Gwendolyn “Gwen” C. Christensen, age 92, of Blooming Prairie, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020 at Prairie Manor Care Center in Blooming Prairie.
Gwendolyn Carvel Olson was born March 11, 1927, in Freeborn County, to Gilford and Virginia (Miller) Olson. She attended school in Freeborn and graduated in 1945. On Jan. 9, 1945, Gwen was united in marriage to John Christensen at her parents’ home. To this union three children were born.

Lanny Michael Callahan, age 63 of Blooming Prairie, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020 at Methodist Hospital in Rochester, after suffering complications from a liver transplant in August.

A memorial service for James Francis Allen was held on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020 at St. Theodore Catholic Church in Albert Lea with Father Kurt Farrell officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Rochester at a later date.
 

LeMar Nelson was the heart beat of Blooming Prairie for many years.
His heart stopped beating last week with his passing at age 87 but his impact on this small, southeastern community will be everlasting and has always been positive.
LeMar was one of the more recognizable old-timers in Blooming Prairie. He will be remembered as one of the most respected humanitarians in town.

Folks from across the region found out last week just exactly how big the law enforcement family is.
Just days after Waseca officer Arik Matson, 32, was shot in the head by a suspect in a disturbance call, police officers, deputies, firefighters and others gathered for a candlelight vigil outside the Waseca Public Safety Building. Hundreds of people attended to stand in support of the injured officer.

It’s been just over a month since moving into the publisher’s office at the Dodge County Independent. During that first month, I’ve met a lot of good folks. I’ve met the hockey coaching staff (the ones in charge of the county’s premier hockey team). I’ve met Kasson’s mayor early on as he was in a hurry on Main Street. Kasson’s Chamber president stopped long enough for a chat just last week.

Bernice Marion Grath-
wohl, 87, of Turtle Lake died, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020 at Care and Rehab-Cum- berland.
She was born April 14,
1932 in Mower County
to Manton and Bernetta (Bolstad) Johnson, where she grew up on the family farm. She attended the country school until the eighth grade at which time she stayed home to help care for her brother, Leonard, and work on the family farm.

The funeral service for LaVonne Brintnall was on Friday, Jan. 10, 2020 at St. Joachim’s Catholic Church in Plainview, with Father William Becker officiating. Burial was in the St. Aloysius Catholic Cemetery in Elba.
LaVonne Irene (Heaser) Brintnall, Plainview, a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed away peacefully at the age of 89 on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020 at Green Prairie Rehabilitation Center in Plainview.

The Westfield Razorback’s up-and-down season continued as they lost to Maple River 27-39 and Tri-City United 29-34 but beat St. Claire-Mankato Loyola (SC-ML) 48-24 on Tuesday, Jan. 7.
            Against Maple River, Westfield’s Bo Zweiner and Lane Lembke both won by fall at 113 and 120 pounds, respectively.
            Bradley Simon won by a 7-1 decision at 152 pounds.