Obituaries

Duane Barry, 89, of Underwood, died Friday, November 1, 2024, at LB Broen Home in Fergus Falls. Duane G. Barry was born March 17, 1935 in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. He attended Country School in Underwood. On July 19, 1956 Duane married Helen Wicklund. After marriage, Duane and Helen moved to Lake Wilson where they raised their five children.

Norbert Schmitz was born on April 10, 1926, in Howard, South Dakota to Michael and Mary (Wagner) Schmitz. In 1933 the family moved to a farm near Avoca, MN where Norbert attended a country school. In 1948 the family moved to a farm south of Currie, MN where Norbert attended IHM Catholic School in Currie. On February 10, 1953, he and Leona “Pretty Onie” Rolfes were married at St. Joseph Catholic Church in LeMars, IA. On April 14, 1954, Norbert was drafted into the United States Army. Following his honorable discharge on March 28, 1956, he returned to Onie and they farmed south of Currie for the next 38 years. In 1970 they purchased the grain elevator in Currie and operated it as Schmitz Grain Company until 1991 when they retired. Shortly after their retirement, they moved into Currie. Onie passed away on April 24, 2000. On January 12, 2002, he and Mary Jean “Jeanie” Ludwig were married in Norwalk, IA. Following their marriage, they made their home on Lake Shetek and then in Worthington, MN. Jeanie passed away on December 19, 2022. After Jeanie’s death Norbert built a home in Slayton. Due to failing health Norbert moved to Our House Hospice Home in Slayton on October 22, 2024. He passed away there on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, surrounded by his family at the age of 98. He was a member of IHM Catholic Church in Currie. He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Norbert enjoyed farming, traveling, rolling dice, playing cards with his buddies, and checkers with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed spending their winters in Florida with his family.

Dale Swan was born on May 24, 1932, on the family farm near Balaton, Minnesota to Jubel and Elsie Rickgarn Swan. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Balaton High School in 1944. Dale then attended Dunwitty College of Technology in Minneapolis, MN graduating in 1948. On February 19, 1953, Dale enlisted in the United Sates Army. Following his honorable discharge on February 17, 1955, he returned to the family farm and farmed one year with his father. Dale then made his home in Arkansas and California. Dale spent his career working for Northrup and the United States Government in the defense department. He eventually moved to Sioux Falls, SD to be closer to family. It was in Sioux Falls that he met Lois Vanwyhelj and the two developed a great fondness for each other enjoying their many adventures over the last 14 years together. Dale passed away with his family by his side on Monday, October 28, 2024, at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls at the age of. 92. He was a past member of the United Methodist Church in Slayton, MN. Dale enjoyed dancing, crossword puzzles, traveling, going out with friends, movies, hunting, 4-wheeling in the desert, and spending time with his family and Lois’s family.

Jean (Hanson) Rice was born on November 6, 1954, in Slayton, Minnesota to Gordy and Judy (Hendrickson) Hanson. She grew up in Slayton and graduated from Slayton High School in 1973, a proud Wildcat. After high school, Jean attended Alexandria Area Vocational Technical School graduating in 1974 from the Legal Secretary Program. Following graduation Jean moved to Minneapolis, MN and worked as a secretary in the Loan Guaranty Division of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at Fort Snelling in St. Paul, MN. On June 18, 1976, she and John Rice were married in Minneapolis and made their home in St. Paul. In 1978, they returned to Slayton where Jean operated an in-home daycare until Amy, Melissa, and Andy were of school age, at which point Jean took a job as a secretary at People’s State Bank of Slayton. She continued working in the banking industry for 20 years, lastly at United Prairie Bank as an executive assistant to the bank president. John passed away on March 14, 2004. Jean later went to work at VIP Floral in Slayton until her retirement due to health reasons. Jean passed away at Our House Hospice Home in Slayton, with her family by her side, on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at the age of 69 after a 10-year battle with lung disease. She was a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Slayton. Jean enjoyed reading, gardening, crafting, painting, and spending time with family and friends. Jean was very proud of all seven of her grandkids and took every opportunity to make them feel special.

Catherine “Cathy” Bailey, age 80, of Apply Valley, Minnesota, passed away on October 16, 2024, at her home. Cathy was born on July 26, 1944, in Tracy, Minnesota to James and Rita (Ackerman) Malone.

Lloyd Leo Fuerstenberg, the son of Bernard and Theresa (Diekmann) Fuerstenberg, was born on November 27, 1929 in St. Killian, MN. He grew up near St. Killian and attended St. Kilian School. He was drafted into the Marine Corps in 1951 and served until his discharge in 1953. Lloyd was united in marriage to Clara Bertrand on August 25, 1953 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Wilmont, MN. After their marriage they lived in St. Kilian until 1956 when they moved to a farm outside of Wilmont. He was a self-made engineer without a degree in making something out of nothing. In 2010 they built their retirement home in Wilmont. They enjoyed wintering in southern Texas for 28 years. Lloyd passed away on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at the Sanford Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 94. He was a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Wilmont. Lloyd loved his faith. Lloyd loved farming, farm tools, antiques and antique tractors, especially Oliver equipment. He also enjoyed gardening on wheels, making game boards, ice fishing and spending time with his family.

Kathleen “Kathy” Lagge-Roemer, 81, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota passed away on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory in Sioux Falls. A Liturgical Wake Service and Holy Rosary will follow the visitation at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at St. Therese Catholic Church in Sioux Falls.

Fay Anderson was born on April 7, 1931, in Slayton, Minnesota to Hugo and Hattie Bohn Wiese. She grew up in Slayton and graduated from Slayton High School in 1949. Fay then attended Mankato Teachers College and graduated in 1951. On March 28, 1952, she and Kenneth “Ken” Anderson were married at the Baptist Parsonage in rural Slayton. Following their marriage, they lived and farmed in Mason Township until 1969 when they moved to a farm in Lake Sarah Township. Fay returned to Mankato State to obtain her four-year teaching degree. Over the years Fay taught elementary school in Avoca, Garvin, Currie, and Tracy. Many of Fay’s former students have fond memories of learning things like how to knit, play the piano and make Russian Tea. In 1989 they retired and moved to Slayton. Ken passed away on January 23, 2005. In 2014 Fay moved to Heritage Pointe in Marshall, MN and later moved to Sunrise Terrace in Slayton, MN and then to Boulder Estates in Marshall. In December 2023 she moved to Prairieview Senior Living in Tracy, MN. Due to failing health Fay moved to Our House Hospice Home in Slayton on October 1, 2024. She passed away there on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at the age of 93. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Slayton. Fay worked in the Murray County Fair Office for many years. She enjoyed reading, baking bread, shopping, and playing the organ.

Elsie Lindberg was born on February 16th, 1929, to Swedish immigrants Carl and Ellen Forsberg. She was born on a farm near Currie, Minnesota where she spent most of her life. The youngest of eight, Elsie was the baby of her family and close to her parents. She married Marvin Lindberg Sr. on December 7th, 1951, at the Currie Presbyterian Church. The two of them made a life together where they raised their five boys: Monty, Steve, Carl, Brad, and Grant. Elsie diligently spent her days tending to Lindberg Construction and her family. She devoted her time to her loved ones and never let anybody leave hungry. A woman of God, she never wavered away from, or doubted his word. Her home was a cozy environment filled with love and her presence made everyone at ease. Whether it was doing her hair, crawling in the chair with her, or helping her cook, it was always time well spent. Elsie lived an exemplary life, and we should all strive to walk in her light. Elsie was surrounded by her family at her time of passing on Thursday, October 3rd, 2024.

Bob Sorensen was born on February 6, 1949, in Tyler, Minnesota to Wayne and Lyla Myran Sorensen. He grew up in Minnesota and South Dakota until 1964 when the family moved to Aurora, CO where Bob graduated from Hinkley High School in 1967. On March 19, 1971, Bob enlisted in the United States Army and served in Vietnam as a paratrooper. Following his honorable discharge on May 22, 1974, he returned to Aurora and worked for the family roofing company. Bob eventually went to work for Crystal Red driving semi over the road. Over the years Bob made his home in Wyoming, Arkansas, South Dakota, and Minnesota. In 1992 he decided to call Lake Wilson, MN home. Bob worked for KAB trucking and Doeden farms near lake Wilson. Bob passed away on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at the Royal C. Johnson Veterans’ Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 75. He was a member of the Lake Wilson American Legion Post. Bob enjoyed fishing, hunting, nature, and driving.