Obituaries

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.

Wilma Darlene (Carlson) Gray was born on the family farm in Murray County, Minnesota on September 9, 1933, to Oscar Lenard and Violet Mae (Coyle) Carlson. She grew up on the family farm ten miles north of Slayton, MN. Her schooling included District #89 Country School and Tracy High School. On November 19, 1950, she was united in marriage to Charles Gray, Sr. at the First Congregational Church in Garvin, MN. While Charles was serving his country in Korea, Wilma was home raising chickens and was able to save enough money to aid in building a new home on the family farm site. In 1958 they moved to a farm near Heron Lake, MN where they resided for five years before returning to Slayton. In 1983, they purchased the Country Host and Truck Stop. They ran this business until 1989. They then moved to an Angus cow/ calf farm in Cameron, MO. In 2004, they retired in Slayton. Retirement did not last long as Charles and Wilma decided to purchase rental properties in Slayton.

Beverly C. Van De Wiele, age 87 of Marshall, formerly of Tracy and Walnut Grove, passed away Monday, December 13, 2021 at Heritage Pointe Senior Living in Marshall.

David Erick Erickson, age 47, passed away Wednesday, December 1, 2021. David was born July 2, 1974.

Eldora Rae Van Nieuwenhuyzen was born on March 15, 1947, in Slayton, MN to Charles “Billy” and Arleen Ireton. She grew up in Slayton and graduated from Slayton High School in 1965. Just a few weeks after graduating high school, Dorie Ireton married Cordell Van Nieuwenhuyzen. They celebrated 56 years of marriage together. Following their marriage, they established their first home together in Chandler, MN where they welcomed their five children.

Kevin Strampe was born on December 9, 1957, in Slayton, Minnesota to Vernon and Beatrice Koopman Strampe. He grew up on the family farm southeast of Chandler, MN and graduated from Chandler-Lake Wilson High School in 1976. While in high school Kevin was active in 4-H, FFA and played basketball. Following graduation he attended Canby Vo-Tech for auto mechanics. He then went to work for Connell Chevrolet in Luverne and later for Pipestone Auto in Pipestone, MN. He then took a job building grain elevators throughout the upper Midwest until the early 1980’s when he moved to Woodward, OK to begin working in the oil fields. He started out as a roughneck and worked his way up. He started his own business with Stramp’s Oilfield Services hauling pipe and supplies for the oil companies and working for area banks doing repo work. Kevin passed away at his home in Woodward, OK on Wednesday, December 8, 2021, at the age of 63. Kevin enjoyed attending motorcycle rallies, riding his Harley, collecting cars, trucks, and boats to fix-up and sell. Kevin was always up for a good time with family and friends and was known to be the life of the party.