Charles “Chuck” Edward Baechler age 86, of St. Louis Park, MN and formerly of Sleepy Eye, MN died on September 3rd, 2021 at his home with his niece Janel and nephew Jeff by his side. Funeral Mass will be held at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Sleepy Eye, on Monday, September 13, 2021 at 10:30 am. Visitation will be held at the church on Monday for one hour prior to the service. The clergy will be Fr. Mark Steffl. Interment will be at the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Sleepy Eye. Military Rites by the Sleepy Eye Honor Guard. Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.
He is a survived by his brother, Robert Baechler, his nieces ReNae Wintheiser (Randy) and Janel Schliemann (Mark) and nephew Jeffrey Baechler (Michelle). He is also survived by 6 great nieces and nephews Christopher, Riley, Morgan, Devin, Ben and Josephine. He was preceded in death by his parents Clarence and Elizabeth, two brothers, Paul and Thomas, and sister-in-law Mary Jane Baechler.
Charles was born on August 15th, 1935, in Sleepy Eye, MN. He graduated from St. Mary’s school and MN State University (Mankato), where he received a BA degree in Sociology. After college, he served for six years in the US Army. The majority of service time was spent at Fort Carson, Colorado Army Hospital as a Company Clerk. Following his military career, Charles was employed by the S. S. Kresgue Company in their management training program. Later, he was employed by Powers Dry Goods as an Assistant Buyer and Personal Manager. Chuck retired from the downtown Minneapolis YMCA where he was employed for 25 years as Front Desk Clerk and Resident Manager. After the YMCA, Charles worked as Usher for 12 years for the Hennepin County Theater District.
Charles enjoyed traveling having visited 40 states and Canada. He especially enjoyed his visits to New York City where he had the opportunity to see many Broadway shows and concerts. He also enjoyed visiting his friends in Reading and Johnston, PA. Chuck enjoyed spending time with family and celebrating his love of food. He will be greatly missed.
Paula Clay, age 33, of Morgan died Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at Mayo Clinic Hospital-St. Mary’s Campus, Rochester, Minnesota. Visitation will be Thursday, September 9, 2021 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Nelson-Hillestad Funeral Home, Redwood Falls with Prayer Service at 7:00 pm.
Arrangements are with Nelson-Hillestad Funeral Service of Redwood Falls and Morgan. E-mail condolences may be sent via www.nelson-hillestad.com.
Paula was born on July 26, 1988 to Robert and Colette (Pyan) Clay in New Ulm, Minnesota. Paula grew up in the Morgan area, graduating from Cedar Mountain High School in 2006. Paula worked at Wood Dale & Franklin Nursing Homes, working with Home Health Care and Schult Mobile Home Factory as assembly. She enjoyed all of her jobs. Paula had a smile and eyes that would light up a room as she entered, her smile automatically would put a smile on your face. She was full of life and energy and was kind to everyone she knew. She loved to cuddle with her children on the couch to watch movies. She enjoyed taking them to parks and zoos for fun.
Paula is survived by her children-Riley Jo Clay and Brandon Jones, Jr both of Morgan, Paula’s mother, Colette Clay of Morgan, father, Robert Clay of Evan, brothers-Joseph Clay of Stillwater, Tim Clay and Travis Clay both of Lake Crystal. Aunts and Uncles-Denise & Don Lienig of New Ulm, Rita Pyan of Levenworth, Brad & Paulette Pyan of Nicollet, Boyd & Kari Pyan of Jackson, Theresa & Leo Molden of Sleepy Eye, Mike & Gabe Pyan of New Ulm. Paula is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Paula is preceded in death by her grandparents, Rolland and Karen Pyan and uncle Blaine Pyan.
Shirley R. Braulick age 85, of Sleepy Eye, MN died on September 2, 2021, at Divine Providence Community Home in Sleepy Eye.
Visitation will be on Tuesday from 4 to 7 pm and will continue on Wednesday from 7:30 until 10 am at the Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye. There will be a Parish Prayer Service Tuesday at the funeral home at 4pm. Funeral Service will be held at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Sleepy Eye, on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at 10:30 am. The clergy will be Father Mark Steffl. Interment will be at the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Sleepy Eye. The family would prefer memorial donations to the donor’s choice in lieu of flowers. Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.
Shirley Rose Guggisberg was born December 10, 1935 in New Ulm, Mn to Elmer and Priska (Klossner) Guggisberg. She attended country school in Milford township and Cathedral High School in New Ulm. On September 20, 1955 Shirley married the love of her life, Benjamin Otto Braulick at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm. Together they raised five children on the family farm. They were a true partnership working side by side. On the farm, she enjoyed gardening, canning, sewing and crocheting while caring for her children. Shirley’s life was full and she took the time to enjoy it. She shared a love of fishing with Ben and cherished their time on Rice Lake. She lived life to the fullest and enjoyed traveling with her husband and siblings. Shirley and Ben embraced Minnesota winters with time spent snowmobiling and enjoyed being a member of the Viking Snowmobile club near Lake Hanska. After her children were grown, Shirley enjoyed waitressing at Carl’s Corner in Essig. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye and volunteered many hours of her time at the church and school in various ministries including serving as president of the Divine Providence Auxiliary. Later in life, she moved to New Ulm and enjoyed more time with her siblings, playing cards and volunteering at MRCI. A true conversationalist, one of her greatest pleasures was visiting with people. Shirley loved spending time with her children and took great pride in her family especially her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Hers was a life well lived!
Shirley is survived by her sons, Mike “Gus” (Brenda) of St. Augusta, Mn; Greg (Deb) of Sleepy Eye; Joe (Karen) of Sleepy Eye; daughters, Laurie (Paul) Hillesheim of Sleepy Eye, Katie ( Dan “D.J.”) Johnson of Lakeville, Mn. Grandchildren; Justin, Jessica, Brett, Brynn, Briar, Bronte, Dan, Tom, Cindy, Annie, Emily, Jacob, Caleb, Ben, Will; 28 great-grandchildren; sisters, Evelyn Domeier of New Ulm, Lois Berg of New Ulm, Kathleen (Dennis) Helget of Sleepy Eye; brothers; Charles (Carol) Guggisberg of New Ulm, Jerry (Suzy) Guggisberg of New Ulm; sister- in- laws; Lois Guggisberg of New Ulm, Lorraine Guggisberg of New Ulm, Bernice Sturm of Springfield Mn and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ben; great grandson, Gabriel Braulick; brothers, Walter, Linus, Elmer; brother in laws; Kurt Domier, Eldor Berg, Ervin Braulick, Norbert Sturm; sister-in-law, Rita Braulick.
Myron William Lochner, age 89 and 5 days died from bone cancer on Friday, August 27 at Whispering Creek Nursing Home in Janesville, MN. Funeral Service will be held at the Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, on Saturday, September 4, 2021 at 11:00 am. Visitation will be on Saturday, September 4, 2021 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at the church. The clergy will be Pastor Nathanael Mayhew. Interment will be at the Home Cemetery in Sleepy Eye. Military Honors by the Sleepy Eye Honor Guard. Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.
The family would prefer memorials be made to Grave Ev. Lutheran Church in lieu of flowers.
Myron was born in Springfield, MN to John & Emma (Weilage) Lochner on August 22, 1932. Myron attended Cobden grade school and graduated from Sleepy Eye High School in 1950. Shortly after graduation, he was drafted into the US Army. For two years he was stationed at US Army headquarters in Chicago, IL where he worked in intelligence gathering. Following his honorable discharge, he started a career at Kraft Foods in New Ulm, MN and retired after 30 years of service. Myron’s lifelong ambition was to restore old cars, especially Model T Fords. His two 1914 Model T’s were his pride and joy. Myron was a life-long bachelor, but cherished his moments with his nieces and nephews. He was known as “Uncs” to them as a term of endearment. Myron was a charter member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church where he held various offices.
He is survived by his sister, Arlene of Rogers, AR, and brother, Darwin (Karen) Lochner of Janesville, MN. Myron was preceded in death by his father, John, his mother, Emma and his step-mother, Lula.
Dorothy F. Fischer, age 90, of New Ulm, Minnesota died on August 23, 2021, at Oak Hills Living Center in New Ulm.
Funeral Mass will be held at the Church of the Japanese Martyrs, Leavenworth, on Monday, August 30, 2021 at 10:30 am.
The clergy will be Father John Fischer & Father Mark Steffl.
Interment will be at the Japanese Martyrs Catholic Cemetery in Leavenworth.
Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.
Dorothy Frances Fischer was born March 28, 1931 on the family farm in Mulligan Township, Brown County, MN to Joseph and Theresa (Schumacher) Fischer. She was the 8th of 9 children. She was baptized, received her first communion and was confirmed at the Church of Japanese Martyrs, Leavenworth, MN. Dorothy was currently a member of Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm, MN. She grew up in rural Comfrey where she attended District 42 Mulligan Township country school and later attended St. Paul’s Catholic School, Comfrey. In 1949 she graduated from Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s High School.
For most of her working years, Dorothy lived in Mankato where she worked as a home health aide for Immanuel St. Joseph’s. While in Mankato she pursued her interest in art and cake/pastry baking classes. In her retirement years, Dorothy lived in Sleepy Eye, New Ulm and became a resident of Oak Hills Living Center in 2014.
She enjoyed doing volunteer work, whether it be making rosaries for the missionaries, helping to serve the New Ulm Community Thanksgiving dinners, sewing many dresses for impoverished African children or volunteering at the Federal Correctional Facilities for which she received recognition in 2004.
Dorothy liked scrap booking eventful newspaper articles, collecting unusual stamps, and playing the piano and accordion. During the summer months, she especially enjoyed riding on the “Let’s Go Fishing” Pontoon with Sleepy Eye Sportsman’s Boating and Bobbers group on Sleepy Eye Lake.
She is survived by 27 nieces and nephews. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; siblings and in-laws, Sister Myrna Fischer, Elizabeth Fischer, Alfred and Jean(Witt) Fischer, John Fischer, Gertrude(Fischer) and Kenneth Hillesheim, Josephine(Fischer) and Philip Lang, Teresa(Fischer) and Melvin Huiras, Valentine Fischer; nieces Julie Huiras, Cathy (Fischer) Gloe, and nephew Jim Huiras.
Ronald “Ron” Bloemke, 79 of Franklin, Minnesota passed away on Saturday, August 7 at the Laurel Peak Rehabilitation Center in Mankato, Minnesota. A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, August 16, 2021 from Nelson-Hillestad Funeral Home in Redwood Falls. Visitation will be held Monday, August 16, 2021, from 1 until 2 p.m. at Nelson-Hillestad Funeral Home in Redwood Falls. Burial will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are with Nelson-Hillestad Funeral and Cremation Service of Redwood Falls and Morgan. E-mail condolences may be sent via www.nelson-hillestad.com.
Ron was born on April 18, 1942 to Henry and Mabel (Hoffman) Bloemke in Springfield, Minnesota. He grew up in the Sleepy Eye area. Ron worked various jobs along with seasonal jobs which included welding, hotel managing and cars. Ron enjoyed playing cards with friends and family. He enjoyed tinkering with things to try to make it work again. Ron enjoyed music of all sorts especially Johnny Cash, and old-time music.
Ron is survived by his beloved lifelong partner, Joyce Schwint of Franklin, children- Brenda Mahn of Atwater, Missi (Michael) Ross of Hendricks, Paul (Kari) Bloemke of Nicollet, Debra Bloemke of Sleepy Eye, Lance Schwint of Layfette and Troy Schwint of St. Cloud. Ron also is survived by 10 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Ron is also survived by a brother, Wayne (Lois) Bloemke of St. Clair.
Ron is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Mabel Bloemke, son, Blake and 2 brothers and 2 sisters.
Cheryl Vinson, age 74, of Eden Prairie, MN passed away peacefully at home on August 8th, 2021.
Cheryl was born on October 30th, 1946 to parents Lawrence and Marjorie (Bellig) Kramer in Sleepy Eye, MN. She was the first of five children and grew up on the family farm. After graduating from Sleepy Eye Public High School, Cheryl went to Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Cheryl then moved to Minneapolis to pursue her career as a registered nurse and later went on to get her master’s degree in education. Cheryl met her husband Keith (Mike) Vinson in Minneapolis. They planted their roots in St. Louis Park and had two children (Eric and Erin) and soon after moved to Eden Prairie where she lived for the remaining 40 years of her life. Cheryl and Mike later divorced but remained friends, celebrating holidays together as a family.
Cheryl spent her career helping others. She worked as a public health nurse as well as a school nurse. She spent many years at Cooper High School where she met wonderful friends including one teacher in particular who caught her eye. Harvey Weiss and Cheryl became great friends and partners and spent the last 20 years traveling, enjoying barbershop concerts, dining out and just enjoying their time together.
Cheryl loved volunteering her time at Eden Prairie’s PROP Shop. She had a passion for thrifting and a keen eye for a great deal. She was a creative soul and spent much of her spare time crafting.
Cheryl is survived by her children Eric (Marcie) Vinson and their son Sawyer of Eden Prairie, daughter Erin (John) Carlson and their kids Brennan, Caden, Quinn, Rowan and Ashlyn of Prior Lake. Her very special friend Harvey Weiss of Eden Prairie and his kids Julie (John) Opheim, their daughters Hannah and Amelia, Tim (Christine) Weiss and their kids Spencer and Annika. Sisters Cindy (Joe) Steffl and Sue (Rich) Lund, along with ten nieces and nephews.
Cheryl was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Larry and her sister Vicky.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 15th, 2021 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie (16515 Luther Way).
Timothy Andrew Beech was born September 29, 1958, in Sleepy Eye to Richard and Eleanor (Steinke) Beech. He attended Sleepy Eye High School and went on to study music and electrical engineering at Mankato State University.
He was employed with Delta Engineering, doing lighting designs under contract for 3M, traveling the globe and designing systems. Later, he and wife, Karen, owned and operated the Orchid Inn in Sleepy Eye for over six years. Timothy was known for his love of music. He played multiple instruments and was in the Ellis St. Singers for MSU, touring the world and performing for crowds. He loved to golf, caring for all animals, especially his dogs, even adopting Karen’s cat in the process. Timothy and his brothers loved sailing large sail boats, including outings on Lake Superior. He was known for his big heart and often gave his last nickel to friends in need.
Timothy died on August 16, 2021 at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato, MN at the age of 62. He was preceded in death by his parents. He will be loving remembered by his wife, Karen of Belview; step-son, Grant (Heather) Romberg of Sleepy Eye and eight grandchildren. Timothy is also survived by brothers, Jerry (Marcy) Beech of Northfield and Brian (Mary) Beech of Bloomington.
SERVICE INFORMATION
Jeffrey Mark Schmid, 65, of Sleepy Eye, died on Aug. 17, 2021, at Sleepy Eye Care Center.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021 at the Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye Chapel and will continue on Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sleepy Eye.
Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 28, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sleepy Eye. Interment will be in Home Cemetery in Sleepy Eye.
Jeffrey Mark Schmid, “Schmidy”, was called home August 17, 2021 at the Sleepy Eye Care Center. He was born on March 30, 1956 in New Ulm, Minnesota to Ethelbert and Neoma (Wegner) Schmid. He grew up in Home Township, Sleepy Eye, MN.
He started his education at the District 185 Brown County Elementary School, then attended St. John’s Lutheran School, Sleepy Eye and graduated in 1974 from Sleepy Eye Public High School. After high school, Jeff worked for his father on the farm and worked as a sub-contractor through Overson Lumber-St. James putting up pole/machine sheds. When his father retired in 1982, he took over the farm. While farming he farrow to finish pigs, milked cows and crop farmed.
On August 13, 1977 he was united in marriage to Joanna Hillesheim. They made their life together dairy and crop farming on the family farm. While farming Jeff was a member of the Brown County Holstein Association and was Mid-America Dairymen’s Young Cooperators recipient. After retiring from the dairy industry, Jeff had a small beef operation and was a member of the Redwood Cattlemen’s Association. Throughout his working years he was employed at Case Sales and Service, Crows Seed Corn Dealer, Sleepy Eye Auction Barn, Del Monte, River Region Coop, substitute semi-driver for Merv Speckman and Leavenworth Silage. Jeff was active in several organizations including Prairieland Flywheelers Two-Cylinder Club and Sleepy Eye Sportsman’s Boating and Bobbers. He was a lifetime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Sleepy Eye. Jeff enjoyed many things in his life including restoring his high school car, a 1974 Dodge Challenger and most recently his 1953 Massey-Harris tractor. He loved going to car shows and most recently his tractor was the featured tractor at FarmFest 2021 for the Two-Cylinder Club. He also enjoyed visiting with his friends and family, traveling, ice fishing, deer hunting, watching the Minnesota Vikings, enjoying coffee with the crew and spending time with his grandchildren.
Jeff is survived by his wife, Joanna of 44 years, daughters, Laura (Joe) Laechel, Mary (Tim) Woltjer, both of Sleepy Eye and son, Thomas Schmid of Mankato; along with 2 grandchildren, Evelyn and Cayden. He is also survived by his brother, Glen (Carol) Schmid and sisters, Eunice Utterback, Linda (Lenny) Halbur and Janelle (Bruce) Guggisberg; sisters-in-law, Barb (Tim) Kleiter, Carol Hillesheim, Marylin (Mike) Schuaman, Kenwyn (Rich) Evers, Maggie (Jim) Schroepfer; brothers-in-law, Mike (Marion) Hillesheim, Pat Hillesheim, Bob (Dana) Hillesheim and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws, Kenneth and Gertrude Hillesheim; brother-in-law, Charles Utterback; and his aunts and uncles.