Obituaries

Kathleen Byrne, the daughter of William and Patricia (Schimek) Pattinson, was born on March 21, 1952 in Slayton, MN. She grew up in Currie and attended IHM Catholic School in Currie. Kathy was united in marriage to Tom Byrne on August 26, 1969 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Currie. After their marriage they lived in Norfolk, VA and Long Beach, CA while Tom was in the Navy. In December of 1970 they moved to Walnut Grove, MN and in 1980 they moved to the Byrne family farm east of Currie. She worked for many years as secretary for Sweetman Sand and Gravel. Kathy passed away on Friday, January 7, 2022 at the Our House Hospice Home in Slayton, MN at the age of 69 with the comfort of her family by her side. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Currie. Kathy was a devoted wife and mother and took pride in raising her two boys and later enjoying her grandkids and the activities and all their lifetime milestones. She enjoyed driving through the state park, hanging with “Red”, christmas lights and sitting in the sun on the deck. But her #1 love was her grandkids, as you could tell by the sparkle in her eyes when they were mentioned.

Dennis Joseph Ruppert was born in Tracy, Minnesota on September 8, 1950 to Henry and Mary (Gaul) Ruppert. He grew up on a farm in Shetek Township in Murray County. Dennis attended Sunrise country school and Currie IHM Catholic school. He finished his schooling in Tracy, MN.

Thomas Michael “Tom” Danielson was born November 28, 1942, in Minneapolis, to Casper and Ethel (O’Brien) Danielson. He grew up in the Twin Cities area.

Carl Lindberg was born on December 22, 1956, in Slayton, Minnesota to Marvin and Elsie (Forsberg) Lindberg. He grew up on the family farm east of Currie, MN and attended Tracy High School, graduating in 1975. On July 13, 1984, he and Ramona Peschges were married in Currie. Following their marriage, they made their home on a farmstead south of Currie where they raised their two daughters. In 2016 he and Ramona divorced. After 45 years of farming, Carl retired in 2020. Carl passed away on Friday, December 31, 2021, at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 65. He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton, MN. Carl enjoyed driving around crop checking, farming, spending time with his family, grilling burgers for the Currie Town and Country, working on old cars, and spending time in his shop.

Dottie Muecke was born on April 10, 1943, in Chana, Illinois to Nellie Suter. She grew up in Illinois until the family moved to Blackduck, MN for a time before moving to Fulda, MN where Dottie attended Fulda High School. On February 11, 1961, she and Gary Muecke were married. Following their marriage, they made their home in Slayton and raised their three children. Dottie worked at the VFW Club, Kids Dudes and Erickson Jeweler. In 1986 Dottie went to work at for the Murray County Central School system working in the kitchen and as janitor. She retired in 2012. Gary passed away on December 27, 2018. Due to failing health Dottie moved to Our House Hospice Home in Slayton. She passed away there on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at the age of 78. She was a member Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton where she was active in the ladies group. Dottie was inducted in the Murray County Speedway Hall of Fame in 2017. She enjoyed being with her family, dirt track racing, Nascar, watching the Vikings, Twins and all MCC Rebels sports, traveling and the occasional trips to area casinos.

Donnella Gwyn (Kluis) Griffin, 74, of Spring Grove, MN passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on January 1, 2022. Donnella was born on September 19, 1947 to Felix and Henrietta (Schuur) Kluis and grew up on a farm near Chandler, MN.

Leon Hauge, “Lucky Leon,” of Montevideo died on Sunday, December 19, 2021 at his home at the age of 75. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at 10:30 AM at Anderson-TeBeest Funeral Home in Montevideo with Rev.

Elizabeth Ann (Betty) Beech passed away at her home on Sunday morning December 26, 2021, one day before her 81st birthday following a two-year journey with pancreatic cancer. Betty was born on December 27, 1940 to Henry and Margaret Lubke in Pipestone, MN. She grew up in Pipestone and had many great and mischievous adventures with her siblings and friends. She worked as a photographer and re-touched canvas portraits for Glenn Studios in high school. She first met her husband George at the Dance Hall in Hatfield, MN. After high school, she moved to Minneapolis where she worked at Lampert Lumber and experienced the exciting life of a young woman in the city.

Kathy Zens was born on January 8, 1948, in Slayton, Minnesota to Ben and Lavonne Swenhaugen Ennenga. She grew up in Westbrook and graduated from Westbrook High School in 1966. Kathy then attended Alexandria Vo-Tech graduating in 1968. On February 8, 1969, she and Steven Zens were married at St. Anthony’s Church in Westbrook, MN. Following their marriage, they made their home in Minneapolis, MN until 1970 when they moved to Currie, MN. Kathy and Steve owned and operated Zens Hardware in Currie for 29 years. They sold the business in 2005. Kathy worked for the Currie State Bank until retiring in 2012. Kathy and Steve enjoyed spending their winters in Arizona. Kathy passed away at her home on Monday, December 13, 2021, at the age of 73. She was a member of IHM Church in Currie where she taught CCD and was active in the CCW. Kathy was the volunteer coordinator for Mary and Martha’s Pantry in Westbrook and volunteered at Ruby’s Pantry in Marshall, MN. She loved to help others, especially with painting projects. Her many hobbies include quilting, sewing, card making, and stained glass. Everyone was welcome at Kathy’s home, and she was the happiest when surrounded by her family. Kathy was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Kathy had a beautiful soul and loved with her whole heart. Her legacy of kindness, grace, and generosity will live on forever. Survivors include her husband, Steve Zens of Currie, MN, two children and their spouses, Tandi and Steve Anderson of Marshall, MN, and Jason and Alysia Zens of Delano, MN, four grandchildren, Meganne Horne and her husband, Tanner, Justin, Caden and Alexis Zens, one great-grandson, Sky Coleman, seven sibling and their spouses, Romana Ennenga of Currie, MN, Murray Ennenga of Currie, MN, Lori and Tim Lerohl of Marshall, MN, Randy Ennenga of Westbrook, MN, Marnee and Tom Lieberman of Golden Valley, MN, Beth and Ken Eichmann of Tracy, MN, and Mark and Reem Ennenga of Blaine, MN, eight brothers and sisters-in-law, Keith Casey of Jeffers, MN, Jennifer Karschnik of Hill City, SD, Stuart and Cindy Zens of Sacramento, CA, Randy and Char Zens of Dalton, MN, Jeff and Rose Zens of Currie, MN, Kim and Cindy Zens of Hayes, VA, Don and Nancy Doll of Bovey, MN, and Kay and Kevin Lofquist of Nelson, MN and many nieces and nephews and their families. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother, Brad Ennenga, three sisters, Paula Ennenga, Lisa Casey, and Jennifer Ennenga.

Nancy Walter, age 65, of Garvin and formerly of Russell, Minnesota, died on Monday, December 13, 2021, at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She reached the age of 65 years and 2 months. Blessed be her memory.