Dibble Funeral Home

Donald L. Johnson, 92, of Kasson, passed away Sunday, April 9 at Homestead Hospice Home in Owatonna.

Don was born November 20, 1930, in Owatonna, MN to Lloyd and Elsie (Pfeifer) Johnson.  He grew up on a farm near Ellendale, MN.

Don graduated from Ellendale High School where he was the captain of the football, basketball and baseball teams.  He married Donna Mae Covert on February 11, 1956 and they farmed for 4 years near Albert Lea and 2 years near Conger until moving to Faribault in 1964.  Don worked as a Bowling MachineTechnician in Faribault for two years and then for 29 years as Service Manager/Shop Foreman for Schreyer Motors Chrysler dealership.

Don and Donna moved to Kasson in 2000 and together they crafted wooden toys for 29 years, selling at many events including Nordic Fest, St. Croix Lutheran School and Marigold Days.  They enjoyed traveling and visited many states and several different countries. Don was an avid Twins and Vikings fan and enjoyed watching his sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren participate in sporting events.  Don and Donna wintered in Arizona and Gulf Shores, Alabama for many years.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, twin brother at birth, his older infant brother, brother Marvin, sister Marlene Lurken and grandson Ryan James Johnson.  

He is survived by his wife Donna; sons Kevin (Jane) of Prescott, WI, Bryan (Colleen) of Kasson and Bruce (Nancy) of Waconia; grandchildren Victoria (Kristofor) Johnson, Mackenzie (Brian) Lovig, Kristi (Mike) Jacobsen, Robyn (Jeff) Meyers, Kyle Johnson and Brooke Johnson; great-grandchildren Logan & Gavin Johnson, Eli, Alayna, & Leah Lovig, Zoe & Owen Jacobsen and Paige & Griffin Meyers; and sisters Donna Sellner & Janice Spatenka of Owatonna.

A memorial service will be at 11:00, April 29 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 101 First St NE, Kasson with the Rev. Alice Mae Applequist and Fr. Henry Doyle officiating.  Visitation will be one hour prior to  the service at the church..  Don bequeathed his body to Mayo Clinic.  Internment will be at Meadow Ridge Memorial Park Cemetery in Faribault at a later date. 

The family wishes to thank the staff of Mayo Clinic Home Hospice and Homestead Hospice Home for their compassionate care for Don.

Richard O. (Dick) Alberts, 78, of Mantorville passed away peacefully Monday, March 6, at his home in Mantorville. He was born February 24, 1945 to Orvis and Gloria Alberts.

Richard grew up on his parents’ farm east of Kasson and later north of Mantorville.  Dick attended a country school for four years and finished his elementary school years at Mantorville Elementary School, completing his high school education at Kasson-Mantorville High School.  He pursued his higher education at St. Olaf College graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree; continuing on at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Richard worked for the State of Minnesota’s Highway Department for a time; later working for a shipyard in New Orleans, then building houses with Kasson local builder Kenneth Keller.  Richard started pursuing his passion for farming in Wisconsin where he met and married Cheryle Bach.  Together they farmed and raised sheep and award-winning Holstein cattle.  They then moved to a farm north of Mantorville where their four children were born.  Following retirement, Richard pursued his interest in gardening and outdoor work raising and sharing many fruits and vegetables.

Richard was a devoted Christian, starting his church involvement at the Owatonna Seventh Day Adventist Church.  After his marriage to Gladys, they joined the Dodge Center Seventh Day Adventist Church where Richard was a dedicated member.  He strived to live a Godly life truly practicing his religion.  The church community was very happy to have him as a member of their congregation.  Richard was always available to anyone who needed a ride to church or to any other destination they needed to go.  He could be seen picking up his passengers in his little blue Festiva car and traveling down the road to whatever destination was needed.

Richard is survived by his wife Gladys, whom he married January 12, 2006; daughter Sarah (Shane) Witt of Whitehall, Wisconsin; sons Michael Alberts of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Matthew (Mikayla) Alberts of Cadott, Wisconsin and Nathan Alberts of Osseo, Wisconsin; his mother Gloria Alberts of Mantorville; step-children Shonda Magee, and Gemain Magee and eight step-grandchildren.  Richard was preceded in death by his father Orvis and brother Ronald.

The funeral service for Richard will be held at 12:00 pm on Sunday, March 12 at the Dodge Center Seventh Day Adventist Church, 410 3^rd Ave NW, Dodge Center, MN with Pastor Keith Moser officiating.  Visitation will be at the church one hour (11:00am – noon) prior to the service on Sunday.  Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery, Mantorville following the service.

Vivian P. Beaver, 100, of Kasson, MN passed away on January 28 at Prairie Meadows Senior Living in Kasson where she had lived since 2015.

Vivian was born in rural Dodge Center, MN on October 13, 1922 to Acton and Emily Crandall. She attended country school in rural Dodge Center and graduated from Dodge Center High School in 1940.

After graduation, she worked at the Dodge Center Recruiting Station during World War II, the Dodge Center grocery store and Beaver Hardware in Kasson.

Vivian married Melvin Beaver of Kasson in Black Duck, MN on October 21, 1944 and they lived in Kasson where she was the Kasson Lumber Company bookkeeper for more than 30 years.

Mel was a livestock dealer and Vivian enjoyed accompanying him on some of his out of state buying trips.

Vivian was an avid golfer and a member of the Zumbro Valley Recreation Club  where she won several ZVRC tournaments.  She was a shrewd bridge player and enjoyed her Saturday Bridge Club with Cleo Lampland, Leone Erickson, Lucy Beaver, Myrna Blaisdell, Helen Affeldt, Hilma Palmer, Helen Beaver, Mabel Greene, and Fern Bahr.

She loved to cook.

She was a longtime, active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Kasson and a member of the Eve Circle. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Mel; her parents, three sisters and a brother. 

She is survived by her nieces, nephews and friends.

A graveside service will be held at West St. Olaf Cemetery in the the spring. Memorials may be given to the organization of the donor’s choice.

Norma Ruth Musolf, 100, passed away on Thursday, January 19, 2023 at Prairie Meadows Senior Care in Kasson, MN where she had resided for several years.

Norma was born on October 5, 1922 in rural Mantorville to Earl and Grace (Stevens) Weidendorf.  She was baptized and confirmed at the Zwingli United Church of Christ in Berne.

Norma was married to Hanford Musolf and they resided in Kasson all their lives.  Together they were involved in many business adventures in and around Kasson; some of which included a popcorn wagon, a drive-in, the Bluebird Inn (currently the Douglas Saloon) and The Hut.  Norma worked many years at the Gamble Store in Kasson.  She was a committee member for the restoration of the Kasson Water Tower and a member of the Mantorville Restoration Society.  Norma was also a very active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church.

She enjoyed making lefse and teaching others this skill.  She played the piano by ear and loved to play hymns at nursing homes or for anyone who would listen.  She crocheted and made several treasured afghans for family and friends.  After Hanford’s passing, she enjoyed bus trips, but her favorite trip was to Europe.  She was always willing to help anyone who was in need.  Her faith was strong and her heart was good.

Norma treasured her family.  She is survived by her son, Ronald (Sandra) Musolf of Kasson; granddaughters Kimberly (Jeffery) Schellhammer of Kasson and Karlene (Kurt) Schulz of Mantorville; great-grandchildren Bailey (Josh Kuehl) Schellhammer, Cole (Whitney Head) Schellhammer, Allie Schellhammer, Jake (Michaela) Schulz, and Nicholas Schulz; great-great granddaughters Stella and Zoey; sister-in-law Betty Weidendorf; two nieces, one nephew and several great-nieces and nephews.

Norma was preceded in death by her husband Hanford in 1986; her parents; infant brother David; brothers Geryl and Wayne and sister-in-law Lorraine.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 301 8^th Ave NW, Kasson, MN with Pastor John Wiesenberger officiating.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.  Inurnment will be in the spring at Maple Grove Cemetery, Kasson, MN.

In lieu of flowers, memorial are suggested to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Faith In Action or an organization of the donor’s choice.

Blessed be her memory.

Ruth T. Hanson, 87, of Dodge Center, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 9, at Fairview Care Center in Dodge Center.

She was born March 7, 1935, in Liberia, West Africa, to Robert and Elizabeth Dickerson while her father was doing mission work there. She grew up in several cities in the U.S., and graduated from Clinton High School in Clinton, Iowa. She attended Iowa State University, where she was in the Gamma Phi Beta sorority, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree. There, she met her future husband, David. They were married on June 16, 1957, in Clinton. The couple moved in 1966 to Dodge Center, where David was a University of Minnesota Extension director. They moved in 1971 to a small farm outside Dodge Center, later named Hanson Apple Acres. David continues to live there amid apple orchards.

The couple had five children. Ruth worked as a Head Start teacher and a newspaper reporter and photographer. She worked at the Byron Review newspaper for 29 years, through age 82. She won a number of contest awards, and was inducted into the Byron High School Sports Hall of Fame for her journalistic work. She and David also were inducted into the Triton High School Sports Hall of Fame for their support of teams going back to the 1960s. She taught piano lessons over several decades.

Ruth was involved at St. Peter’s Church in Kasson from the 1960s until she moved to the care center in 2019. She was the organist at St. Peter’s for more than 35 years. 

Ruth deeply grieved the death of her oldest child, Cindy, to cancer in 2014. At her room at Fairview Care Center, she kept a portrait of Cindy above the head of her bed.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Margaret; a daughter, Cindy; and a granddaughter, Britta. She is survived by her husband; a sister, Elizabeth Wolter (Jack), of Prescott, Ariz.; brother-in-law George Ellison (Elizabeth), of San Diego; her children, Ken, of Rochester; Bob (Wendy), of Hudson, Wis.; Jim (Barb), of Lake Elmo; and Deb Achenbach (Rodney), of Maple Grove; 10 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 19 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 101 First St. NE, Kasson, with the Rev. Alice Mae Applequist officiating. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, November 18 at the church, and one hour before the service. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Fairview Care Center, Dodge Center, MN. The family wishes to thank the staffs of the care center and St. Croix Hospice for their compassionate care for Ruth.

Ernest Fredrick Ness, born March 6, 1932, in Vernon Township, Dodge County, Minnesota went to be with the Lord on April 14, 2022.

Ernie (as everyone knew him) was born to Edwin and Helma Ness on the family farm south of Kasson.  He was raised there with his four brothers and two sisters.  

He attended country school through the seventh grade.  His love of horses began when he rode his pony to school every day.  He attended and graduated from Kasson High School in 1950 where he excelled in basketball and track.  

School is where he met the love of his life and future wife of nearly 72 years, Margaret Van Allen.  The first time he laid eyes on her, he told a friend that she was the girl he was going to marry.  They courted on horses and participated in horse shows and parades.  Ernie and Margaret shared a mutual love of horses and one of their favorite activities in later years was attending harness races together.  Ernie enjoyed many trips to Montana, as well as Arizona, Texas, and Arkansas seeing those areas and visiting family and friends.

Ernie was a lifelong member of South Zumbro Lutheran Church.  He was baptized, confirmed and married there.  He was active in Luther League and served on the Cemetery Board for twenty years.  His faith was extremely important to him, and he instilled those values into each of his seven children.

Through the years, he held jobs as a painter, farm laborer, fuel carrier for 17 years, along with hauling livestock, and was a substitute bus driver.  He eventually went to work at the Mayo Clinic as a custodian, retiring after 24 years of service.  During this time, he also owned and operated a forty-acre farm where he raised his family.

Ernie is survived by his wife Margaret; children Dallas (Sharon) Ness, Brenda (Ike) Currier, Monica (Tony)  Brossard, Brian (Bonnie) Ness, Keith (Colleen) Ness, Carmen Hirman, and Rhonda (Steve) Larson.  He is also survived by his brother Frank (Sandra) Ness; sisters-in-law Colleen Ness, Lorraine Ness, and Virginia Van Allen; brother-in-law Gordon Van Allen, 20 grandchildren, soon to be 29 great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Stanley (Alice) Ness, Davis Ness, Doris (Leonard) Iverson, Manford Ness, and Betty Wohlfiel (Melvin Kramer, Kenneth Wohlfiel); brother-in-law Walter Van Allen; sister-in-law Deanna Van Allen, and his beloved dog Dee Dee.

Services will be held at South Zumbro Lutheran Church, rural Kasson, MN on Thursday, April 21^st at 2:00 pm with Pastors Pete Wyttenbach and Jeff Bernards officiating.  Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to the service.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to South Zumbro Lutheran Church.  

David Mark Lieberg, 65, of Kasson passed away Monday, February 28, 2022 at Mayo Clinic Hospital-Rochester, St. Mary’s Campus of Lewy Body Dementia.

David was born on June 18, 1956 in Roseau, MN to Earl and Lillian (Novotny) Lieberg. When David was 3 years old, the family moved to Ellendale, MN. He attended and graduated from Ellendale-Geneva High School. He was active in football, basketball and track. After graduation, he enlisted in the military and was later honorably discharged.

David attended and graduated from the College of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Management. Professionally, he was employed by IBM, VA Hospitals, Celestica, and worked in home construction.

David lived in Montana for several years and fell in love with the area. Dave was an avid hunter, fisherman and sports enthusiast his entire life. He enjoyed listening to classic rock music, going to concerts, and meeting new people.

On February 20, 2020 he married Diane Nordine Fish.

David is survived by his wife Diane; daughter Stephanie (Jason) Works of Camas, WA; grandson Mason Works; step-sons Jonathan (Katie) Fish and Matthew Fish; siblings Jerome (Bonnie) Lieberg, Denny (Kathy) Lieberg, Sheldon (Katie) Lieberg, Jan Lieberg, Karin Anding; sister-in-law Deb Lieberg and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Earl & Lillian Lieberg; brothers Dick Lieberg and Gerry Lieberg; and brother-in-law Glenn Anding.

A celebration of David’s life will be held on Sunday, March 13 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm at the Zumbro Valley Rec Club, 25202 615th St, Mantorville, MN. Military honors will be provided by Kasson American Legion Post #333.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be directed to them for distribution later according to their wishes.

Fayville “Fay” Arthur Trow, age 73, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at Mayo Clinic Hospital-Rochester, Methodist Campus.  He was born March 1,1948 in Albert Lea, MN to Richard “Dick” and Elna (Simonson) Trow.  

He was a 1966 graduate of Shattuck Military Academy in Faribault, MN and went on to attend college at Mankato State University where he met Sheilah Beader, the love of his life.  They married on June 15, 1968 at Calvary Episcopal Church in Rochester, MN. 

Fay was wonderful with people and worked in sales throughout most of his life in the auto and insurance industries.  Fay lived life to the fullest and most would agree that time spent with him was always surrounded by many laughs and lots of fun. In his earlier days, he loved boating on Fountain Lake, flying planes, playing pool, racing his 7-11stock car, his GTO, and many hunting and fishing trips with his family and friends.  He loved music, reading, a good movie, playing golf, and appreciated a well-cooked meal. He would jump at the chance to play games of almost any sort. Most notable was his love of cribbage, which he taught and passed on to each of his children and grandchildren. But his greatest pride and biggest accomplishment, in his eyes, was always his family.

Fay is survived by his wife Sheilah; daughters Hilary Alberts, Laurie (Matt) Kelly, and Lindsey (Joey) Dengler; son Richard (Alyssa) Trow; his eight grandchildren Mackenzie (Mike) Begovac, Sydney (Troy) Alberts, Morgan & Madison Kelly, Sam & Addie Trow, and Andrew & Jackson Dengler; brother Tony (Karen) Trow; and sister Patty Trow, as well as many nieces and  nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, brother Walter Trow, and the family’s dog Shogun.

The family will greet friends from 4:00 to 6:00 pm on Sunday, February 20^th at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 101 1^st St NE, Kasson, MN.   Funeral services will be held at the church on Monday, February 21st at 11:00 am with The Ven. Canon Benjamin I. Scott officiating.    Following the service, a luncheon will be provided at the American Legion Kasson Post 333, 212 W. Main St, Kasson. 

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be directed to them for distribution according to their wishes at a later date.

Eleanor Staplekamp, 95, of Kasson passed away Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at Seasons Hospice House in Rochester. 

Eleanor was born on May 23, 1926 in Salem Township near Rock Dell to George and Ella Amundson.  She attended country school in Salem Township and was graduated from Rochester High School in 1941.

On October 23, 1945 she married Clayton W. Staplekamp.  They lived in Rochester, rural Byron, for 17 years and Stewartville for 24 years.  They moved to Kasson in 1992.

Eleanor enjoyed gardening, caring for birds, reading, sewing, puzzles and her two rescue cats.

Survivors include her children Gary of Pagosa Spring, CO, Mary (Gale) Mount of Lake City, Dianne (Kirk) Leopard of Rochester and Carl (Kathy) of Pocatella, ID; five grandchildren, Kyle (Megan Traxler) Leopard, Anna (Chris Holter) Leopard, Heather (Bob) Foust, Adam (Sarah) Staplekamp, Carrie (Art) Bonn and three great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, son David, daughter-in-law Marla, brother Orville Amundson and sister Amanda Larsen.

There will be a private burial at Grandview Cemetery in Rochester.

Memorials are suggested to Safe Haven Pet Rescue, Rochester.

Cynthia (Cindy) Jo Boruff passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on February 3, 2022, at her home in Kasson, MN.

Born in Sioux City, IA on March 30, 1946, Cindy was the daughter of James and Delphine Holtz. She was the oldest of 3 children. In the fall of 1957, the family moved to Kasson. In Junior High she met her high school sweetheart Michael (Mike) Boruff. She was graduated from Kasson-Mantorville High School in 1964.

Cindy and Mike were married on September 9, 1968. In October of 1970, they welcomed their only child, Chris. For many years Cindy worked as a typesetter for the Dodge County Independent and later as a floral arranger at Erdman’s in Kasson.

Cindy enjoyed spending time outdoors, gardening, ceramics, painting, games, crosswords, and time with her friends and family. Later in life, she was devoted to being with her grandkids and watching them grow.

Cindy is survived by her husband Mike; son Chris and daughter-in-law Christie all of Kasson; her mother Delphine Holtz of Rochester; sister Theresa Eversole of Dodge Center and grandchildren Easton, Alexandra, Brett, Hailey, and Emilee. Also surviving are nephews Tim, Tom, and James; nieces Angie and Nicole; sister-in-law Jane (Dennis) Erickson of North Branch, MN; and nieces Sandy, Linda, and DeeAnn. 

She was preceded in death by her father James Holtz, her brother Greg Holtz, and her niece Alicia.

Burial will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston, MN at a later date.