Local News

Charlene (Rasmussen) Holes, 89

Charlene (Rasmussen) Holes, 89, of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, and a longtime resident of St. Cloud, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on May 9, 2026.

Born August 8, 1936, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Arnold and Agnes Rasmussen, Charlene grew up on a family farm near Harcourt, Iowa, just outside Fort Dodge. Her childhood was shaped by the simple joys and hard work of rural life. She attended a one-room schoolhouse and formed lifelong friendships rooted in loyalty and kindness. Her sister Penny fondly recalled how, at only three or four years old, Charlene was so eager to begin her education at that schoolhouse that she walked nearly a mile across the fields alone to start.

From an early age, Charlene’s character was unmistakable: hardworking and quietly determined. As a teenager detasseling corn for 60 cents an hour, she quickly earned a promotion to field manager — an early sign of the responsibility and steady leadership that would define her throughout her life.

A gifted student, Charlene graduated from high school at 16. Inspired by her cousin Helen, a nurse whose crisp white uniform made a strong impression, she decided to pursue nursing. Her mother, Agnes, diligently saved money by selling eggs to neighbors so Charlene could attend training at Iowa Lutheran Hospital. There, she met the love of her life, Bill, on a blind date. They quickly fell in love and married soon after.

Together they built a life in St. Cloud, Minnesota, raising four children and creating a home filled with warmth, faith, encouragement, and unconditional love. Charlene often described those years as “the best time of my life.” More than anything else, she loved being a mother and grandmother.

Charlene had a special gift for making others feel seen, safe, and cared for. She could sense when someone was struggling before they even spoke, and she quietly offered comfort, encouragement, or practical help. Whether through handwritten letters, thoughtfully chosen cards, or simple acts of service, she stayed deeply connected to family and friends throughout her life. People could always count on her steady, unwavering support.

Her faith in Jesus Christ guided every part of her life. A devoted member of Glen Ellyn Bible Church, Charlene lived out her faith not only in words, but in daily acts of compassion, generosity, humility, and service. She taught her children to trust in the Lord through nightly prayers, gentle guidance, and the example of her own steadfast faith. She strongly believed in encouraging others and quietly easing their burdens.

Charlene dedicated herself to her family, church, and community. Over the years, she served as a Sunday School teacher, Cub Scout den mother, PTA officer, certified United States Ski Association official, and volunteered in many other roles. In 1976, she chaired the May Bowl fundraiser that benefited local colleges. During the 1970s and early 1980s, she also served as a director of the Minnesota State Automobile Association.

Later in life, after a 32-year hiatus from nursing, Charlene recertified and spent 23 meaningful years working as a hospice nurse. It was work that fit her perfectly. Patients and families experienced not only her skill, but also her gentleness, patience, and deep compassion during some of life’s hardest moments.

Above all, Charlene will be remembered not for her accomplishments or recognition, but for how she loved people. She remembered birthdays and milestones, stayed in touch faithfully, and made people feel valued wherever they were. Her quiet strength, humility, and unwavering devotion to family and friends left a lasting mark on everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Charlene was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bill, and her parents, Arnold and Agnes Rasmussen.

She is survived by her children: Brad (Nancy) of Saint Charles, Illinois, with grandchild, Christa; Todd of Glen Ellyn, Illinois; Shawn (Lisa) with grandchildren Eliza, William, Logan, and Mazie; and Susan (Brian) of Cooperstown, New York, with grandsons Brayden and Declan. She was also blessed with four great-grandchildren.

Her legacy lives on in the values she passed to others: faith, kindness, generosity, loyalty, compassion, and unconditional love.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 22, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Benson Funeral Home in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, May 23, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in St. Cloud, Minnesota, followed by a light lunch.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be sent to Glen Ellyn Bible Church, Glen Ellyn, Illinois, in honor of Charlene’s membership there, and her lifelong faith and compassionate service to others.

George Allan Anderson, age 96

George Allan Anderson, age 96, died May 1, 2026. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 15th at United Methodist Church, Gowrie. Visitation will be one hour prior, at the church, with internment following the service at the Gowrie Township Cemetery. Luncheon will follow at the church. Laufersweiler’s Palmer & Sons Funeral Home of Gowrie is serving the family.

George Anderson was born March 11, 1930, in Newman Grove, Nebraska, the son of Clarence E. and Wyllma Ruth Knapp Anderson. He attended school there and in Denison, Lytton, Yetter, and Gowrie, Iowa, and graduated from Gowrie Consolidated High School in 1947. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1948 and trained as an Air Controlman before he was appointed Midshipman in1949.

George attended Missouri University as a Midshipman, graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a BA (with Distinction) in History and was commissioned as an ensign in the U. S. Navy. He served in the Pacific as Assistant Navigator on the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany during the Korean War and later on the carrier USS Bon Homme Richard. George also received a Certificate in Political Economics from the University of Copenhagen where he was a Fulbright Scholar, studied labor economics at American University and George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and received a Master of Science in Education from the University of Southern California.

ln 1952 George married his high school classmate, Eleanor F. Pohl.

After his naval service, George joined the US Diplomatic Service in 1956. Overseas, he served as a labor, political and economic specialist at US Embassies in Copenhagen (1957-59), Oslo (1963-67), Brussels (1971-74), and Vienna (1974-1979), and as military-political affairs officer from 1968 to 1969 at the US Embassy in Saigon, Vietnam. While In D.C. (1960-63) he edited President Eisenhower’s Top Secret Daily Brief and then supervised European and Soviet Affairs in the Secretariat of Secretary of State Dean Rusk. Later, (1970-71) he joined Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird’s Vietnam Task Force at the Pentagon, receiving the Secretary of Defense’s Meritorious Civilian Service Medal, the highest award for civilian service at the Defense Department,.

Retiring from the Foreign Service in 1980, George worked as Vice-President of United Technologies (Europe) in Brussels, Belgium, then as President of Widcom International, for which he oversaw the marketing in Europe and the Middle East of the world’s first Videophones. He returned to the United States in 1987 where he joined the Arizona State Legislature’s Auditor General’s Performance Audit Division. 

After retiring in 1997, George and Eleanor divided their time between their homes in Gowrie and South Carolina, enjoying traveling and visiting far-flung friends for several years. In their eighties, they chose to simplify their lives, settling permanently in Gowrie where they had maintained a home and close connections with lifelong friends and family. They remained deeply involved in their church and community until relocating to Friendship Haven in February 2025.

George was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Eleanor, his parents, and by his brothers, Clarence Jr., Ruel, and Albert, and his sisters, Alyce, Betty, and Ardell. He is survived by five children, Travis, Miles, Greta, Jon and Grant, fifteen grandchildren and seven (soon ten) great-grandchildren, by his sister-in-law, Avis Pohl of Ames, and by many nieces and nephews.

Jennifer Sue Sorenson Morrill, 80

Jennifer Sue Sorenson Morrill, aged 80, went to be home with the Lord on March 4, 2026, after a long health battle. She passed away peacefully, in her sleep, on her birthday. Being with her Lord and Savior Jesus - what a wonderful birthday present for her.

She was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and grew up on a farm with her three sisters. She later graduated from Luther College in Iowa, where she met her future husband, Bill Saetveit. They married in 1968, moved to Indiana, and then to Denver, Colorado.

Jennifer was a stay-at-home mom to two beautiful daughters, Amy and Stacy. She then eventually worked as an Administrative Professional in the Pulmonary Division at the University of Colorado Medical Center. 

She is survived by her two daughters: Amy and Stacy; her four grandchildren: Logan, Blake, Simon and Alex; her two sisters: Jeri Peffer and Jane Mosher; and many other loved ones. She is preceded in death by her parents Alvin and Bethel Sorenson, and her sister Judy Sorenson Paski.

Jennifer enjoyed time with family, traveling, sewing, painting, and other crafts, and loved shopping on QVC!

The family will be having a small, private service, and thanks you in advance for your thoughts and prayers.

If so led, those wishing to honor Jennifer’s life can make a donation to the Alzheimer’s research organization of their choice.