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Obituaries from the week of June 14, 2000 Headlight Herald - Serving Tracy, Minnesota, since 1880

Lorraine Giersdorf, 71

Lorraine Berneice (Foster) Giersdorf, 71, was called home on June 5, 2000 after an incredible struggle against a very rare form of cancer.

Born March 11, 1929 near Revere, she completed high school in Walnut Grove. She married Ode Giersdorf on November 14, 1950. She lived in Walnut Grove all her life.

She was preceded in death by loving husband Ode; parents Valley and Jessie Foster; brothers Vernon and Cecil and sister, Geneva.

She will be forever remembered by her daughters Lucinda Keen (William); LuAnn Vanella (Michael McMonigal), her brother Darlow; grandchildren, Christopher, Catherine and Victoria Keen, Jessica and Michael Vanella, numerous nieces and nephews, family and friends.

Lorraine enjoyed dancing, playing cards, visiting family and friends and was a vibrant participant in her church and community.

Darlene Rue, 69

Memorial services will be held Friday, June 16, 2000 at 7:30 p.m. for Darlene Rue, 69, at the Jacobson Funeral Home in Walnut Grove, MN with burial at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Lucan, MN.

Darlene Lois Rue, 69, was born February, 25, 1931 at Lucan, MN, the daughter of Halvor and Minnie Haag Rue and spent her childhood on a farm near Lucan. She has lived at several places, Walnut Grove, Springfield, New Ulm, and Madelia. While at New Ulm she worked at the Brown-Nicolett Institute for several years. She entered the Hillcrest Health Care Center in Mankato on July 1997.

She passed away at the Emanuel St. Joseph Hospital in Mankato, MN on June 7, 2000.

She is survived by sisters Donna (Rue) Munson of Walnut Grove, MN, Deloras (Rue) Sammons of Walnut Grove, MN, Caroline (Rue) Danielowski of Revere, MN, Verna (Hansen) Ness of Redwood Falls, MN; brothers, DeVon Rue of Concord, CA, Darold Hansen of Walnut Grove, Melvin Hansen of Smith Center, KA and a sister-in-law Faye Hansen of Walnut Grove; many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Elton and Lawrence.

The Jacobson Funeral Home of Walnut Grove is handling arrangements.

Margaret Lauthen, 79

Funeral services were held on June 12, 2000 at First Lutheran Church for Margaret Lauthen. Officiating were Rev. Gary Gilthvedt and Rev. Russell Osterberg. Music was provided by Diane Alveshere, organist, Annetta Knowles, soloist, and Bill Riggs, trumpet.

Margaret Julia Oswald Lauthen was born on May 5, 1921, the oldest of six children born to Herman and Augusta (Hey) Oswald in Minneapolis, MN. She graduated from Kimball High School in 1938. She continued her education attending Business School and later worked for Prudential in downtown Minneapolis.

Margaret married Dayton Lauthen on December 20, 1944. The couple lived in South St. Paul, Ortonville, Clarissa, Mabel, Fertile, Tracy and moved to Alexandria in 1979.

Margaret was involved in community and church affairs and activities. She was active in several Bible Study groups, was a member of PEO, and was a bookkeeper at Broadway Floral. She enjoyed knitting, sewing, cooking, making ceramics, quilting and flowers. Margaret and Dayton enjoyed making lefse together and serving it with lutefisk to family members.

Margaret died on June 9, 2000 at the age of 79.

She is survived by sons, John (Deborah) Lauthen of Iowa City, IA, Mark (Barb) Lauthen of Belle Plaine, IA and Robert (Ann) Lauthen of Mission Viego, CA; daughters, Jane Allen of Huntington Beach, CA and Mary (Doug) Gorder of Excelsior, MN; seven grandchildren; sister, Betty Gelting, of Minneapolis; brothers (Robert (Tess) Oswald of San Diego, CA, Allan (Jean) Oswald of Loveland, CO and Jack (Marion) Oswald of La Mesa, CA; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and her sister Ann Woelbeling.

Interment was in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis with Rev. David Olson officiating.

Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.