Obituaries

Sep 6, 2022

Mary E. Willmert, 90, of Albert Lea, MN, passed away peacefully on September 6, 2022 at Sunrise of Edina Assisted Living, Edina, MN.

Mary was born on December 30, 1931 in Lone Rock, IA to Emil and Erna (Gade) Bierstedt.  She was baptized and confirmed in Christ at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Fenton, IA.  Mary graduated...

Sep 5, 2022

Sharon Ann Bowen, age 81, passed away peacefully after a short illness at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, surrounded by her loving family.

Sharon was born on October 21, 1940 to Arlo and Marion Jakobson at Naeve Hospital. As the oldest of three siblings, Sharon willingly became a devoted caretaker, especially for her younger sister who suffered...

Sep 2, 2022

Faye Trail, 95, went home to her savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, September 2, 2022, at St. John’s Lutheran Home in Albert Lea, MN, with family by her side.

W. Faye Trail was born June 17, 1927, to Albert J and Amy A (Alley) Herrin in Dodge City, Kansas. Faye's father and mother divorced when she and...

Sep 1, 2022

Clarice M. Olson, 90, of Clarks Grove, passed away on Thursday, September 1, 2022, at St. John’s Lutheran Home in Albert Lea, MN.

Born on December 1, 1931, in Scarville, IA, she was the fifth child born to Thom and Hattie (Olson) Trostheim. As a young girl, Clarice was baptized and confirmed at Bethel Lutheran Church in...

Sep 1, 2022

Gene Verl Engel, 88, of Glenville, passed away on Thursday, September 1, 2022, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.

Born on November 5, 1933, in Waseca County, MN, he was a son of the late George and Adelheid (Pick) Engel. On June 3, 1956, Gene was united in marriage to Darlene Butler. Together the couple raised...

Aug 30, 2022

Terry Duane Clark, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 30th, 2022. at age 79, surrounded by loved ones at his home in Albert Lea, MN.

Terry was born August 26th, 1943, in Minneapolis, MN. He was the son of Albert and Caroline (Matheny) Clark. He attended Washburn High School in Minneapolis before joining the United States Marine...

Aug 27, 2022

Dorothy Mae Stillings, age 89 of Albert Lea, passed away at New Richland Care Center on August 27, 2022. She was born January 21, 1933 to Elmer and Alma Oakland. She and her husband, Robert, lived in their Albert Lea home for over 50 years and raised their four children there.

Her children will remember and cherish...

Aug 24, 2022

Julie Ann (Lowman) Oyer, 69, of Albert Lea, MN, passed away peacefully on August 24, 2022, at her home with family by her side.

Julie was born on December 18, 1952, in Albert Lea, MN, to Cecil and Irene (Jones) Lowman.

She attended and graduated from Albert Lea schools.  Following graduation, she became a homemaker...

Aug 22, 2022

Lola Maxine Johansen (nee Smith) passed away August 22, 2022, at Thorne Crest Senior Living Community at the age of 91. She was born January 8th, 1931, in Beresford, SD to Louis and Edna Smith. The family lived in Hollandale, MN where she attended country school until 8th grade. She quit school to help watch over her younger siblings...

Aug 22, 2022

Lynn R Emrud, 65, passed away on Aug 22nd and was surrounded by her children, sister and companion. Lynn was born on Nov. 3, 1956 to Curtis and Beverly Emrud and was preceded in death by two brothers, Gene and Glenn Emrud, a grandson, Graeson Salzmann, and her parents.

Lynn enjoyed many hobbies including painting, antiquing, cooking...

Aug 20, 2022

Michael “Mike” Craig Willaby, 61, of Albert Lea, MN, passed away on August 20, 2022, at St. Mary’s, Rochester, MN.

Mike was born May 21, 1961, in Albert Lea, MN to Clarence and Margie (Waalkens) Willaby.  At a young age his family moved to Tecumseh, OK.  Mike attended grade school and high school and later moved back to the...

Aug 17, 2022

Bernice Marie (Kurth) Ellingson, 92, of Albert Lea, MN, passed away peacefully on August 17, 2022, at St. John’s Community, The Woodlands in Albert Lea, MN.

Bernice was born June 23, 1930, in Albert Lea, MN to Adolph and Ida (Urban) Kurth.  She attended Abbott Grade School and Albert Lea Junior and Senior high and graduated in...

Aug 16, 2022

Connie passed peacefully after her 2 year battle with Leukemia with family by her side, at Rochester Mayo Clinic on August 16th, 2022.  She was 55 years old.

Connie was born in Dickenson, ND on August 1st, 1967 to Les and Loretta Dingwall.  She moved to Ellendale, ND at a young age where she lived for the...

Aug 16, 2022

Mary S. Keating, 86, of Albert Lea, died on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, at her home surrounded by family.

Born on Wednesday, January 8, 1936, she was the daughter of the late Stan and Angela (Bagan) Speltz. Mary was a loving wife, caring mother of nine, proud grandmother of 21 and great-grandmother of ten. Most important to...

Aug 14, 2022

Mavis Westergaard, age 82 of Oakland, passed away at home surrounded by family on August 14, 2022.

Mavis had a very strong faith and was a proud family woman, but her love of their family farm was not far behind. Her family called her daily life on the farm, “her living her dream”, which she spent raising...

Aug 11, 2022

Ruth S. Enzenauer, age 86 of Ellendale, passed away at home on August 11, 2022. Ruth was born August 19, 1935, daughter of Raymond and Ruby (Newby) Hill of Elmore, MN. She lived in Elmore, Ogilvie, Bricelyn before moving to Ellendale where she graduated High School. Ruth worked at Jostens until she married and spent her time as a...

Aug 9, 2022

Verona Eileen (Randall) Winegar of Geneva, MN passed away peacefully on August 9, 2022 at Benedictine Living Community in Owatonna surrounded by family. Born on March 27, 1937 at the Owatonna Hospital, she was the youngest of five daughters born to Ralph and Myrtle (Ryan) Randall. Verona enjoyed life to the fullest and loved spending time with her family...

Aug 6, 2022

Gordon “Gordy” Hacker, age 70, of Albert Lea, MN passed away on Saturday, August 6, 2022, at the VA Hospital in Minneapolis, MN.

Gordy served in the US Navy in the Vietnam War.  Gordy was proud to serve his country and was proud to be a veteran.  He was the only son of Albert and Helen Hacker...

Aug 5, 2022

Mitchel Dean “Mitch” Hill, 66, lifelong resident of Ellendale, passed away on Friday, August 5, 2022, at Abbott Northview Hospital in Minneapolis, MN, following multiple health complications. Despite his survivor’s spirit, his body grew tired of fighting on this earth.

Born on Friday, November 25, 1955, in Owatonna, MN, he was the youngest son of the late Aubrey Hill and...

Aug 2, 2022

Patricia “Pat” Ann Somnis, 88, of Conger, MN, passed away peacefully on August 2, 2022, at St Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN.

Patricia was born on January 17, 1934, in Okeene, OK, to Harry and Evelyn (Blakely) Weisner.   At a young age, Patricia’s family moved to the Minneapolis area. She attended school and later met the love...