Obituaries

James Allen Klasse was born April 25, 1939, in Slayton, MN. He was the second of three children born to Melvin and Alice (Nordstrom) Klasse.

Pat was born on March 16, 1935, on a farm near Currie, Minnesota to Leonard and Marie Sollinger Campbell. She grew up near Currie and attended Sunrise Country School. On September 5, 1953, she and Harry Atkins were married in Currie. Following their marriage, they made their home on a farm northwest of Slayton and raised their two children. Pat was an accomplished seamstress and upholsterer. She also worked for a time at Penny Frock in Slayton. In 1982 they moved to Lake Wilson, MN. Harry passed away on April 30, 2016. Pat remained in Lake Wilson following Harry’s death. Pat passed away on Monday, March 4, 2024, surrounded by her family at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 88. Pat enjoyed time spent with family, sewing, making baby quilts, visiting with people, and spending time at the Lake Wilson Boutique.

Lennis Miller, age 87, of Marshall, Minnesota, died peacefully with his family beside him on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at the age of 87 years, 5 months, and 9 days at the Select Specialty Hospital in the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Funeral Services are 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 11, 2024, at First Lutheran Church in Marshall, Minnesota. Following a reception at the church, interment will be in the Sillerud Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Balaton, Minnesota. Visitation will be held from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall. Visitation will continue one hour prior to his celebration, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 11, 2024, at the church.

Calvin (Cal) Carl Wurpts, 78, of Slayton, MN passed away unexpectedly on March 7th, 2024, after a brief illness. Cal was born March 13th, 1945, in Ellsworth, MN the son of Albert and Jennie (DeBoer) Wurpts. He was baptized and confirmed at Zion Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth, MN. Cal graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1963. He attended Mankato State College, earning his bachelor’s degree with majors in Science and History, with a minor in Mathematics. Cal married Kathleen “Kathy” Hegler on August 16th, 1969, in Sioux Falls, SD. Married 55 years this August, they shared a lifetime of love, friendship, and (mostly) laughter as they built a life and a family together. Cal dedicated his career to education. After teaching two years in Rock Rapids, IA, he moved to Slayton, MN in 1970. There, he dedicated 43 years teaching science, chemistry, and physics at Slayton High School and Murray County Central. He also taught college chemistry courses through Southwest Minnesota State University. While these are not typically funny subjects, Cal found a way to use science humor to help capture his student’s attention, even if he was only funny “periodically” (get it?). He helped students build confidence with difficult subjects. He built routines around his teaching, which his students looked forward to each year, including his annual “eat lots of turkey” Thanksgiving break homework assignment and his infamous “Chemis-tree” at Christmas time. He went to school early and always ended his days grading papers at the kitchen table. He retired from teaching in 2012. He was a gifted teacher and was recognized with many awards, including Slayton High School Teacher of the Year in 1987, Murray County Central Teacher of the year in 2003 and Retired Educator of the Year in 2015. He was inducted into the MCC Wall of Fame in 2018. He was a lifetime member of the National Education Association. Beyond his retirement, Cal continued to support MCC arts and athletics, attending countless sporting events, concerts, plays and any fundraiser that included a hamburger. Cal had a love for carpentry and spent summers building homes alongside other teachers. He built his own home in Slayton, perfecting it throughout the years with remodels and additions. He enjoyed woodworking, building furniture, cabinets, and special projects for his church. Cal also helped build his community. He believed to build a community to be proud of, you must participate. So, he did. He served as Mayor of Slayton from 1995-2007. One of his proudest accomplishments during his tenure was the completion of Slaytona Beach West. He was active in community organizations, serving as president of Slayton Kiwanis. He was a member and chair of the Economic Development Authority and a Southwest Regional Development Commissioner. He loved Slayton and was proud to call it home. Cal was an active member of Christ Lutheran Church. Throughout the years, he served as church president and treasurer. He participated in various committees and was active in bible study. He was instrumental in developing the faith chest ministry. Despite his many accomplishments in teaching and community, Cal’s proudest achievement were his children and grandchildren. He loved his grandchildren and attending all their activities. The time he spent with his grandchildren brought him so much joy. He simply loved being a grandpa.

Eunie Ramert was born on February 13, 1932, on the family farm near Dundee, Minnesota to Erick and Mayme Kuehl Carlson. She grew up on the farm and graduated from Fulda High School in 1949. On August 28, 1950, she and Keith Ramert were married at St. Mary’s Church in Dundee. Following their marriage, they farmed “The Evergreen Farm”, the land Keith grew up on and raised their five children. Eunie was Keith’s right-hand man on the farm. In 1991 they retired and moved to a home on Lake Shetek. They continued spending their winter months in the warmth of the south until 2019. Eunie was an excellent cook and often did the hosting for the extended family holidays. In 2019 they moved to White Bear Lake to be near their son, Mike. Keith passed away on August 15, 2020. Following Keith’s death Eunie moved in with Stuart and Mary until January 2021 when she moved to Boulder Creek Assisted Living in Marshall, MN. She passed away there on Friday, March 1, 2024, at the age of 92. She was a member of St. Ann’s Church in Slayton, MN. Eunie also was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America. She enjoyed cooking, bowling, fishing, her flower gardens and playing cards.

Arnold (Arnie) Stoel, age 90, of Brandon, South Dakota, formerly of Luverne, passed away on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at Parkview Manor Nursing Home in Ellsworth, Minnesota at the age of 90 years, 3 months, and 2 days.

Wallace “Wally” Lee Runia was born on February 29, 1928, on a farm south of Chandler, MN. He was the 5th of 12 children, born to Ralph and Tryntje “Kate” (Zeylemaker) Runia. Wally grew up on a farm near Lake Wilson, MN, attending country school through the 8 th grade. He then helped on the family farm until moving to southern California for a few years to work on a dairy farm with relatives. Upon moving back to MN, he met Evelyn DeKruif and they were united in marriage on December 7, 1951, at her parents’ farm near Chandler. After farming with his father for a year, Wally joined the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Colorado Springs, CO and Fort Knox, KY.

Gerald Holmes, age 55, of Russell, Minnesota, died peacefully and surrounded by family at his home on Sunday, February 18, 2024. Gerald Jay Holmes was born on June 6, 1968, in Slayton, Minnesota.

Paul Henry Beech was born on December 21, 1931, on his grandparent’s farm near Iona, Minnesota to George and Minnie Oldewurtel Beech. He grew up on a farm northeast of Slayton and graduated from Slayton High School in 1949. On April 24, 1951, He enlisted in the United States Navy and served on the USS Estes. On July 28, 1951, he and Norma Jean Bloom were married at St. Ann’s Church in Slayton. Following their marriage, Norma Jean made her home in Vallejo, CA while Paul served in the Navy. Following his honorable discharge, on March 23, 1955, they returned to the family farm near Slayton. Paul and his brother, Jerry farmed together until the untimely death of Jerry. Paul then farmed with his son, Mark until his retirement in 2011. In his younger days Paul was active with the Slayton Golden Gloves teaching many of the Slayton and surrounding area youth boxing. Norma Jean passed away on May 31, 2006. Paul passed away surrounded by his family on Monday, February 19, 2024, at the age of 92. He was a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Slayton and in the past served on the finance council. He also was a member of the American Legion, Knights of Columbus, and the Broken Arrow Archery Club being named State Barebow Champion in 1975 and 1976. Paul took great pride in being a member of the St. Labre Indian School Society helping to educate and transform lives. Paul enjoyed hunting, fishing, side-by-side riding with his dogs around the farm, archery, boxing, visiting with family and friends and his dogs. Paul taught his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to have a strong faith and to honor God and this was taught by example. He greatest joy came from his family and his love of God.

Dwight Koster was born on January 11, 1937, in Onawa, Iowa to August and Bertha Lang Koster. He grew up in Onawa and graduated from high school in 1955. Dwight served in the United States Air Force until his honorable discharge in 1962. On September 29, 1956, he and Mary Blackman were married in Onawa. Following their marriage, they made their home in Sioux City, IA for a short time before moving to Salix, IA for 8 years and then to Sergeant Bluffs for 4 years. While in Iowa Dwight worked construction. In 1975 they moved to Currie, MN where they owned and operated the Grocery Store until selling the business in 1978. Dwight then went to work for Schmitz Grain in Currie, working in the elevator office. He retired in 1999. Mary passed away on April 20, 2005. Dwight remained in Currie until 2013 when he returned to Onawa. In 2022 due to failing health and to be near family Dwight moved to Good Samaritan Society in Westbrook, MN. He passed away there on Monday, December 25, 2023, at the age of 86. Dwight was a member of the Currie American Legion Post. He enjoyed working, fishing, and riding his mower around Currie.