Obituaries from the week of September 24, 2003
Donald A. Goltz, 81
Funeral services were held on Saturday, September 20, 2003 for Donald A. Goltz at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Balaton. Rev. Mark Zander officiated with Lois Zander as organist.
Casket bearers were Craig Gifford, Archie Lustfield, Wes Westphal, Harlan Ahlschlager, Rod VanderZiel and Loren Westphal.
Donald Albert Goltz was born July 16, 1922 to Albert and Olga (Mitzner) Goltz on the family farm near Balaton, MN, Lyon County. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Balaton and he attended country school, before graduating from Balaton High School in 1940. As a young man he farmed with his family.
On April 28, 1943 Donald married Ardis Reinholdt in Balaton and they made their home on a farm near Balaton, where they raised three children. Besides farming Don sold machinery for several companies, including Hiniker and ArtsWay through the 1970's. Don married Gail Boon on July 9, 1983 in Sioux Falls, SD and they moved into Balaton a short time later.
Don was a member of the St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, a past member of the St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery Board, the Balaton Sportsman's Club, and volunteered as a driver for Western Community Action for many years. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing cards, dice games and spending time with family and friends.
Don entered Sioux Valley Hospital and Weiner Memorial Medical Center, before becoming a resident of the Minneota Manor Nursing Home in August of 2003. Donald died Tuesday, September 16, 2003 at the age of 81.
Donald is survived by his wife, Gail; two sons, Darwin Goltz of Denver, CO and Dennis (Stephanie) Goltz of Plattsmouth, NE; two daughters, LaNita (Chris) Usher of Luverne, MN and Mollie Goltz of Balaton, MN; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one brother, Barney Goltz of Bellingham, WA; nieces, nephews and cousins.
His parents, first wife, Ardis, and two brothers, Gene and Dale preceded him in death.
Burial was in St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery in Balaton with the Almlie Funeral Home of Balaton handling arrangements.
Harriet Haldorson, 91
Harriet Mary Williams Haldorson, 91 of Missoula, MT died on Wednesday, June 11, 2003.
She was born June 7, 1912 in Tracy, MN the daughter of Hattie Rowland and James Williams. Harriet graduated from Kahler Nursing School in Rochester. She served as a nurse in the U.S. Army during World War II, in the Persian Gulf Command in Iran, and later in the Korean War serving in a POW camp.
She married Olaf Arthur Haldorson in Eta Jima, Japan on May 13, 1950, during the Korean War.
Following her honorable discharge with the rank of captain, Harriet worked as a nurse in a convalescent home in Great Falls for 15 years.
The couple retired in Cotton Lake where Harriet cared for her aunt until her death. Three years ago they moved to Missoula to be closer to their daughter.
Her family includes her husband Olaf; a daughter Kathrine Haldorson of Missoula; and a brother, James Rowland Williams and his wife Barbara of Virginia; nieces and nephews.
Mildred Schwartz, 87
Funeral services were held on Friday, September 19, 2003 for Mildred E. Schwartz at Zion Lutheran Church in Tracy, MN. Rev. Kurt Kluge officiated. Teri Knutson was organist.
Casket bearers were Arnie Jorgensen, Harlan Raddatz, Dean Roiger, Robert Rannow, Lenis Roiger and Vince Lanoue.
Honorary casket bearers were Burton Kucera, Brian Raddatz, Cammy Gould, Dawn Giese, Ron Gilb and Judith Schneider.
Mildred Elsie Schwartz was born October 31, 1915 to Paul and Ida (Meyer) Hoppe in Sleepy Eye, MN, Brown County. She was baptized and confirmed at the Zion Lutheran Church in Springfield, MN and attended Springfield Public Schools, graduating in 1935 from Springfield High School.
As a young woman Mildred worked in the City Clerk's office for the city of Springfield. On June 22, 1938 Mildred married Alvin Schwartz in Sanborn, MN and they made their home on a farm northeast of Tracy in 1941.
Mildred was a housewife and the family bookkeeper for the farm as well as working with her husband on the farm. She was a past member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Springfield, MN and a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Tracy, MN, where she was also involved with the women's groups. Mildred and her husband enjoyed traveling and visiting with family and friends, but she will be remembered by many for the helping hands she extended to those in time of need.
On Saturday, September 13, 2003 Mildred was taken to Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD where she died Sunday, September 14, 2003 at the age of 87.
Many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews survive Mildred.
Her parents, husband, Alvin, brother and sister-in-law, Elmer and June Hoppe, sister and brother-in-laws, Elaine and Delbert Stark, and Art Schneider; two nephews, Douglas Stark and Carl Schrup preceded her in death.
Burial was in Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Springfield, MN with the Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy handling arrangements.
Leone Wilcox, 91
Leone R. Wilcox, 91, of Bloomington, died Sept. 19, 2003 at the Masonic Home in Bloomington. A memorial service will be held at the Masonic Home at a later date. Burial of cremains will be in Willow Lake Lutheran Cemetery near Tracy, MN.
Leone Ray, the daughter of Oliver and Emma (Johnson) Ray was born June 1, 1912 in Tracy, MN where she graduated from high school. Leone married Charles Wilcox on May 30, 1936 in Tracy. They lived in Minneapolis and later St. Louis Park. She worked many years at Maurice Rothchild's Dept. Store, Powers and Acme Awning until her retirement. She was a member of Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church.
She is survived by her son, Ward Wilcox and his wife Yoshika of Seattle, WA; grandson, Degas Wilcox of Colorado; brother, Warner Ray and his wife Vivian of Ashland, OR; several nieces and other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her husband Charles in 1992; one brother Richard Ray; three sisters, Florence Olson, Ida Ray and Marvel Ray.
Schmucker Funeral Service of New Ulm handled arrangements.