John Peter Feikema, 74, Orange City, Iowa, died Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, at his residence.
A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, at the Trinity Reformed Church in Orange City. Interment will be at a later date. Visitation is from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10, at the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City.
John Feikema was born on Nov. 12, 1946, to Clarence and Ann (Van Velzen) Feikema in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He was raised on a farm north of Luverne. He attended Southwest Christian High School in Edgerton, graduating in 1964. He received his associate degree in accounting after studying one year at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and one year at Nettleton Commercial College in Sioux Falls.
John married Linda Smith on Feb. 5, 1966, in Luverne. In 1969 they moved to Canby, where they raised their family. John worked his way up to general manager at the Farmers’ Cooperative Association, where he worked for 17 years. The family later moved to Brookings, South Dakota, where he worked for Cengtrak Accounting Services for seven years. They moved to Orange City in 1992, and John served as the controller for Ag Partners in Alton for 23 years.
John was a member of the Trinity Reformed Church, Landsmeer Golf Club, and the Lions Club in Orange City.  He enjoyed church activities, golfing, reading and woodworking. He especially enjoyed his grandchildren and attending their events.
John was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1993 and received treatment. He received a second diagnosis in 2001 and dealt with many additional health challenges going forward.
John is survived by his wife, Linda; a son, Paul (Joi Thomas) Feikema of Minneapolis; a daughter, Jodi (Bryan) Peterson of Huntley, Montana; 11 grandchildren; brothers Robert (Arla) Feikema and Ronald Feikema; sisters-in law Char Feikema, Susanne (Arlann) Stegenga, and Lanette (Scott) Szymkowicz; and brothers-in-law Kevin Harldson, Randolph Smith, and Jim Johannsen.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Charles Feikema; two sisters-in-law, Bonnie Johannsen and Shirlee Haraldson; and a nephew, Kelly Feikema.
Memorials are preferred to the Luke Society and Words of Hope
Arrangments were provided by Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City, www.oolman.com.
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Ardean “Bub” Walgrave, 100, Luverne, died Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, at the Good Samaritan Society Mary Jane Brown Home in Luverne.
A funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Luverne. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in the St. Catherine Cemetery in Luverne. A celebration of his life will follow the interment at The Howling Dog in Luverne.
Ardean Walgrave was born on Jan. 15, 1921, to Charles and Adelaide Walgrave. He grew up in a large family with 11 siblings.
Bub married Audrey Corbett, and they were blessed with two children, Daniel and Mary. He was a working man and loved farming. He volunteered for his local 4-H and enjoyed his children’s 4-H involvement, especially showing steers. For several years he worked as a “plantologist” (his word) at Kenny’s Super Valu. He also mowed the lawn at the cemetery for many years.
Bub was a member of St. Catherine’s and served on the Knights of Columbus for several years. He also enjoyed his days as a Catechism teacher.
Bub enjoyed playing poker, cribbage and especially pinochle.
In addition to his immediate family, he is survived by his grandchildren, Danielle (Richelle) Aanenson and Gregory (Christina), and many nieces and nephews.
Arrangements are provided by the Dingmann Funeral Home of Luverne, dingmannandsons.com.
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Herman Lupkes, 86, Luverne, died Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, at the Pipestone County Hospice.
A private family graveside service will take place at a later date.
Herman Lupkes was born on June 13, 1934, to Frank and Lillian (Boots) Lupkes of rural Adrian.  He attended school at Larkin Township School through the eighth grade. He enjoyed farming with his dad and neighbors, mechanics and the outdoors. Herman served in the Navy from 1954 to 1959 on the U.S.S. Toledo.
In 1961 Herman married Elaine DeBeer of rural Magnolia. They farmed for several years at various farms around Adrian.  In 1972 they moved to Luverne, and Herman completed his course in mechanics at the Pipestone Vocational School.  After graduating, he worked as a mechanic for a short while before getting a job with the City of Luverne, where he maintained the city power plant and also read water meters.
When the city closed the power plant, Herman got a job working with the Rock County Highway Department, where he worked until his retirement in 1998.
Herman and Elaine moved to rural Hardwick in 1987.  He was known to enjoy mowing, repairing equipment, and watching nature. Herman often said he had the best children. He also loved his dogs.
Herman is survived by six children and their children, Myron of Lake Stevens, Washington, Melanie (Keith) Petersen of Luverne and their daughter Ashley Hunt, Marcia (Randy) Mulder of Luverne and their children Brittany (Joshua) Yamauchi and Taylor,  Matthew (Christine Levens) of Minneapolis and their son Henry, Misty (Willy) Baker of Hardwick and their daughter Makayla, and Mandy (Jason) Brecher of Hatfield and their children Stella and Owen; and four great-grandchildren,  Kingston, Jace, Morgan and Aubree.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Elaine; his older brother Olen; and his special sister-in-law Arlo and nephew Phillip.
Arrangements were provided by Dingmann Funeral Home of Luverne, dingmannandsons.com.
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Keith Herbert Lemke, 83, Hardwick, died Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage in Luverne.
A funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, at the Assembly of God Church in Luverne. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the church. Burial will be at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota, at a later date.
Keith Lemke was born on March 26, 1937, to Herbert and Elsie (Claussen) Lemke at the Luverne Community Hospital in Luverne. He was raised on the family farm near Hardwick. He attended school through the eighth grade in Hardwick and continued on at Luverne High School, graduating in 1955.
Following high school, Keith remained home and helped his parents with the farming operation. He was drafted into the United States Army and was stationed in Germany until his honorable discharge. He returned home and continued farming. Keith also drove a school bus route from Hardwick to Luverne for several years.
Keith took great pride in his work. He enjoyed crop farming, raising cattle and hogs and loved his red Case IH and Minneapolis Moline tractors. He was known as a soft-spoken, kind, thoughtful person.
Later in life, Keith met Jonna Dull, and on Sept. 6, 1996, the couple was married in Sturgis, South Dakota. They made their home in Hardwick, and Keith began attending the First Assembly of God Church. Keith retired from farming in 2018 due to health issues.
He is survived by his wife, Jonna; stepchildren Lisa (Gary) Trudeau of Hardwick and Greg (Cheryl) Wilcox of Rapid City, South Dakota; two stepgranddaughters; one stepgreat-grandson; two sisters, Imogene Krogmann of Luverne and Joycelyn (Milton) Abraham of Janesville; and other family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother-in-law John Krogmann, and his nephew Timothy Abraham.
Arrangements are provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, www.hartquistfuneral.com.
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Charles Edward “Chuck” Cooksley, 87, Luverne, died Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Because of the concern for public health, a private family funeral service will take place at the United Methodist Church in Luverne, with burial at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.
Charles Cooksley was born Jan. 15, 1934, to Arthur and Wilhelmiene (Koll) Cooksley on the family farm near Hardwick. He graduated from Edgerton Public High School in Edgerton.
He married Sarah “Sally” Keay on Dec. 17, 1955, in Luverne. They were blessed with two daughters. The family moved to Olivia and then to Clinton, where Chuck worked at the lumber yards. In 1966 they moved back to Luverne, and he began working at AR Wood Manufacturing. He then worked at Terrace Park Dairy, delivering milk to customers.
In retirement, Chuck and Sally enjoyed summer fishing outings and annual fall trips to the North Shore. Chuck cherished his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and attended their activities when he was able.
Chuck was a member of the United Methodist Church in Luverne. He and his wife enjoyed playing cards and cribbage during their daily “happy hour.” He was a devoted fan to the Minnesota Gophers, Vikings, and especially the Twins.
He is survived by his wife, Sally, of Luverne; his daughters, Dixie (Alan) Aanenson of Luverne and Tammy (Dave) Smeins of Luverne; seven grandchildren, Michael (Meghan) Aanenson, Rebecca (Tim) Banck, David (Brittany) Smeins, Dana (Josh) Klay, Dustin (Dawn) Smeins, Darcy (friend Garret Beaner) Smeins, and Diana (fiancé Nick Mark) Smeins; 15 great-grandchildren, Tucker, Anna, Brady, Zoey, Hailey, Jaiden, Annie Jo, Charlie, Cade, Ellie, Jase, Dawson, Oliver, Arthur and Gracie; longtime friend Charlie Carter; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers, Frank, Joseph, Richard, Robert, James and Danny; and three sisters, Mary Birkeland, Ruth Peterson and Lois Van Hove.
Arrangements were provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, www.hartquistfuneral.com.
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Donna Louise (Tomlinson) Loud, 82, passed away the afternoon of Jan. 23, 2021, in Blackduck, Minnesota, after an extended illness.
Donna was born in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1938 to Robert Tomlinson and Hazel Larson Tomlinson and was raised on the family farm in Iowa, later moving to Luverne, Minnesota.
She received her nursing certificate in 1959 and began a career in nursing that took her to Bemidji, Minnesota, a place that would become her home.
In 1960 Donna married the love of her life and best friend, Clarence Loud from Red Lake. Donna and Clarence welcomed son Jake in 1961, followed (very) shortly by son Jerry in 1962. Clarence passed away in 1983. Donna was an honorary member of the Red Lake Nation.
Donna spent 44 years as a nurse in Bemidji Community Hospital, now known as Sanford Bemidji Medical Center. She served for 20 years as an operating room nurse and later in numerous hospital departments until her retirement.
Donna was a woman of many passions; however, she considered her most important role to be that of a devoted mother to her sons. Donna was well traveled and visited Alaska annually. She was also always ready for a road trip. Donna was a master of “her yarn” and would gift friends and family her exquisitely crocheted afghans and baby blankets. She generously donated her time and talents to provide her afghans to   non-profit organizations for fundraising auctions.
To have known Donna is to know that she was a passionate fan and follower of her beloved Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. On any given day, she could tell you the pitching rotations, player stats, and who was on the injured reserve list. Any team manager would have been proud to have her on the payroll or at the very least, cheering in the stands.
Donna leaves behind sons Jake (Patty) Loud and Jerry Loud; grandchildren Caley (Alyse) Loud, Samantha (Art) Cummings, Angela, Emily and Natasha; brother Robert (Dianna) Tomlinson; as well as numerous extended family members and friends.
She was preceded by husband Clarence Loud and her parents, Robert and Hazel Tomlinson.
A private ceremony will be held for Donna at Fort Snelling National Cemetery where she will be laid to rest with husband Clarence.
The family would like to thank the staff of Good Samaritan Society Assisted Living Facility of Blackduck for their compassionate care as well as Donna’s physician, Dr. Will.
Condolences can be made online on the Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home tribute wall or mailed to the Loud family at P.O. Box 140062, Salcha, Alaska 99714.
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Kim Gottfried Kimmel, 73, Magnolia, died Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021, at Avera Merrill Pioneer Hospital in Rock Rapids, Iowa.
A funeral service was Tuesday, Feb. 9, at Peace Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids.  Burial followed at the Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids. 
     Kim Kimmel was born April 23, 1947, to Gottfried and Virginia (Harding) Kimmel in Saginaw, Michigan.  He was raised and graduated from high school in Saginaw and continued his education with seven years of apprenticeship with the GM company as a pattern maker.
He married Kathy Shoeneman on Dec. 18, 1970.  In 1974 they moved to Kathy’s grandparents’ farm. Kim had visited the farm with his wife and had fallen in love with the farming lifestyle. He farmed until 2007 when he retired.
Kim enjoyed cars, fishing, collecting car and tractor toys, spending time with his family, and restoring old tractors. He had a shop in Adrian, where his son Jim works, carrying on with Kim’s hobbies and work.
Kim and Kathy are members of the Peace Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids.
Kim is survived by his wife, Kathy Kimmel; a son, Jim Kimmel of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; a sister, Rita (Gerald) Garner of West Branch, Michigan; and other extended family members.
Kim was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Tim Kimmel; and a sister, Donna Ruff.
Arrangements were provided by Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids, www.jurrensfuneral.com.
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The Mike Frisch School of Fish class met at The Lake in Luverne Saturday for what was a sold-out Community Education activity. Frisch, a former teacher, engaged with students and their adult companions for basic fishing lessons they could employ on ice or open water. For the $30 registration fee, they received equipment packs valued at over $50 each with rod and reel, tackle box with tackle, 32 page workbook, $10 gift card and snacks. The St. Catherine Knights of Columbus helped cover the fee for class to make it affordable for families.

For more than four decades, Glenda McGaffee has made Tuff Memorial Home and Tuff Village her place of employment.
To honor her dedication, co-workers recently gave her a bunch of rocks.
“Those were so cool,” she said with a laugh. “I cried — it was so neat.”
The longest tenured employee at Tuff home was honored Jan. 21 by the nursing home’s staff and residents.
They presented McGaffee with a plaque, cards, cake and a glass jar filled with 40 black rocks.
On each rock was written a word (for five rocks two words) that described McGaffee and what she brings to her co-workers, the home’s 50 residents and her job.
“One even put ‘short’ on there — that made me really laugh,” McGaffee said.
Activity director Joslyn Jacoby indicated that McGaffee might be short in stature but not in heart.
Words such as “sincere, considerate, fun, loyal, committed, capable, coffee lover, sweet, talented, calming, hard-working, and enthusiastic” also describe McGaffee.
“We are so thankful to have her,” Jacoby said. “She is always there when we need her.”
McGaffee (nee Wassenaar) grew up in Hills, graduated from Hills-Beaver Creek High School in 1974, and started working at the Tuff Home in 1976, at the suggestion of a neighbor who needed help with resident activities.
Since that initial position in the activities department, McGaffee has worked full time as the home’s secretary, bookkeeper, and in social services working directly with resident care.
She credits the Tuff Home for changing her life as a single person.
“I met (husband) Sam at the nursing home,” McGaffee said. “He delivered paper supplies.”
Invoices from the office product company indicated “see Glenda” at the time of delivery. Eleven months after meeting in January 1982, the two were married. The couple has two grown daughters, Katie and Samantha.
Ten years ago McGaffee went to part time and moved back to working only in the activities department.
“She is so personable and she gets everyone out of their rooms,” Jacoby said.
“Coffee drinker” was one of the descriptive words for McGaffee, for going to get a cup of coffee often prompted residents to leave their rooms, McGaffee said.
“Musical” is another description.
The most frequent activity McGaffee completes today at the home is playing the piano for resident sing-alongs at the nursing home as well as at the assisted living facility.
Her musical abilities began early when her late father purchased a piano for her at age 9. She uses the same piano to give lessons to her piano students, which currently number 17.
In the past decade, McGaffee has also been a correspondent with the Hills Crescent until the newspaper folded in 2019. She has since become a substitute paraprofessional at her alma mater, the H-BC school district.
McGaffee’s heart is at the Tuff Home.
“I love the residents and staff,” she said. “I treat them as I would like to be treated.”
For that McGaffee’s jar of rocks had a small card attached that read, “45 years of being a Rock Star,” in reference to McGaffee being the “best of the best” at her job — one that McGaffee hopes to be at for a few more years.