Obituaries 09/04/25
Gordon Brings Jr., 87
Gordon “Buck” Frank Brings Jr., age 87, of Buffalo, MN, passed away at his home, with family, on Friday, August 22, 2025.
Born July 3, 1938, in St. Paul, MN, to Goldie (Youngerman) Brings and Gordon Brings Sr.
While young, he lived in Minneapolis and then moved with family to Big Lake, MN, where he attended and graduated from Big Lake. He then attended St. Cloud State University for three years to become a teacher and coach. After student teaching, he decided that being a teacher in a classroom setting was not for him.
Buck married Anne (Bjellaness), the love of his life, on June 25, 1960, in Minneapolis. They moved to Buffalo shortly after marriage where they raised their five children.
Buck worked for several years selling cars for Eddie’s Body Shop in Waverly, MN. He then decided, at age 31, that a change in careers was a good choice. He then went to work for Clover Leaf Creamery (Marigold Foods, Kemps) as a maintenance mechanic where he remained for 30 years. He loved working on cars, trucks, and small engines in his beloved shed at home.
He was so happy to coach his children in Little Guy Football and Little Guy Baseball, as well as watching his children and grandchildren play in their sports.
His greatest pleasure was fishing and hunting with his children, grandchildren, and their friends.
Buck and Anne traveled the U.S. and several foreign countries together with Anne’s sister and her husband. His two favorite places were Valdez, AK, and Dunderlansdalen, Norway.
Preceded in death by his parents, Goldie and Gordon Brings; and three brothers, Owen, Darrell, and Rex Brings.
He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Anne; and their children, Cyndi (Bill) Holthaus, Steve (Dawn) Brings, Chris (Deb Vukelich) Brings, Mike (Carrie) Brings, and Jim (Melissa) Brings; grandchildren, Matt (Katie Washburn) Holthaus, Brian (Mariah) Holthaus, Brandon Holthaus, Cason Holthaus, Jenny (Tony) Goelz, Ashley (Henry) Nething, Wyatt (Averi Linz) Brings, Luke Brings, Nick Brings, Mariah (Austin) Ellefson and Hunter Brings; three expectant great-grandchildren; siblings, Janet (Al) Maus and Kent (Lynn) Brings; in-laws, Phyllis and Norman Prewitt; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
A Celebration of Buck’s Life will be held on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at Buffalo Covenant Church, 1601 MN-25, Buffalo, MN 55313. Visitation will be from 3-6 P.M., followed by a Memorial Service at 6:00 P.M., presided by family friend, Pastor Roger Eng.
In lieu of flowers or memorial gifts, the family would prefer you consider making a donation in Buck’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a not-for-profit, section 501(c)(3). Buck Loved children and was a proud donor to the organization. Your donation in his honor would be very meaningful to the family, and to Buck. Donations can be made by going to the online St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Memorial Donation Link.
Arrangements have been entrusted to The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo. Online condolences for the family may be directed to: Peterson Chapel – Gordon Brings
Mary Lou Helmbrecht, 77
Mary Lou Helmbrecht, age 77, of Buffalo, died Sunday, August 31, 2025, at her home.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 8, 2025, at St. Timothy Catholic Church with Fr. Kevin Magner as Celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Timothy Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9:00-10:30 a.m. at Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel, Maple Lake.
Mary Louise Helmbrecht was born on September 3, 1947, in St. Cloud, Minnesota, to William and Catherine (Smith) Helmbrecht. She spent her life in the same cherished home in rural Buffalo, where she built a life grounded in faith, family, and friends. She graduated with the Class of 1965 from Maple Lake High School.
Mary Lou worked at Buffalo Veneer and Plywood for 47 years where she retired as a supervisor and also served as the Carpenters Union steward. Mary Lou was a devoted and lifetime member of St. Timothy Catholic Church. She served faithfully with the Council of Catholic Women (CCW) and cherished the friendships and fellowship she found there.
Mary Lou found joy in baking, cooking, traveling (especially to Duluth), reading, gardening, and working on puzzles. She especially looked forward to Saturday coffee gatherings with her close-knit group of girlfriends, affectionately known as the “Coffee Clutch.” Family was at the heart of Mary Lou’s world. She loved attending the many events of her great-nieces and great-nephews, always clapping proudly from the sidelines. A new favorite of Mary Lou’s was dancing with her great-nephew, Trevor.
Mary Lou is survived by her brothers, Ralph Helmbrecht, of Annandale, and Greg (Debbie) Helmbrecht, of Maple Lake; sister-in-law, Sharon Helmbrecht (Dan Rassat), of Buffalo; nieces and nephews, Chantell (Chuck) Buschel, Brandon (Racheal) Helmbrecht, Andrea (Joel) Zwilling, William (Kaitlyn) Helmbrecht, Katie (Mike) Braun, Robert (Abigail) Helmbrecht, Joel (Whitney) Helmbrecht; great-nieces and great-nephews, Ethan, Olivia, Linsey, Trevor, Blair, Aria, Sawyer, Tucker, Hadleigh, Jack, Hailey, Hannah, Shayla, Charlie, Garrett, Skylee, Brayden, and Alannah. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Catherine; brother, Gary; nephew, Brian; sister-in-law, Nancy; and an infant brother and sister.
William, Robert, Brandon, and Joel Helmbrecht, Katie Braun, and Andrea Zwilling will serve as casket bearers.
Arrangements entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Maple Lake.
Obituary, Guestbook, Video Tribute and Funeral Webcast online at www.dingmannfuneral.com
Helen Skutley, 85
Helen Marlys Skutley, age 85, of Corcoran, passed away on Wednesday, August 20, 2025.
She was born in Winthrop on April 28th, 1940, the daughter of Einar and Irene (Nord) Olson.
On May 11, 1963, Helen Olson was joined in holy marriage to Lavern M. Skutley in Winthrop, Minnesota. God blessed their marriage with two daughters.
Helen was the church secretary for forty years at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hanover.
She started and ran the Hanover Area Food Shelf for many years.
In 2011, Helen received The Virginia McKnight Binger Award in Human Services.
The delight of her life was her family and grandchildren.
Survived by her loving husband of sixty-two years, Lavern “Skooter” Skutley; daughters, Nancy (Mike) Erwin and Sandra (Marc) Nevinski; eight grandchildren, Nicholas (Aleah) Erwin, Mitchell Erwin (Kayla), Jackson Erwin (Clara), Katrina Nevinski, Meghan Erwin, Zach Nevinski, Maria Nevinski, and Ben Nevinski; a sister, Delores (Charlie) Lemke; a sister-in-law, Donna Olson; remembered by her extended family along with countless friends whose lives she touched.
Preceded in death by parents; by a sister, Elaine Ewert; and brother, Larry Olson.
A Memorial service for Helen Skutley will be held on Saturday, September 6, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hanover.
Inurnment St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery in Hanover.
A visitation will be held on Friday, September 5, from 4-7 P.M. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hanover. Further visitation will be held at the church on Saturday morning, September 6, one hour prior to services.
The Peterson Chapel St. Michael-Albertville Funeral Home is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Marvin Streich, 80
Marvin Carl Streich, age 80, of Montrose, loving brother, uncle, great uncle entered eternal life with Jesus on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital.
Marvin was born 10 minutes after his sister, Marion, on Sunday, November 19, 1944, on the family farm south of Rasset, MN, to Adolph and Ella (nee Bartels) Streich.
He was baptized on December 17, 1944, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, in Middleville Township by Pastor J. H. Klausmeier. He was confirmed on May 26, 1957, by Pastor Werner Barlau. His confirmation verse was Psalm 37:5, “Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass.”
He graduated from Buffalo High School in 1962.
Marvin was drafted into the Army in December of 1967. He served in Vietnam during 1968 – 1969. He served in the Army for two years and was in the Army reserved for many years and was employed by the Reserve Unit in Arden Hils until his retirement in 2010.
Marv was a faithful member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Buffalo serving several positions over the years. He also started the Men’s choir at St. John’s.
Marv loved his family, always interested in their lives. Many remember him playing Santa Claus, he would call and sing on your birthday, and on Veteran’s Day he called and thanked the Veterans for their service. He enjoyed telling jokes and watching Minnesota Gopher football. When he met someone, he wanted to know about them.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Adolph and Ella Streich; brother and sister-in-law, Reuben and Joan Streich; brothers-in-law, Ron and Don Loch; nephew, Bradley Streich; and by a niece, Angela Wagner.
Survived by his siblings, Alvin (Jackie) Streich, Dorothy Loch, Marion Loch, Donald (Von) Streich, and Janet (Ed) Swingley; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends; and former, wife Renee Lanz.
A visitation will be held on Friday, September 5, AT THE CHURCH from 9-11:00 A.M.
Funeral service for Marvin Streich will be held on Friday, September 5 at 11:00 A.M. at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Buffalo. Pastor Chris Ryan will officiate.
Interment with military rites will follow at 2:00 P.M. at Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery in Middleville Township, Wright County, MN.
Casket Bearers will be Mike Loch, David Loch, Lucas Swingley, Brian Streich, Bruce Streich, Caleb Streich, and Nathan Streich.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be gifted to Lutheran Schools at St. John’s.
The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
