Obituaries from the week of March 15, 2006

Bonnie Werner, 79

Bonnie L. Werner, age 79 of Tracy, MN died on Saturday, March 11, 2006 at the Prairie View Healthcare Center in Tracy. Services will be at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, March 18, 2006 at the Tracy United Methodist Church in Tracy. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Bonnie Lynn Werner was born October 28, 1926 to William and Minnie (Peterson) Milliman on a farm in Bernadotte Township, near New Ulm, MN, Nicollet County. She was baptized and confirmed at the Brighton Methodist Church and attended country school in Bernadotte Township, before going to high school in New Ulm, graduating from New Ulm High School in 1944. She then attended Hamline University in St. Paul, MN and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in 1948 in Physical Education.

On June 26, 1949 Bonnie married Ralph W. Werner at the Brighton Methodist Church and they made their home in Tracy, MN. Bonnie was a physical education teacher in Tracy at the high school and also at Milroy Public School until her retirement in 1975. She continued to work out of her home doing daycare for many years.

She was a member of the Tracy United Methodist Church and was active in women’s circle over the years as well as the Tracy Hospital Auxiliary. Bonnie was also a member of several teacher’s organizations and she enjoyed reading, taking care of children and spending time with family and friends.

In June of 1998 Bonnie became a resident of the Prairie View Healthcare Center in Tracy where she died Saturday, March 11, 2006 at the age of 79.

Bonnie is survived by one daughter, Mary (Mark) Daniels of Tracy, MN; one son, Paul (Cheren) Werner of Inver Grove Heights, MN; six grandchildren, Laura Christopherson, Haleigh Daniels, Stephanie, Alecia, Cameron and Julia Werner; two sisters, Alice Clobes of New Ulm, MN and Colleen Neuwirth of Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii; many nieces and nephews.

Her parents, husband, Ralph, twin sister, Betty Clarksean, and four sisters, Jeanne Oswald, Shirley Milliman, Audrey Morgan and Virginia Webster preceded her in death.

Interment will be at the Lakeview Cemetery, north of New Ulm, MN. The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy is handling the arrangements.

Cecil Alfred Persons, 95

Services were held at Christ United Presbyterian Church of Marshall on Sunday, March 5 for Cecil Persons, 95.

Cecil Alfred Persons was born June 2, 1910 to Arthur and Lottie (Smith) Persons on the family farm near Garvin. He was baptized and attended the Garvin Congregational Church until he moved to Marshall in 1969, and then joined the Presbyterian Church. He attended grade school and two years of high school at Garvin.

On November 27, 1935, Cecil married Vera Coyle at her parents’ home on a farm near Garvin. The couple had three children, LaVonne, Maurice, and Dennis. The couple farmed near Garvin until 1957. After farming, they purchased a home in Garvin. Cecil worked for Steinberg Creamery in Tracy as a butter maker for seven years. He moved to Marshall in 1969, where he was employed by Marshall Foods until his retirement in 1980.

Cecil passed away on Wednesday, March 1, 2006 at the Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Balaton. He had reached the age of 95 years and 8 months and 29 days.

He is survived by his daughter, LaVonne (and Dean) Main, of Lamar, MO; son Dennis (and Doris) Persons, of Palm Harbor, FL; daughter-in-law, Joan Persons, of Garvin; sister, Lottie Gempeler; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two sisters-in law, Alice Schroeder, of Marshall and Vivian Madison, of Escondido, CA; and many other relatives. He was preceded in death by his wife, Vera; son, Maurice; and special friend, Ceil Lozenski.

Shirley Dardis, 72

Shirley Ann Dardis, age 72 of Mankato formerly of Tracy, passed away on Sunday, March 12, 2006 at the Oaklawn Health Care Center in Mankato while surrounded by her family. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 16, 2006 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy with Father Brian Mandel officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 15 at the Tracy Area Funeral Home. A rosary service will be held at 4 p.m, with a prayer service at 6:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.

Shirley was born on September 7, 1933 in Tracy, MN to Palmer and Mabel (Miller) Johnson. She attended school in Tracy and Cottonwood. After her schooling, she worked at The Eat Shop in Tracy, & Wieners in Marshall.

On June 20, 1961, Shirley was united in marriage to Donald Dardis at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Currie. After the wedding, the couple lived in Amiret, Tracy, and on the family farm near Currie. The couple retired together in Mankato. Donald passed away on January 4, 2001. Shirley continued living in Mankato until the time of her death.

Shirley volunteered at the Thrift Shop, and at St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Mankato. She enjoyed reading, making rosaries, and knitting afghans and mittens for the children. She also enjoyed her pets, especially her cat “Peanuts”.

Shirley Dardis is survived by her five sons and their wives: Chuck (Lori) of Tracy, David (Kathy) of Fulda, Pat of Appleton, WI, Bob (Judy) of Prior Lake & Kevin (Mickey) of St. Clair; daughter: Sandy Dardis (Bill Stoneman) of McFarland, WI; 13 grandchildren; 1 great grandchild; two sisters: Joyce (Jake) Newton of Russell, Betty Campion of Yankton, SD; brother Marvin (Jan) Johnson of St. Louis, MO; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, one sister and one brother.

Interment is in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Tracy. The Tracy Area Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.