Denis 'Soup' Campbell
December 10, 1950 – February 7, 2026

Denis Patrick “Soup” Campbell, age 75, of Winsted passed away on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at The Good Samaritan Society of Howard Lake.

He was born on December 10, 1950 in Hutchinson the son of Dennis M. & Leona (Fasching) Campbell.

Denis grew up in Winsted with memories of summer Sunday mornings filled with his parents and family getting ready for baseball.

He was a three sport athlete at Holy Trinity High School in Winsted playing football, basketball and baseball.   He also played amateur baseball for the Winsted Wildcats.  He managed the team for seven years.

Soup was President of The Crow River Valley North Division and held Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer positions too for the Wildcats team for many years.

Nick Chanaka
October 15, 1927 - January 26, 2026
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Nick was born October 15, 1927 in Washington, DC, the youngest of six children, to James and Helen (Karadimos) Chanaka, both immigrants from Greece. He grew up with a passion to play Major League Baseball. He graduated from Western High School in DC and was the first baseman on the high school city championship team. Following high school, Nick joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in South Korea. He was later honorably discharged as a WWII era veteran.

Upon his return home, he was signed by the New York baseball Giants and his first minor league assignment was to play first base for the St. Cloud Rox in the Northern League in 1948. A serious knee injury suffered in a Rox game ended Nick’s professional baseball career.

While in St. Cloud, Nick met the love of his life Eleanor “Bobbie” Weisbrich. They married at St. Mary’s Cathedral on September 16, 1950. He worked in automobile sales for over 64 years.

Bill Walsh
November 14, 1934 - December 26, 2025
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William “Bill” Michael Walsh was born on November 14, 1934, in Henderson, Minnesota. He was the son of Matthew and Margaret (Doheny) Walsh. Bill was baptized as an infant and later confirmed in his faith at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Henderson. He received his education in Henderson and was a graduate of the Henderson High School Class of 1953.

On November 24, 1953, Bill entered active military service and served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War. He received the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. Bill was Honorably Discharged on September 30, 1955, having achieved the rank of SP3.

On December 6, 1958, Bill was united in marriage to Lorraine Kahle at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Henderson. After their marriage, the couple resided in Henderson until 1966, when they moved to Gaylord. Bill was employed at the Ford dealership in Gaylord as the service manager for 40 years. Bill and Lorraine were blessed with four children. Bill and Lorraine shared 66 years of marriage when she passed away on July 5, 2025.

Robert 'Bob' Sturm
June 6, 1942 - November 19, 2025

​Robert ‘Bob’ Leonard Sturm, age 83, of Springfield, died Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester.
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Bob was born June 6, 1942, to Alvin and Evelyn (Seidl) Sturm in rural Springfield. He graduated from Springfield High School in 1960.

Bob was united in marriage to Sharon Jueneman at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Sanborn on May 7, 1966; a union which blessed the couple with four daughters and two sons.

Bob was a farmer at heart and held various positions throughout his life including Golden Sun Feed Company, Supersweet Feeds, Tauer’s SuperValu, Runnings, Hayden’s Furniture, St. Raphael’s Church, School and Cemetery, and Plotz Farms.

He gave his time and talents to numerous organizations including the Knights of Columbus, Jaycees, Lions Club, Catholic Order of Foresters, and Catholic Knights - where he helped coordinate an annual sauerkraut and dumpling fundraiser cherished by many.

Donald Goracke
February 13, 1935 - July 5, 2025

Donald Felix Goracke was born on February 13, 1935, in St. Mary, Nebraska, to Felix and Cecelia (Schuster) Goracke. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Chokio, Minnesota, where Don received his education, graduating with the Chokio High School, class of 1953.

While at the Stevens Co. Fair in Morris, Don met Shirley Amborn. The couple was married on August 11, 1956, at the Assumption Catholic Church in Morris. Following their marriage, Don and Shirley purchased their home on Park Avenue in Morris and welcomed five children.

​In 1954, Don began his career with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, first in the Stock Room, and at the time of his retirement in 2000, Don was the Office Manager. Don continued to live in his home on Park Ave. until 2022, when he moved to Grand Arbor in Alexandria.

Bill Nelson
October 23, 1951 - April 19, 2025

William "Bill" Wayne Nelson, age 73, of Northfield, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, Saturday morning, April 19, 2025, at his home.

Bill was born on October 23, 1951, in Albert Lea, MN to parents Harold and Marilynn (Sunde) Nelson. He graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1970. Bill was an accomplished athlete and sports enthusiast. In high school, Bill was the co-captain of the Albert Lea basketball and baseball teams and was named to the all-conference teams in both sports. He also pitched in all 3 games as Albert Lea finished 2nd in the 1969 state baseball tournament.

After high school, Bill attended Augsburg College where he received his BA in English. He then started working as a teacher at Kenyon Schools. At Augsburg, Bill was a two-time all-conference pitcher, co-captain, and led Augsburg to the conference championship in 1973 and runner-up in 1974. He was also an outstanding softball player and was a key member of the 1975 state championship team.

Gary R. Grob
September 28, 1937 - February 9, 2025

On Sunday, February 9, 2025, Gary Roslyn Grob, 87, of Winona, Minnesota passed away peacefully at his home with his family by his side.

Gary was born on September 28, 1937, at home in Mill Creek, Wisconsin to Alvin and Grace (Von Wald) Grob. He was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Alma, WI and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in La Crescent, MN. He married Marilyn Schroeder on July 28, 1962 in Caledonia, MN.

​After graduation from Central High School in La Crosse, WI in 1955, he entered the Marine Corps, serving for two years. He then attended Winona State University and graduated in 1962 with degrees in elementary and physical education. Gary played baseball at Winona State with a career batting average of .354 and played in two NAIA World Series in 1961 and 1962.

Al Luetmer
November 24, 1928 - October 23, 2024

Aloysius J. Luetmer, age 95, of Melrose left us peacefully on October 23, 2024. Called “Al” by family, friends and neighbors, he was known for his big stature and strong spirit. A dedicated farmer with a passion for baseball that would stay with him throughout his life, his biggest sources of pride were his family.

Born on November 24, 1928, in Meire Grove, Minnesota to Joseph and Marie (Nietfeld) Luetmer, Al attended the parochial school in Meire Grove, finishing his education at St. John’s Preparatory School. Part of a large, close-knit farming family, Al often shared stories of the many adventures he had with his siblings while growing up.

Gene Herd
September 18, 1933 - October 20, 2024

Allen Eugene Herd, better known as Gene or Geno died on October 20, 2024 at Auburn Manor in Chaska, MN.  He was born in Green Isle on September 18, 1933 to Clarence and Ann (Sickler) Herd.  He had 91 years to impact so many lives.  He spent all but 16 years in Green Isle, and said there is no other place he wanted to spend his life.  He shared, “my life is simple and I like it that way”.

Gene graduated from Glencoe High School in 1952 and enlisted into the United States Army for two years, October of 1953 - October of 1955, followed by business school for two years.  He started his one and only career with Northern States Power Company.  Gene retired from the Payroll Manager role after 33 years with NSP at the age of 58.  He was blessed with a slightly longer time spent retired than he did working. 

Geno found the love of his life at his brother’s wedding.  The twinkle in his eye appeared a bit brighter when he saw the maid of honor.  Marge O’Neil was the maid of honor for her sister Eileen, who was getting married to Gene’s brother, Don.  Brothers married sisters.  Gene and Marge were married for 63 years, rarely leaving each other except for a few annual hunting trips.  They had two children, Mary and Mark.