Obituaries

Jun 26, 2022

Cynthia “Cindy” De Vries, 65, of Hollandale, passed away on Sunday, June 26, 2022, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, with her family by her side.

Born on Thursday, May 30, 1957, in Albert Lea, she was the daughter of Glen and Mary (Frodin) Helgeson. Cindy was united in marriage to Pete De Vries on July 8,...

Jun 26, 2022

Audrey Fay (Nelson) Severson died in the arms of her daughter at Thorne Crest Senior Living Community on Sunday, June 26, 2022, of natural causes. Audrey was born on January 18, 1943, in Albert Lea, MN, and was the daughter of Leonard and Selma (Hopperstad) Nelson.

Audrey graduated from Albert Lea High School Class of 1961.  She...

Jun 26, 2022

Geraldine “Gerri” Janice Mendenhall, 79, of New Richland, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Sunday, June 26, 2022, at Homestead Hospice House in Owatonna, MN. Gerri was born August 1, 1942, in Ceresco Township, in Blue Earth County, the daughter of Alvin & Lydia (Klaus) Bergemann.  She grew up in Garden City, MN and graduated...

Jun 24, 2022

Dorothy Simonsen, 84, of Albert Lea, entered into God’s eternal care on Friday, June 24, 2022, at her home.

Born on Wednesday, April 6, 1938, in Shafter, California, she was a daughter of Alvert and Lois (Huenemann) Streyle and one of eight children.  Dorothy graduated from Alden High School in 1956 and was united in marriage to...

Jun 24, 2022

Susan Marie “Sue” Stiles, 62, of Clarks Grove, MN, passed away at her home on June 24, 2022.

Born on July 9, 1959, in Rockford, Illinois, she was a daughter of Albert Groth and June (Chadbourn) Menke. Susan worked in healthcare as a nursing aid. Caring and visiting with the residents brought her great joy.  Susan enjoyed...

Jun 23, 2022

Marie A. Jirele, 81, passed peacefully into the presence of Jesus on June 23, 2022, at Auburn Manner in Chaska, MN. Marie was born January 21, 1941, in Fargo, ND to Harold and Yvonne (Marcil) Bower. She was the oldest of six children. Raised on a farm in Page, ND she graduated from Page High School before receiving her...

Jun 17, 2022

Harriet M. Harne, 92, of Albert Lea, passed away surrounded by her loving family on Friday, June 17, 2022, at Thorne Crest Living Community.

Harriet was born on March 4, 1930, in Albert Lea to Eddie and Margaret (Callahan) Anderson.  She graduated from Ellendale High School in 1948 and worked at the Register of Deeds Office at...

Jun 15, 2022

A visitation for Barry Curtis Oberg, 76, of Rochester, will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, June 20, 2022, at Bonnerup Funeral Service, and go until the time of service.  Funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Roger Fears officiating.  Interment will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery with military honors provided by the Albert Lea Area Veterans.   Please wear...

Jun 11, 2022

Darline Jensen, age 76 of Clarks Grove, passed away on Saturday, June 11, 2022, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin, Minnesota.  Darline was born in Truman, Minnesota, to Forrest and Maurine Smith and graduated from Truman High School.  Darline was joined in marriage to Allan Jensen on April 26, 1968, and together they were life-long farmers.

A...

Jun 10, 2022

William Rosado Ortiz, 59, died at his home in Albert Lea on Friday, June 10th, 2022. He was born on February 28, 1963, in Orocovis, Puerto Rico to Ramon Rosado Velez and Luz Maria Torres Ortiz.

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, William later moved to Minnesota in 1989, residing in St Paul, and later moving to...

Jun 9, 2022

Terry Donald Brink, 77, passed away peacefully at home on June 9, 2022.  He was born on February 2, 1945, in Sioux Falls, SD, to Donald and Ione (Shields) Brink.  When he was born, his dad was stationed in Europe during WWII.

Terry graduated from Brandon Valley High School in Brandon, SD, in 1963, and from Augustana...

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...