News Headlines for October 25, 2026

FREDERICKSBURG — Lana Rae Nelson, 78, of Fredericksburg, died October 23, 2026, at UnityPoint Health–Allen Hospital in Waterloo, leaving friends with warm memories of time spent traveling together and visiting close to home.

Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, October 26, at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in Fredericksburg. Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Scott Smith officiating. Burial will take place at West Fork Cemetery in rural Dougherty.

ESTHERVILLE — Lester Bernard Thompson, 95, died peacefully October 23, 2026, at Parc Hall in Emmetsburg, leaving a family who shared his humor, his love of Minnesota sports and his pride in generations of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, October 29, 2026, at Henry-Olson Funeral Chapel, 401 N. Seventh St. in Estherville. Funeral services will follow at 1:30 p.m. at the chapel. His final resting place will be East Side Cemetery in Estherville.

MASON CITY — Carolyn Mae Berding, 82, of Mason City, died October 22, 2026, at Rockwell Nursing Home under the care of St. Croix Hospice, leaving a family that treasured her kindness and a community she served through 33 years of work at Mercy Hospital.

Visitation will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Monday, October 26, at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third Street NE in Mason City. The funeral service will begin at 1 p.m., with the Rev. Jani Dahlin of St. Croix Hospice officiating. Burial will follow at Rock Grove Cemetery in Nora Springs.

SUMNER — Shirley Ann Neighbors, 82, of Sumner, died October 22, 2026, at Hillcrest Home in Sumner, leaving a family whose lives spanned generations and a story that took her from rural Iowa to Washington, D.C., Cuba and the Florida Keys before bringing her home again.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 27, at Becker & Son Funeral Home, 111 W. 5th Street in Sumner. Graveside services will follow at 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 28, at Wilson Grove Cemetery in rural Sumner. Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.

ALGONA — Gary Lee Miller, 73, of Algona, died October 21, 2026, at Kossuth Regional Health Center, leaving family and friends with memories of a man who devoted nearly five decades to his work and enjoyed sharing the vegetables he grew.

Visitation will be held Monday, October 26, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Lentz Funeral Home, 403 E. McGregor Street in Algona. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Algona. Lentz Funeral Home of Algona is handling arrangements.