Obituaries from the week of August 1, 2001 Headlight Herald - Serving Tracy, Minnesota, since 1880
Kenneth Hewitt, 86
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, July 31, 2001 at 2 p.m. for Kenneth Hewitt at the Church of Christ in Tracy, MN. Pastor Homer G. Dobson officiated. Eleanor Hewitt was the organist.
Honorary casket bearers were Jodi Arlt, Terry Hewitt, Jonathan Cushman, John Hewitt, Lucas Hewitt, Brandon Hewitt, Kim Hewitt, Henry Cushman, Donald Hewitt, Jacob Hewitt, Colton Hewitt and Krystel Hewitt.
Casket bearers were Jeffrey Hacklander, Alan Hacklander, Craig Hacklander, Michael Hewitt, Eli Hewitt and Brady Allard.
Kenneth Edward Hewitt was born February 7, 1915 near Estherville, IA to Harley Decatur and Edith (Hildreth) Hewitt. The family moved to a farm southeast of Walnut Grove around 1927. In 1933 they moved to the current farm site. Ken attended school in Walnut Grove where he participated in wrestling and band.
On December 2, 1939 Ken married Ruth Eleanor Weaver, at her parents home southwest of Walnut Grove. In 1946 Ken assumed the operation of the family farm east of Tracy where they raised their family of seven children. During the children's formative years they participated in the family band that performed around the area. Some followed Ken's example and played several different instruments. Ken continued to learn to lay new instruments and played the concertina in the parade at Walnut Grove as recent as two weeks ago.
One of his greatest delights was watching his children perform in musical programs, or impromptu softball games. Visits from grandchildren and great-grandchildren were greatly anticipated and enjoyed. Other interests were centered around church activities and events. He sang in the choir for many years, taught Church School, and was a church elder at the Tracy Church of Christ. Ken was the pitcher for the church slow pitch softball team.
Over the years Ken has restored classic cars, doing all the mechanical and body work. he and Ruth often drove some of the vehicles in local parades.
Ken passed away on Saturday, July 28, 2001 at the Avera McKennon Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.
Ken is survived by his wife Ruth; three daughters, Effie Hacklander, Phoenix AZ, Eleanor “Dolly” Hewitt, Tracy, Joyce Ruthchild, Duvall, WA; three sons, Harold Hewitt, Walnut Grove, MN, Richard Hewitt, Cambridge, MN, Robert Hewitt, Tracy, MN; 18 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; one sister Lucille Buck, Slayton, MN; numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one son Kent.
Interment was at the Tracy City Cemetery with Jacobson Funeral Service handling arrangements.
James Larson, 61
Funeral services were held on Sunday, July 29, 2001 at 3 p.m. at the Tracy United Methodist Church for James Frederick Larson of Minneapolis, formerly of Tracy. Officiants were Allen Bolte and Rev. Homer Dobson.
Jim, as he was known to his many friends, was born on June 12, 1940 at Tracy, MN, the son of Clarence L. and Frances (Morgan) Larson. He received his formal education in Tracy Public Schools, graduating in 1958, and then attended Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis where he also graduated.
He was a cattle buyer for Central Livestock in Tracy for many years. Later he was in partnership with Dr. Ronald Sook at the Marshall Sales Barn and then formed the Larson Cattle Co.
In 1967 he was united in marriage to Vernice Miller and to this union two sons were born, Dru James and Brent David.
He was a member of the Tracy United Methodist Church, the Tracy Ambulance Squad for many years and a very active member of the Masonic Lodge in Tracy, a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Marshall Shrine Club. Jim loved to fish and spend time at Eagle Lake and also visit with people and share his wit. He enjoyed traveling and cooking for family and friends.
Jim passed away on June 27, 2001 at the age of 61 years.
Jim is survived by his two sons: Dru and his wife Nicole Larson of Tracy, MN and Brent, also of Tracy; one grandson, Derek Larson of Tracy; one sister, Geraldine Verdeck of Hutchinson, MN; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Burial was in the Tracy City Cemetery with arrangements handled by Jacobson Funeral Service of Tracy.
Catherine Minnig, 82
Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, July 26, 2001 for Catherine Minnig at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Milroy.
Catherine Mae Minnig was born Saturday, April 19, 1919 in LaCrosse Township, Jackson County, Minnesota to Jacob C. and Dora M (Wagner) Hornickel. She was baptized and confirmed in Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Heron Lake where she grew up. Catherine attended Heron Lake Public School graduating from Heron Lake High School in 1937.
On February 11, 1938 she was united in marriage to Joseph Minnig in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and they lived near Heron Lake, Okabena, Worthington, Windom and Lakefield before moving to a farm near Tracy in 1958 where they farmed until 1977. In 1989 they moved into Tracy where she has lived since. Joseph died on August 7, 1997.
She was a member of the St. Michael's Catholic Church in Milroy and a member of the C.C.W. She was also an active member and leader of the Gales Township Extension Club for many years.
Catherine died on Monday, July 23, 2001 in the Tracy Area Medical Center at the age of 82 years, 2 months, and 4 days.
She is survived by a son, James Minnig and his wife Mary Jane of Sioux Falls, SD; a daughter-in-law, Ardyce Minnig of Tracy; six grandchildren, Colleen McCollar and her husband Phil, Joy Biren and her husband Chris, Ryan Minnig, Jennifer Minnig, John Balko, and Tanya Balko; two great grandchildren, Macey and Abie McCollar. Also surviving are her five sisters, Fredericka Dorpinghaus of Fulda, MN, Dorothy Tolifson and her husband Olen of Benson, MN, Josephine Hotzler of Heron Lake, MN, Gertrude Knorr of Tampa, FL, and Evangeline Simonsen and her husband Clarence of Marshall, MN.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Joseph and a son, William on July 22, 2000.
Burial was held in the Tracy City Cemetery with the Sunset Funeral Home of Echo handling the arrangements.