Gerald William Allen, 87, of Kasson, MN passed away on Sunday, October 13, 2024 at his home. Gerald was born on January 3, 1937 in Grand Meadow Township to Charles and Laura (Overkamp) Allen. He graduated from Grand Meadow High School in 1955. Gerald served in the United States Army, stationed at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, from January 1960 – March 1962 when he was honorably discharged.
On June 6, 1959 Gerald was united in marriage to Ruth Collins at St. Finbarrs Catholic Church in Grand Meadow, MN. Gerald worked as a machinist/quality control specialist for IBM, retiring after more than 30 years of service. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends and was an avid sports fan including the Minnesota Gophers, Twins, Vikings, NASCAR and dirt track racing. He could also be found playing cards, bowling, and occasionally trying his luck at an area Casino. He was a member of the American Legion.
Gerald and Ruth enjoyed spending time with their family. They were blessed with two children; Craig and Laura.
Gerald is survived by his wife Ruth; son Craig (Sheri) Allen of Owatonna; daughter Laura (Jeff) Eisterhold of Kasson; grandchildren Kelly (Brandon) Myrom and Daniel Eisterhold both of Kasson; and his cherished great-grandchildren Rory and Bellamy.
He was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Laura Allen; brothers Kenneth, Delmer and Clair Allen; and sisters Dorothy Blanchard, Bernice Schaefer and Carol Cross.
The funeral service for Gerald will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, October 18, at the Church of the Holy Family, 1904 N. Mantorville Ave., Kasson, MN with Fr. John Lasuba officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will follow the service at St. Margaret’s Cemetery, Mantorville. Military graveside services will be conducted by the Kasson American Legion, Post 333. A luncheon will be served at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to the American Heart Association, the Kasson American Legion or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Alan Dean Hegna, 75, of Kasson, MN passed away on September 5, 2024 at Veteran’s Memorial Hospital in Minneapolis. Alan was born October 12, 1948 to Victor and Inez Hegna of Kasson.
He proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1966-1971 stationed in Giessen, Germany where he had several military occupational specialties. He married Janet Lucille Cowden of Oronoco, MN in 1971. They were married for 53 years and had one son, Tony, who passed away in 2000.
Alan enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and attending his great-nephews sporting events.
He is survived by his wife Janet, brother Jim and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Arvella (Dick) Neitzel and Sandy (Ronnie) Fuchs and his son Tony.
A graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at Maple Grove Cemetery, Kasson, MN with Pastor John Weisenburger of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Kasson presiding. Military graveside honors will be provided by the Kasson American Legion Post #333.
Zeta was born on March 22nd, 1930, in Iowa and was adopted by Bruno and Iva Zubradt in 1932. She grew up in Storm Lake, IA and graduated from Storm Lake High School. She was introduced to Franklin “Eugene” Hawkins by a cousin, shortly after his return home from his World War II Army service. They were married on August 26th, 1949, and soon after, set out on a journey to Rochester, MN.
Her husband, Gene, enrolled in Nursing School. However, he later left Nursing School working at various jobs until he was hired by IBM in 1957. He retired in 1987 after 30 years.
They lived in Rochester for a few years before moving to Kasson and eventually in 1961 building their “forever” home near the Kasson-Mantorville High School. This is where they raised their three sons. Zeta worked for numerous “elderly” families around Kasson for many years cleaning houses and doing other tasks for them.
During this time, she also enjoyed playing fast pitch softball in Rochester and participated in various area tournaments. She was afflicted with polio at the age of 13 and her doctors said she might never walk again, let alone play sports. Her response was “Watch Me” and the rest is history!! During her fast pitch career, she was a part of a State Championship team. Bernie Lusk, the longtime KROC sportscaster, said Zeta was one of the top three fast pitch softball players he had ever watched.
After her fast pitch playing days were over, Gene and Zeta started a slow pitch women’s team in Kasson. They played under the fantastic sponsorship of the Village Inn restaurant. The team consisted of adult women and high school girls. Under their guidance, the team won many tournaments; often competing against teams with more experienced and older players. A few spectators and other coaches told her they knew she coached the team because they played exactly like she did. Zeta was a gritty, tough and tenacious player. She was a warrior on the field and her teams also took on that mentality.
Zeta was also known for her love of bowling. She won many commemorative pins, trophies and plaques due for her prowess on the lanes. She also participated in various National Tournaments. She bowled in Rochester and Kasson for 40 years and was best known for voicing a “toot, toot” when she threw a strike. Zeta was not only a very good bowler, but she made many lifelong friends in the process. In 2018, she was inducted into the Southeast Minnesota Bowling Hall of Fame and was honored with a Pioneer Award. She was nominated by a few of those lifelong friends and teammates. She was so proud of her achievement but was very humble in accepting the award.
Zeta and Gene were very active in the original “basement” Catholic Church and then charter members of the new Holy Family Catholic Church. Both loved their church family and served as volunteers; assisting in many roles. They were also part of a” 500″ card club that played once a month on Saturday night, rotating between homes.
After Gene passed away in 2018, Zeta continued to live at home. Between then and 2024, she had wonderful friends and many family members (especially April and Everett Paulson and grandchildren Jamie and Crystal Donahoe) plus her Home Health staff that helped her stay at home. With the help of her walker, she became adept at getting around and doing things on her own.
Even though Zeta was unable to get out much, she always made a point of watching the Catholic masses on TV every Sunday morning. She always told her family “I got 3 blessings today”. We all knew she wasn’t going to have to trade them in to get into heaven. Zeta had already played her way in by the way she lived her life and her strong faith and belief. She was an avid fan of K-M High School sports and activities plus the Minnesota Twins. She also had many favorites on the Game Show Network, which she watched daily.
Her caretakers at St. Mary’s Hospital and Samaritan Bethany always remarked how grateful and thankful she was to all her caretakers. The family sends a HUGE Thank You to those who cared for our mom. She had been a caregiver most of her adult life and understood the value of such care. Zeta was one of a kind and once you met her, you probably would never forget her. Zeta, your family and friends will miss you dearly.
Zeta is survived by her sons Glenn (Sabrina) Hawkins of Longmont, CO and Rick (Laura) Hawkins of Rochester, MN. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Gene, and son David in 2022.
A Mass of the Christian Burial will be held on September 30 at 11:00 AM at the Church of the Holy Family, 1904 N. Mantorville Ave., Kasson, with Fr. John Lasuba presiding. The family will also welcome guests one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Storm Lake, IA.
Flowers can be delivered to the church by 9:00 am on the day of the service. Charitable donations can be made in her name to the Shriner’s Hospital, St. Jude’s or a charity of the donor’s choice. Lunch will be provided after the service.
Wanda Mae (Gish) Soland lost a hard-fought battle with Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Dementia on June 15, 2024. She passed away peacefully at Cascade Creek Memory Care in Rochester, MN.
Wanda was born 8 miles from the Mexico border in Weslaco, Texas. She was welcomed into the world on September 16, 1937 by Bruce and Zelma Gish and her half-brother Elmer Michael (Mike) Gish. Wanda attended school at Weslaco High School. While there she was very active in Band, particularly marching band and her senior year was encouraged to be a majorette where she became the Drum Majorette. Upon Graduation from Weslaco High School She enrolled and graduated from Baptist School of Nursing in San Antonio, Texas and earned a B.A. at Trinity University in San Antonio. During this time she became the Trinity school Nurse. From this experience she applied and was accepted as one of 160 young professionals of many fields of expertise from around the country to embark on a new program called Operation Crossroads Africa. They travelled to Nigeria where they spent time creating medical outposts, digging wells, creating roads and building schools. Operation Crossroads still exists as a non-profit, non-government organization while the success of Operation Crossroads helped to motivate the start of the Peace Corp.
Wanda returned to San Antonio to teach Surgical Nursing. Wanda was introduced to Air Force Brain Researcher Eugene (Gene) Soland and by her roommate and longtime friend Susan Burbank at the home of Gene’s Aunt Elsie and Uncle Col. Leonard Burbank who happen to be Susan’s parents. Wanda married Gene on November 4th 1961 in Weslaco. They resided in San Antonio where she taught Nursing. They started their family with the birth of their son, Robert (Bob).
Wanda and Gene moved to Minneapolis upon Gene entering the Lutheran Seminary there. Wanda began employment as a nurse at Fairview Hospital. At Fairview she was part of a small group of nurses that started the first Intensive care unit. Soon they moved to Milwaukee to begin Gene’s internship and welcome another son, Ronald (Ron). The young family then moved to Glenwood City, Wisconsin for Gene’s first call to ministry. There they welcomed their daughter Brenda who was born in New Richmond, making their family complete. Gene’s ministry brought the family to Sioux Center, IA and then to Elk Horn, IA where Wanda was able to engage in many church activities. At Elk Horn, Wanda resumed her nursing career by first working at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa and then becoming the Director of Nurses at Salem Lutheran Homes in Elk Horn, Iowa.
They were very good at taking family road trips not only to Texas but also to discover the country from coast to coast and visit family and friends. Once the children had moved out of the house, they decided to move back to San Antonio. Wanda became Director of Nursing at Manor Care Nursing home. At Manor Care she was in charge of the first Alzheimer’s ward in San Antonio.In 1990, Wanda was runner up for Director of Nursing out of over 1000 applicants for the honor. Upon Wanda’s retirement the couple enjoyed life in San Antonio and their cabin along the Arroyo in Colorado. The couple spent the warmer seven months of 2014 and 2015 visiting Brenda in Nome Alaska while Gene was interim Pastor at Our Saviors Lutheran.
They moved to Kasson, Minnesota to be closer to their children. Wanda enjoyed being there for her grandchildren Eric, Rachel and Laura Soland. Their house became a great place for Brenda and her daughter Brianna to visit on their journeys back from Alaska. In retirement, Wanda was a very proud and active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) This organization is very active in helping immigrants obtain citizenship.
As Lewy Body and Parkinson’s started to take their toll Wanda moved into Fairview Care Center in Dodge Center, MN where she spent a couple magical years and was well looked after by their wonderful staff. While at Fairview, she survived the COVID shutdown with grace. Wanda then moved to Cascade Creek Memory care as her dementia progressed even more where she was well looked after by compassionate staff. Wanda spent her last days surrounded by her family. The family is also extremely grateful for the wonderful care from St. Croix Hospice preceding her passing.
Throughout Wanda’s life she was always well loved and highly thought of because she loved well and thought highly of others. Although she lived an amazingly adventurous life, the most important thing to Wanda was her family, her friends and God. Wanda was a strong woman of faith and will be reunited with her parents Bruce and Zelma Gish, her son Ron and her brother Mike.
The memorial service for Wanda will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at the Dibble Funeral Home Chapel, 213 W. Main St, Kasson with Pastor Eugene Soland presiding. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the Funeral Home. Inurnment will be at a later date at Washington Prairie Cemetery, Rural Decorah, Iowa.
Arletta Marlene Hanenberger, 89, passed away peacefully on June 6, 2024 at Fairview Care Center in Dodge Center, MN. She was born on October 16, 1934 in Rochester, MN to Lester and Estella Oliver. On July 31, 1954, she married Melvin P. Hanenberger in Nashua, IA.
Arletta lived in the Kasson area her entire adult life. Her passion was cooking for others. She was a longtime restaurant cook in the area.
She is survived by her daughter, Martha; son Dan; grandchildren Chris, Ashley and Nicole Banks and great-grandchildren Maverick, Cooper and Violet.
Arletta was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin and sons Randy and Rick Staloch.
The funeral service for Arletta will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 301 8th Ave NW, Kasson with Pastor John Weisenburger officiating. Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Maple Grove Cemetery, Kasson.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be directed to them for distribution later according to their wishes.
Dirk Dehn, aged 69, lost a hard fought battle with cancer on April 24, 2024. He grew up just south of Byron, MN and married Geri Ramthun on November 17, 1973. They resided in Kasson, MN where they raised 2 children. He worked as an electrician for almost 40 years.
Dirk was well grounded in his faith, had a positive outlook on life, and a good sense of humor. He was well loved by many, and will be greatly missed .
Among many things, he enjoyed cooking for, visits from, and trips with family. Dirk also enjoyed riding motorcycle with his wife. He was an excellent caregiver for his wife until her passing in 2021.
Dirk is survived by his son Bret and grandson Nolan Condon. He is also survived by siblings Vicki McIntosh and Patty Jestus. He was preceded in death by his parents Bill and Marie, brother Joe, wife Geri, and daughter Bree (Nate) Condon.
The Dehn family would like to express thanks for the wonderful help and care given by Season’s Hospice. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Season’s Hospice or the Byron United Methodist Church.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, May 2nd at the Byron United Methodist Church, 503 1St Ave NW, Byron with Pastor Andy Petter officiating. Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to the service. A luncheon at the church will follow the burial at the Byron Cemetery.
Gordon “Gordy” William Nordine, 59, of Stewartville passed away at his home on April 9, 2024. Gordy was born on September 26, 1964 in Warroad, MN to J. W. (Bill) and Mildred (Eklund) Nordine. He was the youngest of six children.
Gordy grew up and attended school in Byron through his sophomore year in high school. He participated in football, basketball and track. The family then moved to Garden City, MN where his love of athletics continued until his graduation from Wellcome Memorial High School.
Gordy worked in the construction industry for over 30 years. He remained a sports enthusiast and avid outdoorsman throughout his entire adult life.
He is survived by his father and step-mother Bill and Ann Nordine; sisters Diane Fish of Kasson, MN, Carol McDermaid of Savage, MN and Sharon (Mike) Anderson of Ham Lake, MN; brothers Glen of Cottage Grove, MN and Gary (Tammy) of Byron, MN as well as several nieces and nephews.
Gordy was preceded in death by his mother Mildred “Millie” Nordine.
A private family graveside service will be held at a later date.
Bradley John Kemper, 32, of Stewartville, MN passed away unexpectedly at his workplace on April 1, 2024. Bradley was born April 13,1991 in Rochester, MN to Stephen Kemper and Lorraine (Emholtz) Kemper. Brad grew up in Mantorville, MN and attended Kasson-Mantorville school and Faith Christian school in Rochester.
Brad enjoyed riding his Harley, fishing, remote control cars and extremely loud stereo equipment. He had the gift of being able to fix almost anything.
He is survived by a large and loving extended family including sons Brayden (Kaylee Harrison) and Corbin (Brittany Kemper); step-sons Trenton and Carter Rockvam; parents Lorraine Emholtz and Stephen Kemper; siblings Jupiter (Josh) Hofmann, Coby (Desiree) Sparkles, Christian Bartels, and Rea Stenhovden; special friend Brooklin; and his niece Zobee Sevyn Sparkles, who will always look up to him.
Brad was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Wallace “Wally” and Wanita Emholtz; and uncles Donald and Maynard Swanson.
There will be a celebration of life at Staybridge Suites 2350 Commerce Drive NW Rochester, MN 55901 on Saturday April 13, 2024 from 4:30pm to 7:30pm. A social gathering will follow the celebration at Carbones Pizza.
In remembrance of Brad’s life and love, the family asks that any charitable donations be directed to The Epilepsy Foundation.
