Obituaries from the week of February 11, 2004

Richard Fogel, 52

Funeral services are set for Richard L. Fogel, for Friday, February 13, 2004 at 1:30 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Westbrook, MN. Visitation will be on Thursday, February 12, from 5-8 p.m. at the Westbrook Funeral Home and will continue at the church on Friday, one hour prior to the service. Rev. Allen Buresh will officiate with Betty Rupp as organist and Eunice Christensen as soloist.

Casket bearers are Daniel Jacob, Darren Jacob, Bruce Jorgenson, Jeff Goettig, Chuck Barrie and Alan Anderson.

Honorary Casket bearers are Daniel Olsem, Aaron Goettig, Derick Goettig, Timothy Jacob, Nathan Jacob, Brandi Jacob, Joshua Jacob, Stephanie Jacob, John Cooley, Teresa Goettig, Kelly Ann Jacob and Kelly J. Jacob.

Richard Lawrence Fogel was born September 22, 1951, in Westbrook, Minnesota to Lawrence and Bonita (Boster) Fogel. He was baptized and confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church in Westbrook. He attended and graduated from Westbrook Public School in 1969.

Following graduation, Rick attended Worthington Community College for two years, Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa and Luther Seminary in St. Paul for two years. He returned to Westbrook and was employed at Toro in Windom for 26 years. Rick was very active in Boy Scouts as a leader and helping with camping trips. Rick was active in church work, where he taught Sunday School and mentored confirmation students. He served on Grace Lutheran Church Council, did the narration for the Christmas and Easter cantata and sang solos. He was active on a pool and bowling league, enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and high school sports. He was an avid Minnesota professional sports fan. Rick was good natured, compassionate, and a helping friend to everyone. He loved life.

Richard Lawrence Fogel passed away February 9, 2004 at his home in Westbrook, Minnesota at the age of 52 years, 4 months and 17 days.

He is survived by his parents Lawrence and Bonita Fogel of Westbrook; his sister Bonnie (Don) Jacob of Tracy; nieces and nephews Teresa (Jeff) Goettig with their children Aaron and Derick; Daniel (Kelly Ann) Jacob with their children Nathan, Brandi, and Joshua; Darren (Kelly J.) Jacob with their children Timothy and Stephanie; as well as several aunts, uncles and other relatives, friends and co-workers.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents.

Burial in the Westbrook Cemetery.

Arrangements are being handled by the Westbrook Funeral of Westbrook, MN.

Ruth Gorden, 85

Ruth D. Gorden, age 85 of Tracy, MN, died Monday, February 9, 2004 at the Tracy Nursing Home in Tracy. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, February 13, 2004 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Tracy. Visitation will be from 4 until 8 p.m. on Thursday, February 12 at the Almlie Funeral Home in Tracy.

Ruth Dorthea Gorden was born June 4, 1918 to John and Otelia (Bartz) Werner in Stewartville, MN. She was baptized in the Lutheran faith and in 1933 she was confirmed and became a charter member of Zion Lutheran Church in Tracy. Ruth attended Tracy Public Schools and graduated from Tracy High School in 1936. After high school she attended Bethany Jr. College in Mankato, MN, majoring in business. Ruth then returned to Tracy and worked for Tracy Produce as a bookkeeper.

In 1942 Ruth married Marvin Gorden at the Zion Lutheran Church in Tracy. After her husband's tour of duty in WWII, they made their home on a farm south of Tracy in Holly Township. They farmed for 35 years and in 1980, they moved into their home on Long Green Lane in Tracy.

Ruth was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Tracy and very active in it's women's organizations, holding various offices over the years. Over the years Ruth has also been a 4-H leader and a member of the Tracy Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed gardening and passed this love, knowledge and her plants on to her family and friends. Community projects and wonderful friendships resulted from her long involvement in Tracy's Garden Club. For over 50 years Ruth loved her card clubs, starting with one bridge club while on the farm and increasing to several clubs and many dear friends. Travel was another great enjoyment for her and her husband. They visited many of the bases where Marvin had been stationed and many trips all over the country to 57th Bomber Wing reunions. They vacationed in California and Texas and took many trips with the Tracy Prime Timers Club. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy, and traveling to visit them was a priority. Until 2000 all of these trips had been by land, however, in that year, Ruth and Janice flew to Amsterdam, met with some friends and took a ship touring the Balkan countries, highlighted by Norway and Russia. Other activities Ruth has enjoyed are square dancing, bowling, crafts, crossword puzzles, Senior Center activities and volunteering.

In February of 2003 she became a resident of the Tracy Nursing Home and on Monday, February 9, 2004 Ruth died there at the age of 85.

Ruth is survived by her daughter, Janice (Dave) McClellan of New Ulm, MN; three grandchildren, Jason (Trish), Phil (Julie) and Nate (Kris); three great-grandchildren, Maddie, Shane and Kaylee; one sister, Delores of Sacramento, CA; one brother, Don of Red Bluff, CA; one sister-in-law, Vi Werner of Minneota, MN; and several nieces and nephews.

Her parents, husband, Marvin, two brothers, Wayne and Bud, and one brother-in-law, Harold Drever, preceded her in death.

Ruth was a fun-loving, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friends, who will be greatly missed.

Interment will be at the Tracy City Cemetery. The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy is handling the arrangements.

Margaret Mary McKenna, 72

Margaret Mary McKenna, 72, a 1949 Tracy High School graduate and former teacher at St. Mary's School, died Jan. 10, 2004 in North Branch. She died after a short battle with cancer. Interment was at Calvary Cemetery in Tracy.

She was born in Watertown, S.D. to Francis Edward McKenna and Mae Ida O'Connor. The family later moved to Tracy, where Marge spent her childhood attending both grade school and high school there. She graduated from Tracy High School in 1949. She worked for a time for Northwest Airlines before attending Mount Mary College in Yankton, S.D. She transferred to St. Therese College in the Twin Cities and earned degree in education in 1959.

Marge started her teaching career in Tracy at St. Mary's Catholic Parochial School. She later moved to Hastings, MN to teach in their public grade school and eventually moved to teach North Branch.

In North Branch, Marge was involved in activities at the grade school and St. Gregory's Catholic Church. At church she participated in the Council of Catholic Women (CCW), worked each year at their Spring Festival and counted the money for the Parish every week.

Marge was preceded in death by her parents, her brother John (Jack) McKenna and her nephew Dan McKenna. She is survived by her brother Richard (Dick) McKenna and wife Pauline, her nieces Colleen (McKenna) DeGree (Paul), Kathie McKenna, Stacy (McKenna) Daltiez, Patty (McKenna) Brick (Josh) and nephews Mike McKenna (Marcia), Kev McKenna, and Jim McKenna (Elaine).

Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Gregory's Catholic Church on Jan. 13. A private burial was held in Tracy on Jan. 14.

Myron Swenhaugen, 84

Myron Albert Swenhaugen, age 84 of Westbrook, passed away Monday, February 2, 2004 at the Westbrook Health Care Center. Funeral services were held on Saturday, February 7 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church south of Walnut Grove.

Myron was born July 1, 1919 in Murray County to Ole and Clara (Hanson) Swenhaugen. He served in the European Theater during W.W.II from 1942-1945. Myron received numerous medals and decorations including the Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Purple Heart while he served in the 82nd and 101st Airborne divisions. He was also a paratrooper and was credited with 12 jumps while in the service. After his honorable discharge, he returned home to farm with his father.

On February 1, 1946, Myron was united in marriage to Mary Louise Atkins in Walnut Grove. They moved to a farm near Westbrook in 1948 where they have lived since. Myron loved farming, carpentry, and welding. He was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, the Westbrook American Legion, and the Westbrook VFW, where he served as a past Commander.

Myron Swenhaugen is survived by his wife Mary of Westbrook, son Daryl and wife LaCinda of Walnut Grove; grandsons: Duane and wife Janel of Currie and Paul of Currie; granddaughter LuAnn of Walnut Grove; great grandchildren: Skyler, Ethan, Lisa, and Lance; and one sister Lilian of Tracy.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Clarence, Orville, Alvin and Albert (in infancy); and sisters: Annie and Eleanor.

Interment was in the church cemetery. The Westbrook Funeral Home handled the arrangements.