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Obituaries from the week of August 7, 2002

Eileen Habben, 64

Funeral services were held today, Wednesday, August 7, 2002, for Eileen Habben at Zion Lutheran Church in Tracy. Rev. Kurt D. Kluge officiated. Organist was JoAnn Knott.

Casket bearers were Jason Maher, Ryan Maher, Michael Peschges, Kevin Rykhus, Scott Rykhus and Dave Petersen.

Eileen Sylvia (Martin) Petersen-Habben was born September 15, 1937, to Ernest and Helen Martin in Garvin, MN. When Eileen was 7, her mother passed away. She lived with her uncle Arthur Curtis and his housekeeper Ada Henkel. She grew up on a farm near Amiret, MN. Eileen attended school in Garvin and Balaton, MN.

On September 24, 1954, she married Fredrick Petersen. They lived on a farm near Garvin and later near Tracy. Fred died on October 24, 1977.

Eileen married William (Bill) Habben on November 4, 1978. They lived in Tracy and then moved to Balaton. They purchased the Pla-Eatorium Cafe in Balaton in 1980 and ran the business until the early 1990s. They also purchased the Walnut Grove Drive-In. The couple moved back to Tracy in the early 1990s. Eileen returned to work at the Red Rooster Cafe as a cook.

She enjoyed her work and many friends. She was involved in many activities over the years; Ladies Circle at Zion Lutheran Church, ceramics, coffee club, birthday club and she enjoyed entertaining. When Bill and Eileen owned the Pla-Eatorium they served free meals on holidays to member of the community who had no place to celebrate the holidays.

On August 4, 2002, Eileen Sylvia Habben died at the Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 64 years, 10 months and 19 days.

She is survived by her husband William (Bill) Habben of Tracy; daughters Becky and husband Rick Schreier of Eden Prairie, Helen and husband Tom Maher of Sleepy Eye, SherLynn Petersen of Tracy and special friend Rick Bjorklund; seven grandchildren, Nathan and Eric Schreier, Jason and wife Dayna Maher, Ryan and Nicole Maher, Amber and Michael Peschges. She is also survived by two brothers and one sister, Don Martin of Marshall, Dick Martin of Spring Lake Park and June Rupp of Oklahoma.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband Fred Petersen, an infant son Maynard and a daughter Linda Petersen, two sisters and one brother.

Burial was in the Tracy City Cemetery with Tracy Area Funeral Home handling arrangements.

Norma Nelson, 75

Funeral services were held on Thursday, August 1, 2002 for Norma Nelson at Trinity Lutheran Church in Westbrook, MN. Rev. William Klavetter officiated. Organist was Jocelyn Wester with special music by Marian Johnson.

Casket bearers were Don Enstad, Dean Nelson, Duane Nelson, Keith Nelsen, Lyle Nelson and Kern Iverson.

Norma Mavis Nelson was born June 2, 1927 to Norman and Mable (Anderson) Einertson in Westbrook Township, Cottonwood County, Minnesota. She was baptized on August 7, 1927 at Old Westbrook Lutheran Church, and later confirmed there on June 15, 1941.

She grew up on the family farm northeast of Westbrook and attended country school District #30, and then Westbrook High School, graduating with the class of 1944. Following graduation, she attended Lutheran Bible Institute and the MacPhail School of Music in Minneapolis.

On March 20, 1949, she and Dale R. Nelson were married at Old Westbrook Lutheran Church. Following their marriage, they first farmed in Amo Township, south of Storden, and then moved to a farm south of Westbrook in 1962. They continued farming until 1981, when they moved into Westbrook. For 18 years, Norma was employed at the Good Samaritan Home in Westbrook.

Norma was always actively involved in the life and ministry of the Church. She taught Sunday School for 30 years, and was church pianist at Amo Lutheran for 8 years. At Trinity Lutheran she accompanied the Men's Chorus and other groups as needed. In addition, she participated in WELCA and Bible Study at Trinity, where she was a member for the past 40 years.

Favorite activities included music, cake baking, cooking and gardening. She will be remembered for her genuine hospitality and concern for others. She loved company, having a chance to spend time with the grandchildren, family and friends.

Norma entered Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD on July 25, 2002 and died there on July 29, 2002. She was 75 years old.

She is survived by her husband, Dale; one daughter, Lynn (Steven) Peterson, Tracy, MN; one son, Steven (Jan) Nelson, Westbrook, MN; four grandchildren, Tasha, Luke, Amy and Beth Nelson; two sisters, Selma Refsal, Lamberton, MN; Hazel (Lloyd) Enstad, Westbrook, MN; one brother, Reverend Norris (Carolyn) Einertson, Sioux Falls, SD; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents.

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

Clara Ruthenbeck, 101

Services for Clara Ruthenbeck, 101, formerly of Tracy, will be at 10 a.m. Friday, August 9, at the Tracy Lutheran Church. Burial will be in the Tracy City Cemetery. Visitation will be at the church one hour before the services.

She died in Port Angeles, Washington.

Clara Amalie Meyer was born in Warrenton, Missouri and moved to Minnesota at the age of 14. She married Art Ruthenbeck in 1925 and lived in Tracy until 1984. Art preceded her in death in 1979. She moved to California in 1981 and to Port Angeles in 1985.

Survivors include two daughters, Particia Norton, Port Angeles, Sheryl Swanbeck, Enumclaw, Washington and one son, Dick of Sun City West, Arizona.