All Obituaries

Norbert L. “Norby” Ira, age 87, of Fort Atkinson, Iowa, died Thursday, September 12, 2019, at Regional Health Services of Howard County in Cresco, IA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church on Tuesday, September 17, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. with Father Aaron Junge officiating.  Visitation will be held on Tuesday, at the church for one hour prior to the service.  Burial will be in St. Vincent de Paul Cemetery in West Concord, MN at 11:00 a.m....

Dave Schmidt, 77, of Preston, passed away Thursday, September 12, 2019, at Chosen Valley Care Center. Dave was born March 30, 1942, son of Gerald and Carol (Hahn) Schmidt.  After graduating from Preston High School, he went on to college at Wartburg College for two years, and then transferred to the University of Minnesota; where he graduated with honors. In 1965, he married Jeanette Larsen at Christ Lutheran Church in Preston. After college, Dave worked for a year at Hormel in...

James "Jim" Thompson, 87, of Preston, MN died Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at Traditions Assisted Living in Preston. Jim was born to Elmer and Aurelia (Krause) Thompson on November 19, 1931. He graduated from Preston High School. Jim married Joyce Ericson on January 8, 1966. They were later divorced. Jim farmed in rural Preston for several years. He retired in 1998 due to having a stroke. Sadly, his life was forever changed.  He had a...

David L. Vogel, age 76, passed away on Tuesday, September 10, 2019, at the Iowa Veteran’s Home in Marshalltown, Iowa. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m., Monday, September 16, 2019, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Riceville with Father Jerry Kopacek officiating. Burial was in the Calvary Cemetery in Riceville.  Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 15, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., at Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home Riceville, and will continue one hour...

Ellis A. Ruesink, age 80, of Harmony, MN died Tuesday, September 10, 2019 at Harmony Care Center. Ellis Arlo Ruesink was born July 15, 1939 to Harold and Pearl (Gysbers) Ruesink in Preston, MN. He graduated from Wykoff High School in 1957 and continued his education in LaCrosse, WI, earning two Associates degrees. On May 1, 1965, he was united in marriage with Beverly Zitzow at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in St. Charles, MN. Ellis worked in security at Mayo Clinic for 36 years. Following...

Barbara C. Potthoff, age 79, of Spring Valley, MN died September 10, 2019, at Cottagewood in Rochester, MN. Barbara Cecelia Powers was born in St. Paul, MN on June 24, 1940 to William and Genevive (Theissen) Powers. On June 6, 1966 she was united in marriage to Raymond Theodore Potthoff. Barb taught in Spring Valley for 15 years and taught at Harmony area schools from 1984-1995 and Fillmore Central schools from 1995-2005. She was a very loving wife and mother, and was a person who cared for...

Memorial services for Anne L. Whalen will be held 1 PM Friday, September 13, 2019 at Hindt Funeral Home in Grand Meadow, MN. Anne Whalen, age 73, of Minneapolis, MN, Waterloo, IA, and LeRoy, MN died Tuesday, September 10, 2019 at Grand Meadow Healthcare Center.  She was born August 10, 1946 in Buffalo, NY to Francis and Lois Whalen. She attended and graduated from West High School in Waterloo, IA in 1964. She then attended the University of Northern Iowa and then moved to Morristown,...

Lois E. Hanson, age 79, died September 9, 2019, at Ostrander Care Center, surrounded by her family. Lois Eleanore Kolve was born January 1, 1940, daughter of Elmer and Hazel (Longseth) Kolve in Eau Claire, WI.  On August 30, 1958, Lois married James Arthur Hanson at Lookout Lutheran Church in Wisconsin.  She liked going on motorcycle rides with Jim, dancing to old time music, and playing cards.  She also enjoyed crocheting and fishing.  She loved to spend time with her...

Monsignor Francis A. Galles went home to his heavenly Father, at the age of 92, on September 7, 2019 at Traditions of Preston. Francis A. Galles was born in Iona, Minnesota on March 8, 1927 to Charles and Virginia (Boltz) Galles.  There were ten children in the Galles family.  Leona, Lawrence, Eugene, Charles, Lester, Sylvester, Clara, Gerald, Francis, and Rose Virginia. At the age of 18, Francis left home to study for the priesthood at Loras College in Dubuque, IA.  From...

James "Jimmy" F.  Sweeney, died September 6th, 2019, at the Riceville Family Care and Therapy Center, Riceville, Iowa.  Jimmy had previously lived at the Howard Residential Care Facility since 1977.  When Jimmy’s health condition required a higher level of care, he was transferred to the Riceville Home in 2015. Marilyn and Buzz Ott obtained guardianship in 1977 and brought Jimmy from Woodward to the Howard County Care Farm in 1977.  Jimmy enjoyed the...