Kenyon Leader

Ilene Remold Bergh of Kenyon passed away on May 20, 2023 at the age of 97. She was a remarkable woman who "power walked" her way through life, always working, never still. She raised 6 kids, ran the Bergh drugstore in Kenyon 7 days a week, and was deeply involved in a community that flourished in the post war years. She earned an LPN degree in later years and had a special touch while caring for patients and her ailing parents and in-laws. She had a photographic memory for Kenyon history and kept in touch with hundreds of Kenyon residents who moved away, many who stopped at the drugstore to see her and Harvey when visiting their hometown. She was probably proud of her children but...

Rene O. Thune, 97, of Bloomington, formerly of Kenyon, passed away on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at Amira Choice. He was born January 3, 1926 in Kenyon, Minnesota to Enoch and Evelyn (Nesseth) Thune. Rene grew up in Kenyon. During his younger years growing up, he worked at the Kenyon Canning Factory testing corn. Rene also worked for his father as a projectionist at the Kenyon Theater. Rene was a member of the 1944 Kenyon High School graduating class. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy, completing basic training in Idaho before going to Sonar School in San Diego, California. After completion of school, he would enroll into the University of Utah for their V-12 Navy College...

Gaylen Edward Ordalen, 74, of Kenyon, went to his eternal home, where he joined his other loved ones, on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. He was born in Red Wing on January 5, 1949, to Edward and Avis (Friese) Ordalen. He was confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. As a child his family moved to various different towns and Gaylen attended many different country schools before graduating from Albert Lea High School in 1967. In high school he loved to play the game of football and his real passion was playing the lead guitar for a band through high school and college. He attended Mankato State University and was called back to the farm before graduating. On June 17, 1973, Gaylen was united in...

Vivian Alice Samlaska, 3, of Kenyon, passed away on May 8, 2023, at the Children's Hospital in Minneapolis in the loving arms of her parents. She was born on August 12, 2019 in Northfield, Minnesota to Maurice and Alyssa Samlaska. Vivian was a sassy, funny and loving daughter, sister and granddaughter. She loved movie nights, snuggles, and her bunny, Levi. Vivian loved to do everything with her sister, Marissa. She looked up to and loved her sissy with her whole heart. Vivian loved to visit her grandparents' cabin. She loved boat rides with her Auntie and looking for fish, frogs, and any other animals she could find. She spent a lot of time choosing the perfect rocks and insisted on...

John Roman Gappa, age 72 of Nerstrand, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. John was born on June 17, 1950, in Madelia, MN, the son of Paul and LaVonne (Rubedor) Gappa. He graduated from Cannon Falls High School in 1968. He married Millie Otto on December 4, 1976, at St. Pius V Catholic Church, Cannon Falls. He was a lifelong farmer, and in later years did some trucking. He also worked at Koch Refinery for 20 years and owned and operated Gappa Plumbing & Heating for 10 years. In his younger years he enjoyed hunting. A man with a gentle nature and few needs, he truly enjoyed socializing with others, especially over coffee. It was not unusual to have him watch the corn dryers...

Our beautiful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away peacefully on April 17th, 2023. Mary was born in Minneapolis on April 20, 1929, to Andrew and Marian Hoverstad. She was raised on the family farm near Dennison, MN and graduated from Kenyon High School. She met Cliff Japs at the University of Minnesota, and they married in 1950. Mary and Cliff lived and raised their family in White Bear Lake before moving to Boutwell's Landing Senior Community in Oak Park Heights. Mary was an active volunteer in her church and community. Mary was an avid and excellent golfer and held various positions in the Minnesota Women's Golf Association. Mary was a church Deacon, Elder, and...

Timothy Wayne Larson, age 60, of Northfield, passed away after an extended illness, Monday, April 17, 2023, at Mayo Clinic Hospital-Rochester, St. Mary's Campus. Tim was born to Donavan and Sharon (Rollins) Larson on December 12, 1962, in Rochester. He graduated from Rochester John Marshall High School. Tim enjoyed working in the dirt. First as a landscaper and then as a heavy equipment operator for many years. He had a natural ability to visualize and then create things. There wasn't a piece of equipment that he couldn't skillfully operate. Tim met Dee Ann (Estrem) at work, and they were united in marriage on March 9, 1991, at Vang Lutheran Church in rural Dennison. Tim enjoyed...

Mardell Helen Held, 94, of Kenyon, died Saturday, April 1, 2023 at Zumbrota Health Services Center. She was born January 10, 1929 in Kenyon, Minnesota the daughter of Albin and Genevieve (Voxland) Kindseth. She was baptized and confirmed at Holden Lutheran Church in Kenyon. She graduated from Kenyon High School in 1947 and was the St. Paul Fire Queen that same year. On September 22, 1947 she married the love of her life Howard Held at Holden Lutheran Church and the couple was blessed with three children, Susan, Julie, and Jon. Howard and Mardell owned and operated Held Chevrolet and Held Bus Service in Kenyon. She is survived by her children Susan (Steve) Goldammer of Zumbrota, Julie...

Timothy Robert Otto, age 54, passed away Sunday, March 19th at Mayo Hospital after a 2 1/2 year courageous and hard-fought battle against colon cancer. Born February 14, 1969 to his parents, Bill and Bonnie (Grendahl) Otto in Zumbrota, MN. He was Baptized at Lands Lutheran Church and was raised in Kenyon, MN. Tim was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout where he achieved the Order of the Arrow. He was Confirmed at First Lutheran Church. He attended Kenyon High School where he participated in band and golf (along with many skip days spent going to Burnsville to buy concert tickets). He graduated with the Class of 1987. Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the Army where he was stationed in...

Clifford Melroy Nelson, 84, of Owatonna and long-time resident of rural Cannon Falls, passed away on Saturday, March 18th at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota after a short illness. Clifford was born in Leon Township, Minnesota on January 5, 1939, to Joseph and Randie (Ohnstad) Nelson. One of 6 children, Clifford grew up working on the farm, and attended school in Wanamingo. Clifford met Ruthann through mutual friends in high school and later again while Ruthann was in nursing school. They were married on September 10, 1960, at Wangen Prairie Lutheran Church and lived in Leon Township for over 61 years. Here they would build a home, and raise their 3 children, Gene, Brian, and...

Harlan T. Rosvold, 98, of Oak Park Heights, MN died at home on March 7, 2023. Harlan (aka Holly) was born March 6, 1925 at the Northfield Hospital while his parents, Emil and Eva (Haugen) Rosvold, were residents of Dennison, MN. He attended school in Hatton, ND and graduated from Kenyon High School, Kenyon, MN. In 1947, he married Joyce Dalbotten and they began raising their 6 children in Kenyon. In 1959, he moved the family to Mendota Heights, MN, when he began working for Cenex in the Construction and Engineering Department. Harlan enjoyed being involved in his children's activities. He coached some of their sports. Harlan was a proud WWII Marine Corps veteran serving in Saipan,...

Al passed away on March 4, 2023, at the age of 79. He was a resident of the Minnesota Veterans' Home in Minneapolis. Al was born and raised in Kenyon, Minnesota, and attended school there graduating from Kenyon High School with the class of 1962. He was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Kenyon and grew up in a house next to his father's block and tile factory (Brandvold Block and Tile) next to the Kenyon municipal swimming pool. The property is now Depot Park in Kenyon. After high school graduation he went to work at a local firm, and then received a notice from Uncle Sam to join the Army. Off he went to basic training and shortly thereafter, to Vietnam. He was a radio...

Deborah Kae Kvittem, 75, of Lincoln, Nebraska passed away peacefully on Monday, February 27, 2023. Born December 25, 1947, in Sioux Falls, SD to Arnold and Alma (Fortin) Link. Debbie graduated from the University of Minnesota. She enjoyed a career in radiology and medical billing until her retirement. She was joined in marriage to Owen Kvittem on October 9, 1971. Their marriage was blessed with 3 sons, Scott, Dane and Lee. Debbie enjoyed shopping, reading, and watching and feeding "her birds" but above all she loved spending time with her family. She is survived by her son Scott Kvittem, finance Linda Hedland of Bethel, Alaska, his children Jake Erwin of Lincoln and Autumn Kvittem of...

Barbara Lynne Evert passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 22nd under the care of Mayo Clinic Hospice and Zumbrota Health services in Zumbrota, MN. A celebration of life and visitation will be held on Saturday, March 25th, from 1-4 at Mahn Funeral Home in Zumbrota, MN. A private funeral service will be held at a later date. Barb was born on June 12th, 1951, in Lake City, MN. The middle child of Jack and Lorraine, Barb attended Lincoln High School in Lake City. After High School, Barb attended Winona State University and met the love of her life, Jeffrey Evert. After graduating, Barb and Jeff married on July 12th, 1975, in Lake City, MN. Barb was a renaissance woman of sorts,...

Shirley Louise Peterson of Kenyon, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 13th, 2023, in Northfield. Shirley was born on November 14th, 1940 to Sigurd and Lillian (Brekke) Helland. Shirley grew up in West Concord and graduated from West Concord High School in 1959.In March of 1965 she met and fell head over heels in love with Paul Peterson, and they were married on November 6th, 1965, and enjoyed 57 years of wedded bliss.Shortly after their marriage, Shirley gave her heart to the Lord and her relationship with Christ was a very important part of her marriage and family life. She was the Hauge and Emmanuel church secretary for 22 years while raising her family. Later, she worked for 17...

Shirley Louise Peterson , of Kenyon, passed away on Monday, February 13, 2023 in Northfield. Funeral services will be held on February 16, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Aspelund. With a visitation one hour prior to service.

Ruby D. Johnson, 100, of Wanamingo, died February 5, 2023. A Celebration of Life will be held at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, April 15, 2023 with visitation one hour prior at Trinity Lutheran Church in Wanamingo with Pastor Kris Ferkin officiating. Complete obituary at www.michaelsonfuneral.com

Ruby Doris Johnson, 100, of Goodhue, formerly of Wanamingo, died Sunday, February 5, 2023 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born October 7, 1922 in Roscoe, Minnesota the daughter of Martin and Marie (Greseth) Goplen. She grew up in Wanamingo where she graduated from high school in 1940. She moved to Chicago to continue her education at Augustana Nursing School. As a child, she met her husband, Lester "Les" Johnson. They began dating at age 15 after confirmation. She and Les were married on May 5, 1944. They lived in Corpus Christi, Texas and Atlanta, Georgia while Les was in the military. During this time, Ruby began working with the Red Cross. In 1946, Ruby and...

Fred James Pithey Jr. age 91 of Kenyon, passed away on February 2nd, 2023. Fred was born November 25th, 1931 in Norcross, MN, to Fred and Agnes (Keane) Pithey. The Family later moved to Verona, ND. He graduated from Herman High School in 1949. He attended St. John's University at Collegeville, MN. He joined the U.S. Air Force and served in Korea and at Chandler Air Force Station. After serving four years in the Air Force, He returned to North Dakota and was in the grain business at Sanborn ND. Fred married Shirley McDonald on February 10, 1959. Their three children were born in Jamestown, North Dakota. Fred began a career with the Lystad company in 1966, and later they moved to Wisconsin...

Carl O Finnesgaard age 87 of Kenyon passed away at home on January 3, 2023. Carl was born on October 28, 1935 at St. Lucas Hospital Faribault, MN. He attended 8 years of country school before graduating from Kenyon High School. During this time he caught baseball for the high school team and also the Kenyon town team and Faribault legion team. Carl attended Augsburg College in Minneapolis for 2 years and was a catcher for their baseball team. During this time he also worked nights at the 7-Up Bottling Company. He was a catcher for the Benson baseball team the summer between his college years. In November of 1955 Carl volunteered his number for the draft. He served 21 months, 19 of...

Margaret Ann (Ahrens) Ellingson died December 30th, 2022 at Benedictine Living Community in Northfield, Minnesota, surrounded by family, following a courageous battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. She was 84. Margaret was born on March 19th, 1938, to Harold and Ruth (Tellin) Ahrens in Washington, Iowa, in the family home on West Madison Street. The Ahrens family soon moved to a farm just north of town where her parents raised three children and built a life together. She attended country school through second grade before going to school in town. Margaret looked up to her sister, Reta, who even as a senior made a point of including her freshman sister, and she cared for and...