Robin Jean Buck, 47, of Kenyon, died Saturday, April 21, 2012 at St. Mary's Hospital, Rochester. She was born September 25, 1964 in Zumbrota, the daughter of Ron and Jean (Benson) Hunt. She graduated from Zumbrota High School. After high school she went to RCTC to be a medical transcriptionist. She worked for Allina Heath Systems for over 12 years. Robin married Tony Buck on December 12th, 1996. Robin was an avid Twins fan and later started to cheer for the Vikings too. She enjoyed walks and time spent with family and friends. She loved to watch her children participate in their sporting events. She was also looking forward to being a grandmother in the near future. She is survived by her husband, Tony Buck; daughters, Alissa Hester from first marriage to Dan Hester, Madison Buck; … [Read more...]

Lorna Marie (Lorenson) Flaten of Zumbrota, MN and formerly of Kenyon, MN passed away on Thursday, April 26, 2012 at Zumbrota Care Center at the age of 95. Lorna was born on February 11, 1917 in the family living area of the Skyberg cheese factory in Skyberg, MN. The daughter and eldest child of Lewis and Olga (Johnson) Lorenson. Lorna could have been named Lois Marie, but her father''s wishes prevailed and she was named Lorna. Lewis was the cheese maker at Skyberg and moved his family to rural Cannon Falls when Lorna was about 7 years old. She attended the country school at Poe''s Corner in rural Cannon Falls where she received an 8th grade diploma. She attended the Cannon Falls High School through 10th grade and then accepted domestic work with different families in the area in an … [Read more...]

Funeral services for Jerold Grove will be held Friday May 11th at 2:00 PM at Dale Lutheran Church, rural Kenyon. The Reverend Heather Culuris will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Mr. Grove, 95, of Wanamingo, died Saturday May 5, 2012 at Pine Haven Care Center in Pine Island, where he had resided the past ten months. Jerold Norris Grove was born May 26, 1916 on the Johannes T. Grove farm to Bernhard ‘Benny’ and Louise Grove. He attended the local school, and worked with his father on the farm, gradually taking over the farm interests. He also hauled milk for many years. On May 14, 1940 he married Myrtle Medora Norby from Mahnomen, Minnesota. They farmed in Wanamingo Township on the Thrond Grove homestead until 1979, and then moved to Wanamingo where they resided … [Read more...]

Dr. William E. Walter, age 86, of Wanamingo, died Sunday, April 29, 2012 at North Ridgeview Assisted Living in Kenyon. He was born on March 16, 1926, in Pine Island, to Elmer Harold and Cora Esther (Lohman) Walter of Pine Island. He graduated from Pine Island High School in 1944 and was drafted into the infantry during WWII. William spent two years in the Army being commissioned second lieutenant and spending a year in Europe and received the Purple Heart. On July 29, 1950 he married Phyllis Marion Weeks at the United Methodist Church in Pine Island. After his term of duty he enrolled in pre-medical studies at the University of Minnesota, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree, summa cum laude, and elected to Phi Beta Kappa, honorary fraternity. Continuing his education he received … [Read more...]

Clarissa O. Swanson, 91, of Edina, died Saturday, March 31, 2012, at Edina Care & Rehabilitation Center. She was born June 1, 1920, in rural Goodhue County, the daughter of Iver and Ingeborg (Nesseth) Swanson. She attended Epsom Rural School in Kenyon, and later went on to teacher’s school in Bemidji. She came back and taught in Epsom Rural School. She changed careers after a couple of years to work at Federated Insurance Company in Owatonna. She enjoyed working there and made many lifelong friends. She moved to Rochester to work for Koehler and was transferred to the Twin Cities. Clarissa loved to entertain and try new recipes. She loved to sew for herself. She spent many hours traveling to visit family and friends. She will be dearly missed by all that knew her. Clarissa … [Read more...]

Janet (Mrs. Roger) Homeier, age 91, of Wheeling Township, rural Rice County, died on Sunday, April 1, 2012, at Kenyon Sunset Home. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 4, 2012, at 11 a.m. at the Boldt Funeral Home, Faribault, with the Reverend Nancy Edwardson, chaplain of the Kenyon Sunset Home, officiating. Interment will be held at Meadow Ridge Memorial Park, Faribault. Visitation will be held at the Boldt Funeral Home, Faribault, for one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. Janet, the daughter of Calmer and Esther (Lips) Olstad, was born on Feb. 13, 1921, in Donnelly Township, Stevens County. She graduated from Kenyon High School and attended beauty school. Janet married Roger Homeier on June 9, 1942, in Nerstrand and he preceded her in death on July 16, … [Read more...]

Arnold Gust Vieths, 87, of Kenyon, died Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at Kenyon Sunset Home. He was born March 20, 1925 in Red Wing, Minnesota the son of August and Emma (Hinrichs) Vieths. He grew up on Hogsback farm in Belvidere Township and attended country school. On April 28th 1946 he married Donna Rassmussen. Arnold had several jobs including milk hauling, farming, and working at McNeilus Steel. Arnold was known as the "local scrap man." He enjoyed scrapping with his grandsons, fishing, and playing cards. He liked to be with family and his dog Rover. He is also known for holding "special drawings." Arnold is survived by his daughters, Catherine (and Darryl) Hainka, Pamela (and Tom) Friedrich; sons, Gary Vieths, Robyn (and Brenda) Vieths, William (and Theresa) Vieths; … [Read more...]

Vernon J. Ryberg, 82, of Kenyon, died Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at the Kenyon Sunset Home. He was born May 3, 1929 in Fairmont, Minnesota the son of Chester and Martha (Lips) Ryberg. He graduated with the class of 1947 from Kenyon High School, and attended the University Of Minnesota School Of Agriculture from 1947 until 1949. Vernon served in the United States Air Force from 1952-1956, and then went to carpentry school at Dunwoody Institute for two years. On June 25, 1960 Vernon was united in marriage to Shirley Smith in Dannebrog, NE. The couple lived in Rochester, and Vernon worked as a carpenter. In 1968 Vernon and Shirley began farming Southeast of Kenyon, on Vernon's third generation family farm. He was a member of Faith Community Church in West Concord, where he was involved as a … [Read more...]

James Gary "Jim" Roberts, age 52 of Kenyon, died on Thursday morning, March 29, 2012 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. Jim was born on April 8, 1959 in St. Louis Park, the only child of Gary E. and Karen A. (Harvey) Roberts. Following high school, he served with the U.S. Army. He married Sherie L. Rasmussen and they made their home in Leon Township. Jim had retired from Cardinal Glass in Northfield, and could enjoy his many interests. He enjoyed motorcycling, fishing at his cabin near Bigfork, MN and just putzing around their home. He loved the outdoors and could be found cutting firewood, making maple syrup in the spring, and gardening. He was active in the farmer's market in Cannon Falls and Dennison, and took great pride in his produce and raspberries. Jim loved … [Read more...]

Donald P. Estrem, 68, of rural Dennison, died Friday, March 30, 2012 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Born July 28, 1943 in Faribault, MN, son of Leonard and Ida (Lindstrom) Estrem. From age 4 he was raised by godparents Maurice & MaryAnn Kasa. Graduated from Northfield High School in 1961. Worked as a heavy equipment operator for Enebak Construction in Northfield from 1962-1971. United in marriage to Nordis Blegseth on February 8, 1963 in Northfield. Don started Estrem Excavating fulltime in 1971. Member of Vang Lutheran Church, & Vang Cemetery board, Dennison Lions, Goodhue County Historical Society, DNR Forestry Committee, and MN LICA. Don collected historical items and memorabilia, and was a well known historian, avid reader, and genealogist. Summers were spent … [Read more...]