Owatonna People's Press

Beloved mother, grandmother, Oma, wife, and friend, passed away on May 3, 2025, at the age of 72. Born October 23, 1952 in Owatonna, to Wayne and Doris Karow. Diane graduated from St. Mary's/Marian High School in 1971 and then from Rochester Junior College, completing a General Secretarial Program earning her a job in the Hospital Service Division at the Minnesota Department of Health. In 1974 she married Gregory Fischer and they spent 27 years together, Diane staying at home to care for their four children. In 1993 Diane and a few close friends opened "The Cotton Patch" a fabric and quilting store in Owatonna. At the age of 50 she returned to school at Riverland Community College,...

Todd Galen Deming, age 65, of Owatonna, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, May 2, 2025. He was born on March 5, 1960, the third son of Sterling and Shirley Deming (n?e Krause). He grew up on the family farm in Claremont, MN, and graduated from Owatonna High School in 1978. Todd was a proud (retired) member of the Local #6 Plumbers and Pipefitters of Rochester; he enjoyed spending many years managing sites on new-construction projects throughout the Twin Cities, southern Minnesota, and South Dakota. Todd was a longtime member of the Elks Lodge #1395 and the Eagles Club #1791 in Owatonna. He was a committed volunteer at the Elks and appreciated conversing with many friends at both...

Heaven gained an angel on April 28, 2025. Beverly Alice (Eggers) Meixner, a devoted farm wife, loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend, passed into her heavenly home at Timberdale Trace, surrounded by family. She is now joined with her beloved husband, Marvin, who preceded her in death in 2023, a reunion she longed for. Beverly was born, June 14, 1935, to Clarence and Alice (Dinse) Eggers in Ellendale, MN. Beverly was baptized at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Meriden, MN and was confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Ellendale, MN. She graduated from Ellendale High School in 1953 as the valedictorian of her class. She was active in the band, playing the cornet, pep...

Joan M. Hellevik, age 81 of Faribault, MN passed away on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at the Benedictine Living Community in Owatonna, MN. Joan Marie, the daughter of Anton and Bernice (Wilson) Spinler, was born on April 16, 1944 in Owatonna, MN and raised on the family farm in Merton. Joan attended Owatonna High School and graduated with the class of 1962. After high school Joan worked as a nursing assistant at the Owatonna Hospital. During this time she met her future husband, Lowell Hellevik Jr. on a blind date at the Steele County Free Fair and they were united in marriage on January 16, 1965 at Christ the King Catholic Church in Medford, MN. Lowell preceded her in death on June 13,...

Verna Inez Prins, 89, of Owatonna, died Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Field Crest Care Center in Hayfield. Verna is survived by her sons, Stanley (and Debra) Prins of Owatonna, Norm (and Sue) Prins of Garrison, David (and Nancy) Prins of Hayfield, Marty (and Karla) Prins of Morristown; son in law, Jay Anderson of Owatonna; 7 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Harry Prins; parents, Otto (and Ethel) Clark; daughter, Donna Anderson; great-granddaughter, Kollyns Prins. Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home on Friday, May 2, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 2, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Michaelson...

Ronald "Ron" Mongeau, 73, of Owatonna, passed away Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at Methodist Hospital, Mayo Campus, in Rochester. Ron was born July 1, 1951 and raised in Farmington, to the late Darrel and Doris Ruud Mongeau. He graduated from Farmington High School Class of 1969. He proudly served his county in the U. S. Army from 1971- 1973. Ron married Diane (Stewart) on July 22, 1978. In 1987, Ron and Diane moved to Owatonna. Ron loved the outdoors; where he loved to golf, fish and being a part of a motorcycling club, where meeting new friends was in his nature. He worked at McKinley School for over 24 years as the Head Custodian. After his retirement in 2013, he and Diane began...

Robert C. Solum, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on April 23, 2025. He was hit hard and fast with Leukemia and gave it a good fight but lost his battle and headed to heaven to join his goldendoodle, Charnay, and his daughter-in-law Tracie. They were waiting for him with a wagging tail and a huge hug. He was born in Albert Lea, MN, on February 16, 1943, to Chester and Ardine (Jahnke) Solum. He grew up on the family farm in Alden, MN. Bob graduated from Alden High School and enjoyed going to class reunions and talking about the old days. Robert married Pat Egland in 1964, and they were blessed with three children, Traci, Todd, and Tim. They were later divorced. He...

Willard "Willie" Peterson, age 85 of Owatonna, MN formerly of Faribault, MN, passed away on Sunday, April 20, 2025 at the Benedictine Living Community in Owatonna, MN. Willard (Willie) Earl Peterson, born in Waterville, November 10, 1939. Willard (Butch) to his family, was born to Myrtle and Earl Peterson. He had one brother, Clifford born in 1937. He also had an older half-sister, Genevieve, Jenny Miller, who passed in 2023 and an older half-brother, Lester, who was killed in the War in Korea in 1950. Willie had (what he called the best childhood ever) growing up in Waterville. He played with his friends in the woods near their home winter and summer. In high school he played football,...

Elaine (Sanders) Wencl, 93 of Coon Rapids, formerly Alexandria, passed away at Epiphany Assisted Living on April 16, 2025. Funeral services will be at Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria on Fri, April 25, 2025, at 11:00 AM with visitation one hour prior to services. Burial will be at Carlos Prairie Cemetery following a luncheon at the funeral home. To read Elaine's full obituary, please visit the Anderson Funeral Home website.

Sadie A. Kingery(Habeck), 36, born on March 10, 1989, in Aberdeen, South Dakota, passed away suddenly on April 14, 2025, in her home, Yankton, SD. Sadie grew up in Ellendale, MN. Later moved to Yankton, SD. Sadie loved drawing, painting, music, and animals. A huge heart for others. Sadie was excited, this year's Easter on the 20th, was the same date as when she was baptized in 2003. Sadie faced significant struggles in life. Her perseverance in adversity was inspiring. As family, we learned the importance of resilience, the value of seeing the world from a different perspective. Sadie was headstrong and feared nothing. Sadie's physical presence may no longer grace our lives, but her spirit...

Rosemary York was born on April 15th, 1959, in Owatonna, Minnesota to Eldred and Mary Trettel Phillips. She passed away on Palm Sunday, April 13th, at the Pipestone County Hospice Home with her family by her side at the age of 65. Survivors include her husband, Jim, her children: Mark of Washington D.C., Laura Ahrendt and husband Andrew of New Hope, MN, and Linnea of Minneapolis, MN, and two grandchildren, Ada and Oliver Ahrendt. She is also survived by her three siblings: Cathy Glovka and husband, Larry of Owatonna, MN, Carol Anderson and husband, Charlie of Owatonna, MN, and Mike Phillips of Medford, MN. Funeral services will be at St. Ann's Church in Slayton, MN on Tuesday, April 22,...

Matthias James Meester, Beloved Child of God, passed away from SUIDS?Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Syndrome, on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 in Owatonna, MN. Matthias was born January 19, 2025, at Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota, the son of Chris and Laurel (Midthun) Meester. Matthias' first caregivers were the staff of the Methodist Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. They supported Matthias and his family with kindness and knowledge. Matthias came home to Owatonna on February 6th, 2025 where he was welcomed by his big sister Eliora, and the communities of both Owatonna and Blooming Prairie. Matthias loved to be rocked either by family or in his swing. He enjoyed being...

Richard "Dick" Nelson left this earthly plane after 86 years to join his wife in Heaven on the 8th of April 2025. Dick is survived by his siblings, Diane Nelson, Jerry Nelson, and Bob (Nancy) Nelson; his children, Pamela Nelson (Mark), Rick Nelson (Lina), Roger Nelson (Peggy), Bill Crouch, Becky Bond (Jeff), Bonny Steele (Todd), and Angie Birchler (Dan); fifteen grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren; along with a handful of cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edna and Cliff Nelson, his beautiful wife Glenda, his beagle boys Bentley & Oliver, and one dirty old mutt named Bubba. Despite the fact he lived in Cedar Rapids, Iowa for the past...

Norma Jean Krell, 86, of Owatonna, died Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at her residence. Norma was born April 29, 1938, in Owatonna to the late Elmer F. and Lillian Marie Larson Linse. She was raised in Owatonna where she graduated from Owatonna High School in 1956. Norma enjoyed gardening, traveling out West with her family, baking and canning of all kinds. She decorated her house for every holiday with Thanksgiving and Christmas being her favorite. Norma had a beautiful collection of duck decoys and cook books from wherever she traveled. She married Eugene Krell on October 19, 1974, in St. Columbanus Catholic Church in Blooming Prairie. She retired from Joston's after 55 years of faithful...

Paul E. Pribyl, age 76 of Anoka, passed away unexpectedly on April 5, 2025, after a brief illness. Paul was "one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet"; he had a great sense of humor and was happy to share a laugh about life's everyday moments. He was born on February 9, 1949, to Silvin and Joyce (Byrne) Pribyl in Owatonna, MN. He was raised on a dairy farm near Medford, where he attended grade school and high school. After graduating in 1967, he attended Bemidji State and then enlisted in the US Navy, serving from 1969 - 1972 as an Aircraft Mechanic. Over the years, his career spanned from working for Carnation in Wisconsin to joining Lorillard Tobacco in 1980 as a sales representative....

Veronica Catherine Shaw(nee Miller) Age 94, passed peacefully April 2, 2025. Preceded by parents and 11 siblings. Survived by loving husband Leo of 71 years; daughters Yvonne (Marc) Williams, Cynthia Mackay, Kathleen (Bruce) Lamb, Carmen Nelson & Theresa Jacoby; son David (Susie) Shaw; 14 grandchildren & 18 great-grandchildren. Memorial Service 11:00 am Saturday (4/26/25) at Klecatsky's - Eagan Funeral Home, 1580 Century Point in Eagan, MN. Visitation one hour prior to service. Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Trudith Lyn Pierce went home peacefully on Sunday, March 30th, surrounded lovingly by her family. She was born to Arthur and Rose Olsen on Oct. 2, 1943, in Algona, Iowa and was raised in nearby Sexton. She attended the local one-room schoolhouse in her elementary years but graduated from Algona High school in 1961. Trudy married Dale Hannover (Dv, 72), and together they had three children: Sheila Hannover of Austin Tx., Stacey (Lisa) Hannover of Owatonna, and Sonja (Jeff) Knutson of Zimmerman MN. In 1974 she married the love of her life, Michael, and together they moved to Owatonna, which would be home for the next 49 years of marriage, family, and community. Trudy worked in many...

WAYNE FRED MUNDT, age 70, of Columbia Heights passed away at his home on Saturday, March 29, 2025. Wayne was born on December 9, 1954, in Waseca County, Minnesota, the son of Ruben and Ella (Mittelstadt) Mundt. He graduated from Waseca Central High School and went on to pursue higher education at Mankato State University, where he earned both a bachelor's and a master's degree. Wayne devoted much of his career to education, working for thirty-seven years at the Northeast Metro 916 Intermediate School District in White Bear Lake. After retiring, he continued his work in the community, spending his later years at the City of Saint Anthony Village Liquor until his passing. Wayne is survived...

Arlene Martin, of Prior Lake, MN, passed March 26, 2025, in Wheatridge, CO. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, April 25, 2025, at 11 am, with a gathering from 9:30-10:45 am, at St. Michael Catholic Church, Prior Lake. Mass will be livestreamed at stmichael-pl.org Interment at St. Michael Cemetery. In support of Arlene's love of Corvettes and classic cars, please drive your cars to the service. Arlene was born in South Bend, IN, on August 20th, to Louis and Ann Varga. She graduated from Saint Mary's Academy in 1958 and started college at Purdue University. Arlene married David Martin on November 19, 1960, at St. Matthew Co-Cathedral Church and were blessed with three children....

Herbert George Kotek, of Faribault, passed away last week at his home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 4th at 11:00 a.m. at Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Faribault, with visitation for one hour preceding the Mass and fellowship afterward. A private interment will take place at Calvary Cemetery. Herb was born on July 5th, 1956 to George and Marie (Hickey) Kotek. He grew up quickly as the eldest child, caring for his younger siblings and working various jobs at an early age to help support a large family. He graduated from Faribault High School and subsequently attained a degree in Law Enforcement and Criminology. From humble beginnings as a small town police...

Bruce Ordean Madson, Age 70, Passed away on March 23, 2025, at his home after a 6 year battle with cancer. Bruce was born May 11, 1954 to Obed and Daisy (Bjork) Madson. grew up in rural Blooming Prairie on a farm along with his seven siblings. He enjoyed wrestling and helped dig graves for extra income while he went to school. He graduated from Blooming Prairie High School in 1972. Bruce worked for Schneider Trucking, OMC - Mustang Manufacturing as a welder and night shift supervisor until the company moved. Bruce then worked for the Minnesota Department of Transportation in both Albert Lea and Owatonna. He loved driving truck especially the snowplow. In summer he hauled peas and...