Obituaries from the week of November 6, 2002
Justin R. Peterson, 22
Funeral services were held on Monday, November 4, 2002 for Justin R. Peterson at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Tracy, MN. Father Brian Mandel officiated. Cantor was Carol Cooreman with Shannon Benson as organist.
Casket bearers were Scott Peterson, Daniel Peterson, David Mitchell, Josh Fogelson, Adam Fogelson and Eric Danielowski.
Justin Robert Peterson was born March 23, 1980 to Anthony and Peggi (Danielowski) Peterson in Fort Walton Beach, FL. He was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith and attended Tracy High School graduating in 2000.
Justin's father was a career Air Force man as a result the family lived in several areas near Air Force bases including San Antonio, TX, Fairfield, CA and Altus, OK. Upon his father's retirement, the family, in the spring of 1995, moved to Tracy, MN.
He enjoyed following WWF Wrestling, NASCAR Racing and was an avid Vikings fan. Among his hobbies was building models, computer games and competing in them over the Internet. In the last year his greatest joy was babysitting his little niece.
Although born with a heart defect and not given even a year to live, Justin had a great sense of humor with no room for self-pity and always looked to the future. Justin died at his family home Thursday, October 31, 2002 at the age of 22.
He is survived by both sets of grandparents; his parents; one sister, Christina; two brothers, Scott (Tonie) of Marshall, MN and Daniel (Shelly) of Tracy, MN; one nephew, Nathan Peterson of Boise, ID, one niece, Jada Peterson of Tracy, MN and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
His great-grandparents on both sides and one brother, Nathan William, who died of SIDS in 1985, preceded him in death.
Burial was in Calvary Catholic Cemetery with the Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy handling arrangements.
Ward V. Wixon, 92
Funeral services were held today, Wednesday, November 6, 2002 for Ward V. Wixon at Balaton United Methodist Church. Reverend O. Thomas Booker officiated. Organist was Peggy Bundy.
Casket bearers were his grandsons Steve Wixon, Brian Wixon, Bill Fedde, Craig Wixon, Ward Larsen and Mathew Fogelson.
Ward V. Wixon was born April 20, 1910 to Miles and Florence (Moore) Wixon in Garvin, MN, Lyon County. He was baptized and confirmed in the Methodist faith and attended country school outside of Garvin. Ward grew up and worked with his family on a farm near Garvin.
On June 20, 1931, Ward married Cora Rasmussen in Balaton, MN. They made their home on a farm near Russell, MN and farmed for 20 years.
In 1951, they retired from farming and moved into Balaton, MN. He and his wife bought a resort north of Pine River, MN, called “Idle-a-While,” that they continued to run each summer until they sold it in the late 1960's. Ward also worked as a machinist at World Tool in Minneapolis, MN until the mid 60's, all the while maintaining their family home in Balaton. After the selling of the resort, Ward became manager of the Balaton Municipal Liquor Store and retired from there in 1972.
He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, hunting and playing pool. He entered the Tracy Area Medical Center last week and died there Sunday, November 3, 2002 at the age of 92.
Ward is survived by his wife, Cora; three sons, Dennis (Judy) Wixon of Vaughn, WA, Wesley (Marlene) Wixon of Hope, ND and Curtis (Beverly) Wixon of Aberdeen, SD; one daughter, Dianne (Rob) Hennagir of Balaton; two brothers, William of Marshall and Andrew of Tracy, MN; one sister Rachel Kaczrowski of Marshall, MN; 17 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and cousins.
His parents, and 15 brothers and sisters preceded him in death.
Burial was in the Lakeside Cemetery, Balaton, MN with the Almlie Funeral Home of Balaton handling arrangements.