Obituaries 01/04/24
Mary Bondhus, 78
Mary Kathleen (Kay) Bondhus, age 78, of Buffalo, died Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at her home after a brief, valiant battle with MDS, a bone marrow disorder.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 4, 2024, at St. Henry Catholic Church, Monticello, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Fr. Patrick Barnes will Celebrate the mass. Burial will take place 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 5, 2024, at St. Henry Catholic Cemetery in Monticello. Memorials are preferred to either Little Sisters of the Poor in St. Paul, MN or the MDS Foundation in Yardville, NJ.
Mary Kathleen Jungmann was born January 6, 1945, in St. Paul, Minnesota to Joseph William Jungmann and Mary Jane Lemenager. Mary Kay grew up in Minneapolis and attended Murray High School. Upon her high school graduation in 1962, Mary Kay obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Care Administration from the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois, followed by a Master of Science in Nursing. She was also a certified autism specialist from the University of St. Thomas. On February 2, 1993, Mary Kay was united in marriage to John Roger Bondhus at New Scandia in Minnesota. Together, they had two children, Jonathan Joseph and Mary Elizabeth. Mary Kay worked as a nurse, and after retirement, for several years operated the Developmental Connections Center, a non-profit that helped children with developmental disorders. After the death of her husband, John, Mary Kay took over as owner of Bondhus Corporation in Monticello.
Mary Kay had a servant’s heart. She participated in missionary work with Little Sisters of the Poor for almost a decade, serving in various countries in the Far East. She donated lots of time and money to charity. Her loving and caring nature was evident in all 78 years of her life. During quieter times, Mary Kay enjoyed going for walks, watching a good murder mystery, and reading and studying scripture.
Mary Kay is survived by her son, Jonathan Bondhus, of Buffalo; stepchildren, Perry Bondhus, Tammy Morimoto, Troy Bondhus, and Holly Neuman; siblings, nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John; and her daughter, Mary Elizabeth.
Jeremy Aanerud, Ben Stelton, Brandon Stelton, and Thaïs Altenberg Vaz will serve as casket bearers.
Arrangements entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Maple Lake.
Obituary, Guestbook, Video Tribute and Funeral Webcast online at www.dingmannfuneral.com.
William Fiedler, 94
William “Bill” John Fiedler, age 94, of Annandale, MN, died Sunday, Dec. 25, 2023, at Lake Ridge Care Center in Buffalo, MN.
Bill was born to John and Marjorie (Robinson) Fiedler Oct. 12, 1929, at the home place, north of Albright’s Mill in Middleville Township.
He attended the Maple Grove country school and graduated from Howard Lake High School with the Class of 1947. He was a member of the first Laker football team, and spoke highly of that! After graduation, he and lifelong sidekick, Kenny Gausman, traveled to Texas in search of work. They returned shortly after with more stories than fortunes.
Bill was married to Irene Haggberg Dec. 20, 1952, at Elim Mission Church in Cokato, by the Rev. Rod Rosengrin. Bill and Irene made their home and raised four children on the farm in Albion Township (Shuneson Corner).
He was a family man and regularly attended recitals, concerts, plays, and numerous other sporting events. Not much was said at those events, but his smirk and chuckle were his way of sharing what he thought.
Bill was a lifelong farmer and was honored with a Century Farm Award in 2013. He took great pride in his land and animals that he cared for. He raised many litters of Springer Spaniel puppies and was proud of the bloodline dating back to England.
Bill was a member of the Wright County Historical Society, Fairhaven Mill Board, and Sylvan Cemetery board. More recently, he was a major contributor of his historical knowledge, assisting a local author, who has written books on Albright’s Mill and the lost town of Smith Lake.
He enjoyed traveling to visit friends and family throughout the Midwest, as well as California. His chosen destination was Italy to visit a former foreign exchange student, Alessandra Rompianesi.
Bill is survived by daughters, Julie (Roger) Entinger, of Anoka, Linda (Mark) Weber, of Waverly, and Lori (Mark) Vandersteen, of Rosemount; and son, John (Debbie) Fiedler, of Annandale; 12 grandchildren, Erik (Kim) Entinger, Andy (Julienne) Entinger, Luke (Jana) Entinger, and Jake (Danielle) Entinger, Erin (Kyle) Kutz, and Sam (Melissa) Weber, Clarissa (George) Trujillo, Mattie (Dan) McLaughlin, Brok (Megan) Vandersteen, and Leif (Bonny) Vandersteen, Brandon (Whitney) Fiedler, and McKenzie (Matt) Ylitalo; sister, Jean Carlson; and 23 great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Irene; parents; two grandchildren, Zachery Vandersteen and Christopher Entinger.
Services will be held at 12 noon, Saturday, January 6, 2023, at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Howard Lake. Visitation prior to service starting at 10 a.m.
Arrangements were handled by Swanson Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato & Howard Lake, MN.
Ruth Jans, 86
Ruth Arlene (Neske) Jans, age 86, of Buffalo, MN, passed away December 27, 2023. She was born on June 25, 1937, at her parent’s farm in Rockford Township, Wright County. She was the daughter of Bruno and Clara (Kubalsky) Neske.
Reverend Alvin Leersen baptized her at Trinity Lutheran Church, Crawford Lake on July 18, 1937. Reverend E.R. Berwald confirmed her on May 18, 1951, at her home in Marysville Township because she had the mumps on Confirmation Sunday.
After graduating from Buffalo High School in 1955, she worked at the Wright County ASC Office in Buffalo. On June 1, 1957, she was united in marriage to Gordon Herbert Jans at St. John’s Lutheran Church by Reverend E.R. Berwald. They were blessed with the birth of two daughters and one son.
In 1966, they moved to the farm near Lake Constance because it was a good place to raise a family. She was home for 17 ½ years while the children were growing up, and also taught vacation Bible school, Sunday school, and Catechism. Many years were spent as a Wright County Fair board member, was an active member of St. John’s LWML, 4-H Leader, and helping the kids with their projects and records. She later worked at Centra Sota and the nuclear plant in Monticello for several contractors and was the Buffalo Township Club Treasurer. Since retiring, she enjoyed bowling, quilting, traveling, and spending time with family.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Gordon; brothers, Earl Elletson and Walter Neske; and sister, Eva Ordorff.
Survived by her children, Barb (Mike) Greenhagen, Brian (Kim) Jans, and Diane (Jon) Gilmer; 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; siblings, Betty Loredo and Herb (Doris) Neske; and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. with visitation beginning at 9:00 A.M. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Buffalo, MN (302 2nd St NE). Interment followed at Lakeview Cemetery in Buffalo.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo. Online condolences for the family may be directed to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Betty Langanki, 90
Betty Jane Langanki, age 90, of rural Maple Lake, passed away on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at her residence.
She was born in Rockford Township, Wright County, MN, on January 8, 1933, the daughter of Ervin and Verona Ordorff.
She was a 1951 Buffalo High School graduate. Betty was formerly employed at Carlson Dolls in Maple Lake and Wonderalls in Buffalo. On July 15, 1961, she was united in marriage to Collin Thomas Langanki.
Survived by her loving children, Karen (Francis) Barbeau, Gary (Paula) Ergen, Dale Langanki, and Patty (Loren) Yurek; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by her husband, Collin Thomas Langanki; her daughter, Mary Bruns; her parents; and by a brother, Louis Ordorff.
A memorial visitation for Betty Langanki will be at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo on Friday, January 5, 2024, from 3-7 P.M.
Rita Nieman, 87
Rita Ann Nieman, age 87 of Buffalo, formerly of Delano, passed away on Wednesday, December 27, 2023. She was born on February 15, 1936, to Edward and Mary (Kunkel) Pearson in Watertown, Minnesota.
Rita was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She loved to dance, garden, and tend to the birds. She loved horses, animals, and nature of all kinds. Family was the focus of her life. Caring for others was a priority for her. Laughter came easy to her, and she had a zest for life. Prayer was a constant in her life.
Preceded in death by her husband, Bernard “Bernie;” and son, James.
Survived by daughters, Brenda (Michael Potter) Nieman, and Julie (Steve) Wagner; grandson, Chris Wagner; siblings, Edward Pearson, Barb Sohns, and Mary Moore.
Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was 11 A.M. on Tuesday, January 2, 2023, at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Parish, St. Peter campus in Delano, MN. Gathering of family and friends was from 9-11 A.M. with a 9 A.M. Rosary service in St. Martha’s Hall of St. Peter campus.
Arrangements by the Iten Funeral Home in Delano, Minnesota.
Edward Rocklin, 82
Edward “Ed” H. Rocklin, 82, of St. Michael, MN, passed peacefully at home with his family on December 17, 2023. He was born October 28, 1941, in Minneapolis, MN. He lived a life of commitment and devotion to church, family, career, and community.
Ed is survived by his wife of 55 years, Claudia; his loving son, Michael; his beloved daughter, Catherine, along with her husband, Kevin; granddaughters, Kaitlyn (Jacob Allen), and Cassie Block, her husband, Tony; and great-grandson, Nash, who held a special place in Ed’s heart; brothers, Richard and family, from Wisconsin, and James Rocklin, from Colorado.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Alexander and Florence Rocklin.
After graduating from Edina High School, he attended Mankato State. Ed also dutifully served his country in the Army Reserves for six years.
Ed’s professional journey spanned 60 years in the automotive industry. As an owner of several service stations and car dealerships, Ed’s salesmanship and passion for business garnered him numerous accolades. He loved his work, and his expertise was widely recognized.
Ed was also committed to his community. For many years, he taught Sunday school. He also served the City of Buffalo with great pride. At Zion Lutheran Church, he found solace and inspiration in his faith.
A traditional Celebration of Life will be held in honor of Ed’s journey this upcoming summer. Further details to be announced.
Marvid Skeslien, 97
Marvid H. Skeslien, age 97, of Buffalo, MN, passed away on January 1, 2024. Full notice to appear next week. Services are pending at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, MN.
Gayle Yager, 86
Gayle R. Yager, age 86, of Buffalo, MN, passed away on December 23, 2023. (Full notice to appear next week.) Memorial service will be held Friday, January 12, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, MN.
Arrangements were entrusted to The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, MN.
