Obituaries

Doris Cote was born on October 23, 1931, on the family farm near Tracy, Minnesota to George and Christine Haugen. She grew up on the family farm and attended County School District #47 and graduated from Tracy High School in 1949. On November 15, 1950, she and Norm Cote were married at St. Mary’s Church in Tracy. Following their wedding, they made their home in Tracy until 1956 when they moved to Slayton, MN. Doris worked at various jobs, including Buckles’s Variety and Pamida. She also sold Avon for several years and later worked at American Family Insurance. She retired in 1993. Doris was an active member of St. Ann’s Church in Slayton serving as a Unit Leader and was a 50-year member of the Catholic Daughters of America. She was a girl scout leader, a cub scout den mother, and a member of the beloved Comb Sisters. Doris loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was famous for baking them her peanut butter pie. She enjoyed having coffee with friends at the Bakery and especially having coffee on the porch with the Sticky Friday Crew. She loved spending time at their cabin on Lake Sara where everyone was welcome. She liked to fish and could clean a bullhead with the best of them. She and Norm enjoyed hosting the annual 4th of July family reunion for many years (lots of stories and shenanigans). Together they also loved dancing, bowling, golfing, and going to the casino. They enjoyed traveling with friends, the Prime Timers, and VIP Club. Due to failing health Doris moved to Maple Lawn Senior Care in Fulda. She passed away there on Sunday, June 18, 2023, peacefully with family by her side at the age of 91.

Richard Illg was born on February 7, 1937, in Slayton, Minnesota to Vincent and Neva Konold Illg. He grew up near Slayton and graduated from Slayton High School. On May 18, 1957, he and Theresa Ruppert were married at IHM Church in Currie, MN. Following their marriage, they made their home in Currie for a year before moving to a farm south of Currie where they farmed for 10 years. While farming Richard also worked for Slayton Farm Chemical. In 1965 they retired and moved to Currie. Retirement did not last long for Richard. He went to work for Siebe’s Electric Motor Repair in Slayton for a time before starting work for the City of Currie. Due to failing health Richard moved to Our House Hospice Home in Slayton on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. He passed away there on Sunday, June 11, 2023, at the age of 86. He was a member of the IHM Church in Currie and a member of the Currie Fire Department for over 20 years. Richard enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing, hunting, camping, and driving around the countryside.

Sandra Kay Nyquist, age 76 of Tracy, passed away Friday June 9, 2023 at Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls from complications of a procedure. Sandra was born July 23, 1946 in Tracy, MN to Darrell & Dorothy (Reese) Madsen.

Bud Cochran, age 79 of Tracy, passed away Tuesday, May 30, 2023 surrounded by family at Prairie View Health Care Center in Tracy after a short battle with cancer. Ralph “Bud” Howard Cochran was born January 18, 1944 to Hermina (Tuin) Cochran and the late Ralph Cochran in Slayton, Minnesota.

Melanie Jade Arnold of Tracy, passed away May 28, 2023 on her 37th birthday at Methodist Hospital in Rochester surrounded by her family. Melanie Jade Arnold was born to Kevin and Kimberly (Engler) Arnold on May 28, 1986 in Slayton, MN.

Elizabeth “Betty” L. Einck, age 91 of Redwood Falls, Minnesota, passed away on Thursday May 25th, 2023 at the Gil-Mor Manor Nursing Home in Morgan, MN.

Don (Stik) K. Stiegelmeyer, age 86 of St. Anthony, MN passed away Sunday, May 14, 2023. Preceded in death by parents and two brothers. Survived by wife, Marjorie, nephew Kurt (Janet), nephew Ricky (Kristi) & Riezel, nephew Eddie & family, niece Merlynne (Pat) Byrne & family, and nephew John (Heather) Rickgarn & family. Memorials preferred.

George Paul Beech Jr. passed away at his home in rural Byron on Thursday afternoon May 11, 2023, surrounded by his children having survived 500 heartbroken days after losing his precious wife Elizabeth (Betty).

Elwayne Burdette “Bud” Kuehl, age 90 of Westbrook, passed away Monday, May 15, 2023 at Our House Hospice of Murray County in Slayton. Elwayne Burdette “Bud” Kuehl was born August 30, 1932 in Westbrook, Minnesota to Arthur and Erma (Christensen) Kuehl.

Paul Emil Boettcher was born in Montevideo, Minnesota, and died in Hudson, Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by his parents, Adolphine Weckwerth Boettcher and Paul August Boettcher; sister and brother-in-law, Gertrude Ehlers (Robert); brother and sister-inlaw, Harlan Boettcher (Marjorie); and wife, Barbara Farber Boettcher. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Hood Boettcher; daughters, Bonna J. Boettcher (Mary E. Zachary) and Elizabeth M. Wegner (Bruce); and Joyce’s children, Connor Hood (Lee), Tim Hood (Pam), Sarah Hood, and Sunia Pallante (Philip); grandchildren, Benjamin Wegner, Abigail Wegner (fiancé, Tom Hanson), Alex Pallante, and Parker Pallante; nieces and nephews , Gwynn Mundinger (John), Rodney Ehlers (Beth), Brian Boettcher (Marie), Susan Boettcher, and Ann L. Patteson (Dennis Lautenschlager); and many greatnieces and -nephews.