The coronavirus has claimed its first victim in Steele County. 
“Sadly, a Steele County resident has passed away and the death has been attributed to the COVID-19 virus,” said Public Health Director Amy Caron.
She was notified about the death Thursday morning by the Minnesota Department of Public Health.

Mary Dee Ann Riege, 61 of Aurora, CO passed away June 15th 2020. She was born to Robert and Thelma (Kent) Johnson of Wasioja, and was the 8th child of 11 siblings.
Mary attended school in Kasson Minnesota and graduated with the class of 1977 and she loved attending her class reunions.

Jennifer Lou Petersburg, 90, of Owatonna, died Tuesday, June 23, 2020 at Foxdale Senior Living, Waseca.She was born Aug. 26, 1929 in Arkansaw, WI the daughter of Edward and Alta (Wagner) Chilson. After graduating from High School, Jennifer moved to the Twin Cities where she worked for Brown & Bigelow.

Ardis Marie Dengler, 80 of West Concord, died June 25, 2020 in Rochester. She was born July, 24, 1939, in Claremont, the daughter of Nels and Opal (Sack) Finne. Ardis attended school in West Concord and graduated in 1957. 

Last weekend a young boy and his mother visited Kasson. Usually, that doesn’t make headlines. However, this young boy’s name is (wait for it) Kasson. He came to Kasson, Minnesota to view our fair town for which he shares the name.
It’s not often that an individual has a name in common with a town. Think about it, I know of no one named Minneapolis, Owatonna, Waseca or Zimmerman, where Kasson lives with his family.

Diane Kay Smith, 67, of Geneva, died Saturday, June 27, 2020 at her home.

By now, everyone probably is aware of my love for the fairs. As many fair lovers are finding out this year, the COVID-19 pandemic is crimping our lifestyle for the summer.
On Saturday, I set out in the search of fair food to at least wet my appetite with some treats. I brought my oldest daughter and my parents along for the Drive-In Dairy Days at the Steele County Fairgrounds.

Our readers in Owatonna got a dose of the postal blues a couple weeks ago, most likely without even really noticing it except for a delay with their delivery.

Estelline “Esther” Mary Fischer of rural Blooming Prairie died June 14, 2020 at Homestead Hospice House in Owatonna.
A public visitation took place on Friday, June 19, 2020 at the Brick – Meger Funeral Home in Owatonna. Due to COVID-19 regulation, it is requested the public wear face masks. A private funeral took place at Holy Trinity Catholic Church at Litomysl.