Obituaries

Funeral service for Mark Carlson, 66, of Litchfield was on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Ostmark Lutheran Church, Watkins. A visitation was on Monday, August 19 from 5 - 7 p.m. at Johnson- Hagglund Funeral Home, Litchfield, and one hour prior to service at the church on Tuesday. Interment was at Ostmark Cemetery, Watkins. Mark was born on February 21, 1958, in Litchfield to Roger Spencer and Jeanetta Darlene (Steele) Carlson. Mark was baptized and confirmed at Ostmark Lutheran Church. He attended and graduated from Litchfield High School in 1976. Mark moved to the Brainerd lakes area where he worked in carpentry and cable protection and locating most of his adult life. He moved back to Litchfield in 2020. Mark enjoyed being in the outdoors, where he spent his time deer, pheasant, and duck hunting. He also enjoyed fishing. He played baseball as well, playing the position of pitcher. Mark was very gifted man in all aspects of his life, where attention to detail was important. This was very evident when he played his guitar. Mark is survived by his sister, Deb (Tom) Holtz, Litchfield, niece, Angela Kruger and her husband, Nate, and nephew, Preston Holtz and his wife, Caroline.

Jennifer Ann Bjorhus, 59, died peacefully at home on August 9, 2024, after a hard-fought battle with glioblastoma. Jenny was born August 25, 1964, in Litchfield, the youngest of three daughters born to K. Russel and Marjorie Bjorhus. Her curious mind, determination and imaginative spirit led to many early adventures in the neighborhood including scaling the maple tree in the backyard to watch the world from up high, bringing a muskrat home from the swampy lot across the street, organizing parades down Holcombe Ave., and riding her banana bike out to Lake Ripley to swim and catch fish. As she grew up, she excelled in all that there was to do in that small town, including winning awards for theatre and music at Litchfield High School. After high school Jennifer attended Carleton College, majoring in English Language and Literature/ Letters, followed by a short stint in public relations, before ultimately deciding to pursue journalism as her career. At University of California, Berkeley, she earned her MJ and MA in Journalism and Asian Studies while falling in love with the west coast. She was a newspaper reporter there for eight years, starting as a general assignment reporter at The Seattle Times before covering business for The Oregonian and San Jose Mercury News. Her work took her to many countries, including Nicaragua, Mexico, Albania and India. In 2002, she returned to Minnesota, covering the business beat for The St. Paul Pioneer Press for six years before joining Minneapolis Star Tribune. During her nearly 16 years at the Strib, she excelled in watchdog reporting, covering business, criminal justice and the environment, and winning numerous awards and recognition. In 2018, she and her colleagues were Pulitzer Prize finalists for their series “Denied Justice”, which exposed breakdowns in Minnesota’s investigation and prosecution of rape cases. That same year she was named Journalist of the Year by the Minnesota chapter of the Society of Professional Journa

   Walter C. Froemming Jr., 94, of Hutchinson passed away on Sunday, August 11, 2024, at Cokato Manor in Cokato. Funeral Service was held Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at 1…

 Jennifer Ann Bjorhus, 59, died peacefully at home on August 9, 2024, after a hard-fought battle with glioblastoma. Jenny was born August 25, 1964, in Litchfield, the youngest of three daughters…

Larry Ray Hoffmann, 76, of Litchfield, husband of Karen Hoffmann, passed away on Thursday, August 8, 2024, at his home due to heart complications, and was surrounded by his loving family. As a faithful Christian, Larry faithfully believed in the importance of love and forgiveness, living his life by the sentiment, “Always remember to forgive; it’s the greatest love you can give or receive”.

HANSON GABRIELSON Judith Lee Hanson Gabrielson (“Judy”) died on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Litchfield. She was 86.

Larry Ray Hoffmann, 76, of Litchfield, husband of Karen Hoffmann, passed away on Thursday, August 8, 2024, at his home due to heart complications, and was surrounded by his loving family. As a faithful Christian, Larry faithfully believed in the importance of love and forgiveness, living his life by the sentiment, “Always remember to forgive; it’s the greatest love you can give or receive”.

Alvin L. Peetsch, 81, of Hutchinson passed away on Sunday, August 4, 2024, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson.