Leroy H. Witzel, 89, passed away of natural causes on Thursday, October 29, 2015 as a resident of Fairview Nursing Home in Dodge Center, MN. He had been a resident there since May of 2013.
 
Leroy was born on November 8, 1925. He was a strong Christian all his life. Leroy enjoyed doing things for the church and was one of the early founders of the Community Celebration Church just outside of Kasson. Leroy owned and operated the Wayne’s Feed Store in Kasson in the early 50’s and had a portable feed grinding business where he would go to local farmers and grind their feed.
 
In 1969, Leroy bought a dairy farm in Clear Lake, Wisconsin where the family farmed until the late 70’s. Leroy sold the farm and moved back to SE Minnesota and semiretired. Even though he retired, he worked for farmers in the area, at the Byron school for a short period of time and at both the local Burger King and Kwik Trip in Kasson. Eventually, his health started failing, and he decided it was time to fully retire. He remained very active in his church after his retirement.
 
Leroy is survived by his wife, Pearl Witzel of Kasson; sons Gary (Korlee Bethke) Witzel of Menomonie, WI and Wayne (Elaine Anderson) Witzel of Lake City, MN; daughter Karen (Bill) Wagner of Little Rock, AR; sister Doris (Arnold) Severson of Hayfield, MN and brother Dale (Dorthy) Witzel of Kasson. He is also survived by six grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
 
Preceding him in death were his parents, Roy and Laura Witzel of Kasson, MN; brother Donald Witzel of Bryan, TX and a great-grandson, Brody Rother of Hager City, WI.
 
Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 PM on Tuesday, November 3, at the Dibble Funeral Home, 213 W. Main St, Kasson, MN and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the church. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 4, at 11:00 AM at the Community Celebration Church, 27337 County Highway 34, Kasson, MN, with Pastor Steve Larson officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Mantorville.
 
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials for them to distribute per their wishes at a later time.

Roberta Bradford passed away Sunday, November 1, 2015. Services are pending at this time. A full obituary will follow as it becomes available.

Linda J. Newman (Hilliard – Paulson) died peacefully at Madonna Towers in Rochester, Minnesota on November 17, 2015 at the age of 72.
 
Linda is survived by her mother Evelyn Dostal of Kasson, loving husband Dean Newman, her children Curt Paulson of Kasson, Lynn (Tim) Pater of Byron, step-children Connie (Kevin) Canopy of Houltan WI, Jody (Mark) Olson of New Richmand WI, Tammy (John) Jackman of Harris MN, and Chrissy (Tom) Maun of California; sister Jeannette (Bill) Dostal of Alexandria, MN., 14 Grandchildren and 18 Great Grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father (Charles Hilliard) and one brother Randy Hilliard.
 
Linda was born on June 1, 1943 in Wasioja, MN. She enjoyed her family, visiting with friends and had many occasional trips to the casino. She was a dedicated and active member of Bethesda Lutheran Church in Malmo, Minnesota.
 
There will be visitation at Dibble Funeral Home, 213 W. Main St., Kasson, MN, on Friday, November 20, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. There will be no reviewal. Funeral services will be held at Bethesda Lutheran Church, Malmo, MN at 2:00 p.m on Saturday, November 21, with visitation from 1:00 to 2:00. Private burial will be at a later date at Withrow Cemetery, Withrow, MN.
 
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials for them to distribute later according to their wishes.
 
Dibble Funeral Home and Cremation Services are handling arrangements on behalf of the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.dibblefuneralhome.com.

Earl George Stellmaker, 93, of rural Kasson, passed away peacefully at Fieldcrest Care Center in Hayfield, MN on Thursday, November 19, 2015.
 
Earl was born August 19, 1922 to George and Merle (Eppard) Stellmaker in rural Racine, Minnesota. At age 5, the family moved to a Mayo farm just west of Rochester, where they lived for most of Earl’s childhood. As an adult he had many jobs; the most memorable being as a bus driver for Rochester City Lines, working for IBM and later for the Mayo Clinic. He favorite place to be, however, was working on his farm in rural Kasson.
 
On October 24, 1953, he married Shirley Clarice Fjerstad of rural Kasson. The couple lived on the farm for most of their lives.
 
Earl is survived by his daughter, Claire (Nelson) of Kasson and his son, Brad (and wife, Suzi) of Story City, Iowa; 6 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Earl was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; his brothers Harvey & Gerald; his sisters Edna, Marion, Clover, Della & Roberta; and his son-in-law, Rick Nelson.
 
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, November 24, 2015, at South Zumbro Lutheran Church, 4830 120th Ave SW, Rural Kasson, MN, with Pastor Mark Schwartz officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service and lunch will follow. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
 
Memorials are preferred to the South Zumbro Lutheran Church memorial fund.
 
Dibble Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Kasson, MN (507/634-2331) is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.dibblefuneralhome.com.

Dena Marie Houston, age 48, of Kasson passed away peacefully in her home on Thursday, November 26, 2015, with her husband and father by her side following a brief bout with cancer.
 
Dena was born August 19, 1967, in Rochester, Minnesota. She lived in Byron before moving to Mantorville when she was 12 years old. She moved to Kasson with Mark Houston in 1986. They had two children, Alex and Samantha. They were married June 25, 1994.
 
Dena was an active member of the Kasson community. She was the president of her local TOPS chapter, a Sunday School teacher and along with Mark, promoted Crashmasters Demolition Derbies. Dena spent several years working at KJ’s Café in Byron, followed by several years working at two day care centers due to her love of children. Most recently, she was employed by Erdman’s County Market, where her smile brightened everyone’s day. Dena and Mark were BWCA enthusiasts and had just come back from an adventure there a week before she became ill.
 
Survivors include her husband Mark; one son, Alex Houston of Pine Island; one daughter, Samantha Houston of Kasson; her father, Bob Liedtke of Buffalo City, Wisconsin; one brother Gary (Rebecca) Liedtke of Owatonna; two sisters, Dawn (Stacy Lapoint) Liedtke of Coon Rapids and Kris Liedtke of Rochester; two nieces and four nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother, Joanne Liedtke.
 
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at 1:00 pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 301 8th Ave NW, Kasson, MN with Pastor Randy Fett officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the church service. There will be no reviewal.
 
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to them.

Cora Ann Sippel Murphy, 77, of Byron, MN passed away December 1, 2015 in Rochester, MN.
 
Cora was born May 17, 1938, in Easton, MN to William and Ethel Sippel. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Thomas (Tom) Murphy; children Craig (Julie), Kurt (Rita), Shawn (Paula) and Jennifer; and grandchildren Ryan, Devin, Josh, Jacob and Gavin Murphy. Other family members include: Donald (Eunice) Sippel, Leo (Marvel – surviving sister-in-law) Sippel, Elaine (surviving sister) (Jack) Lubitz, Marie, Wendell, Claude and Florence/Shorty (Lenny) Trembley.
 
Married in 1958, Cora Ann and Tom celebrated their last wedding anniversary together on November 28.
 
A Celebration of Life Mass will be held on Monday, December 7, 2015 at 10:30 am at Christ the King Catholic Church, 202 4th St. NW, Byron, MN with Fr. Paul Surprenant officiating. Visitation will be at the church on December 7 from 9:00-10:30 am. Burial will be in the Byron Cemetery.
 
Cora Ann dearly loved her children and her grandchildren, her friends and family. Her eyes sparkled when we were together. We remember her as an incredible quilter; she like to crochet and sew – she could patch just about anything. She and Tom gardened for years, and she liked listening and watching the MN Twins play ball. She enjoyed being with her family. She will be missed.
 
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be directed to the American Diabetes Association or to the church.

Carol A. Deihle, 79, of Kasson passed away on Saturday, December 5, 2015 of natural causes.

No services are planned at this time.

Ethel Evelyn DeBlieck, age 96, died peacefully surrounded by her family on December 10, 2015 at her home in Zumbrota, Minnesota.
 
Ethel Evelyn Edwards was born March 26, 1919 at home in Lyon County, Minnesota to John and Elizabeth (Evans) Edwards. She grew up on the family farm there where she attended country school. She then attended Tracy High School.
 
On July 3, 1935, Ethel was united in marriage to William (Bill) DeBlieck at The Church of Saint Mary in Tracy, Minnesota. Bill and Ethel were married for 65 years. They made their home on three different farms through the years.
 
Bill and Ethel raised their nine children in Tracy, Minnesota, until moving to Byron in 1967, then moving to Kasson in 1999. During their years in Byron, Bill and Ethel were active members at The Church of Christ The King in Byron.
 
Ethel was a member of The Church of the Holy Family in Kasson, Minnesota, and was active in the quilting group there. Ethel was most recently a member of The Church of Saint Paul in Zumbrota, Minnesota; currently residing at The Bridges of Zumbrota.
 
Ethel enjoyed making quilts for her family members and Catholic mission groups, embroidering, crafts, fishing, and spending time with family; often gathering with them. Ethel was also an avid bird watcher and loved to cook.
 
Ethel is survived by three sons, Dale (Judy) of Florence, Colorado, Duane (Brenda) of St. Peter, Minnesota and Don (Cindy) of Zumbrota, Minnesota; two daughters, Julie (Tom) Duncan of Lenoir City, Tennessee and Brenda (David) Wright also of Lenoir City; son-in-law, Wendell Trei of Colorado Springs, Colorado; daughter-in-law, Mary DeBlieck of Tracy, Minnesota, 27 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and 16 great great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
 
Ethel was preceded in death by her husband, William (Bill); her parents John and Elizabeth Edwards; three sons, Dennis, Dean, and Marvin; her daughter, Eileen Trei; five brothers, William, Floyd, Mervin, Ervin, Harold; three sisters, Una, Viola, and Jean; granddaughter Dianne Lindberg; grandson John Trei and great-grandson Jeremiah Trei.
 
The Mass of Christian Burial for Ethel will be celebrated on Monday, December 14, 2015 at 10:00 am at The Church of The Holy Family, 1904 N. Mantorville Ave, Kasson, MN with Fr. Paul Surprenant officiating. Visitation will take place at the church on Sunday, December 13, 2015 from 5:00-7:00 with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 pm. Visitation will also be held on the day of the funeral one hour prior to the Mass. Burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Tracy, Minnesota.

William Alan Baker, age 65, died on Sunday December 13th, 2015 at home surrounded by his family.
 
His funeral will be held on 11:00 am, Friday December 18th at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 301 8th Ave NW, Kasson, MN with Pastor Randy Fett officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Kasson.
 
Visitation will also be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church from 5 to 7 pm, Thursday, December 17th and one hour prior to the service on Friday.
 
William A. “Bill” Baker was born July 25th, 1950 in Belmond, Iowa to Peter and Henrietta Baker. He was raised in rural Britt, IA and attended Christian Reform School from kindergarten through 8th grade. He then attended Britt Community School grades 9-12, graduating high school in 1968. Upon graduation, Bill attended North Iowa Area Community College from 1968-69. In November of 1969, he enlisted to serve in the Army National Guard until November of 1975, attaining the rank of E5 Sergeant.
 
On August 17th, 1974, he married the love of his life, Jean Monson.
Bill lived in Forest City, IA working at Winnebago Industries after he and Jean were married. They then moved to Kasson, MN in 1980. From 1981-83, Bill attended Rochester Community College, graduating with a degree in mechanical drafting. He worked for various drafting firms throughout his career finally taking a position with Mayo Clinic Rochester until retiring in July 2015.
 
Bill was a member of the St. John’s Lutheran church, the American Legion of Kasson, the NRA, and various other organizations. Bill will especially be remembered for his quick wit, wonderful sense of humor and infinite patience. He was a talented craftsman and woodworker. He touched the lives of so many people and will be greatly missed.
 
Bill is survived by his wife of 41 years, Jean, of Kasson, his three children, Ann Klennert and her husband Anthony of Pine Island and their children Torrie and Pierce, Susan Bessingpas and her husband Marc of Rochester and their son Bradley, and Joe Baker of Eagan; a sister Roberta Wellik and her husband Terry of Crystal Lake, IA and a brother Brian Baker of Britt, IA; a brother-in-law John Monson and his wife Karen of Forest City, IA and a sister-in-law Janice Buffington and her husband Forrest of Forest City, IA; and many nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. Bill was preceded in death by his father, mother and sister, Shirley.

Edward “Ed” Pearson, 55, passed away peacefully at home on January 10, 2016. Ed was born October 21, 1960, in New York City, New York.
 
He is survived by three brothers, James (Joan) Pearson, Michael (Judy) Pearson and Joseph (Sue) Pearson; one sister Barbara Pearson (Julie) as well as nieces and nephews. He will be missed.
 
A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, January 16, 2016, from 2:00-4:00 pm at Dibble Funeral Home, 213 W. Main Street, Kasson, MN, 507/634-2331. There will be no reviewal.
 
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the American Cancer Society.

Sally Pauline Schleeter, 83, of Mantorville died peacefully on Friday, January 15, 2016, at the home of her daughter, where she had resided the past year.
 
Sally was born December 9, 1932 in New Prague, Minnesota to Stanley and Marcella (Zvanovec) Sindelar. She attended New Prague High School and following graduation, worked in the lab at Minnesota Valley Breeders in New Prague.
 
She married Henry A. Schleeter on April 28, 1956 at Frieden’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Prague. They then made their home in Mantorville.
 
Sally worked for many years as head cook in the Kasson-Mantorville School System prior to opening her own restaurant, “The Cookie Jar” in Mantorville in 1983.
 
She was an active member of the First Congregational Church as a Sunday School teacher and President of the Women’s Fellowship.
 
She was preceded in death by her husband; brother, Russell Sindelar, and a granddaughter. She is lovingly remembered by her five children, Susan (Rolland) Dickson, Linda (Doug) Schmidt, Sandra (Steve) DuBois, Wendy Schleeter, and Bruce (Vicky) Schleeter; nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
 
Sally lived life with joy and enthusiasm, giving generously to others. Her greatest love was her family.
 
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, January 19, 2016 at the First Congregational Church in Mantorville, MN with Pastor Brian Egelston officiating. Friends may also call at the church from 5:00-7:00 pm on Monday, January 18 and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday. There will be no reviewal. Inurnment will be at a later date in the Evergreen Cemetery in Mantorville.
 
The family prefers memorials to the First Congregational Church of Mantorville.
 

Darlene J. (Peggy) Poffenberger, 87, of Kasson passed away Tuesday, January 26, 2016, at Fairview Care Center in Dodge Center, MN.
 
Darlene was born September 13, 1928 in Fairmont, MN to Virgil and Florence (Simpson) Louks. She grew up in the Hayfield area.
 
Darlene worked as a cook for several different establishments in the Kasson-Mantorville area; the Country Club, Drive-In and Haven’s Bakery. Darlene also enjoyed painting and wallpapering, gardening, playing cards, checkers and cooking.
 
Darlene married Clifford (Bud) Poffenberger on April 16, 1949. Darlene had two children, Randy and Gail Poffenberger.
 
Darlene is survived by her son, Randy Poffenberger (Kim Lewis) of Kasson; grandchildren Jolynn, Lisa, Ben, Kassie, Krissie, Travis, Kelcie; 7 great-grandchildren; sisters, Vivian (Leonard) Westin of Dexter, MN, Verta of Rushford, MN, Mary Hegna of Dodge Center, MN, Linda (Danny) Brockmiller of Hayfield, MN, Pat (Tony) Distad of Arizona; brothers Dick (Jean) Louks of Mantorville, MN, Jerry (Arlene) Louks of Owatonna, Terry Louks and Butch Louks of Park Rapids, MN; and several nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.
 
Darlene was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford (Bud); parents Virgil and Florence; son Gail; sisters Judy, Betty, Bonnie, Audrey and Grace; and brothers Bill, Wayne, Bob, Kenneth and Jim.
 
The funeral service will be held February 6, 2016, at 11:00 am at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 301 8th Ave NW, Kasson, MN with Pastor Dana O’Brien officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. There will be no reviewal. Inurnment will be at Maple Grove Cemetery, Kasson, MN at a later date.

Donald Lee Harker, 89, of Dodge Center, MN passed away Saturday, February 6, 2016, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Rochester, MN.
 
He was born on December 14, 1926, in San Francisco, CA to Robert Dexter Harker and Mamie Hazel Ballard. Donald was educated in California. He later moved to Milwaukee, WI where he met his wife, Marjorie.
 
He became a Machinist Apprentice. He later moved to Rochester, MN and worked for IBM at several locations and retired after over 25 years. After retirement, he moved to Dodge Center, MN and volunteered with SEMCAC.
 
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie, his brother and his parents. He is survived by his grandson Corey (Tami) Harker; great-granddaughter Mikayla and close friends Wayne and Nancy Tjosaas. He is also survived by one son, Bruce Harker.
 
He will be missed as a generous, kind and loving person.
 
There will be a memorial gathering at Dibble Funeral Home, 213 W. Main St., Kasson, MN on Saturday, February 13, 2016 from 1:00-3:00 pm. Inurnment will be at Fairview Cemetery, Hayfield, MN at a later date. Memorials are preferred to the family.
 

Gordon Paul Cunningham, age 74,died peacefully surrounded by his family on February 18, 2016, at the Tampa General Hospital in Florida.
 
Gordon was born March 11,1941, in Worthington, Minnesota to Fred and Rose Cunningham. He grew up on the family farm in West Concord, Minnesota where he attended country school. Gordon then went on to attend Kenyon High School where he graduated in 1959. Gordon was active in 4H and he also enjoyed playing the accordion.
 
On June 24, 1962, Gordon was united in marriage to Sharen Lee Kiefer at the United Methodist Church in Greene, Iowa. Gordon and Sharen were married for 53 years and had three children. They made their home in Mantorville Minnesota.
 
Gordon (Gordy) was an over-the-road truck driver for International Transport and Starbulk. When Gordon left Starbulk, he purchased his own fleet of trucks and started his own business called Cunningham Enterprise. After several years of owning his own business, he subcontracted his trucks to International Transport. Gordon and Sharen also owned their own food concession stand and carnival ride. They traveled with the carnival for one year. Gordon drove school bus for the Kasson-Mantorville School System for many years. Gordon also owned and operated Cunningham RV for several years. Gordon’s first passion was calling so he bought another tractor trailer and drove over the road with Sharen until he retired in 2011.
 
Gordon enjoyed coffee with his buddies and trusted friends at Otto’s Bakery in Byron, Minnesota. His pasttime was co-managing LC Trucking in Kasson, Minnesota. Gordon loved spending time with his wife, kids, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many friends.
 
For 23 years, Gordon and Sharen wintered in Frostproof, Florida. In Florida, Gordon had many friends; he enjoyed the company of Chuck and Pam and fishing with Jim. Gordon also enjoyed having his many friends over so he could entertain them around his Tiki Bar.
 
Gordon is survived by his wife (Sharen); two sons, Leon (Lois) Cunningham of Mantorville and Lane Cunningham of Gainesville, VA; one daughter, LoAnah (Tony) Ramer of Kasson; five grandchildren, Jackie Cunningham, Cassandra (Brant) Kruger, AJ Ramer, Amanda Ramer, and Alyssa Ramer; six great- grandchildren, Kendyl, Dylon, Ashlynn, Quynn, Henry and Lucy. Also surviving are two brothers, Merle (Doreen) Cunningham and Dennis (Ellie) Cunningham; three Sisters, Linda (Roger) Anderson, Karen (Jerry) Montonye and Glenda Cunningham and one brother-in-law, Jerry (Marge) Kiefer. He was preceded in death by his father and mother.
 
Funeral services will be at 1:00 pm on Friday, February 26, 2016, at The First Congregational Church, 515 Walnut Street, Mantorville, MN with Pastor Brian Egelston officiating. Visitation will be Thursday, February 25, 2016, at Dibble Funeral Home, 213 W. Main St, Kasson, MN from 5:00-7:00 pm and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. There will be no reviewal. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery, Mantorville, MN.
 
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be directed to them for distribution later according to their wishes.

Roger Helmer Anderson, 78, of Kasson, died from pancreatic cancer on Saturday, February 20, 2016 at home surrounded by his loving family.
 
Roger was born November 15, 1937, in Springfield, MN to Helmer and Martha Anderson.
 
On September 1, 1962, he married Barbara Jacobsen of Morgan, MN. She survives, as do his three daughters, Terry (Tucker) Cawthorn of North Carolina, Jodi (Doug) Bonnerup of Albert Lea and Lori (special friend Eric Teed) Freeberg of Rochester.
 
Roger was blessed with six beautiful grandchildren who were the joy of his life; Katie & Kelsey Cawthorn of North Carolina and Spencer, Judd, Blair and Brandon Bonnerup of Albert Lea.
 
Additional surviving family members include two sisters, Norma Schultz and Sylvia Anderson; two sisters-in-law, Carol Otto and Marjorie Knapp; as well as several nieces and nephews.
 
Roger graduated from Springfield High School in 1955. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1955-1958. His plumbing career started with Schultz Plumbing & Heating in Lamberton. He also worked as a plumber with Scheible Plumbing and Osborne Plumbing & Heating of New Ulm. In 1976, he moved his family to Kasson, MN and started Anderson Plumbing & Heating, which he operated until his retirement in 2004.
 
Roger enjoyed outdoor activities with his family such as camping, boating, water skiing, fishing, snowmobiling, motorcycle riding and travelling. In later years, he took up the hobby of stained glass and enjoyed driving his little red convertible. His evenings were filled with watching “The Big Bang Theory” and its many reruns. He also enjoyed wintering in Arizona, playing shuffleboard and sharing coffee and apple fritters with friends.
 
Visitation will be Saturday, February 27, 2016, from 9:30-11:00 am at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 301 8th Ave NW, Kasson, MN. The memorial service will follow the visitation at 11:00 am with Pastor Randy Fett officiating. Burial will be at Maple Grove Cemetery, Kasson, MN at a later date.
 
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the church or the charity of the donor’s choice.

Luverne Donald Wendler, 82, of Kasson, MN passed away peacefully on February 23, 2016, at Cottagewood Senior Communities in Rochester as a result of dementia related illness.
 
Born September 9, 1933 in Kenyon, MN to Carl and Elsie Wendler, Luverne grew up in rural West Concord where he attended country school through 8th grade. He then attended and graduated from West Concord High School in 1951. On his 20th birthday, he enlisted in the army alongside his twin brother Eugene and served overseas during the Korean conflict.
 
Upon return from the service, both Luverne and his twin worked briefly at Jostens in Owatonna and on the iron range in Northern Minnesota, with both eventually settling into long-time careers at IBM in Rochester.
 
Luverne met Nancy Sue Howard on her 21st birthday in 1961. They wed on her birthday one year later, February 24, 1962, at The Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. They made their home in West Concord and raised four children; Cindy (Scott) Bartholomew of Kasson, Don Wendler of Kasson, Lisa (Jeff) Cummins of Owatonna, and Jen Oberle of Byron. Later they moved to Kasson where they have resided since 2004.
 
Known to many as “LD”, he enjoyed bowling, fishing and golfing. He shared his love of spending time with family and enjoyed many memorable family vacations and camping trips with his kids and grandkids, whom he absolutely adored. He loved being outdoors, acting selling and making people smile. Luverne and Nancy spent several winters with his brother, Gene, and sister-in-law Millie in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
 
Survived by his wife of 54 years (Nancy), four children; eight grandchildren, Cassi (Brian) Garness, Jesica (Rick) French, Adam Bartholomew, Sam Bartholomew, Rebecca Cummins, Marissa Cummins, Jacob Oberle and Tyler Oberle; six great-grandchildren; twin brother Eugene (Millie) of Kasson; and several nieces and nephews.
 
He was preceded in death by four brothers; Darrell, Carlton, Curtis and Allen.
 
He was a member of the West Concord American Legion and former long-time member of the West Concord Lion’s Club and the United Methodist Church of West Concord. Most recently, Luverne attended the Community Celebration Church of Kasson along with his wife until he was no longer able.
 
Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Thursday, March 3, 2016 at the Community Celebration Church, 27337 County Highway 34, Kasson, MN with Pastor Steve Larson officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday, March 2, 2016 from 4:00-7:00 pm at Dibble Funeral Home, 213 W. Main Street, Kasson, 507/634-2331, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. There will be no reviewal.

Dolores A. Carrico, 86, former Kasson, MN resident passed away peacefully in the loving arms of her family on Tuesday, March 8 at Meadows on Fairview, Wyoming, MN where she was a resident for over seven years.
 
Dolores was preceded in death by stillborn daughter Deborah Ann, husband Patrick, parents Harold and Dorothy Sheppard, and special grandmother Mae Hemingway. Survived by son Tom (Nancy) Little, sister Diane Lehman, nephews Bruce Himle and Forrest (Jenny) Lehman, and great nephews Quentin, Riley and Jacob Lehman.
 
Dolores was born December 6, 1929 in Kenosha, WI. She grew up in Rochester, MN and Kasson with her identical twin sister Diane and graduated from Kasson High School. She married John Little, also of Kasson, in 1948. During their 32 marriage they lived in Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, Owatonna, and Minnetonka MN. During that time she was part of the first group of respiratory therapists at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park. She also worked at Sears in Minnetonka 7-Hi shopping center, and Schmelz Brothers Volkswagen.
 
In 1970 Dolores started attending college at Metropolitan Community and Augsburg Colleges. She eventually earned her bachelor’s degree, masters of social work and RN degrees. Dolores worked as a respiratory therapist at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis and as a registered nurse at St. Paul Ramsey Hospital (now named Regions Hospital) in addition to other hospitals.
In the early to mid-1970s, she cared for her beloved grandmother Mae at home until she needed more care than Dolores could provide. Mae passed in 1975, just before her 100th birthday.
 
During the 1970s, in addition to her other careers, Dolores worked at the well-known Charlie’s Café Exceptionale in Minneapolis and made many good friends there.
 
In the 1980s, Dolores worked as a nurse at VA hospital in California and met her second husband Patrick Carrico as a patient there. They married and maintained homes in Minneapolis and Stockton, CA. They enjoyed being with relatives in both locations and enjoyed vacationing in Hawaii. Patrick contracted cancer in the mid-1990s and Dolores cared for him at home until he passed in 1996.
 
Dolores returned to Kasson and cared for her mother Dorothy through her journey at home until she passed in 1999.
 
Her identical twin sister, Diane, donated a kidney to her.
 
As her last career, she founded Dodge County Pet Rescue and placed hundreds of dogs and cats in their forever homes.
Dolores never said “no” to any person or any animal that needed her help.
 
The family wishes to thank the staff at Meadows on Fairview for their loving care of Dolores for over seven years, Fairview Lakes HomeCaring & Hospice for all their support during her 15 month journey, and all the therapy dogs and handlers that brought joy to her.
 
Donations are suggested to the pet rescue organization of your choice.
 
There will be an informal gathering of friends and family 1:00 – 3:00 pm March 26th, following a private graveside service.
 
Coffee and refreshments will be served.
The gathering is being held at:
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
101 First Street NE
Kasson MN
Please join us and share memories of Dolores.

Harold Solberg, 77, of Kasson, MN passed away March 18, 2016 at St. Mary’s Hospital, Rochester, MN.
 
He was born June 1, 1938 to Adolf and Alice Solberg in Rushford, MN. He served in the U.S. Army from 1956-1958. On November 13, 1960 he married Janet Iverson in rural Kasson, MN. They had four children who they raised in Kasson, MN.
 
He loved his family above all else and showed his love daily, spending as much time with them as he could. He was ready to help anyone, with anything, at any time. He was a very social person, whether visiting family and friends or striking up a conversation with a stranger. People loved him and his kind and witty personality.
 
Harold enjoyed attending his grandkids’ sporting events, coffee with his friends at Erdman’s, daily walks, gardening, and all outside yard work. He created lasting memories with family and friends through many years of camping and snowmobiling.
 
Harold is survived by his wife Janet; four children, Dean Solberg (Sandi) of Byron, Julie Solberg-Eidenschink of Kasson, Craig Solberg (Jan) of Kasson, and Colleen Solberg (Ben) of Owatonna; five grandchildren, Donelle Sandeno of Mantorville, Jake Sandeno of Peterson, Dylan Solberg of Port St. Lucie, FL, and Nikki Eidenschink and Abby Eidenschink of Kasson; one great-grandson, Jeron Sandeno of Mantorville; sisters Carolyn Wagner (Lee) of Hammond, Janel Torgerson of Byron and Noreen Remund (Lonnie) of Mankato and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Wallace Solberg and granddaughter Taylor Solberg.
 
A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 301 8th Ave NW, Kasson, MN on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at 11:00 am with Pastor Dana O’Brien officiating. Visitation will be at the church on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 from 5:00-7:00 pm. Inurnment will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens, Rochester, MN at a later date.
 

Margaret J. “Muggs” Glidden, 80, of Tuscumbia, Alabama, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, March 29, 2016 with family by her side. She was born December 23, 1935 in Kasson, Minnesota.
 
Margaret worked her entire career as a surgical technician at Methodist Hospital in Rochester, MN and later in Scottsdale, AZ. She was married to William Glidden and they were later divorced.
 
She particularly liked to bake sugar cookies, rosettes and banana cream pies. Margaret loved gardening, hiking, going to hockey games with her son and watching any kind of sport on television.
 
She is survived by sons Terry (Cathy) and John Troy; sister Barbara (Donald); brothers Milton (Marcia), Richard (Prudence) and Philip; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
 
A Celebration of Margaret’s Life will be held Saturday, April 9, 2016, 10:00 am – Noon at the Dibble Funeral Chapel, 213 W. Main St., Kasson, MN. There will be no reviewal.
 
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Memorial services for Evelyn L. Suhr will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2016, at 11:00 am at the First Congregational Church, 515 Walnut Street, Mantorville, MN. Visitation with family and friends will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

The full obituary will follow as available.