DEATH NOTICES

Donald Clifford Arneson, long-time resident of Prior Lake passed away suddenly April 18, 2020 at the age of 87.

Don was born  June 11, 1932 in Benson, Minnesota to Clifford and Lucille Arneson. He had Master degrees in Spanish and English. Don started teaching in Forest Lake and moved into other educational fields and sales. He was in a partnership of a travel agency in Burnsville for seven years.

Don had a great love of books and reading.  He has written and published multiple plays and books. He was voted best director for innumerable family plays.  He had an unstoppable love for his family.  He enjoyed walking, happy hour at the lake and many, many travels.

Don, along with his wife Joyce, were involved in Peace Reformed Church in Eagan for many years. They served as board members in the Prior Lake Players. They also served in the Peace Corps in 1989 in Jamaica.  

Dale was born in Glasgow, MT on July 6, 1937, the son of Carl J. and Clarice (Avok) Sonsteng.  He was baptized July 16, 1937 at First Lutheran Church of Glasgow by Rev. Harold Siqueland.  He spent the first nearly eight years of his life on a farm at Larslan in northeastern Montana.  In 1945, his family returned to farm near Benson, MN where both of his parents had grown up.  He was confirmed June 22, 1952 at Lake Hazel Lutheran Church by Rev.

Sidney Arnold Rustad, 90, of Benson, Minn., died Friday, May 8, 2020, at home surrounded by his family, under Hospice care. A private family grave side service will be held Friday, May 15, 2020.  Arrangements are with Zniewski Funeral Home in Benson.  

Myrtle Starbeck, 90, of Montevideo, passed away Thursday, April 30th at her residence.  A private family service is planned on Wednesday May 6th with burial at Sunset Memorial Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Wing-Bain Funeral Home.

Myrtle E. Starbeck was born July 15, 1929, the daughter of Peter & Margaret Swanberg, in Benson.  She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.  She worked as a nanny for a doctor in South Dakota during her teenage years. Myrtle graduated from the Benson High School. 

James Harlow Johnson, 87, of Minneapolis, Minnesota  died Monday, April 20, 2020 at home.
 

Jim was born in New London July 11, 1932 at his grandparents’ home. His parents were Harlow and Sovina (Skeie) Johnson.
 

James graduated from Kerkhoven High School in 1950. He went on to graduate from Concordia College in Moorhead in 1954 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and physical education. Teaching history in Elbow Lake was his first job after graduation.
 

Mabel Ruth Hughes, 98, passed away on her birthday, Sunday, April 26, 2020, at White Pine Assisted Living in White Bear Lake, MN from the effects of Alzheimer’s.

The second child of Henry and Dorothy Hanson, Mabel was born in Six Mile Grove Township, Swift County. She attended country school near their farm through 8^th grade and graduated from Benson High School in 1940.

Ronald “Ron” Bahl, age 89, of Appleton, died Wednesday evening, April 22^nd

Cynthia Louise (Jobgen) Giese gained her angel wings April 16th, 2020 due to complications during surgery for lung cancer. She attained the age of 65 years.

Lawrence C. Larson, 100, of Benson, Minnesota died on Monday evening, April 20, 2020, at home at Scofield Place in Benson. A celebration of life will be held later this year. Interment will be in the Swenoda Cemetery, Swenoda Township. Zniewski Funeral Home of Benson is assisting the family with the arrangements. 

Janet Jossart was born January 1, 1932, in Benson, MN, the daughter of Richard and Agnes (Sather) Jossart.  She was raised on the family farm south of Benson. She attended country school through the eighth grade.

Janet was united in marriage to Jerry Voorhees on January 13, 1951. When Jerry entered the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Rucker, AL Janet moved to Alabama to be with him. After about one year in Alabama Janet returned to the Benson area and began raising her family. Jerry and Janet were blessed with six children. The family moved to Willmar for a short time and on to Marshall, MN where Janet worked in the Schwann’s sandwich plant.