Arizona

The highly anticipated 2024 total eclipse of the sun occurred Monday, April 8, across North America, and several groups of Rock County residents traveled to experience the once-in-a-lifetime event. Among them were Luverne residents Jim and Heather Johnson and their family who traveled to Indiana, as did Luverne brothers Knute and Gunnar Oldre. Lori Sorenson and her four sisters, originally from…

Jane Fuerstenberg Nekali, 82, formerly of Luverne, Minnesota, died in Fountain Hills, Arizona, on February 24, 2024, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Jane was born October 7, 1941, in St Kilian, Minnesota, to Leo and Perry Etta (Lynch) Fuerstenberg, the third of five daughters. She graduated in 1959 from the Academy of our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic High School in Mankato,…

Just shy of her 101st birthday, Norma Gangestad began her new life in glory on February 13, 2024. Norma Elizabeth was born to Paul and Alvina (Carstens) Oldre on April 30, 1923. Her mother died shortly after birth and she was raised by Bertha Engebretson until the age of four when Paul married Mabel Tobiason. She grew up on the Oldre Century Farm by Kenneth. She graduated from Magnolia High…

Wayne A. Brown, age 85, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away on January 25, 2024, at his home in Phoenix, Arizona. Wayne was born in Iowa City, Iowa, to Darold Brown and Helen “Marge” (Stanton) Hoffman. He served in the U.S. Military in the Navy and the Minnesota and South Dakota Army National Guard. Wayne is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marilyn (Ray)…

Twilla Navara, age 80, of Surprise, Arizona, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023.  A celebration of life gathering will be held at Angela’s Restaurant at Grand in Surprise on Thursday, Oct. 12, from 2-4 p.m.  Casual attire is encouraged.  A Minnesota gathering will be held at a later date. Twilla Hamann Navara was born Sept. 4, 1943, to Ernest and Bertha (Buss) Hamann in Luverne, Minnesota. …