News-Record

Arthur Ray Kaul passed on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN at the age of 84 years. He was born on May 30, 1938, to Arthur M.P. & Lucille Kaul (Bowers). Arthur was born in Rochester, Minnesota. Arthur was a 4th generation farmer in Oronoco township and was engaged in farming his entire life. His son, Brian, and Arthur's grandsons are carrying on the farming tradition. Arthur was also a lifelong member of Grace Lutheran Church in Oronoco. Arthur is survived by his wife of 62 years - Mary Kaul (Runge); daughters - Debra Kaul and Julie Swanberg (Dan) and his son Brian Kaul (Joy); 4 grandchildren - Jacob, Mitchell & Emily Kaul; Krista Curlee...

Fredrick Carl Groth Jr. passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, November 13th, 2022. Fredrick, better known to his family and friends as "Fred" or "Freddy," was born on July 25th, 1939 to Fred and Gladys (Kirkeby) Groth. He grew up in Wanamingo and in his earlier years worked road construction, farm work, carpentry, at the telephone company and welding. On April 25th, 1964 Freddy was united in marriage to Phyllis Hinck. In 1970, they moved to their family farm in Zumbrota, MN. Freddy worked for Goodhue County Coop Electric Association for 35 years, serving in various roles including lineman and meter reading. Freddy retired in 2001. Freddy was a member of United Redeemer Lutheran...

Gerald Lee Longman, age 75, of Mazeppa, MN, passed away Monday, October 31, 2022 in a hunting accident. He was born February 28, 1947 in Estherville, Iowa to parents Clyde and Alice Longman. He attended Estherville High School and later Mankato College. Jerry served in the navy aboard the USS Midway for four years. Jerry was a lover of adventure and all things outdoors as an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a loving and attentive husband, father, and grandfather. He loved a sly game of poker with his buddies. He was previously married to Sharon Chesley and Dorothy Cooper, and met the love of his life, Brenda (Nelson) Longman in 1985. They were married May 15, 1993. Jerry and Brenda...

Mary Lou Smith passed away peacefully on September 20, 2022, at Madonna Towers, where she had resided for the last five years. She was born in Rochester on May 22, 1933, to Joseph and Helen (Betz) Smith. She lived there most of her life in the house where she was born. After graduating from Lourdes High School, she worked as a nanny for Dr. Arnold Anderson. She returned home when her father died and remained living with her mother. She worked for Pako until it closed and then finished her career working in the radiology department at Mayo Clinic. Mary Lou had a strong faith in God and attended mass daily, until her health declined, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. She was a...

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved husband and father, Donald McCarthy, of Cape Coral, FL, on Friday, September 9, 2022. In accordance with Don's wishes, a private graveside service will be held in Minnesota, with a reception celebrating his life at the American Legion Club in Pine Island, MN, on Sunday, October 16, 2022, at 2:00 pm. Don was 80 years old when he passed. He was raised on a farm near Kenyon MN, served in the US Army Reserve for five years and worked for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway for 30 years. Don was a great dancer. He met the love of his life, Caroll Yennie, old time dancing. After a whirlwind courtship, they were...

Ronald Philip Berg (74) of Fitzwilliam, NH died on Thursday July 21, 2022 at his home with his family by his side. Ron was born on February 24, 1948 in Rochester, MN to parents Palmer and Betty Berg (Allen). Ron spent his young life as the son of a dairy farmer, attending to all the needs of the farm along with his Mom, Dad, brothers and sisters. His parents instilled a great work ethic in him at a very young age. In his high school years he loved wrestling, a force to be reckoned with. This love of wrestling took him to Olympic tryouts, an honor he was so humble about but proudly shared with his family. After high school Ron enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed at Fort...

Elizabeth Ruth Groth, 78, of Zumbrota, formally of Kenyon, peacefully passed away Sunday, May 15, 2022 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, surrounded by family. She was born September 29, 1943 in Hayward, Wisconsin, the daughter of Raymond and Hazel (Roberts) Hams. Liz grew up in Maplewood, MN and graduated from North St. Paul High School in 1961. She then continued her education at the Methodist Kahler School of Nursing and became a Registered Nurse. While in nursing school she met Lew at the Skyline Ballroom, and on October 3, 1964 the couple were united in marriage at Central Park Methodist Church, St. Paul, MN. Liz worked at various hospitals, and then at Kenyon Nursing Home...

Pearl A. Busby, 85, left her loved ones on earth to be with loved ones in heaven on March 23, 2022 after recently moving to Palm Bay, Florida due to health reasons. She was born on July 15,1936 in Goodhue County, MN to Albert and Minnie (Lerfeld) Decker. She graduated from Goodhue High School in 1954 and later went on to school to earn an LPN nursing degree. Pearl worked at various hospitals, the Zumbrota Care Center, and Dr. Robert Thompson Clinic in Zumbrota, MN. On January 15,1955 she was united in marriage to LeRoy Busby at Christ Lutheran Church in Zumbrota. LeRoy passed away in 2008. They have two children, Vicky and Allan. She is survived by her children, Vicky Bakkedahl (Deer...

Deanna Dee (Betels) Swanson, age 75, of Pine Island, Minnesota passed away on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at DHR Health Hospital in Edinburg, Texas after a short illness. Deanna was born in Buffalo Center, Iowa on February 20, 1946, the second of 4 girls to William and Oudie (Weaver) Betels. Deanna grew up on farm near Buffalo Center, then graduated from Buffalo Center High School in 1964. After graduation she attended Hamilton Business School in Mason City, Iowa. She was married to Duane Swanson on November 14, 1964 at the Methodist Church of Buffalo Center. She moved with her husband to Cedar Falls, Iowa who was attending college at the University of Northern Iowa. She worked for a short...

Joyce Marie Rucker, 91, of Pine Island, Minnesota, died on Saturday, August 14, 2021 at Mayo Clinic Hospital- Methodist Campus. Joyce was born on March 27, 1930 to William and Marie (Siems) Thedens. She graduated High school in Rochester, MN and then attended Winona State University. Joyce married Kenneth Rucker on August 12, 1950 in Rochester. She taught at Douglas Country School, Hillside School, Elton Hills School, and Sunset Terrace. Joyce was a past state president for Alpha Delta Kappa Chi chapter and she was also a member of RARE, SEREM, and REAM. Joyce was a lover of all animals, specifically horses and her beloved border collie, Freckles. She spent much of her time volunteering at...

On June 28, 2021, Carol Bernice Anderson was welcomed to the hereafter by cherished friends and family who preceded her. After valiantly facing the challenges of Lewy Body Syndrome for several years, added complications from Covid-19 proved to be too much to overcome. Having a strong faith, Carol was at peace with her passing and looked forward to being reunited with her mother & father, Jeanette & Alfred Olson, sister, Avis Skjeie, and husband, Arlen Anderson. Carol was born in Red Wing, MN, on January 4, 1938, the second of two daughters of a hard-working Christian Norwegian couple. She was raised in St. Paul as a quiet well-mannered girl who excelled in school graduating with the...

Beatrice Leona Quelle of Oronoco, Minnesota passed away on April 28, 2021 at Green Prairie Nursing Home in Plainview, Minnesota. She was born on July 15, 1935 in Neillsville, Wisconsin to Fredrick and Blanche (Begley) Mohr. Beatrice graduated from Neillsville High School in 1955 and Wood County Teachers' School in 1957. On May 23, 1964 she married Roy Quelle in Neillsville, Wisconsin. Beatrice taught school in Wisconsin until getting married and moving to Rochester, Minnesota and then eventually making their home in Oronoco, Minnesota. She had many different occupations through the years including teaching, childcare provider, church custodian and Avon representative. She was a member...

Darlene "Susie" Sue Heusinkveld, 69, of Mantorville, MN passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 11, 2021 at the Seasons Hospice House in Rochester, MN. Susie was born on June 23, 1951 to Gorman and Doris (Heins) Berg in Zumbrota, MN. She grew up on a farm in Pine Island, MN and graduated from Pine Island high school in 1969. She married Myron Reber and together they had three children. They had a dairy farm north of Mantorville. They later divorced. She married Ellsworth "Ell" Heusinkveld in 1997. They owned Riverside Acres tree farm in rural Mantorville, and they currently resided in Mantorville. Susie worked as a waitress for many years. She started at the Cookie Jar in...

Arlene Louise (Bjorngaard) Ostermeier, 89, passed away at Fort Memorial Hospital in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin on March 21, 2021 after a brief illness. Arlene was born on February 18, 1932 to Peder and Selma Bjorngaard in Wanamingo, Minnesota. She attended country school for eight years and graduated from Wanamingo High School in 1950. Arlene graduated from St. Olaf College in 1954 with a Bachelor of Arts in home economics education. She taught home economics for seven years at junior and senior high schools in Evansville, Litchfield, and St. Louis Park, Minnesota. Arlene received her M.A. at Michigan State University in December 1962 from the Department of Textiles, Clothing, and Related...

Barbara Lee Pike, 83, of Kasson, MN passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Monday, December 14, 2020 at the Seasons Hospice House in Rochester, MN. Barbara was born on November 22, 1937 in Red Wing, MN to Stanley and Marion (Lee) Knutson. She married Robert Pike on December 15, 1955. They were one day away from celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary. She worked as a deputy clerk for the City of Kasson and as a Guardian ad Litem (GAL). She was on the Kasson City Council and she also served as the Mayor of Kasson. Barbara loved her community and enjoyed being a part of her many civic duties to help shape Kasson. She was a member of the Save the Water Tower Committee,...

Joyce "JB" Berg passed away on November 16, 2020 at Pine Haven Care Center in Pine Island, Minnesota. Joyce Alvern Berg was born on November 29, 1927 in Roscoe Township, Goodhue County, Minnesota to parents Anton and Minnie (Olson) Berg. He attended rural schools in Goodhue County and farmed with his father at a young age. Joyce married Irene Miller on December 22, 1952. He served in the United States Army from 1954-1956. After returning to Minnesota, he worked for the Kahler Corp from 1956 - 1957 and IBM from 1957-1986. JB and Irene moved to Oronoco in 1962. He was a member of the Oronoco School Board, Oronoco City Council, and a charter member of the Oronoco Fire Department. After...

Phyllis Marian (Gruhlke) Heise, age 89, died Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at Mayo Clinic St. Marys Hospital. Phyllis was born on September 2, 1931 in Mazeppa, Minnesota to William and Mamie (Albers) Gruhlke. She graduated from Mazeppa High School in 1948. She married John (Jack) Heise on September 27, 1952 at Christ Lutheran Church in Zumbrota. They lived in Lake City, Minnesota until 1954 when they moved to Zumbrota. She worked at St. Marys in a lab before her marriage and returned to the work force, after her children were in school, at Zumco and Actua in Zumbrota. She enjoyed reading, sewing and crafting. Phyllis is survived by her 4 children, Mary (Patrick) McNamara, Amy (Mike) Madson,...

Funeral services for Benjamin"Ben"Charles Johnson, 25, of Zumbro Falls, MN will be at 11:00 am on Thursday, August 6, 2020 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Zumbrota, MN. Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00 pm on Wednesday, August 5, 2020 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes and also one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Rochester. Benjamin was born on April 21, 1995 in Rochester to Patrick and Kathy (Austin) Johnson. He passed away on July 29, 2020 at his home. He graduated from Byron High School in 2013. Ben found passion in music and making people smile. He knew what it was like to feel alone and was always there for anyone who...

Marie Eileen Rucker, 96, of Oronoco died on Tuesday, July 28, 2020 at St. Mary's Hospital. Marie was born on May 31, 1924 to Lloyd and Anna (Speich) Alberts in Milton Township, MN near Pine Island. She attended Harkum Rural School in Milton Township and graduated from the Minnesota School of Agriculture in St. Paul. As a young woman in the 1950's she worked for the Rochester Dairy. She married Vernon Rucker on June 6, 1958 in Oronoco. The couple lived and farmed together outside of Oronoco where they owned Rucker Chemical Company and sold farm equipment. Marie enjoyed gardening, jigsaw and crossword puzzles, and sewing. Family was very important to Marie. She worked hard at...

It is with sadness, yet great joy, that we let you know of our wonderful mother's passing into eternity with Christ on June 28, 2020 in Rochester, MN at the age of 88. Sadness, because we will miss her terribly, and joy, because four years after her stroke she now has a perfect body that is able to walk, talk and sing before the Saviour she loved. Mom was born in Salina, KS to Salvation Army officers (pastors) and grew up with music as a big part of her life. She played the piano, organ, accordion, and all brass instruments. She graduated from high school in Grand Forks, ND and began college at Macalester College in St. Paul, MN where she met our dad in a Bible class. Our parents fell in...

"On the morning of May 12, 2020, with rays of light coming through a gathering of thick pine trees on a hillside in the Black Forest of Colorado Springs a Celebration of Life took place to honor the incredible man we all knew as our son, brother, uncle, nephew, fiance, and friend: Christopher Liffrig. Chris was born July 3, 1969 to Kenneth and Kathleen (Jarrett) Liffrig of the small town of Mazeppa, Minnesota. Chris spent his childhood and adolescence hungry to learn and explore nature. He spent his days taking trips to the city libraries and building bridges in the woods surrounding his hometown. When Chris got older, he embarked on a college education at the University of...