Obituaries

Robin Hemmingsen, 67, of Olivia, MN, formerly of Slayton, MN passed away at the Olivia Restorative Therapy and Nursing Home in Olivia. Memorial services will be on Friday, January 12, 2024, at Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be on one hour prior to the services at the church on Friday. Interment will be private. Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton, MN is entrusted with arrangements. To view online obituary and send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome. com.

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.

Robin Hemmingsen, 67, of Olivia, MN, formerly of Slayton, MN passed away at the Olivia Restorative Therapy and Nursing Home in Olivia. Memorial services will be on Friday, January 12, 2024, at Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be on one hour prior to the services at the church on Friday. Interment will be private. Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton, MN is entrusted with arrangements. To view online obituary and send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome. com.

Mary Ellen Lund was born on July 19, 1931, on the family farm near Avoca, Minnesota to Rose and John E. Legler Magnus. She grew up on the farm and attended Avoca High School. On August 26, 1951, she and Manley Lund were married at her parents’ home near Avoca. Following their marriage, they made their home in Fulda, MN until 1957 they then moved to Adrian, MN. Mary worked at the Adrian School in the cafeteria. She later worked at the Adrian Senior Center preparing meals. Manley passed away December 8, 2010. Mary retired in 2016 and in 2018 she moved to Slayton, MN to be near family. In 2021 she moved to the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne, MN. She passed away there on Friday, December 15, 2023, at the age of 92. Mary was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Adrian until it closed in 2022. Mary enjoyed spending time with her family, baking, camping, being outdoors, walking and playing Bingo.

Ann Helmke was born on June 6, 1923, on the family farm in Lowville Township, Murray County Minnesota to Lars and Margaret (Vallance) Aga. She attended Country School District 72, graduating from Lake Wilson High School in 1941, and furthering her education with one year of business college in Minneapolis. Ann married Ralph Julius Helmke on September 26, 1942. They lived in Minneapolis while Ann worked as one of the first women to make boxes at the Armour packing plant in St. Paul. They moved back to the area, living on the farm and then “Midway Store” between Lake Wilson and Ruthton. After selling the store they lived in Ruthton, Pipestone, and finally settled back in Lake Wilson. Ann was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and the WELCA. She joined the Eastern Star in 1941 and continued until the local chapters disbanded. She belonged to the Lake Wilson American Legion Auxiliary and was an active member of the Hadley Lioness. Ann worked outside the home her entire adult life, Gert’s Cafe and Johnson’s Grocery Store, and later joined Ralph at the Buffalo Ridge Bar. For some time, Ann worked at all three jobs. She eventually worked exclusively at the Buffalo Ridge Bar and retired at 65. Not being ready for retirement, she returned to the bar and continued part time until she was 85. She took pride in working that bar as if it was her own. She enjoyed all the friends she met during those years. Ann spent many years as a Bison baseball fan and ran the concession stand. Sundays were spent getting the concessions ready and following the Bison wherever they went. At 98 she was blessed to watch her great grandson pitch for the Chicago White Sox against the Minnesota Twins. She loved to dance, and she and Ralph would spend a great deal of time dancing in their younger years. She loved outings with her friends, as she outlived most of those friends, she found new groups of girls to do things with and treasured those trips and outings for years as well as many with her family. Ann enjoyed playing cards she especially loved playing pinochle and golf with her family. Ann seldom missed a Happy Hour at the BRB or Hadley. She loved socializing and enjoyed that so many considered her “mom” or friend. When she could no longer drive, Ann looked forward to going with her son Scott and his wife Debbie, making her last visit on her 100th birthday. Ann loved a party especially one of her own! As time went on, she spent time playing solitaire, reading, working crossword puzzles, and watching(critiquing) polka on Saturday nights. Her love of music continued as she could often be heard singing along with hymns at Our House. Ann also enjoyed having pets, the last being her best friend, Alley Cat. Ann started receiving care from Murray County Hospice in her home in September of 2021, moving to Our House in June of 2022, passing away there on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, with family by her side.

Mark Daniel Hoines, 57, passed away on December 12, 2023, at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Services are pending at this time.

Mary Ellen Lund was born on July 19, 1931, on the family farm near Avoca, Minnesota to Rose and John E. Legler Magnus. She grew up on the farm and attended Avoca High School. On August 26, 1951, she and Manley Lund were married at her parents’ home near Avoca. Following their marriage, they made their home in Fulda, MN until 1957 they then moved to Adrian, MN. Mary worked at the Adrian School in the cafeteria. She later worked at the Adrian Senior Center preparing meals. Manley passed away December 8, 2010. Mary retired in 2016 and in 2018 she moved to Slayton, MN to be near family. In 2021 she moved to the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne, MN. She passed away there on Friday, December 15, 2023, at the age of 92. Mary was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Adrian until it closed in 2022. Mary enjoyed spending time with her family, baking, camping, being outdoors, walking and playing Bingo.

Ann Helmke was born on June 6, 1923, on the family farm in Lowville Township, Murray County Minnesota to Lars and Margaret (Vallance) Aga. She attended Country School District 72, graduating from Lake Wilson High School in 1941, and furthering her education with one year of business college in Minneapolis. Ann married Ralph Julius Helmke on September 26, 1942. They lived in Minneapolis while Ann worked as one of the first women to make boxes at the Armour packing plant in St. Paul. They moved back to the area, living on the farm and then “Midway Store” between Lake Wilson and Ruthton. After selling the store they lived in Ruthton, Pipestone, and finally settled back in Lake Wilson. Ann was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and the WELCA. She joined the Eastern Star in 1941 and continued until the local chapters disbanded. She belonged to the Lake Wilson American Legion Auxiliary and was an active member of the Hadley Lioness. Ann worked outside the home her entire adult life, Gert’s Cafe and Johnson’s Grocery Store, and later joined Ralph at the Buffalo Ridge Bar. For some time, Ann worked at all three jobs. She eventually worked exclusively at the Buffalo Ridge Bar and retired at 65. Not being ready for retirement, she returned to the bar and continued part time until she was 85. She took pride in working that bar as if it was her own. She enjoyed all the friends she met during those years. Ann spent many years as a Bison baseball fan and ran the concession stand. Sundays were spent getting the concessions ready and following the Bison wherever they went. At 98 she was blessed to watch her great grandson pitch for the Chicago White Sox against the Minnesota Twins. She loved to dance, and she and Ralph would spend a great deal of time dancing in their younger years. She loved outings with her friends, as she outlived most of those friends, she found new groups of girls to do things with and treasured those trips and outings for years as well as many with her family. Ann enjoyed playing cards she especially loved playing pinochle and golf with her family. Ann seldom missed a Happy Hour at the BRB or Hadley. She loved socializing and enjoyed that so many considered her “mom” or friend. When she could no longer drive, Ann looked forward to going with her son Scott and his wife Debbie, making her last visit on her 100th birthday. Ann loved a party especially one of her own! As time went on, she spent time playing solitaire, reading, working crossword puzzles, and watching(critiquing) polka on Saturday nights. Her love of music continued as she could often be heard singing along with hymns at Our House. Ann also enjoyed having pets, the last being her best friend, Alley Cat. Ann started receiving care from Murray County Hospice in her home in September of 2021, moving to Our House in June of 2022, passing away there on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, with family by her side.