John Labat, 85
John P. Labat, 85, of Marshall, formerly of rural
Milroy, passed away on November 29, 2007 at Morningside
Heights Care Center in Marshall, MN surrounded by
his wife and family members. Mass of Christian Burial
was held on Monday, December 3, 2007 at St. Michael’s
Catholic Church in Milroy, MN at 10:30 a.m.
John was born on April 3, 1922 on the family farm
in Clifton Township to Arthur and Cantellies (Coone)
Labat. He attended District 42 country school in
Lyon County. He was baptized and confirmed at St.
Michael’s Catholic Church in Milroy. He grew
up working on the family farm and then enlisted
in the Army in 1944. He proudly served his country
during and after World War II. After returning from
active duty in Europe, he was joined in marriage
to Doris VanOverbeke on August 23, 1950 at St. Clotilde’s
Catholic Church in Green Valley, MN. John and Doris
lived on the family farm in the rural Milroy area
where they raised their family of seven children.
John was passionate about raising cattle and the
way he farmed his land. He retired from farming
in 1993. In addition to farming, John served on
the Lyon County ASCS committee. John was considered
a local pioneer in the art of moving buildings and
he also did many jobs with his small Caterpillar
and gravel truck. Once retired, John and Doris moved
off the farm to a home in the area and then into
an apartment in Marshall where he resided until
his death.
John was very active in the Milroy community, serving
on a number of local business (board of directors)
including the Co-op Creamery and Elevator. He was
Past Commander and 50 year member of the American
Legion Post 274. He was also a life long member
of St. Michaels Catholic Church in Milroy. John
was elected to serve on the Redwood Electric Association
board of directors from 1990 to 2005. Most recently,
John volunteered his time at the Marshall Senior
Center preparing and delivering meals to the homebound.
John also enjoyed traveling throughout the United
States and Europe. While traveling in Europe, he
visited relatives and located the birth place of
his parents. John spoke fluent Flemish and enjoyed
speaking the language whenever the opportunity presented
itself. His hobbies included attending academic,
sporting, drama and music activities that his children
and grandchildren participated in. He enjoyed playing
rolle bolle, dancing, watching Twins baseball games,
fishing, reminiscing and especially playing cards
with friends at the senior center.
John is survived by his wife, Doris of Marshall,
MN; and their children: Beverly (Ron) Petersen,
Sleepy Eye, MN; David (Jodi) Labat, Cottonwood,
AZ; John (Lynn) Labat, Milroy, MN; Julie (Alan)
Macht, Marshall, MN; Dan Labat, Detroit Lakes, MN;
and Laurie (Jim) Allex, St. Cloud, MN. He cherished
the time he spent with his numerous grandchildren
and great grandchildren and many other relatives
and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents;
his firstborn son, Steven; his brother Peter, and
sisters Elsie, Mary and Julia.
John was a loving husband, strong role model to
his children and friend to many. Our cherished memories
include his hearty laugh, family camping trips,
dancing the polka, his good nature and his ability
to converse with anyone…John will be missed
by all who knew him and loved him.
Interment was in St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery.
The Redwood Valley Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Avalon Lia Christopherson
A memorial service is planned Saturday, Dec. 8, for
Avalon Lia Christopherson, infant daughter of Michael
and Daisy Christopherson of Northfield.
Avalon Lia was born Nov. 28 in Northfield.
Grandparents are Seth and Betsy Schmidt of Tracy,
MN, and Jim and Carol Christopherson of Hutchinson.
The service will be at the First United Church of
Christ in Northfield at 3:00 p.m. Memorials
are preferred to the Infants Remembered In Silence
(IRIS) organization of Faribault.
Mildred Wendorff, 95
Funeral services were held for Mildred Wendorff age
95 of Tracy, MN on Monday, December 3, 2007 at the
Congregational Church in Garvin, MN
Mildred Gwen Wendorff was born September 10, 1912
to John and Annable (Killius) Albee on the family
farm in Sodus Township, Lyon County, MN. She was baptized
and confirmed in the Christian faith and attended
country school near Amiret, MN. Following her graduation
from high school in Amiret, Mildred then attended
Teachers College in Madison, SD for a year. She then
taught country school near Arco, MN for a couple years.
On January 8, 1936 Mildred married J. Wilford Wendorff
at her grandparents’ farm south of Marshall,
MN. They made their home on a farm west of Marshall
until 1941 when they moved to a farm southwest of
Garvin, MN. In 1967 they moved into Tracy, MN and
following her husband’s death in 1975, Mildred
moved into the Twin Circle Apartments in Tracy.
Over the years Mildred worked for the JC Penney’s
Store in Tracy and volunteered many hours to the Clothing
Center in Tracy. She was a member of the Garvin Congregational
Church, where she was very active in the church women’s
groups, Ladies Aid, and served as a Sunday School
teacher for many years. She enjoyed gardening, cooking,
sewing stuffed animals for her grandchildren and quilting,
which she made one for every member of her family.
She will be lovingly remembered by her family for
her strong faith in her Lord and nurturing of that
faith in all of them.
In 1998 Mildred became a resident of the Prairie View
Healthcare Center in Tracy, where she died Friday,
November 30, 2007, surrounded by her loving family,
at the age of 95.
Mildred is survived by her two sons, Robert (Joyce)
Wendorff of Marshall, MN and Darrell (Linda) Wendorff
of Tracy, MN; three daughters, Beverly (Curt) Wixon
of Lake City, FL, Janice LaJoie of Sioux Falls, SD
and Carol (Bill) Radtke of Vesta, MN; fifteen grandchildren;
thirty three great grandchildren; five great great
grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, Elaine Kronke
of Marshall, MN, Vera Wendorff of Tracy, MN and Carrie
Albee of Marshall, MN; nieces, nephews and many friends.
Her husband, Wilford, parents, one son-in-law, Gary
LaJoie, two brothers, Oliver and Lloyd, two sisters,
June McDonald and Viola Wendorff and one infant sister,
preceded her in death.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials
by given to the Congregational Church in Garvin, MN.
Interment was at the Bethel Cemetery, rural Garvin,
MN. The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy handled the arrangements.
