Notable Deaths In Minnesota: Remembering Those We Lost In 2025

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — As we prepare for a new year, we look back at the lives of those we lost in the last 12 months, saddened that they won't be around for what lies ahead in 2026. Here are just a few remembrances of notable people who died in 2025 with connections to Minnesota:

Tom Osthoff, 88

• Born November 8, 1936; died January 9, 2025
• Former Minnesota state representative.

Bob Kierlin, 85

• Born June 1, 1939; died February 10, 2025
• Fastenal co-founder, Minnesota businessman, and former state senator.

Terrance Robert Dolan, 63

• April 17, 1961; died March 29, 2025
• Minneapolis-area U.S. Bank executive who died in a plane crash.

Jim Marshall, 87

• Born December 30, 1937; died June 3, 2025
• Legendary Minnesota Vikings defensive end and member of the legendary "Purple People Eaters."

Don Samuelson, 92

• Born August 23, 1932; died June 6, 2025
• Former Minnesota Senate president and longtime state lawmaker.

Melissa Hortman, 55

• Born July 13, 1969; died June 14, 2025
• Former Minnesota House speaker and longtime DFL lawmaker killed in a targeted shooting.

Mark Hortman, 58

• November 30, 1966; died June 14, 2025
• Husband of Melissa Hortman, also killed in the same attack.

Fletcher Alexander Merkel, 8

• Born 2017; died August 27, 2025
• The 8-year-old child who was killed in a mass shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school.

Harper Lillian Moyski, 10

• Born 2015; died August 27, 2025
• The 10-year-old child was killed in the same Minneapolis church and school shooting.

Diane Wray Williams, 87

• Born January 23, 1938; died July 31, 2025
• Former Minnesota state representative and Moorhead City Council member.