DEATH NOTICES

LAVAYNE LANGAN
October 27, 1928 - February 13, 2018

LaVayne Langan passed away on Tuesday, February 13^th at her daughter’s home in Reno, NV with family by her side. She was 89 years old.

She was born on October 27, 1928, the daughter of Martin and Goldie Rovang. LaVayne grew up on the family farm in Bryant, South Dakota; she started her education in a one-room school house and graduated with a degree in teaching from Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen, SD.

Teaching was more than an occupation for LaVayne, it was a passion. She started teaching in Watertown, SD and then moved to Benson, MN in her early 20’s to start the kindergarten program. She had countless wonderful memories of students and colleagues from her time teaching in the Benson school district. She taught for over 50 years and felt privileged to have been part of so many young lives. Multiple generations of families had Mrs. Langan as a teacher.

Lisa Marie Bonebright
September 13, 1963 – February 15, 2018

Lisa Marie Bonebright, 54, of Mitchell, SD, formerly of Benson, Minnesota, died Thursday, February 15, 2018, at her residence in Mitchell, SD.  Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m., followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m., Saturday, February 24, 2018, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Benson.  Interment will be in St. Francis Catholic Church Cemetery in Benson.  

Lisa Marie Bonebright, 54, was born September 13, 1963 in Estherville, IA, the daughter of Dale and Rosemary Dahl (Soat). She was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Faith. She grew up and attended school in Appleton and Benson. She graduated from Benson High School in 1982, attended the Dental Assistant program at Canby Vo-Tech, and graduated in 1983.

Funeral services for Elizabeth “Liz” Ritter of Graceville, Minnesota, formerly of Chokio will be Friday, February 16, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Chokio, MN, with Father John Paul Knopik serving as celebrant for the service. Visitation will be Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m., with a rosary at 5:00 and a prayer service at 7:00 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Chokio and one hour prior to services at the church on Friday. Burial will be at a later date in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, near Chokio.

Suzette Jone Kaercher-Blake

January 5, 1965 - February 5, 2018

Mundwiler and Larson Funeral Home announces the death of Sue Kaercher-Blake, age 53, resident of Ortonville, MN.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 10, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ortonville.  Rev. Richard Larson will officiate.  Visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m.  Visitation will continue on Saturday, one hour prior to the service.

Ortonville and Big Stone County have lost one of their most optimistic personalities, community advocate, and longtime business promoter with the passing of Sue Kaercher-Blake, age 53, on Monday, Feb. 5th, 2018, Ortonville native and owner-publisher of The Ortonville Independent and The Northern Star weekly newspaper.

Suzette Jone Kaercher-Blake was born in Ortonville on January 5th, 1965, the daughter of James Kaercher and Jeanette (Buechler) Kaercher.

Scott A. Monson
d. January 29, 2018
 

LOLA M. CLEMEN
June 23, 1921 – January 30, 2018

Lola M. Clemen, 96, formerly of Benson, Minn. died Tuesday, January 30, 2018, at Bethesda Grand in Willmar.  Lola is survived by her two daughters, Peggy (Bill) Cain of Willmar and Carol Abelson of Crystal; 6 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-granddaughter; 2 sisters, Elenore Larson and Cecil Ellingson of Benson; 1 brother, Clifford Smith of Willmar; 2 sisters-in-law, Joyce Smith of Benson and Corinne Smith of St. Cloud; friend Arlene Clemen of Benson; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence in 1997; son, Jim in 2012; a son in infancy; her parents; 4 sisters; and 4 brothers.  At Lola’s request, a private family graveside service will be in the St. Bridget’s Catholic Cemetery in DeGraff at a later date. 

Arrangements are with Zniewski Funeral Home.  www.zniewskifuneralhome.com

Marion Jane Bommersbach
March 13, 1939 – January 29, 2018

Marion J. Bommersbach, 78, died on Monday afternoon, January 29, 2018 at the Swift County Benson Health Services in Benson.

Visitation will be held from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, followed by a memorial service in the Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church Chapel at 1:00 pm, on Friday, February 2, 2018. Burial will be at a later date in Kindred, North Dakota.

Marion Jane (Dokken) Bommersbach, was born  March 13, 1939, in Benson, Minnesota, the daughter of Carl Melvin and Olive Louise (Halls) Dokken. She was baptized and confirmed at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church. She grew up in Benson and graduated from Benson Senior High School. In 1963, she was united in marriage to Bernard John Bommersbach in Minot, North Dakota. She owned and operated a beauty shop in Kindred, North Dakota. Marion moved back to Benson in 2012 to be closer to her family.

Reuben David Becker
September 5, 1920 • January 27, 2018

Reuben David Becker was called to his heavenly home Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 12:45 a.m.

His Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m.  Saturday, February 3, 2018 at the Country Manor Chapel located at 520 1st St NE Sartell, Minnesota.  Review will begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the chapel. Fellowship with lunch will follow the service. Burial is in the Benson City Cemetery in Benson, Minnesota at 3 p.m. Saturday.  

ELEANOR HAGSTROM
October 11, 1927 - January 24, 2018

A funeral service will be held 11 AM Friday, February 2, 2018 at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Interment will follow in the White Garden Cemetery. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at church. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.

Eleanor Jeanne Erickson was born October 11, 1927 in Watertown, SD, the daughter of Martin and Ella (Anderson) Erickson. Eleanor grew up in Willmar, MN.

Following high school, Eleanor worked for The Bank of Willmar as secretary and bookkeeper. She attended Luther College in Decorah, IA where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Parish Work. She was active in the Nordic Choir and excelled as a soloist.