Douglas Arthur Beisell, age 85, died June 11, 2020 at Mayo Clinic Hospital, in ICU, Mary's Campus, in Rochester, MN. Doug was born November 13, 1934 on a farm near Goldfield, Iowa, one of 6 children to Arthur and Jessie (Richardson) Beisell. He graduated from Goldfield High School and worked different jobs until he enlisted in the U.S. Army, being honorably discharged in 1962. He married Sharlene Jacobson at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas in 1957. After his discharge they settled in Spring Valley, MN, living there for 28 years. He worked at Gopher Aviation at the Rochester Airport and retired from IBM Rochester after almost 25 years. In Spring Valley, Doug was very active in the community:...

Mary E. (Pfeilsticker, Wild) Danckwart, 90, of Wabasha, passed away on Thursday, May 21, 2020. Mary Danckwart was born May 20, 1930, in Wabasha, MN to August and Blanche (Davison) Pfeilsticker. Mary attended school at Winona State University, Mankato State University, and the University of Minnesota. She graduated with an Associate's Degree in 1949 and a Bachelor of Science in 1969. Mary also took graduate courses from Winona State University. On June 20, 1953 she married Gerald Wild; he passed on February 1, 1992. On March 5, 1994 she married John W. Danckwart, Sr. He died December 27, 1999. Mary taught in schools around the Wabasha and Kellogg area for 42 years. She was a member of...

Gerald C. Weinrich, 94 of Wabasha passed away at his home on Wednesday, May 20, 2020. Gerald Clement was born October 5, 1925, in Stewartville, MN, to Herbert and Susan (Clement) Weinrich. Gerald attended Rochester country school and Rochester High School. When his oldest brother went off to WWII, Gerald left school to help on the family farm. Later, he joined the Army, receiving the WWII Victory and Army of Occupation service medals. On February 21, 1957, he married Barbara A. Stevens at the Little Brown Church, Nashua, IA. They lived in Plainview and Rochester before moving to Wabasha in 2003. Gerald proudly worked for the State Highway Department for over 30 years retiring in 1987. Barb...

Laura L. Bigelow, 91 of Lake City, MN, passed away Wednesday, April 29, 2020, at Mayo Health Systems, Lake City Care Center, Lake City, MN. Laura Lynette was born January 31, 1929, in West Bend, IA, to Marion and Jean (Robinson) Law. On January 18, 1950, she married Louis Bigelow at the Methodist Parsonage, Dover, MN. Her life revolved around her farming. She collected pens and enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, riding and breaking horses. She will be remembered for her cookies and bread cooked on the woodstove. She was a member of Lake City United Methodist Church, the Sunday School Treasurer, and a member of the church's Ladies Circle. She is survived by her daughter and...

William Joseph Leisen, age 90, of Wabasha, formerly of Plainview, died Wednesday, April 8, 2020, at St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Wabasha. He was born April 23, 1929, in Wabasha, the son of Joseph and Julia (Stroot) Leisen. He graduated from Plainview High School in 1947. He then joined the US Air Force where he served 3 1/2 years as a tail gunner during the Korean War. Bill married Muriel Jacoby on October 15, 1955, at St. Felix Catholic Church in Wabasha. After his service, Bill and Muriel moved to Haverhill Township for four years before settling in Plainview to the family farm for 47 years with his brother and best friend Joe. There, the two families raised 20 children. In 2007...

Clara S. Madison, age 82, of Wabasha, died Sunday, March 1, 2020, at St. Elizabeth's Health Care Center, Wabasha, MN. Clara Sophie was born May 17, 1937, in Lemond Township, Steele County, MN to Harris and Lillian (Brekke) Johnson. She grew up in Lemond, MN and graduated in 1955 from Owatonna High School. She worked for Federated Insurance after high school and met the love of her life on a blind date. On January 26, 1958, she married Donald J. Madison at Pontoppidian Lutheran Church in Lemond, MN, near Owatonna. They moved to Wabasha in 1960. She was a member of the Wabasha United Church of Christ. She volunteered at the DAC until she was hired part-time then to full time. Clara...