Obituaries from the week of March 20, 2002
Ed Caron, 94
Funeral services for Ed Caron, 94, of Ghent, were held on Monday, March 18, 2002 at St. Eloi Church in Ghent. Rehkamp Funeral Home of Marshall handled the arrangements.
He died Thursday, March 14, 2002 at the Minneota Manor.
Ed was born on October 28, 1907, to George and Rose (Pommier) Caron in Vallers Township. He was baptized and had his first communion and was confirmed at St. Clotilde Catholic Church in Green Valley.
He was married to Agnes VanKeulen on Feb. 17, 1936, at St. Eloi Church in Ghent. Agnes died in 1941. Ed was married to Minnie VanKeulen on May 20, 1944, and they farmed in Westerheim Township until moving to Ghent in 1962. Minnie passed away in 1976 and Ed continued to live in Ghent until moving to Hill Street Place in 1995. He moved to the Minneota Manor in October 1998.
Ed was active and held leadership positions in the Lyon County NFO and was a church trustee for many years. He was an honorary life member of the KCs. Before entering the manor, he enjoyed his family and maintained a keen interest in his family, community and parish until the day of his death.
He is survived by his two daughters; Colleen (Ray) Noyes of Ghent and Donata (Matt) DeBruyckere of Marshall; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; three sisters: Irma Dvorak of Winona, Rachel Nosbush of Marshall and Sister M. Severina O.S.F. of Rochester.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wives, an infant son, an infant grandson, a granddaughter, three brothers and five sisters.
Sue Ann (Sanders) Colby, 48
Memorial service was held on Saturday, March 16, 2002 at the Almlie Funeral Home in Tracy for Sue Ann (Sanders) Colby. Father Paul Evers officiated.
Sue Ann (Sanders) Colby was born January 25, 1954 to Duane (Cy) and Marcella (Sally) (Smith) Sanders in Tracy, MN. She was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith. Sue attended St. Mary's Elementary School and graduated from Tracy High School. She spent one year at Mankato State College. She spent her early summers swimming at the Tracy Pool and at the family cabin on Lake Shetek.
On June 21, 1976 Sue married Thomas Colby in Tracy, MN and the couple moved to Des Moines, IA. She was a stay at home mom until the kids were in school full time and then worked part-time for a pre-school in west Des Moines.
Sue enjoyed reading, gardening, animals and entertaining, but especially loved being with her children.
She died March 8, 2002 in Des Moines, IA at the age of 48.
Sue is survived by her daughter, Kelsi Colby of Iowa City, IA and one son, Thomas Colby, Jr. of Des Moines, IA, two brothers, Doug Sanders and his wife Ruth of Tracy, MN, Alan Sanders and his wife Carol of Watertown, WI.
She is preceded in death by her parents and grandparents.
Burial was in Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Tracy, MN
Memorial donations in Sue's name may be made to: The Animal Rescue League, 5452 NE 22nd St., Des Moines, IA 50313-2528.
The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy handled arrangements
Eileen Dunlap, 61
Eileen Dunlap was born March 29, 1940 in St. John's Hospital at Springfield, MN, to Stanley and Loraine (Schwanke) Mueller. She was called Home by the Lord on February 19, 2002.
She received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism by sprinkling as an infant and by immersion as an adult. She accepted Jesus Chris as her personal Savior when she was four years old. At that time her father was attending North Park College and Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL. Later, she joined each church he served.
Eileen's gift for singing was recognized in elementary school where she was chosen to sing solos in first grade. Soon she sang for Sunday School, for church, and at the Sangamon Mission. Her love for music was a gift she shared through college and beyond.
On May 5, 1962 Eileen was married to James Dunlap. Their marriage was blessed with two daughters, Dorian and Loraine. Through the years, love and laughter made their home a haven where about fifty young people found refuge and were introduced to Jesus Christ. When they accepted Him as their personal Savior, they were given a Bible with their name inscribed on the front cover.
The three most important desires of Eileen's heart were to win others for Christ in a humble, winsome way; to help others love themselves by finding out God loved them first; and to encourage them to share this love with others.
From 1970 to 1991 she was involved in business. She made her mark in the corporate world by achieving the highest goal set by the company. For this she was honored by being placed in their Hall of Fame. She was recognized for being in the top ten percent of production in all of North America for seven out of twenty-one years of service. Twice out of those twenty-one years, she was tops in the nation.
Recently, for more than five years, after retiring from the corporate world, she and her husband, James, have sold Nikken products. They reached the status of Platinum and found in this business a continuing opportunity to help people and to share the love of Jesus Christ.
They made Sacramento, CA their home in 1984, and became members of Capitol Christian Center.
Gerald K. Erbes, 58
Funeral services were held on Friday, March 15, 2002 for Gerald K. Erbes at Tracy Lutheran Church, Tracy, MN. Reverend Stephen Olson and Reverend Marlene Elmstrom officiated. Reader was Rev. Paul Erbes with Richard Stelter as organist.
Honorary casket bearers were John Johnson, Bud Herding, Dick Courchaine, R.J. Ehleringer, Dave Kosse, Jim Dierks and the Roaring Lyons Motorcycle Club.
Casket bearers were Jeff Zens, Steve Johnson, Dale Herding, Bruce Hovde, Bruce Wahl and Don Hanson.
Gerald Keith Erbes was born July 8, 1943 to Gerald and Marvel (Haugen) Erbes in Walnut Grove, MN. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Keith lived on a farm outside of Walnut Grove with his family until 1947, when they moved to rural Tracy, MN. He graduated from Tracy High School in 1961.
Keith enlisted in the Army National Guard and served 23 years. He owned Keith's Standard from 1971 to 1974 and then worked as a mechanic for Tracy Equipment and Johnson Equipment until 1985 when he started Keith's Repair in Currie, MN.
He was a member of Willow Lake Lutheran Church, the Town & Country Club, past member of the Roaring Lyons Motorcycle Club and Currie American Legion. He enjoyed collecting and rebuilding tractors.
He died March 12, 2002 at the Murray County Memorial Hospital in Slayton, MN at the age of 58.
Keith is survived by two daughters; Melanie (David) Lee of Lynd, MN, Amanda Driessen of Canby, MN, two sons; Wayne (Elaine) Erbes of Marshall, MN, Gary (Mary) Erbes of Marshall, MN; nine grandchildren, mother; Marvel Erbes of Tracy, MN, five brothers; Kermit of Minneapolis, MN, Kevin (Donna) of Currie, MN, Kim of Tracy, MN; George (Lori) of Tracy, MN and Paul of Gillette, WY; two sisters; Murlayne (Duane) Van Dale of Lakeville, MN and Mary Hubbard. Many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He is preceded in death by his father, brother, John and sister, Marlys.
Interment was in the Tracy City Cemetery with the Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy handling arrangements.
Norbert A. Frericks, 77
Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 16, 2002 for Norbert A. Frericks at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Tracy. Father Brian Mandel and Father Cel Pistulka officiated. Carla VanDeWiele was the cantor with Richard Stelter as organist.
Casket bearers were Doug Kerkhoff, Keith Kerkhoff, Brad Frericks, Glenn Frericks, Jr., Jeff Zignego and John Frericks.
Norbert Alois Frericks was born September 6, 1924 to John and Elizabeth (Leiting) Frericks in Grandville, IA. He was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith. In the spring of 1927 the family moved to Wabasso, MN and Norbert attended St. Anne's Catholic School.
On May 11, 1945 Norbert married Lorraine Bernardy at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Seaforth. The couple farmed near the Lucan area, until 1969 when Norbert retired from farming. In that same year they purchased The Cafe' in Lucan and operated it until 1982. From 1982 until 1992 Norbert was the manager for the Tracy Country Club.
He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of Tracy, the Lucan Lions Club, board member of the Tracy Country Club and a volunteer fireman in Lucan.
Norbert enjoyed golfing, fishing, playing cards, visiting with friends and wintering in Mesa, AZ. He especially loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Norbert died March 12, 2002 in the Tracy Area Medical Services at the age of 77.
He is survived by his wife, Lorraine; three sons, Allen (Deb) Frericks of Lucan, MN, Glenn (Bev) Frericks of Grand Forks and Jeffrey Frericks of Colorado Springs, CO; one daughter, Theresa (Dave) Kerkhoff of Morgan, MN; 11 grandchildren, Doug (Rhonda) and Keith (Barb) Kerkhoff, Tina Zignego, Missy, John, Glenn Jr., Brad and Tammy Frericks, Candace Mask, Jodi (Mark) Deprez and Marney (Joey) Sais; 18 great-grandchildren, Nicole, Zac, Riley, Collin, Makenzie, Jeff, Kaitlyn, Camron, Cutter, Zachary, Dylan, Alexis, Chelsea, Jacob, Myranda, Lia, Keaton and Karson; two sisters, Marina Brau of Lucan, MN, Roseann (Anton) Springer of New Ulm, MN; three brothers, Cletus (Claudine) Frericks of Cass Lake, MN, Harry (Connie) Frericks of Wabasso, MN, Marvin (Eunice) Frericks of New Ulm, MN, sister-in-law, Shirley Frericks of Rochester, MN; many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Norbert was preceded in death by his parents, brother Don, brother-in-law, Ray Brau.
Burial was in Our Lady of Victory Cemetery, Lucan, MN. The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy handled arrangements.
Joseph Huberty, 95
Funeral services were held today, Wednesday, March 20, 2002 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Sleepy Eye, MN for Joseph Michael Huberty. Mr. Huberty died Friday, March 15, 2002 at Divine Providence Community Home in Sleepy Eye.
Casket bearers were Michael Huberty, Patricia Prokosch, John Huberty, Sara Beggs, Sean Huberty, David Huberty, Kathryn Huberty and Laura Huberty.
Joe was born April 29, 1906 in Watkins, MN and graduated from high school in 1918. After attending the St. Cloud Business College for one year, he began his business career in 1925 at Zapp State Bank in St. Cloud and moved to the Tracy Produce Co. in 1931, where he worked in the areas of accounting, procurement and marketing management. Later he was employed by the A. J. Pietrus Co. in a similar capacity, and as Vice President from 1952 to 1974 when he retired. Joe served as Director and Officer of the Minnesota State Poultry Association for 10 years and attended many national poultry conventions and conferences. He was elected Tracy City Councilman and Mayor in the 1940's and early 1950's.
Joe is survived by his wife, Marie; his four children, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
The family prefers memorials be given to a charity of one's choice.
The Sturm Funeral Home of Sleepy Eye handled arrangements.