Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes

11/04/2025

11/04/2025

Joan Kathryn Eidem

Joan Kathryn Eidem, age 92, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away Sunday, October 19, 2025, at Mayo Clinic Hospital Rochester, Methodist Campus. Joan was born September 17, 1933, to Otmar and Mae (Johnson) Molde in Kasson, Minnesota.

Joan attended rural schools in Dodge County and graduated from Kasson High School as salutatorian of her class in 1951. She completed the Teacher Training Program at the Southern Minnesota Normal College in Austin and later obtained a B.S. degree in elementary education from Winona State University. Joan’s 41-year teaching career began in one-room schools with grades one through eight before teaching in Dexter, Blooming Prairie, and the last 30 years in the Austin Public Schools before her retirement in 1993.

She married Peter Eidem in July, 1953, in the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa.

She was a member of the Austin Area Retired Educators Association (AAREA), the Southeast Retired Educators Association of Minnesota (SEREAM), the Retired Educators Association of Minnesota (REAM) and the Business and Professional Women’s Association (BPW).

Joan loved golf, her mornings were not complete until she had spent time reading the many newspapers she subscribed to, but most of all she loved road trips. During her retirement, trips led her several times north through Canada and on the ALCAN Highway to Alaska with her sisters and young nephews and niece. She cherished the extended stays in Alaska with her sister Ellen and her family. She was a steady touchstone for those who knew her. Joan’s thoughtfulness and generosity will live on in the memories of friends, students, and her family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Peter, parents, and sister Ellen King.

Joan is survived by her sister, LaVonne Molde of St. Paul, Minnesota; her nephews, Jay (Dianne) King of King Salmon, Alaska, Jon (Lori) King of Naknek, Alaska; niece, Jodi (Steve Goldman) King of Seattle, Washington; and grand niece and nephews Adam King, Austin King, Mason (Breanna) King, Miles (Kathryn) King, Conor King Goldman, and Tara King Goldman.

Memorials may be directed to Grace Lutheran Church, the Nicholas Monsen Jr. Scholarship Fund, PO Box 103, Naknek, AK 99633, or the organization of your choice.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Grace Lutheran Church in Austin with Pastor Matthew White officiating. Visitation will be at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service with a lunch to follow. Interment will be at West St. Olaf Lutheran Cemetery, rural Hayfield, following the lunch. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes of Austin are assisting the family with arrangements.

View Joan Kathryn Eidem's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

11/01/2025

All over the planet, many different cultures and peoples use flowers to honor and remember lost loved ones. But the flowers used can be different from place to place. Check out this article to learn more about funeral flowers around the world!

Funeral flowers vary around the world, but some are universal. Check out this article to learn more about funeral flowers around the world!

11/01/2025

Today's the day that we all gain an hour of sleep or stay up an hour later - your choice. Don't forget to turn your clocks back!

10/30/2025

Are you looking for some delectable, themed treats to delight the family this Halloween? Check out this collection of spooky and tasty treats that are sure to bring a smile and satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth!

Planning a fa-boo-lous party? Add these spooky Halloween desserts to your menu. We have ideas that are a little scary, a little sweet and a whole lot of fun.

10/30/2025

Barbara Jean Bellrichard

Barbara Jean (Nord) Bellrichard, age 78, passed away peacefully after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s on October 29, 2025, with her husband and their three children by her side.

Barb was born November 2, 1946, in Red Wing, Minnesota and raised in Austin, Minnesota, graduating from Austin High School in 1964. In 1964, while attending airline school, later leading to employment with Ozark Airlines, Barb met Bob, the love of her life, on a blind date – it was love at first sight for both and the beginning of a beautiful love story. They married on December 11, 1965, in Peoria, Illinois. In 1971, they moved back to Austin, Minnesota to raise their family.

Barb was defined as a beloved wife, mother, grandmother (aka Nanny), sister, and cherished friend. She displayed the most nurturing dedication to her family and giggly wit and sass that nobody will forget. Barb was an excellent knitter and an avid reader. She enjoyed taking walks, watching movies, playing board games, music, her granddogs, and, above all, summers at the lake.

Barb is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Robert Bellrichard; her children, DeEtte Betsinger (Paul) of Faribault, Minnesota, Dawn Webster (Jay) of Spring Valley, Minnesota, and Lucas Bellrichard (Krista) of St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin; grandchildren, Ashley Malecha (Mike) of Naples, Florida, Kellyn Webster of Columbia, Missouri, and Audrey Webster of Stevens Point, Wisconsin; siblings, Jim, David, Jeff and Terry Nord.

Barb was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Margaret Nord; and her sister, Patricia Joel.

A private funeral service will be held. Memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (ALZFDN.org). Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes of Austin are assisting the family with arrangements.

View Barbara Jean Bellrichard's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

10/28/2025

The time after losing a loved one can be full of confusion, stress, and unanswered questions.

That’s why creating a plan for your funeral ahead of time is such a blessing for your family! With a plan in place, your family will know your wishes and be better prepared for what lies ahead.

Don’t leaf your family without a plan! Call us at (507) 433-5000 to start planning ahead today.

10/27/2025

Susanne "Sue" Marie Bowman

Susanne M. Bowman, age 69, of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, passed away on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Good Samaritan Society – Comforcare, in Austin from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Susanne Marie Butler was born on July 29, 1956, in Austin, Minnesota to Robert and Louise (Schradle) Butler. She graduated from Blooming Prairie High School in 1974. Sue attended Austin Vo-Tech and graduated as a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1980. She began working at Prairie Manor Care Center and worked there for over 40 years until her retirement in 2022. On May 18, 1991, Sue married Brian Bowman at her home in Blooming Prairie. She enjoyed traveling, cruising, and watching movies both at home and in theatres with popcorn. Sue also loved getting manicures and pedicures with her daughters and grandchildren, playing cards with her son, Eric - especially rummy 500 and cribbage, and visits with her son, Bob. She had many fond memories of “shop till you drop” with her mom and sisters, Patty and Rosemary. Sue recently began attending Simply Church in Geneva with her daughter, Philina, and gave her life to Christ on August 7, 2025. She enjoyed having her hair brushed, had a great sense of humor, and liked sprinkling a few curse words in her conversations. Sue took great pride in being sober for 35 years. Most of all, she loved and cherished her grandchildren so much. We will love and miss her forever.

Sue is survived by her children, Philina (Monte) Pierce, Eric Cremeans, Bob Cremeans, and Maggie (Daniel) Willert; nine grandchildren, Sevin Cremeans, Cody (Kim) Cremeans, Brayann (Juan) Garcia, Brandon Pierce, Ryan (Raynee) Cremeans, Henry Willert, Maddie Pierce, Finn Willert, and Maisie Pierce; nine great-grandchildren; siblings, Robert (Barb) Butler, James (Linda) Butler, Patricia (Phil) Splett, Rosemary (Tom) Kephart, Edward (Tina) Butler, David Butler; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Louise Butler; husband, Brian Bowman; and brother, Jack Butler.

“Where are we going now, mom?”

-“Home, James”

The memorial service for Sue will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Simply Church in Geneva, Minnesota. The visitation will take place from 10:30-11:00 a.m. prior to the service at church. A private interment will be held at a later date in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Newry, Minnesota. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home of Blooming Prairie is assisting the family with arrangements.

View Susanne "Sue" Marie Bowman's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

10/27/2025

Duane Lewis Champlin

Duane Lewis Champlin, 70, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away on Friday, October 3rd, 2025, at his home in Austin with his loving wife and best friend, Julie by his side.

Duane was born November 1st, 1954, in Austin, Minnesota, to Ory Ann and Donald Champlin. A 1973 graduate of Austin High School, Duane devoted many years of his life to working at Hormel Foods Corporation, predominantly in the Transportation Department where he spent time on the phone directing trucks and joking with many of his colleagues who became life-long friends. On July 5th, 1980, he married the love of his life, Julie and they went on to devote their lives to loving and caring for each other for 45 years until his passing. Duane enjoyed fishing, hunting, and time outdoors. His adventures took him to lakes, land, and rivers all throughout the US and Canada. Duane’s love of the outdoors brought him fun, lots of laughs, a bit of debauchery, and connection with beloved friends and family. He loved to reminisce about his many adventures and was a true outdoorsman who celebrated the beauty of nature. Duane spent decades volunteering and working at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center where he shared his knowledge of wildlife, trees, and plants with visitors of all ages.

Another one of Duane’s greatest joys was his two daughters, Nicole and Lisa, and later in life, his six grandchildren. He loved watching them grow and was the proudest papa there ever was. Duane was a two-time kidney transplant recipient, receiving a kidney from two of his brothers, Doug in 1993 and David in 2011. Both were a perfect match, and their profound gift not only extended his life, but made them our family’s forever heroes.

Survivors include his wife, Julie; daughters, Nicole (Adam) Lorentz of Holmen, WI and Lisa (John) Trygstad of Lino Lakes, MN; his siblings, Jan (Dave) Wistrcill of Forest Lake, MN, Doug Champlin, David Champlin, sister-in-law, Judy Champlin of Austin, MN, in-laws, John and Laura Bridley of Santa Barbara, CA; his grandchildren, Weston, Carson, Jackson, Bode, Bear, and Scout, along with many nieces, nephews, and beloved family. Duane was preceded in death by his parents, Ory Ann and Donald Champlin; his brother, Daryl Champlin; and nephew, Evan.

Duane will be remembered for his hard-working, joke-filled and caring spirit. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, November 1st, 2025, at the Ruby Rupner Auditorium at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Come and join the celebration of life of this amazing husband, father, brother, son, and friend. We’d love to hear your stories and memories of Duane. So come reminisce, and celebrate the kind, funny, and devoted person he was. He will be missed so very much.

Our family would like to give special thanks to Mayo Hospice for their incredible care in his final days. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Friends of the Hormel Nature Center or donor’s choice. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes of Austin are assisting the family with arrangements.

View Duane Lewis Champlin's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

10/27/2025

Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home invites YOU to join our community in celebrating Day of the Dead!

On November 1, we will celebrate at our Austin location (1801 4th St NW) from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Our festivities will continue at the Paramount Theater with a community celebration of the Day of the Dead at 7:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

We hope to see you all there!

¡La Funeraria Worlein-Hoff te invita a unirte a nuestra comunidad para celebrar el Día de los Mu***os!

El 1 de noviembre celebraremos en nuestra ubicación de Austin (1801 4th St NW) de 3:00 p.m. a 7:00 p.m. Nuestras festividades continuarán en el Teatro Paramount con una celebración comunitaria del Día de los Mu***os a las 7:00 p.m. Las puertas abrirán a las 6:00 p.m.

¡Esperamos verlos a todos allí!