Obituaries

BRUCE A. LARSON of himself by being a tissue donation.

Karla Kepler was born on February 21, 1950, in Slayton, Minnesota to Adrian Sr. and Dolores Wagner Hebig. She grew up in Iona, MN, and graduated from Slayton High School in 1968. Following high school Karla attended Jackson Vo-Tech graduating with a Business Degree in 1970. On February 21, 1970, she and Curtis Kepler were married at St. Columba Church in Iona. Following their marriage, they made their home in Slayton. Over the years Karla worked at the Slayton Furniture Store and Slayton Floral. In 1997 she and Curt purchased the Slayton Bakery. This move was full circle for the Kepler’s as they had first met each other when they both worked at the bakery. When they first met, Karla couldn’t figure out what was wrong with the bread slicer that she was working on. There was this good-looking guy baking and she thought why not ask him. She asked for help only to find out that it wasn’t plugged in. They both say it was love at first sight and the rest was history. They owned and operated it until 2010 when they sold it to their daughter Kim and her husband, Troy. Karla remained working at the bakery until February 2024 when she was forced to retire due to health reasons. Karla passed away surrounded by her family at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls, SD on Sunday, May 19, 2024, at the age of 74. She was a member of St. Ann’s Church in Slayton where she taught release time and was in charge of making coleslaw for the fall dinners for many years. Family was everything to Karla. While her kids were growing up, Karla attended every sporting event, choir and band concerts and many other things that her kids were involved in. She continued the same with her grandkids. You could always find her in the stands at games or in the auditorium watching dance. There was nothing more important to her than her family. Karla continued to be close to her siblings and throughout her life, she spent many Sundays with them catching up and laughing. Karla loved life and lived it to the fullest. She was always there for anyone in need. She would go out of her way to help and to make sure that everyone was OK. Karla had many that considered her their second “mom”. She had a huge heart and shared that love with so many. To meet Karla, was to love her. She made friends everywhere she went, and she loved getting to know people’s stories. She also loved to laugh, and her quick wit had those around her smiling and looking forward to the next time that they would see her. Karla could be found on her many walks around town. She loved to stay active and didn’t slow down often. She was looking forward to retiring and getting to do many of things that she hadn’t been able to do yet. Karla had a green thumb and loved her plants and flowers. Karla enjoyed golfing, watching the MN Twins and other MN sports teams, reading, cake decorating, and visiting with her many friends. Karla was one of a kind and made her mark on this world. She won’t be forgotten. Survivors include her husband, Curt Kepler of Slayton, MN, three children and their spouses, Dawn Kepler of Lakeville, MN, Troy and Sarah Kepler of Marshall, MN, and Kim and Troy DeGreeff of Slayton, MN, four grandchildren, Emma and Carter Kepler, and Connor and Payton DeGreeff, five siblings, and their spouses, Renee Bjornebo of Marshall, MN, Denise Jeseritz of Cottonwood, MN, George and Lori Hebig, of Tracy, MN, Sheila and Steve Leary of Sioux Falls, SD, and Adrian Jr. and Niki Hebig of Apple Valley, MN and several nieces and nephews and their families. She is preceded in death by her parents, and one brother-in-law, Jerry Bjornebo. Funeral services were held at St. Ann’s Church in Slayton, MN on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. with Fr. Peter Schuster officiatng. The organist was Sharon Lais. The song leader was Sheila Crowley. The pallbearers were Carter Kepler, Emma Kepler Connor DeGreeff, Drew Hebig, Elizabeth Hebig and Kristin Johnson. Interment is at St. Ann’s Cemetery in Slayton, MN. Visitation was on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at St. Ann’s Church in Slayton from 4-6 p.m. also one hour prior to the services at the church on Thursday. To view online obituary and send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com.

Dale Charles Buse passed away peacefully in Edgerton, Minnesota on May 17, 2024. He was 87 years old. Dale was born October 13, 1936 to Lloyd and Leona Buse in Balaton, Minnesota. He served in the US Army and married Sandra Nett on September 26, 1959. They had three children. Sandra predeceased Dale on October 4, 1981. Years later he married Suzie Young, and they enjoyed a wonderful life together until her death, October 16, 2020. Dale was an accomplished finish contractor, but it was his music that was the passion of his life. He formed a small band while attending Lake Wilson High School and played at many local events, often at the Hatfield dances. He was a gifted musician playing many instruments, but the piano was his love. He enjoyed sharing his musical talent with family and friends and we will miss his fingers flying over the keys!

Doris Mae Monson was born May 2nd, 1938 to parents Andrew and Bertha Hanson at Montevideo, Minn. Doris Monson was baptized on October 5th, 1938 and confirmed on April 6th, 1952.

Dale Robert Lange passed away unexpectedly on Friday, May 10th, 2024, at the age of 92 at the Murray County Medical Center. He was born in Ruthton, MN, to Henry and Verna (Lundeen) Lange. Dale grew up at various farm locations in the Avoca, Slayton area, graduating from Slayton High School in 1949. After high school, he farmed with his family until he joined the Navy in 1951. Serving on the USS Kermit Roosevelt during the Korean Conflict, mostly stationed in Japan, he returned home in 1955 to resume farming with his family. In 1957, Dale began working for Lindberg Construction, where he dedicated himself until retiring from carpentry in 1995. One of his proudest projects was the building of Christ Lutheran Church, where he served as custodian until his retirement in 2020, a building he truly loved. On October 28th, 1961, Dale married Judy (Steinhoff) Lange at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Dovray, MN, and together, they raised two sons, Tim and Tom. Raising his boys with Judy brought him immense joy as he watched them grow and find their passions. Dale had various hobbies and interests, including watching the MN Twins, the MN Vikings, NASCAR Racing, snowmobiling, reading avidly (including The Star Tribune daily), carpentry work, playing his Nintendo DS, and spending time with family and friends, especially his Tuesday Night Dinner Crew. But above all, he cherished spending time with his two granddaughters, Kate and Emily, particularly enjoying watching them play volleyball.

James Allen Reese was born in Pipestone, Minnesota to Victor and Ole Reese on February 2, 1944 during a snow storm, rushed to highway 30 to meet the ambulance on a cutter. Jim was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Woodstock, Minnesota. Jim grew up on the family farm northeast of Woodstock, Minnesota helping raise a variety of livestock, dairy cows, and grain. Jim finished school at Lake Wilson, Minnesota in 1962. While attending school, Jim enjoyed playing football and coaching basketball to young children in the community. Jim met the love of his life Marcy (Dressen) Reese at Lange’s Café in Pipestone, Minnesota and later married her at First Presbyterian Church in Pipestone, Minnesota on February 5, 1966. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Todd, Scott, and Stacy. Together they moved to a farmstead for one year northwest of Lake Wilson, Minnesota before moving into Lake Wilson. Jim worked for two years for Barry Construction before returning to farming in 1972.

Nan Johnson was born on April 23, 1928, in Graham Lakes Township, Nobles County, Minnesota to Theodore and Della Jones Chepa. She grew up on the family farm and attended Country School Denton District #31. On May 14, 1947, she and Lloyd Curtis “Tootie” Johnson were married at the Lutheran Church in Avoca, MN. Following their marriage, they farmed near Dundee, MN and raised their six children. Nan was Tootie’s right-hand woman on the farm. In 1974 they purchased the Korner Tap in Dundee while continuing to farm. In 1975 they moved to Dundee and built a new home. In the early 1980’s they sold the Tap. Tootie passed away on January 19, 1988.

LaVonne Elvera Priebe was born on August 31, 1936, on a farm near Slayton, Minnesota to Harold and Ruth Amundson Hendrickson. She grew up on the farm and graduated from Slayton High School in 1954. On June 3, 1956, she and Raymond Priebe were married at the Slayton Lutheran Church in Slayton. Following their marriage, they made their home in Tacoma, WA. In 1958 they returned to the family farm north of Slayton and raised their three daughters. Lavonne worked as a bookkeeper for Interstate Power in Fulda, and later worked at Chrisse’s Apparel, Bennetts Carpet Shop and Linda’s Craftland and Jewelry all in Slayton. LaVonne and Ray celebrated their farm becoming a century farm in 2015, something they were very proud of. In 2021 they moved to Sunrise Terrace in Slayton. During the last few years Lavonne looked forward to receiving video calls with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She played checkers on her GrandPad with a few of her great grandchildren, and sometimes the great grandchildren won. She didn’t mind as she loved spending time with them. In March 2024 due to failing health LaVonne moved to Our House Hospice Home in Slayton. She passed away there on April 23, 2024, at the age of 87. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Slayton where she was active in the Brookside Circle and Bible study. LaVonne also served on the Advisory Board for Farm Credit Services and the Murray County Co-op Oil and was a member of the Mason 4-H Club. LaVonne enjoyed spending time with her family crocheting, sewing, reading, traveling, and playing cards especially Phase 10, Hand and Foot and 500.

Todd Michael Wells, age 59, of Springfield, MN passed away at his home on April 28th, 2024. Todd Michael was born on July 24, 1964 to James and Dorothy (Goltz) Wells at Springfield Hospital. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Raphael’s Catholic Church. He attended Springfield Public School and grew up helping with the family business, Wells Tiling. While wheeling his 1967 midnight blue Mercury Cougar around town his junior year, he caught the eye of the love of his life, Joy Lindeman. He graduated from high school in 1983 and then attended Alexandria Technical College and obtained a degree in Small Engine and Marine Mechanics in 1985. Todd landed a job at Prior Lake Marine which brought him (and Joy) to the Cities. He married his high school sweetheart in 1989 and moved to Lakeville. They welcomed a daughter, Amanda, and son, Zachary before moving back down to Springfield to help on the Lindeman family farm in 1996. Soon after, a daughter, Kylee, joined the family and in 2006, their family was complete when daughter, Erika, was born.

George Hemmingsen was born on November 16, 1951, in Springfield, Minnesota to Willard and Genevieve Ramsbacher Hemmingsen. The family moved around from Springfield to New Auburn, and later Gaylord. George attended Gaylord Elementary; leaving Gaylord High School (later receiving his GED) at 17 years old to join the Army. He served in Vietnam from August 1970 to August 1971. George later joined the Army National Guard honorably separating in 1980. He was very proud of his military service. On May 24, 1975, he and Robin Scott were married at St. Gabriel’s Church in Fulda, MN. Following their marriage, the couple made their home in Fulda until 1978 when they moved to Slayton where they raised their two children. George worked construction, carpentry, and did cement work his entire career. There was no problem he couldn’t fix, had a plan to fix, or knew someone who could fix it. He was always willing to lend a hand to friends and family alike. George and Robin relocated to Olivia, MN in 2021. Robin passed away in December 2023. Due to failing health, George was admitted to the Olivia Hospital in April 2024 then to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN where he passed away on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at the age of 72. He was a former member of Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton. George enjoyed camping, antiquing, coin collecting, and learning about military history. Most of all he loved spending time with his kids and grandkids.