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Obituaries from the week of November 29, 2000 Headlight Herald - Serving Tracy, Minnesota, since 1880

Ralph Boomgaarden, 72

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, November 28, 2000 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Balaton, MN for Ralph M. Boomgaarden. Officianant was Rev. Mark Zander and Lois Zander was organist.

Casket bearers were Joseph Hawks, Brady Lux, Nathan Owens, Scott Boomgaarden, Frank Post and Norman Pahl.

Ralph Marvin Boomgaarden was born October 23, 1928 to William and Susan (Lamfers) Boomgaarden at Lyon County, Iowa. When he was two years old he and his family moved to Holland, Minnesota. He attended rural schools and as a young man began working as a farm laborer.

Ralph was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tyler and had been an active member of the church and it was here that he married Leona Basche on April 8, 1951. He served his country, during the Korean War, from 1951 to 1953 and was stationed in Germany. Upon returning from service Ralph was employed by Nels Nelson Implement in Ruthton for two years and then began dairy farming in the Ruthton community.

He was an active member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Balaton.

Ralph enjoyed his family and had a love for music especially playing the organ and accordion. He also enjoyed watching the Minnesota Vikings football games on television. Another of his interests was his apple trees and gardening.

He died on Saturday, November 25, 2000, at the Pipestone Hospital, at the age of 72 years.

Ralph is survived by his wife Leona; seven children and their spouses, LaDarla and Mark Haws of St. Louis, MO, Joy and Monte Owens of Ruthton, MN, Barbara and Michael Lux of Sleepy Eye, MN, Rick and Lynne Boomgaarden of Burns, NY, Brian and Stacy Boomgaarden of Lemmon, SD, Lori and Chris Randell of St. Charles, MO and Robin and Deb Boomgaarden of Chandler, AZ; one brother Ben and wife Mary of Vermillion, SD; two sisters, Amanda Rysdam of Braham, MN and Anjie Giffrow of Stanchfield, MN; 14 grandchildren; two step-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

His parents, two brothers and an infant sister preceded him in death.

Interment was at Hope Cemetery in Tyler with Almlie Funeral Home of Balaton handling arrangements.

Glen M. Buss, 72

Funeral services for Glen M. Buss, of Westbrook, MN were held on Saturday, November 25, 2000 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Westbrook. Rev. William Klavetter officiated. Janet Mischke was organist with David Rupp as soloist and Betty Rupp accompanist.

Casket bearers were Dennis Krick, Fred Bloch, Dale R. Nelson, Roy Spielman, Roger Lindstrom, Pete Gunderman and Ray Clark.

Military honors were held by the Westbrook VFW/American Legion.

Glen Melvin Buss was born August 5, 1928 to William and Emma (Rupp) Buss on the family farm in Murray County, near Westbrook, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed in the Mennonite faith on April 11, 1941. He received his education attending country school, District #108, in Des Moines River Township, and later attended Westbrook High School.

Following his education, he chose to farm with his father, until he entered the Army in 1950. He served his country in Korea as a medic and ambulance driver during the Korean Conflict. After his discharge, he returned home to farm.

On November 12, 1955, he and Marjorie Hanson were united in marriage in Minneapolis, MN. Following their marriage, they first lived for 5 years on a farm south of Westbrook, before moving back to the Buss Homestead, where he lived the rest of his life.

Glen was a member of the United Presbyterian Church in Westbrook, before joining Trinity Lutheran Church, where he was a faithful member. He served as Deacon on the church council, ushered and was a communion server. In addition, he held several offices of the Rosehill Mennonite Cemetery Association, and was a past member of the school board in District #108.

He was always faithful to his loving family, with many plans for the rest of his life. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping, he attended auctions, enjoyed photography, snowmobiling, games and most of all, spending time with his family.

He died unexpectedly on November 20, 2000, at the age of 72.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Marjorie, three sons, Gene (Carmen) Buss, Arcadia, WI; Bobby Buss, Delft, MN; Jon (Kristina) Buss, Aurelia, IA; three daughters, Jan (Steve) Nelson, Shari Buss, Sara Buss and Travis Krueger, all of Westbrook, MN; 17 grandchildren, family and friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents, and brother Roy.

Interment was at the Rosehill Mennonite Cemetery in Westbrook with Almlie Funeral Home of Westbrook handling arrangements.

Virginia Garvey, 74

Funeral services were held on Saturday, November 25, 2000 at the First Presbyterian Church in Tracy for Virginia Garvey. Reverend David Erickson officiated with special music by Jeanette Sziron. Allen Pierson was accompanist.

Casket bearers were Jerome Clark, Thomas Clark, Kim Garvey, Lucas Erickson.

Virginia Garvey was born on January 12, 1926, to James T. and Nona (Reid) Garvey in Tracy, MN. She graduated from the Tracy High School in 1944. She went on to be employed as a CPA at the Minnesota Unemployment Service in Minneapolis.

Virginia, a faithful member of the Presbyterian faith all her life, belonged to the Christ United Presbyterian Church in Marshall and attended the First Presbyterian Church in Tracy. She completed the Minnesota Valley Presbyterian's Leadership Development for Ministry. Virginia was a Sunday School Superintendent. She cared intensely for children and their welfare through financial support of the youth programs. She was deeply interested in religion and studied diligently. She wrote some articles for the Valley Bridge, Presbyterian's newsletter. She spoke passionately for the handicapped people. Her service to the Hmong people of Tracy was important to her. She also was an active member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Tracy and received her 50 year award. Virginia enjoyed reading and politics. She also gave generously to many charities.

Virginia died at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester on Tuesday, November 21, 2000. She had reached the age of 74 years, 10 months and 9 days.

She is survived by a sister, Kathleen Clark of Canby; a brother, James (Vivian) Garvey, of Fargo, ND; eight nieces and nephews, including Jerome Clark of Canby, MN, Thomas (Donna) Clark of Westminster, CO, J. Keith (Gale) Garvey of Davis, CA, Kay Adams of Carlsbad, CA, Kevin (Shirley) Garvey of Solvang, CA, Kerry (Jim) Brothers of Fargo, ND, Kim (Jean) Garvey of Fargo, ND and Candace Tyler of Minot, ND; also many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Nona Garvey and a brother, Keith Garvey.

Betty Lehar, 58

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, November 27, 2000 at the St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Fairfax, MN for Betty L. Lehar of Fairfax. Betty passed away on Thursday, November 23, 2000 at the Redwood Falls Hospital in Redwood Falls, MN after a 14 month battle with cancer.

Betty L. (Bemmels) Lehar was born on February 15, 1942, in New Ulm, MN. She was the daughter of Edward and Floriene (VonEschen) Bemmels. She grew up in Cario Township and received her education in the Fairfax Public School and graduated from the Fairfax High School in 1960. As a youth she was active in the Cario Sharp Shooters 4-H Club.

On September 17, 1960, Betty Bemmels was united in marriage to Charles Lehar at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Fairfax, MN. This marriage was blessed with three children. Betty and Charles resided in Cario township following their marriage. They moved to Tracy, MN for 12 years before moving back to Cario Township, where they are currently residing. Betty held employment with St. Andrew's Catholic Church for 14 years. She received the Bishops Medal of Honor for her work.

Betty loved spending her spare time with her family and especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed working in her flower garden. Betty and Charles enjoyed camping at Ottertail Lake for the past eight years. Betty and Charles shared forty years of marriage together.

Betty is survived by her husband, Charles of Fairfax, children Barb Lehar and her husband Steve Wilson of Hudson, WI, Doug Lehar and his wife, Tammy of Tomah, WI, Cathy Schweiss and her husband, Ray of Brownton, MN; grandchildren Joshua, Luke, Ryan, Rachel and Mitchelle; mother Floriene Miklos and her husband John of Fairfax; brothers Gerald Bemmels and his wife, Anne of Fairfax, Robert Bemmels and his wife, Judy of Anndover, MN, Kenneth Bemmel and his wife, Ronda of Fairfax; many nieces and nephews.

Betty was preceded in death by her father, Edward Bemmels.

Interment was at the St. Andrew's Catholic Cemetery in Cario Township, Renville Co., MN with the Hauser-Hantge Funeral Chapel handling arrangements.

Leona E. Merritt, 88

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, November 28, 2000 at the Almlie Funeral Home in Tracy for Leona E. Merritt. Rev. Stephen Olson and Rev. Marlene Elmstrom were officiants.

Leona Elizabeth Merritt was born August 26, 1912 to Roy E. and Helena (Handeland) Greenman at Westbrook, Minnesota. The family lived in Westbrook for a time and then moved to Tracy where she attended public school and graduated from Tracy High School in 1932.

Leona married Alvin Harnack in 1952 and they resided on a farm near Walnut Grove. Alvin died in 1956.

Leona managed and was the cook in several restaurants, hotels, motels and cafes in the Tracy area and in her later years cared for the elderly in their homes.

Leona was baptized into the Christian faith on September 1, 1912 and affirmed her faith in the Rite of Confirmation on December 1, 1928.

She was a member of Tracy Lutheran Church, church women and circle.

Her interests included cooking, baking for Sytennde Mai, playing Yachtzee and watching television.

Leona had lived at the Twin Circle Apartments for many years and in October 1998 she became a resident of the Tracy Nursing Home and it was there that she died on Wednesday, November 22, 2000, at the age of 88 years.

Leona is survived by one sister, Ruth Skinner of Vancouver, WA; brother-in-law, Leo Shoeman of Tracy, MN; nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

Her parents, husband, two brothers and one sister preceded her in death.

Inurnment was at the Tracy City Cemetery.

Almlie Funeral of Tracy handled arrangements.

Bob Cass, 60

Robert Carlton "Bob" Cass, age 60, of Shell Knob, Mo., formerly of Waukegan, Ill., passed away Saturday, November 18, in St. John's Regional Health Center, Springfield, Mo.

He was born March 22, 1940 in Tracy, the son of Charles "Carl" and Olga Toft Cass. On October 15, 1971 in Waukegan, Ill., he was united in marriage to Darlene Berkholtz, who survives. Also surviving are a son, Mike Cass and his wife, Michele of Gages Lake, Ill.; a daughter, Debbie DeVolt and Steve of Zion, Ill., his parents, Carl and Olga Cass of Grayslake, Ill., and five grandchildren, Aaron DeVolt, Kristina Cass, Kyle Cass, Cory Cass and Nathan Cass.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Ronald Cass.

Bob spent most of his life in the Waukegan, Ill., area. He was employed with Outboard Marine Corporation in Waukegan for 32 years. He retired as foreman around five years ago, when he moved to Shell Knob, Mo., to make his home. He was a United States Army veteran.

A memorial visitation was held on Saturday, November 25, 2000 in the Strang Funeral Chapel and Crematorium in Grayslake, Ill.

Bertha Rolland, 90

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, November 28, 2000 for Bertha L. Manguson Rolland. Ministers were Rev. Stephen Olson and Rev. Marlene Elmstrom. Richard Stelter was organist.

Honorary bearers were Manley Rolland, Vernon Grinde, Art Marben, Harlan Manguson, Leo Surprenant and Kevin Dresow.

Casket bearers were her grandchildren: Brian Hicks, Karen Sanders, Thor Hagberg, Ryan Manguson, LuAnne Hicks, Aric Hagberg, Dustin Manguson, Brianna Manguson and Jayson Lauden.

Bertha Louisa Manguson Rolland was born June 1, 1910 to Cornelius and Annie (Raveling) Dresow in Johnsonville Township of Redwood County, Minnesota. She grew up in Johnsonville township with ten siblings and attended country school.

Bertha spent her early years helping others in their homes and also worked at Zeug's Grocery in Lucan until her marriage.

On January 15, 1935, she and Melvin Manguson were married at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lucan. They farmed in rural Milroy and Tracy. To this union four children were born. Melvin died in 1958 and then Bertha moved into Tracy to live.

On June 4, 1983, Bertha was married to Carl Rolland at Tracy Lutheran Church. They made their home in Tracy. Carl died in 1986 and Bertha continued to live in her home until December 1994 when she became a resident of the Tracy Nursing Home.

Bertha was baptized into the Christian faith on July 24, 1910 and reaffirmed her faith in the Rite of Confirmation on May 25, 1924. She was a member of Tracy Lutheran Church, Lutheran Church Women circle and a quilting group.

Bertha was also a member of the Milroy Area Birthday Club, Clifton Township Laugh-A-Lot Club, Tracy Flower Club and the Golden Age Club of Tracy. She enjoyed family gatherings, sewing, quilting, gardening, cooking, and baking.

Bertha died on Thursday, November 23, 2000, at the Tracy Nursing Home at the age of 90 years.

She is survived by children and their spouses, Jean and David Hicks of Tracy, Betty and Arild Hagberg of Chisago City, MN; Ken and Roberta Manguson of Onalaska, WI, and son-in-law, Gary Lauden of Caledonia, MN; two brothers and their wives, John and Violet Dresow of Redwood Falls, MN and George and Alice Dresow also of Redwood Falls; four sisters, Esther Kormann of Granite Falls, MN, Elaine and husband Lawrence Meyer of So. St. Paul, MN, Doris Meyer of So. St. Paul and Pernell and husband Arden Busack of Echo, MN; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

Her parents, husbands, one daughter, Marlys Lauden, two brothers, Lawrence and Clarence, and two sisters, Etta and Augusta preceded her in death.

Interment was at the Marshall City Cemetery with the Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy handling arrangements.

Mabel DeVetter, 92

Mass of Christian Burial was held for Mabel W. DeVetter at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Tracy on Saturday, November 25, 2000. Fr. Brian Mandel officiated with Richard Stelter as organist and Carla VanDeWiele as cantor.

Casket bearers were Charles DeVetter, Jr., Eric Hoel, Brian DeVetter, John DeVetter, Curt Renslow and Andrew Dayton. Flower bearer was Carolyn Dayton.

Honorary bearers were Michael DeVetter, Mark DeVetter, Paul DeVetter, Kim Daniels, Julie DeVetter, Andrea DeVetter, Carrie DeVetter, Tracey Driver, Allison Hoel, Lisa Basore, C.J. DuBe and Shandra Dayton.

Mabel Winifred DeVetter was born January 8, 1908 to Charlie and Hannah (Dyer) Hallett at Tracy, Minnesota.

She attended Tracy public schools and graduated from Tracy High School in 1929.