Obituaries from the week of December 22, 1999Headlight Herald - Serving Tracy, Minnesota, since 1880

Minnie Sass, 96

Services were held Friday, Dec. 17, 1999 for Minnie Sass at Tracy Lutheran Church, Tracy, MN. Ministers were Rev. Stephen Olson and Rev. Marlene Elmstrom. Organist was Richard Stelter with James Meyer as soloist.

Casket bearers were Joseph Getzel, Douglas Getzel, Russell Gerdes, Cecil Paulson, Cleo Schreier and LeMoine Meyer.

Minnie Getzel Sass was born December 29, 1902 in Belfast Township of Murray County Minnesota, to Joseph and Rosa (Petsel) Getzel.

Minnie grew up in the Fulda area and attended rural public schools. On September 18, 1925, she was married to John Sass at Fulda, MN. They farmed in the Garvin and Tracy areas until 1961 when they moved into Tracy.

Minnie was an immaculate housekeeper and did housecleaning for several Tracy families.

She was a member of Tracy Lutheran Church and lifelong member of the Tracy VFW Auxiliary #871.

Minnie enjoyed playing cards and visiting with her family.

She died on Saturday, December 11, 1999 at her home in Tracy, at the age of 96 years.

Minnie is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Bonnie and Dick Meyer of Audubon, MN; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Her parents, husband, two sons, six sisters and three brothers preceded her in death.

Interment was in Tracy City Cemetery with Almlie Funeral Home, Tracy, handling arrangements.

James L. Towne, 80

Funeral services were held for James Towne, 80, at First Congregational Church in Garvin, Minnesota on Saturday, Dec. 18, 1999. Minister was Rev. Edsel Miller. Organist was Doreen Brock with Jerry Engesser as soloist.

Honorary bearers were his great-grandchildren Ronald Towne, Jennifer Dobias, Andrew Dobias, Elizabeth Towne, Victoria Dobias, Xavier Towne and Taylor Eisfeld. Casket bearers were James Towne, Anton Towne, Roy Towne, Jessie Towne, Mark Dobias and Tom Eisfeld.

James Leo Towne was born January 29, 1919 in Custer Township of Lyon County Minnesota to Vernon and Anna (Kelson) Towne. He attended school at District #85. Jim lived in the Balaton-Garvin area all his life. As a young man he farmed with his parents and on September 25, 1942, Jim and Helen Greenfield were married at the Balaton Methodist Church. Their home was the family farm where they have lived for 57 years. They had three children, Ronald, Nancy and Jerry. Jim farmed until retiring in 1993.

Jim was very active in the community and was a member of the Garvin Sportsman Club and had served as treasurer of District #83 school board. In 1979, Jim and Helen received the Good Citizen Award of Balaton.

If Jim wasn't out in the field, he could be found fishing, hunting or playing cards with family and friends.

In failing health he had just become a resident of the Prairie View Healthcare Center in Tracy on December 1st and it was there that he died on Thursday, December 16, 1999, at the age of 80 years.

Jim is survived by his wife, Helen; daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Ken Kuk of Excelsior, MN; son and daughter-in-law, Jerry and Connie Towne of Balaton, MN; daughter-in-law, Linda Towne of Garvin, MN; grandchildren, Dana and Melissa Kuk, James and wife Marjean Towne, Lisa and husband Mark Dobias, Jessie Towne, Anton and Nichole Towne; one brother Glenn Towne Robbinsdale, MN; seven great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

His parents, one son, Ronald, two brothers, one sister and one great-granddaughter, Chazinne Jo, preceded him in death.

Interment was at Lakeside Cemetery, Balaton, MN with Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy in charge of arrangements.

Davis Christenson, 101

Funeral services were conducted last month for Davis Christenson, who taught at Tracy High School during the 1930s and '40s.

Christenson died in Winona Nov. 15, 1999, at the age of 101. He taught high school industrial arts in Tracy from 1935 until 1943.

Christenson was born, June 20, 1898, in New Richland, the third of four children born to Kala (Halvorson) and Christian Erik Christenson. He was graduated from New Richland High School in 1917 and studied industrial arts and coaching at Stout State in Menomonie, Wisconsin. He joined the student army, in preparation for activation into the regular army after completion of his studies. But World War I ended before he was sent overseas.

He married Lydia Anderson on August 24, 1921, in the LeSueur River Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Richland. He taught school in Spring Valley from 1921 until 1935 until coming to Tracy. He later taught at Red Wing and Winona, also coaching football and basketball.

After retirement from teaching, he became a substitute teacher, which he continued until the age of 81. He took up golfing at the age of 66, an activity he continued until the age of 92.

He was a member of Central Lutheran Church, the Masons, the Scottish Rite and the American Legion. A resident of the Watkins Home at the time of his death, he was honored Nov. 11 at the unveiling of a World War I monument at Lake Park in Winona.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, an infant son, and Lydia, his wife of 75 years.

He is survived by his son, David, and wife Margaret; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Burial was at St. Olaf Cemetery in New Richland.

Archie G. Johnson, 80

Services for Archie G. Johnson will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 22, 1999 at Almlie Funeral Home in Balaton, Minnesota.

Archie died on Saturday, December 18, 1999 at the Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 80 years.

Officiating the services will be Pastor Mike Nelson. Organist is Cindy Ordemann and music by Linda & Edward Haag

Casket bearers are Edward Haag, Joe Genzler, Gary Kalass, Dennis Wessels, John Steele and Robert Nordeen

Interment will be held at Lakeside Cemetery, Balaton, Minnesota. Almlie Funeral Home of Balaton is in charge of arrangements.

Archie Glen Johnson was born August 5, 1919 to George and Myrtle (Blanchard) Johnson in Rock Lake Township of Lyon County, Minnesota. Archie was born and grew up on the family farm. He attended Balaton Public Schools and graduated from Balaton High School in 1940.

He was married to Luella Lewis on May 9, 1945 at Marshall, MN. They made their home on the family farm where he farmed until the late 1950s. In 1951, they started the Johnson Poultry Processing Plant on their farm, which they operated for 32 years and retired in 1984. Archie continued to be active with his son in the Electric Motor Repair business until his death.

Archie was a member of the Victory Christian Church of Balaton. He was a kind and loving husband, father and grandfather. His enjoyments included working with electronics, building and motor repair.

He is survived by his wife, Luella; one son, Michael and wife Linda of Balaton; two daughters and their husbands, Linda and Edward Haag of Marshall, Lanelle and Joe Genzler of Garvin; one brother, Ralph of Marshall; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.