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Obituaries from the week of January 26, 2000

 

George G. Anderson, 89

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, January 26, 2000 for George G. Anderson at Sillerud Lutheran Church in Balaton, MN. Rev. Steve Quist officated with Donna Swan as organist and Joyce Anderson soloist. Special music was performed by his granddaughters.

Casket bearers were Timothy, Mark, Matthew, Anthony, Michael, Gregory and Lee Anderson, Darren Olson, Roger Gilbert, Todd Dorn, Matthew Sanborn, Mark Toutge and Alan Matzner.

George G. Anderson was born September 23, 1910 to Gunvald and Anne (Olson) Anderson in Vallers Township, rural Cottonwood, Minnesota. He received his education attending rural school, near Cottonwood, and graduated from Madison Lutheran High School. Later, he attended and graduated from the Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis.

While he was at LBI, he met Edith Peterson, and they were married in 1935. They settled on the farm near Ruthton which had been homesteaded by Edith's grandparents. To this union four sons and one daughter (who died in infancy) were born.

George's wife Edith passed away in 1958. In 1959 he married Ruth Peterson. They continued living on the farm until February of 1998, when George suffered a heart attack. It became necessary for him to enter the Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Balaton, and Ruth then moved into Boulder Estates in Marshall, MN.

George was a man of many interests. He was the first farmer in Pipestone County to use contour strips to combat erosion. He built his own tractor and was handy in woodworking and electrical work. He also loved gardening, fishing, reading and Bible study. They took one trip to Norway and many trips to various parts of the United States and Canada.

Through the years, he served on several boards including ASC Committee, Buffalo Ridge State Bank, Sillerud Lutheran Church Council and the Ruthton Senior Meal Site Council. He was also very active in the Ruthton Senior Citizen Center and at Sillerud Lutheran Church.

He was concerned about doing his part of fulfilling the Great Commission of Jesus Christ and telling the whole world the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. Each summer, the family spent a week at Mt. Carmel Bible Camp, Alexandria, MN and in later years included visits to Deeper Life, in Paynesville, MN. His Bible is well worn and filled with many memories and notes.

George is survived by his wife, Ruth of Marshall, MN; four sons, (Philip) Joyce, Ruthton, MN, Paul (Marilyn), Moorhead, MN, Carl (Mary Ann), Chicago, IL, Daniel (Bev), Balaton, MN; 17 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents, wife Edith; daughter Rhoda; two sisters, Alma and Oline; and two brothers, John and Marvin.

Interment was at Sillerud Lutheran Cemetery, Balaton, MN with Almlie Funeral Home, Tracy handling arrangements.

Morton Enger, 76

Morton P. Enger, 76, of Sioux Falls, SD, died Friday, January 14, 2000 at his home.

He was born November 3, 1923, in Sioux Falls, SD. He graduated from Washington High School, then entered the U.S. Army in 1943. After his discharge in 1945, he began his career in the U.S. Postal Service, serving for 42 years and retiring in 1985.

He married Betty (Weigelt) Goettig on December 27, 1974, in Tracy, MN. The couple made their home in Sioux Falls.

He was a member of St. John American Lutheran Church.

Survivors include his wife, Betty; two daughters Barbara Koch of Vacaville, CA and Jacque Aronson of Rapid City; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; five step grandchildren; a step great-grandchild; a sister, Dorothy Boelter of Sioux Falls.

Miller Funeral Home of Sioux Falls was in charge of arrangements.

Claude E. Brown, 83

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, January 22, 2000 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Faribault, MN for Claude E. Brown of Dundas.

Claude Elmer, son of Wallace William and Ethel Mary (Smith) Brown, was born on September 5, 1916 in Blooming Grove Township, Waseca County, MN. He grew up on a farm near Waterville and was very active in sports. He graduated from Waterville High School in 1934. For several years, he played baseball for Waterville, Morristown and Montgomery.

On February 17, 1941, he married Marie Mulcahy, at St. Charles Borromeo Church, Minneapolis. They lived and farmed near Dundas (Little Prairie Community). They celebrated their 25th, 40th and 50th anniversaries. He served on many committees: Rice County ASCS, Region Ten, Northfield Ambulance Association and the Northfield Rural Fire Association. He served as supervisor of the Bridgewater Township for 27 years. He was a scout leader. He received the Honorary Future Farmer of America Award. He helped with many 4-H projects. He was a member of the Community Club.

In his younger years he enjoyed fishing and all types of hunting. As he grew older, deer hunting became the highlight of the season. It was fun to gather with sons, grandchildren, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Christmas Eve was always special for him and Marie. Their home was a place where family and friends from far and near were welcome to gather.

When his mother could no longer organize the extended family picnic each summer, he continued the practice.

One of his favorite pastimes was to reminisce about “The Good Old Days.”

He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His family was very precious to him. He enjoyed their accomplishments. He always made an effort to attend their functions, programs and sports events. His life revolved around them.

He is survived by his wife, Marie; five children, C. Patrick (and Maxcine) Brown of Faribault, Dennis M. (and Mary Ann) Brown of Dundas, Thomas E. Brown (and special friend Cheryl Swedin) of Waterville, Dr. Kathleen (and Dr. William) Brockway of Tracy, MN and Dr. Richard Brown of Tracy, MN; 18 grandchildren: Angela (Don) Draper, Timothy (Janet) Brown, Audrey (Paul) Duban, Teresa Brown, Edward Brown, Annemarie Brown, Amanda Brown, Michael Brown, Paul Brown, Mayme Brown, Tammy (John) Peach, Christa Brown, Linda May Brown, Kathryn Brown, Joseph Brockway, Lynn Brockway, Celia Brockway and Hannah Brockway; 12 great-grandchildren; a sister Minta Suess of Lonsdale and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Russell Brown; and a sister, Florence Bloehm.

Sister Gabriella Palzer, 82

Sister Gabriella Palzer, 82, a Franciscan Sister of the Congregation of Our Lady of Lourdes, Rochester, Minnesota, who served as an educator, died on Tuesday, January 18, 2000 at Assisi Heights, Rochester.

Cecilia Palzer was born on February 24, 1917 in Mazeppa, Minnesota. She entered the Franciscan Congregation from Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Mazeppa, Minnesota, making her profession of vows on August 15, 1937.

She began her ministry of teaching at St. Wenceslaus' Parish in Jackson, MN. She taught in various schools in Minnesota including: Johnsburg, Rochester, Austin, Winona, Tracy and Leavenworth. She also taught in Norfolk, Nebraska, as well as Portmouth and Sandusky, Ohio. Form 1983-1986, Sister Gabriella served on the team at Tau Center in Winona, Minnesota. From 1986-1989 she served as a visitor doing outreach for St. Augustine's Parish in Austin, MN. She retired to Assisi Heights in 1989 and celebrated her diamond jubilee in 1997. Some of her favorite retirement activities were caring for her flower gardens and playing cards with friends.

Sister Gabriella is survived by her Franciscan Community and five brothers: Augustine Palzer of Cambridge, MN, Francis Palzer of Skania, TX, Tony and Benedict Palzer of Port Angeles, WA, and John Palzer of Sand Springs, OK and three sisters: Marie Reuter of Mazeppa, MN, Betty Limbocker of Auburn, WA and Josephine Befort of Zumbrota, MN.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, January 24, 2000 in the Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes, Assisi Heights with Reverend Jack Krough officiating.

Isabel Tweet, 97

Former Tracy resident Isabel Tweet died in Hayward, California on December 12, at the age of 97.

Isabel Boudreau Tweet was born May 15, 1902, in Green Valley.

Carl and Isabel Tweet married in 1921 in Marshall. They were married 53 years before Carl's death in 1974. She was a member of the Royal Neighbors and the Sunshine Society during the time she lived in Tracy.

Her two stepdaughters, Genevieve Dahl and her husband, John, of Boise, Idaho and Ethel Anderson and her husband, Harvey, of St. Paul, along with their families survive her.

She is also survived by her daughters, Orma Sullivan of Oxnard, CA, her two sons, Timothy and Shaun; Dona Rowland and husband, Harlan “Bud” of Tucson, AZ and their two sons Robert and Patrick; and Caryl Ann Symons and her husband, Gary, of San Leandro, CA and their three sons, Bruce, Keith and Craig; 16 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren also survive her.

Isabel was cremated at the Chapel of the Chimes in Hayward, CA. A memorial service was held at St. Felicitas in San Leandro, CA on Dec. 17. She will be interred at the Tracy Cemetery beside her husband, Carl.

Olando (Ole) Grinde, 88

Funeral services were held for Olando (Ole) Grinde on Saturday, January 22, 2000 at Tracy Lutheran Church, Tracy, MN. Officating were Rev. Stephen Olson and Rev. Marlene Elmstrom, with Eileen Schimming as organist.

Casket bearers were Todd Grinde, Larry Byers, Lee Grinde, Wayne Jensen, Murray Swenson and Curtis Swenson.

Olando (Ole) Ingfred Grinde was born on June 21, 1911 to Ole and Inga (Furan) Grinde on the family farm south of Garvin in Lake Sarah Township, Murray County. He was Baptized and Confirmed in the Christian faith at Modum Lutheran Church and attended District 9 country school in Murray County.

Ole worked with his parents on the family farm and also as a hired man on the Frank Bangasser farm. He worked road construction on the state Highway 14 project and others in the area.

On June 21, 1937 he married Joyce Nelson in Tracy at the old Tracy Lutheran Church. They made their home on the Nelson family farm and farmed with both his parents and the Nelsons. They lived on several farms in the area between Garvin and Walnut Grove until 1940 when they moved into Tracy and Ole went to work for Tri-County Co-op as a bulk truck driver. In 1950 Ole became manager of Tri-County Co-op until 1969 when they moved to Fulda, where Ole became manager of the Fulda Cooperative. In 1974 Ole retired and he and Joyce moved back to Tracy. He went to work for Vern Hemmingsen's station and in the 1970's began working with Almlie Funeral Home and Furniture Store until 1996 when at the age of 86 he retired.

Ole was a member of Tracy Lutheran Church and had served on the church council in the past. He had been a member of the Tracy Fire Department for 20 years, was a past member of the Tracy City Council, served on the Box Car Day committee and delivered Meals on Wheels.

Ole enjoyed life and people, getting out with others to just say hello or to stop and have coffee. He liked cars and driving in general, running out to his son-in-law's farm and feeding peppermints to his favorite dog, Tanner, but his love was his family and the time spent together.

In 1996, Ole and Joyce were the first tenants to move into the Tracy four-plex apartments. Ole died Tuesday, January 18, 2000 at his home at the age of 88.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce; two daughters, Connie (Mrs. Wayne) Meyer of Eden Prairie, MN and Carol (Mrs. Ronald) Dahl of rural Currie, MN; two granddaughters, Kelli Meyer and Kathy (Mrs. Joe) Basil both of Bloomington, MN; two great-grandchildren, Tony Basil and Taylor Basil of Bloomington, MN; two brothers, Lloyd of Slayton, MN and Vernon of Tracy, MN; two sisters, Josephine Swenson of Owatonna, MN and Doris Onken of Slayton, MN; one brother-in-law, George Reiter of Currie, MN; nieces, nephews, cousins, a special coffee hostess, Sis Beierman and many other friends.

His parents, two sisters, Bertha DeMong and Rose Reiter preceded him in death.

Interment was at Willow Lake Lutheran Cemetery, Currie, MN with Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy handling arrangements. Headlight Herald - Serving Tracy, Minnesota, since 1880

 

Erma M. Debbaut, 90

Mass of Christian Burial was held for Erma M. Debbaut on Tuesday, January 25, 2000 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Tracy, MN. Celebrants were Father Brian Oestreich and Father Jerry Meidl. Casket bearers were Marion Debbaut, Jeff Slayton, Dale Wieme, David Wieme, Allen Wieme and David Vandendriessche. Honorary casket bearers were Richard Wieme, Bernard Wieme and Alvin Wieme.

Erma M. Debbaut was born March 12, 1909 to Francis and Emily B. (Bruggeman) Wieme on the family farm near Garretson, South Dakota. She was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith. In her early school years, she and her family moved to a farm two miles southeast of Jasper, Minnesota.

On January 5, 1932, she married Medard Richard Debbaut. They made their home on a farm north of Minneota, MN for two years before moving to a farm one mile east of Minneota. For the next several years they farmed southwest of town before moving to a farm one mile west of Jasper, Minnesota in March of 1943.

In the fall of 1946 they purchased the Joy Theater in Minneota and sold their farm equipment that same fall. Erma enjoyed meeting all of the people who came to the theater. During the mid-fifties she began working at Swift's in Marshall where she enjoyed her fellow workers and friends. She and Medard, who worked for the Minneota Post Office, retired in 1973. In 1997 they moved to O'Brien Court in Tracy. In May of 1999, they became residents of Prairie View Healthcare Center.

They were members of St. Edwards Catholic Church in Minneota, Minnesota most of their married life. They became members of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Tracy in 1997. Together they celebrated 68 years of marriage before Erma's death on January 22, 2000.

Erma enjoyed life, her family and friends. She and Medard enjoyed traveling, and spent their winters in Florida and Texas for 25 years. Other interests included needle work, crocheting, and embroidery.

Erma is survived by her husband Medard of Tracy, MN; one son Maurice, wife Arletta, Council Bluffs, IA; two daughters, Georgene Slayton, Joplin, MO; Barbara Kleinfeldt, husband Darrell, Prior Lake, MN; 8 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, one sister, Alice Garrison, Albuquerque, NM; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Emil Wieme, an infant brother, and son-in-law W. Everett Slayton.

Interment was held at St. Edward's Catholic Cemetery in Minneota, MN with Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy handling arrangements.