Obituaries

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

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

Linda S. Ortloff, 70, of Hutchinson passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, June 24, 2024, at Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park. Funeral Service was held Wednesday, July 3, 2024, 11 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Hutchinson with interment in Woodville Cemetery in Waseca. Clergy Officiating: Pastor John Grein; Organist: Shirlee Landskroener; Congregational Hymns: “I Know That My Redeemer Lives, “The Church’s One Foundation”, “My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less”,

Jerry was born on November 13, 1950. He was the youngest of 11 children. Jerry was an avid cook and loved being in a kitchen. He got that passion starting with dish washing at Swanson’s Truck Stop Hwy 7, eventually working up to cooking. Later, Jerry helped run a truck stop in Grand Junction, Colo. His passion shifted to driving over-the-road 18 wheelers for over 30 years. Jerald “Jerry” E. Swanson, 73, passed away on Monday, April 1, 2024, in Arizona. Jerry is survived by siblings: Nancy Koelln, Margaret (Myron) Janke, Thom (Cloe) Swanson, Jeanette (James Brown) Johnson, Vicki Buschmann, Philip (Susan) Swanson, and V. LeRoy (Teresa Finn) Swanson; many cousins, nieces, nephews. Jerry is preceded in death by his mother, Phronsie; father, Victor; siblings: Ardythe (James) Ryan, Vincent James (Ann) Swanson, Allen Swanson; brothers-inlaw, Gerald Koelln and William Buschmann. Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2024, from 2 to 4 p.m. at 216 N. Davis Ave. Litchfield, MN 55355.

Clifford B. Jackson, 75, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, after a courageous battle with ALS. Celebration of Life was held on Monday, July 8, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Dobratz-Hantge Fun eral Chapel in Hutchinson. Memorials preferred to The ALS Association, DAV, or St. Croix Hospice. Clergy Officiating: Mike Rueckert, Hospice Chaplain; Reflections: Rob Jackson, Ryan Jackson, Joe Schwebach; Special Music (CD): “Strong” by Anne

June I. West, 90, of Hutchinson passed away on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at her home in Hutchinson. Funeral Service was held Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Brownton with interment in the church cemetery. Clergy Officiating: Reverend R. Allan Reed; Organist: Karen Buckentin; Soloist: Ashley Lindeman “Amazing Grace, “How Great Thou Art”; Congregational Hymn: “Just As I Am”; Casket Bearers: Grandsons, Ryan West, Riley West, Adam Black, and Sam Lindeman, Nephews, Daryl Rath, Michael Brekke, and Greg Holtz June Irene Norma West was born on December 5, 1933, at home in Acoma Township. She was the daughter of Otto and Clara (Hollman) Holtz. June was baptized as an infant on December 21, 1933, at home by Rev. Walter Voigt of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Acoma Township and was later confirmed in her faith as a youth on March 30, 1947, by Pastor W.G. Voigt at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Acoma Township. She received her education in Hutchinson and was a graduate with Hutchinson High School class of 1952. On April 27, 1952, June was united in marriage to Larry West at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Acoma Township. This marriage was blessed with three children, Debrah, Randall and Jennifer. June and Larry resided in Brownton for 52 years. In 2004, they moved to Park Rapids for eight years to be closer to their daughter, Deb, and then moved back to Hutchinson. They shared 61 years of marriage until Larry passed away on February 14, 2014. June and Larry owned and operated Larry’s Fairway for 25 years. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Brownton. June was very artistic and loved to decorate cakes and create colorful quilts. She also enjoyed traveling in the RV with Larry and bowling. June loved all animals but especially loved cats. She cherished any time spent with her family, grandchildren, and friends. Blessed be her memory. June is survived by her children, Debrah Lindeman and her husband Steven of Park Rapids, Randall West and his