Obituaries 09/24/26
Lynnae Bialke, 74
Lynnae Karin Bialke, 74 of Buffalo, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on September 17, 2026, at home surrounded by family.
Born on December 5, 1951, in Buffalo, Minnesota, to the late Gordy and Eileen Sjelin. Lynnae graduated from Buffalo High School in 1970. She dedicated 30+ years of her career to Carlson Company in Plymouth, Minnesota, where she was a committed digital design supervisor. She also dedicated 10 years to Randy’s Sanitation in Delano, Minnesota in customer service.
Lynnae was a dedicated mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend to many. Her grandchildren and so many others knew her as Grandma Nae. She spent many years supporting her three boys and grandchildren in the ice arena, attending concerts, school events, and other activities. She was an avid card player who always reminded everyone she played with there are no friends or family in cards! Lynnae faithfully attended The Journey Church and The Land of Promise, both in Buffalo, Minnesota.
Lynnae spent much of her free time with family and friends. She enjoyed going on various trips. One of her favorites was the yearly family camp trip to Lake Geneva Christian Center. Lynnae will be remembered for her strong faith, courage, kindness, generosity and love for others.
She is survived by her sons, Jeremy (Jen Stillday) Bialke, of Buffalo, Daniel (Amanda) Bialke, of Sartell; and daughter-in-law, Hester Bialke; her eight grandchildren, Cayden, Austyn, Teagan, Kenna, Kyler, Korra, Nolan, and Paisley; her siblings, Kurt (Kim) Sjelin, Kelly (Sally) Sjelin, Diane Small, and Denny Sjelin; Bonus daughters, Andrea Karsten and Rebecca Pomeroy; and many other beloved family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Ryan Bialke; and brother-in-law, Carl Small.
The family would like to send their sincere appreciation and gratitude to Centracare Hospice, especially her care team, Stephanie, RN, Leah, SW, and Brenda.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 26, at 12:00 p.m. at The Land of Promise in Buffalo, MN, located on the north side of Beebe Lake. In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to The Land of Promise, the C.O.P.S Organization, or Minnesota Teen Challenge, three organizations that Lynnae was very passionate about.
Jan Ferrell, 84
Jan Douglas Ferrell, of Waverly, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, September 6, 2026, after a short battle with cancer. He was 84.
Jan was born on May 2, 1942, to Douglas and Mary Ferrell. He grew up in Montrose, graduating from Buffalo High School in 1960. After high school, he attended The Dunwoody Institute for carpentry. He was then drafted into the U.S. Army. During his time of service, he was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. Jan began his long career of carpentry building houses in the private sector and ended it after 20-plus years as a master carpenter for the Three Rivers Park District.
He met the love of his life, Betty, at a dance at the Blue Note Ballroom in the mid-1960s. They were married in July of 1967. At the time of his death, they had been married for over 59 years. This marriage was blessed with five children, 12 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.
Jan was an avid fisherman and hunter, spending every fall with his sons and grandsons hunting deer at the “shack” in Northern Minnesota. He loved to watch the Twins and Vikings, hardly ever missing a game. When he wasn’t hunting or on lake somewhere, Jan could be found working in his garden, enjoying the backyard wildlife, giving his grandchildren and great-grandchildren ATV rides, playing cribbage, and camping. Whether it was a simple Sunday lunch or a week-long camping trip, nothing was more important to him than his family, and he looked forward to the time he spent with them.
Jan is preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, Phillip and Gertrude; his sister and brother-in-law, Bob and Mona Campbell; and by his daughter, Molly Bickmann.
Jan is survived by his loving wife, Betty; his son, Carey (Melinda) Ferrell; his daughters, Teresa (Mark) Mallak, Angie Ferrell (Mike Smothers), and Jennifer Robinson (Brandon Anderson). He is further survived by his grandchildren, Martin Mallak, Isabell (Cole) Willock, Emily (Joe) Shelton, Sean Ferrell, Travis (Payge) Bickmann, Ashley (Chris) Parks, Patrick Bickmann, Jr., Alex and Jacob Smothers, and Colton, Mclane, and Peyton Robinson; as well as his great-grandchildren, Madeysen, Mackenzie, Kenadee, Summer, Heather, Karlee, Kyzer, Zoey, Abigail, Huxley, and Haddie; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jan was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who was loved dearly and will truly be missed.
A private burial was held on Monday, September 14, 2026, at the Wright Family Cemetery.
Shane Harbinson, 53
“On September 18, 2026, Shane Mathew Harbinson, aged 53, formerly of Buffalo MN, sadly lost his heroic battle with cancer. A full obituary will follow later. No services. Thank you for your prayers. Sincerely, Nancy.”
Ronald Kofoed, 59
Ronald Scott Kofoed, age 59, of Buffalo, MN, passed away unexpectedly on September 17, 2026. He was born on January 2, 1967, in El Paso, Texas, the son of Dan and Janice Kofoed (now Kofoed-Middlestadt). He was baptized, raised, and confirmed in the Lutheran Church, living his entire life in Minnesota.
Ron graduated from Princeton High School in 1985 and graduated from the University of Minnesota at Morris in 1991 with degrees in English and Psychology. He worked for the last 20 years as a skilled drywall finisher in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Ron was very skilled with putting words together and was an avid reader his whole life. He also enjoyed making gourmet meals, beautifully presented, for his family. He really loved his nephews.
Ronald Scott believed that life was a gift to share and, like his brother, Douglas, was a generous organ donor, and therefore continues to do good in this world. His ashes will be laid to rest at the family plot in Saint John’s Lutheran Cemetery in Danville Township, Minnesota Lake, Minnesota.
He is survived by his mother, Janice Kofoed-Middlestadt; stepmother, Darlyn Kofoed; sister, Diane Kofoed (James Good); brother, James Kofoed (Ragan); and his nephews, Benjamin, Charles and Samuel; four stepsiblings and families.
He was preceded in death by his father, Dan Kofoed (July 29, 2026); and younger brother, Douglas Kofoed (January 30, 2022).
Ron will be deeply missed by his friends and family.
A memorial service will be held for Ron on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at Emmanual Lutheran Church, 1506 Main Street, Elk River, MN 55330. Visitation at 1:00 P.M. with the service beginning at 2:00 P.M.
The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Dawn Olson, 62
Dawn Murie Olson, age 62, of Buffalo, Minnesota, passed away on September 2, 2026, in Buffalo, Minnesota. She was born on June 16, 1964, in Minnetonka, Minnesota, the daughter of Leslie and Mary Ann (McQuarie) Olson. She was employed at Kid’s Haven Daycare.
Preceded in death by her parents, Leslie Eugene and Mary Ann Olson; and her son, Erich Scheie.
Dawn survived by her children, Andrew Scheie, Ian Scheie, and Jacob Scheie; grandchildren, Tessa, Aila, Avah, and Jasper; siblings: Doug Olson, Laine Olson, Draye Olson, and Larrane Olson Erickson.
A visitation will be held on Friday, September 25, 2026, from 2:00 P.M. until the time of services at the funeral home. A Memorial service for Dawn Olson will be held on Friday, September 25, 2026, at 3:00 P.M. at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo. Inurnment at Kreidler Cemetery will follow. The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo is serving the family. Online condolences can be directed to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Bob Rego, 71
Bob Rego, age 71, of St. Michael, Minnesota, died of complications of kidney disease on Saturday, September 12, 2026.
Robert Henry Rego was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on February 25th, 1955, to Agnes (Webber) Rego and Robert Rego.
The Rego family moved to Staples in 1965. Bob graduated Staples High School in 1973 and attended North Dakota State University on a football scholarship, majoring in Architecture.
Bob married his high school sweetheart, Susan LeVasseur, in 1975. After a camping trip to the North Shore, they left for West Berlin, Germany, where Susan was stationed at Tempelhof U.S. Air Force Base. Bob got a job with base supply and learned German from his co-workers there. In their free time, Bob and Sue enjoyed exploring Berlin and backpacking by train and ferry to Rome, Athens, London, Amsterdam, Frankfort, and Munich.
After returning to the States and finishing his degree and licensure, Bob started a 40-year career with an architecture firm in St. Louis Park that specialized in school design. He became a partner in 1987. He worked with dozens of school districts throughout the state including Buffalo, Monticello, Big Lake, Maple Lake, Delano, Cokato, and St. Michael. He retired in 2020.
In 1984, Bob and Sue moved to a hobby farm on the north shore of Ganz Lake in St. Michael to raise their family. He extensively remodeled their 1906 farmhouse. In retirement, he took up model railroading.
Bob is survived by his wife; their children, Katy (Adam) Cutter; Isaac (Hannah) Rego; and Ben (Kristy) Rego; sister, Jeanne (Greg) Severson; sister-in-law, Diane (Mike) Sauer; brother-in-law, Dave (DeAnna) LeVasseur; six grandchildren; and nine nieces and nephews.
The family thanks the skilled staff at Fresenius Kidney Care in Buffalo; the dedicated nurses at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids; and Jim from Schu-Tran, Kelly from Allina Home Health, and Shala and Stephanie from Comfort Keepers.
A memorial service is scheduled for Sunday, September 27, at 1 p.m. in the Monticello High School auditorium, 5225 School Blvd. in Monticello. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity.
