Obituaries

Gordon Wayne Mouw, age 82, of Leota, died Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. He was born December 29, 1940, on the family farm, in rural Chandler, to William and Margaret (DeBoer) Mouw. He attended Leota Christian School and later Southwest Christian School in Edgerton.

Bernadine Kremer was born on August 2, 1931, in Slayton, Minnesota to Joseph and Rose Beech Schreier. She grew up on the family farm near Currie, MN and graduated from Immaculate Heart of Mary High School in 1950. On June 6, 1950, she and Ivan Kremer were married at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Currie. Following their marriage, they made their home near Currie for a year before moving to Iona Township, Murray County, MN, where she and Ivan farmed and raised their 11 children. Ivan passed on March 29, 1986. Bernadine remained on the farm until October 14, 2022, when she moved to Maplewood Court in Fulda, MN. On September 7, 2023, she moved to Maple Lawn Nursing Home in Fulda. Bernadine passed away on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 92. She was a member of St. Columba Church in Iona where she was active in the CCW and with the quilting group. She also was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America. Bernadine enjoyed spending time with her family, quilting, gardening, playing cards, fishing, and baking.

On October 7th, 170 people from across Southern Minnesota and South Dakota filled Divine Mercy Hall at the church of St. Ann in Slayton, to learn about and to show solidarity and compassion for our Native American brothers and sisters. The program for the day focused around a Native Girls’ School that existed in Avoca, Minnesota from 1880 to 1893. The sisters of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus from Pennsylvania opened and ran the school at the request of Bishop Ireland. This was the only church-run Native Boarding School within what is now the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, and although it existed briefly in the grand scheme of the history of Native Boarding Schools, its history is interesting and seems somewhat different from other schools.

James Willard Post of Lake Wilson, MN, passed away at home surrounded by his family on October 7, 2023. James (Jim) was the last of 10 born at home to James and Jennie (Schelhaas) Post of rural Chandler, MN. He was a surprise to his unknowing siblings on June 21, 1943. Jim graduated from Chandler Christian School adding one year at Edgerton Christian. In youth he enjoyed roller skating and horseback riding.

Joan A. Sethney, 77, of Owatonna, passed away on Monday, October 16, 2023 at Emeralds of Faribault.

James (Jim) Willard Post passed away peacefully at his home on October 7, 2023. Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 12, 2023 from 5:008:00pm at the Chandler Funeral Home in Chandler, MN. A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 13, 2023 at 10:30 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Balaton, MN with burial service to follow at the St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery.

Leland Allen Lokker, better known by his nickname Kraut, was born November 5, 1952, and died June 6, 2023. Lee was born and raised in Slayton, MN, alongside his brother Donald. Lee was an outdoor enthusiast and nature conservationist who worked for the MN Department of Natural Resources for 36 years. He enjoyed trapping, hunting, and fishing with his animal and human companions.

Francis Gervais was born on November 13, 1955, in Tracy, Minnesota to Hugh and Louise Surprenant Gervais. He grew up on the family farm east of Currie, MN and graduated from Tracy High School in 1974. On May 16, 1981, he and Loretta Noomen were married at IHM Church in Currie. Following their marriage, they made their home on the family farm and raised their seven children. While farming Francis also worked for Sweetman Sand and Gravel in Currie. Francis passed away at his home with his family by his side on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at the age of 67. He was a lifelong member of IHM Church in Currie where he served as Church Trustee, Lector, and Eucharistic Minister. He also was a member of Currie Town and Country Booster Club. Francis enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, farming, playing cards, bowling, and raising cattle.

Elinor Bentson was born on January 6, 1933, on the family farm in Cameron Township, Murray County, Minnesota to Fred and Ruby Aaker Carlson. She grew up on the farm and graduated from Lake Wilson High School. In 1954 She and Robert C. Johnson were married on her parents’ farm. Following their marriage, they farmed in Lowille Township, Murray County, MN. To this union four children were born, Susan, Jane, Joyce, and Mark. Robert passed away on September 2, 1963. On December 1, 1967, she and Arlyn Bentson were married in Flandreau, SD. Following their marriage, they continued farming in Lowville Township and raised their family. Elinor was a vital part of the farming operation, whether it was helping with chores, bookkeeping or meals she was right there. Elinor enjoyed drawing up plans for remodeling a home or a room or building new and helped many family members with this task. In 2017 Elinor moved to The Meadows in Worthington, MN. Arlyn passed away on October 26, 2021. Elinor passed away at her home on Sunday, October 1, 2023, at the age of 90. She was a lifetime member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lake Wilson, MN. Where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, served in the Ladies Aid, did church decorating and was a Bible Study Leader. Elinor loved spending time with her family, writing stories, sewing, baking, decorating, and being on her farm with her flower gardens. Now a word from Elinor “did you wash your hands?” Survivors include her three children and their spouses, Susan and Roger Oliver of Sioux Falls, SD, Joyce and Tom Bohn of Brewster, MN, and Mark and Kelly Johnson of Elkton, SD, one son-in-law, Rex Streff and Vicky Plaisance of Hadley, MN, 8 grandchildren, 11 greatgrandchildren, one great-greatgrandson, and two brothers and their spouses, Fredrick and Marion Carlson of Pipestone, MN, and Darwin and Sandy Carlson of Lake Wilson, MN. She is preceded in death by her parents, husbands, Robert Johnson and Arlyn Bentson, daughter, Jane Streff, greatgrandson, Pearce Forcier and sister, Carol Nadeau.

On August 12th, 2023, Richard (Rick) Illg, age 53, passed away at the St Cloud Hospital. Rick was born in Slayton, MN on November 9th, 1969. He graduated from Tracy High School in 1988 and Willmar Technical College in 1990, with an AA Degree in Electrical Engineering. Rick enjoyed coaching and attending his children’s sporting events, hunting, fishing, cooking, watching movies, and spending time with his family and friends. He was a gifted problem solver and craftsman who enjoyed taking on projects in his personal life and at work. A tribute to Rick from his family is “Rick was the kindest, most selfless person you could meet, as he thrived on giving back and helping others. His family, friends and community will miss him tremendously.”