Obituaries from the week of March 8, 2006

Mary Lynn Kirkhart, 50

Funeral services were held on Fri., March 3, 2006 for Mary Lynn (LeClaire) Kirkhart, age 50 of Gate, OK.

Mary Lynn was born April 22, 1955 in Slayton, MN to Vernon and Mary (Arkell) LeClaire, Currie, MN. She was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith. She attended Currie IHM grade school and graduated from Tracy High School in 1973.

Mary Lynn worked at the Tracy Tri-County Coop for many years. After it’s closing she went to the Twin Cities to work and then went to work for a company in Missouri. She was currently the president of an Abstract Company in Buffalo, OK.

She is survived by her husband Jim Kirkhart of Gate OK, 2 step children, Shane and Becky; mother Mary LeClaire of Tracy; sister Kristen (Robert) Atkinson of Savage; brothers, Dale LeClaire of Iowa Falls, IA, Craig (Stacy) LeClaire, Rogers MN, Brian LeClaire, Decatur, NE; eight nieces and nephews; many aunts, uncles, cousins.

Her father Vernon preceded her in death in 2005.

David DeSmith, 73

Mass of Christian Burial for David “Dave” Jerome DeSmith, 73, was held on Monday, March 6, 2006, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall.

David Jerome DeSmith was born on May 1, 1932, in Tracy, MN, to John and Mary Edna (Irwin) DeSmith. He grew up in Walnut Grove. Dave was drafted into the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War. After his discharge he worked for Kelco Economet in Marshall.

On September 14, 1957, he married Elaine Walter. Dave later went to work as a custodian for Marshall Public Schools. He worked there for over 20 years until his retirement in 1993. Dave enjoyed camping, playing cards, and in his younger years dancing. He was active with Alcoholics Anonymous.

Dave died on Thursday, March 2, 2006, at the Minneota Manor in Minneota.

He is survived by his wife Elaine of Marshall, children Jeanette (Rick) Plzak of Fountain, CO, Brian (Brenda) DeSmith of Horn Lake, MS, Kevin (Brenda) DeSmith of Worthington, Allison (David) Vandelanotte of Cottonwood, nine grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and brother, John Edward DeSmith of Litchfield.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Interment was at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Marshall. Military Rites by American Legion Post 113 of Marshall.