Obituaries from the week of February 5, 2003

Paul Eldredge, 93

Paul R. Eldredge, age 93, of Tracy, MN died Saturday, February 1, 2003 at the Prairie View Healthcare Center in Tracy. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 8, 2003 at the Walnut Grove United Methodist Church in Walnut Grove, MN. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until time of service on Saturday at the Church. Interment will be at the Walnut Grove City Cemetery at 9 a.m. Saturday. The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy is handling the arrangements.

Paul Ross Eldredge was born September 6, 1909 to Earl and Corda (Ishmal) Eldredge in Winnebago, MN, Faribault County. He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and attended country school in the Winnebago area. On May 14, 1929 Paul married Marie D. White in Winnebago and they made their home there.

In 1930 Paul went to work for Interstate Power Company and also managed the theater in Winnebago from 1936 to 1939, when they moved to Fulda, MN. He transferred to Spencer, SD in 1941 and in 1947 transferred to Walnut Grove, MN. Marie died in 1957 and Paul remained in Walnut Grove.

On June 14, 1959 Paul married Lucille Sanborn in Winnebago at the Methodist Church and they made their home in Walnut Grove. After 43 years with the Interstate Power Company Paul retired in October of 1974. He then worked at the University of Minnesota experiment station in Lamberton, MN as its maintenance person from 1974 until 1980.

Paul was a member of the Walnut Grove United Methodist church, past member of the Lions Club, Fisherman's Club at his church, trustee and church board member for 40 years, custodian at the church for many years, and a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).

In 1994 Paul and Lucille sold their home and became one of the first residents to move into O'Brien Court in Tracy, MN. In 2002 Paul entered the Prairie View Healthcare Center and was a resident until his death on Saturday, February 1, 2003 at the age of 93.

Paul is survived by his wife, Lucille; two daughters, Ruth Ann (Merlin) Swanson of Buffalo, MN and Betty Lou (Buzz) Buss of St. Louis Park, MN; three step-sons, Donald (Bev) Cook of California, Larry (Elaine) Cook of Georgia and Lynn (Marie) Cook of Iowa; three step-daughters, Brenda (Ray) Sommerfeld of Shakopee, MN, Jennell Potter of Dayton, MN and Mina Atkins of Tracy, MN; many grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and nieces, nephews and cousins.

His parents, first wife, Marie, daughter Pauline, son Dickie, four brothers and one sister preceded him in death.