Obituaries from the week of April 19, 2000Headlight Herald - Serving Tracy, Minnesota, since 1880
Fern G. Clark, 88
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, April 18, 2000 for Fern G. Clark at the Tracy Alliance Church in Tracy, MN. Pastor Edsel Miller officiated. Organist was Debbie Miller with soloist Debbie Miller, Carol and Terry Flesner.
Casket bearers were Scott Furan, Gary Bruns, Jeff Addison, Kevin Nelson, Adam Addison and Tim Bjorklund.
Fern G. Clark was born January 15, 1912 in Knoxville, IA, Marion County to Charles and Nannie (Waits) Murphy. She attended the Knoxville Public School and worked as a housekeeper as a young woman.
On March 3, 1930, Fern married Dale Clark in Oscaloosa, IA. They made their home in Tracy, MN and Fern went to work for several different produce companies, including Peifer Produce, Steinberg Creamery and Tony Downs. Later, she took a position at the Tracy High School as a kitchen aid.
Fern was a founding member of the Tracy Alliance Church and she was very active in the church, serving as a Deaconess and teaching Sunday School, as well as, taking part in the church women's groups. Fern's personal hobby was her family. She loved to travel and visit each of them and especially enjoyed spending time with her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Fern is survived by four daughters, Betty and her husband, Donald Cowan of Shakopee, MN, Diane and her husband, Gene Addison of Brainerd, MN, Phyllis and her husband, Donald Furan of Donahue, IA and Nancy and her husband, Gary Garrels of Tracy, MN; two sons, Bob and his wife, Joyce of Hemet, CA and Keith and his wife, Marian of Sioux Falls, SD; one daughter-in-law, Shirley Clark of Huron, SD; 25 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Laveeda Stowell and Mae Umble both of Tracy, MN; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Her parents, husband, Dale, two sons, Dave and Dennis, one granddaughter, Donna, one grandson, Daniel, two brothers and one sister all preceded her in death.
Interment was in Tracy City Cemetery with Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy handling arrangements.
Lorena Eilefson, 99
Services for Lorena Katherine Eilefson, 99, of Walnut Grove were held on Thursday, April 13, 2000 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Walnut Grove, MN.
Lorena was born Aug. 1, 1900 in Milan, IL to John and Sarah (Marshall) Hart. The family moved to the Walnut Grove area when she was 4 years old. She received her formal education in Walnut Grove school and country school north of Revere until the 8th grade.
She and John Steinle were married November 11, 1918 in Walnut Grove. To this union was born one daughter. She later married Clarence “Babe” Eilefson. Mr. Eilefson passed away in 1981.
Lorena was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church in Walnut Grove. She enjoyed her yard and her home and going to the farm to watch the crops grow.
Mrs. Eilefson passed away on Monday, April 10, 2000 at her home.
Survivors include her daughter, Elvern “Tudy” Will of Walnut Grove; two granddaughters, Katherine (Harold) Vaupel of Westbrook, MN and Patricia (Cedric) Christensen of Milroy, MN; four great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Marian Hart of Storden.
She was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands and three brothers.
Interment was at St. Paul's Calvary Cemetery, Walnut Grove, MN with Jacobson Funeral Service handling arrangements.
Sonia Ruthenbeck
Sonia Peterson Ruthenbeck passed away on Saturday April 15, 2000 in Sun City West Arizona. Funeral services will be Wednesday, April 19.
She is married to Dick Ruthenbeck and was the daughter of Neil Peterson. Dick's address is 19610 Stardust Blvd., Sun City West, AZ, 85375.
A complete obituary will be printed at a later date.
Luverne Weedman, 72
Luverne C. “Weed” Weedman, 72, died on Friday, April 14, 2000 at The Columbus Center, Columbus, WI.
He was born on September 22, 1927 in Revere, MN to Earl and Margaret (Jones) Weedman. He was married to Mary Jette on May 26, 1947 in Tracy, MN.
Mr. Weedman served in the US Navy from 1945 to 1947; was a sales representative for Bruce Municipal Equipment in Menomonee Falls for 32 years, then owned and operated Badger Disposal in Columbus, WI. He was a member of St. Jerome Catholic Church, Columbus.
Survivors include his wife Mary of Columbus; two daughters Linda (Bob “Shep”) Shepard and Mary Beth (John) Nehmer both of Columbus; five sons, Jerry (Katie) of Wautoma, Bryan of Rio, Jim (Gail) of Cedarburg, Mike of Beaver Dam and Pat of Columbus; 18 grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one son Thomas in 1987; a brother Donald; three sisters Opal Schultz, Ruth Gremmert and Thelma Piecht.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, April 17, 2000 at St. Jerome Catholic Church, Columbus, WI. Rev. William Hower officiated. Interment was at St. Jerome Cemetery, Columbus.