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Obituaries from the week of May 3, 2000, Headlight Herald - Serving Tracy, Minnesota, since 1880

Sonia Ruthenbeck

Sonia M. Peterson (Sunny) was born on August 5, 1930 in Valley City, North Dakota, and spent her formative years in Walnut Grove, Minnesota. In 1952, she married Richard (Dick) Ruthenbeck from Tracy, Minnesota. Sunny was a school teacher during the early years of their marriage, teaching elementary school. She put her teaching on hold to raise three children with Dick. Mark was born in 1956, Pete was born in 1958 and Heidi was adopted in 1961.

Sunny and Dick moved their family several times over the course of Dick's career. They lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Paltine, Illinois; Rochester, New York; Downers Grove, Illinois and Minnetonka, Minnesota. Sunny and Dick then moved to “the Lake” where Sunny spent many wonderful times. They were always on the move and went on to Colorado Springs, Colorado; Roswell, Georgia and family ended up in Sun City West. They have made Sun City West their home since 1988.

Sunny loved being involved in Rhythm Tappers, Jazzercise, golfing and volunteer work. She and Dick loved traveling throughout the U.S. to visit friends and relatives and also made a few trips abroad. Her most cherished moments were spent with her children and grandchildren.

Sonia passed away on Saturday April 15, 2000 in Sun City West Arizona. Funeral services were held Wednesday, April 19.

Evelyn H. Schentzel, 87

Funeral services were held for Evelyn H. Schentzel on Friday, April 28, 2000 at St. Peter's Ev. Lutheran Church in Balaton. Minister was Rev. Mark Zander with Gloria Arndt as soloist and Lovilla Schlenker as organist.

Casket bearers were her grandchildren: Kevin Schentzel, Kenneth Schentzel, Craig Schentzel, Steven Schentzel, Christopher Schentzel, Kurt Schentzel, Kristen Schentzel, Denise Hanson, Stephanie Hansen, Ruthie Schentzel and Mark Schentzel.

Honorary pallbearers were: Frank Post, Dean Mitzner, Lawrence Wichmann, Don Wheeler, Bud Wirtzes, Newton Dayland, Dale Johnson and Bob Walter. Honorary relative pallbearers were: Duane Pagel, Ewald Pagel, Kennety Schultz, David Schultz, Bob Schrupp, Don Schrupp, Edwards Schentzel and Allen Joosten.

Evelyn Hulda Schrupp was born August 19, 1912 to Carl (Charlie) and Hannah (Stelter) Schrupp at Cottonwood, MN. She attended public schools and graduated from Balaton High School. She then attended Tracy Normal Teacher's School for one year.

Evelyn was married to Adolph Schentzel on June 2, 1935 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Balaton. They made their home on the Schentzel family farm west of Balaton until retirement and then purchased her mother's home in Balaton.

Evelyn was baptized at St. John's Lutheran Church in Wood Lake, MN and reaffirmed her baptismal covenant in the Rite of Confirmation at Christ Lutheran Church in Marshall. She was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Balaton and a member of the St. Peter's Lutheran Church Women.

Evelyn was a loving mother and grandmother and was active in the 4-H Clubs when her children were young. An excellent baker she won blue ribbons at the county fair on her Angel Food Cake entries. Evelyn enjoyed sewing quilts for her grandchildren, gardening, traveling, needlepoint, reading and her family.

Evelyn became a resident of the Colonial Manor Nursing Home in May 1997 and it was there that she died on Saturday, April 22nd at the age of 87 years.

She is survived by four sons and spouses, Dean and Elaine of Alpha, Dennis and Jean of Canby, Darwin of Balaton, Darrel and Linda of Blaine; one daughter, Delores Tolhurst of Burnsville; two brothers, Reuben Schrupp of Marshall and Orville Schrupp of Tyler; two sisters, Leona Schultz of Marshall and Rose Obrokta of Floodwood; 11 grandchildren; 5 step-grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren and 18 step-great-grandchildren.

Her parents, husband, one brother, Eugene Johnson, one sister, Elda Pagel, one daughter-in-law, Myrna and one son-in-law, Fred Tolhurst, preceded her in death.

Interment was at St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery in Balaton with Almlie Funeral Home of Balaton handling arrangements.

Memorials may be given to Lyon County American Heart Assoc. or Lyon County Cancer Fund.

Jesse Swift, 78

Funeral Services for Jesse Swift, 78, of Sioux Falls, formerly of Russell, Minnesota, were held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 2, 2000 at the Russell Presbyterian Church in Russell with Reverend William Yueill officiating.

Burial was in the Bethel Cemetery, rural Garvin, Minnesota. The Congregation sang “In The Garden”. Carla Swift sang “Just As I Am” and “Have Tine Own Way”. Myra Kronke was the organist.

The honorary casketbearers are Charlie Colburn, Paul Van Alstine, Jerry Engesser, Patrick Swift, Calvin Medinger, Steve Swift, and Alan “Pete” Hansen. The active casketbearers are Doug Swift, Mark Swift, Jeff Swift, Philip Swift, Paul Swift, Jerald Swift.

Mr. Swift died on Saturday, April 29, 2000 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Jesse Swift was born on January 26, 1922, to Sayle and Mary (Withrow) Swift, in Lake Crystal, Minnesota. Throughout his childhood he lived in rural Marshall, Garvin, Lynd, and Tracy. He left home at the age of 18 and worked in Florida, Idaho, and Washington, before joining the Marine Corps in 1942.

He was stationed in the South Pacific as a weapons instructor. Before his honorable discharge in 1945, he was a member of the Honor Guard for the funeral of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

He and Nona Gail Coyle were married on December 7, 1956, in Lemon Grove, California. Jesse worked as a crane operator in San Diego for 20 years. When he retired in 1973, they moved to Russell. After working at various jobs, he retired again in 1983 and moved to Marshall in 1985. In 1989 they moved to Rochester and then to Sioux Falls in 1992, where Jesse lived until his death. Beginning in 1993, he enjoyed living in Yuma, Arizona during the winters. He was a member of the Russell Presbyterian Church, the American Legion Post #113, and the V.F.W. Post #742. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, long drives in the country, and crossword puzzles.

Survivors include his wife, Nona; three daughters: Carrie and Rick Hansen of Marshall, and their children Emily and Renae, Melinda and Mark Buss of Marshall and their children Jesse, Spencer, and Scott, and Shelly and Verlin Ritchie of Sioux Falls, and their children Brett and Erica; one brother, Dayle (Jeanene) Swift of Russell; and by many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers: Raymond and Cecil.

Birk Funeral Home of Marshall handled arrangements.

Leslie Hook, 94

Funeral services for Leslie Hook, 94, were conducted at Sheridan, Oregon. He died April 18, 2000.

Hook was born Oct. 15, 1905 in Tracy. He farmed in Minnesota until 1947, when he moved to California. He was married in 1952.

He moved to Willamina in 1957, where he worked at a high school for five years. In 1962, he was custodial supervisor at Linfield College, retiring in 1971. He was custodial supervisor at Linfield College, retiring in 1971. He was a member of the elks and enjoyed repairing clocks.

Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Maria; daughter Anna Martinez of McMinnville; sons Curtis of Granada Hills, CA; Daryl of Chatsworth, CA; Tony of McMinnville and Bernard of Upland, CA; 18 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Interment was at Evergreen Memorial Park.