Albert Lea Tribune

Lavonne M. Wright, age 97, a lifelong resident of Rochester, MN passed away Friday, June 24, 2022 at Thorne Crest Senior Living in Albert Lea, MN. Lavonne was born November 17, 1924 in Rochester, MN to Clyde and Helen (Lind) Crume. She lived in Rochester her entire life up until residing in Albert Lea, MN the last three years to be closer to family. She was a longtime member of Trinity Lutheran Church here in Rochester. On September 23, 1944 she married Kermit Roerish and together they had two children, Larry and Suzanne. The couple enjoyed forty-six years of marriage until Kermit's passing in 1991. She later married Paul Wright and they were married until Paul's passing in 2019. Lavonne...

Age 58 of Chisago City Loving Husband, Dad, Son & Brother, entered Heaven unexpectedly on June 11, 2022. Survived by loving wife of 28 years, Brenda; children, Jason, Kathryn; parents, Louis & Joan; siblings, Bryan (Wendy), Matt (Lynn), Amy; mother-in-law, Charlotte Molter; in-laws, Renelle (Robert) Staus, Judith Mattice, Nancy (Mark) Zirbes, Keith (Terri) Molter; nieces, nephews, other relatives & friends. Preceded in death by father-in-law, Anthony Molter. Mass of Christian Burial 11 AM Friday, June 17th with visitation beginning at 10 AM at Church of St. Peter, 1250 S. Shore Dr., Forest Lake. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the American Cancer Society.

Harold Edward Clarambeau, age 84, of Ft. Pierre, passed away March 5, 2022, at Avera St. Mary's Hospital in Pierre, SD. His celebration of life will be held at 12:00 PM-3:00 PM March 19, 2022 at the Pat Duffy Community Center, Ft. Pierre, SD. The service will be held at 12:00 PM with a luncheon and a time of sharing to follow. Harold Clarambeau was born September 18, 1937, to Felix and Alice (Martel) Clarambeau, in Huron, South Dakota. He grew up in the Huron/Cavour area and attended the Minor Country School south of Huron. He continued his education at the Vocational Technical School of Beloit, Wisconsin. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, Harold was in the Wisconsin National Guard and was...

Wilma Jean "Nannie" Peterson, age 75, of Owatonna, died Saturday, February 25, 2022, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Wilma Schabacker was born on March 11, 1946, in Austin, MN, the daughter of the late Frederick and Marcella (Sprauge) Schabacker. She grew up in Austin, MN, and attended Austin High School. She was married to Dennis Peterson on March 27, 1965, in Austin, MN, and made their home in Owatonna, MN. Wilma worked as a daycare provider for over 40 years, retiring in 2013. Wilma was a free-spirited woman who always spoke her mind. She enjoyed going to the cabin on Gull Lake in Brainerd, MN, travelling around the US and the world, going on cruises, and cruising in...

It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of Steve Weber, age 72, of Fayetteville, TN. Steve was born on May 23, 1949, in Albert Lea, MN to the late Bob and Rosie Weber. He passed away on February 6, 2022, at Lincoln Medical Center in Fayetteville. Steve worked as an education specialist for the US Army, and he served in the US Marine Corps from 1967-1976. Mr. Weber was a member of the Prosperity Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, Disabled American Veterans, and the American Legion. Steve was well known as "the gummy bear man" at church. Steve was a great storyteller and loved to perform. He was a big hit as the MC for many Veteran Day events. He loved playing Ezekial Norris,...

Mary Ingbritsen, age 90 of Northfield, passed away with family by her side on Sunday evening, December 19, 2021, at the Care Center of the Northfield Retirement Community. Mary Kathryn Haugan Ingbritsen was born September 12, 1931, Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Randolph and Kathryn (Knudson) Haugan. In January 1953, Mary married Keith Ingbritsen of Albert Lea, MN, and in the spring of that year they graduated from St. Olaf College. Keith graduated from Officer Candidate School and received a commission into the Navy shortly after, and his military service took them to Hawaii for several years. Keith's career then took the family to Trenton, New Jersey and Yardley, Pennsylvania. Mary was an...

DONNA MARGARET BERGERSON, age 95, passed away on the morning of Friday, December 17, 2021 at Foxdale in Waseca. Born in New Richland on November 21, 1926, Donna was the daughter of Carroll and Mae (Verplank) Dezell. She attended school in New Richland until the family moved to Freeborn where she graduated with the class of 1944. She went on to Mankato State University and began her career teaching kindergarten in Keister in 1946. Donna was married to Orlan Bergerson on July 7, 1948, and settled in Hartland MN, moving to Waseca in the mid-1950s. She earned her Masters degree in education at Mankato State in 1970 and taught reading and math in Waseca for the next 35 years, retiring in the...

Loren Raymond Kaufman, age 82, of Faribault, died on Sunday, December 12, 2021, with his wife by his side. Funeral services will be at Peace Lutheran Church, Faribault, on Friday, December 17, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at Maple Lawn Cemetery, Faribault. Visitation will be at the Boldt Funeral Home on Thursday, December 16, 2021, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and also for one hour prior to the service at church on Friday. Loren R. was born on December 18, 1938, to Alfred and Marie (Wangen) Kaufman in Albert Lea. He graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1956. He married Brenda Brendemuehl on October 27, 1990, at Peace Lutheran Church, Faribault. Most of his career was spent at...

Merlene (Mattson) Keeler, age 87 of Minnetonka, MN passed away on December 1, 2021. Born in Clarks Grove, MN, she was the daughter of the late Arvid and Inga(Jensen) Mattson and the adoring wife of 67 years to William(Bill) Keeler. In addition to her loving husband, Merlene is survived by her daughter, Dianne Keeler Bruce (Sam), son Mark Keeler (Idy), grandchildren Madeleine Bruce McGinn, (Tom), Sydney and Samantha Keeler, Josiah & Zachery Keeler. Brothers Tom(Melodee), Paul(Robyn), Sven(Cherie). Nieces and Nephews, Susan (Mattson) Duncan, Brian Mattson, Suzanne Ildstad, Michael Pralle, Debbie Hambel, Geoff & Jerry Thorson, Krister, Anders, Egan, Alrik, Abby, Jennifer, Sara, and...

Neil H. Larson, age 85, of Faribault and formerly of Albert Lea died on Monday, November 29, 2021, at Faribault Senior Living. Private graveside services will be held for the family in Wisconsin at a later date. Neil Howard, the son of Arnold and Erma Jean (Byrd) Larson was born on February 9, 1936, in Menomonie, WI. Following graduation he attended Stout University where he met his cherished bride. He married June Landon on October 12, 1957, in Lancaster WI. Through their 64 years together he made her his top priority and showered her with love and attention. Upon retirement, they enjoyed a decade of adventures and made many friends from across the country while living in Florida. ...

James (Jim) Henry Gallagher, age 81, of Saint Peter, passed away peacefully at Mayo Methodist Hospital, Rochester surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, November 25, 2021. A private memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 18, 2021, at the St. Peter Funeral Home. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery, with military honors. A recording of the service can be found with his obituary at www.saintpeterfuneralhome.com.

Gerald "Gerry" Bakke, age 71 of Buffalo, Minnesota passed away September 25, 2021 at his home after a long illness. Gerry was born August 26, 1950 to Elton and Eleanor Bakke in Thief River Falls, MN. Gerry married Linda Johnson on October 31, 1970. The bride drove the getaway car, because Gerry didn't have a driver's license. As a teenager in Albert Lea, Gerry was two-time city checker's champion. He also fell in love with the sport of wrestling under the tutelage of Paul Ehrhard and won three district titles and placed sixth in the 1968 State Individual Championships. Gerry initially wanted to be a pastor but he figured out that pastors only preach one day a week and teachers get...

John Randolph "Randy" Cox, age 84, passed away on September 14, 2021, at Three Links Care Center in Northfield. Randy was born on Oct. 7, 1936, in Albert Lea to John and Augusta (Onsum) Cox. He graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1955, St. Olaf College in 1959, and received his Masters in Library Science from the University of Minnesota in 1961. Following a short stint at the St. Paul Public Library, Randy returned to St. Olaf in 1962 as a Reference Librarian and stayed until retiring in 1996. Randy taught one of the first college courses on mystery and detective fiction in the United States, and after retirement led classes at the Cannon Valley Elder Collegium for many...

A gentle soul of the Ellendale community, Lowell H. Wichmann, age 81, has passed away on June 28, 2021. Lowell was a loving husband, father, grandpa, brother uncle and friend. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Julia (Smith); children, Barbara (Gary), Debra, Penny (Roger), Emily (Rashad) and Jamie (Jake). Beloved grandchildren, Mark, Chris, Nathan, Kara, Garrett, Rhyse, Rayven, Josef, Danika, Kaleb and Lukas. Siblings, Edward Wichmann, Carol (Ken) Killen, Linda Elstad, Sue (D.R Martin) Wichmann and Dawn Wichmann; as well as numerous brothers and sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews, great-grandchildren and wonderful friends. Lowell was born in Albert Lea, Minnesota and resided...

William (Bill) Roger Wichmann, 80, of Rochester passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, April 3, 2021. Bill was born to Carl and Hazel (Friis) Wichmann on June 18, 1940 in Austin, MN. He graduated from Austin High School in 1958 and enlisted in the U. S. Air Force. He married Dorothy Davis on September 5, 1961 in Malvern, Arkansas. As a U. S. Air Force Bomb Navigation Systems Mechanic, Bill served in Little Rock, Rapid City, Colorado Springs, and Bentwaters, England. He was very proud of his military service, and loved to share stories of how he diagnosed and fixed electrical systems on B52 bombers. After serving in the U.S. Air Force for eight years, Bill worked as an engineer...

Gary Alan Shelton of Merkel, Texas, passed away unexpectedly in his home on March 18, 2021. He was 57 years old. Gary was born on September 14, 1963, in Rochester, Minnesota, to Norman (ND) and Marion (Helland) Shelton. He graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1981. Gary worked as a DJ and in landscaping before starting his career as a chef at the Merkel Restaurant in Merkel, Texas. He was an exceptional chef and was best known for his enchiladas and homemade pies. Gary loved classic rock music and sports, especially the Dallas Cowboys and MMA. But most of all, Gary loved his family. He was exceptionally fond of his many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. Gary is...

Dale Roger Frondal, 86, died January 9, 2021 in Danville, KY. Born March 23, 1934 in Oakland, Minnesota, he was the son of the late Henry S. and Esther Christiansen Frondal. He was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church. Dale is a graduate of University of Minnesota and is a United States Marine Corps Veteran. Dale worked as a Draftsman and Engineer at Whirlpool, later Matsushita. He is predeceased by his infant son; one brother, Duane Frondal and his sister Beverly Korn. He is survived by his wife Lois Carol Smeby Frondal; two sons, Gregg (Dana Lister) Frondal and Scott (Kaari Olson) Frondal; five grandchildren, Christopher Dale Frondal, Shelby Jean Frondal, Kayla Ellison, Jenna...

Autumn Brynn Jacobsen (Akron, OH, formerly of Lyle, MN) passed away unexpectedly January 6, 2021 from complications of epilepsy, at the age of 33. Born September 10, 1987 in Sioux Falls, SD to Rick and Julie Jacobsen. She graduated from Lyle High School in 2006 and attended Rochester Community Technical College. Autumn was a generous and loving spirit. She also adored children, especially her nieces and nephews. A lover of animals, Autumn enjoyed spending time volunteering at the humane society. She thoroughly enjoyed art and was an artist at the Silo Art Studio in Canton, OH. Autumn will be lovingly remembered by her parents Rick and Julie Jacobsen; her sisters Aubry (Wyn) Hall, Lindsey...

Carmen A. Ferullo 93, of Lubbock, passed away on Saturday, August 15, 2020. Carmen was born on March 5, 1927 in Amsterdam, NY to Paul & Caroline Ferullo. He went to public grade school and it was at this young age that his talent and love for baseball was discovered in little league. He graduated from St. Mary's, a private catholic school where he played baseball and basketball. After graduating in 1945, he joined the U.S. Navy, where he served on the destroyer in the Pacific in World War II. He attended Siena college and then signed a baseball contract with the St. Louis Browns, where he played 6 years in the pros. He then played an additional 6 years in a fast semi pro (southern...

Daniel Leon Heins, 69, of Champlin, MN, died July 28, 2020. He was born on December 29, 1950 in Rochester to Howard and Marian (Fitzpatrick) Heins. During his youth he was active in 4-H and FFA showing dairy cattle. He graduated from John Marshall High School and the University of Minnesota with a degree in Animal Science & Agronomy. While at the U of MN he was on the dairy cattle judging team, and later judged many county fair dairy shows. His career included seven years with the Minnesota Extension Service in Freeborn County. He enjoyed 38 years in insurance sales, the last 27 years with Oakwood Insurance, Anoka. Thanks to excellent care he received through the Mayo Clinic, Dan...

Timothy "Tim" Glenn Brownewell, age 49, of Owatonna, died unexpectedly on Friday, May 1, 2020, at the Owatonna Hospital. He was born on August 27, 1970, in Detroit, MI. He was adopted at six months of age by Glenn and Joan (Benney) Brownewell. Tim moved throughout the United States living in six different states. He attended Stone Mountain Christian School in Atlanta, GA. He lived in Romania helping his father with mission work. In 1994 he returned to Minnesota and made his home in Owatonna. Tim met Michelle Juveland at Bethel Baptist Church and they were married on July 11, 1998. He worked for Service Master, Top Notch, Wenger and most recently for Ritchie Bros Auctioneers. In his younger...