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Obituaries from the week of May 18, 2005

Monte R. Luchtel, 72

Mass of Christian Burial was held on May 4, 2005 at San Antonio Catholic Church in Port Charlotte, Fl, for Monte Ray Luchtel of Punta Gorda, FL, formerly of Amiret.

Monte was born October 4, 1932, in Ashton, IA. He graduated from Tracy High School.

Mr. Luchtel was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the U.S. Army. He was a retired telephone and cable splicer and an avid trap shooter.

He is survived by his wife Eunice Dawn Legler of Punta Gorda; his mother, Ida F. Luchtel of Shakopee, MN; three sisters, Lila J. (Eldon) Greenwood of Shakopee, Karen (Fred) Merten of Denover, CO and Terry Boe Luchtel of Oakland, CA; many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Laurence A. Luchtel; a nephew, Joseph Greenwood.

Interment with military honors will be in Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN.


Raymond Murray, 72

Funeral services for Raymond Murray, 72 of Tyler, formerly of Marshall, was held on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 at Rehkamp -Horvath Funeral Home in Marshall.

Raymond Spencer Murray was born on June 2, 1932, in Sioux Fall, SD to Andrew and Lillian (Donkin) Murray. Raymond attended Hollister School in Sioux Falls and later attended school in Redfield, SD. He worked as a custodian at Northern State College and at the Holiday Inn in Aberdeen and later worked for the Lyon County DAC.

Raymond died on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at the Tyler Healthcare Center in Tyler.

He is survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters and three brothers.


Mary Pat Ruppert,

Mary Pat Ruppert, 75, was remembered at an open house “celebration of life” at the Currie American Legion Friday, May 13. The long-time Currie resident died at her home in Currie on May 10.

Mary Patricia Ruppert “Pat” Ruppert was born on November 18, 1929 at Tracy, to Roger and Madeline Drum Knowles. She grew up in Tracy and graduated from Tracy High School in 1947. Before her marriage she worked in the Currie and Tracy areas. On Nov. 29, 1952 she and Herbert Ruppert were married at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Currie. Following their marriage they farmed east of Currie and raised their six children. They were divorced in 1968. Pat continued to live on the farm until 1982 when she moved into Currie.

She worked at various jobs until she retired in 1991. She was a member of IHM Church. Reading, embroidery, crafts, building furniture, flowers and spending time on her computer were some of her favorite pastimes.

Survivors include five children and their spouses: Mike Ruppert of Currie, J. Scott Ruppert of Currie, Laurie and Duane Maeyaert of Tracy, Jennifer and John Ritzman of Cannon Falls, MN, and Betsy and Dan Ruppert-Kan of Robbinsdale, MN, 12 grandchildren; fours sisters and one brother and their spouses; Madeline (Joan) Berry of Tracy, Joyce and John Visker of Tracy, Betty and Dick Ross of Oroville, CA, David Knowles of Mankato, MN and Judy and Hal Soyez of Grapevine, TX.

She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter, Kristen Ruppert, sister, Laurie Martin and brothers, Gordon (Butch), Thomas (Dint) and infant Ronald Knowles.

Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton was in charge of arrangements.


Kathleen Sabin, 79

Kathleen ‘Kay” P. Sabin (Ford), 79, of Omaha, died March 23, 2005, of complications from pulmonary fibrosis.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Vincent and Genevieve Ford, brother James Ford, and grandson Jeremy Hatfield.

She is survived by devoted husband, Thomas A. Sabin; children: Colleen Guinn, Ellen Hatfield (Jon Tevlin), James Sabin (Anne), Michael Sabin (Pam), Jennifer Sabin; grandchildren: Stephen, Angela, and Kathleen Guinn, Jennifer Estes, Brian Sabin (Windy), Ericka Heidvogel (John), Erin and Matthew Sabin; great-grandchildren: Hunter, Emma and Charlie; sisters: Mary Margaret Smith (Richard), Rosemary Wiggins (Anthony); sisters-in-law, Darlene Ford and Aline Horan (Robert) many loving nieces, nephews and friends.

Kay (known lovingly as Aunt Bo) had an unbridled Irish spirit and beautiful blue eyes. Born in Amiret, MN on July 11, 1925, she graduated from Tracy High School, where she started dating Tom. They were married in 1949 and raised their children in Omaha. Kay was an active member of her church. She was dedicated to her family and her faith. Her home was a haven for many friends and neighbors. Her greatest love was being surrounded by her family.

A Prayer Service was held Sunday, March 27th , at Heafey-Heafey-HoffmannDworak-Cutler Funeral Chapel in Omaha. Funeral Mass was held Monday, March 28th, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church. Interment was at Calvary Cemetery, Omaha. Memorials are suggested to St. Joan of Arc Alumni Association.

Arrangements by Heafey-Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler Mortuaries 7805 West Center Road Omaha, NE 68124


Wesley Van Essen, 75

Wesley James Van Essen, 75, of Edgerton, died Monday, May 16, 2005, at Luverne Hospice Cottage in Luverne.

Born Aug. 29, 1929, on the family farm in Elmer Township, Pipestone County, he was the son of Ray and Grace Vanden Bosch Van Essen. He married Hermina Fransen on Feb. 11, 1954, at First Reformed Church, Edgerton.

He was raised on the farm and attended country school and later Edgerton Christian School. After marriage, they lived and farmed west of Edgerton. In 1981, they retired and moved into Edgerton, but he continued helping out on the farm. On May 3, he was admitted to Luverne Hospice Cottage, Luverne. He was a member of First Reformed Church, Edgerton, where he held various positions within the church including deacon and elder. He served as president of the American Dairy Association, Pipestone County, for five years.

Surviving are his wife; two sons, Glenn (Marilyn) Van Essen, Pipestone, and Ivan (Diane) Van Essen, Tracy; one daughter, Verla (Eddy) Kuiken, Menifee, Calif.; three brothers, Harold (Alice) Van Essen, John (Dorothy) Van Essen, and Lloyd (Laura) Van Essen, all of Edgerton; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Colonial Funeral Chapel, Edgerton.

The service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at First Reformed Church, Edgerton. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, Edgerton.


Lester VanDePutte, 82

Mass of Christian Burial for Lester A. VanDePutte, 82, of Tracy, formerly of Marshall, will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 20, 2005, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with a CCW Rosary at 4:00 p.m. and a parish prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at Rehkamp – Horvath Funeral Home in Marshall. Interment will follow the service at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Marshall.

Lester Alois VanDePutte was born on August 6, 1922, to Joseph and Leona (Vroman) in Ashton, Iowa. In his early childhood, the family moved to the Marshall area where Lester attended school.

Lester enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the South Pacific, in the third fleet, during World War II. He was awarded the Purple Heart. After Lester returned he farmed in the Marshall area. He appreciated nature and the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, wildlife and archery.

Lester was a member of the American Legion, VFW and Lions Club. For the past four and one half years, Lester had been living at the Prairie View Healthcare Center in Tracy. He died on Monday, May 16, 2005, at the Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

Lester is survived by five daughters: Kathleen (Burkhard) VanDePutte – Drees of Fairfax, VA, Alyce VanDePutte – Dierickx of Lynd, Carolynn Bieker of Chanhassen, Marjorie VanDePutte – Mukomela of Marshall, Donna J. VanDePutte of Des Moines, IA, daughter-in-law Mary Ausen – VanDePutte of Marshall, 11 grandchildren, siblings Helen Vandendriessche of Marshall, Jane Wegman of Rochester, Robert of Marshall, Joan Rickman of Edina, Donna Brewers of Fridley and James of Brainerd. He was preceded in death by his parents, infant son Joseph, son Francis in 1990 and brother Donald in 1989.