Obituaries

Ramona Joyce Walker, age 87, of Luverne, Minnesota, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, January 21, 2024, at the Mary Jane Brown Nursing Home in Luverne. A visitation will be Friday, January 26, from 12-1:30 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne with a funeral service to begin at 2 p.m.  Burial will follow at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne. To view Ramona’s…

John “Ode” David Smith, age 70, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, formerly of Luverne, died Tuesday, January 16, 2024, suddenly at his home. He was born July 18, 1953, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Jack and ElDora (Kersbergen) Smith. Ode graduated from Luverne High School in 1972. He later received his business degree from Mankato State University. Ode married Deb Haper in 1988 in Luverne. The…

Gerhard Peter Fick was born April 7, 1932, to Henry and Anna (Wilkins) Fick at the Luverne Community Hospital in Luverne, Minnesota, and raised on the family farm southwest of Luverne. He was baptized in May of 1932 and later confirmed in June of 1948 at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. Gerhard attended District 61 country school through the eighth grade. Following his schooling, he continued…

Sandra “Sandy” Kaye Loose was born on April 23, 1959, to Harvey and Cora (Ross) Gehrke in Pipestone, Minnesota. She grew up on farms in the Jasper and Beaver Creek, Minnesota area. When her dad died suddenly in 1969, Sandy and family moved off the farm and into Luverne, where she graduated from Luverne High School with the Class of 1977. Sandy then married Larry Frey. The couple later divorced…

Elmer Menage, age 85, of Luverne, Minnesota, died peacefully with family by his side on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, while at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Visitation was Sunday, January 14, from 2-5 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. Funeral service was Monday, January 15, at 10:30 a.m. at the Church. Burial will take place at a later date at Riverview Cemetery…

David George Paquette was born on September 9, 1951, in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, the son of George and Mary (Cardin) Paquette. Proud of his French and Portuguese heritage, Dave spent his early years in Rhode Island, Vermont, Germany, and Massachusetts where his parents served in the U.S. State and Defense departments. His love of nature and animals, especially reptiles, permeated his young life…

Peggy Schmidt Anderson died January 6, 2024, at the age of 87 years.   Peggy will be remembered by Swede Anderson, her husband of 66 years, and their children, Jane Bechtle (Wally), David, Steven (Lisa) and Bruce (Lynn), six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Memorial services will be in Bloomington on January 18, 2004, at 11 a.m., visitation one hour prior to service. In lieu of flowers…

William (Bill) Jansma Jr., age 86, of Ellsworth, Minnesota, passed away Monday, January 1, 2024, at Parkview Manor Nursing Home in Ellsworth. A funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 6, 2024, at the Christian Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, Iowa, with Pastor Doug De Groot officiating. Burial will follow in Riverview Cemetery of Rock Rapids. Visitation will be Friday,…

Loren Wiese, 88, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, died Monday, January 1, 2024, at Pleasant Acres Nursing Home in Hull, Iowa. Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, January 18, 2024, at George Boom Funeral Home and On-Site Crematory in Sioux Falls. Memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 19, 2024, also at the funeral home. Interment will take place at a later date at Ashwood…

Bruce A. Hoffman, age 71, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, died Saturday, January 6, 2024, surrounded by his family at home. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at 2 p.m. at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory in Sioux Falls. The family will be present to greet friends for a memorial visitation from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Grateful for…

Marvin L. Petersen, age 72, of Elko New Market (formerly of New Ulm), passed away on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at The Moments of Lakeville. Marvin was born on August 2, 1951, in Park Rapids, Minnesota, the son of Carl and Pauline (Solma) Petersen. He was raised on a family farm near Hardwick, Minnesota, with his brothers LeRoy and Gerald. He attended high school in Luverne and graduated with the…

George A. Bonnema “Flower George,” age 74, of Luverne, Minnesota, died Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. George was born on July 18, 1949, in Canton, South Dakota, to Jay and Jennie (Baker) Bonnema. He grew up on a farm near Inwood, Iowa. He learned about farming and the saving work of Jesus from his family and fellow church members.…

Mary A. Kraetsch, age 89, of Luverne, Minnesota, died Sunday, December 24, 2023, at the Good Samaritan Society – Mary Jane Brown Home in Luverne. Memorial service will be Friday, December 29, at 11 a.m., with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m., all at the First Presbyterian Church in Luverne. Burial will be held at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne. Arrangements are under the care of Hartquist…

Joseph A. Kellen, age 82, of Adrian, died Friday, December 29, 2023, at the Parkview Manor Nursing Home in Ellsworth, Minnesota. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, January 4, at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Adrian; visitation also from 9:30-10:15 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Adrian Catholic Church, in Adrian, officiated by Monsignor…

Adeline Boelman, age 100, of Ellsworth, died Tuesday, December 19, 2023, in Torrington, Connecticut. Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Luverne and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. A funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, at the Zion Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth. Burial will be at the Grand Prairie…