Obituaries from the week of June 19, 2002
John Elias, 85
John B. H. Elias, age 85 of Walnut Grove, MN died Monday, June 17, 2002 at the Tracy Nursing Home.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 21, 2002 at the Walnut Grove United Methodist Church.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 20, 2002 at the Almlie Funeral Home in Tracy, MN and continuing on Friday one hour prior to the service at the church. A Prayer Service will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday evening.
Casket bearers will be Donald Johnson, Russell Butterbaugh, Ed Erickson, Duane Knott, Francis Kassel and Elverne Ziemke.
Honorary casket bearers are his grandchildren Deborah Harit, Edward Patricelli, Wendy Pemble, Anne Rod, Curtis Pemble and Cynthia Diel.
John Bartels Henry Elias was born November 14, 1916 to Henry W. and Anna (Grave) Elias on a farm in Jackson Township, Crawford County, Iowa. He attended country school and high school in Iowa. He was Baptized and Confirmed in the Christian faith. The family moved to Minnesota in 1937 to a farm near Russell, MN.
On February 7, 1940 John married Eileen Grove at the Balaton Presbyterian Parsonage in Balaton, MN. They made their home southwest of Russell until purchasing a farm northwest of Walnut Grove, MN in 1946. They continued farming until retiring into Walnut Grove in 1977.
John was a member of the Walnut Grove United Methodist Church and the Walnut Grove Lions Club. He enjoyed fishing at their lake home on Lake Shetek, playing cards, woodworking and traveling. In particular, spending winters at their home in Mesa, AZ.
John entered the Tracy Nursing Home in mid June of this year, where he died Monday, June 17, 2002 at the age of 85.
He is survived by his wife, Eileen; two daughters, Judy (Fred) Patricelli of Sleepy Eye, MN and Marlys (Gary) Pemble of Walnut Grove, MN; six grandchildren, Deborah Harit, Anne Rod, Edward Patricelli, Curtis Pemble, Wendy Pemble, Cynthia Diel; eight great-grandchildren; one sister, Gladys (Al) Salmela of Sioux Falls, SD; two sister-in-laws, Angeline Elias of Sibley, IA and Norma Cominetti of St. Anthony Village, MN; nieces, nephews and cousins.
His parents, one son, Gayland and two brothers, Ben and Floyd preceded him in death.
Burial will be in the Russell Cemetery, Russell, MN with the Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy handling arrangements.
Eddie Gregg, 17
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, June 12, 2002 at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, MN for Eddie Joe Gregg, age 17 of Hutchinson, MN. Pastor Brian Brosz officiated with Bonnie Westmiller as organist. Soloist was Emily Randall.
Honorary casket bearers were Joe Rath, Ryan Canaday, Robert Goldschmidt, Chris Carrigan, Ian Field, Nick Deragon, Darin Bertsch and Paul Toperzer.
Eddie Joe Gregg was born on September 1, 1984, in Marshall, MN. He was the son of Kevin and Mary (Robinson) Gregg. He was baptized as an infant at Lake Sarah Lutheran Church in Garvin, MN, and later was confirmed in his faith as a youth at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Hutchinson, MN. He received his education in West Tonka, MN and in the Hutchinson School District. Eddie was in his junior year of school.
Eddie was a member of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Hutchinson. He enjoyed working on cars and trucks, outdoor sports activities and being with his family and friends.
Eddie passed away on Sunday, June 9, 2002, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN at the age of 17 years.
Eddie is survived by his parents, Mike and Mary Chelin of Hutchinson, MN; siblings, Tonya Gregg of Hutchinson, Pat, Tasha and Josh Chelin of Hutchinson; grandparents, Daryl and Lois Robinson of Garvin, MN and Jim and Carol Chelin of Hutchinson; many aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives and many friends.
Eddie was preceded in death by his father, Kevin Gregg; grandfather, Wally Gregg and cousin Christina Gregg.
Arlene Haunson, 73
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, June 12, 2002 for Arlene Ann Haunson at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Bismarck, ND. Rev. Jeff Tengesdal officiated. Organist was Karen Petersen with music by Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Choir. Readers were Kate Schaeffer, and Shawna Ruzicka.
Casket bearers were Peter and Jack Zuger, Paul and James Emch, Cory Ruzicka, Clay and Colton Schaeffer and Steven Wyffels.
Arlene was born June 7, 1929, at Marshall, MN to Frank and Emma (Liedtke) Wyffels. She was raised and educated in Tracy, MN and graduated from Tracy High School in 1947.
She married Everett D. Haunson, August 20, 1949, at Tracy, MN. They moved to Dickinson in 1952 where Ev owned and practiced at Haunson Chiropractic Clinic. She owned and operated Dickinson Secretarial Service from 1978-1983 and later worked for Dick Backus as his office manager. She also was Administrative Aide for Senator Burdick. Most recently she worked for Kathy Gilmore in the North Dakota Treasurer's office.
Arlene had many interests including golfing, sailing, politics, women's rights, leadership, dancing, skiing and gardening. She was very active as the head of countless committees including, State President BPW, State Historian of the North Dakota Chiropractic Auxiliary, Elks Stage Hands Committee, board member of St. Luke's Nursing Home, president of St. John's Congregation, sang in St. John's choir for many years and also Good Shepherd church choir and served on the planning commission at Dickinson State College. Arlene and Everett moved to Bismarck in 1986. They had been married 53 years at the time of her death.
She is survived by her husband Everett; four daughters and three sons-in-law, Mary Haunson, Bismarck, Nancy and Perry Emch, Belfield, Laurie and J. P. Ruzicka, Scottsbluff, NE, Jennifer and Albert Schaeffer, Amidon; one sister and brother-in-law, Judy and Jeremy Wild; one brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Julie Wyffels, Tracy, MN; nine grandchildren, Peter and Jack Zuger, Paul and James Emch, Shawna and Cory Ruzicka, Clay, Kate and Colton Schaeffer and her stepmother, Annie Wyffels.
Arlene was preceded in death by her mother and father, Emma and Frank Wyffels.
Committal services were at North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND.
Ronald Kremin, 59
Funeral services were held Friday, June 14, 2002 at Tracy Area Funeral Home in Tracy, MN for Ronald “Butch” Kremin. Rev. Homer Dobson officiated.
Ronald O. Kremin was born August 17, 1942 in Milroy, MN to Ray and Janet (Geiser) Kremin. He grew up in Milroy and attended Milroy Public Schools. He served in the United States Navy, after the service, Butch lived in several areas across the country where he worked as a machinist, including Oklahoma, Minneapolis, Chicago, Washington and Louisiana.
In 1995 Butch moved to Milroy and was employed as a truck driver. He enjoyed sky diving, fishing, and gardening especially raising roses.
On June 10, 2002 Ronald O. Kremin died at the Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 59 years, 9 months and 23 days.
He is survived by two children; Terry Kremin of Baton Route, Louisiana, and Leslie Kremin of Milroy, mother Janet Kremin of Milroy, two brothers; Gene (Pat) Kremin of Chaska and Darrell (Alberta) Kremin of Milroy. He is also survived by two grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father Ray.
Interment was in Our Savior's Lutheran Cemetery, Milroy, MN with the Tracy Area Funeral Home handling arrangements.
Valdon B. Meade, 67
Memorial services were held Tuesday, June 18, 2002 at the Tracy Area Funeral Home for Valdon B. Meade. Rev. Homer Dobson officiated.
Valdon B. Meade was born March 12, 1935 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada to Russel Sr. and Leona (Young) Meade. As a young adult he moved to the United States. He served in the United States Army from January 1955 through March of 1962. Val was an auto body technician for over 25 years. In his later years he enjoyed antiquing and refinishing furniture.
One June 13, 2002 Valdon B. Meade died suddenly at the Tracy Area Hospital at the age of 67 years, 3 months and 1 day.
He is survived by his special friend Vicky Thaemert of Tracy, children: Heather Meade, Dale Meade and Lance Meade; three grandchildren; siblings June, Russel Jr. and Donald.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Tracy Area Funeral Home handled arrangements.
Rueben E. Nelson, 88
Funeral services were held today, Wednesday, June 19, 2002 for Rueben E. Nelson, at Sillerud Lutheran Church in Balaton, MN. Pastor Steven Quist officiated. Soloist was Michelle Wood with organist Donna Swan.
Casket bearers were Wayne Howe, John Nelson, John Eveland, Kindel Nelson, Terry Nelson and Todd Stone.
Rueben Edward Nelson was born August 11, 1913 to John M. and Vendla (Vieman) Nelson on a farm in South Platte Township, Hamilton County, NE. He was Baptized and Confirmed in the Lutheran faith. As an infant, the family moved to Ellsborough Township near Balaton, MN in 1913. He attended country school and worked on the family farm as a young man.
On September 5, 1937 Rueben married Viola Bengston at the home of her parents in Skandia Township. The couple made their home on a farm on the south side of Current Lake until 1988 when they retired into Balaton.
Rueben was a farmer his whole life and also did custom corn shelling. He was a past member of the Ellsborough Lutheran Church board and past member of the District 79 Country School board. He enjoyed fishing, pheasant hunting, traveling and spending time with his family and grandchildren, as well as wintering in Arizona and Texas.
In 2000, Rueben entered the Danebod Assisted Living in Tyler, MN. In June of 2002 he entered the Pipestone County Medical Center where he died on Saturday, June 15, 2002, at the age of 88.
Rueben is survived by two daughters, Carol Eveland of Black River Falls, WI and Louise Howe of Minneapolis, MN; two sons, Arden (Sharon) of Balaton, MN and Marlin (Karen) of Brandon, SD; 20 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Charles and Warren both of Slayton, MN; four sisters, Helen Bailey of Camden, NJ, Edna Nothem of Canby, MN, Marie Mortland of Marshall, MN and Alice Olson of North Platte, NE; many nieces, nephews and cousins.
His parents, wife, Viola, two sons, Richard and Marvin, one son-in-law, Walter Howe, one brother and two sisters preceded him in death.
Burial was in Sillerud Cemetery, Balaton, Minnesota with Almlie Funeral Home of Balaton handling arrangements.
Scott D. Nuy, 28
Funeral services were held Friday, June 14, 2002 at Tracy Lutheran Church for Scott D. Nuy. Rev. Stephen Olson and Rev. Marlene Elmstrom officiated. Soloist was Dawn Wood with Richard Stelter as organist.
Casket bearers were Scott Nelson, Clifford Johnson, Josh Welveart, Ray Johnson, Chad Nuy and Jeff Wenker.
Honorary casket bearers were Steve Springfellow, Justin Heins, Tim Ray, Pete Lage, Kevin Wendorff, Jed Hedmark, Chad Gohman, Steve Kokesh, Kevin Erickson and Ben Springfellow.
Scott David Nuy was born November 19, 1973 to George and Shirley (Sabinske) Nuy in Marshall, MN. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.
He lived with his family in rural Garvin, MN where he attended Tracy Elementary until 1982 when they moved to the Champlin, MN area and he attended Jackson JR High. Scott graduated from Anoka High School in 1992.
He worked as a truck driver and laborer for United and Midwest fence.
Scott enjoyed riding motorcycle, driving truck, ice fishing, hunting and spending time with family and friends.
He died Monday, June 10, 2002 near Willmar, MN, Kandiyohi County.
He is survived by his daughter, Sarina Nuy of Coon Rapids, MN; parents George and Shirley of Champlin, MN; one sister, Kelly (Dan) Jacob of Garvin, MN; one brother Daniel Nuy of Phoenix, AZ; two nephews, Nathan and Joshua Jacob and niece, Brandi Jacob all of Tracy, MN.
His paternal and maternal grandparents preceded Scott in death.
Interment was in the Tracy City Cemetery with Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy handling arrangements.
Kane Thomson, 26
The funeral service for Kane L. Thomson, age 26, Minnetonka, Minnesota, formerly of Fargo, ND and Tracy, Minnesota, will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, June 20, 2002 at Hope Lutheran Church, North Campus, Fargo, North Dakota. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at Boulger Funeral Home in Fargo, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Kane died June 16, 2002 near Moorhead, Minnesota.
Kane Lloyd Thomson was born July 8, 1975, in Tracy, Minnesota, the son of Kent Thomson and the late Kay (Keech). He grew up in Tracy until moving to Scottsdale, Arizona at the age of 11. Kane moved to Alexandria, Minnesota in 1991 and graduated from high school there in 1993.
Kane Thomson and Mari Daugherty were united in marriage December 15, 2001 at Hope Lutheran Church in Fargo. The couple made their home in Fargo, where Kane was a Systems Analyst for P.O.S. Business Systems. He had recently been transferred to the Plymouth office, and had moved to Minnetonka in May.
Since his sobriety on August 15, 1996, Kane had completely turned his life around, and had built a beautiful world around him. He was never afraid to try anything, and was enjoying living at the pinnacle of his life, after working so hard to get there. Kane was right with the world and all of those that surrounded him. He was passionate about life and truly lived every day to the fullest. Mari, and Kane's entire family, especially his three nephews, were the highlight of his life.
Along with being a dedicated, hard worker in the computer business, Kane enjoyed many other activities. He was an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous, and was a member of Hope Lutheran Church in Fargo. Kane loved spending time with family, enjoyed music, fishing and being at the lake, and was a great tournament pool player. Another one of Kane's passions was cooking.
Kane is survived by his loving wife, Mari, Minnetonka, MN, his father, Kent, Alexandria, MN, his sister, Kristin (Joseph) Zell, St. Louis Park, MN, his brother, Kyhl (Tiffany) Thomson, LeSueur, MN, his grandmother, Florence Thomson, Devils Lake, ND, his father-in-law, Ron (Janelle) Daugherty, Walcott, ND, his mother-in-law, Chrysann Daugherty, St. Paul, MN, his brother-in-law, Erik (Darcie) Daugherty, Morris, MN, his three nephews, Jacob Zell, Zackery Thomson, and Alex Daugherty, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. His passion for life will live on in many.
Kane was preceded in death by his mother, Kay; grandfather, Walt Thomson, grandparents, Lloyd and Elsie Keech.
Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo, ND handled the arrangements.
Thomas O. Anderson, 66
Funeral services were held on Saturday, June 15, 2002 for Thomas O. Anderson at Tracy Lutheran Church, Tracy, MN. Rev. Stephen Olson and Rev. Marlene Elmstrom officiated. Organist was Richard Stelter.
Thomas O. Anderson was born January 7, 1936 to Theodore and Clara (Rykhus) Anderson in the old Tracy Clinic Hospital. He lived on a farm southwest of Tracy. In 1944 the family moved into Tracy. Tom started school at District 11 and then attended Tracy Elementary and graduated from Tracy High School in 1953. He was baptized in the Lutheran faith on May 18, 1950 and confirmed May 21 of that same year.
Tom entered the United States Airforce in November of 1953 and retired in 1973. During his tours of duty he spent one year in Korea, two years in Guam, three tours in Thailand and one year in Okinawa. He worked in Spokane, Washington for while and then a year and a half in Denver, Colorado.
On June 22, 1959 he married Shirley Norman in Rapid City, South Dakota.
Tom returned to Tracy in January of 1976 and started an Appliance Repair business that he ran for approximately three years. Following that, he worked at the Co-op Oil station, Continental Grain in Walnut Grove, tended bar at the Eagles Club in Tracy and was a courier for the Headlight-Herald since 1993. He also did various carpentry jobs.
He was the Manager of the Tracy VFW for two years, past Commander of the VFW Post #871 from 1978-80, Tracy Eagles Aerie #3918 Charter Secretary from 1980-1992, past Commander of the American Legion Post # 173 from 1994-1995, past President of the Tracy Eagles from 1997-1998 and 6th District Eagles secretary from 1986 to present. He was also very proud of his membership in the Tracy American Legion Honor Guard performing for funerals and parades.
Tom enjoyed woodworking, going camping and attending Eagles conventions. Tom entered the Tracy Nursing Home and later the Prairie View Healthcare Center before he entered the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne, MN.
Tom died Tuesday, June 11, 2002 at the Our Cottage Hospice facility in Luverne at the age of 66.
Tom is survived by his two sons, Thomas F. (Julie) Anderson and Robert (fiancée, Lillian) Anderson both of Rapid City, SD; one daughter, Jacque (Keith) Perli also of Rapid City, SD; two grandchildren, Caleb and Reina; two sisters, Edith (Loren) Schmidt of Springfield, MN, Carolyn (Don) Engelkes of Tracy, MN; one brother, Donald (Blanche) Anderson of Cheney, WA.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
Interment was in the Tracy City Cemetery with the Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy handling arrangements.
Hospice of Luverne Community Hospital will plant a tree in Tom's memory.
Ted Van Dusen, 76
Ted C. Van Dusen, 76, died recently in Crystal.
The Tracy native was a World War II and Korean War veteran. He attended Tracy schools until joining the U.S. Marine Corps at the age of 17. He served with the Marine Corps Fifth Division.
A billiards enthusiast, Van Dusen was a member of the Minnesota Eight Ball League and the Grass Field Club. He was the son of longtime Tracy residents Ted Van Dusen and Sadie Van Dusen. His father was Tracy's police chief for many years. Sadie operated a cabin-motel on North Third Street that was destroyed in the June 13, 1968 Tracy Tornado.
Ted C. Van Dusen was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Natalie Tellefsen; and brothers Walt and Jim.
He is survived by his wife, Carmen, and sons Scott (Patricia), David (Carolyn), and Ted Jr. (Paula); a daughter, Ann Marie DeBruyckere (Chad); and seven grandchildren.
A memorial service was held at the Brunswick United Methodist church in Crystal. Interment was in the Glen Haven Cemetery.