Obituaries

Howard “Jake” Konkol was born in Ashland, Wisconsin, on July 26, 1926, to John and Elsie (Westphal) Konkol. He passed away on July 29, 2022, at the Our House Hospice Home in Slayton, MN. Jake attended Ashland High School. He was drafted into the service during his senior year and was unable to graduate with his class. He was honorably discharged and returned to the States in 1946. He attended Northland College and eventually transferred to Winona State Teacher’s College graduating in 1950 with a BS in Physical Education, Math, and Science. Jake taught physical education, junior high mathematics and coached football in Freeborn and Kimball, Minnesota. He met the love of his life, Katherine “Margaret” Vander Heyden and they were united in marriage on June 18, 1955. In 2014, Jake was inducted into Kimball’s Athletic Hall of Fame honoring the 1956 Kimball football team that went 8-0 and outscored its opponents 292-0 in a 35-game unbeaten streak that was a state record. In 1957, Jake and Margaret moved to Slayton, where they raised their six children. Jake taught seventh and eighth grade math as well as science, along with assistant coach duties for football and basketball. He retired in 1991 after 41 years of teaching. That same year, Jake was selected Teacher of the Year. Jake was a true outdoorsman. He loved fishing and hunting and had many great outings with his sons and friends. He and Margaret loved to travel and covered all fifty states and Canadian Provinces. Jake was a devout catholic and his faith was very important to him. Jake was a lifetime member of the Minnesota Coaches Association, National Education Association and American Legion. He was a member of Knights of Columbus. Jake enjoyed cheering on his favorite sports teams and his children and grandchildren at their activities. He showed his love in so many ways through his willingness to help, good-natured teasing, grins and singing his hellos and good-byes.

Peter Cornelius Hoekman was born on August 6th, 1932, in Martin, SD to Dirk and Lena Wynia Hoekman. In 1934 the family moved to a farm near Slayton, MN. Pete grew up on the farm that had been in his family since 1934 and he attended Country School and Chandler School. Pete made his profession of faith on April 2nd, 1950, at the First Reformed Church in Slayton. On June 15th, 1953, Pete was drafted into the United States Army. Following his honorable discharge on May 16th, 1955, he returned to the family farm. On February 3rd, 1956, he and Viola Mae Eernisse were married at the First Reformed Church in Slayton. Following their marriage, they farmed the family farm. God blessed Pete and his wife Viola Hoekman with three children. Gregory (fiancé Diane Holter) Hoekman of Volin, SD, Lori Carlson, Slayton, MN, James (wife Heather) Hoekman, Hadley, MN, five grandchildren, Leslie Michael Hoekman, Heather (Tony) Mayer, Shanon Carlson, Bryn Hoekman and Bryce Hoekman, one great grandchild, Viola Jean Hoekman.

Ronald E. Evans, age 69, of Pipestone, Minnesota passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Bruce Allen Prahm, 74, passed away on April 4, 2022 with family by his side. Bruce was born on June 14, 1947 in Slayton, Minnesota to Edward and Ruby Prahm. He graduated from Slayton High School in 1965 and attended the University of Wyoming for one semester. He enlisted in the Navy in 1966 and was honorably discharged in 1970, serving in Vietnam from November 1967 to November 1968. He worked for Dakota Contracting from 1974-1979 while attending the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He worked for Park and Fly in Minneapolis for more than 25 years.

Lenore R. Duffy, 80, of Pontiac, passed away Sunday, July 17, 2022, at OSF St.

Jean Runia, age 93, of Tyler, Minnesota, died on Sunday, July 17, 2022, at the Sunrise Manor Nursing Home in Tyler, Minnesota. Jean Myrna Magnuson was born on August 11, 1928, to parents Richard and Bergitte (Madsen) Magnuson.

Dave Baack, 83, of Balaton, was born on June 16, 1939, in Slayton, MN, to Guy and Hazel (Reese) Baack. His early years were spent in Lake Wilson and Slayton, and in 1957 he graduated from Mankato High School. In 1960, Dave married Carol Robb and they had five children.

Jerome (Jerry) Douglas Johnson of Hadley, MN, passed away, peacefully, on June 24, 2022, at the age of 83. Jerry was armed with an easy-going charm & a sense of wit. He had a love of sports, especially Baseball, Golf & Fishing.

Darlene Constance Knakmuhs was born October 2, 1927, in Irene, South Dakota to Rasmus and Florence Paulson Juul. She grew up in Irene and attended country school. In 1953 she and her parents moved to Slayton, MN. Darlene started working at Ben Franklin, which later became Fremstad’s Variety. On January 2, 1977, she and John Knakmuhs were married in Slayton. They made their home in Slayton and Darlene continued to work at the variety store. John passed away on February 26, 1990. After the variety store closed Darlene retired. But that was short-lived, as a new variety store opened, Henry’s Hometown Variety, so Darlene returned to work.

Margie Lou Loosbrock was born on December 5, 1937, in Wenatchee, WA to Lloyd and Esther Sarazine Butler. Shortly after her birth the family moved to Bingham Lake, MN where Margie grew up. She graduated from Windom High School and attended Minnesota School of Business. On November 16, 1957, she and James Loosbrock were married at St. Francis Xavier Church in Windom. Following their marriage, they made their home in the St. Kilian area and raised their six children. Margie was the bookkeeper at the Farmer’s Union Coop in Lismore for 25 years as well as keeping books for James’s business. James passed away on June 4, 1996.