Obituaries from the week of January 5, 2005
Janet Mae Cyr, 63
Janet Mae Cyr was born on April 2, 1941, to Anita and Charles Weisbrich. She attended school in Tracy, MN and graduated in 1960. She had two children, Renee Cyr and Kevin Cyr. Both are living in Hastings and working in the metro area.
Janet worked for over 10 years for the Smead Company and enjoyed her many friends that she met there. Janet enjoyed collecting many things from antiques to angels. She loved the many cats she had over the years. She loved to dance and be around people. She was a very generous person with her time and with her talents.
Janet became very sick and this interfered with her ability to enjoy the things that she loved doing most. She was an extremely good hearted person that suffered until the day she went home to the Lord.
Janet passed away on December 17, 2004.
She is preceded in death by her former husband Ronald Cyr, her brother John and her father Charles Weisbrich, and her grandparents.
She is survived by her children Renee and Kevin of Hastings, her mother Anita Weisbrich of Tracy, her sisters Mary Lou Nelson of New Ulm, MN, Patty Amundson (and Gary) of Pequot Lakes, Debi Pack (and Todd) of Marshall and her brothers Gary Weisbrich (and Kay) of Lamberton, and Terry Weisbrich (and Shay) of Green Valley, AZ.
All who knew Janet were greatly blessed. Long live her memory.
Ellsworth Gullickson, 80
Ellsworth “Buster” Gullickson, 80, of Walnut Grove, died Monday, Jan. 3, 2005, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, with a 7 p.m. prayer service, at Walnut Grove Funeral Home, Walnut Grove, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at English Lutheran Church, Walnut Grove.
The service will be 11 a.m. Friday at English Lutheran Church, Walnut Grove. Burial will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery.
Bertha Jackson, 90
Bertha Bottin Jackson, 90 of Tracy, died Tuesday, January 4, 2004 at the Tracy Hospital in Tracy.
Funeral services will be Friday at 1 p.m. at the Tracy Area Funeral Home in Tracy with visitation being held on Thursday from 5-7p.m. at the Tracy Area Funeral Home. Visitation will continue on Friday one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in the Tracy Cemetery. Tracy Area Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Bertha Katherine Jackson was born November 23, 1914 in Sheldon, Iowa to Gerrit and Carrie (Boer) Fransen. The family moved to Worthington when she was a child and she attended country school.
Bertha was united in marriage to August Bottin in September 1939, and they settled near Mountain Lake. August died in 1968. She was united in marriage to Merlin Jackson in July, 1974. They lived in Worthington until Merlin’s death. Bertha then moved to Tracy. She has been a resident of the Tracy Nursing Home for the past 7 years. Bertha loved the outdoors, gardening, and traveling, and she was a wonderful cook.
Bertha Katherine Bottin Jackson passed away January 4, 2005 at the Tracy Hospital at the age of 90 years, 2 months and 11 days.
She is survived by her son Melvin and wife Laura Bottin of Tracy; four grandchildren - Matthew, Jonathan, Julie, and Katie; two sisters Bessie of Leota and Gertrude of Worthington.
She is preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, one daughter Dianna and two brothers John and Gerrit.
LaVaughn Light, 75
LaVaughn B. Light, 75, of Brainerd, died Saturday, January 1, 2005 at her home. Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, January 7, at 11 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Brainerd, with Father Seamus Walsh officiating. Friends may visit at the church during the hour prior to services. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Brainerd. Memorials preferred to St. Joseph’s Hospice and Home Care.
LaVaughn Bernadette Nelson was born December 8, 1929 in Tracy, to Marti and Hazel (Anderson) Nelson. After graduating high school she moved to Minneapolis, where she met and married the father of her children Fred W. Knese. The family moved to St. Cloud, where they owned and operated a music store. Besides helping in the store LaVaughn taught piano and organ. She later moved to Sioux Falls, SD where she worked at Sears. She met her husband, Richard M. Light, in Sioux Falls and they were united in marriage in February of 1973, in Texas.
LaVaughn is survived by her husband, Richard; her children, Steven Knese, John (Jennifer) Knese, and Jane (Michael) O’Donnell; stepchildren Jane (Dan) Falkenstein, Jennifer Susan Light, Paul (Sharon) Light and Mark (Joni) Light; sisters Sylvia (Vincent) Moline and Eunice (Charles) Swan; brothers Neal (Sharon) Nelson and Clifford Nelson; and 11 grandchildren.
Her parents and a brother, Milo Nelson, preceded her in death.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel of Baxter.
LaVerne Loeck, 81
Mrs. LaVerne M. Loeck, age 81, of Marshall, passed away at the Avera Marshall Regional Health Care Center on Thursday, December 30, 2004. Funeral services were held on Monday, January 3, 2005 at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church. Burial was in St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery in Balaton.
LaVerne Mildred Loeck was born to Charles and Ottilie (Peske) Rauschke on May 28, 1923 in Springfield, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Springfield. She graduated from the Springfield High School in 1941 and went to business college in Minneapolis, graduating in 1942. Following graduation, she worked at the Foshay Tower.
On December 10, 1944, LaVerne was united in marriage to Marvin Loeck. She worked at the Minn Gas Company in Tracy. LaVerne became a full-time mother and homemaker following Marvin’s return from the military.
LaVerne passed away at the Avera Marshall Regional Health Care Center on Thursday, December 30, 2004. She had reached the age of 81 years, 7 months and 2 days.
She is survived by her husband, Marvin of Marshall; eleven children, Darrel (Debby) Loeck, Duane (Dar) Loeck, Sharon (Glenn) Mitzner, Judy Loeck, Sue (Don) Hansen, Nona (Mark) Lauer, Dean (Jean) Loeck, Barb (Stan) Hammer, Jacquelyn Gionet, Bruce (Diana) Loeck and Gary Loeck; 26 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; son-in-law, Dan Loe; also many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Jan Loe; brother, Virgil Rauschke; and sister, Evelyn Krueger.
LaVerne’s enjoyments in life were, sewing, reading and doing jigsaw puzzles. She was a faithful member of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church at the time of her death.
Agnes Rolling, 93
Funeral services were held on Friday, December 31, 2004 for Agnes Rolling at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy, MN. Mon. Paul Evers and Rev. Mr. Richard Cronican officiated. Organist was Shannon Benson with Carol Cooreman as cantor.
Casket bearers were Nicholas Rolling, Anthony Rolling, Paul Rolling, Daniel Rolling, Brian Bollig, Mark Engesser and Daniel Guggenberger.
Agnes Christine Rolling was born July 16, 1911 at Lake Marshall Township, Lyon County to Gerhard and Mary (Lingscheit) Kosse. She was baptized at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall, MN and made her First Communion and was confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy. Agnes attended country school near Tracy, MN and later attended high school at St. Gabriel’s in Fulda, MN. As a young woman she worked for the Western Union office in Tracy.
On February 24, 1936 Agnes married Harold Rolling at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy by Father H. Cahill. They made their home on a farm south of Tracy until 1963 when they moved into Tracy. Harold and Agnes enjoyed many winters in Texas after retirement.
Agnes was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy, where she was active in the Catholic Daughters and served as Grand Regent at St. Mary’s. She also was involved with Altar and Rosary Society, Mission and was principal and taught CCD for many years. Agnes attended an International meeting in Dallas, TX on behalf of the Council of Catholic Women, she grew and took care of the altar flowers for years and took communion to the nursing homes for ten years.
She moved in to the O’Brien Court apartments several years ago and remained their until this December when she entered Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD where she died Sunday, December 26, 2004 at the age of 93.
Agnes is survived by two daughters, Mary Engesser of Tracy, MN and Betty (Verle) Bollig of Willmar, MN; one son Allan (Darlene) Rolling of Tracy; one sister, Irene Verstraete of Minneota, MN; two sisters-in-law, Anita Weisbrich and Ann Rolling both of Tracy; 13 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins.
Her parents, husband, Harold, one son, Vincent, one daughter-in-law, Maggie Rolling, six sisters, Alice, Josephine, Sister Amatus, Louise, Clara, and Frances, and four brothers, Henry, Tony, Joe and Ben preceded her in death.
Interment was in Calvary Cemetery, Tracy, MN with the Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy handling the arrangements.
Carl Steinberg, 95
Carl Steinberg, a recent resident of Roseville Good Samaritan Center, and formerly of St. Peter, Tracy, and Sanborn, died peacefully on January 2, 2005. Visitation will be on Friday, January 7, 2005 at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in St. Peter from 9:00 to 10:15 a.m. prior to services there at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Tracy Cemetery at approximately 2:15 p.m. in Tracy, MN followed by lunch at Zion Lutheran Church.
Carl was born on February 3, 1909, to Emil and Caroline (Rosenberg) Steinberg in Bertha, MN. His father and maternal grandparents were immigrants from Germany to the U.S. in the late 1800’s. Carl was baptized on February 8, 1909, and confirmed in the Lutheran faith in 1922. The family moved to Sanborn, MN in 1923. He graduated from Sanborn High School in 1927 and played center on their first basketball team. Later, he attended Mankato Commercial College and also dairy school at the University of MN, St. Paul. On August 1, 1936, he and his brother John opened a creamery in Tracy which later became Steinberg’s Creamery and Ice Cream Store. Between 1936 and 1964 the creamery employed many people from the Tracy area and produced thousands of pounds of butter. Carl was one of the last independent creamery operators in southern MN.
On October 4, 1937, Carl married Esther Bethke of Morgan, MN. They had two children, Carol and Sally. Carl and Esther celebrated their 40th anniversary shortly before Esther’s death in 1977. On May 9, 1982, Carl married Ella (Bierman) Goehring of Springfield. After living in Tracy until 1991, they moved to St. Peter. They were blessed with 22 years of marriage before Ella’s sudden death in July, 2004.
Throughout life Carl was active in church and held numerous positions on church councils. He enjoyed family activities, interacting with people, traveling, watching basketball and baseball games, and playing horseshoe. He experienced the Great Depression, survived two major tornadoes, and witnessed great changes during his life—from traveling by horse-drawn sleds and buggies to cars to international flight; from penny-post cards to instant communication; and from small family-operated farms and businesses to corporate management.
Carl was preceded in death by his first wife, Esther, in October, 1977, and his second wife, Ella, in July, 2004; his brothers John, Arthur, Alfred, and August Steinberg and one sister, Irene Steinbring.
Carl is survived by his daughter Carol Steinberg of Minneapolis, and daughter and son-in-law, Sally and Chris Bursch of Owatonna; one step-son and step-daughter-in-law, Pastor William and Shirley Goehring of York, Nebraska, two step-daughters and step-sons-in-law, Ellen and James Muller-Head of Littleton, CO, and Janet and Edward Graves of St. Paul; three grandchildren, Matthew, Melinda and Heidi Bursch; six step-grandchildren, Timothy (Jackie) Goehring, Peter (Cory) Goehring, Rebecca (Brian) Hoffmann, Sara (Nate) Birkholz, Paul (Florence) Muller and Heidi (John) Muller-Warren; eight step-great-grandchildren, Chelsea Goehring, Tyler and Alexi Goehring, Salem and Foster Birkholz, Emma Hoffmann, Whitney and Lane Vagts; one brother and sister-in-law, Gerhardt and Marian Steinberg of Iron River, MI, one sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Roman Burginger of Prescott Valley, Arizona, and sisters-in-law Ruth Steinberg of Grand Rapids MN and Neota (Roman) Fehlman of New Ulm, MN, and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
Carl was a kind, caring man of quiet strength. He was a hard-working person who enjoyed life, his family and friends, and a strong faith. Blessed be his memory.
Memorials may be directed to St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church or School or an organization of your choice.
Sadie Swanson, 89
Funeral services were held on Friday, December 31, 2004 for Sadie Swanson, formerly of Walnut Grove, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove. Rev. Stephanie Swanson officiated. Charles Swanson was the Minister Assistant with Nancy Osland as organist.
Honorary casket bearers were Jenne Jewell-Sankey, Sara Bauman, Kara Barents, Heather Kunz, Jamie Schultz and Denise Purdy.
Casket bearers were Jay Swanson, Joel Swanson, Jeremy Jewell, Josh Jewell, Scott Bauman, Duane Swanson. Ushers were Wilbur Oberg and Greg Hansen.
Sadie Helen Swanson was born October 8, 1915 in Springdale Township, Redwood County, MN to Thomas J. and Elizabeth (Griffith) Farr. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and attended School District #22 in Springdale Township.
Sadie was united in marriage to Victor Swanson on August 7, 1935 in St. Paul. They settled two miles north of Walnut Grove, where they lived until 1948. They then moved on to the Swanson home place, which became a century farm in 1983. Victor and Sadie lived there until August of 2003, when they moved to O’Brien Court in Tracy.
She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Trinity WELCA, and the North Hero Extension Club. Sadie enjoyed baking, ceramics, knitting, playing cards and marbles with her neighbors, quilting, sewing, gardening and animals, especially dogs.
Sadie Helen Swanson passed away December 27, 2004 at her home in Tracy at the age of 89 years, 2 months and 19 days.
She is survived by her husband Victor of Tracy; children Eugene (Marilyn) of Walnut Grove, John (Carol) of Walnut Grove, Jillene (Eldon) Kathman of Buffalo, Richard (Faith) of Walnut Grove, and Ruth Ann (John) Thompson of Mantorville; 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law Joy Farr of Marshall and June Farr of Boseman, MT.
She is preceded in death by her parents, daughter Arlene Purdy, five brothers, one sister and one granddaughter.
Burial was in the Walnut Grove Cemetery with the Walnut Grove Funeral Home handling the arrangements.
Bernita Vanderwerf, 90
Bernita Vanderwerf, 90, of Sleepy Eye died Friday, December 31, 2004 at the Sleepy Eye Care Center in Sleepy Eye.
Funeral services were held on Monday, January 3, 2005 at the Faith United Methodist Church in Sleepy Eye with Pastor Roy Vanderwerf and Pastor Fred Vanderwerf officiating. Burial was in the Home Cemetery in Sleepy Eye.
Bernita is survived by her daughters and son-in-law, Donna Frost of Brooklyn Center and Janice and Dennis Krueger of Svea and Tucson, Arizona; sons and daughters-in-law, Gary and Jody Vanderwerf of Windom, Roy and Sally Vanderwerf of Minneapolis, Twollie (Dean) Vanderwerf of Burnsville, and Kevin and Kim Vanderwerf of Oro Valley, Arizona; a step daughter, Geraldine Shaikoski of Fairmont; twenty one grandchildren; twenty seven great grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren; a sister and brother-in-law, Doris and Roman Ripp of Waunakee, Wisconsin.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Wilbert Simon Vanderwerf on April 13, 1959; a daughter, Judith Grace Warnke on June 28, 2004; a grandson, Robert Warnke on May 31, 1995; sisters, Lila Bedow, Zela Wadsworth, and Verna Bartlow; half sisters, Thelma and Flossie Madden; and by a brother, Howard Madden; and a half brother, Parker Madden.
Bernita Grace Madden was born on August 30, 1914 to Edward Waldo and Elsie Elizabeth (Taylor) Madden near Amiret. She graduated from Tracy High School in 1932. On April 21, 1935, Easter Sunday, she married Wilbert Simon Vanderwerf at the Methodist church.
For a time they both lived and worked at Bernita’s parents farm near Amiret and at the home of Bernita’s sister, Lila and Edwin Bedow near Arco. Later, they moved to Tracy and then Sleepy Eye. Wilbert worked various jobs until getting a permanent job with the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad in 1946 in Sleepy Eye. Bernita worked at Del Monte in Sleepy Eye throuout most of the 60+ years that they lived a half block from the canning factory.
She was secretary of the United Methodist Women and the circle, President of the Degree of Honor Lodge, and adult 4-H leader for the Sleepy Eye Busy Bee’s, on the board at the local Senior Citizen Center, active with the Sleepy Eye Hospital Auxiliary, and a volunteer at the Sleepy Eye Care Center.
Elroy De Vos, 76
Elroy (Roy) DeVos, age 76, of Marshall, passed away at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale on Wednesday, December 29, 2004. Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, December 31, 2004 at St. Clotilde Catholic Church in Green Valley, MN. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Roy DeVos was born to Juluis and Mary (Brewers) DeVos on February 7, 1928 in the Fairview Township, Lyon County, Minnesota. He was baptized at St. Eloi Catholic Church in Ghent, and received First Communion and Confirmed at the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall. He attended school at St. Joseph Academy in Marshall.
On April 18, 1949, Roy was united in marriage to Pat Engesser at the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. They farmed in Stanley and Fairview Townships. Roy also worked at the Minnesota Corn Processing Plant from 1984 until 1996.
He is survived by his wife, Pat of Marshall: seven children, David (Doreen) DeVos of Grand Forks, ND, Dennis (Sue) DeVos of Fargo, ND, Doreen (Roy) Gosmire of Mitchell, SD, Duane (Denise) DeVos of Dell Rapids, SD, Dale DeVos of Buffalo, MN, Dean (Barbra) DeVos of Brookings, SD and Darrell DeVos of Salem, SD; twelve grandchildren, Derek DeVos, Scott DeVos, Jennifer DeVos, Kelsi DeVos, Marshal Gosmire, Myles Gosmire, Molly Gosmire, Michael DeVos, Josh DeVos, Alexia DeVos, Ben DeVos, and Emily DeVos; six siblings, Rose Labat, Edward (Violet) DeVos, Donna Johnson, Sr. Anna Marie DeVos and Betty DeVos all of Marshall and Julius (MaryAnn) DeVos of Lakeville, MN; sisters-in-law, Sophie DeVos of Tyler, MN and Delores DeVos of Marshall; also many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Tommy; three brothers, Jim, Vic and Leo; and two sisters, Jenny Peltier and Pricilla DeVos.
Roy’s enjoyments in life were farming and tinkering with machinery. He loved play cards (especially Pinochle), gardening and Rolle Bolle. He was the chairman of the National Rolle Bolle Tournament.
The love of his life was being with Pat, and his children and grandchildren.
Roy was an active member of St. Clotilde’s Church where he was a Lector, Commentator, Communion Distributor and Rosary Leader at the church and on the radio.