Dibble Funeral Home

Norma Ruth Musolf, 100, passed away on Thursday, January 19, 2023 at Prairie Meadows Senior Care in Kasson, MN where she had resided for several years.

Norma was born on October 5, 1922 in rural Mantorville to Earl and Grace (Stevens) Weidendorf.  She was baptized and confirmed at the Zwingli United Church of Christ in Berne.

Norma was married to Hanford Musolf and they resided in Kasson all their lives.  Together they were involved in many business adventures in and around Kasson; some of which included a popcorn wagon, a drive-in, the Bluebird Inn (currently the Douglas Saloon) and The Hut.  Norma worked many years at the Gamble Store in Kasson.  She was a committee member for the restoration of the Kasson Water Tower and a member of the Mantorville Restoration Society.  Norma was also a very active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church.

She enjoyed making lefse and teaching others this skill.  She played the piano by ear and loved to play hymns at nursing homes or for anyone who would listen.  She crocheted and made several treasured afghans for family and friends.  After Hanford’s passing, she enjoyed bus trips, but her favorite trip was to Europe.  She was always willing to help anyone who was in need.  Her faith was strong and her heart was good.

Norma treasured her family.  She is survived by her son, Ronald (Sandra) Musolf of Kasson; granddaughters Kimberly (Jeffery) Schellhammer of Kasson and Karlene (Kurt) Schulz of Mantorville; great-grandchildren Bailey (Josh Kuehl) Schellhammer, Cole (Whitney Head) Schellhammer, Allie Schellhammer, Jake (Michaela) Schulz, and Nicholas Schulz; great-great granddaughters Stella and Zoey; sister-in-law Betty Weidendorf; two nieces, one nephew and several great-nieces and nephews.

Norma was preceded in death by her husband Hanford in 1986; her parents; infant brother David; brothers Geryl and Wayne and sister-in-law Lorraine.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 301 8^th Ave NW, Kasson, MN with Pastor John Wiesenberger officiating.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.  Inurnment will be in the spring at Maple Grove Cemetery, Kasson, MN.

In lieu of flowers, memorial are suggested to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Faith In Action or an organization of the donor’s choice.

Blessed be her memory.

Ruth T. Hanson, 87, of Dodge Center, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 9, at Fairview Care Center in Dodge Center.

She was born March 7, 1935, in Liberia, West Africa, to Robert and Elizabeth Dickerson while her father was doing mission work there. She grew up in several cities in the U.S., and graduated from Clinton High School in Clinton, Iowa. She attended Iowa State University, where she was in the Gamma Phi Beta sorority, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree. There, she met her future husband, David. They were married on June 16, 1957, in Clinton. The couple moved in 1966 to Dodge Center, where David was a University of Minnesota Extension director. They moved in 1971 to a small farm outside Dodge Center, later named Hanson Apple Acres. David continues to live there amid apple orchards.

The couple had five children. Ruth worked as a Head Start teacher and a newspaper reporter and photographer. She worked at the Byron Review newspaper for 29 years, through age 82. She won a number of contest awards, and was inducted into the Byron High School Sports Hall of Fame for her journalistic work. She and David also were inducted into the Triton High School Sports Hall of Fame for their support of teams going back to the 1960s. She taught piano lessons over several decades.

Ruth was involved at St. Peter’s Church in Kasson from the 1960s until she moved to the care center in 2019. She was the organist at St. Peter’s for more than 35 years. 

Ruth deeply grieved the death of her oldest child, Cindy, to cancer in 2014. At her room at Fairview Care Center, she kept a portrait of Cindy above the head of her bed.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Margaret; a daughter, Cindy; and a granddaughter, Britta. She is survived by her husband; a sister, Elizabeth Wolter (Jack), of Prescott, Ariz.; brother-in-law George Ellison (Elizabeth), of San Diego; her children, Ken, of Rochester; Bob (Wendy), of Hudson, Wis.; Jim (Barb), of Lake Elmo; and Deb Achenbach (Rodney), of Maple Grove; 10 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 19 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 101 First St. NE, Kasson, with the Rev. Alice Mae Applequist officiating. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, November 18 at the church, and one hour before the service. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Fairview Care Center, Dodge Center, MN. The family wishes to thank the staffs of the care center and St. Croix Hospice for their compassionate care for Ruth.

Ernest Fredrick Ness, born March 6, 1932, in Vernon Township, Dodge County, Minnesota went to be with the Lord on April 14, 2022.

Ernie (as everyone knew him) was born to Edwin and Helma Ness on the family farm south of Kasson.  He was raised there with his four brothers and two sisters.  

He attended country school through the seventh grade.  His love of horses began when he rode his pony to school every day.  He attended and graduated from Kasson High School in 1950 where he excelled in basketball and track.  

School is where he met the love of his life and future wife of nearly 72 years, Margaret Van Allen.  The first time he laid eyes on her, he told a friend that she was the girl he was going to marry.  They courted on horses and participated in horse shows and parades.  Ernie and Margaret shared a mutual love of horses and one of their favorite activities in later years was attending harness races together.  Ernie enjoyed many trips to Montana, as well as Arizona, Texas, and Arkansas seeing those areas and visiting family and friends.

Ernie was a lifelong member of South Zumbro Lutheran Church.  He was baptized, confirmed and married there.  He was active in Luther League and served on the Cemetery Board for twenty years.  His faith was extremely important to him, and he instilled those values into each of his seven children.

Through the years, he held jobs as a painter, farm laborer, fuel carrier for 17 years, along with hauling livestock, and was a substitute bus driver.  He eventually went to work at the Mayo Clinic as a custodian, retiring after 24 years of service.  During this time, he also owned and operated a forty-acre farm where he raised his family.

Ernie is survived by his wife Margaret; children Dallas (Sharon) Ness, Brenda (Ike) Currier, Monica (Tony)  Brossard, Brian (Bonnie) Ness, Keith (Colleen) Ness, Carmen Hirman, and Rhonda (Steve) Larson.  He is also survived by his brother Frank (Sandra) Ness; sisters-in-law Colleen Ness, Lorraine Ness, and Virginia Van Allen; brother-in-law Gordon Van Allen, 20 grandchildren, soon to be 29 great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Stanley (Alice) Ness, Davis Ness, Doris (Leonard) Iverson, Manford Ness, and Betty Wohlfiel (Melvin Kramer, Kenneth Wohlfiel); brother-in-law Walter Van Allen; sister-in-law Deanna Van Allen, and his beloved dog Dee Dee.

Services will be held at South Zumbro Lutheran Church, rural Kasson, MN on Thursday, April 21^st at 2:00 pm with Pastors Pete Wyttenbach and Jeff Bernards officiating.  Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to the service.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to South Zumbro Lutheran Church.  

David Mark Lieberg, 65, of Kasson passed away Monday, February 28, 2022 at Mayo Clinic Hospital-Rochester, St. Mary’s Campus of Lewy Body Dementia.

David was born on June 18, 1956 in Roseau, MN to Earl and Lillian (Novotny) Lieberg. When David was 3 years old, the family moved to Ellendale, MN. He attended and graduated from Ellendale-Geneva High School. He was active in football, basketball and track. After graduation, he enlisted in the military and was later honorably discharged.

David attended and graduated from the College of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Management. Professionally, he was employed by IBM, VA Hospitals, Celestica, and worked in home construction.

David lived in Montana for several years and fell in love with the area. Dave was an avid hunter, fisherman and sports enthusiast his entire life. He enjoyed listening to classic rock music, going to concerts, and meeting new people.

On February 20, 2020 he married Diane Nordine Fish.

David is survived by his wife Diane; daughter Stephanie (Jason) Works of Camas, WA; grandson Mason Works; step-sons Jonathan (Katie) Fish and Matthew Fish; siblings Jerome (Bonnie) Lieberg, Denny (Kathy) Lieberg, Sheldon (Katie) Lieberg, Jan Lieberg, Karin Anding; sister-in-law Deb Lieberg and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Earl & Lillian Lieberg; brothers Dick Lieberg and Gerry Lieberg; and brother-in-law Glenn Anding.

A celebration of David’s life will be held on Sunday, March 13 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm at the Zumbro Valley Rec Club, 25202 615th St, Mantorville, MN. Military honors will be provided by Kasson American Legion Post #333.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be directed to them for distribution later according to their wishes.

Fayville “Fay” Arthur Trow, age 73, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at Mayo Clinic Hospital-Rochester, Methodist Campus.  He was born March 1,1948 in Albert Lea, MN to Richard “Dick” and Elna (Simonson) Trow.  

He was a 1966 graduate of Shattuck Military Academy in Faribault, MN and went on to attend college at Mankato State University where he met Sheilah Beader, the love of his life.  They married on June 15, 1968 at Calvary Episcopal Church in Rochester, MN. 

Fay was wonderful with people and worked in sales throughout most of his life in the auto and insurance industries.  Fay lived life to the fullest and most would agree that time spent with him was always surrounded by many laughs and lots of fun. In his earlier days, he loved boating on Fountain Lake, flying planes, playing pool, racing his 7-11stock car, his GTO, and many hunting and fishing trips with his family and friends.  He loved music, reading, a good movie, playing golf, and appreciated a well-cooked meal. He would jump at the chance to play games of almost any sort. Most notable was his love of cribbage, which he taught and passed on to each of his children and grandchildren. But his greatest pride and biggest accomplishment, in his eyes, was always his family.

Fay is survived by his wife Sheilah; daughters Hilary Alberts, Laurie (Matt) Kelly, and Lindsey (Joey) Dengler; son Richard (Alyssa) Trow; his eight grandchildren Mackenzie (Mike) Begovac, Sydney (Troy) Alberts, Morgan & Madison Kelly, Sam & Addie Trow, and Andrew & Jackson Dengler; brother Tony (Karen) Trow; and sister Patty Trow, as well as many nieces and  nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, brother Walter Trow, and the family’s dog Shogun.

The family will greet friends from 4:00 to 6:00 pm on Sunday, February 20^th at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 101 1^st St NE, Kasson, MN.   Funeral services will be held at the church on Monday, February 21st at 11:00 am with The Ven. Canon Benjamin I. Scott officiating.    Following the service, a luncheon will be provided at the American Legion Kasson Post 333, 212 W. Main St, Kasson. 

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be directed to them for distribution according to their wishes at a later date.

Eleanor Staplekamp, 95, of Kasson passed away Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at Seasons Hospice House in Rochester. 

Eleanor was born on May 23, 1926 in Salem Township near Rock Dell to George and Ella Amundson.  She attended country school in Salem Township and was graduated from Rochester High School in 1941.

On October 23, 1945 she married Clayton W. Staplekamp.  They lived in Rochester, rural Byron, for 17 years and Stewartville for 24 years.  They moved to Kasson in 1992.

Eleanor enjoyed gardening, caring for birds, reading, sewing, puzzles and her two rescue cats.

Survivors include her children Gary of Pagosa Spring, CO, Mary (Gale) Mount of Lake City, Dianne (Kirk) Leopard of Rochester and Carl (Kathy) of Pocatella, ID; five grandchildren, Kyle (Megan Traxler) Leopard, Anna (Chris Holter) Leopard, Heather (Bob) Foust, Adam (Sarah) Staplekamp, Carrie (Art) Bonn and three great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, son David, daughter-in-law Marla, brother Orville Amundson and sister Amanda Larsen.

There will be a private burial at Grandview Cemetery in Rochester.

Memorials are suggested to Safe Haven Pet Rescue, Rochester.

Cynthia (Cindy) Jo Boruff passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on February 3, 2022, at her home in Kasson, MN.

Born in Sioux City, IA on March 30, 1946, Cindy was the daughter of James and Delphine Holtz. She was the oldest of 3 children. In the fall of 1957, the family moved to Kasson. In Junior High she met her high school sweetheart Michael (Mike) Boruff. She was graduated from Kasson-Mantorville High School in 1964.

Cindy and Mike were married on September 9, 1968. In October of 1970, they welcomed their only child, Chris. For many years Cindy worked as a typesetter for the Dodge County Independent and later as a floral arranger at Erdman’s in Kasson.

Cindy enjoyed spending time outdoors, gardening, ceramics, painting, games, crosswords, and time with her friends and family. Later in life, she was devoted to being with her grandkids and watching them grow.

Cindy is survived by her husband Mike; son Chris and daughter-in-law Christie all of Kasson; her mother Delphine Holtz of Rochester; sister Theresa Eversole of Dodge Center and grandchildren Easton, Alexandra, Brett, Hailey, and Emilee. Also surviving are nephews Tim, Tom, and James; nieces Angie and Nicole; sister-in-law Jane (Dennis) Erickson of North Branch, MN; and nieces Sandy, Linda, and DeeAnn. 

She was preceded in death by her father James Holtz, her brother Greg Holtz, and her niece Alicia.

Burial will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston, MN at a later date.

Harriet M. Wright, 97, a longtime resident of Kasson, MN, died on January 31, 2022, at Samaritan Bethany in Rochester where she resided the past few months.  Harriet was born to George and Mary Adkins October 1, 1924, at their farm near Grinnell, IA. She graduated from Grinnell High School and she attended Iowa State Teachers College to become an elementary school teacher. Harriet taught grades 1-8 at Burrett and Grant No. 1 country schools in Laurel and Grinnell, IA.

She married Harold H. Wright on December 11, 1943. During the first two years of their marriage, Harold served in Europe as a pilot in the Army Air Corps. After he returned from his service, Harriet and Harold raised their 4 children and farmed near Gilman and Laurel IA where they established a registered black Angus herd and were active in Angus activities. In 1959 they moved to rural Kasson, MN and continued their cattle operation, as well as custom corn shelling. Harriet and Harold were long-time members of Pleasant Corners United Methodist Church where Harriet taught Sunday School. They retired from farming in 1994 and moved to Kasson and attended the First Baptist Church. After Harold’s death in 2010, Harriet moved to Rochester where she attended Evangel United Methodist Church. She continued to enjoy her hobbies of quilting, needlework, reading and cooking. She sewed many quilts for her family, and she was known for the delicious pies she baked. Harriet was an avid reader, especially interested in the Civil War and other American history.

Harriet is survived by her daughter Virginia Wright of Bath ME; son George (Helga) Wright of Ottersheim, Germany; daughters-in-law Pamela Wright of Rochester MN and Phyllis Wright of Crystal MN; grandchildren Jeff (Heather) Wright of Andover, MN, Melanie (Anthony) Lopiccolo of Greenwood Village CO, Laurie Wright of Crystal MN, Steven Wright of Coon Rapids MN, Josh (Rose) Wright of Dun Laoghaire, Ireland, and Emily (Joe) Contreras of Grand Forks ND; great-grandchildren Colby, Lauren, Nicholas, Julia, Kiara, Gianna, Stella, Henry, Matthew, Jacob, and Jonah.

Harriet was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Harold, Sr.; her sons Harold Wright, Jr. and Gary Wright; her brother Delmar Adkins and his wife Ruth; and her parents George and Mary Adkins. 

A celebration of life will be held at 10:00 AM Monday, February 7 at Evangel United Methodist Church, 2645 Broadway Ave N, Rochester with Pastor Mark Rader officiating. Visitation and coffee time will be at the church one hour prior to the service.  Burial will take place in Grinnell, Iowa at 10:00 am on Tuesday, February 8. 

Memorials are suggested to Evangel or Pleasant Corners United Methodist Churches’ UMW mission programs or to the donor’s choice.

Eileen G. Lyke, 87, of Dodge Center, MN passed away January 26, 2022 at Fairview Care Center, Dodge Center. 

Eileen was born on March 28, 1934 to Bennett and Marian Smith.  On June 1, 1953, she married Erwin Lyke.  They farmed for 27 years before moving into Dodge Center, MN.  She then worked for Gauerke’s Variety Store. 

Eileen is survived by her children Katherine Lyke (Jeff Miller) and Darvin (Rachael) Lyke, 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.  

She was preceded in death by her husband, Erwin, her parents and grandson Benjamin Langworthy.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, February 4, at Dibble Funeral Chapel, 213 W. Main St, Kasson, MN with Roger Langworthy officiating.  Visitation will be at the funeral home one hour prior to the the service.  Burial will be in the Spring at Riverside Cemetery, Dodge Center, MN.  

    Marilyn Merle Grove, 91, of Kasson passed away peacefully, with family by her side, on January 12, 2022 at Samaritan Bethany Nursing Home where she had been a resident for 2 years.

    Marilyn was born on October 10^th, 1930, to Everett and Hazel McCready in Eyota, MN. They later moved to the Kasson area. She attended the Kasson Schools and graduated from Kasson High School in 1948. She went on to attend Mankato State Teachers College and received her teaching certificate from there in 1950.

    Marilyn’s first class as a teacher was in Kenyon, MN. During that time, she also met her future husband, Menton Grove, at a dance being held at the Armory in Rochester, MN. They later married on June 15^th ,1952 and settled on a farm near Kasson.  She taught in Kasson until 1954 and then continued as a substitute teacher while raising her family on the farm.

   Menton and Marilyn were married for over 60 years until Menton’s passing in 2012. Marilyn was a 4-H Leader for 20 years.  She was also a very active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Kasson, MN., where she was a Sunday School teacher, a member of various circles, the church librarian, worked in the nursery, and also served on the Altar Committee. She also enjoyed Farm Bureau events and Harmony Club, which was the local neighborhood social club. 

    Marilyn enjoyed many things in life.  She had a passion for reading and also adored cats, whether they were house or farm cats. She was a loving wife and devoted mom. Her family meant everything to her. She will be missed.

    She is survived by two children, Marcia (Steve) Simonson and Marvin Grove, both of Rochester; former son-in-law Steve (Julie) Cloutier of Alexandria, MN.; sister Beth (Dale) Hoverman of Marion;  grandkids Keith Cloutier, Daniel (Amanda), Adam, and Michael (Courtney) Simonson; and great-grandchildren Kyle Cloutier and Aiden Simonson. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents Everett and Hazel McCready; husband Menton; and children Marie Cloutier and Mark Grove.

    The family would like to express a special thank you to the caregivers at St. Croix Hospice and at Samaritan Bethany. Thank you, also, to special friend and caregiver, LuAnn.

     In lieu of flowers the family would prefer memorials be directed to them for distribution according to their wishes at a later time.

    Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, January 19, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 301 8^th Ave. NW, Kasson, MN 55944 with Pastor Mary Kaye Ashley officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Maple Grove Cemetery in Kasson after the service followed by lunch at Events by Saker, 401 8^th St. SE, Kasson, MN. 55944.