Obituaries 02/12/26

Frances Hanson, 78

Frances Jeanne (Sharp) Hanson was born on June 11, 1947, in Detroit, MI, to Ruth Hollins Sharp and Leonard Francis Sharp.

She was the third of nine children. Fran grew up in Detroit, and after graduating high school, she took a job with the FBI working in the fingerprinting department and moved to Washington DC.

After a couple of years, she and her roommate decided to move to Colorado. They traveled first to Minneapolis, where they decided to stop temporarily and find work to raise funds for the rest of their move. But fate intervened, and they never left. A few years later, Fran ended up taking a job at Lerner Publishing. 

It was there that she would meet her future husband, Gerald L. (Jerry) Hanson. Jerry was in charge of Lerner’s new bindery area and was in the process of building a home for himself and his young daughter, Stacey, on Dean Lake in rural Buffalo. Fran and Jerry began dating and eventually married on May 11, 1974.  

In December of 1975, Fran gave birth to daughter, Heather, and left Lerner for her new career as a stay-at-home mom. In October of 1978, Fran and Jerry welcomed son, Shaun, and their family of five was complete. 

Fran stayed home and raised their family, and during that time she was a dedicated and selfless volunteer, generous with both her time and resources. She taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and volunteered in the nursery at Zion Church, volunteered for countless school field trips and track & field days, was a Cub Scout Leader, and a Girl Scout Leader who at one point led two troops, while also serving as the Service Unit Manager for Buffalo and Maple Lake. She was always looking for service projects for her scouts to do. Later, she also found time to volunteer with her friend, Karen, helping do crafts and lead field trips for the elderly at the nursing home. Fran was dedicated blood donor for decades and was disappointed whenever she was unable to donate. 

In 1992, Fran decided to return to work. She took a job at Cheese World, cutting and packaging gourmet cheeses. She enjoyed the people she met there and stayed for 16 years, eventually retiring to be Grandma and do daycare for her three youngest grandchildren.

Through all their years, Fran and Jerry loved to travel, they made several family RV trips all over the US and Canada. They vacationed with friends and sometimes traveled for business, making several trips to Europe. But Fran’s favorite place to go was Pensacola, Florida, where she made many trips to visit her brother and his family and enjoy the beautiful beaches. 

Jerry’s retirement brought new adventures, as he began looking for things to do. He and some fellow Corvette-owner friends founded the Route 55 Corvette Cruisers. Fran and Jerry were active members attending dinners, meetings, parades, and cruises with their friends from the club until Jerry’s passing in 2020. Although she missed Jerry terribly, Fran continued to participate in club events after his passing.

In recent years, Fran and her dear friend, Doris, joined the Red Hat Ladies club. They had fun attending luncheons and events with their new friends wearing their cute red hats! Fran, Doris, Doris’s daughter, Julie, (and sometimes Heather, too) were also Friday morning regulars at the cafe in Watertown where they loved to meet for breakfast.  

Fran loved gardening, crossword puzzles, reading her books, watching Hallmark movies, and the beautiful lake view she enjoyed from her living room and deck. But most of all, she loved her family. She lit up when the grand- and great-grandkids came over, and she loved talking to them. She enjoyed hosting holiday dinners, chatting on the phone with her sisters and brothers, and traveling back to Detroit to visit them. 

Fran received her angel wings and flew home to join Jerry on Thursday, January 22. 

She is survived by daughters, Stacey Hormann (Ken), Heather Cummings (Corey); and son, Shaun Hanson (Renee Molstad); nine grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren, as well as many other relatives and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth Hollins Sharp and Leonard Francis Sharp; husband of 46 years, Jerry; brothers, Leonard Sharp and Robert Sharp; and sister, Lynnde (Terri) Boggio.

Funeral Services provided by The Peterson Chapel. Visitation Thursday, February 19, 5-8 P.M. at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo. Funeral Services for Frances “Fran” Hanson will be held at Zion Church in Buffalo on Friday, February 20, with further visitation at 10:00 A.M., and Funeral Service at 11:00 A.M. with luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.

The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.

Joseph Klosowski, 20

Joseph “Joey” Michael Klosowski, age 20, of Buffalo, Minnesota, passed away unexpectedly on February 2, 2026, after complications from a recent illness. He was born on August 17, 2005, in Monticello, Minnesota, to Melissa Jahnssen and Seth Klosowski.

Joey was a 2024 graduate of Buffalo High School and was currently a student at St. Cloud State University, taking courses in information technology and business. He had a natural curiosity for how things worked and was especially drawn to computers. Joey built his own computer and spent countless hours rebuilding, repairing, and improving systems.

Friends and family were important to Joey. He enjoyed quality time spent together. He loved going to car shows with his cousin Ezra, PC gaming with his siblings and friends, thrifting with his mom, or spontaneous camping trips with his dad—simple moments that meant a great deal to him. He also had a great love of animals, especially his many family pets throughout his life.

Joey was also athletic; he played pickleball, soccer, wrestling, and volleyball. He also liked to cook and bake; he made the best fresh bread. He enjoyed gaming with friends and made many connections online. Most of all, he found peace being outdoors. Camping and hiking were among his favorite activities, with Lake Maria State Park holding a special place in his heart. One of his personal goals was to someday hike the Superior Hiking Trail and navigate a solo trip through the Boundary Waters.

Growing up, he faced challenges with his speech, but through determination and hard work, he became confident in giving speeches and a skilled debater. He was sweet, smart, kind, and deeply believed in human rights. Joey had an easy way about him and could get along with just about anyone. His trademark thumbs up and friendly smile will always be fondly remembered.

He is preceded in death by his grandpa, John McNeil; great-grandparents, Michael Fisher, Edna Sufka, Thomas and Anna McNeil.

Joey is survived by his mother, Melissa Jahnssen; father, Seth Klosowski; siblings, Jackson (McKenzie) Vliem and Jayden (Cameron) Vliem; grandma, Susan McNeil; grandpa, Richard (Deb) Klosowski; grandma, Beth Erickson; great-grandma, Marjorie “Tiny” Fisher; aunts and uncles, Maggie (Kanchan) McNeil, Matthew (Dani) McNeil, Jake (Amy) Klosowski, and Eric Klosowski.

Celebration of Life was held Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at The Peterson Chapel, 119 Central Avenue, Buffalo, MN. Visitation begins at 4:30 p.m. followed by a short funeral service at 6:30 p.m., where all are welcome to share their memories of Joey.

Arrangements have been entrusted to The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo. Online condolences for the family may be directed to www.thepetersonchapel.com.

Norma McNelis, 84

Norma Jean “Nory” (Strommer) McNelis

May 14, 1941 – February 4, 2026

With deep love and profound sadness, we announce the passing of Norma Jean “Nory” (Strommer) McNelis, who died peacefully on February 4, 2026, in Buffalo, Minnesota, with her son, Dr. Michael McNelis, and grandson, Collin McNelis, by her side.  

Nory was born on May 14, 1941, in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and grew up in Clearwater surrounded by the love of her parents, Margaret (Lowe) Strommer and Oscar Strommer, and her sister, Marjorie (Strommer) Carruth. She graduated from St. Cloud Tech High School in 1959 and went on to earn both her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and later her master’s degree from St. Cloud State University. A passionate and dedicated educator, Nory taught elementary school for nearly 20 years, spending most of her teaching career with third graders at Chaska Elementary until 1980. Her love for children, creativity, and natural warmth made her an exceptional teacher whose influence carried far beyond the classroom.    

In 1980, Nory embraced a new professional chapter, becoming a successful real estate agent in Mound, Minnesota. She built a thriving business and served her clients with integrity, enthusiasm, and an eye for possibility. She continued her real estate work until retiring in the early 2000s. Nory’s retirement allowed her to return fully to her lifelong artistic gifts. An immensely talented painter, she created and sold dozens of artworks—paintings and hand-painted silk scarves—at art shows and galleries across Minnesota and at her beloved winter home on Sanibel Island. Her work reflected her eye for beauty, her sensitivity to color, and her deep appreciation for the natural world. She had a special love for the outdoors, finding joy in fishing, time spent “up north” at the cabin, and quiet moments surrounded by nature, friends and family. These simple, cherished experiences remained close to her heart throughout her life. In her final years, Nory faced Lewy Body Dementia with courage and grace. She moved to Buffalo, Minnesota, in March 2024 to live with her son, and in March 2025 she transitioned to The Glenn Memory Care facility, where she received compassionate, loving care. 

Nory was preceded in death by her parents; her partner of 18 years, Dr. Richard Adams; two husbands, Donald Dill and John McNelis, and her infant daughter, Nancy Dill, who passed away at just three days old.   

She is survived by her son, Dr. Michael McNelis, and daughter in law, Dr. Teri McNelis; her sister, Marjorie Carruth; her grandchildren, Linda Warner, Collin McNelis, and Aidan McNelis; and her great grandchildren, Ingrid, Hugo, and Emery Warner—all of whom will carry her memory forward with love. She also leaves behind her niece, Julie Lange; nephew, Robert Carruth; and dear friends who were touched by her warmth, humor, generosity, and creativity.  

Nory’s life was rich with love, learning, artistry, and connection. Her gentle spirit, vibrant talent, and unwavering devotion to her family will be deeply missed and forever cherished.   

Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to  www.thepetersonchapel.com.

Aviana Rios, 23

Aviana Marie Rios, age 23, of Buffalo, MN, passed away on January 18, 2026.

Aviana was born the daughter of Antonio and Annette Smith on July 17, 2002, in Minneapolis, MN.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Annette Smith; aunt, Jewel Motis; grandpa, Joseph Smith.

She is survived by her father, Antonio Rios; grandma, Janette Motis; siblings, Juaquina Rios and Ricardo Hernandez; uncle, Robert Smith; also, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

Visitation will be held Friday, February 13, 2026, from 4:00 – 9:00 p.m. with prayers at 6:00 p.m. at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, MN.

Funeral service will be Saturday, February 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation continuing one hour prior to the service at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, MN.

Private family interment will be held at a later date.

Arrangements were entrusted to The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, MN.

Ruby Valenta, 98

Ruby Valenta, age 98, of Buffalo, passed away on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, in Fort Myers, Florida.

A Memorial Service for Ruby Valenta is pending at St. Francis Catholic Church in Buffalo.

The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.