February 2025

Theola M. Fors, 96, of Hector passed away on Monday, January 27, 2025, at Hutchinson Health in Hutchinson. Memorial Service was Saturday, February 22, 2025, 11 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Brownton with interment in the church cemetery. Clergy Officiating: Reverend R. Allan Reed; Organist: Dawn Wolter; Soloist: Nicole Navratil “Amazing Grace”; Congregational Hymns: “Just As I am”, “Beautiful Savior”, “How Great Thou Art”; Urn Bearer: Granddaughter, Krista Graham Theola Marie Fors was born on February 20, 1928, in Bismarck Township. She was the daughter of Walter and Cordia (Hochsprung) Gaulke. Theola was baptized as an infant at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Bismarck Township and later confirmed in her faith as a youth at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Litchfield. She received her education in Litchfield and was a graduate of Litchfield High School, class of 1946. On March 6, 1950, Theola was united in marriage to Cecil Fors in Hopkinsville, Ky. This marriage was blessed with five daughters, Sharon, Sheila, Sandra, Susan and Shirley. Theola and Cecil were stationed in various places throughout the United States and Germany during Cecil’s career. They shared 45 years of marriage until Cecil passed away on March 13, 1995. Theola loved being home with her family and raising her daughters. She was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Brownton. Theola was the secretary of the Brownton Senior Citizens until May 2022. Theola enjoyed embroidery, playing cards, calling bingo numbers, reading, and jigsaw puzzles. She was a sports enthusiast and would never miss the chance to cheer on her favorite team, especially the Minnesota Twins. Theola cherished time spent with her family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends. Blessed be her memory. Theola is survived by her daughters, Sharon Alsleben and her husband Donovan of Brownton, Sheila Dalen and her husband Lawrence of Eden Prairie, Sandra Brau of Westminster, Colo., Susan Fors of Brownton, Shirley Fors of Minneapolis; grandchildren, Krista (Dave) Graham, Kelly Alsleben, Kimberly (Ted) Echemann, Paul (Natalie) Dalen, Molly (John) Wellner, Peter (Susan) Dalen, Jamie (Micah) Juelfs, Lindsey (Cole) Schindler, Mae (Rory) Hansch, Curtis (Nicole) Navratil, Justin (Kari) Navratil; greatgrandchildren, Aidan, Christopher, Jason, and Elise Graham, Cordia Stetz, Aubrey, Broderick, and Taylor Echemann, Oliver and Crosby Dalen, Noelle, Ryan, and Britt Kirby, Julia and Jonah Wellner, Teddy and Wesley Dalen, Estella and Aviana Juelfs, Finley and Sloane Schindler, River Hansch, Ernest and Zebediah Navratil, Daniel, Frederick, and JJ Navratil; siblings, Lucille Hadler of Farmington,Shirley Lewis and her husband Fred of Rogers, Ark., Glenn Gaulke and his wife Darlene of Hector; many other relatives and friends. Theola is preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Cordia Gaulke; husband, Cecil Fors; sisters, Theresa Martini, Alice Fransen, Jeanne Aeschliman; brothers-in-law, Lawrence Martini, Wilbert Fransen, Duane Hadler, Roy Aeschliman. Arrangements by Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Hutchinson. Online obituaries and guestbook available at www.hantge.com.

Ethel P. Klepel, 85, of Brownton passed away on Sunday, February 9, 2025, at Essentia Health in Fargo, N.D., with family at her side. Funeral Service was held Friday, February 21, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Brownton with interment in the church cemetery. Clergy Officiating: Rev. R. Allan Reed, Organist: Dawn Wolter, Congregational Hymns: “Now the Light Has Gone Away”, “My God, Accept My Heart This Day”, “I

FEASKI, RETIRED FA

Carol Ann (Briesemeister ’Breezy’) Mlinar of Hutchinson was called to be with the Lord on February 21, 2025, at the age of 86. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, March at 10 a.m. with the service to follow at 11 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran in Hutchinson with Pastor Daniel Gadbaw officiating.

MARYANN (SOPKOWIAK) LHOTKA

Dean E. Bemis, 85, of Hutchinson passed away on Sunday, February 9, 2025, at Banner Baywood Medical Center in Mesa, Ariz. Funeral Service was Saturday, February 22 with interment in Oakland Cemet ery, Hutchinson. Memorials preferred and will be donated to Dollars for Scholars for the Carpenter Shop Class. Clergy Officiating: Pastor Dave Wollan; Organist: Sharon Barton; Congregational Hymns: “How Great

Marlys J. Anderson, 90, of Hutchinson passed away on Sunday, February 9, 2025, at Hutchinson Health in Hutchinson. Memorial Service was held Friday, February 21, 2025, 1 p.m. at Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Hutchinson with interment in Oakland Cemetery in Hutchinson. Clergy Officiating: Pastor Randy Koppen; Pianist: Bev Wangerin; Soloist: Randy Koppen “Peace In The Valley”, “Precious Lord, Take My Hand”; Urn Bearers: Tyler and Shane Helget Marlys Jean Anderson made her surprise appearance 15 minutes before her identical twin sister, Marilyn Jane Tersteeg, at home in Buffalo Lake on April 12, 1934, to parents, Chester E. Fischer and Loretta (King) Fischer. To add to the surprise, it was also their Mother’s birthday, and they were expecting a boy. Ten years later, a baby sister, Barbara Ann Wenz, was added to the family. The twins were baptized by Rev. R.R. Werner and later confirmed in Evangelical Church, now known as United Methodist Church, by Rev. I.E. Kottke. It wasn’t until their graduation from Buffalo Lake High School in 1952 that they separated and started to develop their own individual personalities and lives. Marlys was married to Glenn Dettmann in 1956 in El Paso, Texas, while he was serving in the Army. They were later divorced. On May 7, 1983, Marlys and Dr. Chester A. Anderson were married. They made their home in Hector and then Hutchinson until his passing in Florida on February 28, 1996. Marlys continued to live in their home until she passed away on Sunday, February 9, 2025. In her younger years, Marlys enjoyed reading, playing piano and organ, knitting, and dancing. She also had a membership at the health club for 20 years, and for many years spent winters in Florida. During her working years, she worked in the medical field as a secretary and also in the Superintendent of School’s office and kept the books for the school district, first in Buffalo Lake and then in Hector. Putting her secretarial duties aside, Marlys and Doc became the owners of the Victorian Inn ... expressing kindness to all. Having no children of her own, she felt her calling was to help those who were near and dear to her. She will be greatly missed for her concern for others. To a life well lived. Blessed be her memory. May her spirit live on forever in our hearts. Marlys is survived by her niece, Sherry Ann (Wenz) Helget and her husband Bryan of Comfrey and their children, Heather Leopold and children, Kayla and Andrea of New Ulm; Alysia Moldaschel and her husband Joe and their sons, Connor and Bradley, of New Ulm; and twins, Tyler and Shane Helget of Comfrey; nephew, Scott Wenz and his wife Brooke of Faribault; brother-in-law, Allen Wenz of Faribault. Marlys was preceded in death by her parents, Chester and Loretta Fischer; husband, Dr. Chester Anderson; sister, Barbara Wenz; twin sister, Maryn Tersteeg and her husband Dan; nephew, Joel Tersteeg. Arrangements by Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Hutchinson. Online obituaries and guestbook available at www.hantge.com.

 Carol Ann (Briesemeister ’Breezy’) Mlinar of Hutchinson was called to be with the Lord on February 21, 2025, at the age of 86. Visitation will be held on Friday, February…