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Mardelle M. Holmes
Mardelle M. Holmes, age 98, of Hastings, MN, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 11, 2025. She was born on December 5, 1926, in Storm Lake, Iowa to Thomas and Anna (Hasse) Hansen.
Mardelle met her future husband, R.A. "Dick" Holmes, through a family connection. Before their marriage, she attended Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, IA, earning a two-year teaching degree. Mardelle's teaching career was brief but meaningful as she taught for one year in a one-room schoolhouse in Schaller, IA.
Mardelle and Dick were married on Friday, May 28, 1947. They shared 55 years of marriage before Dick's passing on September 23, 2002.
The couple initially farmed near Alta, IA, before relocating to a new farm in Minnesota in 1955. Two years later, they transitioned to city life and settled in Hastings. For most of her married life, Mardelle was a dedicated full-time mother and homemaker. She ensured her three children attended church regularly and actively participated in church life by teaching Sunday school and singing in the choir.
In her free time, Mardelle enjoyed crossword puzzles, crocheting intricate doilies, and knitting hats, mittens, scarves, afghans, and the occasional sweater. She also loved reading and embroidery.
When her youngest child started second grade, Mardelle pursued work outside the home. She worked at the Dakota County Courthouse on 3rd and Vermillion Streets in Hastings. During her 17-year career, she served as a clerk in the treasurer's office and the auditor's office before retiring.
Mardelle and Dick shared a love of dancing and cherished short road trips, which often included fishing and boating near their second home at Rush Lake, MN. Dick's job also gave Mardelle the opportunity to travel with him to Chicago, Kansas City, and the Alamo in Texas. The couple also enjoyed family visits and class reunions in Iowa. However, their happiest memories were made at Rush Lake, where they lived for nearly 40 years before retiring to Hastings.
Mardelle was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Anna Hansen; her husband, R.A. "Dick" Holmes; her children, Hugh Holmes and Alice Harris; her sisters, Mickey Huseman and Marjorie Holmes; her son-in-law, Kenneth Harris; brothers-in-law, Donald Holmes Sr. and Robert Huseman; three nephews; and one niece.
She is survived by her daughter, Barbara Holmes of Zephyrhills, FL; her grandchildren, Richard Harris of Hastings and Hannah Harris of Coats, MN; as well as five nephews and two nieces.
The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to the Hastings Fire and Ambulance Service for their assistance when it was needed. Deep gratitude also goes to the caregivers from Allina Hospice, Home Instead, and Home Senior Care for their kindness, meal preparation, laundry assistance, and companionship. A special thanks to the doctors and nurses who ensured Mardelle's final days were comfortable. Lastly, the family thanks the staff at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel for their compassionate support during Mardelle's final journey.
Services will be held at a later date.
Michael J. Bauer
Michael J. Bauer, age 77, of Hastings, passed away at home January 7, 2025.
Mike was born in Hastings on November 1, 1947, to Laurence and Evelyn (Tray) Bauer. On April 25, 1970, he married the love of his life, Barbara Nielsen, and they shared almost 55 years of happiness together. Mike was a passionate hunter and fisherman, always finding joy in the outdoors. Above all, he cherished his family, his beloved wife, Barb, and their wonderful children and grandchildren.
Mike is preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his loving wife, Barb Bauer; children, Lisa (Dave) Foster, Julie (Chad) Illa, Travis (Jolene) Bauer, and Brandon (Cara) Bauer; grandchildren, Jake and Alex (Meghan); Sierra (Cody), Georgia (Matt), Liana (Aiden), and Elysia (Stephen); Lexy (Tyler) and Karlee (Amanda); and Marie, Aidan and Sydney; siblings, Larry (Nancy) Bauer, Kathleen (Tom) Myers, Julie (Gordon) Borner, and Jeff (Debbie) Bauer; and many other relatives and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday (1/18) from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel, 3075 Vermillion St. in Hastings.
Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers to the American Heart Association.
Dorthy Mae (McClellan)Meier
Dorothy Mae (McClellan) Meier, age 95, passed away at her home surrounded by family and care givers on January 8, 2025. She was born on April 14, 1929 in Escanaba, Michigan. She was united in marriage to Eugene (Gene) Meier on May 16, 1950. They raised five children on the Meier farm. She was a full-time homemaker, who worked hard to put delicious meals on the table, keep her house clean and tend to raising her family.
In 1972, she and Gene were part of the co-founders of Joy Lutheran Church. She was an excellent knitter and seamstress. Each day, after finishing meal clean up, she would sit down to watch tv and work on her projects. She loved crosswords, especially cryptograms. She read the paper daily and enjoyed non-fiction. She and Gene loved cabin life in Northern Wisconsin, especially when their kids and grandkids would come.
Dorothy is survived by her children Tim (Anne), Jim (Toni), John (Jenny), Teresa (Tom) and Joel (Mary Jo), 14 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her mother Marjorie Irene (Ramspeck) McClellan, her father Archibald Zenus McClellan, her husband Eugene (Gene) Meier, her sister Libby (McClellan) Gerner and infant grandchild Jason.
A Memorial Service for Dorothy will be at 12:00pm on Friday, January 24, 2025, at Joy Lutheran Church: 1435 St. Croix St, Prescott, WI 54021. A visitation will start at 10:00am until the start of the service. Interment will be at Pine Glen Cemetery in Prescott.
Services are entrusted to the O'Connell Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Prescott. For further details, please see www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com, or call 715-262-5404.
Joanne (Josie) C. Keichler
Joanne (Josie) C. Keichler, age 86, of Hastings, MN, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 11, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Josie was diagnosed with cancer in April of 2024 and faced her illness with incredible strength, grace, and a fierce determination to live life fully.
Josie was born on May 29, 1938, in Hastings to Anthony and Gladys (Madison) Holman and spent her entire life in the town she adored. She grew up in a house full of warmth, love, and laughter and built childhood friendships that lasted a lifetime.
During her teenage years, she embraced all that the 50s had to offer, including roller skating and poodle skirts, Elvis's music, Twin Kiss ice cream parlor trips, and visits to Oliver's Drug Store for chocolate sodas. She graduated from Hastings High School in 1956 and a few years later met the love of her life, a Prescott boy named Ronald Keichler. The two married on June 18, 1960, and their love story continued for nearly 40 years until Ron's passing in 2000.
Together, Josie and Ron raised two children, Scott and Carrie. She poured her heart into raising her children in a house full of love, and family traditions were central to her life. Whether it was long fall drives, Holiday celebrations, or weekly family get-togethers, Josie found joy in life's simple pleasures and made the most of every moment. She celebrated with her family during the high points and supported them through the low points.
Everyone who knew Josie described her as having a smile that lit up a room and a quick wit to lighten the mood. She had a remarkable ability to make deep, lasting friendships that she cherished for many decades. Her caring nature and genuine interest in others made her someone everyone wanted to be around.
Josie will be remembered for her relentless optimism and fighting spirit during life's challenges. She had open heart surgery at 36, lost her parents and brother in her late 40s/early 50s, and the love of her life at 61. At 74, she would beat breast cancer, and at 85, she would take on yet another battle with cancer. Her relentless zest for life, love of her family and friends, and deep faith carried her through. Josie would never accept cancer as a death sentence but instead chose to live her life to the very fullest. She modeled how to face adversity with courage and treat each day as a gift.
Josie's strong faith in God was a cornerstone of her life and her source of strength through each bend in the road. Her faith inspired all who knew her, and she lived with a heart full of gratitude, kindness, and love.
Josie is survived by her son, Scott Keichler; daughter, Carrie (Scott) Heimer; grandchildren, Karina Glazier, Brittany (Paul Koerner) Heimer, and Alexa Heimer; two great-grandchildren, Elouise and Bernadette; many other cherished family and friends; and her beloved "grand pets."
She is preceded in death by her husband, Ron Keichler; parents, Anthony and Gladys Holman; and brother, Warren Holman.
A service to honor Josie's life will be held on Friday, January 17, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel, 3075 Vermillion St, Hastings, MN 55033. A visitation will occur one hour before the service, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Cemetery in Hastings, followed by a reception at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel.
The family would like to say a special thank you to all the caregivers that supported Josie along her journey.
The family will wear pink or blue in honor of Josie's favorite colors and invites others to do the same if they choose.
Charles "Chuck" Bungert
Charles "Chuck" Bungert, age 92 of Hastings, formerly of Richfield, passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 7, 2025.
Charles Michael was born on November 3, 1932 in Bloomington, Minnesota to Ferdinand and Dorothy (Haeg) Bungert, one of their fifteen children.
Chuck proudly served his county in the United States Army for three years. On April 8, 1968, Chuck married Nancy Paquette in Savage, Minnesota. They lived in Richfield their entire life until recently moving to Hastings to be closer to their family. Chuck was a jack of all trades and a handyman. He moved furniture for 18 years, worked in building maintenance at an apartment complex in Edina and later at a hotel in Bloomington.
He enjoyed gardening, fishing - both ice and summer, spending time with family and friends, but most of all, he liked to be in his garage. Chuck could be found tinkering at all hours, rebuilding lawnmowers and campers, fixing just about anything, and helping others with building projects.
He is preceded in death by his infant son, Steven Bungert; his parents, Ferdinand and Dorothy Bungert; and by his 12 siblings.
Chuck is survived by his wife of 56 years, Nancy Bungert; daughters, Sharon Jacobsen, Sue (Paul) Severson, Deborah (Bob) Pappenfus, Donna (Quent) Bradley; eight grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-granddaughter; sisters, Joan (Jerry) Crawford, Mary Jones; and by many nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
A Funeral Service for Chuck will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 13, 2025 at Starkson Funeral Home with a visitation one hour prior to the time of the service. A private family interment will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis.
Roland John Snell
Roland John Snell, Farmington, Minnesota, 72, passed away unexpectedly on December 27 in Arizona. He was born August 3, 1952 in Shakopee, Minnesota to Roland and Lorraine Snell.
He is survived by his loving wife Julie, step-son Christopher Mart (Brenna Butzer), mother Lorraine (Rose) Snell, brother Bob (Becky) Snell, sister Roxanne (Norii) Bundy (Curt) and sister Rochelle (Shelly) Snell along with numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Roland had many interests in his life including music - loved to play guitar and back the choir at St. Michaels, all types of stock car racing, attending live theater, horse racing, gardening, working out at the gym with all of his buddies, and cooking - especially to entertain family and friends.
A celebration of his life will be held on Tuesday, January 14th at 11 am with visitation one hour before at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Farmington, MN.
In lieu of flowers please feel free to make a donation in Roland's name to your favorite charity.
John G. Yen
John G. Yen, age 83, of Hastings, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2025.
John was born on January 26, 1941, to Hui-Yuan Yan and Elise Glaser in Berlin, Germany. As a young child, he lived with his family in Taiwan and attended a boarding school where he learned English. In the 1950s, he moved to Minnesota with his mother and sister, settling in St. Cloud, where he later met his wife, Lynn. He was proud to become a US Citizen on November 15, 1961.
He was a member of the Navy Reserves from 1959 to 1963, and later served his country in active duty from 1963 to 1965. He was stationed on the USS Coral Sea, off the coast of Vietnam.
When he was 8 years old, he was given a discarded Brownie camera by a member of the US military, thus starting a love of photography which would define the rest of his life both professionally and personally. Rarely seen without a camera in hand, his entire thirty-year career was spent in commercial photography, rendering professional images of a wide range of products for companies including 3M, Honeywell, and Target, to name a few.
In his spare time, his eye for artistry also never rested, yielding an enormous collection of exquisite moments in time. Rushing rivers, foggy fields, fragile blooms, tiny toads - every image displays his impeccable sense of framing, contrast, balance and focus.
In 1962, he married his partner in life, Lynn (née Angier), and together they created a family they adored. They built their first home in Cottage Grove, MN, in 1970, raising their two children in that community before moving to Hastings in 1988, where they enjoyed many years together until his death.
John was a real life "MacGyver" and will be remembered for his brilliant and creative solutions to everyday problems. He loved time with family, dogs, and ice cream, and his perfect day combined all three. He will be missed.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Hui-Yuan Yan and Elise Glaser.
John is survived by his wife of 62 years, Lynn Yen; daughter, Lisa (Gregory) Walsh; by his son and his family; grandchildren, Jessica (Nick) Varkonyi, Jared (Ashley) Walsh, Rachel (Dan Charleston) Walsh; two great-grandchildren; and by his sister, Ping Yen.
A Celebration of Life for John will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 25, 2025 at Starkson Funeral Home in Hastings. Military honors to be provided by Hastings VFW Lyle Russell Post 1210.
Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, January 24 at the funeral home, and for one hour prior to the service on Saturday.
Irene Finholdt (Johnson)
Irene Finholdt (Johnson), age 99, of Hastings, passed away on Friday, January 3, 2025 in New Richmond, WI.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Harry; and parents and siblings.
She is survived by children, Craig Finholdt, Dawn Finholdt, and Kim Kral; step-daughter, Carole Madsen; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and friends.
A funeral service for Irene will be held Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at 11 am at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel, 3075 Vermillion Street, Hastings, MN with a visitation one hour prior.
Interment will be at Lakeside Cemetery in Hastings.
Arrangements are being handled by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.
Paul "Bob" R. Brabec
Paul "Bob" R. Brabec, age 79, of Hastings, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on January 1, 2025.
Paul Robert was born on September 14, 1945 in Reno, Nevada to Paul and Antoinette (Lefebvre) Brabec.
Bob worked at 3M for 43 years after getting a degree in 1975 as a Chemical engineer at the International Correspondence Schools, and the University of Minnesota. He enjoyed trap shooting as a member of the 3M Trap and Skeet club. Bob was an active member of the South St. Paul Rod and Gun club. He enjoyed his Corvette "light speed" as well as racing his 55 Chevy in his earlier years.?Besides making the best smoked salmon spread, he previously taught the Advanced Hunter education course through the MN DNR.??Bob was a long standing member of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Church.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Frank Brabec; sister-in-law, Frances Karnick; brother-in-law, Rollie Karnick; and by his many Labradors.
Bob is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mitzi; children, Cheri (John) Storkamp, Scott (Melissa) Brabec; grandchildren, Emma Storkamp, Tyson Brabec, Jager Brabec, Leo Brabec; brother-in-law, Ed Karnick; sister-in-law, Irma (Todd) Peine; and by many nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Hastings with a visitation one hour prior to the Mass. Interment at the parish cemetery.
Ronald "Ron" Clay Lovejoy
Ronald "Ron" Clay Lovejoy passed away at his home on December 30th, 2024, at the age of 83. Born on October 24, 1941, in Red Wing, Minnesota, Ron lived in Ravenna Township for nearly his entire life, apart from four years of honorable service in the U.S. Navy.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Dorothy Lovejoy, and his sister, Donna Yager.
Ron is survived by his wife of 52 years, Betty Lovejoy; his sister, Carolyn Emrick (Dennis); his children, Lisa McGivern, Natalie Lovejoy (Jacob), and Brandon Lovejoy; and his grandchildren, Charlie, Veronica, Lucinda, Pieta, and Oliver.
Ron worked for 30 years as a boiler engineer at Regina Memorial Hospital before becoming self-employed. A licensed pilot, he loved flying his J3 Cub and sharing his passion for aviation. He also designed and built hang gliders and taught hang gliding lessons.
An inventor at heart, Ron enjoyed working with wood and plastics. He also loved shooting pool with family and friends, sharing laughter and camaraderie. Known for his excellence in craftsmanship, pioneering spirit, playful shenanigans, and readiness to help others, Ron leaves a legacy of love and ingenuity.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1 PM on January 10th, 2025 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hastings, MN, with visitation one hour prior. Interment will follow at the parish cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel in Red Wing, Minnesota.
Merle A. Arndtson
Merle A. Arndtson, age 91, of Hastings, MN, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 28, 2024, surrounded by his loving family at Hastings Senior Health and Living.
Born on September 22, 1933, the son of Ove and Josie (Kragtorp) Arndtson in Bingham Lake, MN. He grew up in southwestern Minnesota farming with his parents and 3 brothers. After graduating high school in Lamberton, MN in 1951 and spending 2 years in the Army he met Eloise Halverson, fell in love, married her and began their life together to raise 7 children. They settled in Hastings and have lived there for 55 years.
What can you say about a man who has done so many things and touched so many lives? His life was like confetti, fun, messy and spread everywhere! He was skilled in many things and held positions/jobs in multiple places. He retired from 16 years of employment at 3M in 1999 then traveled in their RV to work at National bowling tournaments across the country. If he could drive it, he would travel it!
Merle developed an interest in bowling so much so that he wanted everyone to have the opportunity to love this sport, so he poured his heart and soul into building a bowling center on the north side of Hastings known as "Arnies Showboat Lanes". His children and several grandchildren have caught his passion and continue this on to this day. And boy did he love to coach others or even just talk about bowling. He would be proud to share that he achieved the perfect score of bowling not once or twice but FOUR times!!
He also had another great love and that was baseball. A Minnesota Twins fan thru and thru. He enjoyed the many years of playing softball on the church league.
This man loved to chat and share his life stories with just about anyone who would listen. He loved people, he loved life. He was the most generous person and wanted to help anyone in any way that he could, even if that meant giving his shirt off his own back. If you knew him, you loved him because he treated everyone like family. Anyone was welcome at his table.
Merle is survived by his wife, Eloise of 67 years, 7 children, Randy (Lynn), Bruce (Brenda), Cheryl (Jeff) Conklin, Kent (Gary), Scot (Kim), Wendy (Jeff) Human, Kari (Richard) Seaman, 14 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
Proceeded in death by his parents and 3 brothers.
He will be missed more that words can express. If able, our family would love if you would join us in celebrating/honoring his life. On Monday, please feel free to wear anything related to bowling or the MN Twins.
A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at St. Phillip's Lutheran Church, 1401 15th Street W., Hastings, MN. Pastor Gregory Geier will officiate. Visitation will take place from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Monday, December 30, at St. Phillip's, and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church.
A luncheon will follow the service at church. Burial will follow at Lakeside Cemetery in Hastings, MN, with full military honors.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials to Disabled Vets, Hastings Family Service or towards a memorial bench are preferred in his memory.
Ann Skoglund
Ann Skoglund, 82, of Hastings, died early in the morning on December 25, 2024. Ann cherished Christmas, and her family chooses to believe that she hung on until she could experience the holiday one last time before departing to spend the rest of the day with her deceased husband and family members.
She was born on February 28, 1942, to Milo McWilliams and Mary Jo (Hummer) McWilliams in Cherokee, Iowa. Her family moved to Ottumwa, Iowa, where Ann graduated from Ottumwa Heights Academy, notwithstanding the fact the school building burned down during fire prevention week and her class needed to relocate to buildings at the Ottumwa Municipal Airport. She grew up working at her father's drugstore in Ottumwa. Ann began college studies at Ottumwa Heights before transferring to and graduating from Saint Louis University. After college, she worked as an elementary school teacher.
Ann married Ron Skoglund on August 6, 1966. They moved from Milwaukee to Madison to Chicago to New Brighton before settling in Hastings, where they had two children, Michael and Molly. While Ann initially stayed home with her children, she eventually went back to work for the Tanner & Ring law firm (as it was then known), Lifespan of Minnesota, and the Sieben Polk law firm in various administrative capacities.
Ann was an avid traveler who visited all fifty states as well as Austria, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Palestine, Portugal, Scotland, Slovenia, the former Soviet Union, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and the Vatican City. She was a theater-goer, a reader who subscribed to four newspapers and countless magazines, a constant public-radio listener, and a world-class Diet Coke drinker. She took great pride in walking 10,000 steps a day and was happiest when she could do so with her friends. Ann would never turn down, or be unwilling to share, a good sweet.
She was a lifetime advocate for education and a dedicated supporter of the American Association of University Women. She was elected to the School Board of Hastings Public Schools and served as its Chairperson when the district built the new high school. She volunteered to support the public libraries, to call young people to remind them they had court appointments, to staff the Regina Hospital gift shop, and to team up with friends to advocate for grass-roots progressive causes.
Ann was a devout Catholic, attending Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton in Hastings and the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis. She was raised by her parents to have a deep love for Christmas and she shared that value through the decorations in her house (including up to six themed Christmas trees), candy making with the ladies in the C.L.C. ("Candy, Lunch & Crafts"), and the many thoughtful traditions and gifts she shared with her children and grandchildren.
Like many people, Ann dealt with health challenges toward the end of her life. She would not have been able to remain independent at her beloved house in Hastings without the assistance and compassion of the community that drove her to appointments, helped her around the house, shoveled her driveway, and included her in walks by the riverfront, meals at the Hastings Golf Club, book clubs, and trips to the theater. When she was diagnosed with cancer this summer, that community came together again - with the dedicated support of her family and her teams at Allina Health Care, Pillars of Prospect Park assisted living in Minneapolis, and Grace Hospice - to make her remaining months as comfortable and dignified as possible.
Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Ron; her sister, Mary McWilliams; and her parents, Milo and Mary Jo (Hummer) McWilliams.
She is survived by her children, Michael (Nicole Moen) and Molly McKelley (Ryan); four beloved grandchildren, Madeline McKelley, Milo Skoglund, Annabel McKelley, and Freya Skoglund; and two "grand pups," Rosie and Luna.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Hastings with a visitation one hour prior to the Mass at the church. Reception to follow in Mother Seton Hall. Interment at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Cemetery, Hastings.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the Hastings branch of the AAUW or Hastings Family Service. Donations sent directly to the family will be used to support the Spark Grants fund that provides educational opportunities in classrooms throughout Hastings Public Schools. And, for those of you who share a love of Diet Coke, please raise a can in honor of Ann.
Doris J. Herman
Doris J. Herman, age 88, of Hastings, MN, was peacefully called home on Thursday, December 19, 2024.
Doris was born on July 23, 1936 in Vermillion, MN to Joe and Ann Brummel. She married the love of her life, Duane Herman, of Hastings, on June 23, 1956. They were happily married for 68 wonderful years and had five children: Patty, Pam, Tom, Bill, and Richard.
Doris had many things she loved in life. First and foremost, her love for Jesus, her birthday dinner cruises on the Treasure Island Spirit of the Water, cooking (her favorite meal was spaghetti), watching "The Lawrence Welk Show", and being a homemaker.
Doris is preceded in death by son, Richard; parents, Joe and Ann Brummel; brother, John "Jack" Brummel; and granddaughter, Angie Malm DeBerardini.
Those left to cherish her memory are her loving husband of 68 years, Duane Herman; her four children: Patty Herman Malm (Jerry Smith), Pam (Joe) Pardo, Tom (Linda)Herman, and Bill (Samantha) Herman; twelve grandchildren; eighteen great grandchildren; sisters, Shirley Sura, Joni Kuehnel; sister-in-law, Maryann Brummel; and other family and dear friends.
The visitation that was scheduled for this Sunday has been postponed. Check back here for further details as they become available.
Deborah "Deb" Tearse Duea
Deborah "Deb" Tearse Duea, age 71, of Hastings, MN, passed away on December 17th, 2024 after a hard-fought battle with leukemia.
Deb was born in Minneapolis to James and Phyllis Tearse on July 31st, 1953. She attended Washburn High School and went to Gustavus Adolphus for college. Upon graduation, Deb became a teacher, spending a majority of her 40-year career in first grade. She loved the honesty brought by that age group, but was most passionate about watching a child grasp the ability to read.
On October 19th, 1984, Deb married Tom Duea. Shortly after getting married, Tom built their home in Hastings where they raised their two children, Sarah and David.
Deb had a creative lens she applied to all of her life, it's how she saw the world. She enjoyed the simple things: nature, waking up early to see the sunrise, hiking, playing games (especially Wizard), watching sports, traveling, and taking pictures. She cared for and loved her family and friends deeply. She had a great sense of adventure, and was a positive and bright light to all.
The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
A Visitation for Deborah will be held on Friday, December 27, 2024 from 4 pm to 7 pm at Starkson Family Funeral Home.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 28, 2024 at 11 am at the funeral home, with a visitation one hour prior.
Randi M Vietoris
Randi M. Vietoris, a beloved wife, mother, teacher, and friend, passed away on December 17, 2024.
Randi was born on May 17, 1953, in Austin, Minnesota, to Elaine (Johnson) and Arnold Brustad. On December 5, 1981, she married Marty Vietoris, her devoted husband of 43 years. Together, they built a beautiful life, raising their two cherished children, Andres and Luci Vietoris.
Randi dedicated 38 years to teaching elementary students, starting in St. James, Minnesota, and later at Newport and Hillside Elementary Schools. She was loved and respected by her many students, who remember her as a patient and inspiring educator who made learning a joy.
Randi found happiness in the simple and meaningful moments of life - traveling, visiting friends and family, tending to her garden, and drawing inspiration from the gardens of others. Her hugs became a hallmark of her caring nature-she wouldn't let you leave without one!
She was preceded in death by her parents, Arnold and Elaine Brustad, and grandparents Peter and Mary Brustad, and Adolph and Annie Johnson.
Randi is survived by her loving husband, Marty; her children, Andres (Claire) and Luci Vietoris; her brothers, Rick (Joanne) Brustad and Ron (Mary) Brustad; as well as many other family members and dear friends.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, December 26, 2024, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel in Hastings, Minnesota. A memorial service will take place on Friday, December 27, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Hastings, with an additional visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Lakeside Cemetery in Hastings at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are preferred.
Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel in Hastings, Minnesota is taking care of arrangements.
