Karen Ann Williamson, age 68, of Garretson, passed away on Sunday, May 29, 2022, at the Sanford Hospice Cottage in Luverne after a 17-month battle with stage 4 stomach cancer.  Funeral services will begin at 10:30 AM Saturday, June 4, 2022, at Zion Lutheran Church, Garretson. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7:00 PM Friday, at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Garretson.

Karen was born July 16, 1953, in Pipestone, MN to Emil and Ruth (Graves) Fjellanger.  She grew up north of Sherman and attended District 45 country school through the 6^th grade.  She then went to Jasper and graduated in 1971.  After high school she went on to Sioux Falls School of Practical Nursing and became an LPN.  She started her lifelong career in the healthcare industry working at McKennan Hospital, then Palisade Manor for 14 years, Avera Heart Hospital for 10 years, and part time for Good Sam Home Health Care for 10 years.  She did everything from nursing to rehab to working in the office.  She loved the residents and her home health patients dearly. 

She was united in marriage to Stan Williamson on May 15, 1976, after the high school acquaintances connected the summer before at the Pomp Room.  They resided east of Garretson all their 46 years where they farmed and had two children, Sara and Randy.  She always said she would never marry a farmer, but she ended up loving the cows and John Deeres (the combine was hers)! 

Besides farming and running the cow/calf operation with Stan, she loved her flowers, often buying too many and not having anywhere to put them, her mini ponies and horses, feeding the birds and hosting the annual pheasant hunt.   She golfed on and off throughout the years and although she said she was never very good, she still enjoyed going because she could be with friends and Sara and have a cold one.  She enjoyed going to her kids and grandkids’ activities and carting Chloe and Zach to the farm to “help”.  After years of having a pull camper, she graduated to motorhomes and spent many weekends at the Cowchip by Jasper camping with family and friends.  She and Stan would also take off to go fishing, for a Harley ride/trip or out to the hills to see Randy and his scenic tours.  She also loved spending time with family and friends. 

She is survived by her husband, Stan; children: Sara (Andy) Hermanson, Garretson and Randy Williamson, Spearfish; grandchildren: Chloe Hermanson and Zachary Hermanson; siblings: Dianne Kujawa, Ashley, IL, Lyle (Diane) Fjellanger, Sherman, Betty (Mitch) Gage, Sioux Falls, and Elaine Roach, Sioux Falls; brother-in-law: Wayne (Jolene) Williamson, Yankton; sisters-in-law: Eileen (Floyd) Swier, Sioux Falls and Mary (Jerry) Blankers, Lake Wilson, MN; and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Elmo and Dorothy Williamson. 

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Paul was born in Sioux City, Iowa on December 31st, 1936 to parents Olaf and Edith (Hammerstrom) Olofson. Growing up in Geddes, South Dakota, Paul attended a one-room schoolhouse until the eighth grade before graduating from Geddes High School in 1954. Serving six years in the Army National Guard, Paul was honorably discharged in 1965 after serving as the First Chef. It was during this time that he met his future wife, Joyce Bult, before marrying on June 29th, 1962. The two went on to have three beautiful children and six grandchildren. Paul and Joyce celebrated 50 wonderful years of marriage in 2012 before Joyce’s passing in 2013. After a variety of distinct career fields, Paul joined the Electrical Union, working for 50 years as a master electrician. He joined Citibank as a hard working and committed employee for 21 years before retiring in January of 2002. All the while, Paul and Joyce called a farm close to Garretson home since 1969. The two of them enjoyed gardening, raising hogs, and crop farming.

Moving to Sioux Falls in 2015, Paul enjoyed outings with the Senior Singles Group every weekend. It was through dancing at the VFW that he met his loving friend Marilyn, among other dear friends.

Among his favorite hobbies include baking for his friends and family (Angel food cake especially during birthdays), gardening, managing the family-owned farm, taking Sunday driving adventures, and always carrying his white coffee thermos with him wherever he went. He always stayed true to himself and his independent outlook to life; a social man who always made people feel included and would say hello to anyone he met. He will be dearly missed by every soul he’s graced.

He’s survived by his children Steve (Laura) Olofson, Lonsdale, MN; Leon (Michelle) Olofson of Garretson, SD; Karen Olofson and Gary Weeden of Sioux Falls, SD. Six grandchildren: Colten Olofson, Jared Olofson, Sydney Olofson, Hayden Olofson, Allison Weeden, and Easton Weeden. His sister Carol Harris of Tuscumsbia, AL; a loving friend Marilyn Steadman; special friends Irvin Schreurs, Gary Weeden, and Becky Nelson, along with many other extended family members, neighbors, and friends.

Paul was preceded in death by his wife Joyce, his parents Olaf and Edith, and his half- sister Arla Green.

Brenda Christensen, age 59, of Sherman, SD passed away after a brief illness, Friday, May 27, 2022, at Avera Dells Area Hospital in Dell Rapids, SD.

A come and go celebration of life will take place on Tuesday, May 31, 2022 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Minnehaha Funeral Home in Garretson, SD.

Burial will take place at a later date at the Spring Valley Cemetery rural Viborg, SD.

In lieu of flowers, family wish memorials which will be directed to the Pink Ladies of Corson, SD.

Brenda Kay Christensen was born October 28, 1962, in Viborg, SD to Alden and Janet (Loney) Christensen.  She grew up on the family farm outside of Viborg.  She was active in the upkeep of the farm and loved taking care of the animals.  She attended and graduated from Viborg School in 1981. She moved to Springfield to attend USD/S.  She later transferred to Augustana College. 

In 1984 she met David Townsend and they began their life together in Viborg. In 1986 their daughter, Laura was welcomed into their family. Shortly after Laura was born, they moved to Sioux Falls where they lived for a couple years before making their lifelong home in Sherman SD. She enjoyed gardening, reading, going to concerts with Laura, and spending time with her friends. She was an avid dart player, and a longtime member of the Pink Ladies out of Corson. Brenda loved playing darts to raise money to help cancer patients. She was always there for her friends and loved helping people.  Her absolute favorite thing was spending time with her grandsons, Brantley and Braxton. She loved them to the moon and back.

Brenda worked at Avera for 20 years. She enjoyed her job where she made many friends. She loved her time on Facebook. She would write little stories about Brantley, Braxton, and Charlee. She kept in touch with many friends and family along with posting funny memes that were quick witted, with a touch of sarcasm, just like her personality.  She was a huge Vikings and Garth Brooks fan, but she definitely enjoyed her Rock and Roll.

She is survived by her life partner, David Townsend of Sherman, SD; daughter, Laura (Bobby Pickett) Townsend; grandchildren, Brantley Pickett, Braxton Pickett, Dameon Pickett and Zowie Monday; brother, Robert “Bob” (Sue) Christensen of Brandon, SD; half-sister, Trudy Tool of Colorado Springs, CO; step-children, Todd (Brenda) Townsend Canistota, SD, Melissa (Joe) Wager of Sioux Falls, SD, Ryan (Amy) Townsend of Madison, SD; other grandchildren, Andrew Townsend, Aaron (Peyton) Townsend, Madison and Ava Townsend; great-grandchildren, Beckett and Bosten Townsend; nieces, nephews and other extended family members as well as her beloved cat, Charlee.

Brenda was preceded in death by her parents, Alden and Janet Christensen.

Memorial Services for Dorothy Frances Vandersnick will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2022, at 10:30AM at Bonnerup Funeral & Cremation Services in Albert Lea. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be held at a later date at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church Cemetery in Garretson, SD.

Dorothy passed away on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, at the Woodlands at St. John’s with family by her side. Dorothy was almost 101 years of age. She was born June 29, 1921, in Garretson, SD on the family farm to Matt and Frances (Kuhl) Schreurs. Dorothy attended country school through the 8th grade and graduated from Garretson High School in 1941. Following graduation, Dorothy worked for The Argus Leader newspaper in Sioux Falls, SD.

Dorothy married Don Vandersnick after WWII on February 7, 1946, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Garretson, SD. To this union four children were born. While residing in SD, they owned and operated a trucking business and also farmed on the side. The family resided in Garretson, SD, until 1961 when they moved to Albert Lea, MN to purchase the Stables Supper Club. Eventually they purchased the Standard Truckstop Café in Albert Lea and the Standard Truckstop Café in Cannon Falls, MN. They retired in 1974. The whole family was involved in the operating of these three businesses.

Dorothy was an active member of St. Theodore Catholic Church, Naeve Hospital, Legion, VFW, Knights of Columbus Auxiliaries and was a Red Cross and Hospice volunteer for many years. She also enjoyed volunteering her time in the St. Theodore Catholic School lunchroom well into her 90’s.

She and Don enjoyed trips to Hawaii and many summer months at various lakes in Northern Minnesota with “happy hours, hors d’oeuvres” and many fish fries. Lots of memories and fun times were had by all their children, spouses and grandchildren.

Dorothy is survived by her children: son, Terry and Peggy Vandersnick and their children: Shelly and Dave Lindely, Jeanne and Donn Day and Amy and Tony Stevens, all of Albert Lea; daughter, Nancy and Pat Bergen and their children: Sara Colby and Jeff Stevens, of Albert Lea, and Jill and Chris Dickrell of Otsego, MN; daughter, Ann and Glen Fuller, of Austin, MN, and their children: Allison and Sam Olson, of Glenville, MN, and Cassie Fuller, of Denver, CO.

Also surviving are her eight great-granddaughters, Megan and Madi Lindely, Natalie Day, Carly Stevens, Allyssa Colby, Ashlyn and Taylor Dickrell, and Quinn Olson; and her three great-grandsons, Caden Stevens, Brandon Colby and Malakai Olson; sister, Mary Schreurs; brother, Bob Schreurs; and sister-in-law, Wilma Schreurs, along with many nieces and nephews, and special family friend, Wade Quam.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Don; a son, Paul; her parents, Matt and Frances Schreurs; in-laws, John and Sarah Vandersnick; her sisters, Bernadine Carlson and Lorraine Bunkers; brother, Ralph Schreurs, sisters-in-law, Mariann Schreurs, Sandy Schreurs, Rita Vandersnick, and Evelyn Lammert. Also, brothers-in-law, Art Carlson, Jim Bunkers, Nick Vandersnick and Walt Lammert.

We want to thank the St. John’s staff at the Meadows and the Woodlands for their wonderful care of our mom for the past year. To the Mayo Hospice for their loving end of life care.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. John’s- The Woodlands/The Meadows, 1861 Eagle View Cir, Albert Lea, MN 56007; Mayo Hospice, 1705 SE Broadway Ave, Albert Lea, MN 56007; or St. Theodore Catholic Church, 315 E Clark St, Albert Lea, MN 56007.