Obituaries from the week of May 3, 2006
Marvin Gilb, Sr., 86
Funeral services were held for Marvin Gilb, Sr. on Monday, May 1, 2006 at the First Lutheran Church in Marshall.
Marvin William Gilb Sr. was born to William and Edna (Kremin) Gilb on June 30, 1919 in Westline Township, Lyon County, Minnesota. He was raised on the family homestead. Marvin entered the United States Army on January 6, 1942 and was assigned to the 340th Corp of Engineers. He was based in the South Pacific and Alaska. He was honorably discharged from active service on December 6, 1945.
On November 24, 1943, Marvin was united in marriage to Margaret Kleine in Monroe, North Carolina. After his discharge he returned to the Marshall area where he farmed in the Clifton Township until he retired in 1985. For 18 years in his retirement, Marvin was a crossing guard for the School Patrol.
Marvin passed away at his residence in Marshall on Thursday, April 27, 2006. He had reached the age of 86 years, 9 months and 27 days.
Marvin was a member of the Earl Christensen American Legion Post 274 of Milroy and the Marshall Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 742.
His enjoyments in life included golfing, bowling, traveling, his family, and visiting with friends and neighbors.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret of Marshall; five children, Barbara (Richard) Brey of Milroy, Diane (Gary) Kramer of Hastings, Marvin Jr. (Vickie) Gilb of Marshall, and Alan (Cris) Gilb of Marshall and Debra Schriener of Lakeville; ten grandchildren, Eric Kramer, Stacy Hauer, Jason Gilb, Jeremy Gilb, Steven Schriener, Katie Schriener, Joel Brey, Paul Brey, Amy Gilb and Andy Gilb; four great grandchildren, Calvin Gilb, Will Brey, Jack Brey and Anna Hauer; sister, Lorriane Larson of Redwood Falls; sister-in-law, Dorothy Gilb of Marshall; also many nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and three brothers, Gordon, Merlin and Kenneth Gilb.
Burial was in the Calvary Cemetery. with the Hamilton Funeral Home handling the arrangements.
Vera Halstenson, 88
Vera Grace (Irwin) Halstenson age 88 of Springfield, formerly of Walnut Grove, passed away Friday, April 28, 2006 at St. John Lutheran Home in Springfield. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 1, 2006 at English Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove.
Vera was born January 7, 1918 in Amiret, MN to John & Alice (Sacks) Irwin. She grew up in the Tracy/ Walnut Grove area. She graduated from Walnut Grove High School in 1936.
After her schooling, Vera was united in marriage to Lloyd Halstenson on June 20, 1936 in Walnut Grove. Together the couple lived and farmed in the Walnut Grove area for 35 years before moving into town. Vera also worked for many years at the Walnut Grove school cafeteria.
In September 1996, Vera and Lloyd moved to Westbrook Good Samaritan Care Center. Lloyd passed away there in December 1996. In April of 1999, Vera moved to St. John Lutheran Home in Springfield.
Vera was a member of English Lutheran Church where she was active in the Ladies Aid and circles, and as a Sunday school teacher. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, cooking, gardening, dancing, traveling, and laughing. She also enjoyed the Holly Birthday Club, spending time with friends and neighbors, playing games and cards, and doing puzzles.
Vera Halstenson is survived by her children: Frances (Richard) Rieger of Currie, Judy (Dallas) Herrick of Bloomington, and Douglas (Diane) Halstenson of Sioux Falls; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Lloyd, infant son Richard Irwin Halstenson, four sisters and three brothers.
Interment was in the Walnut Grove Cemetery with the Walnut Grove Funeral Home handling the arrangements.
Ruby Cooper, 87
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 for Ruby Cooper, at Tracy United Methodist Church. Rev. Kaye Brandt officiated. Organist was Richard Stelter with Tom Hook as soloist.
Casket bearers were John Meyer, Jeff Meyer, Edward Carter, Ron Davis, Dale Malmberg and Jim Malmberg.
Honorary casket bearers were David Nuese, Dennis Nuese, Duane Nuese, Allen Cooper, Kerry Cooper, Brett Cooper, Kathryn Moore and Nancy Gausman.
Ruby Margaret Cooper was born October 4, 1918 to George and Alta (Doble) Cooper on a farm west of Walnut Grove, MN in Springdale Township, Redwood County. She was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and attended Country School District #24. Ruby then attended Tracy High School, graduating in 1937. After high school she enrolled in the Tracy Jr. College for two years and then attended St. Cloud State for two years, where she received a degree in Education.
After she graduated from college she returned to southwestern Minnesota and taught school in Chandler, MN for two years before moving to Redwood Falls, MN where she taught school in the Redwood Public School for many years. Ruby retired after nearly 40 years of teaching in 1980 and moved back to a farm site close to her home area in Springdale Township.
She was a member of the Tracy United Methodist Church in Tracy and had been active in her church circle and the Sorosis Study Club. She was also a member of the Walnut Grove Garden Club. Ruby enjoyed gardening, especially roses, and loved getting together with friends and family. She kept the family traditions going with her holiday entertaining and her cooking of old family favorites, like her English pudding.
On January 28, 2006 Ruby became a resident of the Prairie View Healthcare Center in Tracy, MN and on Friday, April 28, 2006 she died at the Sioux Valley Tracy Medical Center at the age of 87.
Ruby is survived by her one sister, Florence (Lourdes) Nuese of Marshall, MN; three brothers, Donald Cooper and Harold (Joyce) Cooper both of Tracy, MN and Henry Cooper of Lamberton, MN; six nephews, David, Dennis and Duane Nuese, and Allen, Kerry and Brett Cooper; two nieces, Kathryn Moore and Nancy Gausman; and many friends.
Her parents and one nephew, Bruce preceded her in death.
Interment was in Tracy City Cemetery with the Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy handling the arrangements.