Obituaries

Gary Swart was born on December 3, 1946, in Slayton, Minnesota to Lois Swart. As an infant Gary went to live with his aunt and uncle Connie and Jerry Scheerhorn. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Chandler High School in 1964. On January 1966 Gary enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany. Following his honorable discharge on December 1967 he returned to the family farm in Fenton Township. On April 3, 1971, he and Deb Farrell were married at St. Ann’s Church in Slayton, MN. Following their marriage, they made their home in Chandler, MN for one year before moving to the Swart family farm in Fenton Township. Gary spent all but 2 years of his life on the Swart family farm, farming and raising his two children. Gary retired in 2010 but remained a vital part of the farming operation now being run by his son, Dave. Gary and his fishing buddies have fished every reservoir on the Missouri River with his last trip being in June 2023 in Montana. Due to failing health Gary moved to Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. He passed away there on Thursday, September 28, 2023, at the age of 76. He was a member of St. Columba Church in Iona, MN. He was a lifetime member of the Iona VFW Post which eventually joined with the Wilmont VFW Post. Gary enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing, hunting, reading, playing cards, sports, coffee at Lloyds, shaking dice, watching the MN Vikings and Gophers and having a few cold ones.

Dr. William Clauson, age 78, of Brainerd passed away peacefully on September 10, 2023 in the comfort of his home. A memorial Service will be held on September 30th at Nelson-Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd. Visitation will be at 10:30 followed by a service at 11:00.

Janet Comnick passed away at her home in Tucson, Arizona on Friday, July 28, 2023. She was born on March 7, 1939, to Harvey and Ina Mae (Owens) Smith in Slayton, MN. She attended Slayton High School. In 1956, Janet met and married LeRoy Comnick, the son of Elton and Eldora (Peterson) Comnick in Dovray Township, MN. To keep her promise to her father, she completed her senior year and graduated from Goldsboro High School in Goldsboro, North Carolina – where her new husband was stationed in the Air Force. Together, they had four children and traveled the world together for the 26 years while LeRoy served in the Air Force; they lived in seven states and four countries. LeRoy’s last assignment took them to Grand Forks, North Dakota, where they stayed for 18 years. In 2002, they moved to Prescott Valley, Arizona. In 2021, Janet moved to Tucson, Arizona to be closer to her daughters and to an airport for her many trips to visit family and friends.

Brian “Scooby” Schmidt, 62, of Truman, MN passed away peacefully Sunday, August 6th after a brief battle with cancer. Brian was born April 28, 1961 in Slayton, MN. At a very young age Brian enjoyed fishing with his dad, Reuben, and had fond memories of going out to the gravel pit to ride on his dad’s “dozer”. When Brian was 10, his dad passed away, leaving his sister Deb to help take care of him. In his early teens, Brian learned to play the drums. He played for the band Crystal Blue and later changed the name to Legend. Fitting.

Joan Herding was born on April 18, 1947, in Slayton, Minnesota to William and Bena Aeilts Herding. She grew up in Hadley, MN and graduated from Slayton High School in 1965. Following high school Joan attended vocational school in Minneapolis, MN graduating as a Lab Technician in 1967. On December 30, 1967, she and Phillip Peterson were married at the Hadley Lutheran Church in Hadley. Following their marriage, they made their home in Apple Valley, MN until 1990 when they moved to Sudbury, MA. In 1998 they moved to Northfield, MN. Joan worked as a Real Estate Agent for Coldwell Banker Real Estate and later for Edina Realty in Northfield. In 2020 she and Phillip divorced. In January 2023 Joan moved to Maplewood Courts in Fulda, MN. Joan passed away at the age of 76 at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, MN while vacationing with her three children and their families. She enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren, shopping, playing Bingo and spending winters in Arizona.

Bruce Gerber was born on May 21, 1957, in Slayton, Minnesota to Donald and Thresa Bruns Gerber. He grew up in Iona, MN and graduated from Slayton High School in 1975. Following high school Bruce attended Jackson Vo-Tech for autobody, graduating in 1977. In April 1984 he and Eileen Freeburg Braun were married at Trinity Lutheran Church in Slayton. Following their marriage, they made their home in Slayton. Bruce worked as a carpenter for several construction companies in the area most recently Haecherl Construction. Bruce passed away unexpectedly at his home in Slayton on Monday, July 24, 2023, at the age of 66. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Slayton. Bruce’s greatest joy in life was his kids and grandkids. Bruce enjoyed time with his family, shooting pool with his many friends, and his indescribable collection of beer mugs, sports memorabilia, and CD’s.

James “Jim” Frederick Troyer, age 82 of Dovray, passed away Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at Windom Good Samaritan Society. A private family service will be held at the family home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Humane Society or the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice. com. Stephens Funeral Service - Westbrook Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Margaret Paula Larson, age 80, of Ellsworth, MN died peacefully in Slayton on July 24, 2023, after a short battle with cancer. Margaret was wellknown for her ready smile, generous heart, sense of humor, and dedication to her family, friends, and students.

Taylor Joy Krosschell was born January 17, 1993 in Belem, Para, Brazil. On December 2, 1994 she was placed in the hearts of her parents Roger and Tami Krosschell. She and her new brother, Brett soon called Chandler, MN their home. Taylor was baptized at Chandler Christian Reformed Church on February 19, 1995. She went on to attend Chandler Christian School and graduated from Southwest Christian High School in 2012. She attended the University of Sioux Falls for one year. Taylor worked as a CNA at various places including Edgebrook Care Center, putting her passion for caring for others to work. Taylor loved music, especially praise songs, and time spent at the lake relaxing, skiing, tubing and wakeboarding.

Gordie DeGreeff was born on October 20, 1937, in Slayton, Minnesota to Nicholas and Edna Graf Lentz. She grew up in Slayton and graduated from Slayton High School in 1955. Following graduation Gordie worked at the Red Owl Store and Central Telephone Co. On April 25, 1960, she and Peter “Pete” DeGreeff were married at St. Ann’s Church in Slayton. Following their marriage, they made their home in Slayton until 1961 when they moved to the DeGreeff family farm near Chandler, MN and raised their six children. Gordie worked at M & M Distributing for a short time. In 1995 they retired and moved to Slayton. Gordie was an accomplished seamstress working on both big and small jobs for many area brides, prom goers, community members and farmers. Pete passed away on August 28, 2018. Gordie passed away on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at her home in Slayton at the age of 85. She was a member of St. Mary ‘s Church in Lake Wilson, MN where she was active in the CCW and taught CCD. Gordie enjoyed dancing, baking, sewing, needlework, quilting, yardwork, and her flower gardens. Gordie loved being a grandma and great-grandma and always had cookies and ice cream for the kids. Gordie adored her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, she always said her family was her everything.