Kenneth Lee Nihart, 92 of Austin, died Monday, March 9, 2015, at Our House Assisted Living, Austin. 
He was born Oct. 30, 1922, in Dover, Minnesota, to Lawrence and Anna (Johnson) Nihart. Kenneth attended Dover schools, and made his living as a farmer and as a laborer at Hormel Foods Corporation for 38 years, retiring in 1980. He was also a school bus driver for Austin Transportation for 14 years.  

LaVonne Mae Simonson, 84, of Owatonna, died Wednesday, March 11, 2015, at Koda Living Community.
She was born June 23, 1930, on the family farm in rural Blooming Prairie, the daughter of Alvin and Hilda (Hintz) Eaker. She grew up on the farm with her siblings Elsmer, Audrey and Vivian. She attended St John’s Parochial school and graduated from Blooming Prairie High School in 1948.

Barbara A. Peterson, 58 of Blooming Prairie, died Friday, Feb. 20, 2015, at her home. 

Helen I. J. Larson, 88, of Owatonna, died Monday, Feb. 16, 2015, at Clare Bridge Cottage, Owatonna.
Helen was born April 19, 1926, in Aurora Township, the daughter of Carl and Dagney (Prestegard) Selthun. She attended country school. Helen then worked at the bakery in Owatonna and also for a doctor in Rochester and for area farmers. 

Melvin “Mel” J. Ptacek, 81, lifelong resident of Owatonna, entered his heavenly home on Feb. 16, 2015, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester. 
Mel was born on November 28, 1933, the son of Joseph and Irene (Wanous) Ptacek in Somerset Township, rural Steele County. 

Leonard Kramer died Monday, Feb. 9, 2015 at Sunwood Good Samaritan Care Center. He had attained the age of 96 years, nine months and five days.
Leonard Lawrence Kramer, the son of Michael and Julia (Pistulka) Kramer, was born May 4, 1918, on the family farm in Vesta Township, Redwood County.