Obituaries from the week of March 21, 2001 Headlight Herald - Serving Tracy, Minnesota, since 1880

Esther L. Benson, 100
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2001 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Westbrook, MN for Esther L. Benson. Rev. William Klavetter officiated with Janet Mischke as organist and Linda Schmatz as soloist.

Casket bearers were her grandchildren Ron Benson, Tom Horsman, Bruce Kleven, James Horsman, Craig Kleven, Donalda Case, Lynette Smith, Angela Welu, Crystal Leversedge, Justin Kleven, Doug Kleven and Loren Horsman.

Esther Louise Benson was born April 1, 1900 to Christian and Anthonette (Peterson) Ring in Clay County, Peterson, Iowa. She was baptized into the Christian faith on May 20, 1900, at the United Lutheran Church in Peterson, Iowa. Esther was confirmed June 5, 1915 at the United Lutheran Church in Windom. As a young girl, she moved to the Windom and Bergan areas in Minnesota. She received her education attending country school in Jackson County, District #70, and later Windom Public School where she graduated from the 8th grade.

On March 31, 1920, she and Bennie M. Benson were married at Windom United Lutheran Church, Windom, MN. Following their marriage, they farmed in the Windom area until 1940, and then moved to a farm in Rosehill Township, and later to the Lamberton area where they farmed and were also custodians of Highwater Lutheran Church, rural Lamberton for eight years.

Esther moved into Westbrook in 1970. She continued to live in her home until she was 94 years old. In August of 1994, she became a resident of the Good Samaritan Home in Westbrook. While a resident there, Esther had the privilege of celebrating her 100th birthday with family and friends on April 1, 2000.

She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Westbrook where she was active in the life and ministry of the congregation through Circle, ALCW and the Dorcas Society. She especially enjoyed making quilt tops, baptismal bibs and confirmation stoles for many years. Sewing always played an important part of her life, as well as gardening, crocheting, and baking and cooking for her family.

Just days before her 101th birthday, Esther died on March 18, 2001 at the Good Samaritan Home in Westbrook, MN.

Grateful for having shared her life are her three daughters, Dorothy (Alvin) Kleven, Walnut Grove, MN, Betty (David) Leversedge, Balaton, MN, Elaine (David) Horsman, Balaton, MN; her two sons, Myron (Faye) Benson, Menomonee Falls, WI and William (Jean) Benson, Worthington, MN; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter, nieces, nephews and friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents, husband Bennie, sister Marie and brothers, Fred, John and Art.

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

Elizabeth Howard, 94
Funeral services for Elizabeth (Bargan) Howard were held Tuesday, March 20, 2001 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Currie Minnesota. David Erickson officiated and Betty Rupp was the organist. Elizabeth's grandchildren were pallbearers.

Elizabeth was born on October 6, 1906 at Delft, Minnesota to Cornelius and Katrina Bargan. She grew up and attended school in Delft.

Elizabeth and William Pattinson were married in 1923. They lived in Delft until 1930 when they moved to Currie, MN. Bill worked for the railroad and he died in March 1951.

She married Rodney Howard in September 1954 and they continued to live in Currie. Rodney died in 1961.

Elizabeth lived in Currie until she became a resident of Slayton Manor in December 1994. She passed away there on March 16, 2001 at the age of 94.

She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Currie and belonged to U.P.W. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, gardening, rug weaving and spending time with her family and friends.

She is survived by her four children: Dorothy Jensen of Slayton, MN, Marge Elmerbrink of York, PA, Bill and Pat Pattinson of Currie, MN and Katie Pommier of Currie, MN; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, Bill and Rodney, three grandchildren and three sisters.

Interment was in the Slayton Cemetery, Slayton, MN with Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton, MN handling the arrangements.

James Nelson 69
Funeral services for James Dale Nelson were held on Saturday, March 17, 2001 at 10:30 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton, Minnesota. Rev. David Mesner officiated with organist Ruth Hoyme and Rev. Joyce Piper as soloist.

Pallbearers were Bob Rosengren Charles Swan Terry Carlson, Harold Nelson, Charles Nelson, and Bruce Swan. Military honors were by the Slayton Legion Post and Slayton VFW.

James Dale Nelson was born on June 2, 1931, on a farm near Slayton, Minnesota, to A. B. and Jennie Hokanson Nelson.

He grew up on the family farm, graduated from Slayton High School in 1949 and then attended the University of Minnesota School of Agriculture for two years. He enlisted in the U. S. Army and served in the Korean War where he earned the rank of Corporal. After his discharge, he returned to the family farm.

On May 26, 1956, he and Ruth Sagmoen were married at Lake Sarah Lutheran Church in Garvin. Following their marriage, they continued to farm the Nelson family farm near Lake Sarah. They retired in 1992 and continued to live on the farm until 1997 when they moved to Slayton.

Jim passed away at the Murray Memorial County Hospital on March 14, 2001 at the age of 69.

Jim was a member of Christ Lutheran Church where he had served on the church board. He belonged to the Slayton Legion and was a charter member of the Slayton VFW. Jim had served as a 4-H leader and was the Agronomy Superintendent of the Murray County Fair.

He was a member of the Murray County Historical Society and the Spotted Poland China Hog Association. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his sons, playing cards, putting together jigsaw puzzles, hunting for arrowheads, and spending time with his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth Nelson of Slayton: four sons and their wives: Dale and Linda Nelson of Slayton, Jeff and Joy Nelson of Stoughton, WI, Tom and Linda Nelson of Avoca and Mark and Jean Nelson of Kenyon, MN; 11 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; two sisters: Muriel (Jim) Manuel of Bonita Springs, FL and Marlys Stein of Hudson, FL.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

Interment was at Bethany Cemetery, rural Slayton, MN. Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton handled the arrangements.

George Klein, 76
George E. Klein of Edmonds, WA died on January 28, 2001 at his winter home in Apache Junction, AZ. George was born September 19, 1924 to George and Grace Klein in Tracy, MN. He was the youngest of 6 children. He graduated from Tracy High School.

He married Ava Robinson in 1942. They farmed on the Klein farm north of Tracy. George attended MIT from 1951 to 1954, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree. He then worked for Shell Oil in Texas. He returned to MIT from 1962 to 1966 where he received his PHD in Management. He then worked several years for Stanford Research Institute in California. During the weekends he spent his time farming.

He then started his own Management Consulting Business. He worked with several US banks and agricultural projects in the Soviet Union.

He helped his son, Gary, with his business as CEO and Chairman of the Board of Klein Bicycle Corporation.

His true pleasure was tree farming. He owned several tree farms in Washington State. He enjoyed walking through his trees and usually planted and pruned them himself. In 1985 the Lewis County Farm Forestry Association awarded George the Tree Planting Award.

In 1996 he married Lillian (Neuhauer) Lewis, a high school classmate.

George enjoyed collecting rocks, opals, investments and studying taxes. He spent his later years traveling. He especially enjoyed Australia because of the opals. George was always learning. He read many books and had a desire for knowledge.

George is survived by his wife, Lillian of Edmonds, Wa., his son Gary and his wife Kirsten and their daughters Jenny, Michelle and Laura all of Chehalis, Wa., his sister Alice Schroeder of Marshall, and many relatives and friends.

At the request of the deceased, no funeral services were held. George was cremated and his ashes will be spread on his tree farm. There will be a memorial service at the Klein Family Reunion in Minnesota on Sunday, July 8.

Gloria Hanson, 79
Gloria Margaret Hanson of Lake Crystal died Wednesday, March 14, 2001 at the Lake Crystal Health Care Center.

Funeral services were held on Monday, Mar. 19, at Our Saviours Lutheran Church in Butternut with Rev. Gene Alms officiating.

Gloria was born August 18, 1921 to Albert and Bertha (Smith) Starr in Tracy, MN. She graduated from Tracy High School. Gloria was untied in marriage to Arden Hanson on March 8, 1941 in Estherville, Iowa. He died on September 5, 1965. She was a homemaker and worked for the Lake Crystal Tribune. Gloria was an active member of Our Saviours Lutheran Church where she had taught Bible School and belonged to ELCW.

Her interests included reading, jigsaw puzzles, observing wildlife and playing cards.

Mrs. Hanson is survived by three sons and their wives, Bill and Norma Hanson of rural Lake Crystal, Dennis “Swede” and Anna Hanson of New Iberia, LA, Russell “Joe” and Debbie Hanson of Lake Crystal; one daughter Beth Amlie and her husband Jim of Lake Washington; three grandchildren; one sister, Norma Jean Mowatt and her husband Maurice “Buck” of California; special friend, Stan Hudson of Lake Crystal; nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, grandson, three sisters, and two brothers.

Interment was at the Butternut Cemetery. Lake Crystal Mortuary handled arrangements.

Terry Rolland, 56
Funeral services were held for Terry Rolland, formally of Milroy, on March 16, 2001 in Bloomington, MN. Interment was at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Mr. Rolland died at the VA hospital in the Twin Cities on March 13, 2001.

He was a member of the Milroy VFW, Everett Clay VFW Post, Bloomington and the American Legion #550 and former owner of Rolland Engineering.

Terry is survived by his wife Elsie; daughter Melissa and her special friend Andy Schrader; step-children Valerie and Scott Nash; grandson, Alex; step-grandchildren, April, Watt and Benjamin all of Bloomington, MN; his parents, Vivian and Manley Rolland, Tracy; brothers Bob (Kathy) of Mesa, AZ, Dick (Ardace) of Minneapolis, MN, Larry (Peg) of Milroy, Doug (Gail) of Willmar and Dale (Bette) of Apache Junction, AZ; many loving relatives and friends.

Terry was preceded in death by his grandparents and his brother David.