July 2024

Mavis Mae McPheeters, 93, of Hutchinson passed away on Monday, July 8, 2024, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson. Memorial Service was held Monday, July 15, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson with private family interment at a later date in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Gibbon. Clergy Officiating: Pastor Greg Tobison; Organist: Jon Wheeler; Congregational Hymns: ‘Great is Thy Faithfulness’, “Be Still My Soul”, “Create in Me a Clean Heart”, “Lift High the Cross”; Urn Bearers: Son, Mark Bruns Mavis Mae McPheeters was born on May 30, 1931, in Wellington Township, Renville County. She was the daughter of Arthur and Alvina (Freyholtz) Hillmann. Mavis was baptized as an infant and later confirmed in her faith as a youth at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Fairfax. She received her education in Fairfax and was a graduate of the Fairfax High School, class of 1949. On November 6, 1949, Mavis was united in marriage to Wesley Bruns at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Fairfax. This marriage was blessed with three children, Steven, Jennifer, and Mark. Mavis and Wesley resided in Gibbon and later moved to Hutchinson. They shared 43 years of marriage prior to Wesley’s passing in 1995. On June 11, 1999, Mavis married Richard McPheeters at Grace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. They shared 20 years of marriage prior to his death in 2019. Mavis, along with her husband Wesley, farmed from 1949-1990. She was a stay-at-home mom and sold Tupperware. They owned and operated May-Wes Manufacturing in Gibbon and Hutchinson from 1972-2001 where she was office manager. Mavis was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. Mavis enjoyed oil painting, gambling, dancing, and wintering in Arizona. She also enjoyed spending time with her friends and family. Blessed be her memory. Mavis is survived by her children, Steve Bruns and his wife Jill, Jennifer Schauland and her husband Steven, Mark Bruns and his wife Lori; stepchildren, Jeff (Tammi) McPheeters and Shaw

Meryl Lorraine Peters, 88, of Hutchinson passed away on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at her home. She was born on May 9, 1936, the daughter of Otto and Verna (Froeming) Fratzke. Meryl and Rob were united in marriage on May 28, 1954, sharing almost 66 years. God blessed them with five children: Randy, Colleen, Tamara, Jeffrey, and Dan. Meryl and Rob engaged in farming in Sumter Township until 1996 when they retired. In 2000 they sold their farm site and moved to Lake Minnie Belle and then built a home in Hutchinson. Meryl enjoyed getting together with friends and family. She was an active member of Crosspoint Church and attended the Young at Heart group and many Bible study classes. Meryl enjoyed living in the country most of her life and being by Rob’s side in farming. To this day she was always watching the fields and concerned about the farmers. She enjoyed baking and was known for her delicious pies. She always had cookies on hand for the grandkids and coffee for friends (from her Bunn coffee maker of course!). She enjoyed playing many card games and got together often with friends and family. If you were lucky enough to lose to her, she let you know with her waving foam finger and song “I’m number one...”. Meryl was a prankster and had a particular love of mice, not! She loved gospel country music and a lot of the older hymns. Rob and Meryl traveled many places throughout their marriage and enjoyed being snowbirds in Florida and Arizona in the winter as long as they were home for Spring fishing. Meryl is survived by her children: Colleen (Mark) Sickmann of Big Lake, Tamara Malone of Willmar, Jeffrey (Darcie) Peters of Rhinelander, Wis., Dan Peters of Sartell, and daughter-in-law Jessica Peters (widow of Randy) of Hutchinson, 13 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; sisters: Eunice Peters of Eveleth, Dorothy Schwarze of Hutchinson and sister-in-law Ellen Fratzke of Hutchinson and many other relatives and friends. Meryl was preceded in death by her husband Robe

Violet Mabel Rosenau was born on April 19, 1937, at home in Cairo Township, Renville County, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Clarence and Mildred (Grams) Rieke. Violet was baptized as an infant at home in Fairfax, Minnesota, and later confirmed in her faith as a youth at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Fairfax.

Viona E. Schroeder, 94, of Hutchinson died at Harmony River Nursing Home in Hutchinson on Sunday, July 14, 2024. Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, July 19, 2024, at All Saints Lutheran Church in Darwin and visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church. Interment will be at All Saints Lutheran Cemetery in Darwin. Viona Evangeline Schroeder, the daughter of Reinhart and Leona (Rather) Schuette was born on Janaury 1, 1931, in Glencoe. She grew up in Cedar Mills and was united in marriage to Albert Schroeder on July 17, 1951, at St. Johns Evangelical Church. Viona lived in Darwin most of her life and worked as a dry cleaner for 20 years and did alterations for 23 years. Viona worked her last 10 years before retiring at HTI doing housekeeping. She was a member of All Saints Lutheran Church and had a strong faith. Viona enjoyed sewing, quilting, puzzles, dancing, art coloring books, and spending time with her family. She was extremely talented. Viona is survived by her children, Gary (Shirley) Schroeder of Greenbay, Wis.; grandchildren, Codey Fester, Michael (Penny) Kronback, April Kronback, Michelle (Jake) Lancelle, Kris (Terry) Ziskovsky, Erin Schroeder, and Becky Schroeder; great-grandchildren, Jordan, Tanner, Taylor, Eric, Christian, Mindy, Austen, Alexia, Natalie, Eminah, M`teyah, Sarah, Ethan, Raelyn, Melissa, Arianna, Emily, Elizabeth, and Malahkai. She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; daughter, Vonnie Kronback; brother, Hillard Schuette; grandchildren, Marc and Eric Schroeder; great-granddaughter, Kylea May; and brother-in-law, Milan Hoff. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Special thank you to all the staff at Harmony River Nursing Home and Alina Hospice for all of their care for Viona.

Janet “Jan” Bakken, 84, of Hutchinson passed away on Thursday, July 4, 2024, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson. Funeral Service were held Saturday, July 13, 2024, 11 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson with interment on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Waconia. Clergy Officiating: Pastor Jeff Miller; Organist: Dr. Joan DeVee Dixon; Congregational Hymns: “Give Me Jesus”, “How Great Thou Art”, “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”, “Borning Cry” “I’ll Fly Away”; Honorary Casket Bearers: Jim Rannow, Mike Goetsch, Traci Davis, Jacqui Field, Brian Bakken; Casket Bearers: Jerry Hoff, Chuck Colby, James Kalenberg Jr., Marleigh Von Arsdale, Nancy Skilbred, Kim Nelson Janet “Jan” Marie Bakken was born on August 29, 1939, in Hutchinson. She was the daughter of Henry and Dorothea (Totz) Rannow. Jan was baptized as an infant and later confirmed in her faith as a youth at Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. She received her education in Hutchinson and was a proud member of the Hutchinson High School class of 1957. On July 27, 1958, Jan was united in marriage to Warren Bakken at Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. This marriage was blessed with four children, Rebecca, Scott, Cynthia and Steven. As Warren served in the United States Navy, they moved across the United States and the Philippines for 20 years before making their home in Waconia. They shared 41 years of marriage until Warren passed away on May 18, 2000. This was a tremendous loss for Jan. She was comforted by God’s promise of eternal salvation for Warren and God’s continued presence. Jan loved being a wife, mother, grandmother, homemaker and volunteer. Many opportunities involved serving God, such as Sunday school and Vacation Bible School teacher, visiting nursing homes, serving as a board member in Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, choir member, Bible study leader, and Stephen’s ministry caregiver and leader. Jan had a speci

Arlene E. Beneke, 90, of Hutchinson passed away on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at Ecumen Pines in Hutchinson. Memorial Service will be held on Friday, July 12, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. Clergy Officiating: Pastor Gerhard Bode; Organist: Dr. Joan DeVee Dixon; Soloist: Austin Willhite “The Lord’s Prayer”,