Obituaries

Until we meet again We think about you always, We talk about you still. You have never been forgotten, And you never will.

Rhonda Hellenga passed away peacefully in her home in Spring Lake, Michigan, on Thursday, September 12, 2024, after a long battle with Posterior Cortical Atrophy. She was 60 years old.

DONNA SCHOLTES, age 90, of Wilmont, died Monday, September 16, 2024, at the Sanford Luverne Medical Center. She was born February 4, 1934, in Osceola County, IA, to Paul and Elsie (Koenen) Zierke. She graduated from Worthington High School.

MARIE ELIZABETH VORTHERMS, age 97, of Wilmont, died Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at the Ecumen Meadows in Worthington. She was born December 14, 1926, on the family farm east of Wilmont, to Frank and Anna (Lenz) Balster. She graduated from Worthington High School in 1943 at the age of seventeen. After high school, Marie worked at Huisenga Grocery in Wilmont.

Jordis Ione (Julien) Jans, age 89 of Westbrook, passed away Saturday, August 31, 2024 at the Westbrook Good Samaritan Care Center. Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Westbrook. Visitation will be 9:00-11:00 a.m. Tuesday at the church. A private family burial will be in the Westbrook Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice. com. Stephens Funeral Service - Westbrook Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

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.