All Obituaries

Melford Wayne Schneider, age 82 of Albert Lea, Minnesota, formerly of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, died on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at Mayo Clinic Health System Austin. Mel was born June 25, 1937, to Arthur and Martha (Flugum) Schneider. He grew up on their farm in Waltham, Minnesota. He attended rural country school and Austin High School. Mel married Esther Mae Barber on May 9, 1954. They raised their family of six children in the Blooming Prairie area. Mel and Esther farmed until they...

Richard Eldo Hansen, age 77 of Austin, Minnesota, passed away Tuesday, February 18, 2020, at his home.   Services are pending with Worlein Funeral Home of Austin.

Arlene Corene Helleck, age 89 of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, passed away on Monday, February 17, 2020, at Kingsley Shores Assisted Living in Lakeville, Minnesota. Arlene was born to Willie and Marie (Anderson) Holm near Geneva, Minnesota, on April 6, 1930. Arlene attended the District 2 Country School through 9th grade, and later completed her education graduating from Blooming Prairie High school in 1947. On September 26, 1950, she married Arthur Helleck at Community Lutheran Church in...

Michael Shane Crouch, age 61 of Elkton, Minnesota, went home peacefully to meet his Lord and Savior on Monday, February 17, 2020, surrounded by his family at Mayo Clinic Hospital Rochester, Methodist Campus. Michael was born July 1, 1958, in Luverne, Minnesota, to Jack and Lorraine (Dreessen) Crouch. He graduated from Trimont High School class of 1976. On August 31, 1979, he married the love of his life Lori Roben in Worthington, Minnesota. After their marriage, the couple had moved several...

Mabel Marie Hinks went to be with the Lord on February 16th at 12:39AM.  Mabel was loved at the very beginning of her existence.  She brought hope, dreams, and excitement to her entire family. At the loss of a dear sweet child words cannot explain, how much the heart is broken, or how awful is the pain.  Why dost Thou take little ones?”  I asked as I knelt to pray.  I felt His spirit telling me; “They are too pure to stay.”  I had the warmest...

Private family services at a later date

Odell Reuben Scrabeck, age 87 of Austin, Minnesota passed away peacefully Thursday morning, February 13, 2020 at Good Samaritan Society – Comforcare in Austin, surrounded by his loving family. Odell was born August 9, 1932 in Preston, Minnesota, the son of Reuben and Agnes (Olson) Scrabeck.  He grew up in Preston and Austin and graduated from Preston High School in 1951. After high school, Odell married Darlene Joan Williams in Austin on September 14, 1956. To this union nine...

John Charles Alm, age 57 of Farmington, Minnesota, formerly of Austin, Minnesota, passed away peacefully Wednesday, February 12, 2020, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. John was born April 9, 1962 in Austin, Minnesota, the son of Keith and Janeth (Carlson) Alm. He graduated with the class of 1980, from Blooming Prairie High School. John then went on to attend Riverland Community College in Austin to be an auto technician. After schooling, he worked at various independent shops....

William “Bill” Charles Nygren, age 73 of Buffalo City, Wisconsin, formerly of Austin, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 12, 2020, at his home. Bill was born June 22, 1946, in Austin, Minnesota, to Harry and Kathryn (Tritchler) Nygren. He grew up in Austin, and graduated from Austin High School. Bill worked for the railroad for many years. On August 20, 1978, he was united in marriage to Judy K. Kruckeberg in Lansing, Minnesota. Bill and Judy purchased the...

Viola Elaine Christianson, age 86, of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, passed away peacefully Monday, February 10, 2020 at Prairie Manor Care Center in Blooming Prairie. Vi was born in Freeborn County to Mikkel and Alma (Lee) Iverson on Nov. 3, 1933. She graduated from Austin High School in 1951. After high school, she worked as a bookkeeper for the elevator in Hayward, Minn. In her early twenties, she worked as a secretary for a pharmaceutical company in Los Angeles, Calif. Upon returning to...