Obituaries from the week of February 26, 2003

Gladys Gilpin, 95

Gladys L. Gilpin, 95, passed away on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 at the Prairie View Healthcare Center in Tracy, MN. She was born in Tracy on August 7, 1907, the first child of Grace Larson Gilpin and Jonathan D. Gilpin.

Her early childhood was spent in Minneapolis while her father finished his degree in education and later in Currie and Wayzata, MN where her father taught.

Glady's parents purchased the Tracy Headlight-Herald newspaper and operated it through WWI and WWII.

Gladys was an accomplished pianist, participating in the Tracy High School band and orchestra and was graduated in 1925. She attended the University of Minnesota School of Home Economics. Upon graduation in 1929 with a B.S. degree in Home Economics she taught home economics at Stillwater High School for several years.

From 1937-1944, she was a research assistant at the University of Minnesota St. Paul campus while she pursued her Masters degree. In 1944-45 Gladys worked as the county home extension agent for Los Angeles County until she moved to Washington D.C. to join the research laboratory staff of the U.S. Government Department of Agriculture as a home economist food research worker until retirement. After retirement she moved back to Tracy to assist in her mothers' care.

Gladys was an avid traveler and frequently led tours for the U.S. Agriculture Department to such varied locations as China, Australia and New Zealand and all the countries of South America. Her first of many trips to Europe was in 1931. At a later date she accompanied her mother and aunt to visits with their Swedish relatives.

During retirement years in Tracy, Gladys was an active member of the Tracy Methodist Church, the Bank Seniors group and Wabanaki Study Club. Eight years ago, she moved to O'Brien Court for three years until she then moved to Prairie View Healthcare Center, where she passed away.

Surviving relatives are: brother, Jonathan Gilpin, wife Dorothy, nephew Del Gilpin, Sue and family, and niece Lisa Brittingham, John and family; sister Genevieve Schentzel of Edina and niece Joanne and nephew Keith; nephew Lewie V. Gilpin of Richmond, VA, wife Carol and niece Heather as well as several cousins and dear friends of long standing.

Gladys will be honored and remembered at a memorial service in the springtime at the Tracy United Methodist Church with interment at the Tracy Cemetery beside her parents. Gladys will be remembered as a loving, generous Christian lady with a very caring attitude and a good sense of humor. She is greatly missed and loved by all of her family.

Ardell Gordon, 72

Funeral services were held on Saturday, February 22, 2003 at the First United Methodist Church in Worthington for Ardell M. Gordon. Rev. Gordon J. Orde officiated.

Ardell was born November 15, 1930 in Garvin, MN to Luther and Emma (Schafer) Griffith. Ardell attended country school and graduated from Tracy High School.

In 1965, she began working at Dickey Thrifty Drug, in Worthington. In 1975, Ardell started working at Ahlf Drug, in Worthington. She later began working at the Lakehaven Nursing Home in Worthington, in 1982. Ardell became an evening hostess at the Holiday Inn in Worthington, in 1984. She was a homemaker for 35 years raising five children.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Worthington; and the S.O.S. Support Group, which she worked as a facilitator and advisor. Ardell enjoyed many types of craft work, canning, cooking, reading and sewing. She also enjoyed good humor and people.

Ardell M. Gordon, age 72, died Wednesday, February 19, 2003, at the Worthington Regional Hospital.

Ardell is survived by her three daughters and sons-in-law, Debra and Dennis Roth, Worthington; Brenda and Tom Henry, Fairmont; and Janelle and Dwight Blumhorst, Des Moines, IA; son and daughter-in-law, Terry and Diane Gordon, Albert Lea; nine grandchildren; great-grandchildren; three sisters, Lorraine Averill, Tracy; Marilyn Holm, Balaton; and Violet DeVries, Rushmore; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and a son, Randy Gordon in 2001.

Burial was in the Worthington Garden of Memories Cemetery.

Astor Lovald, 86

Funeral services were held on Friday, Feburary 21, 2003 for Astor Lovald at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lucan. Reverend Jeffrey Engholm officiated. Soloist was Barbara Wixon with Allen Pierson as organist.

Casket bearers were Bernard Goblirsch, Robert Goblirsch, Ronald Wixon, Harry Beadell, Keith Hamilton and Matthew Pierson.

Astor Lovald was born December 10, 1916 to Andrew and Melana (Newgaard) Lovald on a farm outside of Milroy, MN. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Milroy and attended Milroy Public School, graduating in 1935. As a young man he worked on his family's farm near Milroy.

On May 31, 1939 Astor married Helen Florence Kruse in Brookings, SD and they made their home on the family farm near Milroy. In 1947 they moved to a farm southwest of Wabasso and farmed there until his retirement in the late 1970's. After his retirement Astor and his wife remained living on the farm.

Astor was a farmer his whole life, but after his retirement he took correspondence courses in Locksmithing and Saw Sharpening. He maintained a shop on his farm and continued doing this for many years. He was a past member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Milroy, a longtime member of the Gideon's and a current member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lucan, MN where he was involved in church council, a choir member, soloist, youth leader and Sunday School teacher. Astor was also a 4-H leader in the past and enjoyed carpentry, drawing and crossword puzzles. He also will be remembered for his many thought provoking articles he submitted to the Wabasso Standard newspaper in the past.

Astor passed away on Tuesday, February 18, 2003.

Astor is survived by his wife, Helen; three daughters, Karen Beadell of Owatonna, MN, Jacquelyn Lovald of Tracy, MN and Deborah (Allen) Pierson of Westbrook, MN; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins.

His parents and two brothers, Olaf and Earnest preceded him in death.

Burial was in Our Savior's Lutheran Cemetery, Milroy, MN. The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy handled arrangements.

Marlow Nelson, 84

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 for Marlow Nelson at Sillerud Lutheran Church in Balaton, MN. Rev. Steven Quist officiated. Organist was Donna Swan with Michelle Wood as soloist.

Casket bearers were Randy Schave, Jerry Dean Miller, Robert Nelson, Roger Schave, Dustin Miller and Donald Nelson.

Honorary casket bearers were Raymond Nelson, Charles Nelson, Arnold Van Winkle, Lennon Nelson, Warren Nelson, Vernon Haroldson and William Carlson.

Marlow Carl Nelson was born August 20, 1918 to Albert and Amanda (Wolf) Nelson in Tyler, MN. He was baptized and confirmed at Sillerud Lutheran Church and attended country school near Balaton, MN. He graduated from Balaton High School in 1936 and at the age of 19 he began working for W.T. Rawleigh Co. as a dealer. He also successfully completed the Carnegie Course on public speaking.

On June 7, 1941 Marlow married Selma O. Nelson near Balaton. They made their home for a short time in Minneapolis, MN as well as Balaton before settling on a farm near Balaton.

Marlow enlisted in the US Navy in 1941 and was a carpenter's mate stationed on a destroyer escort ship in the Atlantic Theatre, until his discharge in 1945. After returning home Marlow continued as a Rawleigh dealer. After the death of his wife in 1962, Marlow married Beulah Jennings on March 21, 1964. They made their home on a farm southwest of Balaton and then moved into a house in Balaton in 1980. For several years they then made their home in their camper traveling extensively to Texas, Florida, Arizona, Alaska and Mexico. They later moved into Circle Pines Apartments in Balaton and in January of 2000 moved into the Colonial Manor Nursing Home. Besides camping Marlow enjoyed being a salesman and meeting people, playing cards, photography and both he and Beulah very much enjoyed taking part in Bible Camp Retreats. He was a member of Sillerud Lutheran Church, past Sunday school teacher, sang in the choir, served on the church council and was a member of the Balaton American Legion.

On Saturday, February 22, 2003 Marlow died at the Colonial Manor Nursing Home at the age of 84.

Marlow is survived by two sons, Robert and Donald, both of Monticello, MN; one daughter, Marlys Schave of Park Rapids, MN; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two foster daughters, Kay and Loretta Johnson, both of Tracy, MN; one sister, Orla Swan of Balaton, MN; nieces, nephews and cousins.

His parents, both wives, Selma and Beulah, one infant son, Lynn, and one brother preceded him in death.

Interment was at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery with the Almlie Funeral Home of Balaton handling arrangements.

Death Notice

Loren Rea, formerly of Tracy, passed away on Sunday, February 23, 2003 at Boonton Township, NJ. Services will be Saturday, March 1, 2003 at the Tyler Area Funeral Home. Visitation one hour prior to services.

An obituary will be printed in next week's paper.

Bernice O. Roby, 93

Funeral services were held Saturday, February 22, 2003 for Bernice O. Roby, at the Tracy Lutheran Church in Tracy. Reverend Stephen Olson and Reverend Gary Gabel officiated. Organist was Richard Stelter.

Casket bearers were her grandsons: Jesse Roby, Alan Roby, Cory Roby, Ronald Roby, Michael Roby, Darrin Thovson, David Roby, Paul Roby and Craig Wilson.

Bernice Oline (Nelson) Roby was born July 7, 1909 to Jacob and Amanda Nelson on a farm near Revere, MN. She was baptized on November 14, 1909 in the Lutheran faith and later affirmed her baptismal covenant in rite of confirmation on May 14, 1924. She attended country school near Revere and worked as a waitress as a young girl.

On January 1, 1931 Bernice married Rudolph John Roby in Walnut Grove, MN. They farmed near Walnut Grove for six years and then moved to a farm near Garvin, MN for four more. They then bought a farm near Cottonwood MN where they lived until retiring in 1959. During this time Bernice worked for Marshall Produce and for a short time with Swift's in Butterfield, MN. Bernice and her husband moved into Cottonwood for a short time, as well as Windom, Westbrook and then Tracy, MN in the mid 70's. They enjoyed spending winter months in Reno and Las Vegas, NV. Bernice enjoyed playing cards, bingo and was a huge Twins baseball fan.

After the death of her husband Bernice moved into Twin Circle Apartments in 1990. She then entered the Prairie View Healthcare Center in June of 1999 where she remained a resident until her death on February 18, 2003 at the age of 93.

Bernice is survived by two sons, Donald (Julienne) of Garvin, MN and Jerry (Jeannette) of Apple Valley, MN; two sisters, Elaine Dent of Tracy, MN and Hazel Tackle of Walnut Grove, MN; 12 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins.

Her parents, husband, Rudolph, one son, Darold and three great-grandsons, Eric, Matthew and Andrew preceded her in death.

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