Obituaries from the week of June 2, 2004

Emma Wichmann

Graveside services for Emma Lorraine Wichmann, infant daughter of Eric and Leah (Cooreman) Wichmann were held on Monday, May 31, 2004 at St. Mary's Calvary Cemetery, Tracy, MN. Emma Lorraine was born prematurely and died on Sunday, May 23, 2004 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

She is survived by her parents, sisters Callista Joe and Paige Elisabeth, grandparents Joe and Carol Cooreman of Tracy, Lowell and Peggy Wichmann of Balaton and great grandparents Lorraine Cooreman of Tracy, Elenora and Lawrence Wichmann of Balaton and Arnold and Dorthy Halbfass of Gilbertville, IA.

Ila L. Hanson, 98

Funeral services were held on Saturday, May 29, 2004 for Ila L. Hanson at Trinity Lutheran Church in Balaton, MN. Reverend Steven Quist officiated. Organist was Lisa Parker with Larry Schultz as soloist.

Casket bearers were Kim Hanson, Larry Schultz, Mark Sanderson, Robin Hanson, David Schultz and Eric Peterson.

Ila L. Hanson was born February 18, 1906 to Robert and Eva (Thompson) Swanson in Balaton, MN, Murray County. She was baptized at her home on May 30, 1906 and confirmed at Sillerud Lutheran Church in 1921 by Rev. Harold Ardahl. Ila attended country school District #8.

On December 24, 1926 Ila married William Hanson at her parents' home. Bill worked for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, so they made their home in various places in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota. They moved back to the Balaton community in 1946.

Ila worked as a bookkeeper for the Balaton Creamery, and also was a housewife and devoted mother, who will be remembered for always being there for her children. She was a past member of Sillerud Lutheran Church and currently was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Balaton, where she was active in the Ladies Aid and her Circle group. She enjoyed visiting and being with family and friends, bowling and had a love for golf. She and her husband golfed together for many years and she was also involved in Leagues in both bowling and golf.

In October of 2000 Ila became a resident of the Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Balaton. On Wednesday, May 26, 2004 she died there at the age of 98.

Ila is survived by one son, Robert (Sue) Hanson of Jacksonville, Beach FL; one daughter, Marjorie (Marlo) Schultz of Balaton, MN; one daughter-in-law, Marilyn Hanson of Northfield, MN; 11 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and a host of dear friends.

Her parents, husband, Bill, one son, Donald, one great-grandson, Bob, three brothers and four sisters preceded her in death.

Interment was in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Balaton, MN with the Almlie Funeral Home of Balaton handling the arrangements.

Gary Hanson, 63

Services for Gary L. Hanson, 63, of Tracy, will be at 2 p.m. Friday, June 4, 2004 at the Almlie Funeral Home in Tracy. Burial will be at the Tracy City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Thursday with a prayer service at 7 p.m. followed by a service from the Eagles Club.

Geraldine Verdeck, 60

Services for Geraldine Verdeck, 59, formerly of Tracy, were held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 2, 2004 at Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Hutchinson. Burial was at Oakland Cemetery in Hutchinson. She died Thursday, May 27, 2004, at Hutchinson Community Hospital.

She was born Oct. 31, 1944, in Tracy to Clarence and Frances (Morgan) Larson.

Survivors include her husband, Duane of Hutchinson; a son, Ryan of Glencoe; a daughter, Kari of Clear Lake; and a grandchild; nephews Dru and Brent Larson of Tracy.