Obituaries

A visitation will be held for MARK WOOD at Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home in Litchfield on Friday, September 6th, 2024, from 4-to-6 p.m.

A funeral service will be held at the Litchfield Christian Church, 312 Marshall Avenue North in Litchfield on Saturday, September 7th at 2 p.m.

Burial will be at Lake Ripley Cemetery.

Mark Wood is survived by his wife of 34 years – Lynn

Daughters – Emily (CJ), Laura (Justin), and Anna (Zach)

Granddaughter – Amelia

Sisters – Joy (Gary), Merridee, and Gaye (Corky) and by many nieces and nephews.
 
Memorials will be given to Litchfield Kiwanis, GAR Hall, and the Lake Washington Lake Improvement Association.

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72-year-old DUANE MILLER of Watkins passed away on Friday, August 23, 2024.

A Celebration of Life for Duane will be held on Friday, August 30, 2024 at 1:30 P.M. at the Watkins Fire Hall. Visitation will be held Thursday, August 29, 2024 from 4-to-8 P.M. at the Ertl Funeral Home in Watkins. The service will be livestreamed at www.ertlfuneral.com. 

Duane Miller is survived by his significant other – Kim Hansen

Children – Penny Pesta (Spencer), Candice Jordt (Peter), Jay Miller (Nicole), Rosanna Dahlinger (Aaron), Ashlee Miller (Jonathan), Dillon Hansen (Brandi) and Cody Hansen

Grandchildren – Abigail Kramer, Carter and Katelyn Pesta; Isabel, Caroline and Julia Jordt; Finley, Piper and Isla Miller; Ava Dahlinger; and Ellie Hansen

Memorials are preferred to the Watkins Fire Department.

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A funeral service for 66-year-old MARK CARLSON of Litchfield will be held on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at 11 A.M. at Ostmark Lutheran Church of rural Watkins.

Visitation will be on Monday, August 19 from 5-to-7 P.M. at Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home in Litchfield and one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.

Burial will be at the Ostmark Cemetery.

Mark is survived by his sister – Deb (& Tom) Holtz of Litchfield

Niece – Angela Kruger and her husband, Nate

Nephew – Preston Holtz and his wife, Caroline

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84-year-old RONALD D. “RON” MENK of Paynesville passed away peacefully August 13, 2024 at Koronis Place.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday and after 10 a.m. on Wednesday, both at the St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville. The Knights of Columbus will pray a rosary at 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday in the church.

Burial will take place in the St. Louis Parish Cemetery with full military honors.

Ron is survived by his son – Brian (Wendy) Menk of Paynesville

Grandchildren – Alanna and Benjamin Menk

Sister-in-law – Nancy Johnson as well as many nieces and nephews

Arrangements are with the Daniel Funeral Home of St. Cloud.

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59-year-old JENNIFER ANN BJORHUS passed away peacefully at home on August 9th, 2024 after a hard-fought battle with Glioblastoma. 

A memorial service celebrating Jennifer’s life will be held at the Unity Church at 733 Portland Avenue in St. Paul on August 30th at 1 p.m.  All are welcome.

Jennifer is survived by her husband – Ranjit Kesha

Sons – Kai and Parthan (Kayla Franklin)

Mother – Marjorie Bjorhus

Sisters – Lori (David) Johnson, and Kari Bjorhus (Ken Carlson)

Nephews – Lance Johnson (Emily), Evan Johnson (Allie), Noah Carlson and Nick Carlson (Ernie Darby), and by many friends
 
Memorials in lieu of flowers are preferred to The Nature Conservancy (www.nature.org) or Conservation Corps of MN and IA (www.conservationcorps.org).  Friends are also invited to plant a native shrub or tree in Jenn’s memory.

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93-year-old GLORIA SCHMIDT of Watkins passed away at Hilltop Care Center in Watkins on Monday, August 12, 2024.

A funeral service for Gloria will be held at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Watkins on Monday, August 19, 2024 at 11 A.M.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.  

A luncheon will follow the funeral service with a time for sharing special memories and stories about Gloria.

Gloria is survived by children – Gary Borchardt (Diana), Fran Rojas (Mark), Ken Borchardt (Cynthia), Linda Lamb (Dave), Wayne Schmidt (Deb), and Rodrick Schmidt (Stacy)

Stepchildren – Randy Schmidt (Sue), Roger Schmidt, and Carl Schmidt

18 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren 

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