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Obituaries from the week of Nov. 11, 2009

Omer Eischens, 74

Mass of Christian Burial was held  Tuesday, November 10, 2009 for Omer J. Eischens at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy.  Eischens, age 74 of Tracy, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes on Thursday, November 5, 2009 while farming.

Omer John Eischens was born July 25, 1935 in Canby, Minnesota to Henry and Helen (Marso) Eischens. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Leo’s Catholic Church. Omer attended grade school at St. Leo and graduated from Canby High School in 1953. He graduated from business-college in Mankato. 

Omer was united in marriage to Dorothy Cauwels on February 10, 1958 in Marshall, Minnesota. Omer worked in the Marshall Hospital before becoming administrator at the Pipestone Hospital. He began working at the Tracy Hospital the year it was built, where he retired as administrator in 1990. He continued to work in Ivanhoe and Dawson Hospitals as an interim administrator. Omer also worked as a part-time farmer from 1960 until the time of his death. He also worked as an EMT for many years.

Omer was a long-time member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and was involved with the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the Kiwanis, and the Tracy Chamber of Commerce. He enjoyed farming, fishing, hunting and attending his children’s and grandchildren’s sports activities.

Omer is survived by his wife Dorothy of 51 years; children: Mike (Karen) of Victoria, MN, Rick of Marine on the St. Croix, MN, Pat (Darla Juday) of Delano, MN; Mary (Brad) Matlack of Carlton, MN, Jim (Vicki) of North Oaks, MN; and Elaine (Joel) Brey of Shoreview, MN; grandchildren: John, Scott and Steve Eischens, Mark and Emily Matlack, Ellie, Jaden and Jessica Eischens, and Will and Jack Brey; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Interment was in the Holy Redeemer Catholic Cemetery in Marshall. Online condolences may be sent at tracyareafuneralhome.com The Tracy Area Funeral Home  handled the arrangements. Memorials preferred to the Guatemalan Mission – Attn: Fr. Schafer.

 

Dennis Peterson, 79

Funeral services  were held on Friday, November 6, 2009 at Tracy Lutheran Church for Dennis L. Peterson.  Interment was at Tracy City Cemetery with the Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy handling the arrangements.

Dennis L. Peterson was born January 23, 1930 to Ole K. and Galena (Kleven) Peterson in Westbrook, MN, Cottonwood County.  He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and grew up on a farm north of Westbrook.  He moved with his family in 1937 to a farm near Tepeeotah on Lake Shetek, south of Tracy, MN and while living there he attended country school.  In 1945 his family then moved to a farm on Garvin corner, near Garvin, MN.  He then attended Tracy Public Schools, graduating from Tracy High School in 1947.

As a young man he worked with his family on the farm.  On November 7, 1955 Dennis married Jean Cooreman at the Catholic Church Rectory in Tracy.  They made their home on his parent’s farm and they continued to farm there until his retirement in 1997, when they moved into Tracy.  In the past, Dennis served on the Tracy Elevator Board and the Tracy Lutheran Church Board. 

He was a life long member of the Tracy Lutheran Church.  He enjoyed working on an older tractor on the farm, listening to Polka music and watching Polka bands.  His love was farming and he enjoyed taking a drive each day out into the country and observing the fields. 

On Tuesday, November 3, 2009 Dennis died at his home in Tracy at the age of 79.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Jean Peterson of Tracy, MN; seven sons, Donald (Kimberly) Peterson of Garvin, MN, Curt (Diane) Peterson of Balaton, MN, Brian (Julie) Peterson of Garvin, MN, Terry (Mary) Peterson of Lakeville, MN, Steven (Nancy) Peterson of St. Peter, MN, Gregg Peterson of Big Lake, MN and Scott (Dawn) Peterson of Independence, MN; fifteen grandchildren; three great grandchildren; one brother, Vernon (Shirley) Peterson of Wendell, MN, one sister, Lola Cooreman of Tracy, MN; one sister-in-law, Leona Peterson of Tracy, MN; nieces, nephews and many friends.

His parents, one son, Leon, four brothers, Omar, Harvey, Victor and Maynard, and two sisters, Gladys Kasa and Blanche Ehlringer preceded him in death.

Online condolences may be placed at www.almliefh.com.