November 2026
Complete obituaries can be found in the Paynesville Press each week.
November 2026
Complete obituaries can be found in the Paynesville Press each week.
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Jean Moe, 96, Paynesville
Jean (Wegner) Moe, 96, of Paynesville died on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, at Paynesville Health Care Center with family at her side. Her service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, at the Daniel-Anderson Funeral Home in Paynesville. Visitation will begin one hour prior to services at the funeral home on Wednesday. Entombment will take place in the Terrace Lawn Memory Gardens in Montevideo, Minn. Jean was born on July 25, 1930, in Paynesville to Raymond and Marvel (Grover) Wegner. She graduated from Paynesville High School in 1948. Following high school, she attended the St. Cloud Teacher's College, where she graduated in 1950. Jean's first teaching job was in Appleton, Minn., where she met her future husband. She married Russell G. Moe on Oct. 11, 1952, at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Paynesville. They both moved to Milan, Minn., where they both taught and then on to the Montevideo School District. There they started a family, raising two daughters, and served their church and community long after their retirements. As an active member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Montevideo, Jean sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, was a member of Julia circle, and served on many other church committees. She enjoyed playing baritone with the Montevideo Community Band, playing bridge, playing golf, and helping at the Chippewa village where she was inducted into their Hall of Fame. Jean also belonged to Delta Kappa Gamma, served on the hospital auxiliary board, and volunteered with Meals on Wheels in her spare time. She had many hobbies, including spending time at her lake cabin on Big Kandiyohi, where she enjoyed crafting with both of her siblings and had a particular love for building and decorating dollhouses. Jean is survived by her daughter Laurie Moe (Bill Rucci) of Taylor Ridge, Ill.; her grandchildren Britni (Tim Simon) and Dain Austin, and Taylor and Elijah Sparrow; her two great-grandchildren Myles and Micah Simon; her sister Carolyn Swyter; and sisters-in-law Cathy Wegner and Ione Diiro; along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Russell (2000); daughter Julie Sparrow (Oct. 16. 2026); twin brother James Wegner (2021); brother-in-law Dennis Swyter (2012); and niece Nancy Diiro (August 2026).
Evelyn "Evie" Sorensen, 80, of Paynesville died on Saturday, Oct. 31, at Country Manor in Sartell. Her memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6, at the Johnson Funeral Home in Paynesville. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson and Johnon Funeral Home in Paynesville. Evelyn "Evie" Sorensen was born on Jan. 25, 1946, to Alern and Edna (Bode) Bendix in New Ulm, Minn. She grew up on the family farm in Courtland, where she was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Evie attended Immanuel Lutheran School before graduating from Nicollet High School in 1964. On June 12, 1965, Evie was united in marriage to Curtis Sorensen at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Together, they were blessed with four children. Throughout Curt's career, the family made their home in several communities throughout Minnesota. During these years, Evie devoted herself to being a homemaker, while also working part-time to help Curt complete his education. In 1975, the family settled in Paynesville, where Evie operated an in-home daycare until 1988. She then began working as a receptionist at Paynesville Hospital, a position she held until her retirement in 2011. Evie was a longtime member of Paynesville Lutheran Church. She found joy in gardening, decorating, sewing, shopping, reading, and spending time with her beloved furry friends. Above all, Evie cherished her family, with a special place in her heart for her grandchildren. The love she shared with her family was one of her greatest joys. Evie is survived by her children, Jill (David) Smart of Princeton, Lana (Craig) Talberg of Oak Park, Wade (Karla) Sorensen of Cold Spring, and Sheila (Chris) Keller of Rockford; grandchildren, Ethan, Anna (fiancé, Logan Pipes), and Ivy Smart; Peyton, Drew (Alex), and Brock Talberg; Alex, Max, and Jaxon Sorensen; and Lane, Eve, and Gwen Keller; great-grandson, Callahan, and one great-grandchild on the way. She is also survived by her brother, Berton (Sherry) Bendix; along with many nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends. Evie was preceded in death by her husband, Curtis; her parents, Alern and Edna Bendix; and her siblings, Butch Bendix and Gladys Mayer.
Beloved husband and father John Arnold Mander-nach passed away on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, at age 83. John was born to Peter and Catherine (Lieser) Mander-nach in St. Martin, Minn., on April 4, 1943, the youngest of 13 children. John grew up on his family's farm, surrounded by his siblings and numerous cousins, and attended school at Crosier Prep in Onamia, Minn., followed by years of seminary studies. After leaving the seminary, John continued his service to his faith as a religious educator at Oakdale's Transfigura-tion Parish. While there, John met fellow educator, Dianne Von Feldt. The two fell fast, and were married on April 27, 1973; they would enjoy more than 53 years together. After completing his education in social work, John and Dianne moved to Moose Lake, Minn., in October 1977, where he began his long career with the State of Minnesota, first with the Minnesota State Hospital and then with MSOP. Moose Lake proved to be a wonderful community for John and Dianne and their four children. Throughout their more than 40 years in the community, John was an active member of Holy Family Catholic Church, the Moose Lake Area Food Shelf and Meals on Wheels, the Kiwanis, the (locally) famous Whiz Kids softball team, countless tennis tournaments, numerous fantasy football leagues, and the (also locally) famous chain gang at high school football games. John's commitment to service ran deep. Following his retirement from the State of Minnesota in 2005, John dedicated his time to volunteer work across a broad range of service organizations. Among other activities, he enjoyed volunteering with the American Red Cross (including in rural Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina), assisting veterans at the Minneapolis Veterans' Administration hospital, and serving as a blue and gold officer for the U.S. Naval Academy. John was preceded in death by his son, Patrick; his parents; and his siblings Joseph (Monica Buerman), Teresa Dingmann (Albert), Brother Michael CSPX, Sister Margaret OSB, Laverne, Brother Robert OSC, Albert, and an infant sister. He is survived by his wife Dianne; sons Joe (Molly) of Gainesville, Fla., and Chris (Kerry) of Washington, D.C.; daughters Sarah of St. Louis Park, Minn., and Suzanne (Edward) of Roseville, Minn.; grandchildren Jonah, Grace, Ella, Caleb, John, Adam, Emylen, and Katherine; siblings Sister Leonore OSB, Sister Mary OSB, Cyril, and Lillian; and numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, and dear, dear friends. A visitation will be held at St. Odilia Catholic Church in Shoreview, Minn., on Monday, Nov. 9, at 10 a.m., followed by a service at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please enjoy a DQ dilly bar in your favorite flavor. Donations may also be made to the Moose Lake Area Food Shelf - www.cityofmooselake.gov/181/Moose-Lake-Area-Food-Shelf - or to a charity of your choice. |