Dibble Funeral Home

Nancy J. Houston, 91, passed away peacefully on January 11, 2024 at her home in Mantorville.  

Nancy was born on December 23, 1932, on a farm near Potsdam, MN, to her parents, Archie and Verna McFarland. She had three siblings, Betty (Book), William, and Margie (Dombeck).

She married Robert Paradise in 1956 and together they had three children. Robert passed away in 1970.  

Nancy met and married Daryl (Keith) Houston in 1974. Together, they shared almost 50 years at their rural Mantorville, MN, home. She loved to garden and enjoyed watching the wildlife on their property.  Nancy was an excellent cook and baker; the whole family cherished her desserts and cookies.   

Nancy is survived by her husband; children Diane (Steve) Rabehl, Mike (Diane) Paradise, Guy (Alisa) Paradise, Brian (Bobbie) Houston, Bruce (Tamra) Houston, Mark (Lisa Miller) Houston; 14 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; and sister Margie Dombeck.

There will be a private service for the immediate family.

Clement Joseph Besch, 92, passed away on December 8, 2023.  He was born February 17, 1931 in Whittemore, IA to William and Isabel Besch.

Clem graduated from Presentation Academy in Whittemore, IA.  He then served in the US Army in Italy during the Korean Conflict in the Signal Corps.

After returning from his military service, he met and married Marjorie Janning on February 23, 1957 at St. Olaf Catholic Church in Kasson, MN.  They were married for 61 years.  They raised their five children on their farm south of Kasson.

Clem farmed his entire life; from dairy to beef to crops.  After the livestock were gone, he enjoyed traveling with his wife.

He is survived by his children Nancy West of Lewiston, MN, Susan (Charles) Rohwer of Dodge Center, MN, Kathy (Argene) Matthees of Rochester, MN, Tom (Karen) Besch of Kasson, MN and Joyce (Chad Brassil) Besch of Lincoln, NE; grandchildren Lori, Brenda, Emily, Kyle, Benjamin, Oliver and Isla; and siblings Cletus Besch, Anita Lallier and William Besch, Jr.

Clem was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Marjorie (2018), his brother Maurice Besch and his son-in-law Lee West.

The Funeral Mass for Clement will be Thursday, December 14, 2023 at 11:00 am at The Church of the Holy Family, 1904 North Mantorville Ave, Kasson, MN with Fr. John Lasuba officiating.  Visitation will be at the church from 9:30-11:00 am on Thursday.

Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery in Hayfield, MN.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to the Dodge County Food Shelf, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Doris Jean Pietrzak went to be with the Lord on October 8, 2023.  She was 82 years old.  She was born on November 12, 1940 to Clarence and Margaret (Lueck) Fusselman in Olmsted County, MN.  Doris married Duane James Pietrzak on November 28, 1959.  They lived their entire married life in the house they built there.  

She is survived by her two sons Dale R. (Nancy) Pietrzak of Vincennes, IN and Doug E. (Ditto) Pietrzak of Cadiz, KY; her seven grandchildren, Jen, Heather, Craig, Andrew, Shelby, Mason and Ben; and her six great-grandchildren, Zoe, Jeremiah, Asher, Rhyes, Brecken and Oscar.

The funeral service for Doris will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, October 12, at Mt. Sion Independent Lutheran Church, 502 1^st Ave SW, Kasson, MN with Pastor Mark Olson officiating.  Visitation will be at the church from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM the day of the service.  Inurnment will be at the Byron Cemetery at a later date.

Ephesians 2:8 & 9 reads, “For by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God.  Not of works lest any man should boast”.  

Colleen Beverly Ness, age 94, passed away with her family by her side at the Field Crest Care Center in Hayfield, MN on Monday, September 11, 2023.

Colleen was born November 18, 1928 to Kenneth and Junis (Senjem) Dahle.  She grew up in the rural area south of Kasson.  She attended Rockne Country School and later graduated from Kasson High School in 1947.  

She married Davis Ness on August 27, 1947.  She was baptized, confirmed and married at West St. Olaf Lutheran Church.  Davis and Colleen farmed south of Kasson until Davis’ death on April 14, 1974.  Colleen then went to work for Olmsted County in the Central Services department until her retirement in 1993.

Colleen loved time spent with family and friends; especially attending her grandchildren’s school functions.  She was always an active member of South Zumbro Lutheran Church; teaching Sunday School, participating in the choir and serving and attending the many church activities.

Survivors include two daughters and one son; Karen (Ron) Kyllo of Goodhue, MN, Dale (Marla) Ness and Jeanie (Walt) Wyttenbach both of Kasson.  Also surviving are 10 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren as well as many other loved ones.  She was preceded in death by her husband Davis, her parents and her brother Robert.

The funeral service for Colleen will be Monday, September 18, 2023 at 11:00 am at South Zumbro Lutheran Church, 4830 – 120^th Ave SW, Kasson, MN with Pastors Pete Wyttenbach and Jeff Bernards officiating.  Visitation will be at the church on Sunday, September 17 from 5:00-7:00 pm and one hour prior to the service on Monday.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be directed to Mayo Hospice or South Zumbro Lutheran Church.

Milo Ellsworth Bjergum, 90, of Kasson passed away peacefully in his home on July 22, 2023.  He was surrounded by his family and his best friend and beloved dog, Sammi.

Milo was born October 28, 1932 to Minnie (Drievold) Bjergum and Elmer Bjergum in Black Hammer, MN.  While serving in the United States Air Force, he met the love of his life, Mary McClain.  

Milo served as Kasson Chief of Police until his retirement in 1986.  Milo and Mary spent their retirement years traveling around the country.  They spent their winters in Texas and summers at their lake home in Minnesota.  Milo loved fishing and telling tall tales.

Milo was preceded in death by his wife, Mary.  There will be a private graveside service.  Memorials are preferred to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or to a local animal shelter of the donor’s choice.

Melissa Sue Bolles, 53, of Rochester, MN passed away very unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 at 10:30 am at Mayo Clinic Hospital-Rochester, Methodist Campus.

Missy, as most called her, was born December 7, 1969 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN.  She was the daughter of George and Sandra (Thompson) Bolles.  Melissa graduated from Byron High School in 1989.  During high school she participated in Cross Country, placing first in a meet at Kasson-Mantorville.  This was a very prideful moment for both Missy and her parents!

She was always a caring and loving person.  She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.

Missy is survived by her parents George & Sandra Bolles; daughter Caroline Adams; sisters Angela May and Rhonda Bolles; and brother Greg Bolles.

Caroline was the apple of Missy’s eye throughout her life.  She was always Missy’s “sweet little girl”. 

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, July 10, at South Zumbro Lutheran Church, 4830 – 120^thAve SW, Kasson, MN with Pastor Pete Wyttenbach officiating.  Visitation will precede the service from 10:00-11:00 am at the church.  A luncheon will be held in the fellowship hall following the funeral service.

Dibble Funeral Home & Cremation Services-Kasson is handling arrangements for the family.  Online condolences may be shared at www.dibblefuneralhome.com.  

Dave Spurbeck was born in Mantorville, MN on May 7, 1938, and died in Kasson, MN on June 23, 2023.  In high school, he excelled in sports and was the captain of the football team, baseball team and basketball team.  He was senior class president, homecoming king and lead in the school play.  After high school, he joined the US Air Force and was stationed in France for two years.  Following his discharge, he returned to Minnesota where he was employed at IBM.  In 1961, he married Carol Ronningen, and their marriage lasted over sixty years.  After first living in Rochester, they moved to Byron where they raised their family and lived for almost sixty years.  He retired from IBM in 1993 after a long and distinguished career.

Dave was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend.  Active throughout his early life with baseball and tennis, he later slowed down and became an avid Twins and Vikings fan.  He was a wonderful father, always showering his offspring with his time, love, and laughter.  He was an even greater grandfather delighting in his grandchildren, Andrew (Connie) Brooks, Courtney (Tyler) Idso, and he was more like a father than grandfather to Adam and Brandon (Katy) Threinen, and Lexy and Jason Spurbeck.  He doted on his great-grandchildren, Brooklyn, Greg, Declan, Luke, Claire, Harper, Ava, Lane and Kaia.

With his boyish charm, rapier wit and devastating good looks, he was affable and easy-going.  He enjoyed casinos, books, cribbage, and games. Dave was well traveled and went on cruises, spent time in Mexico, Norway, Hawaii, Alaska, Texas, and several countries in Europe.  He also spent many summers with his family at Lake Shamineau.  He loved his neighbors, vacationing with them at lakes around the area.   He had many close friends from high school, work, and the neighborhood.  He and his wife were members of Christ Lutheran Church in Byron, MN for almost sixty years and they enjoyed the fellowship and worship they found there.

He is survived by his wife Carol; daughters Deb Spurbeck and Cathy Brooks; son-in-law, Tom 
Brooks; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and brother Jack Spurbeck.  He was preceded in death by his parents Levi and Midge; son Scott; son-in-law James Threinen; sisters Josephine (Sparrow) and Kay (Fee);  brothers-in-law Steve Kispert, and Richard and Robert Ronningen;  sisters-in-law Marie Insco and Lorraine Kispert; niece, Lindsey Ronningen and his nephew Nick Ronningen.

With his passing, the fish will swim more safely, and the golf courses will be quieter without the thunder of his mighty swing.  Desserts will go uneaten.  The world was a brighter, friendlier, funnier, and more loving place when he was in it.   He was loved by all and will be truly missed.  

The family wishes to send their appreciation to Pastor Nirmala and the congregation of Christ Lutheran Church in Byron, the caregivers at Mayo Clinic, Moments Hospice and Prairie Meadows for their support and care.  Special thanks for the friendship and care given by Marla Henson and the friendship and goodies from Betty and Angie Bielen.

Visitation will be 10:00 am with services at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 1 at Christ Lutheran Church in Byron, MN. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials for them to distribute later, according to their wishes.

The service will be livestreamed via the following link: https://youtube.com/live/TplW9mNPIUs

The graveside service for Vivian P. Beaver of Kasson will be held at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, June 14 at West St. Olaf Cemetery, 70640 – 260th Ave, Hayfield, MN.

Patricia Ann “Patsy” Yusten, 95, of Zumbrota passed away June 8 at Pine Haven Care Center, Pine Island.

“Patsy” was born in Clear Lake Township, Stanhope, Iowa, on July 25, 1927, to Theodore and Zoe Quam. She attended country school at Revere, Minnesota, high school at Walnut Grove and Willmar, Minnesota and graduated in 1944.  She entered nursing and graduated from Mitchell, South Dakota Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in 1947.

She and Donald Yusten married in Willmar, Minnesota on November 23, 1948.  They spent 1951-1974 in Kasson, Minnesota raising purebred hogs and cattle. They retired in Kasson until moving to Yucaipa, California in 1976. They moved to Grand Junction, Colorado in 1986 and then to Zumbrota, Minnesota in 1993. Don passed away December 17, 1999.

Patsy is survived by her daughter Penny, son Jon and his friend Natalie Morrow, grandson Aaron (AJ) and his wife Nikki, and great-grandchildren Brooks, Lainey and Eleanor.

Patsy worked for Dr. Affeldt in Kasson as his nurse from 1963 – 1976. 

She was a member of the United Redeemer Lutheran Church in Zumbrota.

Patsy loved all Zumbrota-Mazeppa sports, screaming “Blue Blue Blue” from the stands.  She was famous for her chocolate chip cookies which she shared with many ZM teams as well as the high heel shoes she loved to wear. She was a friend to everyone she met.

Memorials can be shared with Paws and Claws in Rochester or United Redeemer Church in Zumbrota.

Visitation will be Thursday, June 15th at the Dibble Funeral Home, 213 West Main Street, Kasson, from 1:00 – 2:30 pm.  Graveside services will follow the visitation  at the Zumbrota East Cemetery, 455th Street in Zumbrota at approximately 3:15 pm.  Pastor Marggi P. Sippola will officiate.  Following the graveside service, a light meal will be served from 4:00 – 6:00 pm at United Redeemer Lutheran Church, 560 West 3rd Street, Zumbrota.

Gertrude E. Wilson passed away May 16, 2023 in Mayo Clinic Hospital Rochester-St. Mary’s Campus. She was surrounded by her loved ones.  Gertrude was born March 4, 1933 to William and Clara McKay in Goodhue County, MN.  She grew up in the Pine Island area. In 1951, Gertrude married Lyle L. Wilson and they resided in Pine Island.  From 1965 until her retirement in 2001, she worked at Pine Haven Care Center as an LPN on the night shift.  

Gertrude was preceded in death by her husband Lyle in 1992, her parents and one grandchild.  She is survived by sons Lyle (YongSun) and Brian (Pamela) both of Pine Island; grandchildren, Frank, Kimberly, Kari, Kaycee and Benjamin; 14 great-grandchildren; and brother James McKay of Faribault.  Gertrude loved her family, gardening and her animals.   

There will be a private family graveside service at the Pine Island Cemetery with Pastor Dan Ashpole officiating.   A public Celebration of Gertrude’s Life will be held from 5:00-8:00 pm on June 8, 2023 at the Milton Town Hall, Milton Township, Dodge County, MN.