Obituaries

Robert Molitor age 66 of Rock Rapids, IA died Thursday, January 12, 2023, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Robert James Molitor was born December 30, 1956, in Slayton, Minnesota to William and Sally (Metz) Molitor.

Judy Buse, age 79 of Woodstock, MN, passed away peacefully on January 13, 2023. Judy was born in Pomona, CA, January 10, 1944, to parents Arthur and Frances (Zakrahdnik) Van Horn.

Dorothy Van Meveren was born on March 18, 1930, in Slayton, Minnesota to Alphonse and Esther Barrie Morin. She grew up on the family farm between Slayton and Currie and attended country school. On September 10, 1953, she, and Robert (Bob) Van Meveren were married at IHM Church in Currie. Following their marriage, they made their home in the Garvin, Currie, Levenworth and Slayton area raising their 10 children. In 1990 they retired and moved to Iona, MN. Bob passed away on August 6, 2004. Dorothy remained in Iona until 2016 when she moved to Golden Horizons in Worthington, MN. Dorothy passed way there on Monday, January 16, 2023, surrounded by her family at the age of 92. She was a former member of IHM Church in Currie and a member of St. Columba Church in Iona. Dorothy was a member of the quilting group, the CCW and the Catholic Daughters of America. Dorothy enjoyed spending time with her family, playing cards, puzzles, playing Bingo, fishing, canning, baking, and gardening.

Myrna Kay Van Dyk was born January 20, 1942 in Sibley, IA to parents Cornelius and Gertrude (Vos) Van Dyk and entered into death on January 4, 2023 at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 80 years, 11 months and 16 days.

Avalon Paulson was born on June 6, 1927, on the family farm in Lowville Township, Murray County, Minnesota to William and Emma Oberg Kollowa. She grew on the family farm and graduated Slayton High School in 1945. On September 26, 1948, she and Wayne Paulson were married at her parents’ home near Hadley, MN. Following their marriage they farmed in Leeds Township, Murray County until Wayne’s death on May 23, 1958. Avalon and their young son, Walden then moved to Slayton. Avalon worked for Dr. Roger Asplin’s family and later at the Murray County Hospital in the kitchen and in housekeeping. She retired in 1989 after 22 years at the hospital. In October 2016 she became a resident of the Maple Lawn Nursing Home in Fulda. She passed away there on Friday, December 23, 2022, at the age of 95. She was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton and was active with the quilting group. Avalon volunteered at Slayton Senior Dining, R.S.V.P and the Slayton Manor. Avalon enjoyed being with her family and friends.

Lynn Parrott was born on December 24, 1949, in Slayton, Minnesota to Galen (Polly) and Rosella Smestad Parrott. She grew up in Lake Wilson and graduated from Lake Wilson High School in 1967. Following high school Lynn attended Pipestone Vo-Tech graduating in 1969. She then moved to Minneapolis for a time before moving to Crystal, MN and making her home there for the last 52 years. Lynn worked for IDS Ameriprise until her retirement in 2004. Lynn passed away Friday, December 23, 2022, at the Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, MN at the age of 72. She was a member of the United Methodist Church. Lynn enjoyed traveling, gardening, cooking, family gatherings and spending time with nieces, nephews, and friends.

Carl Schreier was born on July 14, 1960, in Slayton, Minnesota to John and Ann Barbara Knowles Schreier. He grew up on the family farm near Currie, MN. Carl attended grade school in Currie and graduated from Slayton High School in 1978. Carl then attended Worthington Community College in Worthington, MN and then furthered his degree at SDSU in Brookings, SD. Carl farmed and lived near Dovray, MN for many years before moving in 2006 to the home he built near the family farm. Carl enjoyed crop farming, raising sheep, cattle, and shearing sheep. Carl served on the Dovray Fire Department. Carl was an accomplished pianist sharing his talent with many area churches. He enjoyed down-hill skiing, bowling with the Currie Crew, attending his grandchildren’s events, fishing, and spending time at the family cabin. On July 31, 2009, he and Pamela Woitaszewski were married at Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton, MN. Carl and Pamela recently relocated from the farm near Currie to a home in Slayton, MN. Carl passed away peacefully with Pam by his side at Sanford Westbrook Hospital on Tuesday, December 27th, 2022, at the age of 62.

Mary Jean “Jeanie” Schmitz, age 82 of Ankeny, IA, passed away Monday, Dec. 19, 2022 at The Suites of Ankeny where she resided for almost the past three years.

Henry Ernest Schmidt was born on January 7, 1929, in Moulton township, near Chandler, MN to Ernest Henry and Emma Zeylamaker Schmidt. He grew up in southwest Minnesota and Northwest Iowa area. Henry graduated from Pipestone County Rural School then lived and worked with Uncle John Van Beek up to and after he was married to Harriet Joyce Kruisselbrink on October 6, 1948. They farmed in the Woodstock area until January of 1953 and sold out to buy a mobile mill grinder. They moved to Ruthton and began building the grinder business. In the first few years while building the grinder business, Henry made deliveries to people in the area for Mr. Olsen the Dra-man. In 1960 they bought a new mobile mill manufactured in Ames, Iowa. Henry continued running the grinder until 1971 when respiratory issues forced him to sell. He started working in the office for Ken Knuth at Finley Engineering and later transferred to field engineering at Finley obtaining a realtor’s license to do right of way easement work and fiber optic construction management. Henry worked for Finley for 27 years on various network projects throughout the United States retiring from full-time in 1993 but continued part-time until 1998. Henry made his commitment to Christ at age 10 at a tent revival meeting. He was an active member of the Reformed Church in America (RCA) as a Sunday School Teacher, a Deacon and Elder on the church boards at the Reformed Church first in Woodstock and later at Slayton. Henry was a strong man of faith, humility, and integrity, and much more. A wonderful husband, giving father, beloved grandfather, and leader of his family. He enjoyed many activities in his youth, was a talented proficient do-ityourselfer at home and helped many family members and neighbors. Henry loved to sing and was part of the Gospelaires quartet for 30 years. Henry passed away at Sterling Point Senior Living in Princeton, MN on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, at the age of 93.

Mary Gaul was born in Slayton, MN on July 21, 1939, to Alvina Smith Mathison. She grew up on the Smith family farm and attended the country school through the eighth grade. When it was time for high school she transferred to Slayton High School, where she graduated in 1958. Mary met and dated Richard Gaul while still in high school. After some serious dating, Richard popped the question and the two were married at St. Ann’s Church on July 26, 1958. Richard and Mary spent the first couple of years moving around southern Minnesota because of Richard’s job. In 1962 they were finally able to settle back in the Slayton area, where they raised their family. To their union, two daughters were born. Then in 1974, they added two of Mary’s young cousins, Mike, and Charley, to their family after the passing of Leland and Corene Stumm. Mary worked many parttime jobs over the years. She was one of Slayton’s finest Avon Ladies, she was a well-loved lunch lady at SHS, and she was a fantastic cook at the Royal Supper Club. After Richard’s retirement from the telephone company, he and Mary became the custodians for St. Ann’s Church. They took great pride in their work there and were committed to making the church sparkle and shine every day. Through all her adult years she did sewing and alterations for many people in Slayton. Sewing was, by far, her favorite hobby. Aside from raising her family, her greatest accomplishment was to start a wonderful community wide Christmas dinner for anyone who wanted a place to go on Christmas. She often said that it made her sad to know that people had no one to celebrate the holidays with. She and Richard, along with some beloved friends and family were able to bring that to fruition in December of 2001. The first year they served fifty people. Each year since then, the number of people attending has grown tremendously. She often credited all the people who helped her make it a truly successful community event. Mary had a heart of gold, and a spunky little attitude. She had many close friends who loved to have coffee with her. She valued every friendship over the years, and loved when people would pop in. The coffee pot was always primed, and ready to go. Over the past year, Mary’s health started to decline. She was a resident of Maple Lawn Nursing Home, before moving to Lindenwood Assisted Living. She loved it there and we are so thankful for the wonderful, caring staff that took care of her and her family. Mary became a resident of Westbrook Nursing Home in December. She fell ill and was taken to Westbrook Hospital, where she passed away on Saturday, December 17, 2022 at the age of 83. Mary was a member of St. Ann’s Church and a Catholic Daughters of America (CDA) member.