Edward Lewis Abel, age 73, of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, died on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at the Sleepy Eye Care Center. A memorial service will be held at Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye Chapel on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at 1:00 pm with visitation one hour prior to the service. The clergy will be Fr. Mark Steffl. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Sleepy Eye. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.
Edward Lewis Abel, the son of Lewis and Cecilia (Bollig) Abel, was born on September 9, 1950, in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota. Along with his seven siblings, Edward was raised in Sleepy Eye where he attended and graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic School. After graduation he attended auto-mechanic school for a short time in Pipestone. He worked for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad for a number of years as well as Sanborn Manufacturing. He was a lifelong resident of Sleepy Eye where he enjoyed golfing at the local golf course, fishing, and horseshoes. He never turned down a good game of Cribbage. Edward loved football and in the fall he could be found watching the Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Gophers.
Edward is survived by his siblings, Lewis (Eva) Abel of Fairmont, MN, Lois (Alfredo) Lee of Pearl City, HI, Elaine Nalipinski of New Richmond, WI, and Dennis Abel of Pine, AZ; nieces and nephews; and other loving relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Lewis Abel; mother, Cecilia (Teddy) McWhorter Abel; sisters, Rozanne and Mary; and brother, James.
Samaya Sue Lochner, 5-week-old daughter of Sierra Lochner of Le Mars, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, at Floyd Valley Healthcare in Le Mars.
Samaya Sue Lochner, the daughter of Sierra Lochner, was born on Sept. 18, 2023, in Le Mars. During her short time on earth, she touched many lives and was loved by many friends and family.
She is survived by her mom, Sierra Lochner of Le Mars; her Papa and Nana, Derek and Sue Lochner of Sioux City; her aunt, Cassandra Lochner of Hinton; her uncle, James Lochner of Le Mars, and his children, Lukas and Victoria; paternal great-grandmother, Rita Lochner of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota; maternal great-grandfather, Eugene Morris of Waterville, Minnesota; and several great-aunts and uncles, and cousins.
Visitation with the family present will be from 3-5 p.m., Friday, Nov. 10, at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars.
Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com.
Janice (Shaske) Hatfield, age 83, of Sleepy Eye, MN, and formerly of Faribault, MN, passed away November 3, 2023, at the Sleepy Eye Care Center.
Funeral arrangements are being completed with the Parker Kohl Funeral Home of Faribault and will be announced later.
Weilage, Larry E. Age 74, of Little Canada formally of Sleepy Eye, passed away at the VA Hospital in Minneapolis on October 28, 2023.
Larry was born Sept. 30, 1949 to Edward & Dolores (Witt) Weilage in Sleepy Eye. He attended school in Sleepy Eye, graduating in 1968. Shortly after graduation he enlisted in the US Navy and served from 1968-1972. Larry spent 1 year in Vietnam on the ship USS Mount Katmai, then joining the Army Reserves retiring after 20 years of service. Larry worked as a mobile windshield installer for Harmon Glass for many years before retirement.
He married Lynda Breen in July of 1991, and they resided together in Little Canada. Larry enjoyed watching MN sports teams, collecting memorabilia, especially baseball items, coins & gems.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Lynda and a sister in infancy; brother-in- law, Steve Bowers; and a few family pets he loved; most recently, Jasper.
Larry is survived by a sister, Charlotte Bowers of Little Canada and a brother, Stan (Mary) Weilage of Sleepy Eye; his military cousins, Ron Witt and Phil Witt; other cousins, nieces and nephews. Larry will be laid to rest at Fort Snelling at a later date with his wife. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the American Cancer Society. klecatskys.com-651-457-6200
Debra Jean Hillesheim (Swenstad), 61, of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on October 30, 2023. She was born on October 2, 1962, in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota. Debra was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.
Debra had a deep love for her family and cherished every moment spent with them. She found great joy in watching her loved ones participate in various sporting events. Debra also had a special affinity for animals and enjoyed spending her spare time crocheting.
Debra received her education in Sleepy Eye, attending both primary school and high school there. She furthered her education at Southwest Technical College.
Debra dedicated herself to her career at Sleepy Eye Care Center, where she made a positive impact on the lives of those she cared for.
Debra found solace and community at Trinity Lutheran Church, where she worshipped.
Debra will be remembered for her unwavering love for her family, her kind heart, and her gentle spirit. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Brown County Animal Shelter in Debra’s memory.
Gerald E. Schroepfer, age 98 of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, died on November 1, 2023. Visitation will be on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye Chapel and will continue on Wednesday from 10:00 am until 11:00 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church-North Entrance in Sleepy Eye. Parish Rosary will be in the church on Wednesday at 10:15 am. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at 11:00 am. The service will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/stmarysleepyeye. The clergy will be Fr. Mark Steffl. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Sleepy Eye. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.
Gerald Edmund Schroepfer, the son of Norbert and Agnes (Ruby) Schroepfer, was born on October 25, 1925, in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota. He was raised with his sister on the family farm and attended St. Mary’s Catholic School through the eighth grade. On May 5, 1953, Gerald was united in marriage to Arlene Goblirsch at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye, and they were blessed with twelve children. They raised their family on the very same farm in which Gerald was born and raised.
Gerald was a life-long dairy and row-crop farmer, beginning with horse-drawn machinery in his younger days. Determination helped him persevere through all the challenges that came with farming over the years. Gerald loved his wife and children and in his free time he enjoyed baseball, fishing, card parties, and learning new things. Playing the concertina, listening and dancing to polka music, and his loyal pet rat terriers over the years brought him much joy.
Gerald is survived by his children, Dennis (Lori) of St. Cloud, Janet (Tom) Wilfahrt of New Ulm, Pat (Judy) of Sleepy Eye, Ken (Colleen) of Pecatonica, IL, Jean (Mac) York of Flat Rock, AL, Lois (Brad) Eberhard of Castle Rock, CO, Alan (Ann) of Paynesville, Mary (Dave) Bauer of Litchfield, Colleen (Steve) Berscheit of Sleepy Eye, Sharon (John) Hauser of Sleepy Eye and Kristine (Cody) Helget of New Ulm; 68 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and other loving relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Norbert and Agnes Schroepfer; wife, Arlene Schroepfer; daughter, Sandra Sellner; and sister, Irene Richert. May he rest in peace.
Kayla R. Hulsey, age 35 of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, died on October 26, 2023. A private family service will be held. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.
Kayla Rose (Block) Hulsey, the daughter of Roger Block and Sonya (Samuelson) (Block) Goetze, was born on March 16, 1988, in St. Cloud, Minnesota. She completed her schooling in Little Falls, Minnesota in 2006. On June 9, 2006, Kayla married her best friend, Levi Hulsey, and they were blessed with five children. In 2009, Kayla and her family moved to Sleepy Eye where she enjoyed raising their children.
Kayla was a really caring person who cared about and loved everyone. She was a good cook and had a great sense of humor. She was an excellent mother who was known to take in other people’s children as her own and treated them the same as she would her own. She was always willing to help everyone and forgave easily. No one can take away her big heart from her. Kayla worked really hard, but she loved even harder. Her family meant the absolute world to her. She leaves a legacy of strength, love, and kindness and will be missed beyond measure.
Kayla is survived by her husband, Levi Hulsey of Sleepy Eye; children, Jamie, Kevin, Jonathan, Rachel, and Katie, all of Sleepy Eye; mother, Sonja Goetze of Princeton; brothers, James Block of Little Falls, Trent Harren of Princeton, and Jake Harren of Princeton; grandmother, Lois Jordan of Monticello; four aunts; four uncles; and other loving relatives and friends.
Kayla was preceded in death by her father, Roger Block.
Gerald “Boomer” R. Plahn, age 86 of Sleepy Eye, MN, went peacefully to his Heavenly home on Saturday, October 28, 2023. A visitation will be on Friday, November 3, 2023, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye Chapel and will continue on Saturday from 10:00 am until 11:00 am at Faith United Methodist Church in Sleepy Eye. A memorial service will be held at Faith United Methodist Church on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at 11:00 am. The clergy will be Rev. Michael Baker. Private family interment will be at Home Cemetery in Sleepy Eye. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.
Gerald Robert Plahn was born in Sleepy Eye on September 5, 1937, the son of Harold and Althea (Krienke) Plahn. He grew up in Sleepy Eye, graduating from Sleepy Eye Public School in 1955. He then attended and graduated from Mankato State University. After a short residence in St. Paul, Gerry moved back to his hometown of Sleepy Eye where he would spend the rest of his life.
On February 9, 1968, Gerry married Carole Judith Keller at Faith United Methodist Church in Sleepy Eye. Gerry and Carole had three children and enjoyed over 55 years together.
Gerry worked at Del Monte as the Human Resource Manager for more than 30 years until his retirement in 1999. He served his community in several positions including as a volunteer firefighter for 23 years as well as working as a bailiff for Brown County District Court and as a weed inspector for the City of Sleepy Eye. He was an active member of Faith United Methodist Church. In his free time, Gerry enjoyed fishing, hunting with his muzzle loader, wood working, collecting antiques and coins, gardening, coloring, watching Westerns, baking cookies and breads that he shared with those around him, and spending time with family. He had the gift of gab and loved talking with anyone who would listen. He also loved joking around with others.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Harold and Althea Plahn; sister, Karen (Plahn) Soby; and his mother and father-in-law, Eleanor and Stanley Keller.
Gerald is survived by his loving wife, Carole (Keller) Plahn of Sleepy Eye, MN; daughter, Kristine (Jeffrey) Wurtzberger of Buffalo, MN; sons, Brian (Katherine) Plahn of Lyons, CO and Derek (Liese) Plahn of Blaine, MN; and four grandchildren, Jordan Wurtzberger, Nicole Wurtzberger, Elizabeth Jonjak-Plahn, and Colton Jonjak-Plahn.
Clete Mathiowetz, age 75, of Prior Lake, went peacefully to his heavenly home on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, with his wife by his side.
He was born in Sleepy Eye, MN on February 6, 1948, to Aloysius and Leona (Schweiss) Mathiowetz. Clete attended St. Marys Catholic School in Sleepy Eye, Crosier Seminary in Onamia, and graduated from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul.
Clete valued hard work, and his excellent leadership and management skills spanned 50 years; the last 20 years he was employed at SMSC Gaming Enterprise and retired as Purchasing Manager in 2015.
Cletes faith and love for his family was the most meaningful and joyful part of his life. He had many interests; whether it was grilling (no matter the weather!), taking spontaneous road trips, enjoying nature, researching family genealogy, and listening to favorites by Patsy Cline, Roy Orbison, and The Temptations. He was happy doing yard work while visiting with our neighbors, taking month-long travel adventures to new places, volunteering in the community and church, and enjoying many cuddle times with grandpuppy Finley. Clete was a kind and compassionate guy with a really great sense of humor that made his family and friends laugh a lot! We will cherish all these wonderful memories.
Clete is survived by his loving family; wife and best friend of 52 years, Donna (Johnson), daughter Colleen (Jason) McDonald, and brother, Gene (Laura) Mathiowetz. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Marlin, and in-laws Madie and Wally Meyer.
Visitation Wednesday, November 8, from 10 to 11 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life at 11 a.m. with a luncheon to follow, all at Faith Covenant Church 12921 Nicollet Ave. S., Burnsville.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to mnangel.org or candocanines.org
Alice Muriel Roberts, age 96, of New Ulm passed away Friday, October 20, 2023 at Johanna Shores in Arden Hills.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, October 26, 2023 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Ulm. Pastor Timothy Smith will officiate. Burial will follow in the New Ulm City Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m. Thursday, October 26, 2023 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Ulm.
To leave an online condolence for the family, or to sign the guestbook, please visit: www.mvfh.org.
Alice is survived by her daughters, Nancy (Charles) Earl of New Ulm, Julie (Grayson) Otto of Woodbury; son, Tim Roberts (special friend, Charyl) of Mankato; grandchildren, Jarad (Kristen) Roberts, Hilary Roberts, Ethan (Raechel) Roberts, Noah Otto; great-grandchildren, Hailey Roberts, Alex Roberts, Avery Roberts, Danielle Roberts; brothers, Jerome (June) Walden and George Walden.
She was preceded in death by her parents and step father, Lawrence Walden, Lydia Brey, and Wolfgang Brey; husband, James Vernard Roberts; granddaughter, Amanda Earl; siblings, Rev. Theodore Matthiesen, Lawrence “Eddie” Walden, James Walden, Lorraine Schewe, and Vernard Walden.
Alice Muriel Walden was born February 2, 1927 to Lawrence and Lydia (Hoppe) Walden in Sleepy Eye. She attended school in Sleepy Eye and began working. On May 12, 1946, Alice was united in marriage to James Vernard Roberts in South Sioux City, Nebraska. The couple relocated to New Ulm and Alice dedicated her life to raising and providing a home for her family. Alice’s life revolved around taking care of the people she loved. Whether it was raising her children, her parents when their health began to decline, taking care of her husband after he suffered a stroke, or taking care of stray animals in need of a meal, Alice did it all with a gentle and kind heart. She was also known for her cooking, baking, drawing, gardening, and food prepping. Alice especially enjoyed raising horses and going horseback riding in her younger years, as well as hosting gatherings and holidays for all her family and friends. Above all else, Alice loved all the time she was able to spend with her family over her 96 treasured years of life. She will be dearly missed by those that knew her. Blessed be her memory.
