Obituaries

Robert “Bob” Howard Bunting, age 85 of Westbrook, passed away Sunday, August 4, 2024 at the Good Samaritan Society in Westbrook. Funeral Services were held on Friday, August 9, 2024 at Grace Lutheran Church in Westbrook. Burial is in Emmanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Rose Hill Township. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Grace Lutheran Church or Murray County Hospice. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice. com. Stephens Funeral Service – Westbrook Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Frank Bellcourt passed away on June 24, 2024, at the age of 87. He was born on September 24, 1936, in Renville, MN to Ray and Lavada (Paradee) Bellcourt. Frank was preceded in death by his parents and siblings. Frank joined the National Guard in 1953 and eventually moved to Slayton, MN where he met Patricia “Pat” Laible. Frank and Pat were married on June 22, 1958 and celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary this year. They had two children Tim (Jeannette) who reside in Illinois and Tom who preceded in death. The family lived in various parts of the United States where Frank continued his education while working and supporting his family. After receiving an Engineering degree, the family moved to Florida in 1963, settling in Titusville, where he worked for GE on the Saturn Rockets and Apollo Program at the Kennedy Space Center. When the space program was shut down, he was transferred to Illinois where Frank continued to work for GE in the Nuclear Energy Program until he retired in 1988. He and Pat moved back to Florida to run the family business until 2001 when they sold the business to enjoy their retirement which included playing tennis, biking, boating and scuba diving.

Richard Roy Pierson, age 78, of Niwot, Colorado, passed away in Brighton, Colorado on February 16, 2024. Richard was born in Minnesota on March 29, 1945 to Maxine and Roy F.

Dorothy A. (Fix) Otto was born on August 13, 1928, in Ashton, Iowa. At a young age Dorothy began working as a hospital caregiver in Sioux City, IA and met her husband to be Edmund Otto they married in 1950 and farmed near Cherokee, IA. In 1965 they moved to a farm near Hadley, MN. Following Edmund’s death in 1979 Dorothy moved to Slayton. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Slayton and served as custodian until December 2023. Dorothy passed away at her home in Slayton on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at the age of 95. Dorothy volunteered at the Murray County Food Shelf, Murray County Hospice Rummage Sale, and Slayton Senior Dinning. Dorothy was given the WCCO Radio Good Neighbor award in 2012. She enjoyed her pets, gardening, dancing to polka, old-time music and listing to the Minnesota Twins while baking.

Krista Rehnae Larson was born to Eldon and Sharyl (Reese) Larson on April 28, 1976 at the Slayton Hospital in Slayton, MN. She was baptized at the Avoca Lutheran Church. She gave her heart to the Lord at age 8, asking Jesus into her life. Krista attended Word of Faith in Avoca for many years, going to Sunday school and learning about her Savior. Krista went home to her Lord Thursday morning, July 25, 2024. Krista attended Slayton Elementary through the 2nd grade. The family moved to the Fulda school district, Krista entered 3rd grade at Fulda Elementary. While in 3rd grade she won the school spelling contest for 3rd grade, going on to compete at the county level. She continued her education through high school in Fulda, graduating in 1994. While in junior high and high school, Krista participated in choir, speech, band, track, basketball, she was a cheerleader for football and wrestling. Krista also enjoyed competition archery and fishing with her dad and brother, learned some trapping and her fur handling skills from her dad. As a teenager Krista enrolled in Firearms Safety training surpassing the boys in the class with her marksmanship. She competed in the Miss Fulda pageant as a senior in high school. Growing up she loved spending time with her aunt and uncle (Julie and Ed Kellen) and cousins on vacation trips and camping. As a child, Krista had difficulty learning to pronounce the “R” in words. While staying with her aunt and uncle, Ed worked with her to be able to say the “R” words correctly. After high school, Krista attended Riverland Technical College, transferring to Worthington Community College. She moved to Sioux Falls for work, entered Kilian College, was a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honorary Society, graduating with a degree in Associates of Science in Public Service. Later she attended Augustana College graduating with a B.S. in psychology. Krista worked at the Sanford Hospital as support staff in the nursery. She applied for and received the job as H.R. Director at Select Specialty Hospital. She worked for POET for a short time, tended bar at various places before starting her own business “Re-Invented Relics”. She refinished furniture, crafted new items from all sorts of leftover “relics” to make and sell beautiful home décor. Through this business Krista contracted to remodel homes. She loved gardening, especially flowers, she built several raised vegetable gardens. Krista met John McNeil, her life partner. Together they enjoyed riding their Harley Davidson motorcycles. They made several trips to the Sturgis Rally over the years. She was involved in the Children’s INN organization in the Sioux Falls area, giving time and talent to this project. She was adamant about “Paying it Forward” and always doing something for someone. Most of all she loved John, her family and friends. We will all miss you Girlie-girl.

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.