery. Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel of Canby is entrusted with the arrangements.

Jean Carlson was born on October 14th, 1931 in Slayton, MN to Martin and Gladys (Thompson) Carlson. She was baptized, and confirmed her faith at Good Shephard Lutheran Church in Lake Wilson, MN. She attended a small country school near her home in Cameron Twp. and graduated with the Lake Wilson Class of 1949. She felt privileged to attend Waldorf College in Forest City, IA.