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Nan slipped peacefully from her earthly bonds, while no one was watching, in the early hours of Friday, July 14th. Nan was married to Mike, the love of her life, for more than 48 years, and through it all shared love with him for their large family and several other families, including their St. Paul’s Church family. She was a good wife, loving mother, and wonderful friend. She leaves behind many children, both her own and those whom she was given the privilege of calling her children for many years. The family is ‘HUGE,’ as we like to say, and we’ll all miss her.
Nan talked in the days before her passing of seeing ‘the veil’ and feeling those who had gone before her behind it. So close, she said. She then said that she had seen the veil moving, as if in a breeze, and slipped her hand around the side of it. And ‘guess whose hand I held?’ she asked? Whose? ‘Annie’s,’ she said. So firmly knowing she was going to see her beloved daughter after more than a decade apart. She was also excited about seeing her Mike, their daughter Bethie, her parents, and so many others. Nan was so steadfast in her faith and relationship with Jesus and was at peace to be in His presence forever.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, August 5th, 2 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 220 S. Cedar Ave., Owatonna, MN 55060. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, preferred to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
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Barbara Jean Thompson, 74, of New Richland, MN passed away on July 29, 2023 at the New Richland Care Center surrounded by her loving family.
Barb was born in on June 22, 1949 to Dale and Evelyn Smith in Waseca, MN. She attended and graduated from New Richland-Hartland School in 1967. Following her graduation, she attended Minneapolis Vocational Chef School and studied Culinary Arts.
In the summer of 1967, she met Larry Thompson and they fell in love over a burger and fries on their first date to the A & W Root Beer Stand in New Richland. A few months later, Larry proposed via a letter he’d sent to Barb while serving with the US Marines; they were wed on October 26, 1968 at the United Church of Christ in New Richland, MN. Barb and Larry moved to Albert Lea for a short time before settling down in New Richland to raise their family.
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Anthony “Tony’ L. Arnfelt, age 95 of Waseca, died on the afternoon of Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at the Benedictine Care Center in Owatonna.
Tony was born on his family’s farm in Waseca County on January 19, 1928, to parents Corbie and Esther (Sampson) Arnfelt. He attended school in New Richland and graduated with the class of 1945. He enlisted in the United States Navy directly out of high school and served on the USS Hancock Aircraft Carrier where he was a Plane Captain, Seaman 1st Class. Upon his honorable discharge he returned to Minnesota and was married to Iona May Paulson at the Le Sueur River Lutheran Church on June 13, 1948. Tony and Iona owned and operated a service station in New Richland and were some of the first in our area to sell snowmobiles, campers, firearms, and other outdoor recreational equipment. In addition to the regular service station work they also delivered bulk fuel oil and would change out tires and parts for farmers right out in their fields. Tony was very skilled in automotive body work and was one of the most precise metalworkers you could ever meet. Following their time owning the service station business, Tony and Iona enjoyed driving for Winnebago and delivered RVs all around the United States. Tony was an adventurer who enjoyed hunting and trapping, traveling, dancing, country music, restoring old cars, and collecting coins and costume jewelry. He was a long-time member of the American Legion in New Richland and attended Christ the King Lutheran Church in Waseca.
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Cherilyn Nelle (Splett) Nelson, age 77, of Owatonna, passed away July 24, 2023, at her home surrounded by family. She was born October 6, 1945, in Albert Lea to Edwin and Dorothy (McGrath) Splett. She attended schools in New Richland, MN and graduated in 1963 from New Richland – Hartland High School.
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JANET DEE JOHNSON, 81, of New Richland, died on July 7, 2023, at the Homestead Hospice House in Owatonna, MN.
She was born on November 5, 1941, in Waterloo, IA, to Howard and Irene (Eaker) Hanson. She moved with her family to rural Ellendale and was baptized in Hope, MN. Janet was a 1959 graduate of Ellendale High School. She married Roger R. Johnson in Meriden, MN, on May 20, 1961. Janet was an excellent mother to her two daughters, Pamela and Annette. Every day she was an example of love and nurturing - to her own children, her two beloved grandchildren, Andrew and Katie, her nieces and nephews, and others fortunate enough to have known her. Janet was a skilled quilter and completed hundreds of them over the years. Some are being enjoyed by friends and family, while others were made for donation to Lutheran World Relief and other charitable institutions. She spent many hours visiting with great friends while quilting. She was also the best cook on the planet. Her family will spend years trying to perfect her lefse and her secret rye bread recipe! Janet was an avid reader and completed at least 200 books in the last year of her life. She also enjoyed annual trips with her sisters, Broadway musicals with her girls, foreign and domestic travel, golfing with friends, and spending as much time as possible with her grandchildren.