banner.gif (15051 bytes)

Obituaries from the week of September 10, 2003

Lester Arne, 65

Funeral services were held Tuesday, September 9, 2003 at the Heritage Living Center Chapel in Park Rapids for Lester Marvin Arne. Father Dennis Wieland officiated. Casket bearers will be friends and family. A second service will be held on Friday, September 23 at 1 p.m. at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Tracy, MN with Father Brian Mandel officiating. Casket bearers will be Gary Baumberger, Brad Becker, Vern Vahlsing, Patricia Wenninger, John Zajic, Patrick Thielges and Dillon Schultz. Interment will be made at the St. Mary's Catholic Church Cemetery. A luncheon reception will be held at St. Mary's following the services. The Tracy American Legion Post will provide military honors at the cemetery. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church.

Lester Marvin Arne, age 65, of Park Rapids, MN, formerly of Akeley, MN and Tracy, MN, passed away on Monday morning, September 8, 2003 at the Heritage Living Center in Park Rapids.

Lester was born on November 16, 1937 near Enderlin, ND to Norris and Theresa Arne. As a small child, he moved with his family to a farm near Amiret, MN where Lester began his formal public education. In September of 1946, he moved with his family to Tracy, MN. Here Lester attended Tracy Public Schools and grew into manhood. As a young man, Lester helped his father in his construction business. He was quite mechanically included and enjoyed repairing automobiles.

On January 4, 1955, Lester enlisted in the United States Army where he proudly served his country in Frankfurt, Germany. While stationed in Germany, Lester was involved in a serious motorcycle accident. He was in a coma for over 4 months and was left paralyzed on the right side of his body. After surgery and recuperation at the Walter Reed Military Hospital in Washington, DC, Lester was honorably discharged from the military on December 19, 156 and returned to Minnesota where he received more therapy.

In the early 60's, Lester ventured to Northern MN where he purchased some lake property on Howard Lake near Akeley. He loved animals; and especially enjoyed his faithful dogs and the sheep and chickens he would raise. He also enjoyed the wildlife that graced his property. He enjoyed living independently on his country property until suffering a massive stroke in 1994, and subsequently became a resident of the Heritage Living Center in Park Rapids, MN.

Lester is survived by his sister, Lillian (Henry) Zajic of Tyler, MN; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Delores Baumberger and Mary Lou Luttmer; his grandparents and several nieces and nephews.

Dr. Norman Lee, 83

Services for Norman James Lee, 83, of Coon Rapids was held Wednesday, September 10, 2003 at Church of the Epiphany located at 111th and Hanson Blvd. NW in Coon Rapids. There was private interment.

He went to be with the Lord Sunday, Sept. 7, 2003.

He was a graduate of the University of Minnesota Medical School who dedicated 50 years of his life to practicing medicine with compassion and a gentle spirit. His greatest joy in his profession was delivering over 5,000 babies. He was a gifted musician, a talented model ship builder and had a passion for fine automobiles. We will miss his unique sense of humor and loving kindness.

Survivors include his loving wife of 59 years, Mary Ellen; children Martha (and Jim) Lofton, Sara Wessling, Jennifer (and Gary) Erlander and Andrew (and Dawn); 14 grandchildren; a sister, Virginia Boet; and many loving relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by a son, Thomas; and grandchildren Zachary, Michael, Sara Jane and Charles.

Martin Green, 80

Martin L. Green age 80, formerly of Tracy, MN died Monday, September 8, 2003 at the Minnesota Veteran's Home in Luverne, MN. Services will be 3 p.m., Thursday, September 11, 2003 at the Almlie Funeral Home in Tracy, MN. Visitation will be from 1 until 3 p.m. Thursday and interment will take place in the Tracy City Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy, MN.

Martin Leland Green was born July 23, 1923 to Walter and Mae (Cyle) Green in Bushnell, SD. He attended country school and as a young man began working as a farm hand.

In 1944 Martin enlisted in the Untied States Army. He served in the southern Philippines for a year as a light mortar crewman and received his honorable discharge in May of 1945.

On February 6, 1959 Martin married MaryAnn Stoltenburg in Marshall, MN. They made their home in the Currie, MN and Walnut Grove, MN areas until moving to Tracy, MN in 1971. After his wife's death in 1997 Martin moved to Arlington, SD until 2002 when he became a resident of the Minnesota Veteran's Home in Luverne, MN.

Martin is survived by two sisters, Helen Rassmussen of Eveleth, MN and Clara Norris of Arlington, SD; many, many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parent, his wife, MaryAnn; five brothers, Irvin, George, William, Herman and Fremont, and three sisters, Violet, Beulah and Adlaide.

Louise Sundquist, 89

Services are set for Thursday, September 11, 2003 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Balaton for Louise Sundquist. Visitation will be today, September 10 from 4 until 8 p.m. at the Almlie Funeral Home in Balaton, with a Prayer Service at 7 p.m. Interment will be at the Modum Cemetery, rural Garvin, MN.

Louise Marie Sundquist was born November 4, 1913 to Lawrence and Mary (Holm) Hagge on the family farm in Lake Sarah Township, Murray County. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and attended country school. At the age of 14 she moved to Minneapolis to live with her sister, Lilly Jasper and attended the University of Minnesota Ag-School, graduating in 1931.

As a young woman she moved to Pasadena, CA where she worked at the Cal-Tech Pharmacy among several other jobs. Early in 1952 she moved back to Minnesota and in February of that year Louise married Arvid Sundquist at the Congregational Church in Garvin, MN. They made their home on several farms before settling near Lake Sarah. Louise was a homemaker as well as working at the Balaton Building Center, cleaned homes and even covered her son's paper route. In the late 1960's she owned and operated the Sunny Side Cafe' in Balaton.

She was a past member of Modum Lutheran Church, current member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Balaton where she taught Sunday School and was a member of the church's women's groups. She was a member of Balaton American Legion Auxiliary, Balaton Birthday Club and the Balaton PTA.

Louise enjoyed collecting antiques, gardening, both flowers and vegetables, arts, crafts and painting. She is also known for her love of children and over the years she baby-sat for many children in Balaton.

In late June of 2003 Louise entered the Colonial Manor Nursing Home where she died Sunday, September 7, 2003 at the age of 89.

Louise is survived by two sons, Steve (JoAnn) of Mound, MN and Bradley (Patty) of Minnetonka, MN; five grandchildren, Amber, Micki, Ryan, Ashley and Mary; one great-granddaughter, Madalynn; nieces, nephews and cousins.

Her parents, husband, Arvid, one brother and five sisters precede her in death.

Arrangements are being handled by the Almlie Funeral Home of Balaton.

Martha Wixon, 91

Funeral services were held for Martha Wixon, 91, of Tracy on Friday, September 5, 2003 at Tracy United Methodist Church.

Martha Elizabeth Wixon was born Feb. 22, 1912, to G.C. and Elma (Phelps) in Tracy, MN. She attended Tracy Public Schools and graduated from Tracy High School in 1930. Martha completed teacher training in Tracy, then taught in several country schools in Lyon County and later she received a degree in education from St. Cloud State.

On June 30, 1937, Martha married Andrew Wixon and they made their home in Ghent, MN where they lived until 1942. They then moved back to take over her father's farm, named Square Grove Farm by her grandfather, S.S. Phelps. Marty remained on the farm west of Tracy for all but the last few months of her life.

Besides working with her husband on the farm, Marty taught in country schools in Lyon County and substituted at Tracy Elementary School. She later taught full-time both there and at St. Mary's Catholic School. Marty was a very active member of Tracy United Methodist Church in Tracy, where she taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, was a member of various circles, and served on several boards including chairman of the building committee responsible for the Wesley Hall addition. During the 1970s she was a member of the Lyon County Welfare Board and served as its chairman. She also was a member and past chairman of the Tracy Hospital Auxiliary Board. Marty contributed a column to the Tracy Headlight Herald newspaper, focusing on news of the Tracy Senior Center but also including observations of the land, changing seasons, and the traditions of rural life. Marty and Andy donated land west of Tracy that is now home to the Wheels Across the Prairie Museum.

Marty's favorite hobby was flower gardening, in particular gladiolas. She also took part in the planning of the Tracy Flower Show for more than 30 years. She enjoyed bird watching, reading, and playing the organ. After retirement, Andy and Marty took a number of trips in the U.S. with groups and often with Bill and Ruth Craig. She kept a journal of their travels, as well as a daily diary for over 40 years. In 2002, Marty and Andy celebrated their 90th birthdays and their 65th wedding anniversary.

After a brief stay in the Tracy Hospital, Marty entered the Tracy Nursing Home in early August 2003 at the age of 91.

Marty is survived by her husband, Andy; two sons, Ward (Maureen) of Madison, WI and Vincent (Patty) of Ashland, OR; three granddaughters, Devin Wixon Keller, Delight Stone, and Beth Pepper; five grandsons, Miles Wixon, Michael, Gordon, Larry and Eric Stone; 14 great-grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter; one sister and lifelong friend, Ruth Craig of Tracy; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

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