Obituaries 04/27/23
Andrea Cottew, 52
Andrea Rae (Mobley) Cottew, age 52, of Buffalo, MN, passed away tragically as a victim of homicide on February 6, 2023.
She was born on August 24, 1970, to Robert “Buffalo Bob” and Mary Lou Mobley in Buffalo. She was a graduate of Buffalo High School with the class of 1988.
She enjoyed casino games, playing skip-bo, spending time at the lake with her family, visiting with friends, and what she loved most in the world were her two children, Nathan and Nicole.
She is survived by her daughter, Nicole (Brandon); her parents, Buffalo Bob and Mary Lou Mobley; twin brother, Allan (Natalie) Mobley; sisters, Charlene Seaman and Sheila (Dave) Crawford; brother, Dave (Jana) Exner; nieces and nephews, Robert and Alex Mobley, Theresa, Janie, Miranda, Hannah and Grace Seaman, Allison and Emily Crawford, Tye and Katie Exner; along with many aunts, uncles, and cousins, and many friends!
She is preceded in death by her son, Nathan; and brother-in-law, Rob Seaman.
Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, May 6, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. with visitation beginning one hour prior at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Buffalo, MN. Private interment at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery in Buffalo, MN. Funeral arrangements entrusted to The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo. Online condolences for the family may be directed to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Virgil Laing, 82
Virgil L. Laing, Ph.D., January 16, 1941 – April 22, 2023.
Virgil Lee Laing, of Loveland, Colorado, passed away peacefully on April 22, 2023, at home after suffering from ALS and Parkinson’s Disease. Virgil, known as “VL” to friends and family, was born January 16, 1941, to John and Susie Laing who raised him in Blue Earth, Minnesota, with his two older brothers. Their family operated a small convenience grocery store before moving to Buffalo, Minnesota, for his middle and high school years.
Virgil attended St. John’s University (Minnesota) for two years and then transferred to the University of Minnesota where he met his wife, Mary, at a Neuman Center dance. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BS, MS, and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering. Virgil and Mary married in 1965. They lived in Minneapolis until 1969 when they headed west to Loveland for a job with Hewlett Packard and to pursue elk. Virgil worked as an engineer at HP in Loveland and Greely for 31 years in the areas of research and development and quality assurance. After retiring from HP, Virgil started a second career working side by side with Mary in residential real estate sales and property management for 12 years.
During his 54 years in Loveland, Virgil was active in St John Evangelist Catholic Church, serving on the finance board, singing in the choir, and acting as a lay minister. As an avid outdoorsman, Virgil enjoyed big game and bird hunting, fishing for walleye, and backpacking in the Colorado mountains. Virgil and Mary relished annual trips to Mexico with close friends and family, plus getting away to Steamboat Springs. An engineer at heart and a life-long learner, Virgil delighted in building and repairing just about anything, but especially his 1967 Corvette.
Virgil was devoted to his three children, their extended families, and his hunting dogs. He is survived by his children, David (Margot) Laing, Ann (Derek) West, Molly (Matthew) Campbell, and six grandchildren.
Virgil was preceded in death by his parents; and his older brothers, John, and James.
Virgil’s family hosted a visitation at Viegut Funeral Home in Loveland at 1616 N. Lincoln Avenue on Wednesday April 26, 2023, from 3-5 p.m., with a rosary prayer at 5 p.m. A Funeral Mass for Virgil will be held on Thursday, April 27, 2023, at 10 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church, 1730 W. 12th Street, Loveland, and a lunch will follow.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Virgil Laing Memorial Fund of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the ALS Association or St. John the Evangelist Church. Condolences may be shared at viegutfuneralhome.com.
Michael Ohnstad, 57
Michael Paul Ohnstad, age 57, of Buffalo, passed away peacefully at Abbott Northwestern Hospital on April 22, 2023.
He was born on August 24, 1965, in St. Louis Park, MN, to Elmer “Ogie” and Doris Ohnstad. He graduated from Buffalo High School in 1984. He cherished those friendships dearly and many continue to still be special today. Mike spent the majority of his career driving semi-truck. He loved being on the road and enjoyed the many friendships he made with other drivers. He and his son, Alex, as a young boy, made special memories driving over the road and in later years going to truck shows. Mike also loved participating in the Special Olympic convoys and having a Special Olympian ride along. He was so proud Alex followed in his footsteps driving semi-truck. Mike enjoyed the many years of camping with dear friends and family. He cheered on the Minnesota Vikings and Twins, along with watching NASCAR racing.
He is survived by his son, Alex (Nicole) Ohnstad; mom, Doris Ohnstad; sister, Deb (Doug) Beise; sister, Jennifer (Mark) Ottinger; nieces and nephews, Parker (Rachel) Ottinger, Ashley Beise, Ben Beise, Logan Ottinger; uncles, Jerry (Patty) Ohnstad and Scott (Sarah) Lazer.
Preceded in death by his dad, Elmer “Ogie” Ohnstad; uncle, Howard Felber.
A Memorial Service for Mike “Ohny” Ohnstad will be held on Saturday, April 29, at 12 noon at The Buffalo United Methodist Church in Buffalo. Pastor Bill Reinhart will officiate.
Interment Lakeview Cemetery.
A visitation will be held AT THE CHURCH on Saturday, April 29, two hours prior to the service.
The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Joan Peterson, 91
Joan S. Peterson, age 91, of Buffalo, passed away on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at her residence.
She was born on October 27, 1931, in Minneapolis, the daughter of F.A. and Theodora “Dora” (Ockerman) Schauss.
Joan was a graduate of Swedish hospital in 1952 and lived in California, Mexico, and Hawaii.
On June 10, 1960, Joan Schauss and Donald W. Peterson were joined in holy marriage. God blessed their marriage with three children, Karla, David and Paula. Don Peterson preceded her in death in 1986.
Through the years, Joan worked alongside Don at The Peterson Chapel, as well as supporting all his endeavors, which were many.
She later developed WestCliffe in Chatham Township.
Joan listened and cared about anyone in her presence. She was “Best” friends with many.
Survived by her loving children, Karla (Joe) Mavencamp, David (Chris) Peterson, and Paula (Kelly) Brecht; grandchildren, Nick, Donnie, and Andy Mavencamp; Dillon and Cody Peterson; Matt, Hannah, and Jake Brecht; fourteen great-grandchildren; special friend, Dr. Donald Duncan, M.D.; sister-in-law, Dorothy Haugen; other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services for Joan Peterson will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at 2 :00 P.M. at Buffalo Evangelical Covenant Church. Pastor Reid Gilbert will officiate, and interment follows at Lakeview Cemetery.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, April 29, AT THE CHURCH from 12 Noon-2:00 P.M.
Casket Bearers will be Joan’s eight grandchildren.
Honorary Casket Bearers will be her great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Buffalo or Maple Lake Scholarship Foundation.
The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Terrance Walker, 96
Terrance “Terry” Harry Walker, age 96, of rural Buffalo, passed away on Sunday, April 9, 2023, at his residence surrounded by his family.
He was born on June 5, 1926, in Montrose, the son of Thomas and Ruby (Kreidler) Walker.
Terry graduated from Buffalo High School.
He honorably served his Country in The United States Marine Corps.
On June 18, 1949, Terrance H. “Terry” Walker and Wilma “Babe” Hanson were joined in holy marriage in St. Cloud. God blessed their marriage with three sons.
Terry and Babe engaged in farming for many years. He was a heavy equipment operator working in Alaska. Terry was a truck driver for many years. He also worked for Delano Granite. Terry enjoyed visiting with people, watching Minnesota Twins baseball, and mowing his lawn in his later years. He loved music, singing, and storytelling.
Survived by his sons, Greg Walker (Renell Steffenson), Ed (Kathy) Walker, and Matt (Shannon) Walker; eight grandchildren, Brett (Amy) Walker, Katie (Bill) Greenough, and Ryan Walker; Corey (Lacey) Walker, Teri (Jason) Kuperus, and Nicole (Lee) Schultz; Marah Walker and Ben Walker; seventeen great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Dee Hanson; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by his loving wife, Wilma “Babe” Walker, on December 24, 2022; his parents; seven siblings, Ethelyn “Eth,” Arlie, Delores, Stanley “Bud,” Geri, Vivian, and Shirley “Pudge.”
A time of gathering will be held on Sunday, May 7, from 1:00-3:00 P.M. at The Montrose Community Center.
A Celebration of Life for Terrance “Terry” Walker will be held on Sunday, May 7, 2023, at 3:00 P.M. at The Montrose Community Center in Montrose, MN, with a lunch to follow. Pastor Dean Brown will officiate.
The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
