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ARRON LEE BARTELT, lifelong Waldorf area resident and farmer, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, September 24, 2023, at the age of 48 years old.
Arron was born on March 20, 1975, in Wells, to Barry and Nina (Haakinson) Bartelt. He attended Waldorf-Pemberton Public School and graduated from Janesville-Waldorf Pemberton High School with the class of 1993. Arron loved farming. He enjoyed helping people so much he would give you the shirt off his back. Arron was employed by Crystal Valley, Bird's Eye, and various area farm families. Arron's extensive farming and mechanical knowledge helped many community members. In 2009, Arron began working independently, as the owner of A&B Custom Equipment, rolling crops and completing custom work for area farmers. He was in his element when he could help others and had a penchant for giving orders and being in charge. You were lucky if he shared that smile of his with you.
Arron loved all his dogs and stole many dogs from others, loving every one of them, from Samantha to Bella. He also enjoyed snowmobiling, four wheeling, going to the camper, and spending time with his family. Arron married Cas Birr on August 13, 2021, fulfilling his dream of becoming a husband and father. He was a unconventional learner with a mechanical ability that surprised people. His dad Barry, and uncle Gary would usually say, “there is no way that is going to work” to which Arron would reply, "Yes, it will." And it was true, he made it work.
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Marilyn Jean Quiram, beloved mother, daughter, and respected member of the community, passed away peacefully on October 30, 2023, at the age of 86, surrounded by her loving family. Born on August 25, 1937, in Rice County, MN, to Sidney and Eleanora (Kokoschke) Meschke, Marilyn lived a life defined by love, joy, and unwavering dedication to her family and her community.
Marilyn attended North Morristown School through 8th grade; later graduating from Morristown High School in 1954. Following her graduation, she pursued a degree at Mankato State Teachers College. Marilyn's teaching career took her first to Pemberton and later to North Morristown Trinity Lutheran School, where she shared her love for learning with young minds.
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ARLENE MARY NELSON, age 85, of Waseca, passed away on Monday, October 9, 2023, at Lakeshore Inn Nursing Home, in Waseca.
She was born on January 3, 1938, in Waseca, a daughter of the late Clarence and Helen (Anderson) Rudolph. She was raised on a farm near Otisco though she preferred to remain indoors as child, close to her mother. She attended District 46 grade school in a one-room schoolhouse. Arlene graduated from Waseca Central High School in 1955 and Mankato Commercial College. She worked in Rochester as a medical secretary prior to her marriage.
On September 29, 1957, she married her high-school sweetheart, Lowell Nelson, at Trinity Lutheran Church of Wilton. They recently celebrated their 66th anniversary.
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JANICE KAY SAMARAKA (GILSTER), age 75, of Estherville, IA and formerly of Waseca, MN, passed away on October 18, 2023 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.
Born on January 14, 1948 in Waseca, Janice was the daughter of Arno and Alvina (Detjen) Gilster. She graduated from Waldorf High School. On June 17, 1967, Janice was united in marriage to Nick Samaraka at All Saints Catholic Church in New Richland. Together, they raised three children, Troy, Randy, and Mikole.
Janice spent much of her career working as a Title 1 Teacher at Hartley Elementary School in Waseca. She was a member of First Congregational Church in Waseca where she served in various roles. She most recently was a member of First Christian Church in Estherville, IA. She was always lending a hand to those who needed it. Jan enjoyed playing piano, on which she could learn a song just by listening to it. She especially loved playing ABBA songs. Her family was everything to her. She would cherish the time she spent with her children and grandchildren. She was a loving mother and grandmother who will be dearly missed.
Janice is survived by her children, Troy (Sarah) Samaraka of Hudson, WI, Randy (Deanna) Samaraka of Farmington, MN, Mikole “Mikki” (Tyson) Henrickson of Estherville, IA; grandchildren, Savannah, Mackay, Baley, Harper, Yates; siblings; Wanita (Frank) Groskreutz of Waseca, MN, Alvin Gilster of LeCenter, MN, John Gilster of Waseca, MN, Judy Webber of Waseca, MN, Larry (Sue) Gilster of Mankato, MN, sister-in-law, Florence Gilster of Albert Lea and many other relatives and friends.
Janice was preceded in death by her husband, Nick Samaraka; parents, Arno and Alvina Gilster; brother, Daniel Gilster; sister-in-law, Violet Gilster; and brother-in-law, Blackie Webber.
Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 26, 2023 at First Congregational Church in Waseca. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service at the church. Burial will take place at Woodville Cemetery.
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Dorothy JoAnn Hanson, entered the Kingdom of Heaven on October 6, 2023, at Auburn Meadows in Waconia, Mn surrounded by her loving children. She was born on December 19, 1936, at her aunt’s home in Freeborn, MN, the third child and only daughter of Elsie and Earl Ferguson.
Dorothy attended Freeborn schools graduating from Freeborn High School in 1955. Shortly after that, she married the love of her life, Wayne Hanson, on October 16, 1955. Together, they built a beautiful life with their three children in Albert Lea. In 1963, Dorothy and Wayne built their dream home on Pickeral Lake where they created countless cherished memories. They eventually moved to Water's Edge in 2019 to accommodate Wayne's declining health. In 2022, Dorothy relocated to Auburn Homes in Waconia, to be closer to her beloved children.