Obituaries

Jun 8, 2022

Debra Kay Geedy, age 59, of Albert Lea, MN passed away on June 8, 2022, surrounded by those who loved her dearly.

Debra was born on May 13, 1963 to Ronald and Ronelie (Martin) in Silver Bow, Montana.  She later moved to Minnesota and in 1982, made Albert Lea her home.

Throughout her life she...

Jun 4, 2022

A celebration of life for James "Butch" VanRiper who passed away June 4th, 2022, will be held on Monday, June 13th at 1:30pm at The First Lutheran Church of Albert Lea. Visitation will be held from 1-1:30PM prior to service. Interment will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery.

Butch was born in Albert Lea at home on August...

Jun 4, 2022

Robert Dean “Bob” Field, age 89, of Albert Lea, entered into God’s eternal care on Saturday, June 4, 2022, with his family by his side.

Born on May 16, 1933, in Forest City, IA, he was a son of Gordon and Pearl (Hauan) Field. A longtime member of Grace Lutheran Church and the Sons of Norway, Bob...

Jun 2, 2022

Michael Anthony “Mike” Gresser, 64, of Albert Lea, beloved husband of Jeri (Johnson) Gresser, passed away on Thursday, June 2, 2022, at his home.

Born on Friday, November 15, 1957, in Blue Earth, MN, he was the son of Max and Mary (Lussenhop) Gresser. A graduate of Blue Earth Area Senior High School, Mike continued his education...

Jun 1, 2022

James "Jim" Jensen was born on March 16, 1968 in Albert Lea, MN the second son of Jerry and Sharon Jensen.  Jim grew up in the village of Lerdal, with his parents and two brothers,  Tom and Rob.  Jim attended and graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1986.  He was active in the Riceland 4-H Club and several junior...

Jun 1, 2022

Catherine Ann “Cathy” O’Byrne, 86, of Albert Lea, entered into God’s eternal care on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at the Mayo Clinic-Austin with family by her side.

Born on Friday, October 25, 1935, in Albert Lea, she was a daughter of William and Ann (Harty) O’Byrne. A 1954 graduate of Albert Lea High School, Cathy graduated from the St. Mary’s School of Nursing...

May 31, 2022

Jeanette Josephine (Folie) Ophaug went home to be with her Lord on May 31, 2022.

She was born in Geneva, MN, to Ole and Sena Folie on December 28, 1925, and lived on their 120-acre farm in Freeborn County with siblings Lucille and Stanley. She was baptized in the Norwegian Lutheran Church in Ellendale, MN, and was...

May 31, 2022

Harry Allen Perschbacher, 84, of Albert Lea, passed away on Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at his home.

Born on January 29, 1938, in Albert Lea, he was a son of Russel and Elsie (Schmidt) Perschbacher.  A graduate of Alden-Conger High School, Harry proudly served in the United States military. Dedicated and hardworking, he was employed at Scotsman...

May 30, 2022

B. Jean Stearns, 85, of Albert Lea, passed away on Monday, May 30, 2022, at her home with family by her side.

Born on November 15, 1936, in Tallulah, LA, she was the daughter of David “Virgil” and Dorothy “Minnie” (Hopkins) Collins. On June 4, 1977, Jean married her beloved husband, Charles Stearns, and together, with their...

May 25, 2022

Russell D. Olson died peacefully on May 25, 2022, at Prairie Cottages in New Richland, Minnesota.  He was 79 years old.

Russell was born in Albert Lea, Minnesota to Clarence and Ruby (Judd) Olson; he was one of five boys.  He attended and graduated from Albert Lea Schools.  Following his graduation, he enlisted in the Army National...

May 25, 2022

Memorial Services for Dorothy Frances Vandersnick will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2022, at 10:30AM at Bonnerup Funeral & Cremation Services in Albert Lea. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be held at a later date at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church Cemetery in Garretson, SD.

Dorothy passed...

May 11, 2022

Dale Koppedryer, 60, passed away unexpectedly at home on Wednesday, May 11, 2022.

Dale was born on March 20, 1962, to George and Merna (Walters) Koppedryer at the Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed in the First Presbyterian Church in Aplington, IA. After graduating from Aplington High School in 1980, he attended...

May 7, 2022

Roxie Talamantes, of Albert Lea, passed away unexpectedly at home on May 7, 2022.

Roxie was born on August 23, 1957, to Richard J. and Muriel Rose (Hawkins) Severtson. She had two sisters, Jean and Kitty and they lived in Glenville, MN. Later in life she was united in marriage to Marcelino Talamantes on July 28, 2008....

May 4, 2022

Jane Saunders, 94, of Albert Lea, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, at the Prairie Senior Cottage- Albert Lea.

Born on October 31, 1927, in Minneapolis MN, she was the fourth and youngest child of Donald and Martha (Irwin) Norris. Jane met George S. Saunders while both were attending Antioch College in Yellow Springs OH....

May 1, 2022

Steven Craig Grosland, age 72, from Elgin, IL formerly from Albert Lea, MN, passed away on May 1st, 2022. He was born April 20, 1950 in Mason City, Iowa to LaVon and Talora (Throne) Grosland.

Steve attended Elgin High School for 9th and 10th grade and Albert Lea Central High school for 11th and 12th grade. He...

Apr 30, 2022

Carole (Hanson) Schember, 92, of Geneva, passed away on Saturday, April 30th at the Owatonna Hospital. It is hoped that her many friends and family will join us for a picnic lunch at the Ellendale Community Center on Saturday, May 7th between the hours of 3-7 and share their memories.

Carole was born in Freeborn County on August...

Apr 29, 2022

Carolyn R. Flesche, 93, of Albert Lea, formerly of Ellendale, entered into God’s eternal care on Friday, April 29, 2022, at The Woodlands- St. John’s Lutheran Community in Albert Lea.

Carolyn was born on March 11, 1929, in Northwood, Iowa to Carl and Gustie (Reyerson) Odegaard. On September 17, 1947, she was united in marriage to Marlowe...

Apr 26, 2022

On Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at the age of 82, Phyllis Marie Charlton, of Albert Lea, gained her wings and returned home  to our heavenly father.

Phyllis was born on December 19, 1939 in Minneapolis to Albert and Caroline (Matheny) Clark. Phyllis and her family grew up in Minneapolis and is where she attended school.  Phyllis served...

Apr 23, 2022

Harold Ohm, 90, passed away on Saturday, April 23, 2022, at Prairie Senior Cottages in Albert Lea.

Harold was born October 3, 1931, on the family farm by Conger, MN to Christ and Marie (Ficken) Ohm. He lived on that farm for most of his 90 years. He served his country for 2 years in the Army...

Apr 22, 2022

Bonnie Bolinger, 74, passed away on Friday, April 22, 2022, at St. John's Lutheran Community in Albert Lea, MN.

Bonnie was born on May 23, 1947, to Wilbur Kraft & Janet Ayers in Albert Lea, MN. She was united in marriage to Jerry Bolinger and were married for over 59 years. She worked at Thorncrest as a housekeeper...