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Obituaries from the week of September 17, 2008

Iris Hayes, 81
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at Zion Lutheran Church in Tracy for Iris Hayes, of Tracy, MN.
Iris Elaine (Gaffney) Hayes, age 81 of Tracy passed away on Saturday, September 13, 2008 at the Sanford Tracy Medical Center as a result of Pulmonary Fibrosis and Diabetes.
Iris Hayes was born on April 9, 1927 to Kenneth J. and Florence (Fletcher) Gaffney on a farm in Flora Township, near North Redwood, Renville County, Minnesota. She attended a rural school until her parents bought a café in Delhi, MN. She then attended school in Delhi through her freshman year. Her family moved to the state of Washington where her father worked in the ship yards during World War II. Following the war, her family then moved back to the farm in Flora Township. She then attended school in Redwood Falls, MN where she graduated in 1945. Upon graduation, she got a secretarial job with Tiffany Insurance in Redwood Falls. While working there she met her future husband, Merlyn (Bud) Hayes, as he was working for the Ford dealer across the street.
Iris was confirmed in the Lutheran faith at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Redwood Falls. She was united in marriage to Merlyn Hayes on June 6, 1948 at St. John’s Lutheran Church. They were blessed with four sons: Bryan (1949), Dennis (1952), James (1954), and Charles (1956). In 1965 the couple purchased the Ford/Mercury automobile dealership in Tracy, MN. After the boys were in high school, Iris worked as bookkeeper/secretary for Bud Hayes Ford until they sold the dealership in 1991, when they retired. Iris and Bud did some traveling; spending winters in Mesa, AZ from 1992 until the present time.
Iris is survived by her husband Merlyn; sons: Bryan (Valerie), Dennis (Judy), James (Carly), and Charles (Constance); 11 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and many nephews and nieces.
Interment was in the Tracy City Cemetery. Email condolences may be sent via www.tracyareafuneral home.com. The Tracy Area Funeral Home handled the arrangements.


Michael Schaller, 67
A memorial service was held on Saturday, September 13, 2008 for Michael John Schaller, age 67 of Big Lake, MN. Service was held at Crossroads Community United Methodist Church, Spicer, MN. Arrangements were handled by Twin Cities Cremation.
Michael was born September 18, 1939 in Montevideo, MN the son of Jesse and Lorraine (Ness) Schaller. Michael attended Montevideo schools graduating in 1958.
He took great pride in his career as a meat manager for the Red Owl Corp. and spent the last several years within private stores.
Retired at the age of 60, Mike and his wife Ruthann spent winters in The Villages, Florida, where he enjoyed Friday afternoon poker, golf, and many happy hours with family and friends. They enjoyed their summers in Eagle River, Ontario, where he spent his time fishing, playing cards, socializing with friends, relaxing on the river on the pontoon, and working in his wood shop. To know him was to love him, for he was a friend to all.
Michael passed away on September 7, 2008 in Monticello, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Survived by his loving wife Ruthann; father Jesse Schaller; grandma (in-law) Anna Burns; children Loree (Rich) Sommers, Tim Schaller, Deb (Mike) Olson, Cory (Danette) Schaller, Tracy (Erika) Schaller, Troy (Allison) Schaller, & Cary (Becky) Schaller; 19 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; sisters Kathy Beito, & Joyce (Howard) Kron; and many nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
Preceded in death by his mother Lorraine Schaller.


Lorrayne Lund, 84
Lorrayne D. Lund, age 84, formerly of Walnut Grove, MN died on Sunday, September 14, 2008 at Bethany Home in Alexandria, MN. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, September 19, 2008 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove, MN at 1PM. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church.
Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. www.andersonfuneral.net