Obituaries from the week of March 9, 2005
Arlene J. Blanchette, 83
Funeral services were held on Monday, March 7, 2005 for Arlene J. Blanchette at Tracy United Methodist Church, Tracy, MN. Rev. Alan Bolte officiated. Organist was Allen Pierson with Jerry Engesser as soloist.
Cakset bearers were her grandsons Patrick Marcotte, James Marcotte, Marty Rethemeier, Eric Rethemeier, Andy Rethemeier, Seth Blanchette, Ron Blanchette, Kevin Blanchette, Joe Blanchette and Cory Blanchette.
Honorary casket bearers were her granddaughters Erin Marcotte, Nicole Blanchette, Carmen Blanchette, Penny Blanchette and Darla Blanchette.
Arlene J. Blanchette was born August 27, 1921 to Albert and Martha (Buck) Buesing on a farm in Sodus Township near Amiret, MN, Lyon County. She was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and attended Amiret Grade School. She then attended Tracy High School and graduated in 1939.
On January 16, 1941 Arlene married Archie W. Blanchette in Marshall, MN. They made their home on the West Coast while Archie was in the service and then moved back to the Amiret area where they farmed until 1946. In 1954 they moved into Tracy and Arlene lived in her own home until just recently, when she moved into the Twin Circle Apartments.
Arlene worked as a housekeeper for the old Tracy Hospital, Tracy Nursing Home and for the Doctor’s clinics. She was a past member of the Amiret Methodist Church and a current member of the Tracy United Methodist Church in Tracy. She had been active over the years in her church circle and was also a past choir member. She enjoyed gardening, flower gardening, quilting and listening to old time music.
On Friday, March 4, 2005 Arlene died at the Tracy Area Medical Services at the age of 83.
Arlene is survived by her four daughters, Martha (Duane) Marcotte of Winona, MN, Patricia (Howard) Rethemeier of Owatonna, MN, Suzanne Blanchette of Minneapolis, MN and Colleen Blanchette of New York, NY; two sons, William (Marlys) Blanchette of Storden, MN and Steven (Kathy) Blanchette of Tracy, MN; 15 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Alvin Buesing of Huron, SD, Von Buesing of Tracy, MN and Robert Buesing of Menomonie, WI; two sisters, Shirley Clark of Huron, SD and Joyce Goltz of Huntsville, AL; one sister-in-law, Elaine Asman of Slayton, MN; many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Her parents, husband, Archie, one grandson, Sean, one great-granddaughter, Cristin and one brother, Wallace preceded her in death.
Interment was in Tracy City Cemetery with the Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy handling the arrangements.
Robert Cooreman, 72
Funeral services were held for Robert J. Cooreman on Saturday, March 5, 2005 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy, MN. Father Brian Mandel officiated. Soloist was Carol Cooreman with Ann Przybilla as organist.
Casket bearers were Joe Cooreman, Myron Tofting, Sam Griffith, Tom Noyes, Elmer Klein and Melvin Klein.
Robert James Cooreman was born October 11, 1932 to George and Philamena (Verstraete) Cooreman in Springdale Township, Redwood County. He was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith. He grew up on a farm outside of Tracy and began farming with his father at a young age. Bob joined the Minnesota National Guard during the Korean War and entered active duty in January of 1951. He received training as a field medic in the 47th Medical Battalion in Ft. Sam Houston, TX and was stationed in Camp Rucker, AL. He returned to Tracy after his Honorable Discharge in 1953 and returned to farming with his family.
On August 24, 1954 Bob married Lola Peterson at Tracy Lutheran Church and they made their home on a farm north of Tracy. Besides being a farmer his whole life, Bob also was a Pioneer Seed Dealer of over 25 years, until his retirement in 1997.
Bob was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy. He was also a member of the Tracy American Legion for over 50 years and had served as Post Commander. He enjoyed playing cards, bowling, golfing, fishing trips, morning visits to the Tracy Elevator for coffee and watching grandsons compete in wrestling.
In February of 2005 Bob entered the Prairie View Healthcare Center in Tracy, where he died Monday, February 28, 2005 at the age of 72.
Bob is survived by his one daughter, Rhonda (Doug) Bosacker of Cambridge, MN; three sons, Keith and Sue of Willmar, MN, Kent of Tracy, MN and Kendal and Pam of Tracy, MN; longtime partner, Donna Lanoue of Tracy, MN; nine grandchildren, Carly Rae and Preston Bosacker, Christopher, Caitlin, Chelsea, Chad, Erik, Cole and Chantalle Cooreman; one brother, Al of Cannon Falls, MN; five sisters, Joanne Smith of Rice Lake, WI, Pat Noyes of Pittsboro, IN, Arlene West, Janet Griffith and Jean Peterson all of Tracy, MN; special friend, Ryan Bruder; many nieces, nephews, cousins and many long time friends.
His parents, one son, Kevin James, two brothers and one sister preceded him in death.
Burial was in Calvary Cemetery, Tracy, MN with the Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy handling the arrangements.
Janet Law, 69
Janet LeeAnn (Brown) Law passed away on February 28, 2005. She was born on March 12, 1935 in Currie, MN. She was a 1953 graduate of Tracy High School.
Janet was a San Jacinto resident for 8 years. She is survived by her husband of 23 years, Bill; sons, Matthew Petero of Plano, IL and Steven Petero of Yorkville, IL; daughter Kim Ahern of San Juan Capistrano; mother Leah Brown of Palm Desert; sister Judy Inch of Palm Desert and four grandchildren. Inurnment will be private.
Cards may be sent to 21100 State St. #167, San Jacinto, CA 92583.
Edith Luckhardt, 81
Funeral services were held today, Wed., Mar. 9, 2005 for Edith M. Luckhardt at Trinity Lutheran Church in Balaton, MN. Pastor Steven Quist officiated. Soloist was Gene Larson with Don Swanjord as organist.
Casket bearers were Jason Anderson, Danny Luckhardt, Jeremy Luckhardt, Jamie Luckhardt, Curt Bordwell, Kevin Luckhardt and Jeff Luckhardt.
Honorary casket bearers were Dylan and Devin Luckhardt.
Edith Marie Luckhardt was born July 28, 1923 to Bert and Ida (Waters) Segfried on a farm outside Delhi, Redwood County, MN. She was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and she attended country school.
On June 28, 1940 Edith married Roy Luckhardt at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Vesta, MN and they made their home on a farm near Vesta and later moved to the Redwood Falls, MN area. In 1958 they moved to Marshall, MN and in 1965 they moved to Shakopee, MN. Then in 1969 the family moved back to the Marshall area where Edith worked for the Traveler’s Lodge Motel for over 20 years. In 1988 after their retirement Roy and Edith moved to Balaton, MN. Following the death of her husband Edith moved into the Lakeview Apartments in Balaton and enjoyed all the wonderful people she met there.
Edith was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Balaton and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. On February 28, 2005 Edith became a resident of the Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Balaton where she died Sunday, March 6, 2005 at the age of 81.
Edith is survived by her four sons, Jack and Peggy of New Ulm, MN, Al of Tracy, MN, Greg and Jody of Balaton, MN and David and Dyanne of Balaton, MN; two daughters LuAnn (Dale) Anderson of Balaton, MN and Deb (Jeff) Schoenbauer of McGregor, MN; 15 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins.
Her parents, husband, Roy, one daughter-in-law, Barbara, one grandson, Scotty, one great-grandson, Kassin, one brother and one sister preceded her in death.
Burial was in the St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery, Balaton, MN with the Almlie Funeral Home of Balaton handling the arrangements.
Gary A. Miller, 62
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 for Gary A. Miller at Sillerud Lutheran Church in Balaton, MN. Rev. Steven Quist officiated. Organists were Don Swanjord and Donna Swan with Lew Roberts as soloist.
Casket bearers were Bruce Larson, Stan Larson, Leslie Klukas, Bryan Smith, Brian Wixon and Robert Etrheim. Honorary casket bearer was Bill Gernentz.
Gary Alvin Miller was born September 1, 1942, in Tyler, MN, to Alvin and Florence (Reinholdt) Miller. He was baptized, confirmed and became a life long member of Sillerud Lutheran Church. He attended District #20 and graduated from Balaton High School in 1960. He was a member of the National Guard from 1964 to 1970.
On July 1, 1967, he was married to Donna Mae Anderson at Sillerud Lutheran Church in Balaton, MN. They resided near Garvin, MN for three years before buying their present farm site south of Balaton. Gary’s passion for farming led him to acquire his grandparents’, parents’ and other farm land. His farm was later recognized as a century farm in 1976. He also drove milk truck for the Balaton Creamery for several years and sold seed corn for over 30 years. He served on the Sillerud Lutheran Church council, cemetery board, and had been a member of the Skandia Township Board from 1982 to present.
Gary was a lifetime outdoorsman at heart whether it was hunting deer, pheasants, or spending time doing field work. He enjoyed going to sporting events, traveling on vacations, and attending auctions. Gary mostly enjoyed being surrounded by family and friends.
Gary passed away on Friday, February 18 at the age of 62.
Gary is survived by his wife, Donna; his mother, Florence Miller of Balaton; one son Randy Dean Miller and friend Sarah Walter of Balaton, MN; sisters Drexel (Earl) Erickson of White Bear Lake, MN; Gayle (Neil) Shultz of Russell, MN; one brother Harlan (Nancy) Miller of Hopkins, MN; and sister, Ruth (Gaylen) Gernentz of Balaton, MN. Gary is also survived by Donna’s parents, Harold and Myrna Anderson of Garvin, MN; her two brothers David (Joan) Christensen of Pipestone, MN; Dennis (Marilyn) Christensen of Garvin, MN; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.
Gary was preceded in death by his infant son, Ryan Gary Miller, and father Alvin Ansgar Miller.
Interment was in the Sillerud Lutheran Cemetery with the Almlie Funeral Home of Balaton handling the arrangements.