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Spring Valley News...2026

Vernon Raehsler, Age 85
Vernon Raehsler, 85, of River Falls, Wisconsin, died Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at Comforts of Home in River Falls.

Vern was born June 8, 1940, to Francis and Edna (Herum) Raehsler in Newport, Minnesota. He grew up and attended Spring Valley Schools, graduating with the Class of 1958.  He entered the U. S. Army in 1958 and served in Alaska and was later stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.  While in the service, Vernon married Sharon Krizan at the Presbyterian Church in Baldwin.  They were blessed with children Karen and Ernest.

He lived in Baldwin for about 15 years and then moved to the cities where he started his business  Vern’s Welding and Repair.  He was a self-taught Master Welder.  He lived in Bagley, Minnesota for several years and more recently moved to River Falls.

He loved fishing in Canada in the spring, gardening, specializing in tomatoes, cucumbers and cabbage and made homemade sauerkraut.

Vern was preceded in death by his parents; son Ernest, brother Marvin, and sister Ellen (Duane) Hall. He is survived by his daughter Karen (Robin) McCoy, grandchildren: Ellie (Nathan) Phillips, Tiffany, Laura Raehsler, Brianna, Meghan, and Ernest Raehsler Jr.;  great grandson Lincoln Phillips; along with other great grandchildren,  relatives and friends.

Visitation for Vernon will be on Saturday, January 17, 2026, from 10 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Keehr Funeral Home, Spring Valley. Memorial service will follow visitation on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the Keehr Funeral home. Military Honors will be performed by Rickerd-Danielson American Legion Post 227 of Spring Valley. Burial will be in Gilman Lutheran Cemetery, Spring Valley.

Sharon Wettleson Johnson, Age 90
Sharon Wettleson Johnson passed away on January 10, 2026. When her obituary is available it will be posted on this page.

Shirley Ann (Sorenson) Anderson, Age 97
Shirley Ann (Sorenson) Anderson, formerly of Hudson, WI passed away peacefully on Friday, January 9, 2026 just days shy of her 98th birthday.

Shirley was born to Henry and Myrtle Sorenson on January 14,  1928, one of nine children. She was baptized and later on confirmed at Gilman Lutheran Church where she remained active. Shirley grew up on the family farms in Gilman Township, Spring Valley, WI. She attended one room country schools in the area and then Gilman Center, where she attended Grades 7 and 8. In 1946 Shirley graduated from Spring Valley High School.

Shirley enjoyed farm life and was a hard working dedicated person to help her family with farming. After high school, she chose to stay on the farm to work.

On June 20, 1947, she married Orin Anderson, also of Spring Valley. After Orin was discharged from the military service, he took a job as Chief of Police for 25 years in Gurnee, Illinois.

While there, they raised their four children. Orin retired from his job and they moved to Hudson where they were part-time caretakers of Mar-Len Apartments and to be near Shirley’s parents. Orin passed away on July 18, 1977 of a heart condition.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents;  husband Orin Anderson; daughter Cynthia Anderson; brothers Harland, Wayne, Jim and David; sisters Donna Butts, Arlene Nelson and Judy Vanasse. She is survived by her sons Steven (Teri), Jeffery (Terry); daughter Lori (Jeffrey) Crownover; grandchildren Michelle, Tara, Steve Jr., Renee, Sean, Andrew, and Nicole; great-grandchildren Nicholas, Sophie, Isabelle, Grace, Kennedy, Jack, Lilly, Ben, and Jack; brother Rollin (Sue); sister-in-law Marlene Grace, Kennedy, Jack, Lilly, Ben, and Jack; brother Rollin (Sue); sister-in-law Marlene and first cousin Esther (Dick) Nelson.

Future arrangements will be made for a gravesite service at Gilman Lutheran Church Cemetery in Spring Valley, WI.