Obituaries

Gwendolyn (Gwen) Jean Fuhrmann Olson, 92, of Balaton, MN, passed away peacefully with her family by her side at the Hospice of Murray County House in Slayton, MN on Sunday, January 7, 2024 at the age of 92.

Robin Hemmingsen was born on May 30, 1956, in Slayton, Minnesota to Walter “Wally” and Donna Taarud Scott. She grew up on a farm near Wirock, MN and attended St. Gabriel’s Elementary School and graduated from Fulda High School in 1974. On May 24, 1975, she, and Mark “George” Hemmingsen were married at St. Gabriel’s Church in Fulda. Following their marriage, they made their home in Fulda until 1978 when they moved to Slayton, MN where they raised their two children. Robin started working for Pennee Frock Manufacturing in 1974 later that same year she went to work at Finley Engineering. She retired from Finley in 2015 due to health reasons. In 2021 they moved to Olivia, MN to be near family. In December 2023 Robin moved to the Olivia Restorative Therapy and Nursing Home under hospice care. She passed away there on Friday, December 29, 2023, at the age of 67. She was a past member of Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton. Robin enjoyed camping, reading, playing Scrabble, crossword puzzles, and having coffee with friends. Most of all she loved spending time with her kid and grandkids.

Janet Elaine Byouer, age 78 of Tipp City, Ohio passed away Friday January 5, 2024. She was born September 24, 1945 in Slayton, Minnesota to Percival and Mabel {Carlson} Lundberg. Janet is preceded in death by her parents and her husband Clifton “Cliff” Byouer. She is survived by her children; William (Chris) Byouer of Juneau, Alaska, Gayle (George) Lovett of Tipp City, Ohio, and Brenda (Jack) Hall of Sunbury, Ohio, and sister; Darlene Payne of Angels Camp, California. Also surviving are grandchildren; Darriel, Alexis, Kandi, Trevor B, Terra, Cody, Trevor P, Ryan, Andrew and Amber and great grandchildren; Estrella, Alexander, Mason, Maverick and Montgomery.

Robert “Bob” Red” Bruce Snelling was born July 13, 1944, in Slayton, Minnesota to Leo and Edith Staples Snelling. He grew up in Slayton and graduated from Slayton High School in 1962. Following graduation Bob enlisted in the United States Army receiving an honorable medical discharge later that same year. Bob returned to Minnesota and moved to Minneapolis, MN for a short time before moving to Mason City, IA where he worked as a Licensed Masseuse. In 1968 he moved to Oxnard, CA and served as the manager of the Oxnard Airport. On May 13, 1969, he and Linda Catherman were marriage at the United Methodist Church in Slayton. Following their marriage, they made their home in Oxnard later moving to Fair Oaks, CA where Bob worked for the Fair Oaks Fire Department for 10 years. Following Bob’s early retirement, they moved to Shingle Springs, CA where Bob was a real estate agent. In 1981 the family moved to Washington State. He and Linda divorced. Bob remained in Washington running a cattle ranch until 1992 when he returned to Slayton. On November 20, 1994, he and Betty Natte Tyrell were married in Lake Tahoe, NV. Following their marriage, they made their home in Slayton. He and Betty enjoyed attending area dances. Due to failing health Bob moved to the Maple Lawn Nursing Home in Fulda, MN in November 2023. He passed away there on Friday, January

Richard “Dick” W. Kelley, age 89 of Tracy, died Friday, January 5, 2024 at the Cottagewood Senior Community in Mankato.

Michael (Mike) Eugene Petersen was born on October 20, 1964, to Lavern and Elvira (Sidles) Petersen. He grew up in Currie, Minnesota, where he was baptized as an infant and later confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Tracy, Minnesota. Mike attended school in Currie through the 4th grade and then graduated from Tracy High School with the class of 1983. Mike then attended Mankato Technical College before returning home to help out on the family farm.

Fredrick “Fritz” G. Carlson was born on the family farm in Cameron Township, Murray County, Minnesota to Fred and Ruby Aaker Carlson. He grew up on the farm and graduated from Lake Wilson High School in 1954. Fritz enlisted in the United States Army. He served for 2 years and following his honorable discharge, he returned to the family farm. On October 19, 1958, he and Marion Ostergaard were married at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lake Wilson, MN. Following their marriage, they made their home on the Carlson family farm and raised their two children. In 1997 they retired and moved to Lake Wilson. In 2018 they moved to Ridge View Estates in Pipestone, MN and in December 2022 Fritz moved to the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne, MN. He passed away there on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at the age of 88. He was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church where he served on the church council and sang in the choir. He also was a member of the Lake Wilson Lions Club, the Lake Wilson American Legion Post and served on the Cameron Township Board. Fritz enjoyed time with family, fishing, and hunting.

Sylvia Margaret Lingen was born on April 17, 1948, in Pipestone, Minnesota to Sylvester and Margaret Fischer Biegler. She grew up on a farm west of Lake Wilson, MN until 1956 when the family moved to Lake Wilson. Sylvia graduated

Ronald “Ronnie” Sylvester Conway was born on June 2, 1927, in St. Paul, Minnesota to William and Violet Gay Conway. In 1929 the family moved to Plankton, SD until 1933 when they move to Avoca, MN for a year before moving to Slayton, where Ronnie attended Slayton High School. At the age of 17 Ronnie and his twin brother, Donald left school to enlist in the United States Navy. Ronnie served on the USS Colbert from August 1944, until June 1946, earned several awards for his time in the Navy. On July 7, 1947, he and Mary Anne Metz were married in a double wedding ceremony at St. Ann’s Church in Slayton with his brother, Donald and his wife, Jean. Following their marriage, they made their home on the Metz farm near Hadley. In 1955 they purchased Ronnie’s Dairy Crème in Slayton. In 1965 they moved to Slayton and in 1977 they built a new building at the corner of Maple Ave. and Highway 30 in Slayton moving Ronnie’s Dairy Crème to that location. In 1983 they sold the business. Ronnie also worked for Murray County Implement as a mechanic for 20 years. Mary Anne passed away on July 31, 2015. Ronnie remained in his home until 2021 when he moved to Lindenwood Assisted Living in Slayton. Ronnie passed away there on December 15, 2023, at the age of 96. He was a member of St. Ann’s Church in Slayton and a member of the Knights of Columbus. Ronnie enjoyed time with his family, fishing, hunting, model airplanes, picture framing, puzzles and visiting with friends.

Michael Dean Swan was born October 13, 1964 to Leon and Judy (Huebner) Swan in Tracy, Minnesota. He grew up on the family farm by Balaton and was baptized and confirmed at Sillerud Lutheran Church. At 3 years old he attended a Daycare for Special Needs in Slayton (the first of its kind). He started Public School at the age of 5 years old in Tracy, Minnesota. He graduated at the age of 21 with the class of 1986.