Jandt Fredrickson Funeral Home

Janice Ann (Dehning) Tessmer, 81, of Caledonia, MN, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 28, 2025, at Gundersen Tweeten Care Center in Spring Grove with her adoring husband of 55 years, Gene, by her side. She was born on February 7, 1944, at The Caledonia Hospital to George and Emma (Kumpf) Dehning. Janice was baptized and confirmed at St. Luke's Church in Eitzen and raised on the Dehning family farm in Dorchester, IA. She attended a rural school in Dorchester until 8th grade and graduated from Waukon High School in 1962. Janice married Eugene Tessmer at St. Luke's Church in Eitzen on November 15, 1969. From that union, they were blessed with a son, David, and a daughter, Sara. They...

Marjorie Ann (Johnson) Birkeland, age 92, of Caledonia, MN, passed away on April 9th, 2025 at Springbrook Village of La Crescent. She was born on August 31,1932 in Winona, MN to Ben and Emma (Kinstler) Johnson. She attended Ridgeway School and Winona High School. She married Lowell Birkeland in Winona, MN on June 14, 1951, at Central Lutheran Church, Winona, MN. Marjorie was a certified cook at the Caledonia Public School for 30 years. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Caledonia, served on the church council, alter guild, WELCA, was a Sunday school teacher, choir member, a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, the American Food Service, District 299 Foundation, the...

Richard Arthur Zibrowski, age 83, was called to his heavenly home on December 7, 2024. Richard was born March 16, 1941 in Caledonia, MN to Arthur and Edna (Rusert) Zibrowski. He married Maureen Petersen of Northfield, MN on July 6, 1963, at the Christiania Lutheran Church of Lakeville, MN. Richard is survived by his loving wife Maureen, of 61 years; their five children, Carson (Donna) Mesa, AZ, Craig (Jane) Mankato, MN, Deanna (Scott) DeWitt, Joanne (Ron) DuCharme both of Caledonia, MN, and Richard (Diana) Houston, MN; 14 grandchildren, Angela (Ryan) Kanthack, Jennifer (Brad) Francis, Bryan DeWitt, Michael (Karissa) Zibrowski, Megan Zibrowski, Amber (Seth) Zoellner, Hannah Zibrowski,...

Dorothy A. Schulze, 93, of Caledonia, Minn., passed away December 6, 2024, at Claddagh Senior Living in Caledonia. Dorothy was born February 28, 1931, in Hector Minn., to Einar and Clara (Ballard) Nielsen. She lived in Hector until 1947, which at that time the family moved to Caledonia. Her family started an International/Hudson dealership and continued with the construction company Hector Construction Company which was a major employer in the community. Dorothy attended Caledonia High School and graduated in 1949. She was the homecoming queen in her senior year. Dorothy attended Winona State University and graduated with an associate degree in Education on February 28, 1951. She taught for...

David John Rother was given the gift of eternal life through faith in his Savior, Jesus Christ on November 16, 2024 at the age of 80 years. He was a loving brother, uncle, great uncle, and great great uncle. He took pride in knowing that he was an uncle and never forgot their names. He always asked concerning his great nephews, "Now who is the tallest?" And saying," Wow", at their height. David was born September 7, 1944 in Minneapolis, MN. At the age of 1 1/2 years, the Lord blessed him with loving and devoted parents, Herbert and Florence (Rupprecht) Rother who were overjoyed to receive him as their son. They honored his birth mother by keeping his name John as his middle name. After his...

Jennifer Sue Traff, age 73, was called to her heavenly home while her sisters were visiting with her on November 13, 2024 at the Tweeten Nursing Home in Spring Grove, MN. She was born February 3, 1951 in La Crosse, WI to Everett Charles and Phyllis Rowena (Vodraska) Traff. Jennifer grew up in Brownsville, MN where she attended Elementary School and in 1971 graduated from the Caledonia High School, in Caledonia, MN. Jennifer was one of the first to live in the home built in 1980 by Houston County Group Home, Inc. (now known as A.B.L.E., Inc.) She lived there for several years and then moved to her own apartment where she enjoyed her independence. She was employed by the Ability Building...

Lu Etta Mae (Verthein) Fruechte, 94, of Caledonia, passed away October 26, 2024, at La Crescent Health Services. Born February 17, 1930, in Redfield, South Dakota to Gustav and Elsie (Haar) Verthein. Her family moved back to Minnesota in 1937 and settled in the Caledonia area/ Lu Etta attended grade school in the Daley School District 33, graduated from Caledonia High School in 1947 and went on to La Crosse Vocational School to improve her secretarial skills. Lu Etta worked at the Houston County Courthouse for 30 years, her first five years in the Register of Deeds office and Social Services for 25 years working mostly with families with dependent children and the elderly. Lu Etta retired...

La Verne (Vern) Richard Schoh, 88, passed away at home on Tuesday, July 23, 2024. La Verne was born in Caledonia, MN on February 23, 1936 to Marcella (Meyer) and Roy Schoh. He attended a one room schoolhouse in Winnebago Township during his elementary years. He graduated from Caledonia High School in 1953. He served in the United States Air Force from 1954-1958 with one year in Texas, two years in England, and one year in Germany. Upon returning from the service, he attended Winona State University utilizing the GI bill. La Verne was a Life member of American Legion Post 595 in La Crescent, MN where he served as Commander, Vice Commander, Adjutant, a member of the Color Guard, Houston...

Alice Ann Heimerdinger, 65, formerly of Caledonia, MN, passed away peacefully April 20th with her sister Jean and brother- in-law Ken at her side with the support of Sue, RN from Heartland Hospice, niece, Danielle Berge and staff at Gundersen Tweeten Care Center. She was born April 9th, 1959 to Adolph and Caroline Heimerdinger. She was a graduate of Caledonia High School and worked for UWL Food Services for 40 years - nearly a day missed. Alice was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Caledonia. She is survived by brothers, Richard (Martha) Heimerdinger and Allen (Michele) Heimerdinger of Oakdale, MN; sisters, Jean (Ken) Frank of Onalaska and Carol (Tom) Puent of Albertville, MN;...

Carolyn Mae (Michelsen) Tornstrom, 86, of Caledonia, Minnesota, passed away peacefully March 6th, 2024, at Valley View Healthcare and Rehab, with beautiful classical music encompassing her room. Music brought her great comfort and joy and was the perfect postlude to a life well-lived. Carolyn was born June 8th, 1937, to Frederick and Louise (Anderson) Michelsen and grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was christened into the Christian faith at Saviors Lutheran Church of Minneapolis on September 19th, 1937. From a young age, Carolyn embraced music with an amazing passion that lasted her entire life. It was not uncommon for Carolyn's family to witness her crying solely in reaction to deeply...

Charlotte Louise (Hartley) Gerdes, 90, departed peacefully on December 30, 2023, in Lyngblomsten Care Center, St. Paul, Minnesota, surrounded by family. Charlotte was born on July 17, 1933, in Caledonia, Minnesota, to Allen and Ella Hartley. She was raised on the Mt. Hope Farm near New Albin, Iowa. She is one of four siblings. One of her earliest memories was attending and listening to her mother play the organ at Mt. Hope Church where we lay her to rest. Visitation and Funeral services were held at rural Mt. Hope Presbyterian Church, 2574 Church Rd., New Albin, Iowa on Saturday, January 6, 2024. Visitation was at 11 a.m. Funeral and burial began at 12 p.m. with lunch in the Church...

Kemper Morris Cowgill passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at Hillview Healthcare Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin on December 4th, 2023 at the age of 84 years. Kemper was born January 19th, 1939 to Robert and Virginia (Kemper) Cowgill in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was raised there and graduated from Washburn High School. He attended the University of Minnesota receiving a bachelors degree in Psychology and then went on to dental school graduating in 1966 with honors. All during his college years he worked as an orderly at Fairview Riverside Hospital. While in dental school, he met the love of his life, Nancy Wolcott, on a skiing trip in Michigan. Because she was also a...

Eric J. Nelson, 74, of Caledonia, passed away Sunday, November 26, 2023, at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse. He was born to Jack and Margaret Nelson on Palm Sunday in Caledonia, where he would be raised and graduate from Caledonia High School. After high school, Eric enlisted in the Army. He went to Vietnam in 1969-1970, as a mechanic working on Huey helicopters. During this time, Eric married Gail in April of 1970 in Caledonia. They would move to live in Hanau, Germany for a year, while he was stationed at Fliegerhorst Kaserne Army Base as an airplane mechanic. After the Army, he farmed with his father-in-law Charles taking over the family farm. Eric loved farming, his cows, and...

Eleanor Augusta Kruckow, 90, of Caledonia, passed away peacefully on November 22, 2023. Eleanor was born on September 19, 1933, in Caledonia to Rudolph and Edna (Meyer) Schroeder. She was raised on the family farm in Mayville Township and graduated from the rural Mayville Township School. From a young age, Eleanor enjoyed playing the piano and learned to play the organ. She played organ for local weddings and funerals, and at German and English services for St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, where she was a lifelong member. While playing the organ at church she met her future husband, Arnold, who was a church usher. They married on April 12, 1953, raised four children in Caledonia,...

Eleanor A. Kruckow, 90, of Caledonia, passed away Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at Claddagh Senior Living in Caledonia. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church in Caledonia. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Friday, December 1st from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service, both at the church. A complete obituary will follow. Fredrickson Funeral Homes and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Linda Ann Smerud, 72, died November 8,2023, at Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Healthcare in La Crosse. She was born in La Crosse to Donald and Delores Brumm on May 28,1951. Linda grew up near Eitzen, Minn., and graduated from Caledonia High School in 1969. Linda then went on to get her LPN in Winona. Linda married Carver Smerud on November 12, 1971. They then moved to San Diego, Calif., where she served as a Navy wife. Linda was a private, but caring woman who focused on her loved ones. She and her family eventually settled in New Albin, Iowa, where she lived until her death. Linda is survived by her loving husband of 52 years, Carver; her daughter, Stacy (Chad) Serres; her...

Gisela Emma Hartley, 81, of Eitzen, Minnesota, passed away peacefully in her home on November 6, 2023 and was welcomed into the presence of God. Gisela was born to Friedrich and Klara Berger of Jagstheim, Germany on July 18, 1942. She grew up as the second of three children in a hard-working farming family. Some of her earliest memories include being surrounded by relatives who came to their farm from nearby cities for safety and food during World War II, and after the war was over, eating her first orange tossed to the children by American soldiers from tanks as they rolled through their village. Though her family endured much during and after the war, she had many happy childhood memories...

David Frank Tewes, 67, of Caledonia, MN, died at Gundersen Lutheran on October 30, 2023. He was born in Spring Grove, MN on June 9, 1956, to Paul Herman Tewes and Shirley Joan Tewes (Ranzenberger) where he lived and worked on the family farm with his siblings. David Tewes had the biggest heart known to anyone who knew him. His love of farming and helping others will always be a memory. David Tewes met the love of his life Linda Tewes (Meyer). Excited to start their lives together, the two were married on April 5, 1980, in Caledonia, MN. They could not wait to start a family of their own, and they had five children and married for 43 years. Where taking family vacations were few, they were...

Fremont W. Schuttemeier, 98, of Eitzen, Minn., was called to his Heavenly home Friday, September 29, 2023 at Green Lea Senior Living, Mabel, Minn., surrounded by his family. He was born November 18, 1924, in Union City Township, Allamakee County, Iowa, the son of William and Caroline (Meyer) Schuttemeier. He grew up living on the family farm and attended rural country school through the 8th grade. In 1945, at the age of 21, Fremont served his military duty by joining the United States Army. He attended Basic Training in San Francisco and St. Louis, then left from Seattle, Wash., by ship to Korea. After going to Japan, he took a ship back to San Francisco. Fremont recalled the only highlight...

Maxine Lavonne Kruckow was called to her eternal home on September 21, 2023, surrounded by family. She was born August 16, 1936 in Brownsville, MN to Henry and Laura (Cordes) Thomford. She graduated from Caledonia High School in 1954. After graduating, she began working at Keily's Cafe in Caledonia, where she met her husband, Marlin Kruckow. They were united in marriage on June 1, 1957 and were blessed with two sons, Steven & Jeffery. They moved out on the farm and farmed for 40+ years, milking cows, raising beef cattle, chickens, and pigs and farming the land. She knew the Bible well and loved spreading the word of Jesus, attending church at St. John's in Caledonia every Sunday and...

Maxine L. Kruckow, 87, of Caledonia, passed away Thursday, September 21, 2023. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00A.M., Thursday, September 28, 2023, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, in Caledonia. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Caledonia. A visitation will be held Wednesday, September 27, 2023 from 4:00P.M. to 7:00 P.M. and 10:00 A.M. until the time of service on Thursday, both at the church. Fredrickson Funeral Home, Caledonia Chapel, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be offered, and more information may be found at: www.FredricksonFuneralHomes.com