Obituaries

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.

Slayton and Fulda www.totzkefuneralhome.com Todd Hieronimus & Marquis Madison.

Brenda Louise “Weezie” Platt was born on June 19, 1952, in Slayton, Minnesota to Paul and Mary Ann “Babe” Schettler Platt. She grew up in Wilmont until 1955 when the family moved to Iona, MN. Brenda attended St. Columba Catholic School and graduated from Slayton High School in 1970.

Patrick Wilfred Dorn died on April 5, 2024 in Walnut Creek, California after a long illness. Pat was born on January 13, 1949 in Adrian, Minnesota as the first of five children of Wilfred Anton Dorn and Rita Mae (Shirley) Dorn. He lived on the Adrian family farm until his family moved to Slayton, Minnesota in the 1950s.

Sharon Lee (Nielsen) Bakken, age 80 of Westbrook, peacefully passed away Thursday, April 18, 2024 in Westbrook with family by her side. Sharon Lee (Nielsen) Bakken was born June 29, 1943 to Clarence and Ireta Grace (DeJaeger) Nielsen at home in the village of Revere. She was baptized and confirmed at the Revere Lutheran Church. Sharon attended school in Revere in her early years and graduated from Walnut Grove High School. On August 5, 1961, Sharon married John Bakken at St. Olaf Lutheran Church and they had three daughters. Sharon was active in her church where she was a deacon and youth group leader, taught Sunday school, led bible study, and served on many committees. She enjoyed Sunday dinners with family, bowling and reading. Sewing was her passion, and she had a talent for making a bride feel beautiful by making and altering wedding gowns and bridal wear for countless brides. She also shared her talents with the community through sewing for the Wilder Pageant, school theatre and other events. Sharon enjoyed being involved with Girl Scouts for over 25 years. As a result of all her time and support of Girl Scouts, she was awarded the Thanks Badge which is one of the highest awards given to adults in Girl Scouts to recognize outstanding service. She lived life to the fullest and her greatest joy was spending time with her children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.

DeLoss Merlin Pieske was born on May 30, 1932, on the family farm near New Ulm, Minnesota to Lawrence and Ethel Gode Pieske. In 1939 the family moved to a farm near Lamberton, MN. DeLoss attended country school until the 8th grade when he was needed on the family farm not only did, he work on the farm he also drove truck for a construction company. On June 26, 1953, he and Martha Duerksen were married at the Bethel Mennonite Church in Mountain Lake, MN. Following their marriage Martha fulfilled her teaching contract and they made their home near Cyrus, MN where DeLoss worked for his uncle on the farm and did construction work. DeLoss later received his GED this was something he was proud to have accomplish. He and Martha moved to a farm near Windom, MN until 1966 when they moved to farm near Lake Wilson, MN where DeLoss continued to farm and drive truck. DeLoss was a man of many talents having invented tools and being his own mechanic able to fix anything. He and Martha were member of the Peace Pipe RV Ramblers Club from Pipestone and enjoyed many camping and fishing trips with family and friends. Martha passed away on January 10, 2009. DeLoss remained on the farm until 2022 when he moved to Boulder Estates in Marshall, MN. Due to failing health DeLoss moved to Our House Hospice Home in Slayton, MN on April 11, 2024. He passed away there on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at the age of 91. He was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lake Wilson where he served as usher and on the church council. He also served on the Cameron Township Broad as a supervisor. DeLoss enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing, hunting, camping, gardening, and collecting Massey Ferguson tractors.