Obituaries from the week of May 10, 2006

Norma Emerson, 90

Funeral services were held Sat., May 6, 2006 at Tracy Lutheran Church for Norma Alice Emerson. Rev. Gary Gabel officiated with Richard Stelter as organist.

Casket bearers were Kyle Magnuson, Kevin Magnuson, Rick Magnuson, Molly Van Winkle, Kerstin Stevens, Jeff Holbrook and Jon Holbrook.

Norma Alice Emerson was born March 15, 1916 to William A. and Molly (Anderson) Hanson in Canby, MN, Yellow Medicine County. She was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and as a young girl moved to Tracy, MN with her family, where she attended Tracy Public School.

On June 21, 1936 Norma married Kenneth F. Emerson in Tracy, MN where they made their home. She worked for Reed Johnson’s Grocery Store and later his son, Bill. She also owned and operated the West Side Store for many years and later worked for John’s RX Drug in Tracy.

Norma was a member of the Tracy Lutheran Church and active in her church circle. She enjoyed flower gardening, playing cards and had a passion for Bingo, but she especially enjoyed the time with her grandchildren.

In June of 2005 Norma became a resident of the Tracy Nursing Home where she died Wednesday, May 3, 2006 at the age of 90.

Norma is survived by her two daughters, Karen Magnuson of Marshall, MN and Candace (Jack) Holbrook of Universal City, TX; two sons, Robert (Karla) Emerson of Atlanta, GA and Dennis Emerson of Tracy, MN; 10 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one brother, Walter A. Hansen of Tracy, MN; two sisters, Winifred Johnson and Bernice Christopherson both of Marshall, MN; nieces, nephews and cousins.

Her parents, husband, Ken, one son, John, one son-in-law, Donald Magnuson, one granddaughter, Kristin Marie, two brothers and four sisters preceded her in death.

Interment was in Tracy City Cemetery with the Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy handling the arrangements.

Gene “Ike” Iversen, 64

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 8, 2006 at Lake Sarah Lutheran Church in Garvin for Gene “Ike” Iversen of Walnut Grove, MN.

Gene Raymond “Ike” Iversen was born July 7, 1941 in Tyler, MN to Carl & Anna (Ruschmann) Iversen. He attended grade school in Garvin, MN and high school in Tracy, MN. Ike entered the US Army July 16, 1958 at the age of 17. He served his country proudly for 20 years and retired as a Master Sgt.. During his Army career, he was stationed in Ft. Carson, CO; Ft. Meade, MD; Ft. Hood, TX; and Ft. Lewis, WA. He also served in Korea, Germany, Vietnam, and Hawaii. After retiring from the Army, he settled in Texas and was the first chimney sweep in central Texas. He dressed the part wearing a black top hat and tails, which was a rare novelty. He then went to work installing above ground pools.

Ike married Sandra Olson on August 30, 1958 and was divorced in 1980. They had three children: James Gina & Derek. In 1986, he married Anita Buchannan, and lived in Seminole, OK. There he entered into the hobby of raising Ostriches. His ranch was called “The African Queen”. After their divorce, Ike moved back to Minnesota and made his home in Walnut Grove. His hobbies in his own words were “girl watching, beer, darts, pool, bowling, fishing and hunting.” He scuba dived and also liked to hunt wild boar in Hawaii. Ike was a member of The Alfred Nelson American Legion Post # 0267 of Walnut Grove, The Aeries Eagles Club 3918 of Tracy, The Disabled American Veterans of Texas and The VFW Post 5098 of Westbrook, MN.

Ike passed away Thursday, May 4, 2006 at the VA Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. He was 64 years old.

Ike is survived by his children: James (Jackie) Iversen of Jacksonville, FL, Gina Lazore of Columbia, SC, and Derek Iversen of Orlando, FL; four grandchildren: Chet & Chase Iversen, and Erika & Brooke Lazore; great grandson Holden Iversen; three brothers and one sister: Charles (Doris) Iversen of Detroit Lakes, MN, Monte (Shirley) Iversen of Pikeville, KY, Carla (Lester) Pemble of Walnut Grove, and Lanny (Nancy) Iversen of Tracy; special friend Delores Hook; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Interment is in the Bethel Cemetery. The Walnut Grove Funeral Home handled the arrangements.