Kenyon Leader

Ronald Allan Grose, 90, of Kenyon, died Monday, October 18, 2021 at the Northfield Hospital with family at his side. He was born September 24, 1931 in Kenyon, Minnesota the son of Russell and Myrtle (Oelschlager) Grose. He attended school in Kenyon and graduated from Kenyon High School in 1949. He then served in the United States Air Force from December 30, 1950 until his honorable discharge on February 21, 1952. On October 1, 1955, he married Lila Syverson at Lands Lutheran Church in Zumbrota. The couple lived out in Monkey Valley southwest of Kenyon prior to moving to Kenyon in 1967. Ronald was a truck driver all his life. He began driving milk truck, drove grain truck, drove...

Norma M. Jacobson, age 99, of Kenyon passed away on Saturday, October 9th, 2021 at Three Links Care Center in Northfield, where she had resided since August 2021. Norma daughter of Martin and Olianna (Gunderson) Dyrdahl, was born and raised on a farm in the Moland area outside of Kenyon on January 29, 1922. After graduating from Kenyon High School, she worked in Waseca for the Johnson Company as well as doing housework for several local families. With the help of friends, she met Samuel Lee Jacobson, and they were united in marriage at Hauge Lutheran Church on October 19, 1946, and were married for 48 years until Sam died in February 1995. Norma's life revolved around her family, church...

Joan Marilyn Forsberg, 94, of Kenyon, died Sunday, September 26, 2021 at her home in Kenyon. She was born September 10, 1927 in Hayfield, Minnesota the daughter of Henry and Mildred (Satron) Osdal. She graduated from Kenyon High School in 1945. On April 4, 1948, she married C.R. "Bud" Forsberg at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenyon. Joan worked at Security State Bank until 1949 when she and Bud purchased Coast to Coast Hardware in Kenyon. Together the couple owned and operated the hardware store until 1987 when they retired. After retirement, Joan and Bud enjoyed wintering in Arizona, Florida and Texas and spending time at the cabin on French Lake near Faribault. Joan was a...

Pastor John Hagen, age 88, of Faribault, MN, died peacefully at Pleasant Manor on September 25, 2021. John Holte Hagen was born in 1933 in Crookston, Minnesota to George and Evelyn Hagen. His family moved to Tokyo after WWII where he graduated from the American High School in Japan. John returned to the US and graduated from St. Olaf College in 1956. Later he graduated from George Washington University with a law degree, then worked for the federal government. In 1959, he met Diane Reinertson in Washington D.C. They married in December 1961. As Diane completed her degree at Capital University, John also moved to Ohio to attend Trinity Lutheran Seminary. After the birth of son Mark and...

Timothy Leroy Sorensen, 75, of Wanamingo, MN passed away peacefully in his sleep Tuesday, September 21, 2021 at the home of his stepson Nick Steberg. He was born on December 8, 1945 in Wakonda, SD to Chester and Marjorie (Mayer) Sorensen. Tim grew up in Freeman, SD and graduated from Freeman High School in 1964 where he ran track and cross country, as well as played basketball. He then enlisted in the Navy and served four years, including two tours in Vietnam and was awarded the Purple Heart. He served on the last active duty seaplane in US Navy service. Returning to South Dakota, Tim worked for Northwestern Public Service before joining the family business Sorensen Surge Service. He later...

Vernon Robert Buscho, age 91, of Kenyon, died on Monday, September 20, 2021, at Three Links Care Center, Northfield. Private family services will be held. Interment will be at Meadow Ridge Memorial Park, Faribault. Arrangements are being completed by Boldt Funeral Home, Faribault. Vernon Robert Buscho was born in Waseca on December 27, 1929, to Ralph and Irene (Hecht) Buscho. He attended a country school until he moved to California with his parents. He graduated from Eagle Rock High School in California then returned to Minnesota to farm with his brother. On February 23, 1952, he married Esther Kruger at Red Oak Grove Church, Austin. Vernon served in the U.S. Army during the Korean...

Ronald John Dohmen, age 81 of Dennison, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on Saturday morning, September 18, 2021. Ron was born on December 13, 1939 in Humphrey, Nebraska, the son of Edward and Rose (Schaecher) Dohmen. His family moved to Minnesota in 1949. Ron spent his high school years at seminary in Chicago and later attended Hastings High School, graduating in 1957. He completed basic training with the US Army in 1960 at Fort Leonard, MO and served with the National Guard. He married Maxine Girgen on April 28, 1962 in Vermillion, MN. He hauled gas, worked road construction, and started farming in Hampton, MN before moving to Dennison, MN, where he continued to farm along...

Susan Diane Thompson, 70, of Crittenden, KY, passed away at her home on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, surrounded by her loving family. Born on December 19, 1950, in Faribault, MN, she was the daughter of the late Dale and Betty Brennan. Whether she was hiking, camping or trail riding, Susan was most at home when she was outside in nature with her horses and dogs. She also enjoyed traveling and doing arts and crafts. Susan was an accomplished hairdresser and had a degree in cosmetology. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Susan moved from her home of 8 years in Hot Springs, AK to move to Kentucky to be closer to her granddaughters. In addition to her parents,...

Lois (Affeldt) Emerson, 90, of Faribault and long time resident of the Kenyon area died Sept. 7, 2021 at her home She has written: "I was born Oct. 23, 1930 at the farm home of my parents, Emma (Fitztum) and Arthur Affeldt in Fillmore County, Minnesota. I had one sister, Bernice May, and one brother, Lyle Arthur. I was baptized, confirmed and married before the altar of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Wykoff. I attended our one room District School for four years and finished my education in the Wykoff School system graduating in 1948. I then was employed at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester in the registrar's office. My high school sweetheart, Douglas Emerson, and I were married in December of...

Norma Jean Sands, age 96, of Kenyon, died Thursday, September 2, 2021 at Reflections Care Center in Northfield. Norma was born on the family farm in Sogn Valley on December 3, 1924, the daughter of Samuel and Clara (Lee) Underdahl. She graduated from Cannon Falls High School, earned a teaching degree through 'Normal Training' and taught in Goodhue County rural schools for many years. On September 28, 1945, Norma married Wilbur Sands of Kenyon. They raised two daughters, Diane and Vicki, and farmed near Aspelund until Wilbur passed in 1992. Norma continued to live on the farm and care for it until her death. As a devoted mother, Norma made sure her daughters played in the band, acted in...

Eric Allan Aalgaard, age 64 of Red Wing, died on Sunday, August 22, 2021 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 11 at 11 am at Urland Lutheran Church, Cannon Falls, with visitation from 10-11 am at the church pavilion. Interment will follow at the church cemetery. Masks are required indoors. Lundberg Funeral Home, Cannon Falls www.LundbergFuneral.com.

Alice Marie (Rodde) Bishop, 93, of Brooklyn Center passed away on Aug. 22, 2021, to happily rejoin her husband Byron, daughter Becky, parents Marie and Alfred and her dearly missed siblings Albion, Phillip, Fritz and Aldora; and son-in-law Ren? Jara. Alice and her siblings were born on the Kenyon, MN family farm and all lived a long life as part of the "Greatest Generation." She is deeply mourned by her sister, Rosella Strandemo, with whom she shared all the highs and lows of life. Alice graduated from Kenyon High School in 1946, and married Byron Bishop in 1955. They settled in Brooklyn Center where they raised two daughters, Ahna Bishop-Jara and Rebecca Pearson. Alice was always very...

Marjorie Darlene (Grissom) Voxland, died peacefully at her home in Marcell, MN, on January 31, 2021 at the age of 73 from kidney failure, which she courageously battled since January 2018, with the loving care of her husband, Charles, and her special needs daughter, Nicole, who survive her. Darlene graduated from JEB Stuart High School (Falls Church, VA) and worked at the Pentagon for numerous Air Force Generals and thereafter for government sub-contractors. Darlene and her husband, to whom she was married for 21 years, moved to Kenyon, MN, where Darlene owned and operated the local video store and retired therefrom to Northern Minnesota with her husband. Darlene is also survived by a...

Ruth Jacobson (nee Skinsnes), a long time resident of Kenyon, died on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at her assisted living home in Edina, MN. Born in China, made of Norwegian parts. That was how Ruth liked to describe herself. Those two heritages were lifelong influences for her. Ruth Solveig Skinsnes, named by her older brother who had scarlet fever, was born April 4, 1924 in Sinyang, China. Her parents were medical missionaries who arrived in China in 1915. She had two older siblings, Olaf and Phoebe. Growing up in China in the midst of poverty, wars and disease, her childhood experiences were far different than most of ours. Sister Hilda, a Lutheran Deaconess, helped deliver her and...

Arleigh Clifford Anderson, 96, of Rochester died on June 30, 2021 at Field Crest Care Center in Hayfield, MN. Arleigh was born in a maternity home in Kenyon, MN, son of Arthur and Clara Anderson. He grew up on a farm north of Kenyon with no electricity or running water. Besides working hard on the farm while growing up, he enjoyed fishing and playing sports. He attended a one room school in rural Nerstrand and played on high school basketball and football teams until graduating in 1943. After working the farm for a few years, he started operating heavy equipment for Iowa Road Building Company. He then joined the US Army, where he attended school for heavy equipment in Fort Hood, TX, and...

Franklin John Hessedal, 79, of Byron, died Thursday, June 24, 2021 at Madonna Summit of Byron after an extended illness. He was born on April 8, 1942 to Arnold and Helen (Finne) Hessedal. He was baptized and confirmed at Holden Lutheran Church, Kenyon. He graduated from Wanamingo High School in 1960 and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps from which he was honorably discharged. He was later employed by Commercial Metals Corp. of Dallas, Texas. On November 11,1972, Frank was united in marriage to Gail Veblen of Kenyon. They had two sons, Brian and Steven. In 1974, they purchased the Hessedal farm and Frank farmed it for many years. Frank was always busy and could fix anything. He enjoyed...

Hazel Solberg, 99, of Kenyon, died Thursday, June 17, 2021 at North Ridge View Assisted Living in Kenyon. She was born August 2, 1921 in Wanamingo Township in Goodhue County the daughter of Henry and Ella (Ottun) Monson. She attended school thru the seventh grade. She then began working at the Bluebird Caf? in Kenyon and then JC Penney in Kenyon. She married Joseph Solberg on February 26, 1947 at First Lutheran Church in Kenyon. The couple farmed near Moland until retirement. Hazel also worked outside the home at District 1 Hospital in Faribault and then for Saga Foods, the food service provider at Carleton College in Northfield. She was a member of Gol Lutheran Church where...

Debra Ann Benson, 61, of Morris, Illinois, passed away Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at the Hinsdale hospital with her family by her side. Deb was the wife of Craig Benson (a 1977 graduate of Kenyon High School) and the daughter-in-law of Sherman and Evelyn Benson of Kenyon, MN. After a second battle with breast cancer Deb went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7). Born March 2, 1960 in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, she was the daughter of Sheldon and Delores (Moe) Mortrud and a 1978 graduate of Thief River Falls High School. After high school she graduated from the Association Free...

Gary Alan Berg, 60, of rural Kenyon, died unexpectedly Friday, June 4, 2021. He was born June 20, 1960 in St. Paul the son of Alvin and Stella (Nelson) Berg. Gary grew up in the Midway area of St. Paul but spent much of his childhood at the Berg family farm in rural Kenyon. He loved working alongside his dad and uncle, Hilman. Gary graduated from St. Paul Central High School in 1978. He attended the U of M Ag School in Waseca before leaving to farm full time. Gary married Tamra Ruedy on May 20, 1988. They divorced in 2019, the same year that Gary passed his farm operation on to his two sons. Gary was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed annual trips to South Dakota and Lake of...