Beverly Beck

Beverly Joanne (Peterson) Beck passed away peacefully on October 30, 2024, in Hospice care at the Appleton Nursing Home at the age of 91.

Beverly was born on October 23, 1933, at the Kittson Memorial Hospital in Hallock, Minnesota to Orphie and George Peterson. As a youth, she was an avid farm girl who was not afraid to get dirty and help with chores, hunt to provide food for the family and she was her dad’s partner in farming growing up.

Beverly was a devoted mother of four sons. She was an RN at the Appleton Hospital and took pride in assisting in delivering many babies throughout her tenure in nursing. Beverly loved spending time in her hometown of Lancaster, MN during holidays and other special times of the year such as harvest season with family and friends.

Beverly was united in marriage to Billy Dean Beck, and they raised their four sons together in Appleton. Beverly enjoyed quilting and sewing, gardening, preserving foods and was an amazing cook. Even though she usually worked nights taking care of other families, she always had meals prepared for all her boys and her husband at home. During the summers the family would spend most of their time together at the family cabin on Ottertail Lake making the best memories ever.

In her later years she spent her time reading “Little House on the Prairie” and she refused to miss her episodes of “The Waltons”, “Wagon Train” and “Gunsmoke”. Beverly cherished living out her last years in the town where she raised her own family and so many others. It truly felt like a completed circle that she was taken care of by those who she nurtured through the years.

Beverly was preceded in death by her parents George and Orphie Peterson, brother Gary and his wife Marge Peterson, sister Barbara and her husband Jim Clow, son Bradley Beck and her lovin

g husband Billy Beck.

Beverly is survived by her three youngest sons: Brent (Ellen) Beck, Barry (Victoria) Beck and Bobby Beck; brother Kenny (Barb) Peterson; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins. A service of joined committal for Beverly and Billy will be planned for the spring of 2025 to be held at the Sion Lutheran Church in Lancaster, MN. Notice will be published in the Appleton Press.

Please forward any condolences to her son Barry at 732 NE Second Avenue, Grand Rapids, MN 55744.

Rosalind Ehrenberg

Rosalind Beatrix Brzoznowski Ehrenberg was born on Christmas day 1943 in Orr, Minnesota. She was the 5th of 6 children born to Clemens and Hattie Brzoznowski and was preceeded in death by all but her oldest brother.

Rose graduated from Orr high school in 1961 and moved to the Twin Cities to begin her life journey. There she met her life-long friend, Jane Ehrenberg, who introduced Rose to her future husband, Paul Ehrenberg.

From the day they met, Paul spoke to Rose every day in an effort to gain her affections, an act that continued through their life together. Rose claimed that she only accepted a date with him to teach him a lesson, and she was still trying to teach him a lesson after 56 years of marriage and four daughters (Kelly Ehrenberg, Heidi Hage, Heather Ehrenberg and Julie Arnold), three sons-in-law (Fred Hage husband to Heidi, Sokol Celmeta husband to Heather and Jesse Arnold husband to Julie), 4 grandchildren (Cole Hage, Christina Hage, Henry Arnold and Asher Arnold) and her beloved puppy KoKo when she passed on October 23, 2024 at 10:45 am.

Rose will be remembered for the little twinkle of mischief in her eye, her delicious cookies, her extensive volunteerism with the Swift County 4-H program, suing for maternity leave rights and protections in the state of Minnesota during the 1970s, and most importantly for the love she showed her family.

During Rose's life she worked as a secretary, an instructor at a technical college, she ran the dairy side of the farm she built with Paul and was a busy mother raising 4 little “young ladies”.

As though caring for Paul and four daughters was not challenging enough, Rose was told by doctors on several occasions to get her affairs in order. But as her ability to remain married for over 56 years proves, Rose refused to give up. Rose survived the death of her mother when she was a child, two bouts of breast cancer, complete heart failure, stroke and raising her children. She had a spine of steel and will be greatly missed by her loved ones.

Dr. Ralph Gerbig

Dr. Ralph Gerbig, of Dawson, died peacefully Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at Johnson Memorial Hospital at the age of 73, following a courageous journey with ALS.

Memorial services will be held Friday, November 8, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Dawson Covenant Church in rural Dawson.

Visitation will be held Thursday, November 7, 2024 from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Dawson Covenant Church with a prayer service at 6:30 PM. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.

Memorial donations may be made in his honor to the Dawson-Boyd High School Robotics Club, Dawson-Boyd High School Music Department, or the Dawson-Boyd Arts Association.

Dr. Ralph Leonard Gerbig was born on March 3, 1951, in Faribault, MN, to Howard and Norma (Kelly) Gerbig. As a youth, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout and enjoyed photography, choir, and band. He graduated from Faribault High School in 1969. After high school, Ralph attended and graduated from the University of Minnesota, Morris, obtaining a degree in biology in 1973. He then attended University of Minnesota Medical School, first in Duluth (1973-1975) and then Minneapolis (1975-1977). Dr. Gerbig completed his residency at Hennepin County Medical Center from 1977 to 1980 and joined Dr. Maus and his medical practice in Dawson, MN, in 1980. He spent 42 years in primary family practice, providing compassionate care to families in Dawson and the surrounding areas from 1980 to 2022. His medical service to the community also included working with hospice, serving as the Lac qui Parle County coroner and participating in several area healthcare committees and the Minnesota Rural Healthcare Coop Committee.

Ralph married Suzanne Rose on November 22, 1975, in St. Cloud, MN. They made their home in Dawson, where they raised their three children: Ben, Alex, and Kelly. Ralph was very proud of his family, especially his children and grandchildren, and was a dedicated supporter of their many school, music and sports activities. A true lover of the outdoors, Ralph enjoyed biking, hiking, gardening, photography and any adventure that connected him with nature. His passion for the outdoors and his family came together in memorable hiking trips and countless road trips across the country, where they visited many national parks and spent time together as family. One particularly memorable adventure was a summer family trip to Alaska. He was a talented and passionate musician, playing trombone with Dr. G’s Bowtie Brass as well as many other area bands and orchestras. He viewed himself as a quiet Christian and was an engaged member of the Dawson Covenant Church, where he helped with the construction of the current building. He sang in the choir and often shared special music on the trombone.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Sue; children, Ben (Melanie) Gerbig of Dawson, Alex (AnaLisa) Gerbig of Edmonds, WA and Kelly (Mike) Bohrer of Bismarck, ND; grandchildren, Andrew, Asher, Annabel, Kendall and Kaden; three step-grandchildren, Tavon and Zahvana Minick, Aydyn Anderson; brother, Bruce (Karen) Gerbig of Lauderdale, MN; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Norma.

Arrangements are with Hanson & Dahl Funeral Home in Dawson. www.andersontebeest.com.

DuWayne Nohrenberg

DuWayne “Dewy” James Nohrenberg, age 67, of Appleton, passed away Wednesday, October 9, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, November 30, 2024, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Holloway Hideout in Holloway, Minnesota.

DuWayne was born February 21, 1957, in Madison, Minnesota, to Jeanette Florence (Milbrandt) and Orville Lowell Nohrenberg. He was baptized and later confirmed in his Lutheran faith at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Madison.

DuWayne grew up in Madison, where he had a paper route as a kid. He played junior high tennis, football, and basketball, and had the nickname “Ape” in high school. He sang in his church choir and harmonized with his siblings around the family piano as his mom chorded songs. DuWayne graduated from Madison High School in 1975 and attended the carpentry program at Alexandria Vo-Tech.

DuWayne was united in marriage to Judy Holland on May 21, 1977, at Zion Lutheran Church in Appleton, Minnesota. They made their home in Appleton, where he was a member of Zion Lutheran Church. DuWayne and Judy had four children: Christopher, Amber, Megan and Eric. Later, DuWayne met Pamela Teetzel and they had two children together, Taylor and Tayha.

DuWayne worked at Peavey Lumber in Madison and Orton Lumber in Appleton. He worked for Friendship Homes in Montevideo, AGP in Dawson, and ECONAR in Appleton. He did many carpentry jobs on his own and with other companies in the area, and at one point worked as a chemical mixer during fire season out west in Colorado and Idaho.

In his younger years, DuWayne played softball in Holloway, Minnesota, and served on the Appleton Fire Department. He was a regular caller for Bingo at the Paddle Bar in Appleton and was a fixture with his friends at Karaoke. He enjoyed going out, telling tales, and shooting the breeze, and leaves behind many friends and family with fond memories and fun stories.

DuWayne was an avid outdoorsman, and enjoyed fishing, hunting, and trapping. He passed his love of the outdoors to his children and his grandchildren, who have lots of memories and stories about the great outdoors with Dad and Grandpa.

DuWayne is survived by his six children: Christopher (Heather) Nohrenberg of Harrisburg, SD; Amber (Victor) Romo of Willmar, Megan (Shannon) Carl of Appleton, Eric (Kayla) Nohrenberg of Appleton, Taylor Nohrenberg of Appleton, Tayha (Blaine) Swenson of Appleton; ten grandchildren: Christian, Landon, Alejandro, Rafe, Jordyn, Reagan, Steven, Luke, Ellicia, and Desember. He is also survived by his siblings: Doug (Robin) Nohrenberg of Madison, Julie (Monty) Schlecht of Porter, Pam Nohrenberg of Canby, Gary (Jodi) Nohrenberg of Lino Lakes, and Janelle (Ron) Hansen of Little Falls; several aunts and uncles, including Ralph Milbrandt of Madison, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

DuWayne was preceded in death by his parents, Orville and Jeanette Nohrenberg, sister Katherine Matthews, and several aunts and uncles.

Elizabeth “Betty” R. Molden

Elizabeth “Betty” Rose Molden, 87, of Milan, Minnesota, died on Monday morning, October 7, 2024, at Luther Haven Nursing home in Montevideo, Minnesota. Visitation will be held on Monday October 14, 2024, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, at Kviteseid Lutheran Church in Milan, followed by the funeral service at 11:00 am. Burial will be in the Kviteseid Lutheran Cemetery in Milan. Zniewski Funeral Home – Vaala Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Elizabeth (Betty) Rose Johnson-Moe-Molden was born on January 11, 1937, at the Montevideo Hospital, in Montevideo, Minnesota, to parents Marjorie Fuller Johnson and Joseph Johnson. Betty’s birth father Joe Johnson was killed in a car accident and Betty was later adopted on December 10, 1946, by her stepfather John. J. Moe. Betty had one brother Robert Charles Johnson-Moe who was born on April 10, 1939. She was baptized on April 13, 1937, and confirmed at the Kviteseid Lutheran Church and graduated from the Milan High School in 1954.

Betty worked in the Milan Café while in high school and after graduation worked at Dalen’s Grocery Store and the Milan Printing Office. Betty married Daryles Winton Molden on March 11, 1956, at the Big Bend Lutheran Church because Kviteseid Lutheran Church had burned. After a honeymoon in the cities Daryles went off to war in Korea. Betty moved back to Minneapolis, Minnesota and worked at the Nickelson Hall bookstore while Daryles was stationed in Korea. Betty moved back to Milan in August of 1957, where she and Daryles lived on their farm and raised their three sons, Larry, Robert, and Mark. Betty and Daryles were blessed with over 60 years of marriage, 3 son,4 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren.

Betty taught release time (Wednesday School) at the Kviteseid Lutheran Church. Betty was a member of the Chippewa County Extension Service Committee and the Chippewa County Home Economics Committee; she was a volunteer at the Chippewa County Fair in the Women’s building Exhibits and was on the Advisory Committee of the Canby Vocational Technical School. Betty was an active member at Kviteseid Lutheran Church and volunteered her time helping in the Ladies’ Circles.

Betty was a housewife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother and friend. In the past, Betty enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing, crafting, vegetable gardening, flower gardening, dancing, visiting with family and friends, and traveling. Betty battled Alzheimer’s Disease for years after the death of Daryles, entered the Luther Haven Nursing Home on January 19, 2017.

She is survived by her children; Larry (Marie) of Milan, Robert (Kim) of Milan, and Mark and (Nicky) of Milan, grandchildren; Michelle (Brandon) Ascheman of Milan, Laura (Brian) Dallman of Revillo, South Dakota, Eric (Nikki) and Taylor Molden of Alexandria, and great grandchildren; Gavin Ascheman, Josephine Dallman, and Amelia Dallman. She is preceded in death by her husband Daryles on January 6, 2017, her parents, Marjorie Fuller Johnson Moe Berge, and Joseph Johnson and adoptive father John Moe, stepfather Rudy Berge, one brother Robert Charles Moe. Blessed be her memory.

Carol Otterholt

Carol Lucille Otterholt, age 97, died September 2, 2024, at Luther Haven Care Center in Montevideo, MN where she had been a resident the past four and a half years.

Memorial services were held Friday, October 4, 2024. at 11 a.m. at Big Bend Lutheran Church with Rev. Kristine Isder officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Carol was born November 1, 1926, at home in Hegbert Township, Swift County, MN the eldest child of Berthil Dorff and Anna Stenstuen Dorff. Carol grew up speaking Norwegian as her first language, learning English only when her mother declared, "We have to start talking English so Carol will be ready for school." While still young, the family moved off the farm to Appleton, MN, where she graduated from high school. She worked at both Doege's Candy Kitchen and the grocery store in Appleton.

Carol met her husband-to-be, Leland Otterholt, at a Big Ole Show and dance in Appleton, marrying on November 12, 1944 at the Zion Lutheran parsonage in Appleton. Fulfilling her dream of a country farm life, they moved to the family farm in Mandt Township, Chippewa County, where they lived for sixty-five years before moving to Montevideo in Fall of 2009. Born to this union were Susan Lucille in 1946 and Daniel Erick in 1948. Leland died February 16, 2011.

When her family was grown Carol worked outside the home, at Fab 'N Trim Fabric Store and Control Data in Montevideo. While skilled with needle and thread—crocheting, cross stitch and Norwegian Hardanger embroidery— she was especially adept at sewing clothing for all her family, including her daughter's wedding dress on a treadle sewing machine. Neighbor girls came to her for help making buttonholes on their 4-H projects. She had large gardens and canned vegetables, fruit, and chicken before the days of home freezers—always it seemed on the hottest days of summer in a sweltering kitchen, often as skies turned threatening and thunderstorms rolled in from the west. Leland raised chickens and sold eggs for many years, eggs she washed by hand. A peony she bought with her first "egg money" still blooms today.

She was an active member of Big Bend Lutheran Church in Ladies Aid, Circle, as Sunday School teacher and superintendent. She supervised a number of Sunday School Christmas programs, always big, exciting events for children and families in years gone by. Carol's true love was books, reading and words. While in elementary school a teacher introduced her to crossword puzzles, which became a lifelong pastime. Books were not easily accessible until the Bookmobile began making stops throughout the county, and later on she and Leland never went to town without making a stop at the public library. She kept detailed lists of the books she read each year and always said, I will be content in my old age, if I can still read. Thankfully when macular degeneration took her eyesight she was still able to read through the services of the Minnesota Department of Education Braille and Talking Book Library, which for years supplied her with recordings of all her favorite books and authors.

For over fifty years Carol chronicled life on the farm, penning daily entries mostly on the free calendar journals received from Farmers Union/Cenex. She detailed weather, crops, sickness, meals, trips to town, visiting among neighbors and family and her children's activities. Again she kept lists of all the produce she canned every year and all the garments she sewed. These journals still exist, leaving a legacy of insight into rural Minnesota farm life in the last half of the twentieth century.

Once retired, Leland and Carol enjoyed taking trips to the Twin Cities to see Sue and family and the western U. S. to Dan's. Trips always included stops at museums, historical sites, state parks, and threshing shows. They enjoyed visiting with farm neighbor couples and friends.

Carol is survived by her children: Susan (Robert) Kempe of Montevideo and Daniel (Joan) Otterholt of Casper, WY; three grandchildren: Matthew (Lena) Kempe of Scarsdale NY, Martin (Jill Kane) Kempe of Mendota Heights MN, Anna Otterholt of Casper; four great-grandchildren: Margaret Kempe of Ann Arbor MI, Alexander Kempe of Scarsdale and Claire and Grace Schulz of Casper; brother Gordon Dorff of Sioux Falls SD, sister Ruth Greene of Iowa City IA. Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband and a granddaughter, Amy Lie Otterholt.

The family would like to thank Carol's caregivers at Luther Haven, you truly are God's hands on Earth. A special thank you to farm neighbors for their care and concern over the years.

Memorials will be gratefully donated to the Chippewa County Montevideo Library to purchase large print books.

Susan H. Anderson

Susan H. Anderson, of Dawson, MN, passed away on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at Johnson Memorial Hospital in Dawson at the age of 77.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at 1:00 PM at Grace Lutheran Church in Dawson, with Pastor Kendall Stelter officiating.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the church on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. The family will designate memorials to a charity of their choice.

Susan Helen Anderson was born on November 3, 1946, in Santa Monica, California, to William and Viola (Holden) Stratton. Susan attended and graduated from Appleton High School in 1964. After high school, she attended South Dakota State University for two years before returning home to meet her soulmate, Rodney Anderson. She was united in marriage to Rodney on February 17, 1968, in Appleton, MN. To this union, three boys were born: Trevor, Jeff, and Jeremy. In 1970, Susan and Trevor joined Rodney in Germany while he served his country in the United States Army until his honorable discharge in 1971. Susan would make Dawson her final home over the next 53 years spending time as a stay-at-home mom raising her three boys, worked as secretary at Grace Lutheran Church, and one her biggest satisfactions was helping Rudy Prestholdt create and install area cemetery maps.

Susan was a member of Grace Lutheran Church. She loved traveling to watch her children's and grandchildren's activities. Susan was a big fan of the Dawson-Boyd Blackjacks, spending many nights going to games or listening intently on the radio. In her and Rodney's retirement, they loved to travel to places near and far – Alaska, Hawaii, Ozarks, Mackinac Island, Las Vegas, and many places in between. Susan loved spending summer weekends camping at various campground - graduating from a tent, pop up camper to finally a unit with many modern amenities including air conditioning, heat, and bathroom. She loved her many, many totes of home decor keeping her busy decorating for every season (particularly with gnomes), spending time with her coffee and DQ friends, admiring flowers, baking/cooking and watching her favorite television shows.

She is survived by her son, Trevor (Paulette) of Jackson, MN; grandchildren, Jacob (Jennifer) Peterson and Shaun Anderson; son, Jeff (Alisa) of New Ulm, MN; grandchildren, Makena (Tyler) Walls and Makiah Otto; son, Jeremy (Eva) of Minneapolis, MN; grandchildren, Phoebe and Walter Anderson; sister, Catherine (Mike) Fisher; brother-in-law, Richard (Linda) Anderson; and numerous extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Rodney; mother, Viola Stratton; and mother-in-law and father-in-law.

Arrangements are with Hanson & Dahl Funeral Home of Dawson. www.andersontebeest.com

Gloria Johnson

Gloria Mae Johnson, age 86, of Appleton, passed away Tuesday afternoon, September 24, 2024, at Appleton Area Health – Hospital. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 28, 2024, at Zion Lutheran Church in Appleton, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in Appleton City Cemetery.

Gloria Mae Johnson was born April 20, 1938, the daughter of Gilbert and Gitta Karen (Gresseth) Ulstad. She was baptized May 22, 1938, at Borgund Lutheran Church in rural Madison, Minnesota. She was also confirmed at Borgund Lutheran Church October 19, 1952.

Gloria grew up in the Appleton area, attending Appleton Elementary and graduating from Appleton High School. On January 2, 1960, Gloria married Curtis Benhart Johnson at Borgund Lutheran Church. She worked many jobs. She spent four years at Cargill Grain Company in Minneapolis, owned a newspaper in Halstad, Minnesota, for six years, and owned the Appleton Press for 23 years.

Gloria enjoyed crafting, crocheting, quilting, working on puzzles, and visiting with her family (especially her grandson Nathan) and friends.

Gloria is survived by her daughter Karen (Randy) Rugroden of Albert Lea, MN, grandson Nathan Rugroden (Ranelle Irwin) of Rochester, MN, brother Gillman Ulstad of Appleton, MN, and many relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Curtis Johnson, daughters Mary Johnson and Carrie Johnson, grandson Tony Rugroden, parents Gilbert and Gitta Ulstad, parents-in-law Bennie and Carrie Johnson, brothers Gaylord Ulstad and Alan Ulstad, and sister Carol Hipple.

Blessed be the memory of Gloria Mae Johnson.

Mary C. Kieffer

Mary C. Kieffer, 67, of Appleton, Minnesota, died on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at the Appleton Care Center. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, on Monday, September 30, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Appleton, with a prayer service at 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, from 9:00 am to 10:00 am, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am. Interment will be in the Appleton City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to the MS Society. Zniewski Funeral Home-Vaala Chapel of Appleton is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Mary Clare Kieffer was born on January 18, 1957, in Grand Forks, North Dakota, the daughter of John and Dorothy (Dubuque) Rakoczy. She was baptized, confirmed and married at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Grand Forks. She attended elementary grade school and when the new Central Valley School was built, she finished her schooling there and graduated from High School in 1975.

Mary was united in marriage to Robert Kieffer on November 8, 1980, and they made their home in Appleton, Minnesota. This union was blessed with over 43 years of marriage. She worked for the First State Bank in Buxton, North Dakota for just a few years and upon moving to Appleton she was employed by Farmers and Merchants State Bank for 20 years. In May of 2001 Mary became disabled due to Multiple Sclerosis. Mary enjoyed playing BINGO, being the oldest of ten siblings, and time spent outdoors appreciating nature. She loved to spend time with her family and friends. Mary entered the Appleton Care Center on July 1, 2015. Mary’s favorite thing to watch on TV was the game show Jeopardy and on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, during an episode of her favorite show Mary was called from this life at the Appleton Care Center. She attained the age of 67 years, 8 months, and 7 days.

Mary is survived by her husband Robert Kieffer of Appleton; daughter Jamie (Brad) Feuchtenberger and grandchildren Blair, Brady, Kenna and Kenzie, of Morris; Her father John Rakoczy; nine siblings, Dorothy Jackson of Fargo, Kenny Rakoczy of Reynolds, North Dakota, Karen (Brent) Nelson, of Golden Valley, Jim Rakoczy of Plymouth, Betty (Marty) Hagan, of Cloverdale, Indiana, Ray (Michelle) Rakoczy of Grand Forkd, North Dakota, Tony Rakoczy of Scottsdale, Arizona, Clara (Wade) Chambers of Grand Forks, North Dakota, and Jeanne (Todd) Hegg of Thompson, North Dakota; and several other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her mother Dorothy. Blessed be her memory.