Obituaries

Pamela Jean (Wilson) Croft, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully on June 15, 2024, in Buffalo at the age of 76. Born on January 15, 1948, in Seattle, Wash., Pamela was the daughter of Douglas Wilson and Jacqueline (Coleman) Swanson. Her early years were marked by frequent moves with her family, eventually settling in Litchfield where she grew up and graduated with the class of 1966. After high school, Pamela pursued her passion for beauty and style at Wanner’s School of Beauty Culture in Duluth. In 1966, she met the love of her life, Dean Croft, when they worked together at Universal Fiberglass Corporation in Two Harbors. They were married on August 16, 1969. Pamela also contributed her talents to beauty shops in Bayport, Austin, Texas, and Two Harbors. During Dean’s military service, the couple lived in Austin, Texas, where Pamela provided support and filled their apartment with love and warmth. After Dean’s service, they returned to Two Harbors where they raised their three children. Pamela loved hosting and entertaining, filling her home with warmth and laughter. Her culinary skills, especially her baking, were renowned among family and friends. People never left hungry, and it brought her joy to watch those she loved gathered around the table enjoying her delicious meals. She was a talented seamstress, enjoyed playing bridge, lived her life as a faithful Christian woman, and was often a guest speaker at Women’s Aglow and other Christian events. She had charisma; when she entered a room, or when speaking with her, you felt like you were in a safe place with someone you could trust and who truly cared about you. Her legacy of kindness, hospitality, and love will be cherished by all who knew her. She is preceded in death by her parents, Douglas Wilson and Jacqueline Swanson; sister, Roxanne Wilson; and sister-in-law, Mary June Wilson. Pamela is survived by her devoted husband of 54 years, Dean; children, Bryan Croft, Paul Croft, and

(PIEPENBURG) ROSENOW Phyllis Irene (Piepenburg) Rosenow, 97, died peacefully in her sleep at home on January 28, 2024. A celebration of life for Phyllis will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2024, at 11 a.m. at St. Matthews United Church of Christ in Forest City. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Interment will be held at Ripley Cemetery. Phyllis was born July 1, 1926, in Hutchinson to Willi (Bill) and Helen Piepenburg. Her family moved around the area and eventually settled down in Litchfield, where she graduated from Litchfield High in 1944. She spent her working years as a legal secretary and later bookkeeper, and after retiring, spent her days as a foster grandmother at Lake Ripley Elementary School in Litchfield for 21 years. She was predeceased in death by her husband (Lawrence), son (Barry), sister (Millie), brother (Willard) and is survived by her daughter (Sandra) and son (Greg) and thousands of students, friends, and family she made along the way. She was very loved and will be missed terribly. Please sign our online guestbook at www. johnsonhagglund.com.

BENJAMIN “BENNY” Benjamin “Benny” L. Seefeldt, 19, of Ellsworth Township, rural Darwin, passed away on Saturday, June 15, 2024, in rural Cokato. Memorial Service was held Saturday, June 22, 2024, at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church in Darwin with interment in the church cemetery. Clergy Officiating: Father Michael Doyle and Deacon John Hansen; Eulogist: Brianna Seefeldt; Pianist: Marsha Goraczkowski; Song Leader: Ray Walters Musical Selections: “Amazing Grace”, “On Eagle’s Wings”, “Dancing in the Sky”, “Hallelujah”; Urn Bearer: Father, William Seefeldt III Benjamin “Benny” Lucas Seefeldt was born on November 26, 2004, in Litchfield. He was the son of William “Bill” III and Xriska (Velizaroff) Seefeldt. Benny was baptized on August 5, 2007. He received his education in Dassel and was a graduate with the Dassel-Cokato High School class of 2023. In high school, Benny participated in cross country, swimming, track, boxing, and weight lifting. Benny resided in Ellsworth Township, rural Darwin. He was employed in production at 3M. Benny was in the process of starting his own pressure washing company. Benny was a thoughtful, giving, and kind young man. He was bright and full of positivity. Benny was always willing to help others. He always had a smile on his face, and with a twinkle in his bright blue eyes. Benny took joy in making others laugh. Benny attended St. John’s Catholic Church in Darwin. Benny liked playing video games, going to the gym, and going for drives. Family was important to him and he enjoyed spending time with them and his friends. Blessed be his memory. Benny is survived by his father, William “Bill” Seefeldt III of Ellsworth Township; siblings, Brenda, Brianna, and William Seefeldt IV of Ellsworth Township; grandmother, Janet Seefeldt of Hutchinson; aunt, Lori Brown of Hutchinson; cousins, Gabe Karg, Elliot Karg, Carl, Karg all of North Dakota; many other relatives and friends. Benny is preceded in death

(SMITH) HALLERON It is with great sadness to announce the passing of Cheryl Rae (Smith) Halleron, formerly of Litchfield and Willmar, who passed away on Sunday, January 14, 2024, at the age of 73. Cheryl was born on December 29, 1950, in Wadena to Warren and Betty (Modrow) Smith. Cheryl was the second of five daughters and was raised in Wadena before moving to Willmar. She graduated Willmar Sr. High School in 1968 and moved to Minneapolis to attend Patricia Steven’s Finishing School before working at University of Minnesota. While living in Minneapolis she met the love of her life, Michael William Halleron. Cheryl and Mike were united in marriage November 17, 1973, at United Methodist Church in Willmar. Cheryl and Mike built a life together in Litchfield where she went to work for Anderson Insurance Agency. Cheryl became a stepmother to Mike’s daughter Dawn from a previous marriage. Their son Gregory Smith Halleron was born in November 1981. The Hallerons were graced with joy raising their son, Gregory. In 1985 after the loss of her mother and father, sister and brother in-law, the Hallerons welcomed Steve and Sherida’s daughter Sarah into their home with open arms. Cheryl and Mike loved their unique family, they meant so much to them. The house was full of family pictures and of every event they were in. Marching band was a highlight. Cheryl had a heart of gold! She was a friend to all and saw the positive or potential in everyone she met. Cheryl always enjoyed a good conversation with a cup of Joe or an ice cold Coke with her friends and family. After Cheryl’s husband Mike passed in 1997, she went to work for Rare Earth Coatings in Litchfield. Her favorite pastimes were watching her children participate in their sports and marching band, or having long phone conversations with her sisters, “smoking and joking”. Her door was always open to everyone. She welcomed friends from the Litchfield Rescue Squad and Fire Department who would stop in for a laugh o

Fred R. Ahlbrecht, 82, of Litchfield passed away on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at his home in Litchfield. Memorial Service was held Saturday, June 15, 2024, at Hantge Funeral Chapel in Darwin with interment in Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls. Clergy Officiating: Pastor Chik Chikeles; Special Music: “Dust On The Bible” by Kitty Wells, “Amazing Grace” by Chris Rupp; Urn Bearer: Ron Ahlbrecht Fred Ronald Ahlbrecht was born on April 11, 1942, at his Aunt Martha’s home on Lake Ripley in Litchfield.

Marian Florice Daniels, 99, of Richmond, formerly of Litchfield, died Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at Cherrywood of Richmond. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at 2 p.m. at Kingston Apostolic Lutheran Church in Kingston with Pastor Bob Tumberg officiating. Interment will be held at the church cemetery following the service. A visitation will be held on Thursday, June 20, 2024, from 12 to 2 p.m. at Kingston Apostolic Lutheran Church, prior to the service. Johnson Funeral Home in Dassel is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Marian Florice (Isaacson) Daniels, the daughter of Frank and Hulda (Bay) Isaacson was born on January 1, 1925, in Minneapolis. The family resided in Minneapolis until 1927 when they moved to rural Franklin where she attended country school District 29 in Bandon Township, Renville County. Marian was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and was a faithful member of Kingston Apostolic Lutheran Church at the time of her death. On June 11, 1944, Marian was united in marriage to Raymond Kenneth Daniels in Paynesville. Together they made their home on a farm north of Atwater for several years and in 1950 they moved to Greenleaf Township, Meeker County, where they farmed until Ray passed away in 2001. In 2003, Marian moved to Kingston Township and resided there until she moved to Cherrywood Assisted Living in Richmond in October 2021. As a faithful member of Kingston Apostolic Lutheran Church, Marian accepted the pastoral challenge to read the bible in a year. She loved to spend time with her family and each November after she moved to Kingston, she had a granddaughter’s day when she passed on knowledge on how to bake bread, and make traditional Scandinavian desserts, like rosettes.

il Erma Diane Rosenow (Diane) passed away on May 5, 2024, in Litchfield at the age of 86. Her hus- J band and her children were able to say their last goodbyes and express their love to her in her final hours.