Laura Truebenbach

LAURA TRUEBENBACH, age 96, died on Friday, July 19, 2024 at Bethesda Grand in Willmar.

Laura Rosa Esther Krenke was born on March 1, 1928 in Lemond Township, Steele County, Minnesota. She was the daughter of William and Wanda (Willert) Krenke. Laura was baptized as an infant on April 1, 1928 and later confirmed in her faith in her youth on May 24, 1942, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of rural Meriden.

She attended elementary school at District 54 in Steele County. Laura went on to graduate from Owatonna High School in 1946. While in high school, Laura began working at Selmer and Vida Langlie’s home while Selmer was in the service and MIA at the time. She also worked at the St. Olaf Lake store, and the roller rink. Following her graduation, she was employed as a nanny and housekeeper for Dr. Oeljen in Waseca.

On October 19, 1947, Laura was united in marriage to Hilbert Truebenbach at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Meriden. They began their married life living on a farm in Le Sueur County and later moved to another farm in Waseca County in 1952. In 1956, they quit farming and Hilbert began working for Birds Eye while Laura started working for Brown Printing Co. in 1960 and continued until her retirement in 1989. They moved to the John Sutter farm in Blooming Grove Township where they lived for 17 years. In 1973, they purchased a home near New Richland. When they needed assistance with their daily care, Laura and Hilbert moved to town in New Richland and most recently Laura resided in Willmar to be closer to family. 

Laura is survived by her children, Beverly (Bruce) Barrett of Litchfield, Darlene (Ralph) Davis of Fountain, CO, Nancy Brekke of Ellendale, Karen (Jeff) Koehler of Belgrade, Mary Rahman of Forest Lake, and Donna (Steve) Bondeli of Thorpe, WI; daughters-in-law, Bonnie Truebenbach of Waseca and Julie Truebenbach of Shakopee; 17 grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Hilbert in 2008; two sons, Paul in 1990 and James in 1993; sons-in-law, Sam Brekke in 2012 and Steve Rahman in 2016; three sisters, Loretta Abbe, Luella Fischer, and Lenore Bratsch; brother, Roland Krenke; several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

Visitation will be from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at the Third Street Chapel of Dennis-Steffel-Omtvedt Funeral and Cremation Service in Waseca. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. 

Funeral Service will be 11:00 AM on Friday, July 26, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Richland with Pastor Mary Iverson officiating. Interment will be at Decoria Cemetery in Blue Earth County.