Obituaries from the week of January 14, 2004
Verna Larson, 84
Verna Ella Larson, age 84, formerly of Pine River, MN died Wednesday, January 7, 2004 at the Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Balaton, MN. Services will be 2:30 p.m. Saturday, January 17, 2004 at the Almlie Funeral Home in Balaton. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until time of the service at the funeral home. Interment will be at the Lakeside Cemetery, rural Balaton. The Almlie Funeral Home of Balaton is handling the arrangements.
Verna E. Larson was born August 19, 1919 to Andrew and Anna Laura (Hanson) Rasmussen on a farm in Rock Lake Township, Lyon County. She was baptized and confirmed at the Balaton Presbyterian Church and attended the Balaton Public School. Verna graduated from Balaton High School in 1937 as valedictorian of her class. After high school Verna worked as a secretary for the school in Balaton.
On October 12, 1940 Verna married Harold “Jack” Larson at the Balaton Presbyterian Church. They made their home in Marshall for a short time and then moved to Hancock, MN where she and her husband managed a lumberyard for several years. The couple then purchased a gas station and grocery store near Backus, MN, which they operated until their retirement. They retired into Pine River, MN and lived there until her husband's death in 1980, when Verna moved to Balaton, MN to be near to her three sisters. In August of 2000 she became a resident of Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Balaton.
Verna was a past member of the Balaton Presbyterian Church and most recently a member of the River View Tabernacle in Pine River, where she had been very involved in the church until her health failed. She enjoyed gardening, both flower and vegetable, sewing and reading.
On Wednesday, January 7, 2004 Verna died at the Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Balaton at the age of 84.
Verna is survived by three sisters, Cora Wixon, Eva Towne and Amy Livingston, all of Balaton, MN; one sister-in-law, Esther Rasmussen of Deerwood, MN; many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Her parents, husband Harold, one brother, Roy and three sisters, Anna Fuhrman, Bertha Johnson and Olga Osborne preceded her in death.
Andrew Wixon, 91
Funeral services were held on Thursday, January 8, 2004 at Tracy United Methodist Church for Andrew Wixon. Pastor Alan Bolte officiated. Soloist was Barbara Wixon with Allen Pierson as organist.
Casket bearers were Michael Buesing, James Kaczrowski, Wesley Wixon, Daniel Wixon, William Lanoue, Ronald Wixon and David Wixon.
Honorary casket bearers were Arnold McDaniel, Nancy Beech, Marlin Petersen, Mel Ziemke, Joe Beech, Becky Peterson and Joan Ziemke.
Andrew Vincent Wixon was born December 25, 1912 to Miles and Florence Wixon on a farm near Garvin, MN. He grew up on farms in the Garvin-Amiret area, attended country school, then school in Garvin. He moved to Marshall to attend high school, working for his room and board until graduating in 1931. In his early 20s, he rode the rails to the West Coast, did seasonal work, then returned to MN and began working at the Silver Dollar Bar in Ghent.
On June 30, 1937 Andrew married Martha Whitlatch and they made their home in Ghent. In 1942, they moved to Tracy to take over Martha's father's farm, named the Square Grove Farm by her grandfather, S.S. Phelps. Except for his final month, Andrew lived on that farm for the rest of his life.
Andy milked cows for most of his active farming years. He once said his tombstone should read `I was in the barn.' His sense of humor and wit will be well remembered. After retirement, he and Marty took a number of trips in the U.S. with groups and often with Bill and Ruth Craig. Andy lost Marty, his wife of 66 years, only four months ago.
Andy is survived by one brother and sister, William Wixon and Rachael Kaczrowski of Marshall, two sons, Ward (Maureen) of Madison, WI, and Vincent (Patty) of Ashland, OR; three granddaughters, Devin Wixon Keller, Delight Stone and Beth Pepper; five grandsons, Miles Wixon, Michael, Gordon, Larry and Eric Stone; fourteen great grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter; many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Besides his parents and wife, 8 sisters and 5 brothers preceded him in death.
Burial was in Tracy City Cemetery with the Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy handling arrangements.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, January 8, 2004 for Esther C. Christensen at the Almlie Funeral Home in Westbrook, MN. Pastor Rodney Benson officiated. Special music provided by Carolyn and Dave Van Loh.
Casket bearers were Lyle Nelson, Steve Nelson, Fred Hage, Sr., Fred Hage, Jr., Kevin Byers, Harris Byers, Richard Byers, and Jacob Wieler.
Esther Christine Christensen was born August 22, 1906 to Hans J. and Mattie (Voth) Christensen in Volin, SD. She grew up in Yankton, SD where she began her education. Following high school graduation, she attended the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1928 with a degree in Home Economics.
Esther and her parents were business leaders in the community, owning the funeral home, hardware and furniture store, and were landowners as well. Her father served as mayor of the community during the early years. Later, Esther served as the Justice of the Peace. The family was very interested in civic affairs. She was proud of her parents' accomplishments. Later, she became the caregiver for each.
As a teacher, Esther taught Home Economics in Granite Falls, MN, substituted in the Westbrook Public School system, and also tutored children in transit, due to their parents' business interests.
Esther's interest in travel never ceased. She and her mother traveled annually to California, she enjoyed the Palm Springs area, and worked as a nanny in the Los Angeles area. During her lifetime, she visited Hawaii and Cuba, plus many trips in the continental United States. She continued to travel in later years, as well.
She had many interests over the years. She enjoyed all aspects of homemaking, including gardening, flowers, meal preparation and entertaining. Her specialties were her famous lemon pie, grape jam, and canning apples. She loved a challenging puzzle, crossword puzzles and Jeopardy. Reminiscing gave her a source of pleasure, and she loved chocolate. She enjoyed scrapbooking, rebating, reading, and playing the organ. For many years, she was a volunteer at the Good Samaritan Home.
Esther went home to her Lord on January 3, 2004 at the age of 97.
She is survived by no immediate family members, but lovingly remembered by many close friends including Gary Hofer, Lillian Baarstad, Fred Hage, Sr., Fred Hage, Jr., Mary Ann Hagemeyer, Hilda Byers, Harris Byers, Dale Nelson and others.
Preceding her in death were her parents, brother Alro, and special friend, Norman Nelson.
Interment was in the Westbrook Cemetery, Westbrook, MN with the Almlie Funeral Home of Westbrook handling the arrangements.
Verna Larson, 84
Verna Ella Larson, age 84, formerly of Pine River, MN died Wednesday, January 7, 2004 at the Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Balaton, MN. Services will be 2:30 p.m. Saturday, January 17, 2004 at the Almlie Funeral Home in Balaton. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until time of the service at the funeral home. Interment will be at the Lakeside Cemetery, rural Balaton. The Almlie Funeral Home of Balaton is handling the arrangements.
Verna E. Larson was born August 19, 1919 to Andrew and Anna Laura (Hanson) Rasmussen on a farm in Rock Lake Township, Lyon County. She was baptized and confirmed at the Balaton Presbyterian Church and attended the Balaton Public School. Verna graduated from Balaton High School in 1937 as valedictorian of her class. After high school Verna worked as a secretary for the school in Balaton.
On October 12, 1940 Verna married Harold “Jack” Larson at the Balaton Presbyterian Church. They made their home in Marshall for a short time and then moved to Hancock, MN where she and her husband managed a lumberyard for several years. The couple then purchased a gas station and grocery store near Backus, MN, which they operated until their retirement. They retired into Pine River, MN and lived there until her husband's death in 1980, when Verna moved to Balaton, MN to be near to her three sisters. In August of 2000 she became a resident of Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Balaton.
Verna was a past member of the Balaton Presbyterian Church and most recently a member of the River View Tabernacle in Pine River, where she had been very involved in the church until her health failed. She enjoyed gardening, both flower and vegetable, sewing and reading.
On Wednesday, January 7, 2004 Verna died at the Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Balaton at the age of 84.
Verna is survived by three sisters, Cora Wixon, Eva Towne and Amy Livingston, all of Balaton, MN; one sister-in-law, Esther Rasmussen of Deerwood, MN; many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Her parents, husband Harold, one brother, Roy and three sisters, Anna Fuhrman, Bertha Johnson and Olga Osborne preceded her in death.
Evelynn Pinckney, 84
Evelynn M. Pinckney age 84 of Tracy, MN died Saturday, January 10, 2004 at her home. Services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 17, 2004 at the Tracy United Methodist Church in Tracy. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until time of service at the church on Saturday. Interment will be at the Tracy City Cemetery at a later date. The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy is handling the arrangements.
Evelynn Mae Pinckney was born April 2, 1919 to William and Anna (Probart) Thorburn in Minnesota Lake, MN. Her mother died very shortly after childbirth and Mr. and Mrs. Leo Moran of Tracy, MN adopted Evelynn. She attended Tracy Public Schools and graduated from Tracy High School in 1937. Evelynn then attended one year at Tracy Jr. College and was employed by the P.W.A. regional office in New Ulm, MN.
On February 4, 1939 Evelynn married Charles D. Pinckney in Ottumwa, IA. They made their home in Tracy until February of 1941 when they moved to Washington D.C. where her husband worked for the U.S. Government printing office. During that time Evelynn worked as a cafeteria manager for the Riverdale Hills, MD school system. In 1971 they moved back to Tracy.
On Saturday, December 10, 2004 Evelynn died at her home in Tracy, MN at the age of 84. Her body was donated to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN for research.
Evelynn is survived by her husband, Charles; three sons, Gary and his wife, Dr. Carole of Avenue, MD, Bradley and his wife, Phyllis of Clements, MD and Keith and his wife, Carmen of Stillwater, MN; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Elaine St. Claire of Baton Rouge, LA and Audrey Hanson of Minneapolis, MN; nieces, nephews and cousins.
Her parents preceded her in death.