Ranfranz & Vine Funeral Homes

11/11/2025

Sending a giant THANK YOU to all of those who have served.

11/10/2025

Irene Maze

Irene Florence Maze, 92, of Rochester, MN passed away on November 7, 2025, at Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield, MN. Irene was born on January 31, 1933, in Collegeville Township, MN, to Raymond and Luella (Hansen) Menke. She graduated from Cathedral High School in St. Cloud, MN. In 1952, she married Glenn Alexander in St. Cloud. They owned and operated the Tam-O-Shanter Inn in Chatfield from 1969-1976. Glenn passed away in 1983. From 1983-1994, Irene worked for Mayo Clinic....

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11/10/2025

Joan Pankonin

Joan Swan Pankonin, 97, of Rochester, passed away peacefully at her home on November 4, 2025. Born Joan Beverly Swan on March 28, 1928, to William and Rose (Aulwes) Swan, Joan was raised in Rochester, graduated from Rochester High School and went on to graduate from the University of Minnesota. Although she spent her professional and married life in Minneapolis and Bloomington, she retained a close connection to her hometown all her life, and returned to live there for the...

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11/10/2025

Charles Schlotthauer

Dr. Charles G. Schlotthauer, age 92, of Rochester, MN passed away November 3, 2025, at Cottagewood Senior Community in Rochester, MN. Charles was born July 26, 1933 in Rochester, MN, the son of Dr. Carl and Emily (Jensen) Schlotthauer. Dr. Carl was the Mayo Clinic veterinarian and managed the farms and research animals, so Charles grew up knowing many of the Mayo founding families. Charles attended Rochester High School where he was a stand-out on the swim team, medaling at...

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11/10/2025

Kenneth Rearick

Kenneth Neal Rearick, 73, of Rochester, MN, passed away on November 2, 2025, at Mayo Clinic Methodist Hospital. Kenneth was born on July 12, 1952, in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, to Orman and Theora (Brice) Rearick. He graduated from Indiana High School and went on to attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Ken married the love of his life, Karen Nihart, and together they shared 42 wonderful years of marriage. He worked in the IT department at Mayo Clinic, where his diverse talents,...

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11/10/2025

Donald Plante

Donald Michael Plante, age 78, passed away on October 31, 2025, at Cottagewood Senior Community in Rochester, Minnesota, surrounded by the love of his family. Don was born in Ladysmith, Wisconsin, to Leon and Marion Plante, who later owned and operated Hayward Liquor on Main Street in Hayward. He graduated from Hayward High School in 1964, as did his wife, Linda, whom he married in 1968. They recently celebrated 56 years of marriage. Don earned his degree in History and...

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11/10/2025

Kathleen Karlen

Kathleen Agnes "Kathy" Karlen, age 86, of Pine Island, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on October 31, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Kathy was born on January 22, 1939, in Red Wing, Minnesota, to John and Esther (Majerus) Strauss. She graduated from Goodhue High School in 1957 and went on to earn her Licensed Practical Nurse certification from the Rochester School of Vocational Nursing at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. Kathy began her lifelong nursing career at St. Mary's...

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11/01/2025

Margaret Schafer

Margaret Schafer, age 87, of Rochester, MN passed away on Friday, October 31, 2025 at Mayo Clinic Hospital, St. Mary's Campus.
Margaret Meyer Schafer was born on November 13, 1937 in Red Wing, MN to parents Vincent and Ada (Simon) Schafer. She was baptized and confirmed through St. Peter Lutheran Church. Margaret graduated with a degree in education from Concordia University in Seward, NE in 1959. Her first call was at King of Kings Lutheran School in Roseville, MN. She...

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11/01/2025

Benjamin Aga

Ben Aga, 46, of Rochester, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on October 31, 2025, after battling glioblastoma for several months.Benjamin David Aga was born on October 23, 1979, in Decorah, Iowa, to David and Theresa (Mackenburg) Aga. He grew up on a farm outside of Ridgeway, Iowa, with his parents and two older sisters and he attended elementary school in Ridgeway. Ben went to junior high and high school in Cresco, Iowa, where he met...

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10/31/2025

Gordon Westphal

Gordon Wilbur Westphal, 83 of Rochester, MN, died at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN on October 25, 2025.
"Gordy" was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa in 1942, to Russell and Elsie Westphal. For certain, he and his two brothers kept their parents on their toes. Gordon's love of flying started at an early age when he started his flight training at age 17 and received his license within the year. This love led to a lifelong obsession with aviation....

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10/27/2025

Jorge Velez

Jorge Velez, age 34, of Rochester, Minnesota, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family. He was born on August 19, 1991, in Fort Riley, Kansas, the third of five children.
From a young age, Jorge was known for his incredible soccer talent. He joined a competitive traveling league at an early age, where his skills on the field often drew the attention of scouts. His passion, determination, and team spirit shone brightly in everything he did.
At the age...

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10/23/2025

Mary Utesch

Mary Ann Utesch, age 89, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed away on October 21, 2025, in Byron, Minnesota. With faith fulfilled, Mary was greeted at Heaven's gate by Jesus and the loved ones who went before her.
Mary Ann (Nelson) Utesch was born in Austin, Minnesota, on December 9, 1935, to Alfred and Dora Nelson. The family later moved to rural Grand Meadow, Minnesota, where Mary spent most of her school years. She was active in band,...

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