DEATH NOTICES

Lois H. Winkel, 76, of Paynesville, Minnesota (formerly of Benson) died Tuesday, March 17, 2020, at her daughter’s home surrounded by her children in Paynesville, under hospice care.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, August 1, 2020 at 11 a.m. at St. Bartholomew Cemetery, 160th Ave. and Hwy. 28, Villard, MN. A light lunch will be served at the Villard Community Center following the service.

Family has requested social distancing and masks. 

Memorial Services for Warren C. Suckow will be held at the United Methodist Church in Slayton, Minnesota, Saturday, August 1, 2020 at 10 a.m. with Rev. Ethanie Schmidt officiating. The organinst will be Janet Voges.  The honorary pallbearers are Warren Hanson, Bryon Gades, Scott Suckow, Jody Suckow, Russel Gades, Kent Gades, Larry Mesenbrink and Walter Halberg.  Interment will be at St. John’s Cemetery in Holloway. 

Warren Suckow was born April 22, 1939 on the family farm near Holloway, Minnesota to Gerhardt and Mildred Mesenbrink Suckow.  He grew up on the farm and graduated from Benson High School in 1957.  Following high school, Warren remained in Holloway.  Warren was  a member of the Minnesota Army National Guard from November 1956 to January 1965. 

Sister Shawn Carruth, Prioress of Mount St. Benedict Monastery, Crookston died unexpectedly March 26, 2020. 

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held August 6, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Mount St. Benedict Monastery chapel, Crookston, Minnesota. Attendance will be limited to her family, designated clergy, and the Sisters of Mount St. Benedict Monastery due to COVID-19.

A video of the Mass will be available at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception’s website, www.crookstoncathedral.com

Phyllis Ann (Hanson) Blakely, 54, of Rochester, Minnesota passed away July 20, 2020.

Internment will be at the Swift Falls Cemetery with a graveside service at a later date.

Phyllis was born in Benson, Minnesota.  She graduated high school from The Faribault School for the Blind in 1985.  Phyllis was married and divorced from Phillip Streng and David Blakely.  Phyllis resided at the Vila Haven Group Home in Rochester until her death. 

Phyllis is survived by her sisters, Carol Leaders and Nancy Dresser.  She was preceded in death by her parents Arnold and Pearl Hanson and two brothers Dale Hanson and Thomas Hanson.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes is in charge of the arrangements.  www.ranfranzandvinefh.com

To leave a condolence or special memory please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com

Philip H. Syverson, 87, of Clive, Iowa went to be with his Lord and Savior in the late evening of Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at Walnut Ridge Senior Living Community where he resided.

A private family committal service with military rites will be held at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery near Van Meter.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date at Zion Lutheran Church, 4300 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, with Pastor Tina Rasmussen and Pastor Bev Modlin officiating.

Ronald James Walter, age 74, of Hitchcock, passed away Friday, July 3, 2020, at Sanford Aberdeen Medical Center, Aberdeen SD, with his daughter and son-in-law, Tasma “Taz” Paye-Wilke and Patrick Wilke of Murdock, MN, by his side after a strong and courageous battle fighting multiple cancers.

His funeral service will be at 11:00 AM, Saturday, August 1st at the United Methodist Church at Hitchcock, with military honors.

Paul Mortenson, 89, died peacefully at his home in Benson on Tuesday, Saturday, July 14. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are with the Zniewski Funeral Home of Benson.

JoAnn Sandra Kurkosky, 65, of Benson, Minn., passed peacefully in her home, Monday, March 16, 2020. A graveside service will be held at 3:00 pm on Tuesday, July 21, 2020 at the St. Francis Catholic Cemetery in Benson. 

Larry D. Smith, 76, of Benson, Minnesota died unexpectedly July 13, 2020 at the St. Cloud Hospital. A public visitation was held from 11-2 p.m. Friday, July 17, 2020 at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Benson with a private family service that followed.  Social distancing and a mask were encouraged. Burial with military honors was in the Benson City Cemetery. 

Larry Douglas Smith was born August 17, 1943 in Benson, the son of Leland and Edna (Heschke) Smith.  He grew up in Benson and attended Benson High School.  He enlisted into the U.S. Army where he served his country from 1961 to 1963 and served in the reserves, being deployed to Guatemala during the Gulf War. 

A memorial graveside service for Delores Leonard, 87, of Benson (formerly of Echo and Belview) took place at 1:00 p.m.  Saturday, July 18, 2020, at the Echo Cemetery.  Out of respect and caution for elderly family members, attendees were asked to please wear masks and respect social distancing.

Delores died Thursday, July 9, 2020, at the Scandi Haven Assisted Living Center in Benson, Minnesota. 

Delores Mae (Donner) Leonard was born April 6, 1933, in Belview, to Clarence and Gladys (Harried) Donner.  She grew up in Belview and graduated from Belview High School in 1951.