OBITUARIES
Recent obituaries in Wadena County, Minnesota
The obituaries in the Sebeka, Minnesota Area reflect the region's diverse population, featuring individuals from a variety of ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds. Some were pioneers in their fields, while others dedicated their lives to community service or philanthropy. Their stories serve as a reminder of the richness and complexity Wadena County's history and identity.
Onni Mikael Haavisto
Jan 6, 2026
Onni Mikael Haavisto, age 70 of Menahga, MN, passed away on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 United Hospital in St. Paul, MN. Burial will be January 14, 2026 at 2:00 PM at Menahga City Cemetery in Menahga, MN.
Jerome "Jerry" Benson Miller
Jan 5, 2026
Jerome “Jerry” Benson Miller, age 87, of Sebeka, Minnesota, died suddenly in a car accident on January 5, 2026. The funeral service for Jerry will be at 10:00 am on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at the Living Hope Family Church of Sebeka. The visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at the Wevley...
Gladys "Dena" Marlene Sporre
Dec 12, 2025
Gladys (Dena) Marlene Sporre, age 86 of Menahga, MN went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, December 12, 2025. She was the eighth of 13 children, born on June 15, 1939 to Gladys Opal (Davis) Govenor and George John Govenor in Ortonville, Minnesota. The family moved to Prospect, Oregon when she was a small girl. Her dad...
Leonard "Bucky" Arnold Brockpahler
Dec 9, 2025
Leonard (Bucky/Buck) Arnold Brockpahler, age 89, of Sebeka, Minnesota passed away at Providence Villa December 9, 2025. Mass of Christian burial will be held December 20, 2025, at 10am at St. Hubert’s Catholic Church in Blue Grass, Minnesota. Visitation will take place at Wevley Funeral Home of Sebeka on December 19, 2025, from 5pm to 7pm.
Buck was born on September...
Robbin Lee Lindula
Nov 20, 2025
Robbin Lee Lindula, age 83, of Park Rapids, Minnesota, passed away on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at the Crystal Brook Senior Living Center in Park Rapids. The funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at the Runeberg Apostolic Lutheran Church in Menahga, Minnesota, with visitation one hour prior. The Wevley Funeral Home of Sebeka, Minnesota...
LeRoy Benny Lake
Nov 15, 2025
LeRoy Lake, age 90, of Menahga, Minnesota, passed away on November 15, 2025, at Rose Haven Assisted Living in Menahga. A burial service will be held at Meadow Apostolic Lutheran Cemetery on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 2:00pm.
LeRoy Benny Lake was born to John and Annie (Kinnunen) Lake at the farm east of Menahga. He was baptized and confirmed at...
Gladys Tillie Metteer
Nov 9, 2025
Gladys T. (Holec) Metteer passed away peacefully on Nov. 9, 2025, at Providence Villa in Sebeka, MN. She was 97 years old. Gladys was born to Vaclav and Mary (Ober) Holec on Sept. 28, 1928, near Dante, SD. She married Harold Metteer on Oct. 9, 1947, in Luverne, MN. Together they farmed in Charles Mix County, SD, until 1967. At...
LaVonne Arlene Beguelin
Nov 9, 2025
LaVonne Arlene Beguelin, age 97, our beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and Great Great Grandmother, passed away peacefully on November 9, 2025, at Comfort Care Cottages in Wadena, Minnesota. God welcomed to heaven one of the most wonderful angels ever created.
LaVonne was born to Thelma (Bobst) and Oscar Chapman on September 22, 1928, in Aredale, Iowa. She was raised on...
Lola Gayle Cowden
Nov 5, 2025
Lola Gayle (Leaf) Cowden, age 87, of Menahga, MN, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at the Greenwood Connections Nursing Home, Menahga, MN, with her family by her side.
Lola Gayle Leaf was born on August 8,1938, in Grandy, MN. She was the daughter of Carl and Hazel (Nelson) Leaf, Sr. She grew up in Richfield, MN, with her...
Arla Elmira Tolppi
Oct 30, 2025
Arla Elmira (Hagerman) Tolppi of Sebeka MN, went to meet her Lord on October 30, 2025, while on hospice care at Providence Villa in Sebeka MN, she was 90 years old. Her children, Linda Howes, Susan (Micheal) Shackelford, and LaDon (Holly) Howes were able to spend some time with her before her passing. Arla was born to Clarence and Dorothy...
Stella M. Kuschel
Aug 21, 2025
Stella (Mudick) Kuschel, of Menahga, Minnesota, passed peacefully on August 21, 2025, at the age of 102 and 8 months at the Green Pine Acres Nursing Home in Menahga. Stella was born on December 4, 1922, to Frank & Mary Mudick on a farm in Ansel Township in Cass County, Minnesota. Stella was one of fourteen children. Her dad operated...
Lawrence "Larry" Robert Sorenson
Aug 15, 2025
Lawrence “Larry” Robert Sorenson, age 82 years and 363 days of Menahga, MN, passed away on Friday, August 15, 2025, at Covered Bridge Assisted Living Center in Holdingford, MN.
Larry was born on August 17, 1942, at Wesley Hospital in Wadena, MN, to Ralph and Eleanor (Lund) Sorenson. He was the oldest of five children. His parents owned a dairy farm,...
Darlene Hazel Maaninga
Aug 4, 2025
Darlene Hazel Maaninga, age 94, of New York Mills, Minnesota, passed away on Monday, August 4, 2025, at Vitality Living Nursing Home in New York Mills. A celebration of her life will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at Wevley Funeral Home in Sebeka, MN, with a visitation an hour prior. The interment will follow at Jim...
Charles Jeffrey Swanson
Jul 30, 2025
Charles “Chuck” Jeffrey Swanson, age 74, of Sebeka, Minnesota, passed away at his home on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. Chuck was born on December 4, 1950, to Marlin “Swede” and Ileane (Hanson) Swanson in Brainerd, Minnesota. He attended school in Brainerd and graduated from Brainerd High School in 1968. After high school, he proudly served in the First Battalion 194th...
Evelyn Martha Nevala
Jul 13, 2025
Evelyn Martha (Majava) Nevala, 97, of Sebeka, MN, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday, July 13, 2025. Evelyn was born on October 16, 1927, on the family farm in Trap Rock Valley near Calumet, MI, to Gust and Liisa (Pelli) Majava.
Evelyn attended country school through the 8th grade. She briefly moved to Detroit, MI and spent time...
Archie Raymond Lake
Jun 23, 2025
Archie Lake, age 87, died Monday, June 23rd, 2025 peacefully at his home in Menahga, Minnesota due to health complications.
Archie Raymond Lake was born on October 30th, 1937 to Arthur and Lempi Lake on the land he would spend most of his life. Archie grew up with his five siblings, and he was known for goofing off and working hard...
Angeline Marie Jehlik
May 24, 2025
Angeline Marie Jehlik (nee Triolo) at the age of 89, passed away on Saturday May 24, 2025 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Park Rapids, MN.
Angie is preceded in death by her loving husband Larry Jehlik. Daughter of the late Mike and Frances Triolo. Sister of the late Antoinette and her Husband Eugene Barreca, beloved brother Anthony Triolo and Grandson Jeff...
Shirley Barbara Steinke
May 17, 2025
Shirley Barbara (Holst) Steinke, age 87, of Sebeka, MN, formerly of North Germany Township, MN, passed away on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Astera Health in Wadena, MN.
Shirley Holst was born on March 4, 1938, in Brainerd, MN, the daughter of the late Ervin and Doris (Lemire) Holst. She was raised in Brainerd and graduated from Brainerd High School. On...
Kathryn Cleo Hanson
Apr 30, 2025
Kathryn Cleo (Hanninen) Hanson, age 81, of Robbinsdale, Minnesota, passed away on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at the Our Lady of Peace Hospice in St. Paul, Minnesota. An open house will be from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm on Friday, May 9, 2025, at Wevley Funeral Home in Sebeka, Minnesota, with a time of sharing at 2:00 pm.
Kathryn was born...
Francies Kay Lane
Apr 25, 2025
Francies Kay Lane, age 75, of Menahga, Minnesota, passed away on Friday, April 25, 2025, in Sebeka, MN. The funeral service for Fran will be at 1:00 PM on Friday, May 2, 2025, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Menahga, MN, with a visitation an hour prior. Wevely Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Fran was born on March 1,...


