Headlight Herald - Serving Tracy, Minnesota, since 1880

Archer “Archie” Daniels, 72

Archer “Archie” Daniels, age 72 of Tracy passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at his home. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be sent at www.tracyareafuneralhome.com. The Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Vivian Kelly, 63

Vivian Kelly age 63 of Lucan, MN died Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at the Redwood Falls Hospital. Services were held on Monday, January 11, 2010 at the Tracy United Methodist Church in Tracy, MN. Interment was in the Walnut Grove City Cemetery, The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy handled the arrangements.

Online condolences may be placed at www.almliefh.com

Vivian Louise Kelly was born April 19, 1946 to Robert and Margaret (Fitz) Goor in Medelia, MN. She was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and attended country school as a young girl. Her family then moved to Anoka, MN for several years before moving to Lewisville for a short time. They then moved to near Truman, MN where Vivian attended Truman High School.

On September 5, 1964 Vivian married Clair Kelly at the Medelia United Methodist Church and they made their home in Fairmont, MN, where she worked in the Sweet Shop. After close to four years, they moved to Northrup, MN and waitressed in the Redwood Inn and the Green Door Supper Club. In 1974 they moved to a farm near Lucan, MN and she worked at the Country Kitchen in Redwood Falls, MN. They moved into Lucan in 1989 and Vivian worked for the D&R Bar in Lucan, the Oasis Bar in Milroy, MN and the Vesta Café in Vesta, MN. She also worked for the Sewn Products in Vesta for some time.

Vivian was a member of the Walnut Grove Methodist Church and held a Minnesota State Food Handling License for many years. She enjoyed camping, quilting, sewing, baking cakes, traveling and working on embroidery with her new machine. She also loved crossword puzzles, and playing dominoes and putting puzzles together with her grandkids. Vivian was seen at many high school sporting events over the years, following her grandsons in many sports, but basketball was her favorite.

Vivian is survived by her husband, Clair Kelly of Lucan, MN; one daughter, Peggy (Bob) Dolan of Milroy, MN; one son, Larry Kelly of Courtland, MN; four grandchildren, Anthony, Lucas, and Dominic Dolan and Kendall Kelly; one sister, Marion Brudlee of Hanska, MN; one brother, Robert Goor Jr. of Anoka, MN; many nieces, nephews and a great many friends.

Her one son, Timothy, her parents, three sisters and three brothers all preceded her in death.

Jane Kirk, 72

Jane Kirk age 72 of Balaton, MN died Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at the Sanford-Sioux Valley Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD. Services were held on Monday, January 11, 2010 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Balaton. Interment was in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Balaton. The Almlie Funeral Home of Balaton handled the arrangements.

Jane Dorothy (VanWinkle) Kirk was born to Glen and Luella VanWinkle on October 1, 1937 in Custer Township, Lyon County, Minnesota. She was baptized (11/12/37) and was later confirmed (4/13/52) at Trinity Lutheran Church in Balaton, Minnesota. She was raised on a farm in Lyon County and attended country school District #52 through eighth grade and graduated from Balaton High School in 1955. On July 14, 1955, Jane married Raymond Kirk at Trinity Lutheran Church. The couple lived in Fort Knox, Kentucky for a few months before Ray was sent overseas to Japan for 16 months. After his return, they lived in a few various homes before settling into the same farm site in Custer Township that Jane was born on. Jane lived the last 51 years of her life with Ray at this home. In their 54 years of marriage, they were blessed with six children. Jane worked various jobs in the area early on in her life, but she devoted most of her life to caring for her children and working alongside Ray on the farm. Jane had a “gift for gab” and over the years, she made many friendships that lasted a lifetime. Twenty years ago, Jane was diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease likely from adverse effects of farm chemicals she was exposed to over the years, but she continued to have a zest for life and had a huge impact on everyone around her. Jane courageously fought with all she had, but finally lost her earthly battle for life and passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at the Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 72 years, three months and five days.

Jane enjoyed visiting with family and friends, playing games and cards, gardening, playing Bingo and watching her children and grandchildren in sporting events. She had an amazing sense of humor and always lightened the mood with her presence. She was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church and the Balaton American Legion Auxiliary. She loved softball and played for Balaton Blue Denim for many, many years. Jane also enjoyed playing the piano, organ and accordion and could play any melody by ear, a musical trait she inherited from her father.

Jane is lovingly remembered by her husband Ray; five children: Doug (and Jill) Kirk of Breckenridge, TX, Deb (and Darwin) Saxton of Tracy, MN, Julie (and Cary) Jones of Balaton, MN, Dan “Hondo” (and Pam) Kirk of Balaton, MN and Jenny (and Bernie Przymus) Kirk of Balaton, MN; 23 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; brothers Arnold (and Helen) VanWinkle of Balaton, MN and Dean (and Rosie) VanWinkle of New Ulm, MN; sisters Irma Fedde of Balaton, MN and Betty (and Royal) Johnson of Apache Junction, AZ; and many other relatives and friends.

Her infant daughter, Brenda Lou and her parents preceded her in death.

Albert Neumann, 60

Albert Jerry Neumann, 60, passed away on Saturday Jan 9, 2010 after a long battle with throat cancer. Burial will be on Friday, Jan 15th at 10:00 a.m. at Ft Snelling National Cemetery in St Paul, MN. A reception will follow at the Richfield American Legion located at 6501 Portland Ave. St., Richfield, MN.

Jerry is survived by his sons Jeremy (Cathy) Neumann from Ramsey, MN and Jason (Jenny) Neumann from Wahpeton, ND; his grandchildren; mother Eve Neumann from Dassell, MN; sister, Sue Rauch from Dassell MN; nieces; nephew.

Jerry’s dad, Al Neumann passed away in 1986.

Viola J. Paulson, 94

Viola J. Paulson, age 94 of Tracy, formerly of Westbrook, passed away Thursday, January 7, 2010 at Prairieview Health Care Center in Tracy. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, January 11, 2009 at the Tracy Area Funeral Home. Interment was in Old Westbrook Lutheran Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent at www.tracyareafuneral home.com. The Tracy Area Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Viola J. Paulson was born May 17, 1915 in Westbrook Township, Minnesota to John and Christina Paulson. Viola grew up on the family farm near Westbrook. She lived various places until moving to Christian Manor in Tracy in 1973. Viola never missed a chapel service while she was at the home. She loved stuffed animals and purses, and was always interested in the special events that the nursing home held.

Viola is survived by her nephew Gary Paulson of Lander, Wyoming and longtime friends Homer and Betty Dobson of Tracy. She is preceded in death by her parents; and her brother Virgil Paulson.