Obituaries

Ken Moritz was born on August 21, 1938, in Estherville, Iowa to Hans and Edna Jorgenson Moritz. He grew up on the family farm near Estherville and graduated from Estherville High School in 1956. Ken then attended Estherville Jr. College and later transferred to Mankato State University graduating in 1962 with a Teaching Degree. Following graduation Ken started teaching in Slayton, MN. On April 2, 1966, he and Mary Ann Lacho were married in Minneapolis, MN. Following their marriage, they made their home in Slayton and raised their four daughters. Ken continued teaching high school business in Slayton until his retirement in 1995 and coached boys BSquad Baseball and freshman girls’ basketball during that time. In 2018 they moved to Sunrise Terrace in Slayton and in 2020 they moved to Appleton, MN to be near family. In 2021 they moved to Cottagewood Senior Communities in Mankato, MN. Ken passed away there on Sunday, October 29, 2023, at the age of 85. He was a member of Word of Faith Church in Avoca, MN where he recorded services and taught adult Sunday School. Ken enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing trips up north, reading, gardening, studying the Bible and watching sports especially the St. Louis Cardinals.

Julia L Johnson of Slayton, MN passed away peacefully at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne, MN. A Time of Fellowship will be held prior to the service beginning at 9:30AM on Friday, November 3 at Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton, MN with a memorial service to follow at 10:30AM. A burial will be held at a later date.

Laurie Lane Mohr was born on May 18, 1956 to Bill and LaVonne “Bonnie” Mohr. In 1965, she gained a stepdad in Emil “Jr” Hansen. She grew up and went to school in Tracy, MN. At the age of 17, she married the love of her life, Arnold “Butch” Kalas at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Slayton, MN. With Butch being active in the Air Force, they had the pleasure of traveling and living in different states and countries. While away, they had four children Dale Lawrence, Valerie Adele, Lonnie William, and Anna Marie. After Butch’s retirement from the Air Force, they made their home in Slayton, MN. Laurie worked at various jobs, however her main job was being a stay-at-home mom. Butch died on September 19 2019 after 46 years of marriage. Laurie chose to move shortly after his death to live closer to family. She lived in Vernale, MN and Madison, MN, and eventually moved to River Oaks at Shady Ridge in Hutchinson, MN where she passed away on October 18, 2023.

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.