Obituaries

Dwayne “Barky” Barker was born to Calvin and Doris (Royer) Barker on August 11, 1949, in Springfield, Minnesota. He attended Country School and then graduated from Windom High School. He then earned a bachelor’s degree at Mankato State University. Through the years, he was affectionately referred to as “Barky”.

Dwayne worked for Jeffers Shield Manufacturing until starting his own business, The Slipper Inn, in Jeffers, Minnesota. In 1978, Dwayne and Steve Noble started The Slipper Inn, and then Dwayne bought out Steve and ran the business for 40 years. After retirement, Dwayne enjoyed taking his golf cart out and cruising the streets of Jeffers, and everyone enjoyed seeing him go by.

He sponsored many softball teams, bowling teams, and pool leagues. Dwayne played on the town softball team, Slipper Inn Pool League, and he loved playing golf. He also loved watching the MN Vikings and MN Twins. Dwayne was known as the “king of game shows”, especially Jeopardy.

Dwayne passed away on September 20, 2023, at the Sandford Medical Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

He is survived by his siblings, Ron (Sue) Barker of Kingman, AZ, Cheryl (Merlin) Polzin of Ledyard, IA, Steve (Kathy) Barker of Jeffers, Dennis Barker of Columbus, NC, and Craig Barker of Worthington, as well as many nieces, nephews, and a great number of friends.

Dwayne was preceded in death by his parents, Calvin and Doris Barker, and one brother, Allen Barker.

A Celebration of Life Service was held Tuesday, September 26th at the Jeffers United Methodist Church in Jeffers, with Pastor Cathy Hoffbeck officiating. Burial was at the Jeffers Cemetery. The Celebration of Life Service was live streamed on the Jeffers United Methodist Church Facebook page.

Arrangements by LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center in Windom. Condolences and memories of “Barky” may be sent online to www.lacannefuneralhome.com.

Gregory “Greg” Carlson was born on October 8, 1956, in California, to the late Homer Edward and Doris Mae (Rose) Carlson. His early years and education began in California, and then as a teenager, he moved to the Lakefield area. Greg enlisted in the US Navy and was honorably discharged. He then received his GED and continued his education at Jackson Vo-Tech, where he earned an associate degree in auto body. Greg was united in marriage to LuAnn Gunder on November 25, 1977, at The American Lutheran Church in Windom.

As an autobody specialist, Greg worked in that industry with Steffens and Higley Ford, until branching off on his own. He was smart, mechanically inclined, and could fix anything, and he was proud to have built a truck from the frame up. He started working at the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), beginning in maintenance, and then received training to work as a DNR Officer. Greg later worked at Runnings for eight years, and then TORO, before having a stroke in 2019, which prompted his retirement. Greg was a great listener and always made people feel better.

Greg was a certified instructor of Tae Kwan Do. He was a 4th degree black belt, and he taught classes for more than 1000 students in Jackson, Worthington, and Fairmont. He was a kid at heart and always a joker. He loved music and played the bass guitar, and he liked riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle. He was an outdoor enthusiast who loved the sun and the colors of nature.

On Tuesday, September 19th, Greg passed away peacefully with LuAnn by his side, at Windom Area Health in Windom.

Left to cherish Greg’s everlasting memory are his wife of 44 years, LuAnn Carlson of Windom; one daughter Jamie (CJ Jensen) Carlson of Rochester, MN; 2 granddaughters, Alexia and Alivia Bahr of Rochester; 4 siblings, Roger (Beth) Carlson of Lakefield, Jeff Carlson of Idaho, Sandra (Joe) Soto of California, and William McGraw of Atlanta, GA; as well as several nieces, nephews and friends.

Greg was preceded in death by his parents.

A Celebration of Life Service was held Sat., Sept. 23rd at The American Lutheran Church in Windom.  Burial will be at a later date.

Arrangements by LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center. Condolences and memories of Greg may be sent online to www.lacannefuneralhome.com.

Emily Matilda Axford was born to the late Clarence and Margaret (Savage) Schaffer, on March 18, 1929, in Windom, Minnesota. Emily’s early education began in Jenks Country School. She later attended and graduated from Windom High School.

On July 3, 1950, Emily was united in marriage to Charles Daniel Axford at the Bingham Lake Methodist Parsonage. Their marriage was blessed with five children: Margaret “Marge”, Floyd, Katherine “Kitty”, Barbara Ann, and Bruce. Shortly after their marriage, in 1951, Charles and Emily began to farm just outside of Windom in Lakeside Township. While Charles tended to animals and crops, Emily made their house a home. She loved to garden and to use that food in the kitchen when she cooked and baked. You could find her favorite flowers, irises and gladiolas, scattered throughout. Emily spent hours working on beautiful sewing, knitting, and crocheting projects.

She was a lifelong believer in the Methodist faith and was an active member of the United Methodist Women as well as the Lakeside Extension Group.

On November 6, 2002, Charles passed away. After his death, Emily continued to live on the farm until November of 2018, when she became a resident at the Good Samaritan Society – Sogge Memorial in Windom. She remained there until she passed away peacefully, on Monday, September 11, 2023, at the age of 94 years.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Margaret Svoboda of Windom; Floyd (Barb) Axford of Windom; Katherine (Jens) Hansen of Windom, Bruce Axford of Windom; nine grandchildren, John (Terri) Svoboda of Jackson, Daniel Svoboda of Windom, Jason (Angie) Axford of Amerit, Brian (Heidi) Axford of Spirit Lake, IA, Amanda Axford of Farmington, Justin (Katie) Axford of Windom, Jennifer (CT) Hosmer of Volga, SD, Elizabeth (Matthew) Eich of Volga, SD; 19 great- grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren; siblings, Leslie Schaffer of Windom; Jack (Rosemary) Schaffer of Windom; Donald “Tom” Schaffer of Windom; Dorothy Schaffer of Mankato; as well as many other relatives and friends.

Emily was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Axford; parents, Clarence and Margaret; daughter, Barbara Ann Axford; grand-daughter, Janet; one great-great-grandson; brother, Kermit Schaffer; infant sister, Ellen Schaffer; sisters, Mary (Paul) Choiniere, Katherine (Lennie) Soleta; parents-in-law, Angus and Esther Axford; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, William (Shirley) Axford, Audrey (Dale) Carter, Robert (Kathleen) Axford, Douglas Axford, Marilyn (Harlen) Fisk, Frances Schaffer, and Gail Schaffer.    A Celebration of Life Service was held Fri., Sept. 15, 2023, at the Windom Methodist Church, with Pastor Mike McInnis officiating. Burial was in Lakeview Cemetery in Windom.

Arrangements are under the care of the LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center. Condolences and memories of Emily may be sent online to www.lacannefuneralhome.com.

Jessica Ann Jarrett Age 44 of Brooklyn Park, passed away on August 24th, 2023. Jessica was born on July 25, 1979, in Iowa City, Iowa, and baptized on August 26, 1979 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Jackson, MN. and Confirmed in 1994 at the American Lutheran Church in Windom, MN.

While growing up, Jessica was active in gymnastics, dance, band and cheerleading in school, 4H, and bell choir, ushering and helping teach Sunday School at church. Jessica graduated from Windom Area High School in 1997 and went on to graduate from Marshall State with a degree in Social work in 2003.

Jessica’s first job after college was with Task in Minneapolis as a social worker / supervisor. Later she worked for South Metro, and currently at Fairview Health.

On April 27, 2013 Jessica and Theon were married, at a lovely ceremony surrounded by friends and family.

Jessica loved reading all types of books, and the outdoors, and could often be found hiking, biking, camping, and very much looked forward to trips to the Boundary Waters with Theon, and going on trips with her mom & dad as well. Jessica really enjoyed baking, her specialty was chocolate chip cookies.

Jessica is survived by loving parents, Jim & Doreen Jorgensen; longtime spouse, Theon, & his children, Sarita, Brooklyn & Myles; grandmother, Patricia Jorgensen; in-laws, Pam Jarrett & William Bell; brother-in-law, Donzell Bell Sr. Emily Morris, DeAndre Weave,r Niomi Bell, Donzell Bell Jr.; aunts & uncles, Kendall (Leona) Koppen, John (Lori) Jorgensen, Bill (Lora) Jorgensen, Mary (Jeff) Gelhaus, Margaret (Greg) Brandt & Donald (Rocio) Jorgensen; and her two beloved dogs, Blessing & Boscoe; plus many cousins, other relatives & friends. Jessica was proceeded in death by her grandparents, Kermit & Ann Koppen, and Milton Jorgensen, her uncle Robert Jorgensen, aunts Betty Elness & Beverly Vought, and cousin Elijah Gelhaus.

Memorial service at Kozlak-Radulovich Maple Grove Chapel (13745 Reimer Dr.) Thursday, September 7th, 2023 at 2 PM with visitation one hour prior.

A visitation and time of gathering to celebrate the life of Connie Sutherland, of Windom, MN, will be held Wed., Sept. 6, 2023, from 1:00 – 3:00 PM at the LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center in Windom. A private family burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery with Pastor Rick Frederickson officiating.

Connie Sutherland passed away on Tues., Au 29, 2023, at Good Samaritan Society – Sogge Memorial, in Windom, Minnesota. Connie Jean Sutherland was born on January 25, 1937, to Archie and Della (Jensen) Coulson in Windom, Minnesota. She was raised in Jeffers and graduated from Jeffers High School with the class of 1955. On November 19, 1955, she was united in marriage to Robert F. Sutherland at the Jeffers Methodist Church. Their union was blessed with three children, Robert (Bob) Jr, Sheli, and Deb.

Connie worked various caregiving jobs throughout her lifetime, at the Windom Hospital, Good Samaritan Society of Mountain Lake, and one-on-one home care. Connie enjoyed spending quality time with her family and her beloved house dog, Teddy. She loved the outdoors, camping and fishing with family and friends.

Connie Sutherland passed away on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at Good Samaritan Society – Sogge Memorial in Windom, Minnesota.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Robert “Bob” Sutherland Jr. of Sauk Centre; Sheli Fast of Lamberton; Deb (Larry) Smith of Windom; eight grandchildren; one step-granddaughter; three great-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; brother, Lonnie Coulson of Fairmont; sisters-in-law Cheryl Coulson of Redwood Falls and Janice Coulson of East Dubuque, IL.

Connie was preceded in death by Robert Sutherland Sr.; parents, Archie and Della Coulson; siblings, Darlene (Albert) Meier and JoAnn Keech; brothers and sisters-in-laws, Robert “Bob” Coulson, Betty Coulson, Archie “Duke” Coulson, Elno (MaryLou) Coulson, Jack Coulson, Jim Coulson, and son-in-law, Eugene Fast; daughter-in-law, Kathy Sutherland; and granddaughter, Brooke Sutherland.    Arrangements are under the care of the LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center in Windom. Condolences and memories of Connie may be sent online to www.lacannefuneralhome.com.

Margaret Kay (Wolf) Berg was born March 2, 1944, to Raymond Rudolph and Gladys Elizabeth (Van Gerpen) Wolf, in Mountain Lake, Minnesota. She was named in honor of her grandmother, Margaret Elvira (Kees) Wolf, but she was always called by her middle name, “Kay”, to avoid confusion with her grandma’s name.

She grew up in rural Windom on a farm in Dale Township and attended grade school at Greenhill Country School (near the farm). She completed school at Windom High School and graduated with the Class of 1962. After school, Kay lived in St. Paul and Little Canada, Minnesota. In 2001 she moved back to rural Windom on the Dale Township farm that she grew up on. In 2015 she left the farm and settled in Cameron, Wisconsin, to be near her youngest brother’s family.

In 1966, Kay was married to George Deutsch in St. Paul, but the marriage was later dissolved. In 1974, Kay was married to Donald Berg and they continued to live near St. Paul. Through the years, Kay worked as a waitress and, later, at a bread-outlet retail store. After her mother passed away, Kay returned to the Windom area to live on and manage the family-farm property. While in the Windom area, Kay worked at the Sogge Memorial Nursing Home for over ten years, before retiring.

Gardening brought Kay great pleasure, but not quite as much as finding and reading recipes. She spent a lot of time finding and collecting many recipe books. Kay was an avid reader of romantic novels, and she loved her Kindle with access to an endless library of electronic books. She enjoyed watching TV game shows and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. At the farm, Kay was a member of Jeffers Baptist Church. Later, she joined Hope Baptist Church in Rice Lake, Wisconsin.

After a period of illness, Kay passed away on Friday evening, August 25th, at Luther-Middlefort Hospital of the Mayo Health System in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Family members arrived in time and gathered around her hospital bed to say their “Good-Byes” and to sing sweet Heavenly music to her as she was slipping away.

Kay is survived by her brother, Wayne (Sheila) Wolf of Cameron, WI; her sister-in-law, Shirley Wolf of Waseca, MN; her step-son, Dennis Berg of Stillwater, MN; and her step-daughter, Lori (Berg) Talker of Barnum, MN; as well as many other relatives and friends. She will be greatly missed by her many nieces & nephews.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Gladys; her brother, Charles A. Wolf; her sister, Carmen Rae (Wolf) Bennett; and her step-daughter, Donna (Berg) Folmer.

A Celebration of Life Service was held on Friday, September 1st at the LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center in Windom, MN, with Pastor Marvin Peterson officiating. Burial was at the Jeffers Cemetery in rural Jeffers, MN.

Arrangements are under the care of the LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center in Windom. Condolences and memories of Margaret may be sent online to www.lacannefuneralhome.com.

A Celebration of Life Service for Gordon Porath, age 75, of rural Mountain Lake, will be held Saturday, September 2nd at 10:30 AM at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Mountain Lake, with Pastor Rick Bremseth officiating. Burial will be at the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Kimball Township, Jackson County.

A time of visitation and gathering will be on Friday, September 1st from 5:00-8:00 PM at the LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center in Windom and will continue Saturday for one-hour prior to the Service at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Mountain Lake.

Gordon John Porath was born on May 30, 1948, to Lowell and Margaret (Stenke) Porath, in Mountain Lake, Minnesota. He was baptized (6/16/1948) and confirmed (4/15/1962) at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Gordon attended Mountain Lake Public Schools. He served his country in the National Guard of Worthington and in Germany, until he was honorably discharged.

On February 27, 1970, Gordon was united in marriage to Ronda Englin at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mountain Lake. The marriage was blessed with two children, Penny and Paul. Gordon enjoyed farming all his life. He purchased the Windom Sun Bowl, with his wife, Ronda, and they operated it for 38 years.

Gordon enjoyed life and spending time with his family and especially looked forward to time with his grandchildren. He took frequent trips to Okoboji, and he loved his dogs and cats.

On Monday, August 28th, Gordon passed away suddenly at his home in rural Mountain Lake.

Left to cherish Gordon’s memory are his wife, Ronda Porath of rural Mountain Lake; children, Penny (Sam) Bjorklund of Bingham Lake, and Paul (Kristen) Porath of Windom; eight grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; many relatives and friends, and his dog, Indy.

Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, Lowell and Margaret Porath; mother- and father-in-law, Rick and Connie Englin; and grandson, Miles Bjorklund.

Blessed be the memory of Gordon John Porath.

Arrangements are under the care of the LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center in Windom. Condolences and memories of Gordon may be sent online to www.lacannefuneralhome.com.