Joel Gary Erickson, DC, age 60, of Montgomery, died doing what he loved best, on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Sturgis, South Dakota.  Joel was born on August 28, 1963, in Montevideo, MN, to Gary and Noreen (Capistran) Erickson.  He graduated from Montevideo High School in 1982 and attended the Diesel Mechanics program at Willmar Vocational School followed by working at Dean Machinery Caterpillar in Kansas City, MO.

Yvonne J. Marek was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother who loved the Lord, her family, the outdoors and her home on Spring Lake, in Prior Lake, MN. 
A Christian service will be held on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., with a time of gathering starting at 9 a.m., at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake. A light lunch will follow with laying Yvonne to rest at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN. To honor Yvonne, please wear her favorite color blue!

Earl Lee Church, age 75, of New Prague, passed away peacefully on July 17, 2024, at the Lutheran Home of Belle Plaine.  
Lee was born June 5, 1949, to Edward and LaVerne (Schanus) Church, in New Prague, MN.  
Lee graduated from New Prague High School in 1967, after which he enlisted in the United States Air Force as a mechanic who worked on B-52 bombers and C135 aircraft. He provided direct support during the Vietnam War. Attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant, Lee was honorably discharged in 1971. He was a member of the VFW and American Legion.

Marian C. (Eischens) Grosz, age 96, of St. Louis Park, passed away peacefully on August 8, 2024.  Preceded in death by husband Edward Grosz, parents Adam and Ruth (Beckius) Eischens, twin brother Myron Eischens, sisters Elaine Eischens, Genevieve Eilen, Berneva Nelson and Aurea Zweber; brothers Leonard and Harold Eischens.  Survived by brother Gordon Eischens and sisters Arlene Dagnault, Alda Cosgrove and Karen Feldten; many nieces and nephews (37). 

Rita Ann Halloran, 87, of Minnetonka, MN, passed away peacefully on August 4, 2024, surrounded by family after a brief illness. Rita was born on January 11, 1937, at home on the family farm, outside Kilkenny, MN, to John and Cecilia (Shaughnessy) Cashin.
Rita was a devoted family person and her friends and family gave her much joy and happiness. She was always physically active and enjoyed traveling (Ireland 3 times), reading, and politics. She was open to new ideas and was a life-long learner.

Mark LeRoy Orvik, of New Prague, Minnesota, passed away on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at the age of 69. He was born on May 19,1955 in Minneapolis. He grew up in South Dakota, Minneapolis, Beltrami, and Faribault, Minnesota.
Mark graduated from Faribault High School in 1973. He graduated from Northwestern Electronics Institute where he earned an Associate in Electronics Technology in 1977.

Mildred Dehlinger passed away on July 27, 2024, in St. Paul, MN.  She was born Aug. 16, 1932, on her family’s farm in Jordan, MN, the oldest daughter of ten children of William and Walberga Busch Schoenbauer, attending school at St. Benedict and Good Counsel Academy.  

Gerald Leo “Jerry” Kurkowski, age 83, of New Prague, Minnesota, died Thursday, August 1, 2024, at his daughter's home in Shakopee, Minnesota.
Born in Grenville, South Dakota, January 5, 1941; the son of Irene (Wojcik) and Joseph Kurkowski.

Lori “Erdie” Jean Bohnsack, age 67, of Belle Plaine, MN, died on Thursday, August 1, 2024, in Hinkley, MN.  Celebration and time of Sharing will be on Thursday, August 8, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. ~ 7:00 p.m. at the Kolden Funeral Home in Belle Plaine, MN. 
Erdie was born on January 6, 1957, to her biological mother, Gretchen Schultz, she was then adopted by Vernon and Sylvia (Heinisch) Schultz.  She attended Belle Plaine Schools and graduated from Belle Plaine High School in 1975.

Larry V. Braun, age 69, of Roseville,  passed away unexpectedly at his home on January 19, 2024.  He was born and educated in Montgomery, Minnesota, and was an outstanding athlete at MHS.  The rest of his life was spent at various locations with the last being in Roseville, MN.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Irma (Harmeyer) Braun; beloved dog, Charlie.

Nolan Ryan Lake, age 25, of New Prague, died unexpectedly from an accidental overdose after a lifetime of mental health struggles on Saturday, July 27, 2024. Nolan was born on August 8, 1998, in Burnsville, to Ryan and Jennifer (Erickson) Lake.  He grew up in New Prague, attending New Prague Public Schools.

Helen Brandt passed away surrounded by her loving children after a long, happy life filled with faith, family, and friends.
Helen considered her #1 career to be caring for, living with, and laughing with all of her children. She devoted her life to the community of Rosemount working in the schools and volunteering at St. Joe’s.

Nolan Ryan Lake, age 25, of New Prague, died unexpectedly on Saturday, July 27, 2024.
Arrangements pending.   
bruzekfuneralhome.com

Florence M. Hanek, age 97, of Lonsdale, MN, peacefully passed away on July 24, 2024, at the Northfield Hospital in Northfield, MN, surrounded by family. She was preceded in death by her parents; Douglas Victor Snelling, Margaret Palen Snelling, her siblings, Edward, Douglas, Dorothy Rutherford and beloved husband of 57 years, Alois Hanek. 

Leonard “Lennie” Newman, Jr, 84, of New Prague, MN, passed away peacefully at St. Francis Regional Medical Center on July 22, 2024, and has now joined his Heavenly Father in his eternal home. Lennie was the son of Leonard and Mable Newman and was a long-standing member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in New Prague, MN.

Marlys Annette Benolken, age 83, of New Prague, formerly of Lonsdale, died peacefully with her family at her side on Monday, July 22, 2024, at her home at Praha Village.  Marlys was born on September 22, 1940, in Fargo, North Dakota, to James A. and Catherine M. (Kreyer) Stage.  She grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, attending Holy Name Catholic School from kindergarten through graduation from high school.  Once Marlys had raised her five children, Marlys entered the work force, serving as an administrative assistant for Rice County Corrections for 15 years.