Obituaries from the week of August 13, 2003

James B. Creager, 63

James B. Creager, 63, former Tracy, MN and Pierre, SD area resident, died Friday, August 8, 2003 at his home in Rapid City, SD.

Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, August 12, 2003 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Tracy, MN with Rev. Paul Evers as celebrant.

He was born August 24, 1939 in Pierre, SD to James W. and Leone (Schaffner) Creager. James grew up and received his education in Stanley County graduating from Ft. Pierre High School in 1957. He then attended S.D. State University, Brookings graduating with a B.S. Degree in 1962.

He married Kathleen Fluharty on September 7, 1960 in Ft. Pierre.

He received a Master's Degree in 1970 from SDSU and a sixth-year degree from Mankato State University in 1977.

He student taught in Brookings, SD and taught at Ft. Pierre and at the Flandreau Indian School. He was an assistant principal, athletic director and later the principal at Tracy, MN. He also worked for J.W. Creager & Sons Construction on heavy construction equipment building streets, dams and dugouts.

James lived in Tracy, MN until recently moving to Rapid City.

He enjoyed sports including basketball and golf, reading and watching his daughters participate in athletics.  He also enjoyed South Dakota and watching his children and grandchildren play ball.

He is survived by his wife, Kathleen Fluharty Creager, Rapid City; three daughters, Carla Rae and husband Bruce Frisvold, Slayton, MN, Tamara Nora Ann and husband Brian Ketelhut, Bakersfield, CA, Carin Collette and husband Keith Creager Hoffbeck, Tracy, MN; grandchildren, Kayla Ketelhut, Erik Frisvold, Nathan Ketelhut, Aaron Frisvold, Taylor Hoffbeck, Morgan Hoffbeck; and a sister Jeanne Creager Timmons, Clear Lake, SD.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James W. and Leone `Tootie' Creager and a brother, Larry Creager.

Interment was held at on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 at Scotty Philip Cemetery, Ft. Pierre, SD.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to benefit the Panther Booster Club, Tracy, MN Public Library or the Hospice of the Hills, Rapid City.

Behrens-Wilson Funeral Home, Rapid City and Isburg-Hofmeister Funeral Chapel, Pierre are entrusted with arrangements.

Lindsey Masterson, 19

Lindsey Ann Masterson, 19, died Saturday, August 9, 2003, as the result of a boating accident. She was born July 19, 1984 to Tom and Beth Masterson. She attended Laura Wilder grade school, Edison Middle School and had just graduated from Lincoln High School.

Lindsey enjoyed dance, being with her friends, water sports and she loved her three pets.

Grateful for having shared her life are her parents, Tom and Beth, a brother John and a sister Lisa all of Sioux Falls; grandparents, Jay and Leone Brekken of Story City, IA and Lorraine Masterson of Wayzata, MN; eight aunts and uncles and 10 cousins. She will also be remembered by her many loving friends.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, August 14, 2003 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, with burial in Woodlawn Cemetery.

The Heritage Funeral Home of Sioux Falls, SD handled the arrangements.

Memorials may be directed to the Lindsey Ann Masterson Memorial Endowment at the Sioux Falls Area Foundation, 300 N. Phillips, Suite 102, Sioux Falls, SD 57104.

Helena Nelson, 86

Funeral services were held for Helena Nelson on Friday, August 8, 2003 at the Tracy United Methodist Church in Tracy.

Helena was born June 27, 1917 in Tracy, MN to Philip and Anna (Johnson) Nelson. She was born with many physical disabilities and because of them was schooled by Miss Potter, a tutor who came to her home regularly. She also took piano lessons for 10 years from Miss Potter and Mrs. Lee.

Helena was baptized at the age of 24 and was an active member of the Tracy United Methodist Church her entire life. Her favorite scripture verses were John 3:16 and Romans 8:28.

She never thought of herself as physically handicapped, her mind was always sharp and alert with an excellent memory for names, dates, places and events. She always had many good opinions concerning religion and politics. Her Christian faith and her church were a very important part of her life.

Helena enjoyed being at home on her family farm. She had a deep respect for nature and always enjoyed caring for flowers. When her mother was older, Helena took care of her and did the housekeeping. For the past 38 years she lived in her own apartment at Twin Circles in Tracy.

She was an active volunteer for many years in the community. For 22 years she visited the Tracy Nursing Home each week and played hymns on the piano for the residents. She also volunteered at the Senior Center Meal Site, serving as a greeter and assisting in the dining room. Helena received a certificate from Governor Perpich for her many hours of volunteering.

She was a good cook with a special talent for making baked beans and baking pumpkin pies. Helena was an excellent seamstress making clothing for her self and her mother. She also made Barbie doll clothing and wedding dresses, crazy quilt place mats, pot holders, pillows and pillowcases. She used the same sewing machine for 53 years. She also enjoyed doing embroidery work on tablecloths, pillowcases and dishtowels, which were given to family and friends as Christmas presents and wedding gifts.

Helena died Tuesday, August 5, 2003 at the Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 86.

She is survived by one nephew, Philip (Patricia Bly) Nelson of Tracy, MN; six nieces, Clarice (Howard) Rose of Onalaska, WI, Delores (Robert) Manke of Marshall, MN, Joan (Robert) Olson of Canby, MN, Nancy (John) Starr of Little Falls, MN, Joyce (Gordon) Oberg of Bemidji, MN, Jane (Alan) Hendrickson of Coos Bay, OR; 25 grandnieces and nephews; many great-grand-grandnieces, nephews and cousins.

Her parents, two brothers, Will N. (Doris) Nelson and an infant brother, one sister, Dorothy Nelson (Grant) Lemon, one grandniece and one grandnephew preceded Helena in death.

Interment was held at the Gales Cemetery in Gales Township, rural Walnut Grove, MN. The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy handled arrangements.

Kermit Whitman, 72

Funeral services were held today, Wednesday, August 13, 2003 at 10:30 a.m. at the Currie Presbyterian Church for Kermit Floyd Whitman. Rev. David Erickson officiated.

Pallbearers were Lindy Haugen, Tiny Halvorson, Cleo Hames, Earl Radtke, Roger Hamann and Bob Mixell.

Kermit Whitman was born on August 15, 1931 at Tyler, MN to Ami and Bertha Sturges Whitman. He grew up in Currie and attended Currie Schools. Kermit lived with his parents. His father died in 1944 and mother died in 1957.

Kermit worked construction for a few years and then in winter, he went to Florida and did carpentry and construction work. Kermit worked for many of the Currie area farmers doing all types of farm work. He also ran a scrap-iron business. Kermit worked at Shetek State Park in the summer for several years. The past several years, Kermit has split and sold wood as well as mowing grass.

He enjoyed raising rabbits and loved all small animals especially birds. Kermit also enjoyed gardening and flowers.

Survivors include many nieces and nephews and their families.

He is preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Frances Hills and Lilly Petit and brothers, Gordon and Quentin.

Interment was at the Slayton City Cemetery.

The Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton handled the arrangements.