Ellen Polzin Niski, 85, of Austin, Minn., died Wednesday Jan. 4, 2017 of natural causes at Mala Strana Rehabilitation Center in New Prague, Minn., where she had been a resident since 2009.

Wallace John (Doc) Emholtz passed away at St. Mary’s Hospital on Jan. 5, 2017 after a heart attack. Wally was born on July 24, 1935 in Mantorville, Minn., to Walter and Amelia (Gronert) Emholtz. He grew up in the Mantorville/Pine Island area. He joined the Navy on July 28, 1952 and served in the Korean War.  

Duane J (Jim) Pietrzak died Dec. 25, 2016 at Mayo Clinic Hospital – St. Marys Campus in Rochester, Minn. 
He was born on Oct. 12, 1937 in Addison, New York, to Frank and Frances (Horsman) Pietrzak.
Pietrzak grew up in Kasson, Minn., and graduated from Kasson-Mantorville High School. He attended Dunwoody and worked at Parkhill Bros Automotive and IBM and later at Marquette Systems, until he retired.

Lowell (Ed) Edward Dutton, 87, died at home surrounded by family Thursday, Dec. 22, 2016, after a lengthy illness. 

Betty J. DeFlieger, 86, of West Concord, died Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016 at Mayo Clinic Hospital; St. Marys Campus, in Rochester, Minn.
 Betty Joanne Kilness was born Aug. 19, 1930 in Concord Township, Minn., the daughter of Peder and Alta (Cain) Kilness. She was baptized and confirmed at Hegre Lutheran Church.