Obituaries from the week of June 9, 2004

Gary L. Hanson, 63

Funeral services were held on Friday, June 4, 2004 for Gary L. Hanson at the Almlie Funeral Home in Tracy, MN. Pastor Homer Dobson officiated. Organist was Richard Stelter.

Honorary casket bearers were Zachary Hanson, Jasmine Hanson, Dominic Hanson, Bob Steece, Trent Mattison, Taylor Mattison, Nathan Mattison, Ashley Yates, Crystal Yates, Desiree Gohr and Brandon Gohr.

Gary Lee Hanson was born April 5, 1941 to Roy and Hazel (Wendorff) Hanson in Tracy, Lyon County, MN. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and attended Tracy Public Schools graduating in 1959 from Tracy High School.

In March of 1961 Gary joined the U.S. Army and did a tour in Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1967.

On April 11, 1981 Gary married Kathy Winter at the Church of Christ in Tracy where the couple made their home. Gary was employed as an installer for AT&T for 25 years and also worked for Minntronix Inc. for 8 years.

Gary was a member of the Tracy Eagles and the Tracy American Legion. He enjoyed fishing, camping and watching and listening to football, baseball, hockey, basketball and Nascar racing.

On Sunday, May 30, 2004 Gary died at the Tracy Nursing Home at the age of 63.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy; one son, Matthew of Belgrade, MN; three daughters, Joy Yates of Tracy, MN, Ronda Mattison of Lucan, MN and Angela (Brian) Gohr of Boyd, MN; 10 grandchildren; one brother, Robert of Monticello, MN and one sister, Janet (Les) Engler of Dundee, MN, many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceding him in death are his parents, infant brother, Ricky and sister-in-law Karen Hanson.

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

Clara Salsberry, 85

Mass of Resurrection was held on Monday, June 7, 2004 for Clara A. Salsberry, age 85, of Mesa, AZ, originally of Tracy, MN. Clara passed away on Friday, June 4, 2004.

She is survived by children, Richard L. Rauenhorst, (Mimi), Connie L. Nesdahl (Myron), and Carrie B. Rooks (Gary); their father Richard V. Rauenhorst; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sister, Margaret Smith (Dick), numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

The Washburn-McReavy Seman Chapel of Coon Rapids handled the arrangements.

Geraldine Verdeck, 59

Geraldine F. Verdeck, age 59, of Hutchinson, Minnesota passed away Thursday, May 27, 2004, at the Hutchinson Community Hospital in Hutchinson, Minnesota. Funeral Services were held 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, June 2, 2004, at Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Hutchinson, Minnesota, with interment in Oakland Cemetery in Hutchinson, Minnesota. Pastor Greg Nelson officiated. Organist was Joyce Piehl with Randy Wilson as soloist.

Casket Bearers: Jay Landreville, Dru Larson, Brent Larson, Steve Hillesheim, Pat Reynolds and Warren Kelm

Geraldine Frances Verdeck was born on October 31, 1944, in Tracy, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Clarence and Frances (Morgan) Larson. Gerry was baptized as an infant, and was later confirmed in her faith as a youth at United Methodist Church in Tracy, Minnesota. She received her education in Tracy, Minnesota and was a graduate of the Tracy High School Class of 1962. Gerry worked at various jobs until her marriage.

Gerry was united in marriage to Duane Verdeck on May 27, 1972, at United Methodist Church in Tracy, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with 2 children. Gerry and Duane resided in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota until 1981, when they moved to Hutchinson, Minnesota. They shared 32 years of marriage.

Gerry was a member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Hutchinson, Minnesota. She was a homemaker and a loving mother, who made her family her first priority. Gerry was a people person, who enjoyed visiting with friends and family. She also enjoyed spending time at the Lamplighter II in Hutchinson. Gerry loved spending weekends at the lake, going boating and waterskiing. In her younger years, Gerry loved to ride her horse, "Pal". She especially enjoyed spending time with her granddaughter, Morgan.

Gerry lost her battle with cancer on May 27, 2004, at the Hutchinson Community Hospital in Hutchinson, Minnesota at the age of 59 years.

Gerry is survived by her husband, Duane Verdeck of Hutchinson, MN; Children, Ryan Verdeck and his wife, Penny of Glencoe, MN, Kari Verdeck and her fiance, Shane Meek of Clear Lake, MN; grandchild, Morgan Verdeck; future step-grandchild, Morgan Meek; nieces, nephews, and many other relatives and friends.

Gerry is preceded in death by her Parents, Clarence and Frances Larson, brother, James Larson and aunts and uncles.

Arrangements by Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Hutchinson.