Obituaries

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.

Norma (Quill) Fisher, 96, passed away peacefully with family at her side on December 10, 2022 in West Des Moines, IA. Norma was born February 1, 1926 to Reverend Martin Quill and Nora (Rossing) Quill in Waco, TX.

Mary Alice (Myers) Platt was born on October 16th, 1934, in Marshalltown, Iowa; She was the daughter of Ray E and Elva Alice (Allen)Myers. She attended Marshalltown area schools. It was at the Marshalltown roller skating rink, where she worked for Fran Platt, that she met her husband to be. On December 28,1953 she and Charles Platt were married in Marshalltown, IA. Following their marriage they farmed with Chuck’s brother, Mark and made their home on the family farm near Iona, MN. Farming continued and in 1965 they relocated to Slayton, MN where they built the first car wash in SWMN; the Family Car Wash. Mary managed the car wash and was known to be proficient in pulling off pumps and motors when repairs were needed. Enjoying the life of business and sales, Mary later worked at McCormick’s Appliance in Slayton, MN for several years. In later years she joined the activity dept staff in providing meaningful activities for those residing at Slayton Manor LTC facility. She enjoyed her position but due to Chuck’s failing health moved on to being #1 caregiver for her husband and excelled in this task as well. She relentlessly cared for him until he passed in 2016. Mary had a zest for life and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Over the years she maintained her friendship with her Iowa “besties” Joann Erwin and Merlene Halboom. Her favorite pastimes over the years included dancing, travel, sewing, crafts, roller skating, canning, reading, oil painting, and walking. She was often seen in the community walking her dog, “Charlie,” her favorite companion after Chuck’s passing. They were a perfect match. Mary passed away at her home surrounded by her loving family December 8th ,2022 at the age of 88. She was a member of St. Ann’s Church in Slayton, and a member of the St. Ann’s CCW. She volunteered as a catechist. Mary’s faith was especially important to her. One of her most treasured items was the bible she received from her husband to be, always making sure it was close by.

Jim Gleason, age 77 of Savage, MN, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, 11/30/22. Jim was born on August 20, 1945 and raised in Currie, MN, and enlisted in the US Navy and served on the USS Morton, Jim was a very proud Veteran. Growing up Jim was very involved with stock car racing and won many awards and also active in bowling tournaments. Jim’s career was in the scrapping business and enjoyed working with everyone. Jim was a generous man and a friend to many.

Our superhero, Joseph Lee Horner was born on October 9, 2009, to Rick and Tammy (Heiderscheidt) Horner. Joseph spent his first 100 days fighting for his life in the NICU at Avera McKennen Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Joseph received the sacrament of baptism on the day he was born and was later blessed into the Catholic faith on May 2, 2010, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy, Minnesota. Joseph was a sixth grader at Tracy Elementary School, which he enjoyed and loved so dearly thanks to his para, classmates, teachers, and other school staff.

James P. Jensen, age 92, of Winona, MN, and formerly of Slayton, MN, passed away on Thursday, November 10, 2022, at the Winona Health Hospital in Winona.