WESTBROOK, Minnesota (STPNS) -- Arie Raye Asche

    Memorial visitation for Arie Raye Asche was held Saturday, February 27, 2010 at the Mission Coffee House at First Lutheran Church, Brookings, SD.  Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com.

    Arie Raye Asche passed away in his mother’s womb shortly before his birth on Thursday, February 11, 2010 in Brookings, SD.

    For nine months, as Arie grew in his mother’s womb, he entertained us by kicking his brother Ayden off the couch and he was comforted by his sister Avery’s voice. Although his time with us was short he will be held deep in our hearts forever.



    Survivors include his parents, Matthew and Erin Asche of Brookings, SD; sister, Avery; brother, Ayden; grandparents, Vern and Sharon Grams of Storden, MN and Don and Cindy Asche of Hancock, MN; uncle and aunt, Bryan and Kris Asche of Brookings, SD; uncle, Kelly Asche and special friend Christine Rooney of St. Paul, MN.

    We entrust Arie to our Lord Jesus and his great grandparents that have gone before him: Ray and Clara VerSteeg, Al and Minnie Grams, Truman and Ora Erickson and Hank and Dorothy Asche.

Norman O. Larson

    Funeral services for Norman O. Larson were held Monday, March 1, 2010 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Westbrook, MN. Burial was in the Westbrook Cemetery.

    Norman, 90, lifelong resident of Westbrook died Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at St. Luke’s Lutheran Care Center in Blue Earth, MN.

    Norman was born March 2, 1919 in rural Westbrook, the son of Oscar and Thilda (Sivesind) Larson.  He was united in marriage to Jeanette Amundson on January 25, 1943 in Storden.  Norman and Jeanette farmed near Westbrook their entire lives with the exception of the time Norman served in the U.S. Army from 1942-1945.

    Survivors include: son Eldon (Sharyl) Larson of Fulda and daughter Julie (Ed) Kellen of Winnebago; four grandchildren: Jenna (Scott) Owen of Blue Earth, Melanie (Matt) Burgess of Madison Lake, Timothy (Alethea) Larson of Omaha, and Krista Larson and fiancé Todd Hazelwood of Sioux Falls. SD.  Great-grandchildren Taylor, Chelsea, Riley, and Brooks Owen; Amelia, Thomas and Parker Larson and Mason Burgess; brother Stanley (Eunice) Larson, sister-in-law Delories Amundson, brother-in-law Leon Amundson and nieces and nephews.

    Preceding him in death were his wife Jeanette, his parents, mother and father-in-law Harry and Selma Amundson; sisters Edith Larson and Doris Bergman, brothers-in-law Gordon Bergman and Harry Amundson Jr.

Ethel L. Schmalz

    Memorial services for Ethel Lydia Schmalz was held at 2 p.m. Friday, February 26, 2010 at the Westbrook Funeral Home.  Online condolences may be sent via www.westbrookfuneral.com.

    Ethel, age 92 of Westbrook passed away Monday, February 22, 2010 at the Sanford Westbrook Hospital in Westbrook.  

    Ethel Lydia Rose Hass was born March 19, 1917 to Charles and Clara (Spielman) Hass.  She was baptized by Pastor Wolf, and later confirmed by Pastor Sharfe at Rosehill Church.  Ethel attended District 59 and later graduated from Westbrook High School in 1935.  She received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Degrees from Mankato State University.  She and Harold Schmalz were married by Pastor Sharfe on January 1, 1938.  After teaching in rural schools for many years, Ethel spent eighteen years teaching Kindergarten in Storden, MN.  In 1983, she organized Kiddies Korner Preschool and taught there until 1995 when she retired.  They lived in Rosehill Township until 1943 when they moved to their home in Westbrook Township.  Ethel was a member of Grace Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and served on the Worship Committee.  She was a member of WELCA, Southwest MN Association for the Education of Young Children, and MN Education and National Education Associations.  She was also an officer in South Western Reading Council.  

    Survivors include her son Charles of Storden, MN; daughter Clarene of Storden, MN; grandson Lee of Westbrook, MN; and sister-in-law Arlene (Bud) Nelson of Westbrook, MN.  

    Preceding her in death were her parents; husband Harold in 1988; and her son Karim in 2009.