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Obituaries from the week of May 21, 2003

Vernon Hemmingsen, 85

Funeral services were held on Monday, May 19, 2003 at the Tracy Presbyterian Church for Vernon E. Hemmingsen. Rev. David Erickson and Rev. Homer Dobson officiated. Organist was Richard Stelter.

Casket bearers were Joe Buyck, Tim Ankrum, Harry Algyer, Jim Keul, Richard Kelley and Wes Hoflock.

Vernon Edwin Hemmingsen was born May 31, 1917 to Lars and Nettie (Farlee) Hemmingsen on a farm near Primrose, NE, Boone County. He was Baptized and Confirmed in the Christian faith at Primrose Presbyterian Church. Vern attended country school and graduated from Primrose High School in 1935. As a young man, Vern farmed with his father and moved to the Tracy area in the late 1930's working as a farm hand.

On May 12, 1940 Vernon married Harriet Williams at the Worthington Presbyterian Church in Worthington, MN. They made their home in Tracy and have been a large part of this community ever since that time. Vern started up his own business, Hemmingsen's Phillip's 66, a service station and bulk fuel service on Highway 14, as well as Hemmingsen's Auto Sales in downtown Tracy in 1941. In 1976 Warren, Vern's son, joined the business and after being in business for 47 years Vernon semi-retired, wintering in Arizona since 1980. Hemmingsen's Auto Sales was sold to their son in 1992, and it became Hemmingsen's RV Center in 1996.

Vernon was a member of the Tracy Presbyterian Church and affiliated member of the First Presbyterian Church in Sun City, AZ. Vern was active in his church serving as Sunday School Superintendent, and member of the Ministerial Association and an Elder several times. Vernon also served on the National Buick Council and the Tracy Norwest Bank board for 28 years. He was very community oriented serving on the Box Car Day committee for many years, the Tracy Hospital planning board, Tracy Country Club board, chairman of the Community Chest, Volunteer Fireman for 14 years, member and officer of Tracy Enterprise, as President of the Tracy Chamber of Commerce and Vern and his wife have even furnished transportation for residents of the nursing homes in Tracy.

Vern enjoyed all sports and participated in many as a young man, such as Nebraska Golden Gloves Boxing, Basketball and the local town team baseball team. He liked to play golf, hunt, fish, travel and loved to spend time with his family, their pets and to garden. Vern and his wife are members of the Garden Gate Garden Club of Tracy and the Minnesota State Horticulture Society. Many have marveled at the beauty of the flowers around their home, and they have received much recognition in the past for their roses, mums, lilies and other flowers. They received an Award of Merit from the Fourth District within the State Horticulture Society, have participated in many plant and flower shows, been part of the Tour of Gardens for the state convention, and have shared their flowers with us all.

On Friday, May 16, 2003 Vern died at the Tracy Area Medical Hospital at the age of 85.

Vernon is survived by his wife, Harriet of Tracy, MN; three daughters, Janet (Don) Kamis of Wayzata, MN. Marlene (Larry) Forstrom/Clark of Rancho Mirage, CA, Shari Allan of Boulder, CO; one son, Warren (Rosemary) Hemmingsen of Tracy, MN; six grandchildren, John Forstrom, Angela (Sean) Ronan, Ryan, Sara, Heather and Lindsay Hemmingsen; one great-granddaughter, Kaylie; one sister, Gladys Burda of Tracy, MN; nieces, nephews and many friends.

His parents, three brothers and two sisters preceded him in death.

Interment was in the Tracy City Cemetery, Tracy, MN with arrangements handled by the Almlie Funeral Home Tracy, MN.

Verna Nielsen, 68

Verna Joy Nielsen, age 68 of Mankato, died Monday, May 12, 2003 at Immanuel-St. Joseph's Hospital, Mankato.

Memorial services were held on Friday, May 16 at Mankato Mortuary Chapel with Rev. Gary Creech officiating.

Verna was born October 28, 1934, in Milroy, MN. She was the daughter of George and Catherine Pearl (Reynolds) Flesner. She graduated from Walnut Grove High School.

She is survived by two daughters and their husbands, Georgia “Gigi” and Todd Dvorak of Henderson, MN, Candice “Candy” and Jerry Cornin of Tucson, AZ; a son, Thomas Nielsen, Jr. of Park City, UT; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a sister and her husband, Lila and Elmer Klein of Tracy, MN; two brothers and their wives, Spencer and Margaret Flesner of Phoenix, AZ, Leon and Mary Ann Flesner of Anoka, MN; nieces, nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Don Flesner.

The Mankato Mortuary of Mankato, MN handled arrangements.