Obituaries from the week of September 15, 2004

Evelyn Hibbard, 94

Funeral services were held on Friday, September 10, 2004 at 11 a.m. for Evelyn B. Hibbard at the Tracy Lutheran Church. Reverend Stephen Olson and Reverend Gary Gabel officiated. Organist was Richard Stelter.

Casket bearers were David Jasperson, Kevin Jasperson, Jason Jasperson, Jeff Barney, Lon Helgemo, Gary Helgemo and Alan Helgemo.

Evelyn Bernetta (Jasperson) Hibbard was born July 28, 1910 to Ole and Ida (Pederson) Helgemo in Tracy, MN. She was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and attended Tracy Public Schools.

On January 22, 1927 Evelyn married Harold G.W. Jasperson in Marshall, MN, and they made their home in Tracy. Harold died in 1944 and on March 17, 1948 Evelyn married Jens Hibbard. She was the owner operator of the Nickel Lunch from 1936 to 1937. She then became the office manager and bookkeeper for Forster’s Furniture and later office manager of Terrace Park Dairy.

Evelyn was a lifelong member of Tracy Lutheran Church and a member of the Tracy V.F.W. Auxiliary, where she held a position of officer. She also was a member of the Tracy American Legion Auxiliary and over the years enjoyed crocheting and craft work.

In August of 1997 Evelyn became a resident of the Tracy Nursing Home where she died Monday, September 6, 2004 at the age of 94.

Evelyn is survived by her one son, Donald (Barbara) Jasperson of Cokato, MN; one daughter-in-law, Irene Jasperson of Madison Lake, MN; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

Her parents, husbands, Harold Jasperson and Jens Hibbard, one son, Bernie, one granddaughter, Donna, one great-grandson, Bobby, one brother, Chester and one sister, Lorraine preceded her in death.

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

Nellie Petersen, 94

Funeral services were held on Friday, Sept. 3 for Nellie Petersen. Nellie passed away at her home after a long illness on August 31, 2004.

Nellie was born in Sibly, IA to Albin and Minnie Klucking. They moved by horse and wagon to Walnut Grove, MN when she was three years old. She attended public school there and married her long-time friend and sweetheart Carl Petersen in 1928. They resided in Tracy and owned and operated two restaurants with Nellie doing all of the cooking, until it became too much for her and they sold out and moved to California in 1958.

Carl died on August 31, 1995 after 67 years of marriage to Nellie.

Nellie then moved in with her daughter in Sierra Dawn North and was with her until her death.

She leaves to mourn her two daughters, Pauline Schmidt of Lakewood and Celene Enos of Hemet, her son-in-law Vern Schmidt, five grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren, two sisters, Katie Hatzenbuhler of Mitchell, SD and Florence Nelson of Sioux City, IA and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl, parents and nine brothers and sisters.

Velma E. Tutt, 85

Funeral services were held on Friday, September 10, 2004 for Velma E. Tutt at Trinity Lutheran Church in Balaton, MN. Pastor Steve Quist and Pastor Jon Skaar officiated. Special music was provided by the Scharfe family with Lisa Parker as organist.

Casket bearers were her grandchildren Ryan Tutt, Wade Tutt, Eric Tutt, Melissa Tutt, Shelly Darnall, Marc Tutt, Daniel Tutt,

Michael Tutt, Nicole Darnall, Allison Darnall, Drake Tutt and Samantha Tutt.

Velma Elaine Tutt was born October 19, 1918 to Fred and Esther (Stark) Radtke in Johnsonville Township, Redwood County. She was baptized and confirmed at the Johnsonville Lutheran Church and attended country school at District 59 in Johnsonville Township. Velma grew up on a farm north of Walnut Grove, MN, with her three sisters Arlene, Adeline and Verda. As buses came into use, she was able to attend Walnut Grove Public Schools, graduating from Walnut Grove High School in 1940. After high school Velma attended Mankato State College for two years and received her teaching certificate.
On August 22, 1948 Velma married Fred Tutt at the Johnsonville Lutheran Church, and they made their home on a farm near Lake Wilson, MN. Over the years, both before and after marriage, she taught elementary grades in several schools including Tyler, Pipestone and Lake Wilson. Velma became a charter class graduate from Southwest Minnesota State College in Marshall, MN, when she enrolled in the Elementary Education Department and graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in 1971. She accomplished this by taking night classes while still teaching at Lake Wilson. She was gratified to see many of her students grow and have families of their own. In 1981 she retired from teaching after a long and dedicated career. In 1996 she and her husband moved into Balaton, MN.

She was a long time member of the Ellsborough Lutheran Church adjacent to the land that she and her husband farmed. She was active as a Sunday School Teacher and she was also active in Ladies Aid and Bible study groups. She was currently a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Balaton. Velma enjoyed knitting, reading, sightseeing and traveling each winter to Pharr, Texas, where she and Fred enjoyed many good times with relatives and friends from Ellsborough and other areas. She cherished family times like Christmas and other events. She also liked to play cards and board games with family and friends.
On April 9, 2001 she became a resident of the Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Balaton, where she died Monday, September 6, 2004 at the age of 85. She was married to Fred for 56 years.

Velma is survived by her husband, Fred of Balaton; two sons, Sam (Peggy) Tutt of Balaton and Steve (Joan) Tutt of Marshall, MN; one daughter, Nancy (John) Darnall of Plymouth, MN; ten grandchildren, Ryan, Marc, Wade, Daniel, Eric, Melissa and Michael Tutt and Nicole, Shelly and Allison Darnall; two great-grandchildren, Drake and Samantha Tutt; one sister, Adeline Scharfe of Balaton; nieces and nephews.

Her parents and two sisters, Arlene and Verda preceded her in death. Velma had a very strong Faith, and she was an inspiration to all who knew her.

Burial was in the Ellsborough Cemetery, Murray County, MN with the Almlie Funeral Home of Balaton handling the arrangements.