Obituaries

James William Behrends died at Mayo Clinic Health System-Mankato on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at the age of 86. He was born March 11, 1935 in Mountain Lake, MN to Fred and Ruth (Austin) Behrends. Earning his Eagle Scout Award in Boy Scouts was something that he felt proud of and provided opportunities to him throughout his life. Jim graduated from St. James High School in 1953. Jim and Phyllis (Hubert) were married on June 14, 1959 in Lamberton, MN.

Bette Meinerts was born on December 15, 1940, in Doon, Iowa to Howard and Grace Finck Linton. The family made their home in Sioux Falls, SD where Bette graduated from Washington High School in 1960. On May 20, 1968, she and David Meinerts were married in Sioux Falls. They made their home in Denver, CO, Rapid City, SD, Watertown, SD eventually settling in Slayton, MN and raising their two daughters. Bette worked in the cafeteria at the Murray County Central School. Dave passed away on September 20, 2001. Due to failing health Bette moved to Our House Hospice Home in Slayton in June 2021. She passed away there on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, at the age of 80. She was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton where she taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School (VBS). Bette was an active member of the Slayton Community volunteering at the Murray County Speedway, serving as a MCC Lunch Buddy, volunteering at Senior Dining, and serving on the Joint Advisory Board for RSVP, and ACE of Southwest Minnesota. She also was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and the American Legion Auxiliary and the Red Hat Society. Bette enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, coffee time with the girls, and playing cards. Anyone who knew Grandma Bette, knew she was famous for her Monster Cookies.

Marj Peterson, age 95 of Tracy, passed away Saturday, August 14, 2021 at Sunrise Manor Nursing Home in Tyler. Marjorie H.

Jack Lewis was born on February 2, 1942, in Tracy, Minnesota to Palmer and Dorsie Meek Lewis. He grew up in Tracy until the family moved to Seattle, WA during WWII where his father-built ships. The family later returned to southwest Minnesota making their home in Garvin, Ivanhoe, and Balaton, MN eventually settling in Slayton, MN. Jack graduated from Slayton High School in 1960. On October 25, 1975, he and Barbara Ackerman were married at the United Methodist Church in Slayton. Following their marriage, they made their home in Slayton. Jack worked for the Murray County Sheriff’s Department and served as Sheriff from 1981 to 1983. He then went to work for the Slayton Police Department. He retired as Chief of Police in 1997. In 2018 they sold their home in Slayton and moved to a home on Lake Sarah. Jack passed away unexpectedly at the Murray County Medical Center in Slayton on Tuesday, August 3, 2021, at the age of 79. He was a member of the Slayton United Methodist Church in Slayton. He also was a member of the MPPOA, Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association, and the Minnesota Sheriffs Association. Jack enjoyed spending time with his family, giving his grandkids a bad time, hunting, fishing, ice fishing, playing cards, attending his grandchildren’s activities and in his younger days playing softball.

Jon E. Rongstad, age 83, died peacefully, August 15, 2021 after a long battle with Parkinson’s.

Gwendolyn Mae Fillis, age 90 of Blair, passed away August 13, 2021. Gwen was born on March 19, 1931, the daughter of Edward and Bernice (Evans) Welk. She was raised on a farm in Murray County, Minnesota, and was a graduate of Chandler, Minnesota High School. After high school Gwen moved to Denver, Colorado where she served in the Naval Reserves, worked in the area, and later met Bill Fillis. The couple were married in 1960. Gwen worked most of her career as a medical records technician. Gwen enjoyed bowling, Minnesota Twins baseball. She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.

Louella May Gilb, age 87 of Garvin, passed away Saturday, August 14, 2021 after a battle with lung cancer at Clarkfield Care Center with family by her side. Louella was born March 1, 1934 to Glen and Gladys (Ross) Galbraith in Russell, Minnesota. She attended first through tenth grade at Russell schools. On September 23, 1950, Louella married the love of her life Donald Gilb. The couple moved to New Jersey for two years, when Don joined the army. Don then accepted a job at John Deere in Tracy, where they then moved. The couple moved around the community including near Currie, Tracy, Elko, and Adrian. The couple settled in Garvin on a hobby farm, where Louella had resided ever since. Louella enjoyed going to the casino, playing cards and doing puzzle books. She loved spending time with her family and her pet dogs. To pass the time she enjoyed gardening, baking, fishing, and collecting salt and pepper shakers.

Thomas Fredrick Curtis, age 70, died on Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at his home in Dassel. Thomas, the son of Glen and Mary (West) Curtis, was born on July 23, 1951 in Slayton, MN.

Dorothy Kathryn Ruppert was born at home on August 14, 1931, to Leo and Louise Ackerman Hofstadter on their farm near Currie, and she died peacefully on, August 3, 2021. She attended rural school, Westbrook High School and graduated from Lamberton Teacher College. She taught all eight grades in a one-room schoolhouse before being promoted to Currie Elementary, where she taught only four grades, for two years. She began dating Raymond Ruppert after a Bible study in Currie, where they both were attending Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. They were married on February 13th, 1954, at IHM Church in Currie. Their love was planted in their shared deep faith and in the black dirt of the family farm, which has yielded bounties for generations. Dorothy loved being a farm wife and mother. She enjoyed her garden on the farm, where she grew vegetables and flowers and preserved enough for the next year. She loved her animals, especially her house cats. She was the best cook ever, always had something cooking on the stove and could extend a meal for whomever squeezed around the table. She had a hot breakfast ready every day; baked cakes, cookies, and bread; and made great popcorn balls. She made angel food cakes for birthdays and whistled while she worked. Dorothy was able to stay on the farm throughout her illness due to the generosity of her family and caregivers up to the last month.

Veronica “Vonnie” Marie DeYonge, age 94 passed away on Thursday, August 5, 2021 in Slayton, MN. She was born December 19, 1926 in Iona Township near Slayton, Minnesota to Andrew and Helena (Hermeling) Thraen. She grew up in the rural Slayton, Currie and Iona areas attending school in Currie, Slayton and Tracy. On October 4, 1950 she married Johannes (John) DeYonge at St Columba Catholic Church in Iona, Minnesota. Following their marriage, they lived on a farm near Hadley, Minnesota. In 1959 they moved their young growing family to Buena Park, CA and returned in 1966 to the farm near Hadley where they lived and farmed until 2014 when they moved into town. They were blessed with 9 children, 25 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren.