Obituaries

Sep 25, 2025

Susan "Sue" Christine Bartel, 75, of Dodge Center, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones on September 25, 2025. Sue was born on September 24, 1950, to Donald and Marguerite Smith.

Family was the center of Sue's life. She was a loving mother, but even more so cherished her role as...

Aug 13, 2025

Sharon Kay Murray

April 21, 1941-August 13, 2025

Sharon Kay Murray, 84, of Dodge Center passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on August 13, 2025, after several years battling with cancer.

Sharon was born on April 21, 1941, to Lloyd and Florence Vavrichek of Dodge Center. She attended and graduated from...

Jul 31, 2025

Brennen Timothy Decker, 23, of Kasson, MN, passed away at his home after a courageous struggle with mental health.

Brennen was born on May 22, 2002, in Rochester, MN, to Kristin and Christopher Decker. He moved to Kasson at the age of one, where he later graduated from Kasson-Mantorville High School.

Brennen was a kind,...

Jul 18, 2025

In loving memory of Lara Ann French who passed away very unexpectedly on July 18, 2025 at the age of 52. She is deeply missed by her Mother, family and friends.

Lara was the only baby born in Rochester MN on October 13, 1972. She was her Mom's best friend from the very beginning. She passed away...

Jul 18, 2025

Jessica Anne (Keppy) McHugh, age 55, passed away peacefully on July 18, 2025, at Season's Hospice House in Rochester, Minnesota, after courageously battling cancer for many years.

Jessica was born on June 10, 1970, in Scott County, Davenport, Iowa, to Steven and Sharon (Anderson) Keppy, who now reside in Jefferson, Wisconsin. She graduated from...

Jul 16, 2025

Susan "Sue" Lynn Hoenk, 71 passed away peacefully on July 16, 2025 at her home in Byron, MN, following a battle with pancreatic cancer. Sue was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Sue was born February 25, 1954 in Tracy, MN to Lando "Smokey" and Dorothy Willems. Sue grew up in Olivia, MN and after graduating high school,...

Jul 5, 2025

Mary Gatzke, 93 of Byron, passed away on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.

Mary was born on February 17, 1932, to Patrick and Stella Langan (Drummond) in Preston, Minnesota. They later moved to Austin, Minnesota where she graduated from Pacelli High School.  She married Milo Gatzke on April 30, 1955,...

Jun 27, 2025

Sarah "Sally" Elizabeth Berthusen, 81, of Rockford, Illinois passed away peacefully on Friday, June 27, 2025. She was born on January 28, 1944, in Jamestown, New York to the late Walter Pryor and Frances Harriett (Peebles) Nickle. On September 11, 1964, at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Aurora, Illinois, Sally married Eugene "Gene" Everett Berthusen who survives her and was...

May 11, 2025

James "Jim" Allen Rodrick, Sr., beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on May 11, 2025, at the age of 89. Throughout his life, Jim was known for his kind heart, his generosity, and his incredible strength and resilience.

Jim was born at his family's home in Douglas, MN, on January 12, 1936, to Arbie and Helen...

May 8, 2025

James Edward Woodfork, also known as "Woody" to his friends, was a longtime resident and active community member of the Byron, MN area. He departed on May 8, 2025 after 95 years on this earth. Funeral services will be held on May 31, 2025 at the Christ Lutheran Church in Byron, MN. Details can be found on the Byron...

Apr 11, 2025

Wayne "Red" Courtney, 73, of Byron, MN, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on April 11, 2025.

Born on August 21, 1951, in Decorah, Iowa, to Bernard and Ann Amunrud, Wayne was raised in the Mabel-Canton area, where he graduated in 1969. His journey brought him to Rochester, where he pursued a two-year degree in accounting....

Apr 10, 2025

In loving memory, we announce the passing of Kimberly Kaye Schellhammer, a cherished figure in the Kasson community, who departed from this world on April 10, 2025, her 59th birthday. Kim was born on Easter Sunday, April 10, 1966, in Rochester, MN, to Ronald and Sandra (Yentsch) Musolf. With her unmistakable spirit and sharp wit, Kim lived her life...

Mar 4, 2025

Galvin D. Uhlenhopp, "Hoppy" 94, of Kasson, MN, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2025 at Prairie Meadows in Kasson.

Galvin was born April 1, 1930 in Dumont, IA to Eli and Thelma (Wickman) Uhlenhopp. He graduated in 1948 from Clarksville High School in Clarksville, IA. After high school, Galvin proudly served his country in the U.S....

Feb 12, 2025

Mary Jeanne Uhlenhopp, 90, of Kasson, MN, passed away on February 12, 2025, at Prairie Meadows Senior Living in Kasson, MN. Born on February 11, 1935, in Rochester, MN, to John and Jane (Heaney) Almeter, Mary Jeanne lived a full and vibrant life.

Mary Jeanne was a 1952 graduate of Mazeppa High School. On May 2, 1955,...

Jan 23, 2025

Grant David Schimek

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Grant David Schimek on January 23rd, 2025, at the age of 42.

Grant David Schimek was born on February 8th, 1982, to David and Susan Schimek. Grant grew up with his three brothers and sister in Goodhue, Minnesota, and graduated high...

Jan 4, 2025

Teresa M. "Terry" Watson- Byron, MN

Teresa Marie Watson, 68, of Byron, MN, died peacefully in her home on Saturday, January 4, 2025.

Terry was born June 3, 1956, in Rochester, MN. She married Scott Watson at the Byron United Methodist Church on January 26, 1974. They welcomed two daughters, Tanna and Billie Jean.

Dec 3, 2024

Russell Leigh Wright, age 83, of Byron, MN, died on Tuesday December 3, 2024 at his home after a long struggle with Parkinson's  disease.  Russ was born on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1940 to Dale and Nora on the family farm near Sebeka, MN.  The oldest of eight children, he learned his love for hard work and farming.  He was...

Nov 28, 2024

Michael P. Coe, 72, of Rochester, formerly of Byron, MN, passed away on Thursday, November 28, 2024, at Samaritan Bethany in Rochester.

Michael was born on January 4, 1952, in Rochester, MN, to George and Alvina (Raygor) Coe. He was a 1970 graduate of Byron High School, where he played baseball and developed a love for sports...

Nov 21, 2024

Janet M. Kittley, 97, of Kasson, formerly of Rochester, MN, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, at The Mayo Clinic Methodist Campus.

Janet (Jan) was born on August 23, 1927, in Rochester, NY, to Melville and Helen (Stein) Mackay. After graduating from Clinton High School in Clinton, NY, she attended McGill University in Montreal, Canada, and...

Oct 31, 2024

Joan Skare, age 82, of Byron, MN, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at her home, surrounded by family. She was born on May 24, 1942, in Odebolt, IA, to Kermit and Doris (Hanson) Johnson, Joan was a vibrant spirit whose love for music and kindness to others touched the lives of many.

A proud...