Obituaries

Jim Engelkes was born on September 1, 1944, on a farm near Dundee, Minnesota to Engelke “Bill” and Violet Boots Engelkes. The family later moved to a farm near Lime Creek, MN and Jim attended Fulda School. Jim served in the Minnesota National Guard from 1963 to 1966. On June 20, 1975, he and Diane Lucker were married in Avoca, MN. Following their marriage, they made their home in Slayton and Jim worked for Rupp Construction, Reker Construction and the Murray County Highway Department operating heavy equipment. Jim also did work for Ransom and Wilmont Townships in Nobles County. Jim passed away at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD on Thursday, May 12, 2022, at the age of 77. He was a member of the Avoca American Legion Post. Jim enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, camping, cleaning and polishing his vehicles, tinkering or fixing things, snowmobiling, watching Nascar-rooting for anyone driving a Ford, and watching football especially the Packers.

Survivors include his two children and their spouses, Erin and Scott Bouchard of Thornton, CO, and Jack and Taylor Belanger of Centennial, CO, five grandchildren, Charlize, Elin, and Eva Bouchard, and Austyn and Wesley Belanger, his father, Gordon “Gordy” Belanger of Maple Grove, MN, and partner, Brenda Lilemon of Slayton, MN. He is preceded in death by his mother, Helen Belanger and wife, Rhonda.

Judith (Judy) Emma Peters, the daughter of Ted and Martha (Runge) Voss, was born on July 2, 1944, in Adrian, Minnesota. She grew up in Wilmont and graduated from Adrian High School in 1963. Judy was united in marriage to Dennis Peters on August 22, 1963, at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Wilmont, MN. After their marriage they lived in Brooklyn Park, MN until moving to Garrison, MN in 1991. In 2000 they moved to Slayton, MN where they continued to make their home. Judy passed away on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, at the Our House Hospice Home in Slayton at the age of 77. She enjoyed spending time with friends and family, reminiscing childhood memories, going out to eat with friends, keeping a tidy home, gardening, dancing and fishing. Survivors include her husband, Dennis Peters of Slayton, MN; son, Michael (Angie) Peters of Montevideo, MN; 4 grandsons, Aaron Peters of Round Lake, IL, Jonathan Peters of Coeur D’ Alene, ID, Adam Peters of Marshall, MN and Andrew (Nicole) Peters of Mankato, MN; 1 greatgrandson, Archie Peters of Mankato, MN; 5 siblings, Shirley Reisdorfer of Luverne, MN, Diane “Dolly” (Ron) Onken of Estero, FL, Bill (Linda) Voss of Slayton, MN, Wanda (Jerry) Tutt of Brooklyn Park, MN and Jean (Larry) Plantz of Slayton, MN and many nieces, nephews and their families. She is preceded in death by her parents, stepmother, Leona Voss, son, Steve Peters, brother, Donald Voss and 2 brother-in-law, Gary Onken and Eldon Reisdorfer.

Rick Gene Hindt was born on February 16, 1966, in Worthington, Minnesota. He passed away on February 25, 2022, in Wichita, Kansas at the age of 56.

Kayo Joseph Silvernale, age 89 of Burnsville, formerly of Currie, passed away April 27, 2022. Preceded in death by son Stephen Paul, brothers-in-law, Craig Heieren and Richard (Bud) Mulder, and two infant brothers.

Russel Lee Reed, 74, of Dent, Minnesota, passed away in the company of his wife Harriett in Chandler, AZ on April 23, 2022. Russ was born in Kennebec, South Dakota on August 7th, 1947.

Bob Bruxvoort, 71, of Sioux Center, Iowa died, Thursday, April 21, 2022, at Sioux Center Health in Sioux Center. Robert Alan Bruxvoort was born on October 10, 1950, in Slayton, Minnesota, to Harvey and Henrietta (Vis) Bruxvoort.

Jerry Lee Kreun, 78, of Edgerton, MN was born September 4, 1943, in Pipestone County, to Lawrence and Johanna (Beukelman) Kreun. He attended Edgerton Public School, he was a graduate of the Class of 1961. He was also active in band and choir. Jerry worked multiple jobs in high school. After graduation he worked as a janitor at the school. In 1963 he married Bev Lange. They were blessed with four children: Denise, Doug, Sheri, and Ross.

Bob Dysthe was born on April 15, 1934, in Iona, Minnesota to Clifford (C.H./Tiffy) and Florance (Laible) Dysthe. He grew up on his family farm west of Iona and attended District #68 Country School. His mother was his teacher for a few years during the teacher shortage of WWII. He went on to attend Chandler High School and after graduation, Bob worked on the farm before volunteering for the Draft in the United States Army. After bootcamp and radio school at Camp Gordon in Georgia, he served 9 months in the Republic of Korea as a Forward Air Controller. He completed his military service in Honolulu, HI and was honorably discharged on February 15, 1955. Bob met the love of his life, Kathleen Tressa Douma on November 2, 1948, and they dated throughout high school. They were married at the newly built Chandler Reformed Church on May 17, 1955. Bob worked for McCormick Appliance in Slayton for two years, before they moved to the farm in 1957. They started their dairy operation with 2 cows and 2 bred heifers. Over the years, the herd expanded and upon their retirement they were milking approximately 200 cows. Bob was baptized and made Confession of Faith at the Iona Presbyterian Church. Once married, he became a member of the Chandler Reformed Church and over his 67 years of membership he served on Consistory for 27 years, taught Sunday School and Catechism classes, was an RCYF Sponsor, belonged to Men’s Brotherhood and served on multiple committees. Bob was also very involved in the Dairy Industry and served on multiple boards including AMPI Corporate Treasurer, DHIA, and Midland UDIA. While he enjoyed dairy farming, his first love was his horses and ponies. He got his first pony, Bess, when he was 6 years old and for the next 74 years, he had multiple horses and ponies. There were many horse, pony and pony cart rides enjoyed by all and he passed the love of horses down to his daughters. Bob loved spending time as a family showing cattle and horses at the local and state 4-H level. There were times that they had at least a dozen head of cattle at the fair. Once chores were done for the day, he enjoyed going to Lake Sarah to go boating and later bought a place on Lake Shetek to spend even more time on and near the water with family. He also collected classic cars and tractors. Bob passed away at the Murray County Medical Center in Slayton on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at the age of 88.

Hermina Leysen was born on April 14, 1923, in Little Rock, Iowa to George and Sara Muller Tuin. Following the death of her father the family moved to a farm north of Slayton, MN. Hermina attended Lake Beauty Country School and graduated from Slayton High School. In 1941 she and Ralph Cochran were married in Slayton. Following their marriage, they made their home on a farm near Slayton. Ralph passed away in 1943, leaving Hermina with son, Gerald and baby, Ralph on the way.