Obituaries from the week of February 1, 2006

Lillian Robinson, 101

Funeral services were held on January 19, 2006 for Lillian Noyes Robinson in North Hills, CA.

Lillian was born on September 9, 1904. She moved to San Fernando Valley in 1941 from Tracy, MN and lived in the Valley since. She retired from Lockhead Aircraft.

She resided the past 3 years with daughter Marlys in North Hills CA.

Lillian passed away on January 14, 2006 at the age of 101.

She is survived by her children Doris Done, Donald Robinson, Lila Adams and Marlys Klingbell; 11 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband Syndey in 1988, a daughter Helen in 1944 and her son Harold, Dec. 19, 2005.

Mavis Matchin, 86

Memorial services were held on Friday, Jan. 13, 2006 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Mexico for Mavis Ruth Matchin, age 86, of Roswell, who passed away Jan. 9, 2006 at her home.

Mavis was born May 26, 1919 in Tracy, MN to Henry and Mabel Haugen. She is preceded in death by both parents, her husband, Tom Matchin and one sister, Hazel Werth.

Mavis was baptized on August 3, 1919 at Willow Lake Lutheran Church in Tracy, MN and confirmed Dec. 8, 1935 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Cottonwood County, MN. Mavis graduated from Tracy High School in 1937. She attended Cosmetology school for one year.

Mavis entered the military in 1943 and this is where she met her future husband, Tom O. Matchin. Mavis and Tom married in Walnut Grove, MN on July 16, 1946. Mavis attended Real Estate school and was licensed in 1971. She retired in 1989, spending most of her career with Coldwell Banker Taylor and Taylor Realty.

After retiring, Mavis and her sister Marvel traveled extensively through Europe. The Scandinavian countries, Hawaii and Panama.

Mavis’ second family was the congregation of Immanuel Lutheran Church, where she had faithfully attended since 1965.

Mavis is survived by four sons, James Matchin of Roswell, N.M., Tom Matchin Jr. and wife Karla of Reno, NV, Terry Matchin of Gillette, WY, and Mark Matchin of Indianapolis, IN; two daughters, Kay Weston and her husband, Dick of Benton, KS and Rita Jensen of Roswell, NM; two sisters Marvel Erbes of Tracy, MN and June Axelson and husband, Dick of Park Rapids, MN; and nine grandchildren.

Rev. Donald R. Olsen, 72

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 at Atonement Lutheran Church, St. Cloud for Rev. Donald R. Olsen, 72, who died Saturday at his home after a courageous battle with cancer. Rev. Randy Freund and Rev. Gerald Staehling officiated. Interment was in North Star Cemetery, St. Cloud.

Rev. Donald is survived by his son, Karl (Lori) Olsen of Cedar Falls, IA and their children: Nyssa, Kylla, Josie, Karl and Jackson; daughters: Kari Nielsen of Appleton, MN and her children: Tyler and Jonathan; Kirsten (Mark) Sletten of Annandale, MN and their daughter, Molly; two great-grandchildren and brother, Norman (Ramona) Olsen of Starbuck, MN and their family; many cousins and their families in Norway whom he frequently visited.

Rev. Donald was preceded in death by his wife, Karen in August 1990; sister, Elinor Jorgensen and brother, Raymond Olsen both of New Jersey.

Williams Funeral Home, St. Cloud handled the arrangements.

Eugene B. Turbes, 76

Eugene B. Turbes, (Major (ret.) USAF), 76, died January 4, 2006 in Tacoma, WA. Gene was born in Vesta, MN on February 3, 1929 and was raised in Walnut Grove, MN.

He graduated from Walnut Grove High School and attended the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN before entering the United States Air Force. While in the Air Force, Gene served two tours in Viet Nam and also received the Air Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. He retired in June of 1971 as a pilot at the rank of Major.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy, his parents, Mathias Turbes and Lydia Yackel of Walnut Grove, MN, and 6 siblings (baby Turbes, Norman Turbes, Mildred Turbes Shaw, Lloyd Turbes, Mathias ‘Tiny’ Turbes, and Calvin Turbes).

He is survived by sisters, Marion Freeman and Dona Turbes of Lakeville, MN; and by stepson, John Reiner, FL as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.