Kathryn Marie Ross, 72, of Rochester, MN, died on April 26, 2026 at her home in Rochester.
Kay was born October 26, 1953, in Belmond, lowa, to Mr. Raymond and Ethel (Jenkins) Ross. She graduated from Byron High School in 1971. She achieved her B.A. in Marketing from Winona State University in 1978. During her career, she achieved many sales awards.

Verna M. Johnson, age 85, of Inver Grove Heights, Minn., formerly of Byron, passed away on April 21. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 9. Roberts Funeral and Cremation are assisting with arrangements. Full obituary at www.robertsfuneralandcremation.com.

Ardyce Elaine (Kruger) Haukom, 98, passed away Monday, February 9, 2026, with her beloved family at her side.
Ardyce Elaine Kruger was born May 31, 1927, daughter of Lucile (Janes) and Lloyd Kruger in Hayfield, MN.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

STAFF PHOTO BY TOM MURRAY

Gabe Yang poses with, from left, Sgt. Jesse Kasel, patrol officer TJ Wagner, and Chief Josh Hanson after the DARE graduation in the KM middle school gym.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Mike Anderson and Dave Livingston were two of the local Veterans who flew to D.C. last week as part of the North Star Honor Flight .

Jake Johnson earned the endorsement from the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party in his quest to become Minnesota’s 
1st Congressional District representative in a place he knows all well: His old high school.
Johnson, a math teacher at Mayo High School, accepted the endorsement in front of former students, family and supporters at Stewartville High School, where he graduated 
25 years ago.

Gold Star U.S. Marine and 2012 Kasson-Mantorville graduate Blaine Halvorson served proudly in the U.S. Marine Corps for nine years, reaching the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. Having wanted to serve from a young age, he planned on being a career Marine.