Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes

Gwen E. Steige, 85, a longtime Rochester, MN resident and retired Registered Nurse, died Tuesday December 27, 2022, at Rochester East Health Services following a lengthy battle with dementia. Gwen was born December 21, 1937, in Owatonna, MN the daughter of Floyd and Fern Behsman. She graduated from Owatonna High School in 1956 and attended Rochester's Methodist-Kahler School of Nursing, graduating as a Registered Nurse in 1959. She practiced nursing in Colorado where she met her husband, Harold Steige. The two were married on June 3, 1961, in Greeley, CO. The couple moved to Rochester, MN in 1962 where she continued her nursing career working at St. Mary's Hospital, Methodist Hospital,...

Robert L. Milbrandt, 91, of Rochester, MN passed away on December 27, 2022, at Mayo Clinic Methodist Hospital. Robert Lawrence Milbrandt was born on September 14, 1931, in Elma, IA to parents Lawrence and Louise (Johanns) Milbrandt. After graduation from high school he was inducted into the US Army where he served from 1952-1954 in the Engineers operating heavy equipment to help rebuild the Autobahn in Germany. On June 12, 1954, Robert married Ann Haehn at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Adams, MN. Bob then began his career as a Project Engineer for IBM. After retiring from IBM Bob worked at Sam's Club. The couple had four children, Robert J., Susan, Laurie, and Chris. Bob enjoyed...

Beverly Mae (Jenkin) Richardson, 85, of Rochester, MN passed away peacefully on December 19, 2022, at St. Mary's Hospital. Born on June 5, 1937, in Brooklyn, New York to Arthur Warner and Helen (Micklik) Harms. Beverly received her Nursing Diploma from Illinois Masonic Hospital (School of Nursing) in 1958, worked in various nursing departments in Chicago, Ill; Fredrick, Maryland; Taipei, Taiwan; and Austin, MN. Beverly pursued other career opportunities and returned to nursing in 1979 at St Mary's Hospital in-patient psychiatric unit. During her 25 years at St. Mary's Hospital, she continued her education, graduating from St. Joseph's College in Windham, Maine in 1985 with a BS degree in...

Arthur Ray Kaul passed on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN at the age of 84 years. He was born on May 30, 1938, to Arthur M.P. & Lucille Kaul (Bowers). Arthur was born in Rochester, Minnesota. Arthur was a 4th generation farmer in Oronoco township and was engaged in farming his entire life. His son, Brian, and Arthur's grandsons are carrying on the farming tradition. Arthur was also a lifelong member of Grace Lutheran Church in Oronoco. Arthur is survived by his wife of 62 years - Mary Kaul (Runge); daughters - Debra Kaul and Julie Swanberg (Dan) and his son Brian Kaul (Joy); 4 grandchildren - Jacob, Mitchell & Emily Kaul; Krista Curlee...

Jody Ray Thome, 67, of Rochester, died Saturday, December 10, 2022. He was born April 12, 1955, in Osage, Iowa the son of Melvin and Bettie (Hill) Thome. He graduated from Adams High School in 1973 and attended Iowa State University, Ames, IA. On April 20, 1974, he was united in marriage to Shirley Eberline at Sacred Heart Church. Jody farmed with his father for several years before moving to Pennsylvania. He started his own business where he developed feed and fertilizer formulas and later moved back to Minnesota. Jody loved anything related to agriculture, gardening, playing the guitar, and boating. He was very active in FFA and 4-H, receiving several honors and recognition for his...

Glen David Meyer, age 67, of Byron, MN, died peacefully on Thursday, December 8, 2022, at Mayo Clinic Hospital, Saint Mary's Campus surrounded by his family and friends. Glen was born July 1, 1955, in Faribault, MN, the son of Walter and Elnora (Helberg) Meyer. He graduated from Faribault High School in 1973 and received his Degree of Associate in Arts from Rochester Community College in Rochester, MN in 1976. Glen married Carol Young on October 18, 1986, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Faribault, MN. He started working at Mayo Clinic in the neuro ICU in 1977 and in 1995 transferred to the PACU, where he was a long-time preceptor, a charge nurse, and cared for patients up until his death....

Gerald Lee Longman, age 75, of Mazeppa, MN, passed away Monday, October 31, 2022 in a hunting accident. He was born February 28, 1947 in Estherville, Iowa to parents Clyde and Alice Longman. He attended Estherville High School and later Mankato College. Jerry served in the navy aboard the USS Midway for four years. Jerry was a lover of adventure and all things outdoors as an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a loving and attentive husband, father, and grandfather. He loved a sly game of poker with his buddies. He was previously married to Sharon Chesley and Dorothy Cooper, and met the love of his life, Brenda (Nelson) Longman in 1985. They were married May 15, 1993. Jerry and Brenda...

Charles M. Bergerson, 70, passed away Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at Madonna Towers in Rochester, MN. Charles "Chuck" Martin Bergerson was born February 19, 1941 Belgrade, MN. He started his insurance career in Rochester and raised his family there. He had a very successful career selling insurance, starting at MFA and then moving to American Family. He earned many trips and awards over the years. He was fortunate to retire early. He had a lot of retirement fun. He built a unique cabin style home in Wabasha, MN where he lived for over 20 yrs. He enjoyed road trips, taking pictures and woodworking in his shop. He could literally make or fix anything. He started a successful business...

Jennifer Jane Quick ("Jen") passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 14, 2022. Jen was born on November 11, 1969 in Columbia, Missouri to Jacquie Dunn and William Quick. She welcomed her daughter Josie on January 15th, 1999. Her life included a journey of many adventures and accomplishments. Most recently she received an M.A. in Education from Augsburg College. Prior to finding this calling in teaching, she had attended law school at the University of Minnesota Law School and graduated in 1999 with a JD. As a lawyer, she served as an attorney in the Steele County Court defending the rights of children in custody cases. Prior to her work as an attorney, she worked in the Russian...

Jennifer Jane Quick ("Jen") passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 14, 2022. Jen was born on November 11, 1969 in Columbia, Missouri to Jacquie Dunn and William Quick. She welcomed her daughter Josie on January 15th, 1999. Her life included a journey of many adventures and accomplishments. Most recently she received an M.A. in Education from Augsburg College. Prior to finding this calling in teaching, she had attended law school at the University of Minnesota Law School and graduated in 1999 with a JD. As a lawyer, she served as an attorney in the Steele County Court defending the rights of children in custody cases. Prior to her work as an attorney, she worked in the Russian...

Patricia Ann Musolf, 80, of Owatonna, MN (formerly of Rochester, MN) passed away peacefully on July 19, 2022 at the Homestead Hospice House in Owatonna. Patricia Ann was born November 24, 1941 in Rochester, MN the daughter of Lawrence and Lillian (Nelson) Quandt. She was a 1959 graduate of Stewartville High School and earned her Registered Nurse degree from St. Mary's School of Nursing. Patricia Ann married Duane Musolf on September 5, 1964 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Pleasant Valley, MN and were blessed with 48 years of marriage. Patricia Ann began her work career in 1964 as an orthopedic nurse at St. Mary's Hospital for 10 years. She became a stay at home mother with her growing...

Lavonne M. Wright, age 97, a lifelong resident of Rochester, MN passed away Friday, June 24, 2022 at Thorne Crest Senior Living in Albert Lea, MN. Lavonne was born November 17, 1924 in Rochester, MN to Clyde and Helen (Lind) Crume. She lived in Rochester her entire life up until residing in Albert Lea, MN the last three years to be closer to family. She was a longtime member of Trinity Lutheran Church here in Rochester. On September 23, 1944 she married Kermit Roerish and together they had two children, Larry and Suzanne. The couple enjoyed forty-six years of marriage until Kermit's passing in 1991. She later married Paul Wright and they were married until Paul's passing in 2019. Lavonne...

Rosemary Ann Rittenhouse, 87, passed away peacefully on the morning on Thursday, June 2, 2022, at Samaritan Bethany Nursing Home where she has resided since 2015. Rosemary was the second child born to Alfred and Adeline (Peloquin) Miller on July 25, 1934, in Chippewa Falls, WI. Growing up, she held a few different jobs including working in a canning factory and working as a lifeguard. She graduated from McDonell Central Catholic High School in 1952. Upon graduation she moved to Rochester, MN to attend nursing school at St. Mary's Hospital and lived in the dorms at Marion Hall. She graduated nursing school as an RN in 1955. She started her career in nursing that same year and worked in...

Alice May Stoppel, age 81, of Kasson, MN, passed away on Friday, May 27, 2022, in her home. Alice May Ries was born on May 12, 1941, to Vernon and Anna (McFadden) Ries in Kasson, MN. She attended Kasson High School. She met Lauren Ralph Stoppel through her sister and brother-in-law (Ruth and Elmer Peterson) who were working with Lauren at the time. They were united in marriage on July 23, 1961 and had four daughters. Alice's main priority in life was caring for her family. She loved to feed her loved ones and was a wonderful cook. Some family favorites were strawberry jam, apple butter and root beer float cake. She enjoyed dates with Lauren, especially going fishing. Alice is...

Brian G. Case, age 53, of Rochester, MN passed away Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Brian Glen Case was born August 28, 1968 in Duluth, Minnesota the son of Delbert and Jeanne (McMillan) Case. He was a 1987 graduate of Eveleth High School and excelled in sports. In 1991 he earned degrees in Biology and Secondary Education from The College of St. Scholastica. Brian was diagnosed with leukemia in 1996 and his sister, Jennifer, was his bone marrow donor. It was during this time he was called to the nursing profession. In 1999 he received his bachelor of nursing from Winona State University. Brian worked in bedside nursing in orthopedic trauma at St....

Maryann Marie Schultz, 77, of Hayfield, MN passed away Thursday May 5, 2022 at her home after a long 4 year battle with cancer. Maryann was born June 24, 1944 in Mishawaka, IN. to parents Emil and Minnie Anderson. She graduated from Elkart High School. After High School she worked in accounting for a short period of time. Thereafter she went on to pursue her passion in nursing by completing her associates degree. After four years of nursing in Red Wing, MN she married Mel Schultz on April 20, 1968. They moved to Hayfield, MN and raised their three sons, Kevin, Bryan, and Matthew. Once the boys reached school age, she went on to work at the Mayo Clinic for 31 years, retiring in...

Phyllis Ann Toloken of Rochester, MN passed away on April 23, 2022. Phyllis was born on May 24, 1929 to Maxine (Smaby) and James Drury. She was married to Tilford H. Redalen in 1947 until his death in 1973. They had two children, LeaAnn and Robert (Bob). Phyllis remarried Harlan Toloken and they were later divorced. Phyllis lived in Fountain, MN during her youth and early adult life and was a long time member of the Fountain Lutheran Church. Phyllis worked in sales for many years at shops in downtown Rochester; The Buckskin Shop, The Bazaar and Exquisite Leather. After retirement she continued to serve others by visiting the residents at Traditions Assisted Living in Preston, the...

Gregg Allen Knotts, 65 of Rochester died Wednesday evening at his home following a courageous 11-month battle with Acute Myelocytic Leukemia. Gregg was born July 25, 1956, in Austin, MN to Galen and Helen (Wallace) Knotts. He grew up in Austin, MN and graduated from Austin high school in 1974. Gregg then attended Bemidji State University where he received his Bachelor's Degree. He was united in marriage to the love of his life, Peggy Ahlman on September 6, 1980, in Morristown, MN. After college, he began working at IBM for thirty-one years. Last summer Gregg retired from Mayo Clinic, where he had worked for the past ten years. Gregg loved the outdoors, including hunting, fishing, and...

Kevin Gerard Moder of Rochester, MN passed away at age 61 on April 1, 2022 at St. Mary's Hospital following cardiac arrest. Kevin was born on January 30th, 1961 in St. Louis, Missouri. Kevin will be dearly missed by many. He is survived by his wife, Suzanne (Scheer) Moder; daughter, Amanda Moder (29) and sons, Nicholas Moder (25) and Matthew Moder (25); sisters, Maureen (Mike) Keating and Mary (Larry) Yochum; mother-in-law, Emilee (Niebaum) Scheer; brothers-in-law, Michael (Lori) Scheer, Steve (Donna) Scheer, Douglas (Ming) Scheer, and many more extended family members and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Bernard "Ben" Moder and Dorothy (Gregg) Moder; grandma, Anna Duraski;...

Barbara Marie Erickson, 84, of Byron Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 21, 2022, at the Madonna Summit Memory Care Unit in Byron. Barbara was born on December 23rd, 1937, to John and Edith (Predmore) Rother in Rochester, MN. She had two older brothers, Robert (Bob); and John (Jack). Barb grew up in a large house on Pill Hill in Rochester where her parents took on boarders to help make ends meet. Her mother made it a home of hard work and kindness and all who stayed there were treated as family. During High School she worked at the Lawler theater with her friend Joan and she graduated from Rochester High in 1956. She attended classes at the University of Minnesota in...

Arielle Wilhelm Balak, 88, of Rochester, MN, passed away on Monday, March 14, 2022, at Saint Mary's Hospital, surrounded by her family. Born June 28, 1933 in Wheeling, WV, she was the daughter of Anthony Wilhelm and Mable Kindleberger. The family purchased a farm near West Alexander, PA when Arielle was a young girl -and she spent her formative years helping her parents tending to the family's garden and gathering eggs to sell to the local market. Arielle graduated from West Alexander High School as valedictorian in 1951. She completed her certification from the Elliott School of Business and went on to work as a secretary at Hazel Atlas Glass Company and RCA. It was at RCA that she met her...