Mary Cusey, 97

Mary Dorothy Cusey, 97, passed away peacefully at home on February 10, 2025. Mary was born on October 2, 1927, in Webster, South Dakota, to parents, Theodore and Anna (Veritzan) Nelson. She was the third of eight siblings and preceded in death by her parents and siblings. Being a premature baby, she was always small but dynamite in a small package!

Growing up in Detroit Lakes, MN, she lived most of her life in Coon Rapids and Buffalo, MN, and her final destination of St. Michael, MN.

She loved taking care of others, gardening, fishing, dancing, animals and spending time with family.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Rodney; three sons, Gene (Sherry) Vorwerk, Lynn (Donna) Cusey, Scott (Leean Hoffstrom) Cusey; seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild; also, many nieces and nephews and families across the nation!

She will be dearly missed by all who were related to her or knew her.

A visitation will begin at 10:00 A.M. with funeral services at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at Faith Lutheran Church, 11115 Hanson Blvd. NW, in Coon Rapids, MN 55433.

Luncheon and Internment after service.

The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, MN, is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.

Beverly Danielson, 83

Beverly Ann (Hukriede) Danielson, 83, of Buffalo, MN, (formerly of Montrose, MN), peacefully passed away on Dec. 29, 2024, at Mercy Hospital, surrounded by her family.

Beverly was born on July 5, 1941, in Bertha, MN, to Raymond A. Hukriede and Adeline O. (Nelson) Hukriede. Beverly was raised in Eagle Bend, MN, graduating as the Class of 1959, and attended Trinity Lutheran Church, where she was baptized and confirmed. Bev went on to attend Beauty School in Thief River Falls.  After Beauty School, Beverly and a few girlfriends moved to Minneapolis. Through these friends, Beverly met Richard Allan “Dick” Danielson. On Aug. 5, 1961, Beverly and Richard were united in holy matrimony at Beverly’s hometown church, Trinity Lutheran, and the reception followed at Beverly’s grandparents farm, Carl “Oscar” and Annie Nelson’s, just south of Eagle Bend, MN, now the Double Eagle Golf Course. 

Bev and Dick made their home in Richfield, MN, where they started their family. In 1964, they built a new home in Eden Prairie and continued to grow their family having three boys, Troy, Ross and Corey. In 1971, Bev and Dick took a leap of faith and moved to an 80-acre farm just north of Montrose, MN, and south of the old family resort, Olson’s Point. This farm would become known as the “Yellow Farm.” Here, they nestled in and went to work, turning this old farm into a home. The Yellow Farm was truly a special place, and it was a great place to raise their three boys. The boys could swim in the Crow River, and Bev could have her monster-sized garden...Oh, the produce… and…oh, the stories. 

In 1976, Bev and Dick moved again and sold the house and buildings off the Yellow Farm, and purchased a newer home on 20 acres across, The “Brown House.”  Here, Beverly made the yard bloom and had color all year round. The property was lined with pine trees, flowers were planted, the hillside was terraced with flowers, lots of flowers planted around the house, and many flower beds. Bev would say they are “beautiful.”  

Bev worked as a beautician in Wayzata Bay until a car accident made her switch careers, and she went to work at Advance Circuits until her retirement. Here, Bev headed up the ACI United Way Fund Drive. Bev took pride in her work, and it showed as she worked her way up from employee status, to inspections, and eventually writing programs and performing final inspections. This is when us boys started getting “The List.” That List is what needed to be done before our parents would get home, strategically placed on the kitchen table at 4:30 a.m. every morning.

In 1995, Bev and Dick made that move back to the land at the Yellow Farm and built their retirement home. Here, she was able to design her own kitchen with a large center island, granite counter tops, painting room, computer room, wood/craft shop, and all the views of the world. They chose a spot in the old pasture and positioned that house at such an angle to have a view that would never change, looking over the back lands of the Crow River. Here, Bev lived for 26 years. 

 Dick passed away in December of 2018, and not quite two years later, Beverly moved into Tower Hill. Here, she met a whole new set of friends that immediately made her feel like family. She truly enjoyed being a part of the Tower Hill Group. She often said, “the move off the farm was the hardest decision to make, but it was the best move I ever made.” A little remodeling for her touches and a lot of nestling in made it home. 

Bev always stayed busy, involving her heart and soul into what she loved. Beverly truly enjoyed painting, especially Scandinavian Rosemaling. She loved knitting baby caps for the hospital, playing card games of Swoop and 500, and sewing each of her children and grandchildren a special quilt. She loved her plants and flowers, including tending to her gardens and canning everything. Making grape juice and wine from wild grapes, Bev had a knack and talent for being crafty, like wood carving, ceramics, macrame, painting glass, and making holiday cards. She always had plenty of laughter and giggles in her with a witty spirit.  

Beverly volunteered a lot of her time to the Historical Society, Zion Lutheran Church, Harvest of Hands, and Baby Animal Fair. She enjoyed multiple clubs, including her Homemakers group: The Montrose Country Gals, Silver Sneakers, Aqua Babies, Red Hat Ladies, and her coffee groups. Beverly enjoyed being around people and could only see the good in people. If you were friends with Beverly, you were a friend forever. She would sit down and chat, write you a short letter, call you, or have lunch or coffee with you, everyone was welcome.

Bev liked the simple things in life, she was always telling us “Get outside and enjoy it.” “Look out at the sky, it’s amazing tonight.” “Look at the beautiful flowers.” She lit up when her kids and grandkids were around, and was active with her children’s activities of hockey, baseball, Cub Scouts, and the 4-H Group, always having a County Fair exhibit for painting or displays, with many purple ribbons. Beverly tended the School House at the County Fair making outfits for herself and her grandkids to “play the part.“  Bev and Dick enjoyed travels across the United States, camping in Canada, even took a trip to Europe, and specifically to Norway, Sweden, Germany, and Finland to see family.  

Beverly was preceded in death by her grandparents; parents, Raymond A. Hukriede and Adeline O. Hukriede; husband, Richard “Dick” Danielson; and honorary sister and brother-in-law, Hildy and Rudy Palo. 

She is survived by her three sons, Troy (Deborah) Danielson, Ross (Terri) Danielson, and Corey (Amy) Danielson; five grandchildren, Zachary (Angelee) Danielson and Jordan Danielson; Jonathan (Courtney) Danielson; Laura Danielson (Levi Stottler) and Logan Danielson (Megan Kurtz); three great-grandchildren, Jackson Danielson, Kinsley Danielson, and Nora Danielson; and one great-grandchild on the way; sister and brother, Judith Peters and Gary (Connie) Hukriede; brother and sisters-in-law, Terry (Jean) Danielson and Shirley Kiedrowski; cousins, nieces, and nephews; and so many friends. 

Honorary Urn Bearers, her grandchildren, Zachary, Jordan, Jonathan, Laura, and Logan Danielson.  

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on March 7, 2025, with Visitation at 10 a.m., service at 11 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 1200 Hwy. 25 S, Buffalo, MN 55313. Visitation and pictures to follow.

Zion Link for Bev Danielson livestream: https://www.youtube.com/live/ji1uHRStOKY

A private family inurnment will be scheduled at a later date.

Special thanks to Mercy Hospital ICU Nursing Staff.

Donna Lanie, 88

Donna Lanie, age 88, passed away Friday, February 7, 2025, at The Glenn Memory Care in Buffalo, MN.

Donna Mae Rustman was born on April 15, 1936, in Lyon County, MN, to Harvey and Pearl (Sharratt) Rustman. She grew up on their family farm and graduated from Balaton High School in 1954.

Donna was united in marriage to James (Jim) Lanie in Laramie, Wyoming. In 1985, Jim and Donna made their home in Buffalo, MN. They built their own home with little or no help from family and friends. They started their own business, Buffalo Glass and Lock, which they owned and operated for 30 years. They were proud to have their boys, Mike and Troy, work by their side. After retirement, Donna worked at The Kings House in Buffalo as a server. She loved the events The Kings House hosted, as the clowns being her favorite.

Donna’s family was very important to her. She would never miss out on any events, and if you saw her out and about, you would usually see one or more of the grandchildren by her side.

Donna was a member of Buffalo United Methodist Church in Buffalo for many years. Her hobbies included gardening, shopping, sewing, cooking for her family for holidays and special events. Donna loved birthdays. She made every birthday special for her children and grandchildren.

Donna is survived by her loving children, Cheri (Roger), Douglas, Mike (Stacy), Troy (Nicole), and Ginger (Mark); 10 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

Donna was preceded in death by her loving husband, James (Jim) Lanie on December 28, 2023; grandson, Brandon Lanie; her parents; by four brothers; and one sister.

Donna’s final resting place will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. With Donna’s love for birthdays, the service at Fort Snelling with be held on her birthday, April 15, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. A Celebration of Life will follow in Buffalo, and the place is yet to be determined. The family will update as soon as the final plan is made.

Donna’s family wishes to extend their deep appreciation and thank you to The Glenn Memory Care and St. Croix Hospice for their love and care.

The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.

Judith Wagner, 78

Judith Ann Wagner, age 78, of St. Michael, MN, passed away on February 14, 2025.  (See full notice next week). Visitation will be Thursday, February 27, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at The Peterson Chapel in St. Michael, MN. Funeral service will be held Friday, February 28, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation continuing one hour prior to the service at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hanover, MN.

Arrangements were entrusted to The Peterson Chapel in St. Michael, MN.

Celebration of Life

John Sherman

John Sherman, age 86, of Buffalo, MN, passed away on February 11, 2025. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 3-6 p.m. at the Cremation Society of Minnesota in Edina, 7110 France Ave. S, Edina. MN 55435. Memorials preferred to wccaweb.com.