Obituaries

Michael Gerard Collins

Michael Gerard Collins

Jan 25, 2025

MICHAEL GERARD COLLINS, Age 67, of Waseca passed away on January 25, 2025, at Hillcrest Rehabilitation Center in Mankato. 

Michael was born on October 6, 1957, in Waseca, MN, to Joseph M. Collins and Maureen A. (Connors) Collins. Michael attended Sacred Heart School, graduated from Waseca High School in 1976, and went on to St. Cloud Vocational Technical College in 1977....

Edward Felix Kubat

Edward Felix Kubat

Jan 25, 2025

EDWARD FELIX KUBAT, age 81, of Waseca passed away surrounded by family on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato after a silent two-year battle with cancer. 

Born on October 11, 1943, in Owatonna, Ed was the son of Edward and Elizabeth (Kubichek) Kubat. He graduated from Marian High School with the class of 1961. Following high...

Mahlon Charles Grubish

Mahlon Charles Grubish

Jan 24, 2025

MAHLON CHARLES GRUBISH, age 95, of Waterville, died peacefully on Friday, January 24, 2025, in Faribault

Born to Charles Stephen and Marie Clare (Stangler) Grubish on August 24, 1929, at Waseca Hospital, he was the oldest of 8 children. Mahlon attended a one-room country school south of Waterville which was on his home farmland. He farmed with his father and eventually...

Beatrice Elaine O'Brien

Beatrice Elaine O'Brien

Jan 23, 2025

BEATRICE ELAINE (MAASS) O’BRIEN, age 81, of Waseca passed away peacefully on January 23, 2025 after a 3 year battle with stage 4 breast cancer. Up until the end Bea maintained her love for everyday life. Despite frequent trips to the doctor, she continued to stay active visiting and talking with her siblings, attending to her family, following grandkids and...

James Francis Byron

James Francis Byron

Jan 22, 2025

 JAMES FRANCIS BYRON, 103-year-old resident of Waseca, passed away at his home on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. 

Born on October 17, 1921, in St. Mary Township, Waseca County, he was the son of William E. and Elmira (Conway) Byron. Jim was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Mary Township. He began his education at the Gallagher country...

Douglas Jeffrey Sasse

Douglas Jeffrey Sasse

Jan 18, 2025

DOUGLAS JEFFREY SASSE, age 80, of Waseca died on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at Minneapolis VA Medical Center.

Born on September 16, 1944 in Anoka, Doug was the son of Daniel and Valeera (Moll) Sasse. He grew up on a turkey farm north of Sleepy Eye and attended Sleepy Eye Public Schools. Doug proudly served in the United States Army and...

Nina Winifred Carlson

Nina Winifred Carlson

Jan 18, 2025

Nina W. Carlson passed away on January 18, 2025 at her apartment at Monarch Lakeshore Assisted Living. She was 101 years old. 

Nina was born the seventh child of William L. Marshall and Nina M. Marshall (Clarke) in Osage City, Kansas on April 13, 1923. Nina’s father had a full service dairy, so Nina spent part of her early years cleansing...

George Carlson

George Carlson

Jan 16, 2025

George Henry Carlson, 92, formerly of Columbia Heights, Minnesota, passed away from natural causes on January 16, 2025, in Janesville, MN. A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, he will be remembered for his selflessness and generosity, life of service, and storytelling.

George was born on June 9, 1932, in Cambridge, MN to Herman and Nora Carlson. He grew up on a...

Steven Vernon Melcher

Steven Vernon Melcher

Jan 16, 2025

STEVEN VERNON MELCHER, age 71 of Janesville, passed away from heart complications on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at Mayo Clinic Health System – Mankato.

He was born on March 24, 1953, in Sacramento, California, a son of Ervin and Charlotte (Hutter) Melcher. He graduated from Waseca High School – Class of 1971. On June 15, 1974, he married the love of...

Justin Colby Mueller

Justin Colby Mueller

Jan 15, 2025

JUSTIN COLBY MUELLER, age 40, of Waseca, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on January 15, 2025 at his home.

Born October 31, 1984, in Mankato to Gary Mueller and Jenn Philips-Schoknecht. Justin lived a life filled with passion, purpose, and a deep love for his family and friends.

Justin’s early years were spent in Janesville, where he developed a strong work ethic, starting...

David John Clausen

David John Clausen

Jan 15, 2025

DAVID JOHN CLAUSEN, age 92 died on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at the Mapleton Community Home.

Born on October 25, 1932, he was the son of Herbert and Eveline (Krueger) Clausen. He graduated from Pemberton High School in 1951and married Lorraine Witt on January 2, 1952 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville.

David farmed, raised sheep, and had a dairy herd. He...

Ruth Rosalie Smith

Ruth Rosalie Smith

Jan 11, 2025

Ruth Rosalie Smith (née Purcell) – or as her friends and family called her “Toddy” – passed away on January 11, 2025. Born on April 3, 1938, Toddy grew up in Waseca, Minnesota. She was a gloriously independent spirit. Toddy met her future husband Kent Smith in the Fifth Grade. She saw some boys playing baseball and she wanted to...

Suzanne Endres

Suzanne Endres

Jan 9, 2025

SUZANNE “SUE” ENDRES, age 69 of Janesville died on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at her home in Janesville.

Born on April 5, 1955 in Brainerd, Minnesota, she was the daughter of Robert and Joanne (Turcotte) Endres. 

Sue was a loving and doting mother, grandmother, daughter and sister. Sue led a life that was always centered on her family. She wanted what was...

Lori Ann Keyes

Lori Ann Keyes

Jan 8, 2025

LORI ANN KEYES, formerly of Iosco Township, passed away on January 8, 2025, at Centra Care in Redwood Falls, MN. Recently she was a resident of Franklin Restorative Care in Franklin MN.

Lori Ann was born November 27, 1967, to Dale & Goldie Keyes of rural Janesville. She was the first-born child of the couple. She was a joy to the...

Richard Martig Rohne

Richard Martig Rohne

Jan 3, 2025

RICHARD MARTIG ROHNE, age 81 of Waseca, died Friday, January 3, 2025, at the Mapleton Community Home in Mapleton.

He was born on September 21, 1943, in Minneapolis. He was the son of Orville D. and Viola E. (Martig) Rohne. Richard served in the United States Navy from 1962-1968. Following his release from service, he attended the Colorado Barber College. He...

Leon Edward Ritchie

Leon Edward Ritchie

Dec 30, 2024

LEON EDWARD RITCHIE, age 78 of Waseca, died Monday, December 30, 2024, at his home.

He was born on January 18, 1946, in Faribault. He was the son of Edward Lee and Dorothy Ellen (Fritz) Ritchie. He graduated from Waseca Public Schools – Class of 1964. Leon served his country in the United States Air Force. Following his military service, he...

Curtis Melvin Dodge

Curtis Melvin Dodge

Dec 26, 2024

CURTIS MELVIN DODGE, age 76, of Rochester passed away on the morning of Thursday, December 26, 2024 at Mayo Clinic Health System – Methodist Campus in Rochester.

Born on August 17, 1948, in Albert Lea, Curtis was the son of Gene and Sylvia (Tukua) Dodge. He grew up in New Richland, where he attended New Richland High School, excelling in wrestling...

Ronald Martin Steffen

Ronald Martin Steffen

Dec 25, 2024

RONALD MARTIN STEFFEN, age 75, of Waseca, died peacefully on Christmas morning, December 25, 2024, at his lifelong home.

Born on January 15, 1949, at home in rural Waseca, Ron was the youngest child born to Earl and Grace (Kumerow) Steffen. He received his education at Waseca Central High School, graduating with the class of 1967. Following the unexpected passing of...

Lucille Emma Nelson

Lucille Emma Nelson

Dec 23, 2024

LUCILLE “LUCY” EMMA NELSON, age 80, of Waseca passed away on Monday, December 23, 2024 at her home.

Born on May 3, 1944 in Springfield, MN, Lucy was the daughter of Fredrick and Grace (Johnson) Zimmerman. She attended Comfrey High School. She was united in marriage to Roger Nelson on April 8, 1961 in Darfur, MN. Together, they raised three sons:...

Arlene Mae Wehr

Arlene Mae Wehr

Dec 21, 2024

ARLENE MAE WEHR, age 87 of Waterville, died Saturday, December 21, 2024, at the New Richland Care Center in New Richland.

She was born on May 28, 1937, in Faribault. She was the daughter of George and Elsie (Schuler) Drinken. On April 9, 1955, she was united in marriage to Merle Edwin Wehr. She loved traveling, and spending winters with Merle...

Share by: