Obituaries from the week of January 19, 2005
Richard “Dick” Bleil, 77
Funeral services were held for Richard Bleil on Thursday, January 13, 2005 at the Almlie Funeral Home in Balaton, MN. Officiant was Pastor Steven Quist. Soloist was Julie Erickson with Donna Swan as organist.
Casket bearers were Adam Miller, Aaron Miller, Abby Miller, Megan Sogge, Darin Sogge, Jeremy Bleil, Reid Moser-Bleil, Kendahl Moser-Bleil and Tristan Moser-Bleil.
Richard T. “Dick” Bleil was born July 24, 1927 to Clarence and Anna (Martin) Bleil in Kingsley, Iowa, Plymouth County. He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and attended country school and graduated from Quimby High School in Quimby, IA. In June of 1945 Dick enlisted in the US Navy and was honorably discharged in 1946.
On November 25, 1948 Dick married Ree Campbell in Cherokee, IA. They made their home on a farm near Aurelia, IA and in 1959 moved to Balaton, MN, where he began as a salesman for Cargill and Simonson’s Fertilizer. Dick also drove truck for Blomgren’s Trucking in Tyler, MN.
Dick was a member of the American Legion and had received his 50-year membership pin. He was a past member of the Balaton United Methodist Church and was on the Lakeside Cemetery Board, acting as cemetery sexton for many years. Dick enjoyed fishing, gardening, both flower and vegetable and photography.
On Monday, January 10, 2005 Dick died at the Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 77.
Dick is survived by his wife, Ree; three sons, Bruce (Suzy) of Minneapolis, MN, Brian (Cheryl) of Hutchinson, MN and Barton of Sarasota, FL; two daughters, Vickie (Leslie) Miller of Lake Wilson, MN and Julie Sogge of Balaton, MN; nine grandchildren, Adam, Aaron and Abby Miller, Megan and Darin Sogge, Jeremy Bleil, Kendahl, Tristan and Reid Moser-Bleil; one great-granddaughter, Brooklyn Sogge; one brother, Tom Bleil of Smithland, IA; nieces, nephews and cousins.
His parents preceded him in death.
The family requests all memorials be given to Hospice of Murray County.
Burial was in Lakeside Cemetery, Balaton, MN with the Almlie Funeral Home of Balaton handling the arrangements.
Ellsworth Gullickson, 80
Funeral services were held on Friday, January 7, 2005 for Ellsworth “Buster” Gullickson at English Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove, MN. Rev. Bonnie Lomen officiated. Organist was Nancy Harnack with James Kleven as soloist.
Honorary casket bearers were Tim and Karen Anderson, Steven and Sheila Anderson, Jeffrey and Stephanie Anderson and Tricia and Paul Froiland.
Casket bearers were Rodney McGuire, David Frankman, Dean Rys, Ed Erickson, Scott Parker and Mike Anderson.
Ellsworth “Buster” Donald Gullickson was born December 29, 1924 in Walnut Grove, Minnesota to Henry Richard and Alma (Larson) Gullickson. He attended Country School District #42.
Ellsworth “Buster” was united in marriage to Goldie Converse on April 7, 1945. Following their marriage they settled in Walnut Grove where they farmed and raised cattle. Buster loved to farm, never retiring. His hobbies included farming, farming and farming.
Ellsworth Donald Gullickson passed away January 3, 2005 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 80 years, 1 month and 4 days.
He is survived by his wife Goldie of Walnut Grove, and daughter Karen (Gary) Anderson of Walnut Grove and Kathy (Larry) Anderson of Brandon SD; four grandchildren Jeffrey and Steven and Tim and Tricia; six great grandchildren Courtney, Ashley, Jacob, Abby, Grant and Laurel; three brothers: Darold “Buddy” of Walnut Grove, Lloyd of Slayton, Sterling of Iowa and one sister Norma Jean Slotsve of Lakeville.
He is preceded in death by his parents, infant son Donald Ellsworth and siblings Richard, Leonard, Emerald, Clifford, Mildred, Beatrice and Ardys.
Interment was in the Walnut Grove Cemetery with the Walnut Grove Funeral Home handling the arrangements.
Helen F. Lovald, 86
Funeral services were held on Saturday, January 15, 2005 for Helen F. Lovald at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lucan, MN. Officiant was Rev. Pablo Obergon. Solois was Barbara Wixon with Allen Pierson as organist. Readers were her daughters, Jacquelyn Lovald, Deborah Pierson and Karen Beadell.
Casket bearers were Matthew Pierson, Mark Pierson, Michael Pierson, Chip Beadell, Brian Beadell and Keith Hamilton.
Honorary casket bearers were Ronald Wixon, Bernard Goblirsch and Robert Goblirsch.
Helen Florence Lovald was born November 1, 1918 to Earl and Gertie (Broesder) Kruse in George, IA, Liberal Township. She was baptized May 2, 1934 in the Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, IA and was confirmed in 1947 in Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Milroy, MN. She grew up on a farm outside of Little Rock and attended country school in Grant Township, then public school in Little Rock and graduated from Sibley, IA High School in 1936. She moved with her family in 1937 to the Walnut Grove, MN area.
On May 31, 1939 Helen married Astor Lovald in Brookings, SD. They made their home on a farm near Milroy, MN and in 1948 they moved to a farm near Wabasso, MN. Helen was a housewife and also worked with her husband in his locksmith business. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lucan, MN, where she was very active in the church women’s groups and serving as an officer. She also taught Sunday School for over 25 years and held position of Secretary and Treasurer of the Sunday School Program. Helen was also an active 4-H Club leader and a member of the Gideon Auxiliary. Helen enjoyed quilting, gardening, both vegetable and flowers and reading her bible, which she read through many times. Most important to her was her family and staying in touch with each member. She will be remembered for her letter writing and card sending, in which she forgot no one.
Helen became a resident of the Prairie View Healthcare Center in the fall of 2002. On Monday, January 10, 2005 Helen died at Prairie View at the age of 86.
Helen is survived by her three daughters, Karen Beadell of Owatonna, MN, Jacquelyn Lovald of Tracy, MN and Deborah (Allen) Pierson of Westbrook, MN; seven grandchildren, Lorie, Chip and Brian Beadell, Melody, Matthew, Mark and Michael Pierson; seven great-grandchildren, Keith Hamilton, Hailey Jo Pierson, Milayna, Miranda, Mikiah and AlexZander Beadell and John Lowy Beadell; one sister-in law, Ruby Lovald of Hutchinson, KS; many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Her parents, husband, Astor, one brother, Eldridge Kruse and three sisters, Gertrude Johnson, Pauline Roush and Rosa Sabot preceded her in death.
Burial was at Our Savior’s Lutheran in Milroy, MN. The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy handled the arrangements.
Tong Xong Moua, 84
Tong Xong Moua, 84 of Tracy (formerly of Eau Claire, WI) died on Thursday, January 13, at Prairie View Healthcare Center in Tracy. Local family services were held at the Tracy Area Funeral Home in Tracy. Futher services will be held in Eau Claire, WI at a later date.
Tracy Area Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Strann Nelson , 77
Strann Emil Nelson, age 77, of Tracy passed away Tuesday, January 11, 2005 at the Tracy Hospital. Memorial services were held on Saturday, January 15, 2005 at Tracy Lutheran Church.
Strann Emil Nelson was born April 9, 1927 in Tracy, Minnesota to Andrew & Nona (Schmidt) Nelson. He was baptized and confirmed at Tracy Methodist Church and graduated from Tracy High School. Strann served in the US Navy during WWII.
On December 5, 1950 Strann was united in marriage to Gwen Nimmerfro in Westbrook, MN. After their marriage they settled in the Tracy area. He drove truck for Rupp Construction and worked at Tri-County Coop driving bulk truck for about 30 years. He worked part-time on the Tracy Police Department and served on the Tracy Fire Department for 20 years. Strann loved fishing, wood-working, “John Wayne” movies and enjoyed playing cards. He was a member of Tracy American Legion and Tracy Lutheran Church where he served as a deacon.
Strann is survived by his wife Gwen; daughter Paula of Tracy and son Brent of Denver; nephews: Joel and Gary; and “special grandchildren” Aaron and Nathan. He is also survived by his sisters: Doris Kitterman of Lincoln, NB and Netter Holm of Tracy. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Interment will be at a later date. Tracy Area Funeral Home handled the arrangements.