Obituaries 03/07/24
Jill Holland, 58
Jill M. Holland, age 58, of Annandale, died on Monday, February 26, 2024, at the St. Cloud Hospital following complications from a stroke.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m., Thursday, March 7, 2024, at St. Timothy Catholic Church, Maple Lake with Fr. Kevin Magner as Celebrant. Burial will follow. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday and from 9:00-10:00 a.m. on Thursday, both at Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel, Maple Lake. In honor of Jill, memorials are preferred to your local animal shelter.
Jill Marie Bates was born on July 11, 1965, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Jill grew up in Willmar and graduated with the Class of 1983. She then earned her Associate of Applied Science in Animal Health from the U of M, Waseca. While in college, Jill crossed paths with her future husband. On August 9, 1986, she was united in marriage to Todd Alan Holland at the Church of St. Mary in Willmar. They began their lives together in Storden, before settling on Todd’s grandpa’s farm outside of town. Jill went on to obtain her bachelor’s degree in marketing from Mankato State University. They eventually moved to Annandale, where they raised their daughter, Mariah.
Jill worked as a vet tech in Tracy before she began her career as an administrative and marketing assistant in both Jackson and Annandale. Jill’s love of animals eventually brought her back to the veterinary field as a vet tech in Watkins.
Jill found joy in various activities such as baking, playing pool, and decorating, all of which she pursued with immense enthusiasm. She was a member of the Maple Lake American Legion Auxiliary, as well as a part of Team Huro. Her love for hockey, animals, and Hallmark movies, her fondness for horror films, and her participation in the marching band during her school years reflected her vibrant and multifaceted personality. She cherished spending time with her family, supporting them in their endeavors, and creating lasting memories with those she held dear.
Jill is survived by her husband of 37 years, Todd, of Annandale; daughter, Mariah (Jesse) Stark, of Annandale; siblings, Roger (Lisa) Stephens, of Willmar, Lori (John) Wolfram, of St. Cloud, and Paul (Kelly) Bates, of St. Cloud; nieces and nephews, Matthew (Rhea) Stephens, AJ (Sierra) Stephens, Jason (Tiffany) Stephens, Myles Bates (Vanessa), Tyler (Nick) Bates, Riley Bates (Claire), Adam (Megan) Sturtz, and Hannah Sturtz (Charlie); sisters-in-law, Denise (Scott) Anderson, and Tammy (Skip) Sturtz; and other family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Matthew, A.J., and Jason Stephens, Myles, Tyler, and Riley Bates will serve as urn 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
Charles Holthaus, 102
Charles Anthony Holthaus, 1921-2024
Charles “Charlie” Anthony Holthaus was born near Pearl Lake, MN on December 31, 1921. He was the first-born to James (Jim) Henry Holthaus and Rose Catherine (Loesch) Holthaus. In 1934, Jim and Rose purchased a farm and moved the family to Buffalo, MN. Charlie spent 1946-1947 serving his country in the Army, spending seven months in Korea and received recognition as a World War II-era veteran. He also completed and earned his GED during his tour of duty.
On June 12, 1952, Charlie married Elizabeth (Betty) Ann Flaherty at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Princeton, MN. They settled in Monticello and raised a large family on a dairy farm outside of town. Charlie continued to be active in his community serving as a Monticello Township Supervisor and Unity Mutual Insurance board member for over 30 years in each role. He was an active member of St. Henry’s Catholic Church for 72 years and member of the Knights of Columbus. Charlie was also a member of the Monticello Legion, VFW, and Monticello Community Senior Center. He deeply loved his family, friends, and lifetime career as a farmer.
On the afternoon of February 28, 2024, at the age of 102, Charlie died at his home surrounded by family.
Survivors include his 11 children, Ann (John) Mork, Rose (Rick) Mills, Patricia Holthaus, James (Sue) Holthaus, Paul Holthaus, Mary (George) Swift, Joseph (Janice) Holthaus, Gerald (Lisa) Holthaus, Daniel (Kathleen) Holthaus, Robert (Mineko) Holthaus, and Donald Holthaus; his sisters, Bernice Bursch and Leona Henson; sisters in-law, Irmina Holthaus and Annella Holthaus; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Charlie was preceded in death by his wife, Betty (2017); parents; siblings, Fred Holthaus, Marie (Timothy) Wurm, Richard Holthaus, Raymond Holthaus, Lucielle Holthaus; several in-laws and other relatives.
Services for Charlie included a wake on Tuesday, March 5, from 4 – 8 p.m., followed by a reviewal on Wednesday morning the 6th, from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., and a Mass of Christian Burial that started at 11 a.m., ALL at St. Henry’s Catholic Church in Monticello, MN. Interment was at St. Henry’s Cemetery, followed by a luncheon at St. Henry’s Social Hall.
The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo served the family.
Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Jerome Huikko, 37
Jerome “Jerry” Allen Huikko, age 37, of Buffalo, MN, passed away on March 2, 2024.
He was born the son of Allen and Deborah (Glunz) Huikko on June 29, 1986, in Buffalo, MN.
Jerry loved to spend time in the great outdoors where he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He loved to go bowling and was always a great scorekeeper for the many softball tournaments that family members played in. Jerry always reminded the people who were playing that they should “pull the plow” and get going. He always loved to watch any Minnesota sports teams but especially was loyal to the Minnesota “Twinkies.”
Jerry was a 14-year employee of the Walmart store in Buffalo, MN. He was a valued employee and co-worker to the many people he worked with; he was more of a friend than a co-worker to the many people he knew.
Jerry is survived by father, Allen Huikko; sister, Katie (Jen Bohn) Huikko; nephews, Wyatt Huikko, and Luke Bohn; also, many aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by grandparents; and mother, Debbie Huikko.
Mass of Christian Burial for Jerome will be held Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with a visitation one hour prior to the mass at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Buffalo, MN.
Celebrant will be Father Nathaniel Meyers.
Luncheon to follow the mass at Huikko’s Bison Creek Event Center in Buffalo, MN.
Private family interment will be held at a later date.
Arrangements were entrusted to The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, MN.
David LaPlante, 78
David Oliver LaPlante, age 78, of Maple Grove, born Monday, September 24, 1945, passed away on March 1, 2024.
Preceded in death by first wife, Shirley; parents, Oliver and Melva; brothers, Ken, Jerry, Tom, and Rollie.
Survived by wife, Kathy; children, Russ (Melissa) and Robert (Dana); stepdaughters, Michelle (JJ) Douvier and Kristen (Shawn) Bliven; grandchildren, Cael, Ava, Marisa, Jocelyn, Neil, Gavin, and Greyson; sisters, Julie (Ralph), Mary (Ted), Naomi (Al) and Sue (Dewey); nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Memorial Mass of Christian Burial at ST. VINCENT de PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH (9100 – 93rd Ave. N., Brooklyn Park, MN 55445) Friday, March 8, 2024, at 10:30 A.M. with visitation one hour prior.
Neil Mattson, 81
Neil Roger Mattson, passed away on March 2, 2024, in Albertville, MN.
Neil was born on November 27, 1942, to Marjorie and Willard “Bill” Mattson in Buffalo, MN. As a boy, Neil was fond of animals. He enjoyed caring for and spending time on the family hobby farm with horses, cattle, chickens, and dogs. He even had a bison as a “pet” for a while. Neil’s love for birds, pheasants, farm, and other wildlife animals continue to grow.
After graduating from Buffalo High School in 1960, Neil attended college at the University of Minnesota for Pre-Forestry but changed to Chiropractic after finding much relief in it after a horse-riding injury. He went on to earn his Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree from Northwestern Chiropractic College in 1965.
In 1966 Neil, was drafted in the United States Army. Neil was proud to serve and attained the rank of SP5. He spent time stationed in Korea and was discharged in 1968.
Neil spent some time traveling and working. In 1973, he married Susan (McManus) Mattson, of Montrose, MN, and moved to Australia. Neil and Susan lived in Australia with their children, Shannon, Melody, Sven, and Luke.
In 1984, Neil and family moved to Cokato, MN, where he would open his Chiropractic practice and started to build his hobby farm. The farm would eventually have birds, dogs, pheasants, peacocks, geese, a changing variety of goats and sheep, ponies, llamas, ferrets, Texas longhorns, and occasionally other animals.
Neil loved helping people, riding motorcycles, relaxing at his cabin, traveling, spending time with his family, and late in life grew to love the Lord.
After retiring, Neil enjoyed time at his cabin, traveling, and spending the colder months in his humble winter getaway in Texas.
He was predeceased by his father, Willard Mattson; mother, Marjorie Mattson; and sister, Carol Arko.
Neil is survived by children, Shannon Mattson, Melody Hoffman, Sven (Heather) Mattson, and Luke (Danielle) Mattson; grandchildren, Kiah Mattson, Zachary Hoffman (Taylor Anderson), Noah Hoffman, Caleb Hoffman, Owen Mattson, Molly Mattson, Nola Mattson, Rogan Mattson, and Elora Mattson; great-grandson, Brody Anderson.
Funeral service for Neil will be held Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service at Zion Lutheran Church in Buffalo, MN.
Interment will be at Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Buffalo, MN.
Luncheon to follow the interment at church.
Arrangements were entrusted to The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, MN.