Leeward Melos Schreiber, 88, of Kenyon, died Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, at Kenyon Sunset Home. Leeward was born Nov. 18, 1923, in Kenyon, Minn., the son of Roy and Lydia (Kitzman) Schreiber. Lee graduated from Kenyon High School in 1941. On June 28, 1947, he married June Hostager at Holden Church in rural Kenyon. Lee was employed at various jobs in the Kenyon area, but a majority of his time was spent working at the Kenyon Farmers Elevator, retiring from there in 1985.Lee’s love of animals was evident by the many different kinds of animals he raised including sheep, goats and numerous litters of puppies. He especially enjoyed spending time with his special boxer, Shatze. Numerous trips to the cabins at Cass Lake and Hackensack emphasized his love of the great outdoors, from fishing to … [Read more...]

Pastor Jerry Olson, 67, of Burlington, died at 10:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, 2012, at his home in Burlington, after a long struggle with cancer. Born April 20, 1944, in Kenyon, Minn., he was the son of Arnold J. and Margaret Quam Olson. On Aug. 13, 1994, he married Lynette Dohme in Burlington.Pastor Jerry was self-employed as a carpenter and pastor. He graduated from Mankato State University with a teaching degree in 1968, and received a Masters in Christian education from Wheaton College in 1989. Jerry was ordained as a Baptist minister in 1990 at West Avenue Baptist Church, where he was associate pastor and Christian education director, as well as principal of the Christian school. He was later the pastor of the First Baptist Church in LeRoy, Minn., and also had his own carpentry … [Read more...]

Donna Mae Ronning, 88, of Kenyon, died Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012, at Pine Haven Care Center. Donna was born April 8, 1923, in Faribault, the daughter of Elmer and Julia (Nobs) Smith. She graduated from West Concord High School in 1941. Life was simple growing up in Kenyon. She worked at the Blue Bird Cafe and Home Plate Cafe. She was a devoted mother to Steve and cherished the time she had with him.Donna was an intelligent lady. She shared gardening with her son and they both loved to can what they grew. Donna was up-to-date with her sports. This was something she got from her son. She is survived by Steve’s longtime friend, James Lehman, of Kenyon; and many nieces and nephews. Donna was preceded in death by her parents and her son, Steve P. Ronning. A graveside service will be … [Read more...]

Jerrold "Jerry" Clark, 73, of Medford, died Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012, at his home. Jerry was born May 26, 1938, in Faribault, Minn., the son of Jesse and Elsie (Pierce) Clark. He was raised and attended school in Kenyon where he graduated from Kenyon High School. He was united in marriage to Clara Overboe in 1961 at Dale Lutheran Church. They farmed near Kenyon before moving to Owatonna where he worked at Owatonna Scrap Iron. The couple moved to Medford in 1965 and he began driving truck for Yule Transport. He then worked for Washington Scientific in Owatonna and later for Styer Trucking out of Lakeville where he retired. Clara died in 2010.Jerry loved to fish. He enjoyed going to church dinners and visiting with friends, sometimes even with strangers. He was an outgoing man that … [Read more...]

Clyde Joseph McVary, 80, of Kenyon, died Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, at the Kenyon Sunset Home.He was born Feb. 13, 1931, in Wayzata, the son of Patrick and Odell (Pouliot) McVary. He attended Patrick Henry High School. After high school, he met Marian and they kept it touch as he joined the army to serve his country. They married on June 12, 1954, at the United Methodist Church in Nerstrand. They moved to Montana where their first child was born. They came back to Minnesota where they resided in Crystal, and shortly thereafter the family moved back to Kenyon. Clyde worked for Coast to Coast for over 35 years.Clyde had a passion for fishing and hunting, always taking his “mini” Cabela’s with him. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and … [Read more...]

Pearl Marcella Sathre, age 95, of Northfield and formerly of Randolph, died Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, at Three Links Care Center in Northfield. Pearl was born Feb. 16, 1916, in Kenyon, Minn., to Nels and Ida Jacobson. She attended country school through eighth grade and was confirmed at Holden Church near Kenyon. She married Ingvald “Nordeen” Sathre on Dec. 16, 1939, at Holden Lutheran Church. They lived and farmed in the Kenyon, Dennison and Sogn areas from 1939 to 1947, moved to Randolph in 1947 and to Northfield in 2000. Pearl was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Randolph for many years and active in Circle. She enjoyed entertaining friends and relatives and working in her flower gardens. She loved music, especially playing the harmonica and piano, and her family was … [Read more...]

Ashley Onstad, age 28, passed away Jan. 11, 2012. Ashley was born Sept. 26, 1983, to Karl and Nita (Hernandez) Onstad in Rockledge, Fla., She was the most beautiful little girl ever (to her mom and dad anyway), our little “snuggle bunny.” Ornery and stubborn to the end. Ashley was always concerned for the little ones, the “wounded birds” as we called them. She was a little softball player in Florida and a cheerleader after moving to Minnesota. She graduated from Kenyon-Wanamingo High School in Minnesota, class of 2002. Ashley’s favorite flowers were sunflowers and it always went well with her sunny disposition. She loved the Renaissance Fair and all the fairies (Tinker Bell was one of her favorites.) Ashley’s favorite activities were reading, watching movies, bowling, enjoying … [Read more...]

James M. Overby, 84, of Wanamingo, died Monday, December 19, 2011, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on September 12, 1927, on the family farm in Cherry Grove Township, Goodhue County, Minnesota, the son of Jens and Martha (Barsness) Overby. He was baptized and confirmed at Dale Lutheran Church in rural Kenyon. He attended Cherry Grove Township Country School, Northfield High School and graduated from Wanamingo High School in 1947. He then continued to farm on the family farm his entire life. He married Patricia Quimby on September 24, 1949, at the Methodist Church in West Concord. They had two children, Dianne and Roger. Pat died in 1995. He then married LaVonne (Farnum) Childs at the United Methodist Church in Randolph and they resided on the family farm in … [Read more...]

Kirk Jonathan Akre, age 51, died Friday, Dec. 16, 2011, in Orlando, Florida. Kirk was born June 9, 1960, and was adopted as an infant by Reverend Charles and Ruth Akre of Watertown, S.D. Kirk graduated from Riverview High School in Mich. in 1978. He was employed as an auto detailer. For the past several years, he has been living in St. Cloud, Florida, with his companion Suzanne Cicholski. Kirk is survived by his mother, Petra Sundheim; stepmother Sharon Sherman-Akre; siblings Kimberly (Markus) Akre, Jeffery (Andrea) Akre, and Kari Akre. Kirk was predeceased by his father, Reverend Charles H. Akre and his uncle Reverend John W. Akre, earlier this year. Cremation will be followed by services at Kenyon, Cemetery, Minn., in May of 2012. Memorials may be sent to Bierman Funeral … [Read more...]

Maebel Foss Otteson (Johnson) was born March 10, 1908, in Stockholm, Minn., to C.W. and Anna Johnson. She died in Northfield, Minnesota, on Dec. 17, 2011, at the age of 103 years, 9 months, 7 days. Maebel was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. She was a woman of steadfast Christian faith who exemplified a life of devotion given to her church, community, family and friends. She touched the lives of everyone with whom she crossed paths and left an indelible mark on each sojourner on her walk through life. She was baptized and confirmed at Stockholm Lutheran Church, graduated from Cokato (MN) High School and St. Cloud (MN) Teachers College. She taught elementary grades in one-room schoolhouses in Stockholm and Hoffman, Minn., and coached … [Read more...]