Obituaries from the week of September 17, 2003

Chester Johnson, 90

Chester Johnson was born August 29, 1913 to Paul and Lena (Ross) Johnson in Iroquois, IL. He attended country school and began farming as young man and throughout his whole life.

He married Meretta Kelson in Garvin, MN and made their home on a farm near Balaton, MN.

He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Balaton and enjoyed fishing as well as farming. Chester and his wife will both be remembered for their generosity to the community of Balaton, their church and Lyon County.

On September 10, 2003 Chet died at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 90.

Although Chet has no living immediate family he will be missed by many.

His parents, his wife, Meretta and his sister, Fannie, preceded him in death.

The Almlie Funeral Home of Balaton handled the arrangements.

Roger Peavey, 59

Funeral services were held at First Lutheran Church in Amery, WI on Monday, Sept. 15, 2003 for Roger S. Peavey. Rev. Marcia Pyle officiated. Private family interment was at the Amery Cemetery. The Williamson Funeral Home in Amery assisted the family with arrangements.

Roger S. Peavey was born on November 17, 1943 in Miles City, Montana the son of Richard and Margery (McKinnon) Peavey. He was a graduate of Faribault High School in Faribault, MN. Roger went on to attend Monmouth College and the University of Arizona-Tucson where he received his MBA and was captain of the golf team.

He was united in marriage to Gail Schaffer on June 15, 1974 and to this union four children were born.

Roger died suddenly on September 10, 2003 in Somerset, WI at the age of 59 years.

His parents, grandparents and an infant son Jared preceded him in death.

Left to mourn are his wife Gail and their children, Ryan, Tasha and Casey all of Amery. He also leaves one brother Rick Peavey and two sisters Marilyn Meshke and Marge Vadnais as well as other relatives and friends.

Mildred Schwartz, 87

Mildred E. Schwartz of Tracy died Sunday, September 14, 2003 at the Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, September 19, 2003 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Tracy. Visitation will be from 4 until 8 p.m. Thursday, September 18, 2003 at the Almlie Funeral Home in Tracy with a 7 p.m. prayer services. Visitation will continue one hour prior to service at the church on Friday.

Interment will be in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Springfield, MN. Arrangements are being handled by the Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy.

Eunice Smith, 83

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2003 for Eunice Elizabeth Smith. Rev. Bruce Smith and Rev. Wes Smith officiated.

Eunice was born April 14, 1920 in Tracy, MN to John and Edith Melligan. She graduated from Milroy High School in May of 1938. She was united in marriage to H. LaVerne Smith on November 6, 1938 in Walnut Grove, MN. To this union six children were born.

Eunice passed away on September 3, 2003 at the age of 83 years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. H. LaVerne Smith; an infant son; one sister, Isabelle Abbott; two brothers Carl and Allen Melligan.

She is survived by three son and their spouses: Larry and Rose Mary Smith of Blakesburg, IA, Rev. Wes and Colleen Smith of Riverside, CA and Dr. Bruce and Dr. Caye Smith of San Diego, CA; two daughters and their spouses: Lynnette and Verlan Knight of Corpus Christi, TX and Rev. Janet and Rev. Warren Neal of Deli, East Timor; a sister and her husband, Myrna and Harold Anderson of Garvin, MN; a brother and his wife, Delbert and Yvonne Melligan of Acampa, CA; 11 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Interment was at Olive Chapel Cemetery in Marion County, IA.

Isabella Gilb Winter

There will be a grave side service for Belle Winter on Sat., Sept. 20 at 6 p.m. at the Lucan Lutheran Cemetery.