Obituaries

Gordy Hanson was born on August 12, 1927, in Hay Creek, Lake of the Woods, Minnesota to Peder and Olga Olson Hanson. He grew up on the family farm and attended Baudette High School. He went on to attended Ag School in Crookston, MN graduating in 1944. He then returned to the family farm and worked with neighboring farmers until he enlisted in the United States Navy serving as a Motor Machinist Mate 3rd Class.

James Ralph Hintermeister was born on October 10, 1932 to Ralph and Dorothy (Jones) Hintermeister in Huron, SD. He was born during the Great Depression, the eldest of nine children. He often testified of growing up on the farm with hunger and without modern conveniences and with a difficult young work life. This arduous work ethic shaped his entire life. He received his education in Slayton, MN, graduating from Slayton High School in 1950. While in high school, Jim washed cars for Guy Gratten Car Dealership. He then attended Emmaus Bible School in Chicago. During this time, he worked at the Chicago stockyards and as a proof machine operator at the First National Bank. On November 15, 1952, he was united in marriage to Mavis Vanderlee in Lake Wilson, MN. Following their marriage, they resided in Worthington, MN for six months. He was employed by Larsen’s Men’s Clothing and Freestone Retreading in Worthington. Later they moved to Slayton, MN where Jan was born in 1953. While in Slayton, he worked for the Murray County survey crew and also Snyder’s Gas Station at night. In 1954, they moved to the Pollack Farm where he farmed from 1954-1961 and then began fulltime with Murray County. In October, 1964, they moved to Pipestone, MN where they raised their children. Jim became employed by Pipestone County and worked there for 26 years as the Assistant County Highway Engineer and retired in 1990. Jim became a resident at Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone in January, 2021. Mavis preceded him in death on January 24, 2022. In October, 2022, 19 days before his death, he transitioned to hospice care. He died there on November 9, 2022 at the age of 90 years and 30 days.

Malcolm Nord, Son of Claris Nord (Slayon), and the Late Jerry Nord, passed away suddenly on November, 5, 2022 in Marietta, GA. Malcolm is survived by his mother, Claris and two sons.

Deb Fuerstenberg was born on April 21, 1954, in Worthington, Minnesota to Raymond and Anna Mae Probst Fuerstenberg. The family made their home in St. Kilian, and Osakis, MN before settling back in St. Kilian. Deb graduated from Adrian High School in 1972 and attended Alexandria Vo-Tech for accounting, graduating in 1974. Following graduation Deb moved to Wilmont, MN and began her banking career with First National Bank which in 1987 became Farmers State Bank of Wilmont then in 1992 the bank became United Prairie Bank. Deb also worked at the St. Kilian Store for many years helping out whenever needed. Deb retired in 2021. Deb passed away on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 68. She was a member of St. Kilian Church where she served as bookkeeper and was active in the CCW. When the church closed Deb joined Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Wilmont. Deb enjoyed spending time with her family, spoiling her nieces and nephews and their families, cooking, collecting, shopping, word search puzzles, and reading.

Larry Mechtenberg, the son of Leo and Louise (Nuebel) Mechtenberg, was born on April 11, 1943 in Parkston, SD. He grew up in Parkston and attended Sacred Heart Parochial School and graduated from Parkston High School in 1961. While in high school he lettered in both football and baseball 4 times and was an All-State basketball player. Larry played Jr. League baseball for the city of Parkston. He then attended Southern State Teachers College in Springfield, SD and graduated with a BS Degree in Physical Education, Health, History and Biology. In college he played 4 years in football and basketball. Larry played centerfield for the state of South Dakota and in 1968 he played amateur baseball for the city of Parkston, which won the state title.

Richard Seward Johnson was born on February 3, 1942, in Tracy, Minnesota to Seward and Myrtle Haugen Johnson. Richard grew up on farms near Tracy, Clarkfield, and Slayton, MN. He graduated from Slayton High School in 1959. On September 21, 1968, he and Karen Lopau were married at the Peace United Methodist Church in Pipestone, MN. Following their marriage, they made their home on a farm near Avoca, MN later moving to a farm near Currie, MN and in 1989 they moved to Slayton. Richard had various jobs throughout his life. He worked for the Slayton Telephone Co., was a milkman for Oak Grove, worked at the Slayton Elevator and was a feed man for Jim Daniels. He then decided to go into business for himself owning and operating Johnson Garbage and Rubbish and later Johnson Tree Service. Karen passed away on October 6, 2021. Richard passed away on November 5, 2022, at the Murray County Medical Center in Slayton at the age of 80. He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton. Richard enjoyed driving around, visiting with people, coffee time, and shaking dice.

Dave Steffl (58) of Chandler, MN, died unexpectedly on Saturday, November 5, 2022, in Minnesota with family by his side. He was born October 2,1964, in Redwood County, Minnesota, the son of David and Mary Ann (Siefert) Steffl. He resided in Chandler, Minnesota. He married Mona Lewis on August 19, 1984, (Divorced) and two children were born to this union – Joseph Steffl and David Steffl. He married Deborah Brunson on October 19,1991, and two children were born to this union – Joshua Steffl and Racheal Steffl (Ossefoort). David loved hunting, especially deer hunting with his brothers, his sons, and nephews. He passed on opening day, surrounded by family, doing what he loved. He loved all Minnesota sports teams and loved spending time with his family. He was a very loving and caring person and would be the first to help when someone was in need.

Lynn “Papa” Behr, the youngest son of Fred and Martha (Gehl) Behr, was born on November 11, 1930 in Heron Lake, MN. He grew up on the farm and attended school until the 8th grade in Fulda. Lynn was drafted into the U.S. Army in March of 1952 and went to basic training at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas and then to Engineer School in Columbus, NE. He spent the rest of his service based at Ft. Belvoiu Va. On October 4, 1953, Lynn married his soulmate, his longtime business partner, and more than anything, the true love of his life, Alta Redenius. Following his discharge from the Army in March of 1954, they made their home on the family farm in Belfast Township just east of Fulda. It is the farm Lynn would remain on his entire life. He began farming with his brother, Vernon, then his son Marlowe and most recently his son-in-law, Dave and 3 of his grandsons. Lynn would often tell people “If you’re done farming before Thanksgiving, you don’t farm enough”. It was on the family farm that Lynn and Alta would start their business, Behr Enterprises. Lynn strived to provide the best grain handling, storage and conditioning products and services to local farmers and elevators. His work ethic and business ethics were never brought into question as he strived to be fair and honest as possible.

Gary Brinks was born on July 16, 1947, near Sheldon, IA to Gerrit & Henrietta Brinks. He was baptized and professed his faith in the Reformed Church. As the oldest of 5 children, he spent his early years on his parent’s dairy farm helping with farm activities. He graduated from Balaton High school in 1965 and attended the University of Minnesota Morris, St. Paul and later graduated from Southwest Minnesota State University. Gary was united in marriage to Helen Anderson on June 14, 1969, at the Methodist Church in Lake Wilson. Gary enlisted in the US Air Force and went to Basic Training at Lackland AFB in Texas. After Basic, Gary was sent to Lowry AFB near Denver, CO and Castle AFB near Merced, CA to train as an ordinance mechanic on B-52 Bombers and later F-4 Phantom fighters.

Dianne Kuecker, wife of Dr. Ron Kuecker, Windom, MN, passed away peacefully on October 17, 2022, at Heritage Pointe in Marshall, MN. Ron, Dan, and other family members had been with her for the past week. Scott and Julie were at her bedside when she quietly breathed her last.