July 2024

Sodona Mae (Nelson) Pearson, 88, of Shakopee passed away peacefully in her sleep June 12, 2024. Sodona was born September 30, 1935, in Ft. Worth, Texas, to Horace and Anna Blanton. She attended high school in Ft. Worth, graduating in 1953. In 1954, she married Albert Lewis Nelson Jr. (Lewis) from Hadley. They made their home on the family farm near Hadley. Lewis passed away in 1977. In 1979, Sodona then married Glenn Walter Pearson of Slayton. They first lived in Slayton, then moved to Chaska, where Glenn was employed. They also made residence in Shakopee, New Prague and Jordan. Glenn passed away in 2019. Sodona then resided at St. Gertrudes assisted living and long-term care facilities in Shakopee from 2019 at where she passed. Sodona, many times called a ‘SAINT’ to have raised six sons, enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing, and crocheting while managing her family on the family farm. She also enjoyed dancing, especially polkas and waltz. Sodona, was a cook at Royal Supper Club in Slayton. When they moved to the metro area, Sodona took an A/R position with SPS Companies and then worked in the office at Precision Yard Services, a company owned by two of her sons, from which she retired. During her time at St. Gertrude’s she enjoyed playing bingo, conversing with other residents, watching old time westerns and gameshows on TV and most importantly, eating her SPAM with crackers and Butterfinger Bites! Sodona is survived by her sons, Mark (Lori) Nelson of Worthington; Marlin (Debbie) Nelson of Cave Creek, Ariz.; Gary (Lynn) Nelson of St. Kilian; Scott (Carol) Nelson of Litchfield; Bruce (Lisa) Nelson of New Prague; Bradley (Cheryl) Nelson of Shakopee. She is also survived by three stepchildren, Brenda (Pearson) Vien of Gallatin, Tenn.; Brian (Kara) Pearson of Apple Valley; Wendy Pearson of Eagan. Sodona is also survived by her two brothers, Harold (Beverly) Blanton of Hurst, Texas; Larry (Janice) Blanton of Ft. Worth; brothers-in-law James Phillips of Arlington, Texas

Donald C. DeLeeuw, 89, of rural Cosmos passed away on Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Boon Lake Township, rural Cosmos, as a result of a car accident. Memorial Service was held Monday, July 22, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church in Cosmos with int erment in Cosmos Community Cemetery in Cosmos. Clergy Officiating: Pastor Sarah Jones; Organist: Carol Dragt; Soloist: Alan DeLeeuw “The Lord’s Prayer”; Congregational Hymns: “The Old Rugged Cross”, “Hymn of Promise”, “Shall We Gather at the River”; Honorary Urn Bearers: Grandchildren and Great-grandchildren; Urn

Memorial service for Merliene M. Schultz, 88, of Grove City will be on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Grove City. The visitation will be on Friday, July 26, 2024, from 4 - 7 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Grove City. Interment will be on the family farm next to her husband. Merliene passed away at St. Cloud Hospital on July 20, 2024. Merliene Margaret Schultz was born May 16, 1936, in Atwater, the daughter of Sam and Myrtle (Bomsta) Mazo. She quit school after the 8th grade to stay home and take care of her baby brother Gary. Merliene was united in marriage to Donald Loren Schultz on December 18, 1954, and then made their life on the family farm north of Grove City. Merliene was the ultimate homemaker before she took a job at the bakery at Red Owl in Litchfield. Then after the closing she went to work for a disabled child in Atwater and later to the DAC in Atwater until retiring. Merliene was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Grove City in which she was deeply devoted to her faith. Merliene loved the farming life and having family and friends come to the farm to visit and maybe play some dice or cards. She enjoyed watching and hearing about the area stock car races, especially with her family so involved. She attended as many activities as she could that her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren would participate in. Merliene taught herself to sew in which she put to good use making dresses for weddings, First Communion dresses, and patching many clothes. In later years she really enjoyed watching her birds, having family, friends and visitors for coffee at the farm. Merliene is survived by her boys, Barry (Mary) Schultz of Grove City, Lee (Pam) Schultz Comfrey, Cary (Jane) Schultz of Atwater, and Mark of Grove City; her grandchildren Katy and Jason Lang, Brandon and Lisa Schultz, Jenny and Roger Fulsang, Alysia and Randy Alderman, David and Michael Wilmes, Erin Hovey and Luke, Zach and Ashley Schultz, Jennifer and Shaun Bingam

A man of great character with a joy for life has left us far too early. Charles ‘Chuck’ H. Fenton of Litchfield passed away on July 19 at his lake home in Park Rapids after a short and heartbreaking battle with pancreatic cancer. Chuck was surrounded by his loving wife, Sue and two children, Josh and Cassie, as he made his way to his forever home. A visitation will be held Thursday, July 25 at Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home in Litchfield from 4 - 7 p.m. A funeral service will be held Friday, July 26 at First Lutheran Church in Litchfield at 1 p.m. followed by an interment at Lake Ripley Cemetery and a reception at Litchfield Golf Club on Lake Ripley. Chuck was born on March 20, 1949, in Litchfield. He was born to Richard (Dick) and Margaret (Maggie) Fenton and was the oldest of three, with two sisters, Deborah (Debbie) and Susan (Suzy). At a young age, the Fenton family moved to Scottsdale, Ariz., where Chuck spent some of his younger years playing in the deserts of Arizona. When Chuck was 16, his family moved back to Litchfield, where his father, Dick, came back to help run the family car dealership, Fenton Motors. Chuck graduated from Litchfield High School in 1967. Chuck attended University of Minnesota and received a bachelor’s degree in political science. While attending U of M, Chuck was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. He always spoke of the fond memories he had living at the fraternity house with his fraternity brothers. Following his days at the U of M, Chuck started his professional career working as a realtor in the Twin Cities. During this time, he met his beloved wife, Susan (Sue) Stenberg. Chuck and Sue met while living in the same apartment complex in Bloomington. You might say it was love at first sight because three weeks later, Chuck proposed to Sue and they were married three months later on October 12, 1974, in Annandale. Following their marriage, Chuck and Sue resided in Burnsville where Chuck continued his real estate career and Sue worke

Sheril Kay Woodford, 69, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and greatgrandmother, passed away on June 18, 2024, at her home in Grove City surrounded by her loved ones. She was able to say her last goodbyes to her husband, children, grandchildren, and other family members. A Celebration of Sheri’s life will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2024, from 12 to 4 p.m. at Ladybird Park, 25134-25214 CSAH 1, Litchfield, MN 55355. The Johnson Funeral Home in Dassel is in charge of the arrangements. Sheril (Sheri) Kay (Smith) Woodford, the daughter of Robert and Sharon (Rubel) Smith was born on August 3, 1954, in Poplar, Mont. Sheril was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith. The family moved to Darwin where Sheril grew up and attended Litchfield school before the family moved to Cokato where Sheril continued her education. She attended beautician school in Minneapolis. On December 2, 1972, Sheri was united in marriage to Steve Peterson at Stockholm Lutheran Church in rural Cokato. Together they made their home in Dassel. In the fall of 1979, Sheri met the love of her life and on June 28, 1980, was united in marriage to Keith Woodford Jr. at her parents’ home. Together they made their home in Florida for a few years before moving to Cokato. They resided in Cokato for several years when they moved to Fairhaven. For the past 25 years they have lived in the Grove City area. Sheri was employed as a bartender for several years and had also worked as a housekeeper for many years. She also worked as a beautician cutting hair for many family members and friends. She enjoyed making crafts, sewing aprons, cooking, and could plan and host parties for holidays and special events like no other and also took joy decorating her home, especially for the holiday seasons. She could make something out of nothing. She loved to spend time camping with her family. Everyone always knew that Sheri always had the great tasting treats. She always had time for her family and friends, and uncon