Obituaries 05/07/26
Corrine Brevik, 77
Corrine Brevik, of Monticello, passed peacefully on Tuesday April 28, 2026. Through her 77 years, she touched lives with her kindness, love, food, and gift of presence. Her final days were filled with treasured friendships and goodbyes from loved ones when she needed it most.
Corrine was born and raised on the family farm in Silver Creek Township. She graduated from Monticello High School in 1966 and married her high school sweetheart, Ken Brevik, in 1968. She earned her degree as a lab tech and together with Ken, they farmed and raised three girls. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend. Her kitchen was always open, coffee always hot, and company was always welcome.
Preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Dorothy Carlson; husband, Kenneth Brevik; and brother, Dean Carlson.
Survived by her daughters, Sonja Brevik, Tamara (Chris) Langford, Lisa (Kyle) DeMontigny; grandchildren, Logan (Rae Ann) DeMontigny, Jakob (Ava) Langeberg, Lathan (fiancée Mika) DeMontigny, Trevor Langeberg, Kaedyn DeMontigny, Charlie (Kara) Langford, Joe Langford; great-grandchildren, Owen Langford, Quinn Langford; and many other family and friends.
A graveside committal service will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at Lakeside Cemetery in rural Monticello, MN. Parking is available in the Faith Lutheran Church parking lot, and carpooling is encouraged. Family and friends are welcome to attend this final farewell. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of choice in memory of Corrine.
Joyce Graunke, 92
Joyce Philomen (Shovelin) Graunke, age 92, of Buffalo, MN.
It is with deep love and sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Joyce Graunke. After a courageous battle with many health issues, Joyce passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, April 16, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.
Joyce was born the daughter of Frank and Lena (Heigl) Shovelin on February 25, 1934, in Glencoe, MN.
Joyce met the love of her life, Delphon Graunke, at a dance at the Marion Ballroom in Glencoe. They were married on September 8, 1951, and together, they raised ten children. For Joyce and Delphon, family was everything — the center of their world and the source of their greatest joy.
She had a remarkable way of showing her love. Every year, each child, grandchild, and great-grandchild received a birthday card, often containing dollar bills matching their age until they turned 18. Christmas was especially magical for her; the house would overflow with family, laughter, and happiness, making it her favorite day of the year. Joyce never missed a single important milestone — baptisms, confirmations, graduations, weddings, or birthday parties. She was always there, fully present, celebrating every moment with her growing family.
Joyce’s greatest legacy is the deep and abiding love she poured into her family. She will be forever cherished and deeply missed by all who were blessed to know her.
Joyce is survived by her children, Linda (Roger) Bechtold, Richard (Gail) Graunke, Karen (Lenny) Kottke, Larry (Debbie) Graunke, Sandy (Clyde) Bechtold, Catherine (Bruce) Modrow and Delphon (Rochelle) Graunke; 22 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren plus one to arrive in August, and four great-great-grandchildren. Survived by siblings, Marietta Steck, Lillian Selness, Wayne (Julie) Shovelin, Diana Boland, David (Betty Aase) Shovelin, Ruth Ann (Doug) Richter; also many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Lena (Heigl) Shovelin; husband, Delphon Graunke; children, infant son, Rachael Ann, and Ronald Delphon; grandson, Kevin Bechtold; and great-granddaughter, Madeline Graunke; siblings, Violet (Larry) Plonty, Joan (Mel) Ziebarth, Rosemary McEachran, John Shovelin; brothers-in-law, John Steck, Dave Selness, and Gerry Boland.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to Lake Ridge Care Center in Buffalo, MN, who were kind, compassionate, and dedicated in serving mom during several recoveries following hospitalizations over the past few years.
We are deeply grateful for the wonderful support provided by Jackie and her staff at ‘Independence Home Care, Winsted, MN’ as well as St. Croix Hospice, for providing comfort, peace, and dignity to mom’s final days while at home.
Memorial service for Joyce will be held Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. at The Peterson Chapel in St. Michael, MN.
Officiating will Pastor David Russow.
There will be a luncheon held at the funeral chapel immediately following the service.
Interment will be in Elmwood Cemetery in Rockford, MN.
Arrangements were entrusted to The Peterson Chapel in St. Michael, MN.
Benjamin Rodelius, 27
Benjamin Vaughn Rodelius, 27, of Thief River Falls, MN, passed away unexpectedly and went to be with Jesus on Friday, May 1, 2026.
Benjamin was born on November 9, 1998, in Buffalo, MN, to Dan and Kathy (Mueller) Rodelius. Benjamin attended school in Buffalo, MN, graduating from Buffalo High School in 2017. He was a member of the trap shooting team. Following high school, he attended NDSU in Fargo, ND where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Crop and Weed Science.
While at NDSU, Benjamin met the love of his life, Abbey Linstad. They dated for five years and were married on December 6, 2025, at the Evangelical Free Church in Thief River Falls, MN. In April 2026, the couple purchased their home in rural Thief River Falls. Abbey was the joy of his life.
Following college graduation, Benjamin went on to work for the Imle family at Pine Lake Wild Rice, a farm in Gonvick, MN. Because Benjamin loved the outdoors, working at the farm was a perfect match; he was able to use his education, gifts, and talents there. It was his dream job.
Benjamin loved spending time with family and friends, golfing, pheasant hunting, shooting, ice fishing, taking long drives, and enjoying ice cream and circus peanuts. Benjamin had an uncanny mechanical aptitude. He could look at things and understand how they worked and how to repair them if needed. He also enjoyed cheering on the Minnesota Wild, Timberwolves, and Vikings, oftentimes on a conference call with family or friends during games.
Upon meeting Benjamin, you knew you had just met one of the most genuine, unassuming human beings. What you saw is what you got. Benjamin was loyal, humble, kind, funny, thoughtful, and intentional. Benjamin cared deeply for his friends and family.
Benjamin trusted Jesus as his Lord and Savior early in his life, and his relationship with Jesus grew stronger as he matured.
There is so much more that could be said about Benjamin. May we lean on each other, remembering him through the stories and moments we share.
Benjamin is survived by his beloved wife, Abbey, of Thief River Falls, MN; parents, Dan and Kathy Rodelius, of Maple Lake, MN; grandmothers, Doris Rodelius, of Willmar, MN, and Camilla Mueller, of Albertville, MN; father and mother-in-law, Bernie and Michelle Linstad, of Michigan, ND; brother-in-law, Ryan Linstad (Elyse Gregoire) of Michigan, ND; Abbey’s grandparents, Merlin and Ann Linstad, of Park River, ND, and Donald and Vicki Staniszewski, of Michigan, ND; lifelong friends, Sean Spike, Zach Berg, and Noah Evans; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Preceded in death by infant brother, Andrew Daniel Rodelius; sister, Emma Leigh Rodelius; grandfathers, Vaughn Rodelius and Kenneth Mueller; uncles, Marty Rodelius and Tim Mueller; and aunt, Anne Wheeler.
A gathering time for family and friends will be held from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a 6:30 PM prayer service on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at Evangelical Free Church in Thief River Falls, MN.
Visitation will begin at Noon with the service to celebrate Benjamin’s life at 1:00 PM on Friday, May 8, 2026, at the Evangelical Free Church in Thief River Falls, MN.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Minnesota Youth Shotgun Association (https://www.minnesotashotgun.org) or ASON International (https://ason.org).
Condolences may be left for the family on the Johnson Funeral Service website (www.johnsonfuneralservice.com).
Peter Sorensen, 67
Peter John Sorensen, known to most as Pete, passed away unexpectedly on April 24, 2026, at the age of 67. Born on May 28, 1958, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Betty (Yarger) and Robert. Pete lived a full and vibrant life, calling Buffalo, Minnesota, home.
Pete was a guy who never met a stranger and never missed a chance to crack a joke. If you sat down next to Pete, you were going to have a good conversation, a few laughs, and probably hear his latest take on whatever was happening in the news. His sense of humor could light up a room, and once he got going on the Vikings, Twins, or Timberwolves, good luck getting a word in edgewise. He loved Minnesota sports, whether they were winning or, more often than not, testing his loyalty.
His life was shaped by love. His marriage to Sue was the cornerstone of everything, and together, they raised two daughters, Elizabeth (Liz) and Katherine (Kate), who gave him what he treasured most in his later years, four grandsons. Pete lived for time with those boys and was truly in his element, whether it was playing with trucks on the floor, watching a movie together, or just being Grandpa. Family always came first.
Throughout his life, Pete faced health challenges with remarkable resilience, undergoing two kidney transplants. He never let those setbacks define him, instead choosing to fill his years with the things he loved. He and Sue did some traveling over the years, making memories and having adventures across the miles. Back home, you could find Pete watching baseball, football, or basketball, heading out to Canterbury Downs to catch the horse races, playing golf, or grabbing a beer with family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Susan (Oliver); his daughters, Liz Otto and Kate McPherson; his grandsons, Jameson Otto, Jordan Otto, Thomas McPherson, and Grady McPherson; his sons-in-law, Jacob Otto and Andy McPherson; his brothers, Thomas, James, Michael, and John; many nieces and nephews, extended family members and friends who will miss him dearly.
Pete loved Led Zeppelin, and it feels only right to let the words speak for him: “There’s a feeling I get when I look to the West, and my spirit is crying for leaving.” And as he might have said himself, “In my time of dying, want nobody to mourn. All I want for you to do is take my body home.”
A Celebration of Life will take place on Friday, May 15, from 4-7 p.m. at the Buffalo American Legion at 304 10th Ave. S, Buffalo, MN.
Rest easy, Pete. You earned it. We’ll take it from here.
Ruby Valenta, 98
Ruby Eloise Valenta, 98, passed away peacefully on January 14, 2026, in Fort Myers, Florida.
She was born on January 4, 1928, in Howard Lake, MN, the daughter of Walter Combs and Verna Pugh, of Howard Lake, MN. She eventually moved to Buffalo, MN, with her husband, Marvin, to begin and raise their family.
Ruby’s family fame came from her perfectly crisp fish fry that followed any sunny afternoon of fishing. Her love for her family and friends was always apparent when you received one of her special cards. She also loved to dress up with genuine enjoyment for a night of line dancing with her sisters.
Ruby’s sense of adventure stretched far beyond the dance hall. Either traveling across the United States or exploring different countries, she delighted in seeing new sights, tasting new foods and sharing memories.
And when winter came, she found sunshine in Florida.
Survived by her children, Gary (Carol) Valenta, of Maple Plain, Linda Trontvet, of Buffalo, MN, and Cathy Blevins, of Buffalo, MN; 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren; one great-great- grandchild; brothers, Glen and Franklin; sisters, Gladys and Bernice.
Preceded in death by former husband, Marvin Valenta; daughter, Sandra Valenta; grandson, Christopher Trontvet; her parents; sisters, Donna and Marie; brother, Walt; and former husband, Robert Leet.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial for Ruby Valenta will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Francis Xavier Church in Buffalo, Minnesota, with a visitation one hour prior to the services at the church. Interment will be held at St. Francis Cemetery in Buffalo, Minnesota. The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo, Minnesota, assisted the family with funeral arrangements. Online condolences can be directed to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
