Obituaries

Nancy Ver Hey

Feb 26, 2025

Nancy Elaine (Nielsen) Ver Hey passed in her home surrounded by loved ones on February 26, 2025. She was 87 years old. 

Nancy was born on June 12, 1937, on her grandparent’s farm in Freeborn County to Niels and Dennise (Petersen) Nielsen. She was born, raised, went to school and lived in Freeborn County her whole life. She attended country school...

James Bergen

Feb 25, 2025

James Francis Bergen, 74, of Albert Lea, passed away peacefully on February 25, 2025, at Thornecrest Senior Living Community. Jim was a beloved figure in his community, known for his warmth, generosity, and unwavering commitment to family and faith. 

Born on June 4, 1950, in Albert Lea, Minnesota, Jim was a son of the late Robert and Luella (Boyer) Bergen. A...

Jerry Fenton

Feb 24, 2025

Jerry Lee Fenton, born on January 20, 1956, in Battle Creek, Michigan, passed away peacefully on February 24, 2025, at St. John's The Woodlands in Albert Lea, Minnesota.

As a young man, Jerry moved from Michigan to Las Vegas with his mother, June and was adopted by her husband, Luther Fenton. Jerry was graduate of Valley High School in Las Vegas,...

Florence Mae Olson

Feb 24, 2025

Florence Mae Olson, born on April 27, 1944, in Winnebago, Minnesota, passed away on February 24, 2025, at Mayo Hospital in Mankato, surrounded by loved ones.

Born April 27, 1944 to Clarence and Anna Willaby, Flo was raised in the Southern Minnesota area and graduated from Albert Lea High School. On September 5, 1964, Flo married her beloved husband, Elard Olson,...

Shirley Poole

Feb 23, 2025

Shirley Rae Poole, 83, of Albert Lea, passed away on Sunday, February 23, 2025, at her home. 

Born on April 3, 1941, in Albert Lea, she was the cherished daughter of the late Glen and Birdie (Bothum) Selle. Shirley was a vibrant spirit who touched the lives of many with her kindness, spunk, and unwavering generosity. 

On June 14, 1959, Shirley married...

Georgene Lenort

Feb 22, 2025

Georgene Lenort boarded her final cruise ship to heaven on February 22, 2025. She was born in Albert Lea on January 7, 1943 to Leona (Knutson) and George Tukua. Georgene grew up mainly in Hartland, with the exception of two years spent in Arkansas and Kentucky, where her father was stationed in the army.

She was baptized and confirmed in the...

Tracy "TJ" Davis

Feb 22, 2025

Tracy (T.J.) James Davis, 77, of Evansdale, Iowa died peacefully on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the Waverly Health Care Center, with his daughter Jody faithfully by his side.

A graveside funeral service will be held at the St. James Catholic Cemetery in Twin Lakes, MN on Wednesday, February 26th, 2025, at 2:00 pm.

Tracy James Davis was born on March 12,...

Julia Severson

Feb 21, 2025

Julia Kay Severson, a loving daughter, devoted mother, and cherished sister, left this world on February 21, 2025, at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. Born on October 10, 1982, in Albert Lea, Julia was a vibrant force of nature, known for her beautiful smile and her endearing messy bun, a hallmark of her carefree spirit.

In addition to her...

Janan Carol Beenken

Feb 21, 2025

Janan Carol Beenken, 89, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 21, 2025, at Whispering Oaks Place in Ellendale, MN, with her loving family by her side. Janan was born on January 5, 1936, in Albert Lea, Minnesota, to the late Vernon and Ellen (Olson) Hellie. On November 4, 1956, Janan married her beloved husband, Clarence Floyd Beenken, and together they...

Michael Todd Roberts

Feb 20, 2025

Michael Todd Roberts, known as Mike, was born on October 31, 1960, and passed away on February 20, 2025. 

He was the fifth child of Richard and Mavis Roberts. Mike was a long-term employee of Cargill Incorporated, until late October of 2024.

Mike attended High School in Ellendale, Minnesota, where his reserved nature and observant personality began to take shape. He was...

Randall Crawford

Feb 18, 2025

Randall "Randy" Rex Crawford, age 69, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, February 18th, 2025, in his home in Albert Lea, Minnesota.

Randy was born March 4th, 1955, in Austin, Minnesota to William and Beverly Crawford (Hansen). He graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1973. Randy was united in marriage to Shirley Attig on June 20th, 1975. To this...

Gwenda "Gwen" Groskurth

Feb 16, 2025

Gwenda Ann (Gwen) Groskurth, 88, of Albert Lea, MN, passed away at her home on February 16, 2025.

Gwen was born at her parent's home in rural Fayette County, IA, on November 14, 1936. She was the only child of her parents, Minnie Rose Springer Geyer and Walter Charles Geyer. Gwen attended Bethel #8 country school at Richfield, IA, and graduated...

Jody Marie Anderson

Feb 16, 2025

Jody Marie Anderson, age 65, of Albert Lea, passed away peacefully in her home on February 16, 2025.

Born on January 13, 1960, in Albert Lea, Jody was the beloved daughter of the late Roland “Rollie” Somnis and Patricia (Weisner) Somnis and spent her early years attending Alden-Conger public schools.

Jody embarked on a fulfilling career as a Certified Nursing Assistant at...

Paul Henschel

Feb 15, 2025

Paul David Henschel, 73, died on February 15, 2025, at his home in Emmons, MN.

Paul was born on April 9, 1951, and was adopted by Raleigh and Ethel Henschel. Paul’s childhood was spent in California, Colorado, Princeton, MN, and settled in Albert Lea. At the age of 17, Paul decided to join the Air Force and served his country in...

Dean Lloyd Otterson

Feb 12, 2025

Dean died on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at the Mayo Clinic Health systems in Albert Lea, Minnesota. 

Dean Otterson was born on November 11, 1960, in Albert Lea, Minnesota. The only son of Lloyd and Charlene (Lester) Otterson. He graduated from Austin High School in 1979. He married Jolene Beckmann on March 20, 1982, and to this union two children were...

Marilyn J. House

Feb 10, 2025

 

Mrs. Marilyn House passed away peacefully on February 10, 2025 in Owatonna, Minnesota at the age of 93.

A visitation will be held on Monday, February 17, from 1:00 PM until time of funeral service at 2:30 PM. Interment will be private at Hillcrest Cemetery.

Marilyn was born on December 28, 1931 in Grand Island, Nebraska. She graduated from Hastings College with...

Tammy Jo Bryand

Feb 7, 2025

Tammy Jo Bryand, age 55, of Albert Lea, Minnesota passed away on Friday, February 7, 2025 at Mayo Clinic Rochester – St. Mary’s Campus, surrounded by her loving family.

A Visitation will be held on Friday, February 14 at 11:00 AM until a brief Time of Sharing at 12:30 PM at Bonnerup Funeral and Cremation Services in Albert Lea. Interment to...

Mavis Anna Parrish

Feb 7, 2025

Mavis Anna Parrish (Hanson), born on September 9, 1928, in Freeborn County, Minnesota, peacefully passed away at home on February 7, 2025. Mavis was a beloved figure in her community, known for her warm spirit and dedication to her family and friends.

Retiring as a Materials Receiver at Fountain Industries in Albert Lea, Mavis exemplified a strong work ethic throughout her...

Kenneth L. Johnson

Feb 6, 2025

Kenneth Lowell Johnson, 88, of Albert Lea, passed away on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at the Mayo Clinic- St. Mary's Campus in Rochester, MN, with his family by his side. 

A full obituary and service details are pending.

Trudy Jean Roberts

Feb 2, 2025

Trudy Jean Roberts was born on April 19, 1955, in Albert Lea, Minnesota. She was the fourth child born to the late Richard and Mavis Roberts. Trudy attended high school in Ellendale, Minnesota and worked many years at the ABC Building Community. While in Rochester, she lived at Cedarwood through REM housing. She never married or had children, but she...