Obituaries

Kenneth "Ken" Keckhafer

Sep 8, 2021

Kenneth” Ken” Edwin Keckhafer, age 69, of Albert Lea, MN passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, September 8, 2021.

Ken was born August 2, 1952 in Rochester, MN to parents, Edwin, and Olga (Hamister) Keckhafer. He grew up alongside 8 sisters.  After high school graduation, he served 2 years in the Marine Corps.  Later in life, he became a...

James Gustafson Jr.

Sep 8, 2021

James Wilbur Gustafson, 96, of Albert Lea, passed away peacefully September 8, 2021. “Gus” as he was affectionately known was a football coaching legend at Albert Lea High School (ALHS), where his name is enshrined as Jim Gustafson Field. Gus was born near International Falls but grew up in Grand Forks ND. He was a star football and basketball...

Mark Oakland

Sep 5, 2021

Mark Dennis Oakland, age 46, of Albert Lea passed away on September 5, 2021.

Mark graduated high school from Albert Lea High School in 1994. His senior year in high school, Mark enrolled in the Army National guard. He was a member for six years. He graduated Alexandria Technical College in 1996, with a degree in law...

Jose Avelar Sr.

Sep 4, 2021

Jose Alfonso Avelar, 93 of Hayward, MN passed away Saturday, September 4, 2021.

Jose was born to Jose and Catalina (Vega) Avelar on October 31, 1927 in Crystal City, Texas.  Jose later moved to Hollandale, MN to work on the family farm.  He met and married Ventura (Rivera) and they had twelve children.  Along with farming, Jose...

Mary Groth

Sep 2, 2021

Mary Louise Groth, age 84, of Ellendale, MN passed away on September 2, 2021.

Mary was born on June 27, 1937 in Owatonna, MN.  She graduated from Ellendale-Geneva High School in 1955 and attended Winona State college for a year.  She married Paul Groth on December 16, 1956.

Mary and Paul bought Groth Furniture from...

Kathy Hanson

Sep 2, 2021

Kathy Ann Hanson, age 62, of Albert Lea, MN, passed away from a short courageous battle from cancer on September 2, 2021.

She graduated from Glenville High School and attended Austin Vocational Tech and Riverland College. She enjoyed gardening, camping, scrapbooking, canning, making salsa and jams, going to farmers market and loved to visit Norway and enjoyed...

Timothy "Tim" Korman

Sep 1, 2021

Timothy “Tim” Korman, loving husband and father, passed away unexpectedly September 1, 2021.  Tim was born on November 22, 1971 to Jim and Lynda (Henning) Korman.   He grew up on the family farm near Alden where he attended high school and later went on to South Central College in Mankato where he furthered his education in farming.  Tim was...

Jean Frank

Aug 30, 2021

Jean Marie Frank, age 74, of Sioux Falls, SD, passed away on August 30, 2021.

Jean enjoyed camping, riding her bicycle, playing bean bags and loved to experiment in the kitchen cooking. She was an artist and loved to paint and create in her free time. She also loved to spend time with her family and friends....

Vincent Peterson

Aug 29, 2021

Vincent LeRoy Peterson, age 89, died at the New Richland Care Center on Sunday, August 29, 2021.  He was born on September 21, 1931 to Roy and Clara (Dahle) Peterson in Waseca, MN.  He grew up on the family farm north of New Richland.  Vince was baptized and confirmed at Vista Covenant Church in Otisco Township. He attended country...

Darlene Behr

Aug 25, 2021

Darlene L. Behr 94-year-old resident of St. John’s on Fountain Lakes in Albert Lea, MN passed away August 25, 2021.  A funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Conger, MN with Pastor Don Rose officiating.  Visitation will be from 5-7 PM on Monday evening at Bonnerup Funeral...

Marjorie Dann

Aug 24, 2021

Marjorie Bonneviere (Smith) Dann was born on July 28, 1931 in rural Thompson, Iowa to parents Bruce Sr. and Martha (Doege) Smith. Marge attended country grade school and graduated from Scarville High School in 1948.  After graduating, she married Roy Bendickson. They later divorced. In 1958, she moved to Albert Lea and married Russell Jack Dann.

Marge’s...

Mark Olchefske

Aug 23, 2021

It is with heavy hearts we announce Mark Clyde Olchefske, age 63, of Albert Lea, formerly of New Brighton MN, passed away on August 23, 2021. He died how he would have wanted: he was still very active, working his typical 12 hour days, having daily lunchtime video calls with grandkids, helping kids with house projects, and fixing cars....

Randy Cockeram

Aug 21, 2021

Randy L. Cockeram 74 year old resident of Albert Lea, MN passed away August 21, 2021 at his residence.  No service will be held at this time.

Arrangements are with the Bonnerup Funeral Service in Albert Lea.

James Kolker

Aug 18, 2021

James Michael Kolker was born May 11, 1970, the son of Thomas and Camilla (Hughes) Kolker in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Jim attended and graduated from Ipswich Public school and continued his education at the University of South Dakota. His career path was in sales; he had an engaging personality and excelled in this field. At the onset of disease,...

Darleen Zimmerman

Aug 17, 2021

Darleen Mary Zimmerman was born on March 4, 1930 in rural Wells, the daughter of Emil and Angeline (Arnoldi) Budach.

She was baptized at her parent’s farm at birth. She attended St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Minnesota Lake where he was confirmed. Her education began by attending rural school near Wells through eighth grade at which...

Tasha Nelson

Aug 16, 2021

Tasha Rae Nelson, age 32, passed away on August 16, 2021.

She was born on October 24, 1988 to Clay and Marilyn (Christensen) Nelson.

Tasha was a kind-hearted, generous, artistic, intelligent person, always caring for others. She had a love for fishing, music, hiking and loved spending time outdoors. At the tender age of 10...

Michael Pfeffer

Aug 15, 2021

Michael William Pfeffer (age 72) passed away Sunday, August 15th at Rochester Methodist Hospital surrounded by family and friends.  A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Friday, August 20, 2021 at Bonnerup Funeral Service in Albert Lea.  Visitation will be Thursday evening from 4-7 PM at Bonnerup Funeral Service and one hour prior to the service...

John "Jay" Johnsrud

Aug 12, 2021

John “Jay” Johnsrud 92-year-old resident of Albert Lea, MN passed away August 12, 2021.  A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Friday, August 20, 2021 at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

Jay was born on August 25, 1928 in Albert Lea...

Theodore "Ted" Anderson

Aug 10, 2021

A visitation for Theodore (Ted) F. Anderson of Albert Lea, MN, will be held from 4 until 7 PM Saturday, August 14, 2021 at the Bonnerup Funeral Service in Albert Lea, MN. Ted died Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at the Woodbury Health Care Center in Woodbury, MN. He was 87 years of age.

Ted was born April...

Luetta Hinkle

Aug 9, 2021

Luetta I. Hinkle (Nelson) 72-year-old resident of Albert Lea passed away August 9, 2021 at the Good Samaritan Society in Albert Lea, MN.

Luetta was born on October 3, 1948 in Albert Lea, MN to Carroll and Margaret Nelson.  She graduated from Albert Lea High School and attended Mankato Community College.  She spent most of her career...