Obituaries

Patricia Emerson, 77, mother of Lanesboro woman

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Thu, 05/09/2019 - 12:43pm

Patricia Ann Emerson, 77, formerly of Rochester, died unexpectedly at her home near Lancaster, Calif., on the morning of March 19, 2019.

She was born on Oct. 28, 1941, to Ralph W. Crane and Eleanor E. (Everts) Crane in Mower County.

She grew up near Racine as the second of four children.

She graduated from Stewartville High School.

She worked for IBM.

Ella Olstad, 98, formerly of Lanesboro

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Thu, 05/09/2019 - 12:42pm

Ella Bendina Olstad, 98, of La Crosse, died on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, May 4, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in La Crosse, Wis. Burial of the remains followed in Oak Grove Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to Salvation Army, Bethany Lutheran Homes or the charity of one’s choice in her name.

Phyllis Potter, 88, sister of Lanesboro woman

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Thu, 05/09/2019 - 12:40pm

Phyllis I. Potter, 88, of St. Charles, died on Thursday, May 2, 2019, at Mayo Clinic Hospital — Saint Marys Campus, Rochester.

She was born on June 3, 1930, in Peterson to Oscar and Minda (Benson) Holtegaard.

On July 9, 1950, she married Jim Potter.

They made their home in St. Charles. For many years, she worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company, before staying home to raise their daughter, Julie. She later worked for Mayo Clinic in housekeeping. She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in St. Charles.

Eloyse Rose (Fruechte) Asmus, 92, of Mabel

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Thu, 05/09/2019 - 12:37pm

Eloyse Rose (Fruechte) Asmus died April 26, 2019, at Green Lea Manor in Mabel, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Eloyse was born Jan. 17, 1927, in Caledonia to Edwin and Ella (Bunge) Fruechte.

She was baptized and she confirmed her faith at St. Luke’s Church in Eitzen, Minn.

Growing up on the farm, Eloyse was very involved in all aspects of the farm. On June 10, 1950, Eloyse was united in marriage to Raymond Asmus.

They made their home in West Bend, Wis., for 62 years until Ray died in 2012.

Leigh Kreter, 64, of Harmony

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Fri, 05/03/2019 - 2:53pm

Leigh Kreter, 64, of Harmony, died on Thursday, April 19, 2019, on his birthday, after a short battle with cancer. 

He was a jack-of-all-trades, but his true passion was driving a truck.

Through this passion, he met his wife of 22 years, Dianna, and they made their home in Harmony. Through their union, his five children and her four children were merged into one family. 

Dorothy Treangen, 81, formerly of Mabel Also formerly of Spring Grove

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Thu, 04/25/2019 - 10:50am

Dorothy Ann Treangen, 81, of Waukon, Iowa, formerly of Mabel and Spring Grove, died on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, at Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Waukon.

She was born on Aug. 1, 1937, near Spring Grove to Arnold and Bernice (Erickson) Wiste.

She attended Spring Grove Schools.

At a young age she started doing housecleaning and babysitting.

On Jan. 21, 1956 she married Odell Treangen in Spring Grove.

Rachel Vatland, 81, of Mabel

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Thu, 04/25/2019 - 10:49am

Rachel A. Vatland, 81, of Mabel, died on Monday, April 15, 2019, at Gundersen Health Systems in LaCrosse, Wis.

She was born on April 11, 1938, in Rushford to Marvel and Eva (Highlan) Sandsness.

She graduated from the Rushford High School and attended Luther College for a year and later the Winona Business College.

She worked in Rochester for a short time.

On March 19, 1960 she married Blaine Vatland at the Highland Prairie Lutheran Church.

Harold Freerksen, 59, of Harmony

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Thu, 04/18/2019 - 3:47pm

Harold Lyle Freerksen, 59, of Harmony, died on Thursday, April 11, 2019, in Chatfield.

He was born on Nov. 11, 1959, in Owatonna to Raymond and Eleanor (Mickelson) Freerksen.

He attended Dodge Center schools then moved to Texas for five years.

He later moved back to Dodge Center and worked for Duane’s Siding and Roofing for many years. He made his home in Harmony and worked for his brother, Rob, at Rob’s Siding and Roofing.

He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his nieces and nephews. He also loved to go fishing.

Beverly Johnson, 85, formerly of Lanesboro

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Thu, 04/18/2019 - 3:44pm

Beverly A. Johnson, 85, of Eagan and formerly of Rochester, died on Monday, April 8, 2019, at her home at Eagan Pointe Senior Living.

Beverly Ann Lange was born on Oct. 5, 1933, to William and Ethel (Martenson) Lange in Long Prairie.

She grew up in Long Prairie and graduated from Long Prairie High School in 1951.

On Aug. 30, 1952, she married Clarence Johnson in Long Prairie.

Helen Benson, 80, of Lanesboro

Published by tlittle@bluffco... on Fri, 04/05/2019 - 10:05am

Helen Benson, 80, of Lanesboro, died peacefully on Tuesday, March 26, 2019, at Park Lane Estates in Preston surrounded by her family.

Helen Arlene Thoen was born on Sept. 9, 1938, in Lanesboro to Amos and Amy (Hilden) Thoen.

She graduated from Lanesboro High School in 1956.

She was united in marriage to Roger Huwert Benson at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Aug. 18, 1962, and to this union six children were born.