Obituaries 09/17/26
Kathleen Bock, 86
Kathleen “Kitty” (née Vail) Bock, 86 years old, passed away September 12, 2026, peacefully in her apartment at the Legacy of St Michael.
Kitty was a fun, loving, giving and adventurous person. She enjoyed time with friends and family. She loved to go fishing, dancing, playing cards, traveling, and garage-saling. She also loved reading, cooking, and home remodeling.
Kitty was born April 25, 1940, in Hennepin County, to Howard George and Agnes Rena (née Sjolin) Vail. She lived most of her life in Wright County and in the 70’s started selling real estate; her expertise was lake-home property, and she retired in 2019.
Kitty was preceded in death by her second husband, John Thibodeau; her son, Guy Howard Bock; and her sisters, Mary Veaderko, Dorothy Langanki, and Betty Weber.
Kitty is survived by her daughters, Rebecca (James) Reynolds, Michele (Hiroshi Matsuoka) Bock, and Melanie Bock.
We are hosting a Celebration of Life for Kitty at the Montrose Community Center, 200 Center Avenue S, Montrose, MN, Saturday, September 19, between 1 P.M. and 3 P.M.
Flowers are welcome, but if you prefer, memorial gifts may be made to the March of Dimes in Kitty Bock’s honor. (https://www.marchofdimes.org/ways-to-give).
John Halvorson, 87
John Sverre Halvorson, known affectionately as Grandpa John, passed away September 8, 2026, after a long and full life rooted in faith, community, and deep devotion to those he loved. Born January 19, 1939, on a farm in Big Bend Township, Chippewa County, John was the first child and only son of Palmer and Lavina (Eide) Halvorson.
John grew up on the family farm north of Montevideo, where he developed a lifelong love of animals and agriculture. He was active in 4-H, showing livestock at county and state fairs and forming early leadership skills that would shape his future career.
He attended country school before graduating from Milan High School in 1956, where he participated in football, basketball, band, choir, the school newspaper, and Future Farmers of America, earning the State FFA Degree—the first student from Milan to do so. John continued his education at the University of Minnesota, earning a Bachelor of Science in Animal Husbandry and a Master of Arts in Public Administration. He was a lifelong Minnesota Gopher and Big Ten fan.
In 1959, at a student mixer, John met Janet Stark, the woman who would become the love of his life. They married on June 6, 1964, beginning a partnership marked by devotion, shared purpose, and a deep commitment to family and community. John dedicated his career to agricultural education and service. He worked as a County Extension Agent in several Minnesota counties, supporting youth through 4-H and strengthening rural communities. He later served as Director of Agronomy Services for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and became the first General Manager of the Minnesota Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA).
A lifelong Rotarian, John served as District Governor for Rotary District 5950 in 1998–99, traveling widely and building relationships across the country and world. His service earned numerous honors, including the National DHIA Martin A. Wilson Memorial Award (1996), the Minnesota DHIA Distinguished Service Award (1998), the Buffalo Chamber of Commerce Honored Citizen (2001), and the Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service (2002). John was a multiple Paul Harris Fellow.
John and Jan raised three children—Jason, Juhl, and Jolyn—instilling in them the same values of integrity, curiosity, and compassion that guided his own life. He was immensely proud of their accomplishments and the families they built.
Nothing brought John more joy than his grandchildren, Kaitlyn, John, Samuel, Mya, and Leah. He spoke often about them, celebrating their personalities, talents, and the happiness they brought into his life.
John’s life was defined by service, humility, humor, and gratitude. He cherished his roots, his community, and the generations that followed him. He leaves behind a legacy of kindness, leadership, and love that will continue to guide all who knew him.
A special thank you to the doctors, nurses, and staff from the neuro intensive care unit at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, St. Croix Hospice and Parkview Care Center.
Services were held last Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Zion Lutheran Church in Buffalo.
Keith Heaton, 70
Keith P. Heaton, age 70, of South Haven, died suddenly on Friday, September 11, 2026, at St. Cloud Hospital following complications of a recent surgery.
Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, September 18, 2026, at Love of Christ Lutheran Church in St. Cloud, with visitation starting at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Joel Kosberg will officiate. Burial will follow at Concordia Lutheran Church Cemetery in Fairhaven.
Keith Perry Heaton was born on July 25, 1956, at the St. Cloud Hospital to Lyle and Marlys (Pramann) Heaton. He grew up on a farm in rural Clearwater. As a teenager, he enjoyed working (aka: funny antics and competing) with his twin brother, Kevin, at their father’s grain elevator in Annandale. Keith graduated from St. Cloud Technical High School in 1974 and pursued his passion for law enforcement at Alexandria Community College. He started his career as an Annandale City Police Officer. From there he went on to serve as a Sergeant with the Wright County Sheriff’s Department for 28 years, making a positive impact on countless lives before retiring in 2007.
On September 28, 1974, Keith married Rita Abeln. Together, they had two children. Rita preceded him in death in December 2020. On February 6, 2026, Keith married Victoria Schroeder in Willmar.
Keith enjoyed being active and productive, whether a project was for himself or for someone else, he was always moving. He found joy in working outdoors, rebuilding and repairing cars, and traveling. Keith loved going for walks around the lake, evening pontoon rides, and long car rides with his wife, Victoria. Above all, Keith delighted in caring for others and spending time with his loved ones. He proudly lived by his law enforcement roots, to “protect and serve.” His generous heart will be deeply missed by all who had the joy of knowing him.
He is survived by his wife, Victoria Heaton; Keith’s two children, Jeff Heaton, of Clearwater, and Ali (Shaun) Tyznik, of Maple Lake; two step-children, Alisha (Robbie) Koopmeiners, of South Haven, and Alex (Stephanie) Evavold, of Clearwater; grandchild, Dakota Heaton; step-grandchildren, Sawyer and Reese Koopmeiners, and Hudson, Hayden, and Henley Evavold; sisters, Denise (Barry) Schultz, of Annandale, and Dawn (Jim) Froelich, of Clearwater; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and friends.
Keith was preceded in death by his parents; twin brother, Kevin Heaton; and first wife, Rita Heaton.
Shaun Tyznik, Sean Deringer, Heath Gillham, Scott Miller, Bob Ergen, Daniel Schroeder, Chad Peterschick, and Anthony Sanchez will serve as Casket bearers.
Arrangements are entrusted with Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Annandale.
Obituary, Guestbook, Video Tribute, and service webcast online at www.dingmannfuneral.com.
Larry Hoffman, 84
Larry E. Hoffman, age 84, of Annandale, died Saturday, September 12, 2026, at home on his treasured farmstead, surrounded by the fields he so passionately worked and loved.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, September 21, 2026, at Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel, Annandale. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Monday.
Larry E. Hoffman was born on November 28, 1941, in Annandale, Minnesota, to Erwin and Edith (Hines) Hoffman. He grew up on the farm and attended school in Annandale. He lived a life deeply rooted in the land he cherished on the farm, which he began in 1963 alongside his wife, Sara-ann.
Larry’s passion for agriculture was evident in every aspect of his work. In recognition of his hard work, he received the Outstanding Farmers Award in 1977. His love for the farm was unparalleled, and he often said it was his first love. Together with Sara-ann, Larry built their home from the ground up in 1972. After 16 years of marriage, they divorced. Later, Larry met Marlene, and the two began a life together. On January 27, 1997, Larry married Marlene (Valley) Hartman at the Little White Chapel in Las Vegas. Together, they made their home on the Hoffman farmstead.
He was often direct in his ways, but also honest and driven. His generosity often extended beyond his own farm as he lent a helping hand to fellow farmers, understanding that community and kindness were essential in life. Larry was a man who believed in making every acre count, always embodying a strong work ethic alongside a sincere dedication to his family.
Larry treasured time spent with his family, whether it was traveling, snowmobiling, fishing, or simply enjoying Sunday football. He made sure the game didn’t stay on the screen, routinely sending the kids out into the yard to throw the football around. His love for the Minnesota Vikings was unmatched, and he often mentioned his hope of seeing his team win a Super Bowl during his lifetime.
Larry was a man of faith, firmly believing in a higher power, often stating, “It’s hard to farm if you don’t believe in God. Miracles happen every day.” His legacy of hard work, faith, family, and friendship will continue in the hearts of the generations he nurtured.
Larry is survived by his sons, Daniel (Susan) Hoffman, of Norman, OK, Brian (Stephanie) Hoffman, of Maple Lake, and Wade (Jessica) Hoffman, of Annandale; stepson, Nathan (Jamie) Hartman, of Annandale; grandchildren, Megan, Sam, Ally, Justin, and Shayla Hoffman; step-grandchildren, Caitlyn, Victoria, Callie, Kayla, Brock, and Justice Hartman; siblings, Sandra Julian, of Hutchinson, Jerry (Catherine) Hoffman, of Coalville, UT, Carol (Al) Mattila, of Annandale, Cindy (Chris) Reuter, of Maple Grove, Shelly (Jeff) Lersch, of Monticello; siblings-in-law, Rudy Valley, Ray (Jan) Valley, Yvonne Gorman, and Vivian Ramler; nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marlene; stepsons, Timothy and Jason Hartman; and brother-in-law, Charles Julian.
Todd Nielson, Cory Wolff, Milo Alama, Al Wolff, Sam Hoffman, and Brock Hartman will serve as honorary casket bearers. Eulogy will be provided by Daniel Hoffman and Wayne Mackereth. Arrangements entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Annandale.
Obituary, Guestbook, Video Tribute and Funeral Webcast online at www.dingmannfuneral.com.
Michael Kassulke, 76
Michael Frederick Kassulke, born November 4, 1949, in Fairmont, MN, passed away September 7, 2026. He was a beloved son to Irvin and Elois; husband to Julie Ann Kassulke (Hagen) for 55 years; father to Justin and Jed; father-in-law to Deanne and Christin; grandfather to Landon, Avery, Payton, Tate, and Macy; brother to Deb, Kent, and Jon; and a cherished friend to many.
His greatest joys in life were his family, his friends, and the relationships he built along the way.
Mike took tremendous pride in the people he loved and, above all, adored his grandchildren. He loved watching them participate in sports, celebrating their accomplishments, sharing laughs, and simply being part of their lives. His love, encouragement, and pride in them will remain with them forever.
Mike made friends easily and kept them for a lifetime. To him, friends were family. He enjoyed good conversation, laughter, friendly competition, and simply spending time with the people he cared about. His love of golf, volleyball, and basketball brought many friendships and countless memories, but for Mike, the people were always more important than the game.
One of the greatest joys of Mike’s life was living on the lake. His home became a gathering place filled with family, friends, boats, sunshine, watersports, food, laughter, and countless memories. Some of the best days were simply lake days surrounded by the people he loved.
Mike and Julie also shared a love of travel and adventure. Over the years, they enjoyed epic vacations and experiences around the world, creating memories that took them far beyond home. Their winters spent in Arizona became another special part of their lives, filled with sunshine, golf, friends, and time enjoying a different pace of life.
Mike had a genuine ability to make people feel welcome and connected. Whether someone was a lifelong friend or someone he had just met, he took an interest in their life and made them feel like they belonged. Perhaps his greatest gift was simply being there.
Mike leaves behind a family and circle of friends who loved him deeply and will miss him immensely. His greatest legacy is the love he gave, the friendships he treasured, and the countless memories he created, especially those shared with family and friends at the lake, on the golf course, and around the people he loved.
May he rest peacefully, knowing that he was loved, appreciated, and will never be forgotten.
Services will be held at Zion Lutheran Church Friday, September 18, visitation 10 a.m., service 11 a.m., follow by celebration of life at the Buffalo American Legion, 12:30 p.m.
Anita McHolland, 91
Anita “Annie” (nee Santos) McHolland, age 91, of Monticello, and formerly of Montrose, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Cura Nursing Home in Monticello.
Annie was born on January 25, 1935, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Wallace Sr. and Socorro Santos. She spent much of her life building a loving family, making friends, and creating memories that will be cherished by all who knew her.
Annie was the former owner of the Twister One Stop in Montrose. After selling the Twister, she continued working part-time at Target in Buffalo, where she enjoyed staying busy and connecting with others.
Annie was a woman who knew how to enjoy life. She and her husband, Kenneth “Mac” McHolland, loved spending their weekends flea marketing together. She especially treasured time with her family and friends and could often be found watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren play sports. A true Minnesota sports fan, Annie proudly cheered for all of the Minnesota teams.
Music was another great love of Annie’s. Frank Sinatra and Elvis were among her favorites, and she loved nothing more than listening to music, singing along, and dancing. She also had a fun and adventurous side and was always up for sharing a shot of tequila with family or friends.
Annie was a longtime member of St. Henry’s Catholic Church in Monticello, where her faith and friendships were an important part of her life.
She is survived by her children, Robert (Linda) McHolland Sr., of Buffalo, Colleen Skillings (Scott VanLith), and Lisa Kimmer, of Monticello; seven grandchildren, Robert McHolland Jr., Aaron (Nicole) Skillings, Felicia Reynolds, Mariah Skillings, David (Cece) Kimmer, Daniel (Ashley) Kimmer, and Christina (Jace) Nosal; 13 great-grandchildren; her sister, Gracie Arias, of St. Paul; and many other relatives and friends.
Annie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Kenneth “Mac” McHolland; her parents, Wallace Sr. and Socorro Santos; brothers, Wallace Jr. and John Santos; sisters, Mary Deleon and Alice Hernandez; and her grandson, Anthony McHolland.
Annie leaves behind a lifetime of love, laughter, music, and memories. Though she will be deeply missed, her spirit will live on in the hearts of her family and friends who were fortunate enough to know and love her.
Rest in peace, Annie. Save us a dance—and maybe a shot of tequila.
Join us for Annie’s Celebration of Life on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 12 P.M. to 5 P.M. at the VFW Post 8731, 713 S Cedar Street, Monticello, MN 55362
The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Jacqueline Mead, 86
Jacqueline Mary (Kruger) Mead was born to Walter and Pauline (Goodnature) Kruger on October 23, 1939, and entered eternal life on September 6, 2026.
She was raised a farm girl on the family farm near Alden, Minnesota, until the end of her second grade. The family then moved to a farm near Dexter, Minnesota, where Jackie attended and graduated from Elkton High School.
The caption under her yearbook picture states: “Her friendly smile and loving heart make up one swell gal.” That seemed to follow her through life because every club or organization to which she belonged, she became an officer or held a leadership role and earned many memorable rewards.
Her teaching degree from Mankato State University took her to Mapleton, Minnesota, where she met George who took a teaching position at Mapleton because “Jackie,” whom he knew, was teaching there. Jackie did not know him until they met at Mapleton. Their meeting blossomed into a marriage that took them to Mound, Minnesota, where they started their young family, and George taught school.
They eventually moved their family to a hobby farm in Buffalo, Minnesota. George commuted to Mound for 35 years, and Jackie substitute taught at Buffalo Middle School and High School for over 20 years.
She was a dedicated member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church for over 50 years, volunteering in many activities and assisting the school secretary. When volunteering on the Funeral Lunch Committee, she often referred them as the “The Church Basement Ladies.”
She enjoyed the variety of animals on the farm, her gardens, eating fresh veggies, volunteering for various organizations, visits with friends, her card club, and many weekends playing cards and games with family and friends.
There are many empty spots to fill in our lives, but Jackie said “go do what you like, and the good Lord will lead you. Life no matter how long, is too short.”
She is survived by her children, Monica Mead-Lemke, Brian Mead, Craig (Cathy) Mead, Brent Mead, Alison (Pat) Schmitt; sister, Rita (Marty) Patten; sister-in-law, Marilyn (Dale) Roth; grandchildren, Cassandra (Jeremy) Heath, Cameron (Clara) Mead, Jessica Anderson, and Amanda Poff; great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation for Jackie was held Thursday, September 10, 2026, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, MN.
Mass of Christian Burial was Friday, September 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., visitation continued one hour prior to the Mass at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Buffalo, MN.
Celebrant was Father Austin Barnes.
Casket Bearers were Brian Mead, Craig Mead, Brent Mead, Pat Schmitt, Cameron Mead, and Jeremy Heath.
Entombment was in the St. Francis Catholic Cemetery in Buffalo, MN.
Arrangements were entrusted to The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, MN.
