Obituaries

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

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

Viona E. Schroeder, 94, of Hutchinson died at Harmony River Nursing Home in Hutchinson on Sunday, July 14, 2024. Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, July 19, 2024, at All Saints Lutheran Church in Darwin and visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church. Interment will be at All Saints Lutheran Cemetery in Darwin. Viona Evangeline Schroeder, the daughter of Reinhart and Leona (Rather) Schuette was born on Janaury 1, 1931, in Glencoe. She grew up in Cedar Mills and was united in marriage to Albert Schroeder on July 17, 1951, at St. Johns Evangelical Church. Viona lived in Darwin most of her life and worked as a dry cleaner for 20 years and did alterations for 23 years. Viona worked her last 10 years before retiring at HTI doing housekeeping. She was a member of All Saints Lutheran Church and had a strong faith. Viona enjoyed sewing, quilting, puzzles, dancing, art coloring books, and spending time with her family. She was extremely talented. Viona is survived by her children, Gary (Shirley) Schroeder of Greenbay, Wis.; grandchildren, Codey Fester, Michael (Penny) Kronback, April Kronback, Michelle (Jake) Lancelle, Kris (Terry) Ziskovsky, Erin Schroeder, and Becky Schroeder; great-grandchildren, Jordan, Tanner, Taylor, Eric, Christian, Mindy, Austen, Alexia, Natalie, Eminah, M`teyah, Sarah, Ethan, Raelyn, Melissa, Arianna, Emily, Elizabeth, and Malahkai. She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; daughter, Vonnie Kronback; brother, Hillard Schuette; grandchildren, Marc and Eric Schroeder; great-granddaughter, Kylea May; and brother-in-law, Milan Hoff. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Special thank you to all the staff at Harmony River Nursing Home and Alina Hospice for all of their care for Viona.

Michael ‘Mike’ D. Thomas, 76, of Litchfield passed away at his home on Friday, July 5, 2024. A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at First Lutheran Church in Litchfield. A visitation was held from 5 7 p.m. on Friday at First Lutheran Church and continued one hour prior to the service. Interment was held at Ripley Cemetery. Military Honors were provided by the Litchfield Military Honor Guard. The service was livestreamed at www.johnsonhagglund. com. Michael Delbert Thomas, the son of Delbert and Adeline (Herr) Thomas, was born on May 3, 1948, in Litchfield. During his high school years at Litchfield High School, Mike found an interest in rodeo and won awards for Bareback Bronc Riding and bull riding. Unfortunately, his rodeo days were cut short due to multiple concussions. He graduated from Litchfield High School in 1966 and continued his education at Worthington Junior College. While at Worthington, Mike was a member of the men’s basketball team, where he quickly coined the nickname, “Seven Bounce Thomas.” This was given to him due to the fact that he would bounce the ball seven times every time he was at the free throw line. After two years of college, Mike was drafted into the U.S. Army and served our country during the Vietnam War. While serving, Mike quickly moved up the ranks, and was promoted to SGT of his company. He was wounded on two separate occasions and was awarded a Purple Heart. After being discharged in 1971, he returned to college and graduated from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D., with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. While living in Sioux Falls, he taught special education, where he eventually would meet his future wife. He also coached basketball at O’Gorman High School. In 1977, Mike’s father called to tell him about an opportunity in Litchfield. Litchfield Livestock Shipping Association was going to be auctioning off two of their trucks. Mike ended up purchasing those two livesto

Janet M. Lundin, 90, of Litchfield passed away on Saturday, June 29, 2024, at Ecumen of Litchfield. Memorial Service was Tuesday, July 9, 2024, 2 p.m. at First Lutheran Church in Litchfield with interment in Ripley Cemetery in Litchfield. Clergy Officiating: Pastor Tom Evenson; Organist: Carol Dragt; Soloist: Ali Lundin “Beyond the Sunset” Congregational Hymns: “What a Friend We Have in