Obituaries

Arlyn Bentson was born on October 21, 1933, in Lismore, Township, Nobles County, Minnesota to Ole and Josephine Sunde Bentson. He grew up on the family farm near Kenneth, MN and attended country school. On August 11, 1954, he enlisted in the United States Army.

Myrtle Ramert, the daughter of Arthur and Gladys (Mahn) Carlson, was born on March 12, 1932 in Alta, IA. Her family moved to Fulda in 1947 and she graduated from Fulda High School in 1949. Myrtle was united in marriage to Dennis “Jim” Ramert on September 7, 1950 in Fulda, MN. They moved to Anchorage, AK in 1954, where Jim was employed with the FAA. They later moved to Champagne, IL and then to Watertown, SD. In 1964 they returned to the family farm near Fulda. Myrtle remained on the farm after Jim’s passing in April of 1968. She then attended the Worthington Community College, graduating in 1971. She moved to a home in Fulda in 1976 and worked for the Maple Lawn Nursing Home until her retirement in 1997. Myrtle entered the Maple Lawn Nursing Home in 2017 and passed away there on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at the age of 89. She was a member of St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in Fulda. Myrtle enjoyed gardening, photography and baking.

James Schrantz, 91, formerly of Slayton, passed away on Oct. 10, 2021, at Pine Haven Care Center in Pine Island, Minn.

Cheryl Michaelson was born on November 7, 1955, in Worthington, Minnesota to Alfred and Thelma Ellefson McNab. She grew up in Rushmore, MN until 1969 when the family moved to Slayton, MN. Cheryl graduated from Slayton High School in 1973 and went on to attend Worthington Community College LPN Program graduating in 1977. On June 10, 1977, she and James Michaelson were married in Mankato, MN. Following their marriage, they made their home in Slayton until 1981 when they moved to Mesa, AZ. In 1987 they returned to Slayton and in 1995 they moved to Spirit Lake, IA retuning to Slayton in 2002. Cheryl worked at several hospitals, nursing homes and for hospice over the years. She most recently worked at the Colonial Manor in Balaton, MN. Due to failing health Cheryl moved to Our House Hospice Home in Slayton on October 12, 2021. She passed away there on Wednesday, October 13, 2021, at the age of 65. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Slayton. Cheryl enjoyed bird watching, baking and Facebook.

Julie LaNet (Miller) Kennedy, 60, of Marshall, was born on September 28, 1961, in Marshall, to Lennis and Sharron (Moen) Miller. She was baptized at First Lutheran Church in Marshall, and confirmed at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Aberdeen, SD. While attending school in Aberdeen, she made close friends and enjoyed time riding and training horses. Midway through high school, Julie moved with her family back to Marshall where she made lifelong friends and graduated from Marshall High School in 1979. Julie was married to Kevin Kennedy on September 20th, 1980, and to this union was born son, Lennis. Kevin and Julie made their home in Houston, Chicago, and Columbus and enjoyed strong friendships and traveling. Julie moved home to be closer to her family in 1989. After returning home, she attended Southwest State University for a teaching degree and worked in Marshall and the surrounding communities as an early childhood teacher and child advocate.

Tom Byrne was born on April 30, 1951, in Slayton, Minnesota to Perry and Jeanne Gleason Byrne. He grew up on a farm east of Currie, MN and graduated from Tracy High School in 1969. In June 1969 Tom enlisted in the United States Navy. On August 26, 1969, he and Kathy Pattinson were married at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Currie. Following their marriage, they made their home in Norfolk, VA and later Long Beach, CA while Tom served in the Navy. Following his honorable discharge in December 1970 they moved to Walnut Grove, MN and Tom worked for Revere Milling. They later moved to the Byrne family farm east of Currie where he farmed and in 1987 Tom became a full-time mail carrier for the United States Post Office until he retired at the age of 62. After retirement Tom helped Schmitz Grain in the spring and fall. Tom passed away unexpectedly at his home on Friday, October 22, 2021, at the age of 70. Tom was a member of the Currie American Legion Post. He enjoyed being with his family, fishing, trapping, hunting, gardening and being with his dog, Red.

Betty Swan was born on July 17, 1928, in Pipestone, Minnesota to Walter and Beatrice (Ditmeyer) Lovell. The family later moved to various farms in Murray County, MN. Betty graduated from Slayton High School in 1946. She and Arthur Swan were married on June 19,1946 at the United Methodist Church in Slayton. Following their marriage, they made their home in Chicago, IL until 1948 when they moved to Slayton. She and Art opened Swan Electric, where she helped run the business until they sold it in 1973. Betty joined the Slayton Manor when it opened in 1966, and remained there for 40 years working in housekeeping and laundry. She continued living in the family home after Art’s passing on December 23, 1986. In 2015 Betty moved to the Maple Lawn facility in Fulda. She passed away there on Sunday, October 10, 2021, at the age of 93. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Slayton, where she taught release time and was active in the UMW. She also was a member of the Slayton VFW Auxiliary and the DAV Auxiliary. Betty spent many years volunteering with R.S.V.P. and Meals on Wheels. Betty enjoyed spending time with family and friends, traveling the world and visiting with people.

Robert A. Norcutt, age 68, passed away October 11, 2021. To anyone who heard Bob say “If a person wanted to” usually meant that Bob’s imagination was in full force. At a young age Bob discovered his passion for new adventures and challenges as long as it had wheels and a motor. Not many 9 year old kids can say they were brought home by the Police for driving under age more than once. Bob had too many skills and interests to list, but most of all love for his family and friends. He earned his Million Mile Award accident free crossing the country in his 18-wheeler ironically with no speeding tickets. With each mile Bob had a story to tell and picture to share. He could recall each exit with a purpose to pull over and take in the view. Bob had a brilliant mind that could fix anything and a compassionate heart. He kept a rolled up bill in the door of his truck in case he met anyone in need. Although Bob’s passport does reflect incredible adventures he and Bev took together, he was genuinely happiest at home watching the lake and wildlife activity with Miss Kitty. Nicknamed Grandpa Cream Puff for good reason. Bob took each challenge as an opportunity to do something innovative. If a person wanted to take a tree branch down it would be more enjoyable to shoot it down than to use the chainsaw.

Robert Dean Knapper, the son of Dean and Gladys (Stanton) Knapper, was born on February 20, 1954 in Slayton, MN. He grew up in Slayton and attended school, graduating from the Slayton High School in 1972. Bobby then attended Vo Tech in Willmar, MN. He worked at the Mobil gas station in Pipestone as an auto mechanic before working construction for Barry Construction in Lake Wilson, MN. Bobby moved to Williston, ND in 1980 to work for the city as their head mechanic. He retired from the city of Williston in 2018 and returned to the family farm east of Slayton. Bobby passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at his home in rural Slayton at the age of 67. He was an avid pool player and enjoyed woodworking. Bobby was known for his ability to fix about anything.

Daniel Marvin Beerman was born to Marvin and Rosemarie Beerman on August 19, 1947, in Worthington, MN. The second oldest of 9 children, he grew up on a dairy farm near Brewster, MN, and began doing chores and milking cows at a young age. The love for the farm, for cattle, and for God’s sovereignty over all things set his sights on one day owing his own farm and herd. Dan graduated from Brewster High School in 1965.