Obituaries

Pat Gervais was born on March 31, 1946, in Tracy, Minnesota the second oldest of ten children born to Vincent Joseph and Jeanne Lorraine (Meier) Gervais. She graduated from Immaculate Heart of Mary High School in 1964 and furthered her education at Rochester State Junior College- currently known as Rochester Technical Community College. Pat worked for the Rochester public school system for over 27 years starting out as the switchboard operator. She held various other positions in the accounting office, library, and mailroom. During her retirement, Pat spent many hours volunteering. She served as a hospice volunteer for five years and a Mayo Clinic volunteer for fifteen years. She especially enjoyed sharing the history of Mayo Clinic with visitors. Pat volunteered for eight years as an AARP client-facilitator during tax season. She also served as a lector and communion minister both at her Catholic Church as well as the local nursing home communities. Pat loved to travel and had the pleasure of visiting several countries in Europe and South America. She was especially looking forward to a six-month upcoming cruise around the world. Pat was passionate about her vegetable and flower gardens, often generously sharing produce and perennials with friends and those in need. She was also well-known for her delicious Christmas cookies, breads, and homemade pies of any type. She took special pride in blessing the residents at the Ronald McDonald house with her baked goods on many occasions. Pat passed away on December 17, 2023, in Rochester, MN at the age of 77.

Sodona Nelson Pearson 88 of Shakopee, MN passed away on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at St. Gertrudes Health and Rehabilitation Center in Shakopee. A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 9, 2024, in Slayton. Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangements

James John Bierma, Jr., passed away surrounded by family at his home in Plattsmouth, NE, on June 7, 2024, at the age of 76. James was born on August 25, 1947, in Slayton, MN, to James John Bierma, Sr., and Hadie Bents.

Julie Bambrick was born on January 5, 1957, in Slayton, Minnesota to Kenneth and Lorayne Dysthe Quaintance. She grew up in Slayton and graduated from Slayton High School. On October 11, 1980, she and Michael Bambrick were married in Slayton. Following their marriage, they made their home in Slayton and raised their four children. Mike passed away on October 11, 2009. Julie passed away at her home on Tuesday, June 10, 2024, at the age of 67. Survivors include her four children Christopher Bambrick and Jessica Andert, Jennifer Bambrick and Joshua Muecke, Anthony “Tony” Bambrick and Jeremy Bambrick all of Slayton, MN, four grandchildren, Zoey and Emmy Bambrick and Michaela and Spencer Muecke, two siblings, Judy Hermann and Randy Quaintance and his wife, Anne. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and five siblings, Janice Wolf, Joanie Stephenson, Jaclyn Eich, Carol Van Eck, and Ronnie Quaintance. A private family service will be held. Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangements. To view online obituary and send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.

Iva Goergen was born on December 31, 1932, on the family farm northeast of Granville, Iowa the youngest of 12 children born to John Peter “Pete” and Catherine “Kate” Niichel Schwebach. She was Baptized, received her First Holy Communion, and was Confirmed all at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Granville. She graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1949. On February 16, 1953, she and Raymond Goergen were married at St. Joseph Church. Following their marriage, they farmed northeast of Granville where their five children were born. In November 1959 they moved to a farm south of Garvin, MN on Lake Sarah. They joined IHM Church in Currie where Iva served on the parish council for several years. She also was active with the Currie American Legion Auxiliary, and the Lake Sarah Extension Club. In 1984 Ray retired and they moved to a home on Lake Sarah. Iva worked as a PARA in the Special Education Department of the Tracy School. She also worked part time for Public Health in Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, and Pipestone Counties doing in home health care. She retired in 1995 but not for long. In 1996 she became the Murray County Coordinator for R.S.V.P. and held that position until retiring in 1999. In 2003 they moved to Slayton and became members of St. Ann’s Church where she was active in the Catholic Daughters of America and St. Ann’s Card Club. She also was a member of the Slayton VFW Auxiliary. In July 2014 they moved to Marshall, MN. Ray passed away on April 11, 2018. In April 2022 Iva moved to the Boulder Creek Assisted Living in Marshall. She passed away there on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at the age of 91. Iva loved to crochet and knit. She made a baby blanket for each of her 16 grandchildren and later their children. Iva enjoyed spending time with her family, playing cards and doing word games.

Janice Rolfes 79 of Iona, MN passed away on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at her home. A service will be at a later time..

Jeanette Avanell Rolfes was born on August 18, 1926, on the family farm in Lincoln County, Minnesota near Lake Benton to Alvin and Alma Wiese Scheiber. She grew up near Lake Benton and attended Lake Benton High School. In 1943 the family moved to Slayton, MN. On January 29, 1945, she and William “Willie” Rolfes were married at St. Columba Church in Iona, MN.

LaVONNE M. J.

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.