Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes

01/15/2026

Marti-Lynn Marie Rickerl

Marti-Lynn Rickerl, age 70, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2026, at Good Samaritan Society - Comforcare.

Marti-Lynn Marie Berg was born on February 17, 1955, in Austin, Minnesota, to Evelyn and Herbert Berg. She was born and raised in Austin and loved her charming small town and the life she built there.

Marti attended Catholic school throughout her school years and graduated from Pacelli High School in 1973. She was very quick with numbers, studied clerical accounting at Austin Community College (now Riverland), and worked as a Certified Professional Coder at Austin Medical Center West from 1981 to 2011.

She married Jerome in 1978, and from that union Anthony Dale was born. The couple later divorced. Marti later married Jeffrey in 1985, and together they welcomed Christopher Alan and Amanda Rose.

Above all else, Marti was a devoted mother. Her children were her pride and joy, and she always showed them unwavering support and unconditional love. A call, text, or time spent with them brought her so much happiness. She was and will always be the best mom in the world.

Marti had a special love for dogs and cherished many beloved pets throughout her life, including Hershey, Taffy, and Shadow, as well as her adored grandpuppies, Xander, Chase, and Pepper.

Marti also enjoyed sports, the MN Twins, MN Vikings, classic rock music, watching historical shows and documentaries, birdwatching, and enjoying Pepsi, black coffee and PBR!

Marti showed strength and resilience, especially in the face of medical challenges. Through it all, she remained sweet and kind, kept her sense of humor, and met life with quiet courage. She is now at peace with the Lord and no longer bound by the limitations of her earthly body.

Survivors include her husband, Jeffrey Rickerl; children, Anthony Rickerl (Pam), Christopher Rickerl, and Amanda Fisher (Benjamin); sister, Barb Hines (Jim); and many other family and friends. Marti is so dearly loved.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Evie and Herb; brother, Herbie; sister, Dutchie; and many beloved pets.

A celebration of Marti’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 23, 2026, at Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home in Austin, Minnesota. The visitation will take place from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 22, at Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home in Austin, and will continue for one hour prior to the service on Friday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Austin. Guests are encouraged to wear blue, Marti's favorite color. Memorials may be made in Marti’s memory to the Mower County Humane Society or animal rescue shelter of your choice.

Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes of Austin are assisting the family with arrangements.

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01/15/2026

William "Bill" George Nelson

William “Bill” George Nelson, age 74, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, January 10, 2026.

Bill was born on May 18, 1951, in Austin, Minnesota, to Raymond and Loretta (Patzer) Nelson. He grew up in Austin and graduated from Austin High School in 1969. He went on to earn an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science from Austin State Junior College, now known as Riverland Community College, in June of 1971.

Bill dedicated 39 years of his life to Hormel Foods, retiring in June 2013. During his time with Hormel, he also served as the caretaker for the Austin Lane Apartments for 19 years. Never one to sit still, he enjoyed staying active and was a volleyball referee for Austin Park & Recreation. Bill’s love for sports continued throughout his life, participating in softball, bowling, wallyball, racquetball, volleyball, tennis, golf and—let’s not forget—pickleball. Because of his passion for sports, the friendships he acquired remained throughout his life, a testament to his outgoing nature. It perfectly reflected his zest for life and his belief in staying active and connected.

Bill will forever be remembered for his witty, yet sarcastic humor and his unwavering loyalty as a friend—always ready to lend a hand whenever needed. His kindness and quick wit touched the lives of many, leaving a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him. Above all, Bill was an extraordinary father who provided steadfast love and guidance, He was a constant source of love, strength, and encouragement for his daughter, always supporting her dreams and being her greatest champion and her best friend. He was an incredible grandfather who cherished every moment with his grandchildren. He was always there whenever they needed something—whether it was advice, support, or simply his presence. Bill never missed a sporting event and showed up for every milestone, cheering them on with pride. He taught them countless life lessons, instilling values of hard work, kindness, and perseverance that will guide them for years to come. He created memories filled with laughter and joy that will live on in their hearts forever.

The world knew more goodness, more laughter, and more meaning because he was here.

Bill is survived by his daughter, Andrea (Nelson) Farr; grandsons, Riley, Liam, Alex, and Adam; great-granddaughter, Evelyn Grace; sister, Peggy (Dennis) Boik; and special friend, Mary Morrison. He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Loretta; brother, Dean; stepson, Jamey Andsersen; and nephew, Cory Boik.

The memorial service for Bill will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home in Austin. The visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Grandview Cemetery, Austin. The family invites everyone to join them at the VFW in Austin immediately following the burial for a celebration of Bill's life. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes of Austin are assisting the family with arrangements.

View William "Bill" George Nelson's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

01/13/2026

William Eugene Sherman

William “Bill” Eugene Sherman, age 94, of Dexter, Minnesota, passed on to eternal life with Jesus Saturday, January 3, 2026, just three days shy of his 95 birthday, at Mayo Clinic Health Systems - Austin. Bill was born on January 6, 1931, to Roy and Ruth Sherman and started his young life in Wesley, Iowa with his six siblings, all boys. His mother died in 1956. The family moved to Austin, and he attended Pacelli High School and had been entered into the hall of fame for his time on the football team. After graduating high school in 1949 Bill volunteered for the Navy and served for four years on the USS Thomas Jefferson. Upon honorable discharge, he married Deanna Edwards in 1958, and they had five children together.

Bill was proud to be a farmer and an employee at Hormel Foods – Austin where he worked for many years. He was a faithful member of the P-9 Labor Union and shared many heart-felt stories of his memories of the Austin Strike of 1985. Bill retired at that time but maintained his many friendships with fellow P-9ers who met regularly for good conversation and coffee. His retirement put him at the Dexter township farm more often, which was his real love. That and his family. Bill’s five children blessed him with many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Bill is survived by his children, Jeff (Vanette) Sherman of Jim Falls, Wisconsin, Mary Sherman-Ahrens of Blooming Prairie, Robert (Ruth) Sherman of Blooming Prairie, and Matthew (Holly) Sherman of Sargeant; daughter-in-law, Jan Sherman of Oologah, Oklahoma; 14 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Roy Sherman; mother, Ruth Sherman; stepmother, Margaret Sherman; son, Jim Sherman; siblings, Ivan, Dean “Teddy”, Gary “Snortzy”, Richard “Dick”, Frank “Bumpy”, and Johnny.

Bill’s family would like to extend deep appreciation to the Veterans Administration for the support and care they provided, allowing Bill to remain in his home and on the land he cherished. Also to Meals on Wheels for delivering hot and nutritious meals with a smile. Thank you to his many caregivers for their personal care and friendship and to St. Croix Hospice. We will forever be grateful for the support and kindness shown by his many neighbors and friends, especially Tim and Joy Bernatz, Todd and Gina Grundmeier, Don Mandt and MaryLou, and the Neuvirth Family.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 16, 2026, at Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home in Austin. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Friday. Interment will be at a later date in Calvary Cemetery in Austin with his parents. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes of Austin are assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.

View William Eugene Sherman's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

01/13/2026

01/12/2026

Valerie Ann Burns

Valerie Ann Burns, age 92, of Austin, Minnesota, died Sunday, January 4, 2026, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home in Austin. She was born February 13th, 1933, in St. Paul, Minnesota to Leslie and Lorene (Wollenburg) Hinks.

On May 5, 1951, Valerie was united in marriage to Marlyn E. Burns, Sr. at Trinity Lutheran Church in rural Waltham. A lifelong resident of Austin, Valerie worked for Sears for many years and cut hair on the side. She was an active member of the Sterling Silver Club and belonged to Holy Cross Lutheran Church, where she faithfully volunteered. Valerie also gave her time to Austin Medical Center and QTV.

In her earlier years, Valerie loved traveling and camping, creating fond memories along the way. Above all else, she cherished her family and held a special place in her heart for her beloved grandchildren.

She is survived by her daughter, Vicki (Don) Norrell of Spring, Texas; sons, Marlyn “Butch” (Melissa) Burns, Jr. of Dent, Minnesota, and Darin (Angela) Burns of Owatonna, Minnesota; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; brothers, Bill (Carolyn) Hinks and Don Hinks; along with many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Valerie was preceded in death by her husband, Marlyn; parents, Leslie and Lorene Hinks; her sister, Marlene Schroeder; brothers, Les Hinks, John Hinks, Jerry Hinks, Orris Ohm, and Myron Ohm; and her grandson, Joseph Burns.

A funeral service for Valerie will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home in Austin, Minnesota. The visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Austin. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to be given to St. Croix Hospice. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes of Austin are assisting the family with arrangements.

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01/10/2026

Pets stand by us through thick and thin as companions, and when they age, it can be hard to accept that they will eventually die. The article below explores different practices you can use to prepare for your pet's eventual passing.

If your pet's health is declining, consider how you can improve their final days. Find tips you can use to prepare yourself in this article.

01/10/2026

Hello Everyone,

Once again this year we are preparing for our fundraiser to support Healing Hearts Connection. We will officially start fundraising in February. The jump into lake Waconia is on March 7th at Lola’s Lakehouse.

I, (Tyler Hoff), attended the first camp in the early 2000’s as a camper after the loss of my grandpa. My parents also helped bring the organization to Minnesota with Minnesota Funeral Directors Association in an effort to fill a need for grieving families. I have served as a counselor at camps and now i serve as a board member and a fundraiser. I am extremely passionate about this great organization.

This year we are looking to kick off our campaign with a local business, or a couple, to partner with us and sponsor our team. They are welcome to join us for the plunge if they would like. This would come with advertising on all our posts and marketing material as we ramp up for another great day for a great cause.

Please join us in helping grieving families across our area!

Enjoy the photos from our team at last couple years of the Frunge!

01/09/2026

Bettie Jane Mills

Bettie J. Mills, age 96, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at Sacred Heart Care Center in Austin. Bettie Jane Greene was born on December 21, 1929, in Spencer, Iowa, to Sanford and Esther (Heinsen) Greene. She attended school in Greenville and graduated from Greenville-Rossie High School in 1947. On February 4, 1949, Bettie was united in marriage to Gale Wilson Mills in Greenville, Iowa. Bettie and Gale moved to rural LeRoy in 1951 and farmed there until 1978 when they moved into town. Bettie worked as a bookkeeper at Hansen Tire for 16 years. She also held a real estate license and served as a federal land and home appraiser for several banks. In the early 1990s Bettie and Gale moved to Alamo, Texas, and lived there for 27 years. During this time, they were activity directors for three years in their park in Texas. The couple was married for 65 years until Gale’s passing in 2014. In 2016, Bettie returned to Austin. Bettie enjoyed playing bridge and golf.

Bettie is survived by her son, Michael (Elaine) Mills of LeRoy, Minnesota; three daughters, Kris (Mark) Kinter of Spring Park, Minnesota, Patti (Ron) Duvel of Postville, Iowa, and Mary Christian of Dexter, Minnesota; 13 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gale; grandson, Kyle Kinter; and brothers and sisters.

A graveside service for Bettie and Gale will be held in the spring of 2026 at North Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Spencer, Iowa. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes of Austin are assisting the family with arrangements.

View Bettie Jane Mills's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

01/08/2026

Maria Paula Herrera-Lozano

Maria Paula Herrera-Lozano, age 78, of Burnsville, Minnesota, formerly of Austin, Minnesota, passed away on Thursday, January 1, 2026. Maria was born on January 2, 1947, to Arcadio Herrera and Paula Lozano in Mexico. She received her bachelor’s in accounting. She later moved to Houston Texas for 10 years, then moved to San Antonio, Texas until 1987 when she moved to Albert Lea, Minnesota. She enjoyed spending time garage saling, playing loteria and sliding across ice patches. She was known for her collections of owls and other Knick Knacks. Maria loved taking pictures and modeling for them, she loved dressing nicely. She was a giver and enjoyed sharing her cooking with those around her. She was a woman of great love, compassion and principles. She will continue to be loved, honored and missed by her family and those fortunate enough to have known her grace.

Survivors include her children, Armando Figueroa, Toby (Leticia Figueroa) Figueroa, Netza Bañuelos, Aaron (Rosa) Figueroa, Ibaneri (Javier) Figueroa, Sandra (Michael Sullivan) Banuelos, Zenet Martinez; 29 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; brothers, Francisco (Odilia) Herrera, Tomas (Catalina) Herrera, and Rogelio Herrera; and sister-in-law, Petra Herrera.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Arcadio Herrera and Paula Lozano; sister, Josefa (Jesus Lopez) Herrera; brother, Arcadio Herrera Jr.; and sister-in-law, Raquel Herrera.

A funeral service for Maria will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home in Austin, Minnesota. The visitation will take place from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 9, at Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home in Austin, and will continue for two hours prior to the service on Saturday. Interment will be in Grandview Cemetery, Austin. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes are assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.

View Maria Paula Herrera-Lozano's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

01/07/2026

After someone dies, there are so many decisions that must be made, which can be stressful when the family doesn't know what their loved one wanted.

That's where preplanning comes in! Preplanning is about taking the unknown and making it known. By putting your wishes in writing, you can make the funeral planning process easier for your family and take a burden off their shoulders during one of the hardest times of their lives.

But you don't have to take our word for it! Watch this video to find out how Jane Price helped her parents preplan, and visit www.worlein.com/plan-ahead to learn more.

01/06/2026

Pets are some of the best cuddlers. So, on this National Cuddle Up Day, corral your favorite furry friend and snuggle up on the couch together! And if you don’t have a furry friend, you could grab a human friend, too.

01/06/2026

Rose Mary Morales

Rose Mary Morales, age 80, of New Prague, Minnesota, formerly of Austin, Minnesota, passed away on Thursday, January 1, 2026. Rose was born on January 15, 1945, to Anton and Catherine (Dankert) Krofta in Austin, Minnesota. She attended Pacelli School, later got her GED and attended the Vo-Tech to become a certified nursing assistant.

On October 29, 1965, Rose married her true love, Jose Morales. They shared 15 years of marriage and raised two kids. Together they shared many homes throughout the United States ranging from Ohio to Arizona. Even with all of the address changes, they spent their time traveling, camping and exploring the outdoors.

She liked to keep herself busy and take care of people. Rose worked as a apartment manager with Jose for 10 years, after his passing, she became a cosmetologist and then worked as a certified nursing assistant for 18. In her free time, she enjoyed riding her bike, doing crossword puzzles and painting.

Survivors include her children, Joseph Morales (Tara Kaisershot) and Amy (Aaron) Searcy; grand-children, Morgan Searcy (Daniel), Brandon Christensen (Mysteria), Kalley Morales (Riley), Cori Searcy, and Chelsea Searcy (AJ); great-grandchildren, Meredith, Vandon, and Iris; sisters, Rita Southwick and Margaret Mueske; and sister-in-law Patti Krofta.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Anton and Catherine Krofta; and husband, Jose Morales; siblings, Mary White, Fred Krofta, and Diane White; and her beloved cat Molly.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial for Rose will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Friday, January 9, 2026, at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Austin, Minnesota, with Father Thien Nguyen officiating. The visitation will take place from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. prior to Mass. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Austin. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes are assisting the family with arrangements.

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