Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services

CATHERINE "KATIE" FRANCES PFEIFER, age 86, of Waseca, died on Monday, December 4, 2023 at her home with family by her side following a brief battle with cancer. Visitation will be from 3:00 - 7:00 PM on Sunday, December 10, 2023, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:00 PM on Monday, December 11, 2023 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca with Fr. Glenn Frerichs as Celebrant. Burial will be in St. Jarlath Catholic Cemetery in Iosco Township, Waseca County. dsofuneral.com

IRENE DELORES LAU, age 91 of Waseca, passed away at Foxdale-Colony Court Senior Living Solutions on Saturday, December 2, 2023. Born in Spooner, Wisconsin on December 27, 1931, Irene was the daughter of Ferdinand William and Virginia Lenore (Davis) Berndt. She attended country school in Washburn County for a short time before her family moved to rural Waseca where she attended country school in Otisco Township. She married Donald Martin Lau on April 6, 1949, at Freedom Lutheran Church in Pemberton, MN. They lived and raised their two daughters, Marcia, and Linda, on their farm in rural Pemberton, before moving to Waseca. Irene loved to cook and bake, owning the Pemberton Caf? years ago and...

MAVIS M. WEDNER, age 88, of Waseca, MN died on Friday, November 24, 2023 at Immanuel St. Joseph's Hospital in Mankato, MN with family at her bedside. Mavis Maxine, was born July 20, 1935 to John and Lydia (Grunwald) Papke in Waseca. May was baptized on August 18, 1935 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Wilton Township. She reaffirmed her faith through confirmation on June 5, 1949. She attended rural country school and then Waseca High School graduating in 1953. After graduation she moved to Minneapolis where she attended beauty school and worked for 20 years. She was united in marriage to James Wedner of Eagle Bend, MN on April 7, 1956 at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Wilton Township. In 1973...

GENE HENRY DEPPE, 81, of Waseca, MN, died at St. Mary's Hospital, Rochester, MN, on November 22, 2023. He was born in Waseca on January 22, 1942, to William F. and Frieda Amelia (Neils) Deppe. Gene was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca. Gene graduated from Waseca High School in 1960. He started his first job at Southern Minnesota Grocery Company as a bookkeeper while still in high school until 1969. On November 10, 1962, Gene married Lorraine Ida Fell at St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca. Later, he was employed with Brown Printing Company in the plate room from 1969 until his retirement in 2001. Gene is survived by his...

ESTHER MILLICENT (SWENSON) DIETRICH, age 94, of Waseca passed away on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at Mayo Clinic Health Systems in Mankato. Born on August 31, 1929 in Waseca, Esther was the daughter of Carl Oscar and Hilda (Larson) Swenson. She grew up on a farm southeast of Otisco. Following her mother's passing at a young age, she was raised by her father, brothers, and sister. While growing up Esther attended the Vista Covenant Church in rural New Richland. She graduated from New Richland High School in 1947. Esther spent the majority of her career working for Birdseye. She retired after 22 years. She was united in marriage to George Dietrich on August 7, 1949 at Vista Covenant Church in...

ROBERT "Bob" EDWARD PEARCE died on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at his home in Waseca, surrounded by his family. TERI JEAN PEARCE died on November 9, 2023 at St. Mary's Campus of Mayo Clinic in Rochester surrounded by her family. Bob was born in Santa Monica, California on May 12, 1944, to Gene Edward and Jeanne Ellen (Halsey) Pearce. Teri was born in Owatonna, Minnesota on September 3, 1944, to Toivo Emil and Martha Eileen (Lageson) Harinen. Bob and Teri graduated from John H. Frances Polytechnic High School in Sun Valley, California, where they were high school sweethearts. Following high school, Bob attended Stanford University. He left Stanford early to enlist in the Coast Guard and...

ROBERT "Bob" EDWARD PEARCE died on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at his home in Waseca, surrounded by his family. TERI JEAN PEARCE died on November 9, 2023 at St. Mary's Campus of Mayo Clinic in Rochester surrounded by her family. Bob was born in Santa Monica, California on May 12, 1944, to Gene Edward and Jeanne Ellen (Halsey) Pearce. Teri was born in Owatonna, Minnesota on September 3, 1944, to Toivo Emil and Martha Eileen (Lageson) Harinen. Bob and Teri graduated from John H. Frances Polytechnic High School in Sun Valley, California, where they were high school sweethearts. Following high school, Bob attended Stanford University. He left Stanford early to enlist in the Coast Guard and...

TARA ANN SCHWARTZ, age 44 of Montgomery, died Sunday, October 29, 2023, at Mayo Health Systems - Mankato. Born on January 24, 1979, in Faribault, a daughter of Steve and Vicky Schwartz. She graduated from Faribault Senior High School, Class of 1997. Tara had sold insurance and worked as a nurse's aide throughout her life. She was a member of New Day Church in Montgomery. She is survived by her mother, Vicky Schwartz of Faribault; father, Steve Schwarts of Las Vegas; sons, Brennan, and Avery Hunter both of Waterville. A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date. Dennis-Steffel-Omtvedt Funeral and Cremation Service is handling the arrangements. dsofuneral.com

JAMES M. STALOCH, age 76 of Waseca, died at his home on Saturday, October 28, 2023. James was born in Winnebago, Minnesota, on September 27, 1947, to parents Henry and Marcella (O'Keefe) Staloch. After graduating from Huntley High School with the class of 1965, he went on to Mankato State University, where he earned a degree in law enforcement. He met his future wife, Vicki DeFrance, at the University and they were married in Marshalltown, IA on August 16, 1969. After working at the local canning factory for a time, James started his law enforcement career in his hometown of Winnebago. The department there was so small that he had to use his own revolver for his service pistol. In 1974 he...

JAMES M. STALOCH, age 76 of Waseca, died at his home on Saturday, October 28, 2023. James was born in Winnebago, Minnesota, on September 27, 1947, to parents Henry and Marcella (O'Keefe) Staloch. After graduating from Huntley High School with the class of 1965, he went on to Mankato State University, where he earned a degree in law enforcement. He met his future wife, Vicki DeFrance, at the University and they were married in Marshalltown, IA on August 16, 1969. After working at the local canning factory for a time, James started his law enforcement career in his hometown of Winnebago. The department there was so small that he had to use his own revolver for his service pistol. In 1974 he...

Our dear mother, Judy Blatter, age 80, passed away on Friday, October 20, 2023. The last of four children, Judy was born to Leonard and Lucille Bauman in Waseca MN. She married in 1960, moved around southern MN in support of her husband's farming profession, and had three children. Shortly after the birth of her third child, Judy divorced and became a single mother. At that time, Judy worked at the Faribault State School and Hospital. In 1973, she moved back to Waseca with her children. Over the years, she was employed at Carl's Snack Shop, Birdseye, Misheks, EF Johnson, and Itron. Judy often worked a second job, Mediacom and Walmart, on evenings and weekends. In 2011, Judy retired...

JANICE KAY SAMARAKA (GILSTER), age 75, of Estherville, IA and formerly of Waseca, MN, passed away on October 18, 2023 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Born on January 14, 1948 in Waseca, Janice was the daughter of Arno and Alvina (Detjen) Gilster. She graduated from Waldorf High School. On June 17, 1967, Janice was united in marriage to Nick Samaraka at All Saints Catholic Church in New Richland. Together, they raised three children, Troy, Randy, and Mikole. Janice spent much of her career working as a Title 1 Teacher at Hartley Elementary School in Waseca. She was a member of First Congregational Church in Waseca where she served in various roles. She most recently was a...

JANICE KAY SAMARAKA (GILSTER), age 75, of Estherville, IA and formerly of Waseca, MN, passed away on October 18, 2023 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Born on January 14, 1948 in Waseca, Janice was the daughter of Arno and Alvina (Detjen) Gilster. She graduated from Waldorf High School. On June 17, 1967, Janice was united in marriage to Nick Samaraka at All Saints Catholic Church in New Richland. Together, they raised three children, Troy, Randy, and Mikole. Janice spent much of her career working as a Title 1 Teacher at Hartley Elementary School in Waseca. She was a member of First Congregational Church in Waseca where she served in various roles. She most recently was a...

EUGENIA (BONNIE) MARY KASTNER, age 98, lifelong resident of Waseca, died on Monday, October 9, 2023, at Foxdale Senior Living in Waseca. Born on September 10, 1925, in Waseca, she was the daughter of Edward and Lina (Ehlenz) Bower. She received her education at Sacred Heart Catholic School where she graduated with the class of 1943. In her twenties, Bonnie lost both of her parents and took over the responsibility of raising her four younger sisters. On June 24, 1950, Bonnie was united in marriage to Rex Kastner at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca. Together they made their home in Waseca while raising their four children. Throughout their life they owned and operated Kastner's...

ARLENE MARY NELSON, age 85, of Waseca, passed away on Monday, October 9, 2023, at Lakeshore Inn Nursing Home, in Waseca. She was born on January 3, 1938, in Waseca, a daughter of the late Clarence and Helen (Anderson) Rudolph. She was raised on a farm near Otisco though she preferred to remain indoors as child, close to her mother. She attended District 46 grade school in a one-room schoolhouse. Arlene graduated from Waseca Central High School in 1955 and Mankato Commercial College. She worked in Rochester as a medical secretary prior to her marriage. On September 29, 1957, she married her high-school sweetheart, Lowell Nelson, at Trinity Lutheran Church of Wilton. They recently...

BARBARA "BARB" LEE (TALLEY) MONAHAN, age 76, of Waseca passed away on September 29, 2023 at her home. Born on October 29, 1946 in Owatonna, MN, she was the daughter of Beatrice (Stransky) and Melvin Talley. She grew up with 8 siblings and graduated from Owatonna High School in 1965. She married John "Jack" Monahan on June 26, 1965 and moved to Waseca where they raised two children, Traci "TJ" and Corey. Barb and Jack were married 58 years. Barb was employed at Herter's (5 years), E.F. Johnson (23 years), and Mediacom (11 years). She enjoyed baking, genealogy, traveling by motorcycle and in her red convertible, social outings with friends, and camping with family, especially with her...

ARRON LEE BARTELT, lifelong Waldorf area resident and farmer, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, September 24, 2023, at the age of 48 years old. Arron was born on March 20, 1975, in Wells, to Barry and Nina (Haakinson) Bartelt. He attended Waldorf-Pemberton Public School and graduated from Janesville-Waldorf Pemberton High School with the class of 1993. Arron loved farming. He enjoyed helping people so much he would give you the shirt off his back. Arron was employed by Crystal Valley, Bird's Eye, and various area farm families. Arron's extensive farming and mechanical knowledge helped many community members. In 2009, Arron began working independently, as the owner of A&B...

JEANETTE EMMA (KOKOSCHKE) STILLER, age 81 of Waseca, died, Saturday, September 23, 2023, at her home. Born, December 1, 1941, in Morristown, a daughter of the late Gerhardt and Mildred (Poehler) Kokoschke. She graduated from Morristown High School and was united in marriage to Gary Stiller on August 27, 1960, in Waterville. He preceded her in death on February 11, 2019. Jeanette worked in Bindery for Brown Printing in Waseca for 14 years. She loved gardening, baking cookies, socializing with her friends, laughing, word searches, watching the Minnesota Twins and WWE Wrestling on TV, putting others first, spending time with her family, but above all, she adored her grandkids. She was a member...

MAYNARD HAROLD FRISK, age 92, of Lakeville passed away surrounded by family on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at Minnesota Veteran's Home in Minneapolis. Born on June 12, 1931 in Waseca County, Maynard was the son of Harold and Ruby (Berg) Frisk. He attended and graduated from Waseca Public Schools. Maynard was united in marriage to Barbara Langenfeld on October 19, 1955 in Centralia, IL. Maynard entered the Air Force in 1951. He was stationed in Okonowa, Japan for two years and Scott Air Force Base in Illinois until his honorable discharge. Following his time in the military, Maynard worked as an electrician. He spent his career working at Brown Electric in Waseca, Post 292 in Minneapolis,...

NICHOLAS GENE BARTELT, age 42, of Waseca, died on Sunday, September 10, 2023 at his home with his family by his side. Nick was born on July 14, 1981, in Waseca to Douglas and Julie (Rieck) Bartelt. Nick had a wonderful childhood that began in Waseca before his family moved to Bixby. He spent many summer days and nights in Waseca with family friends where he helped with chores before having the day to ride three-wheeler, snowmobiles, or riding horses around the country side. At a young age, Nick learned how to work hard and play hard. He received his education at Blooming Prairie High School. While in high school he took college classes at Riverland Community College in Austin, studying...

ELIZABETH ANN "BETTY" (KUBAT) WOBSCHALL, age 97, of Waseca, died Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at Whispering Creek Nursing and Rehabilitation in Janesville. Born February 16, 1926, in Owatonna, a daughter of the late Joseph and Anna (Miller) Kubat. She graduated from Owatonna High School, Class of 1944. Following high school in 1944, she moved to Washington D.C. and worked for the Department of the Navy during the end of World War II. In 1947 she moved back to Waseca where she would go on to meet Lyle Wobschall at a dance and later marry in South Dakota in 1948. Lyle preceded her in death in 1971. Throughout the early years of their marriage, Betty would stay at home taking care of her home...