Obituaries from the week of June 7, 2000 Headlight Herald - Serving Tracy, Minnesota, since 1880

Linda Eilersen, 59

Surrounded by her beloved family, Linda Rogers Eilersen died peacefully at home Friday June 2 after a heroic battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born in Minnesota in 1941, Linda had been a Roseville area resident since 1972. Her husband Hal; three sons, Toby Island and his wife Melanie, Tim Island and his wife Kim and Keir Eilersen; two sisters, Ann Ellingboe and Mary Gillespie; and a brother, Art Rogers, survive her.

Linda was infinitely devoted to her family. She was a consummate teacher, enriching the lives and learning of students, parents, and colleagues during her fourteen years as a 3rd grade teacher at Sergeant School.

Linda's passions were her family, parenting, teaching and her treasured friends. She served them all wonderfully and leaves a lasting impact.

A memorial will be held Friday, June 9 at her home. Donations in Linda's memory may be made to the Sargeant School Library, 1200 Ridgecrest Way, Roseville, CA 95661.

Lorraine Giersdorf, 71

Services for Lorraine Giersdorf of Walnut Grove will be at 11 a.m. Friday, June 9 at the Walnut Grove United Methodist Church with burial in the Walnut Grove Cemetery.

Visitation is from 4-8 p.m. Thursday at the Jacobson Funeral Home in Walnut Grove and one hour prior to the services at the church.

Mrs. Giersdorf died Monday, June 5, 2000 at the Bethesda Lutheran Nursing Home in South St. Paul.

A complete obituary will be published at a later date.

Leonard Petersen, 57

Services will be held for Leonard Hans Petersen on Saturday, June 10, 2000, 11 a.m. at Lamberton Community Center in Lamberton, MN. Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday at the Lamberton Community Center.

Leonard Hans Petersen was born March 3, 1943 to Arnold and Lavonne (Reisen) Petersen in Springfield, MN. He grew up in the Lamberton area and attended Lamberton and Walnut Grove Public Schools. He served with the U.S. Army Paratroopers 82nd Airborne Division from 1961 until 1964 as a Medical Corpsman. In 1964 Leonard left the Army and entered the California U.C.L.A. School of Inhalation Therapy. He continued to work at the U.C.L.A. Medical Center and Harbor General Hospital.

Leonard returned to Minnesota in 1972 to work at the Redwood Falls Hospital for a short time. In mid 1985 Leonard moved to New Mexico, where he loved the sun and high desert, returning to Tracy, MN in 1991.

Leonard was baptized and confirmed at Sharon Lutheran Church in Lamberton. He enjoyed metal detecting, dogs, was an avid reader, a lover of nature, and continued his military interests.

Leonard passed away on May 23, at the Veterans Administration Hospital, Sioux Falls, SD.

Survivors include his mother, Lavonne and step-father Dale Wenborg of Minneapolis; brother Dan Wenborg and family of Minneapolis; an aunt Evelyn and husband Leon Lingle of Lamberton; many cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father Arnold Petersen and his grandparents.

Military Honors will be provided at the graveside by Andrew Petersen American Legion Post 41 of Lamberton.

Interment will be at Lamberton City Cemetery with Sturm Funeral Home of Lamberton handling arrangements.