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Obituaries from the week of April 21, 2004

Laura Vanmeveren, 82

Laura Vanmeveren, age 82 of Tracy, MN died October 27, 2003. She will be buried at Tracy City Cemetery at 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 24, 2004. The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy is handling the arrangements.

Virginia Sabinske, 87

Mass of Christian Burial for Virginia A. Sabinske was held on Monday, April 12, 2004 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Tracy. Father Brian Mandel officiated. Music was provided by Brenda and Judy Lenertz.

Virginia was born September 12, 1916 the daughter of James and Mary Crowley of Avoca, MN. She attended school in Avoca for most of her youth and finished her education in Fulda.

She married William C. Sabinske on March 4, 1935. The couple lived and farmed near Amiret for many years. In 1983 they moved to Tracy. William C. passed away in February of 1989. Virginia remained at her home in Tracy until her death.

Virginia died at her home April 5, 2004 following a stay at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

Virginia had many interests over the years. She enjoyed homemaking, gardening, playing cards and spending time with family and friends, especially her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was active in St. Mary's Mission, Our Lady of Fatima Guild, Royal Neighbors of America, Prayer Network and several local card clubs.

She is survived by five sons, Donald of Eden Prairie, MN, James and his wife Janet of Chanhassen, MN, Joe of Minneapolis, MN, Tom of Buena Park, CA, Larry and his wife Cindy of rural Marshall, MN; three daughters Mary Lemieux of Richfield, MN, Bette Gerlach and her husband Gary of Alliance NE, Joanne Sundeen and her husband Randy of Brocket, ND; 18 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; two brothers, James and Clem; two sisters, Norb and Marge and special friend and neighbor Alita Lenertz.

Her parents, husband, Bill and one sister Rose preceded her in death.

The Tracy Area Funeral Home of Tracy handled the arrangements.

Raymond Peschges, 63

Memorial services were held on Saturday, April 17, 2004 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Currie, MN for Toby Peschges. Monsignor Paul Evers officiated. The organist was Patty LeClaire with Gene Dold as song leader.

Honorary pallbearers were Mike Peschges, Brad Peschges, Jay Peschges, Joe Peschges Jr., Ryan Peschges and Nick Peschges.

Toby Peschges was born on August 12, 1940 on a farm in Dovray Township, Murray County, MN to Charles and Alicia Donahue Peschges. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from IHM School in Currie in 1958.

In 1962, Toby enlisted in the United States Army. On September 15, 1964 he and Linda Cohrs were married at St. Anthony Church in Westbrook, MN. Following their marriage they lived in Denver while Toby was in the service. Following his discharge in 1965, they returned to Westbrook. In 1970 they moved to Currie.

Toby worked as a heavy equipment operator on road construction until his retirement in 2002.

Toby passed away on April 15, 2004 at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 63.

He was a member of IHM Church in Currie. He also was a member of the Currie American Legion and the Currie Town and Country Club. Toby enjoyed hunting, fishing and visiting with family and friends.

Survivors include two sons and their wives: Darren and Ann Peschges of Mountain Lake, MN and Scott and Anita Peschges of Currie, MN; nine grandchildren; Andrew, Maria, Matthew, Gemma, Cecilia, Gianna, Wyatt, Teagan and Mark Peschges; three brothers and their wives: Ken and Mary Peschges of Jordan, MN, Joe and Sheila Peschges and Pat and Jean Peschges, both of White Bear Lake, MN. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Linda and two brothers, Jerry and Vernon Peschges.

Interment was in Calvary Cemetery, Currie, MN with the Totzke Funeral Home handling the arrangements.

Elvina Olson, 105

Elvina Olson age 105 of Tracy, MN died Saturday, April 17, 2004 at the Prairie View Healthcare Center in Tracy. Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, April 22, 2004 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Tracy. Visitation will be from 12:30 until 2 p.m. on Thursday prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at the Rialson Cemetery, rural Tracy. The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy is handling the arrangements.

Elvina Louise Olava Olson was born September 26, 1898 to Lars L. and Elvina (Rygh) Holten in Chippewa Falls Township, Pope County, MN. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and attended country school. Elvina's mother died when she was an infant and after her father remarried she helped raise her siblings.

As a young woman she went to work as a housekeeper for Rev. Belgum and his wife at Barsness Lutheran Church near Glenwood, MN. In 1915 she moved to Tracy, MN to be a housekeeper for her uncle, Carl Rygh. Elvina attended a sewing school in 1916 and began sewing for many people in the area. She then went to work for the telephone company as an operator from 1918 until her marriage.

On April 22, 1920 Elvina married Gilbert A. Olson at the Lutheran parsonage in Tracy where they made their home above Olson Brothers Grocery, which her husband owned and operated along with his brother Lewis. In 1925 they purchased a home on Emory Street where she lived for 55 years. After her husband's death in 1947, Elvina raised her children and then began babysitting for other families in the community. Elvina was a charter member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Tracy, as well as, a charter member of the Tracy VFW, active in both the churches ladies groups and also in the Ladies Auxiliary. She enjoyed playing cards, baking, cooking, babysitting and traveling to visit both family and friends.

In 1980 Elvina moved into the Twin Circle Apartments in Tracy and in November of 1994 she became a resident of the Prairie View Healthcare Center in Tracy. Over the years many have asked Elvina how she lived so long? Her answer was, "I'm tough."

Elvina is survived by her four daughters, Naomi (Hubert) Jansen of LaPalma, CA, Lorraine (Clifton) Frisvold of Slayton, MN, Arlene (Ray) Gleason of Owatonna, MN and Constance (Thomas) Harnack of Rochester, MN; 15 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

Her parents, husband, Gilbert, one son, Howard, one great-grandson, Andrew and one brother, Edwin preceded her in death.

Memorials to be given to Zion Lutheran Church in Tracy.

Florence N. Morey, 77

Funeral services were held on Sunday, April 18, 2004 at Tracy United Methodist Church for Florence N. Morey. Pastor Alan Bolte officiated. Soloist was Joshua Morey with Arlene Morey as pianist and Allen Pierson as organist.

Honorary casket bearers were Gary Bitker, Robert Ankrum, Bill Heern, Christopher Morey, Joshua Morey, Ray Ragan, Duane DeSmet and Don Hanson.

Florence Neva Morey was born March 12, 1927 to Emil and Allie (Lau) Bitker on a farm near Lucan, Redwood County, MN. She was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith. Florence attended Milroy public schools, graduating from Milroy High School in 1946. After graduation she worked at the Rainbow Café in Marshall, MN and the Red Owl Grocery store in Tracy, MN.

On September 11, 1948 Florence married Francis Morey and the couple made their home in Tracy. Florence worked beside her husband, corn shelling and hauling for various farmers until the mid 1970's. In the early 1980's they purchased a small engine repair business, where she did the bookkeeping and worked along side her husband.

Florence attended Tracy United Methodist Church and had been active in church circle. She enjoyed gardening, painting, crocheting, dancing, bowling, music and crafts. She was known as being “Grandma” to many children in the Tracy community.

On April 13, 2004 Florence died at the Springside Health Care Center in Tracy at the age of 77.

She is survived by two sons, Merle (Maria) Morey of Portsmouth, VA and Jeff (Sue) Morey of Tracy, MN; two daughters, Sharyn (John) Atvars of Hastings, MN and Arlene (Jerry Pittenger) Morey of Las Vegas, NV; two grandsons, Christopher and Joshua Morey; one brother, Merlyn (Jeanette) Bitker of Milroy, MN; one sister, Myrtle Morphew of Coon Rapids, MN and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death are her parents, husband, Francis; one brother, Erwin; four sisters, Evelyn, Vivian, Ruth and infant sister, Iris Viva.

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

Iona Holden, 87

Iona Holden age 87 formerly of Garvin, MN died November 22, 2003 at the Inver Grove Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Inver Grove Heights, MN. Interment will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 21, 2004 at the Hoiland Cemetery, rural Garvin. Visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m. that same evening at the Almlie Funeral Home in Tracy, MN with a Prayer Service at 7 p.m.

The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy is handling arrangements.

Donald Gilb, 75

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, April 20, 2004 for Donald Gilb at Tracy Lutheran Church in Tracy, MN. Rev. Stephen Olson and Rev. Gary Gabel officiated. Richard Stelter was the organist with special music by soloist Vicky Farley. Eulogy was given by Steven Gilb and Don Gilb Jr.

Casket bearers were Terry Wixon, Leroy Ellingson, Mike Gilb, Alex Gilb, Luke Gilb and Danny Galbraith.

Honorary casket bearers were Forrest Wixon, Aron Gilb, Bradley Galbraith and Charles Ellingson.

Donald Dale Gilb was born May 16, 1928 in Tracy, Minnesota to John and Minnie (Fredrick) Gilb. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Tracy. He attended Tracy Public Schools.

On September 23, 1950 Donald was united in marriage to Louella Galbraith. He served in the United States Army from November 1950 through November of 1952. After the service the couple returned to the Tracy area. Where Don worked for Armour Company. He later worked for John Deere. In 1966 Don started working for the Minnesota Department of Transportation where he did road maintenance. He retired in 1990 and moved to a farmstead near Garvin. He was a member of the Tracy Lutheran Church, and former member of the American Legion. He enjoyed fishing and gabbing and playing cards.

On April 17, 2004 Donald Dale Gilb died at his home in rural Garvin at the age of 75 years, 11 months, and 1 day.

He is survived by his wife Louella of Garvin, seven children: Don & Debbie Gilb of Fairmont, Robert & Jo Gilb of Altus, OK, Steven & Sharon Gilb of Windom, Linda and Jim Farley of Minnetonka, Lorraine & Evans Ombori of Inver Grove Heights, Dale Gilb of Garvin and Lori & Leroy Pettibone of Adrian; 16 grandchildren: Holly and Jeremy Gilb, Leslie Cameron, Heather, Luke and Pepin Gilb, Vicky and Amanda Farley, Mike Gilb, Henry Ombori, Allan, Alex, Nikki Jo, and Aron Gilb and Marie and Matthew Pettibone, and great grandchildren; Kyle and Tristan. He is also survived by five sisters; Bernice and Speed Ellingson of Tracy, Lowell and Betty Bornitz of Tracy, Violet Hook of Canby, Bertha Wixon of Lake Wilson and Martha Triplet of Tracy and his pet dog Barney.

He was preceded in death by he parents, two brothers; Raymond and Ernest and three sisters; Leona, Louise and Alme.

Interment with Military Rites by Tracy American Legion was held at the Russell City Cemetery, Russell, MN. Arrangements were handled by the Tracy Area Funeral Service.