Obituaries

Annetta Legler, age 99, formerly of Woodstock, Minnesota, passed away on Monday, March 30, 2026, at Haven Homes in Maple Plain, Minnesota. Services will be Friday, April 10, 2026, at Faith Community Church in Pipestone, Minnesota. Visitation and luncheon will be from 11:00 AM -12:30 PM. Funeral service will be held at 12:45 PM with interment immediately following at Woodstock Cemetery. Annetta’s funeral service will be live streamed and viewable online at www.hartquistfuneral. com.

Jerry Platt was born to Louis and Doris (Bose) Platt on May 19th, 1951 at home in Lake Wilson MN. He passed away unexpectedly at his home on March 27th, 2026 at the age of 74. Jerry attended Lake Wilson Elementary School and graduated from Lake Wilson High School in 1969.

John Van Dyke, age 96, of Slayton, Minnesota, formerly of Lake Benton, Minnesota, passed away on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne, Minnesota. Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at 10:30 AM at the First Baptist Church in Lake Benton with visitation held one hour prior from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at the church. Interment will follow in the Memorial Hill Cemetery in Lake Benton.

Elnora Katherine Dierks, the daughter of William and Dora (Behr) Hardekopf, was born on August 18, 1926, in Seward Twp., Nobles Co., MN. She grew up on the family farm and attended school. She was baptized and confirmed at the Immanuel American Lutheran Church in rural Fulda. Elnora was united in marriage to Ervin Dierks on May 21, 1944, at Immanuel American Lutheran Church in rural Fulda. After their marriage they lived and farmed northwest of Fulda. In 1975 they moved into Fulda. Elnora remained at home after Ervin died in November of 1990. She entered the Maple Lawn Nursing Home in February of 2025. Elnora passed away on Friday, March 27, 2026 at the Maple Lawn Nursing Home in Fulda at the age of 99. She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fulda where she was active in the Ladies Aid and Altar Guild. She enjoyed gardening (especially her roses), sewing, quilting and crotcheting.

Bonnie Jean Byrne was born on September 3, 1933, on her parents’ farm north of Dovray, Minnesota, to Peter and Jennie (Carter) Byrne. She graduated from Westbrook High School in 1951. On November 8, 1952, Bonnie was united in marriage to Clair Ackerman at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Currie, MN. Together, they raised 10 children on the Ackerman family farm. Clair passed away on February 1, 2016. Bonnie grew up embracing the values of hard work, faith, and family that are inherent in rural life, carrying these principles with her throughout her years. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, great-grandmother and greatgreat grandmother finding great joy in the presence of her family. Bonnie loved to bake and cook for those she loved, and she was especially known for her delicious cookies, bars, and her famous potato salad, all of which were favorites at family gatherings. She also enjoyed collecting cookie jars, salt and pepper shakers, and clocks with Clair. In her free time, Bonnie took pleasure in playing cards, embroidering, knitting, and crocheting, sharing her handmade creations with family and friends. Bonnie was an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Currie, MN, and worked for Swift in Marshall, MN, for several years. Bonnie passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at the Good Samaritan Home in Westbrook, MN. She reached the age of 92 years, 6 months, and 22 days. Blessed be her memory. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Westbrook Good Samaritan Home and Avera Hospice for the care and attention given to Bonnie during her time there.

Jeffrey Hansen was born August 14, 1976, in Pipestone, Minnesota to Thomas and Pamela (Peterson) Hansen. He attended school in Chandler and Edgerton, Minnesota. After deciding high school wasn’t for him, he worked various mechanical jobs. He drove truck for a manure hauling company in Iowa, then worked at Chandler Machine Shop in Chandler, Minnesota while crop farming.

Tamara “Tami” Kaye Joldersma, age 66, of Slayton, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on the morning of March 18, 2026 Tami was born to Esther and Mike Joldersma and spent her life rooted in southwest Minnesota. She was a proud and devoted mother to Mitchell (Kari) Joldersma and Jennifer (Andi) Hochrein, and an even prouder grandmother to Jack and Haddie Joldersma, who brought her endless joy.

Grace (Smith) Welgraven was born to George and Johanna (Lolkus) Smith on September 23, 1938, in Fenton Township. She passed away March 10, 2026, at the age of 87 years. She attended Chandler Christian Elementary and graduated from Chandler High School in 1956. Grace was a lifelong professing member of the Chandler Reformed Church, serving as a Catechism teacher for several years, participating in ladies Bible studies, and a member of the Reformed Church Women.

Grace Welgraven of Chandler, MN passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at the Edgebrook Care Center in Edgerton, MN. A visitation was held on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at the Chandler Reformed Church in Chandler, MN from 5-7pm.

Edward John Lewis Jr., the son of Edward and Clara (Roemen) Lewis Sr., was born on July 31, 1938, in Rock Valley, IA. He grew up in Rock Valley until moving to Rushmore, MN. He attended country school then went to school in Worthington. Ed was united in marriage to Shirley Thompson on November 19, 1960, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Worthington. After their marriage they lived in Adrian before moving to a farm south of Fulda. Ed worked at Fulda Coop Elevators in Fulda and Wirock. He also farmed until 1973. He later worked at the elevators in Iona and Dovray before retiring. He served on the Fulda volunteer Fire Department for 33 years. Ed passed away on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Our House Hospice Home in Slayton, MN at the age of 87. He was a member of St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church and was an usher, greeter. Ed enjoyed dancing, camping, playing cards and cutting the grass or just being outdoors.