October 2025
Complete obituaries can be found in the Paynesville Press each week.
October 2025
Complete obituaries can be found in the Paynesville Press each week.
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Ronald Bengtson, 78, Paynesville
Ronald "Ron" Bengtson, 78, of Paynesville died on Tuesday, Oct. 7 at the St. Cloud Hospital. His memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at Paynesville Lutheran Church. Visitation will be one and a half hours prior to the service. Private burial will take place at Burr Oak Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Johnson Funeral Home in Paynesville. Ron Bengtson was born on April 9, 1947, to Troy and Delores (Dornsbach) Bengtson in Litchfield, Minn. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Ron spent his early years in Litchfield before his family moved to Crow River in 1957. He graduated from Paynesville High School in 1965. Following high school, Ron began working as a millwright, belonging to Local #548, a trade he truly loved. His skill and dedication were well known, and he was often called upon for his expertise. Ron continued this work proudly until his retirement in 2004. On March 16, 1968, Ron was united in marriage to Viola Davis at First Presbyterian Church in Litchfield. Together they were blessed with six children. In 1971, Ron and Viola made their home in Crow River, where they lived for 53 years before moving to Paynesville. Ron and Viola were members of Paynesville Lutheran Church. Ron had a deep appreciation for music, western movies, and the beauty of the mountains -especially Beartooth Pass. He enjoyed road trips, hunting, woodworking, and exploring his family history, often recalling stories and relatives from across the country. Above all, he cherished time spent with his family, particularly his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who meant the world to him. Ron's open garage door was a familiar sight - always a sign that friends and family were welcome to stop in. Ron is survived by his wife, Viola; children, Gordon (Robyn) Bengtson, Guy (Mary) Bengtson, Brian (Sharla) Bengtson, Christopher Bengtson, Ranae Bengtson, and Katie (Kurt) Fleischhacker; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings, Richard (Sharon) Bengtson, Doris (Wyman) Nepsund, Ray Bengtson, Dorothy Bengtson, and Tony (Deb) Bengtson, along with many nieces and nephews. Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Troy and Delores; and sisters, Diane Bengtson and Fay Warta.
Tamara Jean Fuchs (Rolfhus) was born on Nov. 6, 1971, in Paynesville, Minn., to Lana (Smithson) and Delroy Rolfhus. She passed away unexpectedly in the comfort of her home on Sunday, June 22, 2025, at the age of 53. Her death was the unfortunate result of health issues related to her long battle with addiction. Tammy is survived by her mother; six siblings; children Cody, Mariah, Rachel and Danielle, as well as her beloved grandchildren Oliver, Jackson (Cody) Kendall, Sterling and William (Mariah), Olivia, Delilah, and Delaney - she would have been delighted to know there's one more on the way (Danielle); and numerous other loved ones. It was her greatest joy in life to be a mom and grandma. She also enjoyed gardening, animals, thrifting, cooking, and fishing. It is the hard truth that she struggled for many years, and we are all devastated to have lost her to this disease. Although she was an addict, it did not define her, and she will be graciously remembered for her hilarious, loving, resilient soul. She was greeted in the afterlife by her father; grandparents; and a few of her close friends: Marnie Rae, Greg, and Kyle. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at Nordland Lutheran Church in Paynesville. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the church. Burial of her cremated remains will take place in the Nordland Lutheran Church Cemetery, and a fellowship meal will follow the service.
Timmy W. Block, 66, of Paynesville passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025, at the Centra-Care Hospital in Paynesville. Tim was born to Emil and Janet (Wunder) Block on March 21, 1959, in Paynesville, Minn. He married Barbara Duffield on May 26, 1984; they later divorced. Tim was a truck driver all of his life. He enjoyed life on his hobby farm, riding horses, going to horse sales, and hunting. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren. Tim is survived by his children Cody (Jacki) Block and Dakota Block (Nick Francisco); his grandchildren Ruby, Hattie, Gracie, and Baby Francisco on the way; his siblings Kathy (Chuck) Knebel, Robert (Lena) Block, and Debbie (Dennis) Fink; his mother Janet Block; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Emil Block Jr. A celebration of Tim's life will be held at a later time.
Alois "Al" Neu, 82, of Paynesville died on Friday, Oct. 3 at his home in Paynesville. His Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 9, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 8, at Johnson Funeral Home in Paynesville (415 Business 23 West). His visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday morning. Arrangements are with Johnson Funeral Home in Paynesville at www.hafh.org. Al Neu was born on Feb. 21, 1943, to Aloys and Loretta (Kron) Neu in Richmond, Minn. He was raised on the family dairy farm near Eden Valley, where he learned the value of hard work early in life. Al was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith and graduated from Eden Valley High School in 1961. On Jan. 15, 1966, Al was united in marriage to Mary Wieber at St. Augustine Catholic Church in St. Cloud. Together they were blessed with two children, Don and Melinda. Throughout the early years of their marriage, Al and Mary moved a few times before settling in Paynesville in 1971, where they built their lifelong home. Over the years, Al wore many hats in his career - working in construction, selling seed corn, and most proudly owning and operating Neu's Pure H2O in Paynesville. He took great pride in running his own business and serving his community with honesty and care. Al sold the business in 2006, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and service. A devoted member of St. Louis Catholic Church, Al served as an usher for over 45 years. In his free time, he enjoyed woodworking, fishing, deer hunting, and spending winters in Mesa, Ariz. Above all, Al cherished time spent with his family. He will be remembered for his strong work ethic, his devotion to his faith, and his genuine care for others. Al is survived by his wife, Mary of Paynesville; his children, Donald (Lisa Lockwood) Neu of San Andreas, Calif., and Melinda (Kevin) Boles of Edina, Minn.; grandchildren, Michelle, Jennifer, Alex, Evan, Emily, Myson, Mia, Hunter, Makayla, McKenna, and Caitlyn; and 18 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings, Kenneth Neu, Laura (Dave) Stanger, Duane (Ruth) Neu, Bernard (Helen) Neu, and Sandie (Keith) Deadrick; sisters-in-law, Regina Neu, Betty Neu, and Lois Neu; along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Aloys and Loretta; and siblings, Donald Neu, Corrine Wicker, Richard Neu, Eugene Neu, John Neu, Jerome Neu, Elmer Neu, Ralph Neu, and David Neu.
Wallace "Wally" Payne, 92, of Paynesville passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 23, at the CentraCare Hospital in Paynesville. Private family service will take place at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls. Arrangements are with Johnson Funeral Home in Paynesville: www.hafh.org. Wallace Daniel Payne was born on Nov. 26, 1932, at the old Mercy Hospital in Thief River Falls to Daniel M. and Gladys (Johnson) Payne. He attended four years at Elwell Country School and graduated from Goodridge High School in 1950. After high school, he went on to Moorhead State for two years and then transferred to North Dakota Agriculture College, graduating with a bachelor of science in animal husbandry. In January 1958, Wally graduated with a master of science degree in range management from NDAC. Wally married Jeanette Hanson, a high school classmate, on Oct. 20, 1956, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. The evening that Wally graduated in 1958, he was on a train bound for basic training at Fort Ord in California. He and Jean spent the next two years in Modesto, Calif., where their son was born. Wally was in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps and spent most of his duty in creameries and cheese plants in California. After being honorably discharged, the family moved back to Goodridge, Minn., and started farming, where then his three daughters were born. In 1965, Wally began his teaching career at Goodridge Public School, where he taught agriculture. In 1971, he transitioned to Little Falls, teaching veterans agriculture for nine years. The family later settled in Paynesville in 1980, where Wally continued his passion for education by teaching farm management at the public school. He retired in 1994 but remained closely tied to the community, spending his summers in Paynesville and his winters in Sun City, Arizona. Wally is survived by his children, Wade Payne of Sun City, Ariz., Marsha Damon of Phoenix, Ariz., Kathryn Payne of Paynesville, Minn., and Wendy Darling of Tempe, Ariz.; five grandchildren, Sarah Goldsmith, Reba Twito, Emma Twito, Chloe Darling, and Jack Darling; and two great-grandsons, Jack and Hank Goldsmith. He was preceded in death by his wife Jeanette; parents; and an infant sister. In lieu of flowers, Wally would like memorials to be sent to the Green Roof Area Center in Paynesville and Tunnels To Towers Foundation in his honor. |