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Obituaries from the week of July 22, 2009

Milton Moen, 84

Milton Milford Moen, 84, of Tracy passed away on July 19, 2009 at Sanford Hospital from complications following surgeries.   

Milt was born on April 3, 1925 in Tracy to Milford and Tena (Mickelson) Moen. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.  He attended Tracy Public Schools and graduated from Tracy High School in 1943. 

On February 12, 1948, Milt was united in marriage to Marian (Peterson) Moen.

In 1944 Milt entered active military service and served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater until his discharge in 1946.  In 1947 he purchased Zeke’s Cafe on Front Street from his father which he operated until 1969.  At that time he began employment with the U. S Postal Service where he was a mail carrier until his retirement in December, 1988.  Following two years of retirement, Milt decided to apply at the Wal-Mart store in Marshall where he thought he’d work for a “couple of years”.  He stayed for 16 years working as a greeter until he retired in April, 2008.

Milt was active through the years in community organizations including the Chamber of Commerce and the Tracy Cemetery Board.  He was a 17 year member of the Tracy Volunteer Fire Department, acting as secretary for two years.  After earning his Private Pilot’s license, Milt served on the Tracy Municipal Airport Board and was its secretary for three years.  He was a member of Tracy Lutheran Church, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion.  Milt was also a member of the Tracy Masonic Lodge where he was a Past Master.  He achieved the honor of 32nd Degree Mason in the Winona Consistory.

Milt enjoyed many hobbies over the years including flying, restoring antique cars, woodworking, snowmobiling, water skiing, building remote controlled airplanes, and golfing.

Milt is survived by his wife, Marian, his daughter, Paula (Richard) Hruska of Dodge City, KS, and his son, Dean (Lanie) Moen of Blaine, MN.  He is also survived by his five grandchildren, Ben Hruska, Tempe, AZ, Katie Hruska, St. John, US Virgin Islands, Megan Hruska, Dodge City, KS, Joshua Moen, Blaine, MN, and Maya Moen, Blaine, MN. 

His parents, Milford and Tena Moen, and his grandson, Joseph Dean Moen, preceded him in death. 

Cremation has taken place and a Memorial Service for Milt will be held at a later date.

 

Patricia Peltola, 56

Funeral services for Patricia Renee Peltola were held at Zion Lutheran Church in Tracy, MN on Monday, July 20, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Kurt Kluge officiating.  The organist was Joanne Knott.  The pallbearers were nephews, Tom Carter, Steve Carter, Scott Prouty, David Prouty, Brent Prouty, Nate Prouty, Ron Prouty, Lance Prouty and Tom Prouty. 

Pat Peltola was born on December 9, 1952 in Tracy, Minnesota to John and Ruth Johnson Prouty.  She grew up in Tracy and graduated from Tracy High School in 1971.  Following high school Pat worked in Redwood Falls as a secretary. 

On August 25, 1979 she and Charles Peltola were married at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Currie.  Following their marriage they farmed the Peltola family farm south of Currie.  Pat worked for Habilitative Services Incorporated for 15 years in Tracy.  

Pat passed away on Friday, July 17, 2009 at her home in Currie surrounded by her loving family at the age of 56. 

She was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Tracy, MN.  Pat enjoyed cooking and caring for others.  She loved spending time with her family and enjoyed summers at the family cabin on Lake Shetek. Pat will be remembered for her compassion and concern for others. 

Survivors include her husband, Charles Peltola of Currie, MN, three children, Shelby Herrera and her husband, Leroy of Eagle Lake, MN, Dr. Justin Peltola and his wife, Nicole of Coon Rapids, MN, and Kyle Peltola of St. Paul, MN, three grandchildren, Alayna, Kiana, and Mya Peltola, four brothers, and sisters, Joanne Carter and her husband, Wayne of Currie, MN, Art Prouty of Plymouth, MN, Allen Prouty and his wife, Tammy of Tracy, MN, and Lezlee Prouty of Sioux Falls, SD.  She is preceded in death by her parents, and one brother, Jim Prouty.

Interment was at the Tracy City Cemetery, Tracy, MN.  To send online condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com

 

 

Luke Prairie, 17

Funeral services were held Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at the Tracy Area High School Gymnasium for Luke J. Prairie, 17, of Balaton, MN.

Luke John Prairie was born on November 26, 1991 to Fay (Habben) and Doug Prairie in Marshall, Minnesota. He grew up with his family on a farm southwest of Balaton. His boyhood years were full of playing with his brothers and close friends in the grove and at Current Lake. His brothers were very important to him, and he loved them and they loved him.

He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Sillerud Lutheran Church. Luke attended Tracy Area High School, where he was very active in wrestling and it was a pleasure to see him in action. He liked golf and boating, especially being on the tube. It was tough to throw him off. Luke had a wonderful smile and a quiet, calm demeanor. He was a man of few words, but Luke touched many lives and had many friends who loved him.

Luke died Thursday, July 16, 2009 at the Avera-McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

He is survived by his parents, Doug and Fay Prairie of Balaton, MN; brother and sister-in-law Matthew and Mandy Prairie of Colorado Springs, CO, James Prairie of Savannah, GA, and Andrew Prairie of Balaton, MN; maternal grandmother, Margaret Habben of Russell, MN; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and a whole host of friends. His paternal grandparents, George and Agnes Prairie, and his maternal grandfather, Ed Habben, preceded him death. Luke’s final act was to give the gift of life through organ/tissue donation.

Interment will be in the Sillerud Lutheran Cemetery, rural Balaton. The Almlie Funeral Home of Balaton handled the arrangements. Online condolences may be placed at www.almliefh.com