Obituaries

Douglas Gene Schipper, 83, of Dundee, Minnesota, passed away on December 23, 2025, in Worthington MN. He was born on May 4, 1942, in Brewster MN, to Martin & Mildred (Christians) Schipper.

Laurelene Esther Hardekopf, the daughter of Oscar and Lillian (Kahler) Baumhoefner, was born on December 19, 1939 in Truman, MN. She grew up on farms near Truman, Fairmont and Reading and Worthington and graduated from the Worthington High School in 1957. Laurie was united in marriage to Leland Hardekopf on July 22, 1958 at the Immanuel American Lutheran Church in rural Fulda. After their marriage they lived and farmed in the Fulda and Wilmont areas until moving into Fulda in February of 1981. She worked at Slayton Floral, Sterling Drug and Shopko over the years. Laurie lived in Slayton and Windom and after her husband’s death in January of 2017 she returned to Fulda. Laurie returned to heaven on December 20, 2025, the day after her 86th birthday. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church rural Fulda. She enjoyed crafts, collecting angels, word searches, bird watching, volunteering at Maple Lawn and the Nobles County Library.

Minnie Schwartz was born on December 29, 1935, in Sanborn, Iowa, to Peter Sr. and Minnie Kros Vogel. She grew up in Sanborn until 1947 when the family moved to a farm near Iona, MN. Minnie graduated from Fulda High School in 1954. Following high school Minnie worked at Buckles Variety in Slayton and later at Slayton Federal Savings and Loan. On August 20, 1957, she and Roger Schwartz were married at the First Reformed Church in Slayton. Following their marriage, they lived on several farms in Murray County until 1966 when they moved to a farm in Lake Sarah Township, Murray County, MN. Together she and Roger farmed there for over 30 years and raised their five children there. Minnie was a proud farmer’s wife, mother, and grandmother. In 1988 they began spending their winters in Arizona. In 2013 they moved to Tracy, MN. Roger passed away on January 8, 2016. Minnie passed away at the Sanford Tracy Hospital in Tracy, MN on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at the age of 89. She was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton. Minnie enjoyed planting a large garden every spring and sharing the harvest with family and friends and having flowers around her home. She loved to brag about her 23 great grandchildren and was fondly called Candy Grandma Schwartz for her candy dish was always ready.

Catherine Mary Ford was born to Jacob and Amelia (Washburn) Drexler in Jackson County, Minnesota. She attended Lakefield Public School in Lakefield, Minnesota, graduating in 1959. She went on to Naeve Hospital School of Nursing in Albert Lea, Minnesota and graduated on June 8, 1962 with her registered nurse degree.

Anna Mae Fuerstenberg was born on October 03, 1933, on the family farm in Nobles County, Minnesota to Nicholas and Anna Schmit Probst. She grew up on the farm near St. Kilian, MN and graduated from Worthington High School.

William Clark Freitag, age 69, passed away peacefully on December 7, at 11:40 a.m., at Mother Joseph Nursing Home in Aberdeen, South Dakota, with his beloved wife Nancy holding his hand and his son by his side.

Connie Taylor was born on January 8, 1952, in Tracy, Minnesota to Harold and Doris Benson Lerohl. She grew up in Storden and graduated from Storden High School in 1970. She then attended Jackson Vo-Tec for office administration graduating in 1971. Following graduation Connie moved to Fairmount, MN and worked at Railway Motors until moving to Okabena, MN where she worked at the the Okabena High School. In 1978 Connie moved to Marshall, MN and went to work for Schwans. On June 2, 1984, she and Freeman Taylor were married at Bethany Lutheran Church in Storden. Following their marriage, they made their home in Longmont CO, until 1992 when the moved to Greeley CO. In 1995 they moved to Enid, OK. Connie assisted Freeman with his Schwans route paperwork and billing. In 2008 they retired and moved to Slayton, MN. Due to failing health Connie moved to Our House Hospice Home in Slayton on November 13, 2025. She passed away there on Friday, November 14, 2025, at the age of 73. She was a member of Skandia Evangelical Free Church in rural Balaton, MN. Connie enjoyed being with family, bowling, cross-stitch, embroidery, cooking, baking, playing cards, traveling, and fishing.

Mark “Scooby” Fox, age 67, of Lake Shetek in Slayton, MN, passed away on December 3, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. Born on September 26, 1958, the youngest of vve children to LeRoy and Margaret Fox, Mark grew up with family, friends, and a knack for playful mischief.

Catherine Ford, age 84, of Woodstock, Minnesota, passed away on Friday, December 5, 2025, at the Pipestone County Hospice Hospice House in Pipestone. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 10:30 AM at St. Leo Catholic Church in PIpestone with visitation held one hour prior from 9:30 to 10:30 AM. Interment will be in the St. Martin Catholic Cemetery near Woodstock following the service. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hartquist Funeral Home. Please visit www.hartquistfuneral. com to sign an online registry and to read Catherine’s life history.

Ken Knuth, age 85, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 30th, 2025, at home in Slayton, Minnesota. Ken was born April 6th, 1940, to Bernard and Rosetta (Westphal) Knuth on a farm east of Woodstock, Minnesota. The eldest brother of five sisters, Ken enjoyed growing up in a close-knit family in a small town with plenty of friends and neighbors. Ken graduated from high school in Ruthton, MN, in 1958 and attended South Dakota State University, graduating with an electrical engineering degree in 1966. While in college, Ken met the love of his life, Marlys (Humphrey). They were married on November 19th,1966, and together raised four children: Shannon, Nathan, Benjamin, and Nicolas. Having grown up with a switchboard in his living room, Ken learned from a young age the business of telecommunications and actively participated in his family’s phone company, Woodstock Communications. Ken continued to contribute to the telecommunications field throughout his career, distinguishing himself as an industry leader. Ken was active with Finley Engineering for over 40 years, first as a regional office manager and eventually as the President and CEO. He held board positions in the Minnesota Telecom Alliance and helped organize and served as board chair at Midwest Wireless Corporation. Even late into life, Ken remained a licensed Professional Engineer in dozens of states, in which he took great pride. Ken spent a lifetime building connections, not only literal technical connectivity, but also connections between his family, friends, colleagues, and business community. Ken was the kind of person who could listen to differing points of view while holding on to his own values. In both work and life, Ken led with a steady blend of vision, practical wisdom, and quiet determination. Those who worked with him remember his ability to inspire confidence, mentor young leaders, and approach challenges with courage and common sense. In his free time, Ken enjoyed breeding and raising Shire draft horses, yearly fishing trips to Canada, and spending time with family and grandchildren. Ken always enjoyed following the sports and other activities in which his children and grandchildren participated.