Allen Cooper, 61

The memory of Allen Cooper will be honored at a “fellowship and celebration” time at the Tracy United Methodist Church Saturday, August 14, from 9:30 to 11 a.m.

Coffee, juice, and muffins will be served in the church’s fellowship hall. In honor of Allen’s wishes, a formal service will not be held. A private family burial will be held later that day.

Allen of Minnetonka, formerly of Tracy, passed away Monday, July 26, 2010 at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park due to complications of diabetes.  Online condolences may be sent at www.tracyareafuneralhome.com.  The Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. 

Allen Scott Cooper was born February 15, 1949 in Tracy, Minnesota to Harold and Joyce (Lindstrom) Cooper.  He graduated from Tracy High School in 1967 and from St. Cloud State University in 1971 with a major in elementary education.  Allen worked for the Orono School District for several years.  He later worked at Northwest Studios for many years as office manager.  Allen will be remembered as a very kind, unselfish and generous man. 

Allen is survived by his parents Harold and Joyce Cooper of Tracy; brothers and sisters: Kerry (Nannette) Cooper of Cannon Beach, OR, Brett Cooper of rural Walnut Grove, and Nancy (Ron) Gausman of Morris; nieces and nephews: Dana Mottl and Michael (Jenna) Feehan, Todd and Drew Cooper, Tyson Cooper, Derek (Kolby) Gausman, Kayla (Steven) Blair, and Alec Gausman; his companion of 28 years Michael Dieter of Minnetonka; and many other relatives and friends. 

He is preceded in death by his brother Bruce, grandparents, aunt Ruby and uncle Henry. 

Arthur Holstein, 92

Arthur was born August 17, 1917 to Julius and Adelia (Rahlfs) Holstein at Tracy, Minnesota, and died August 3, 2010.

Art attended grade school in District 42 in Redwood County. After staying out for two years in high school to help on the family farm, he returned and graduated in 1937 in the same class with his future wife Lucille (Thompson). Art attended junior college in Tracy during 1939 and 1940.

Art loved all sports. He played lots of fast pitch softball in the late 30’s, as well as football and basketball in high school and basketball in junior college and the army. He enjoyed seeing many professional games in the Twin Cities. He took up golf in later years, hitting a hole-in-one in Sioux Falls, and also bowled in Tracy leagues for many years.

Art and Lucille were married February 2, 1941. He was drafted for service in August of 1942 and discharged in October, 1945. He earned the rank of Sergeant with the 937th Engineer Brigade. Arthur took part in five major engagements, going first into Normandy on July 10, 1944, and on with the army into northern France, The Ardennes, Central Germany and the Rhineland. He received the awards of the ETO ribbon and five battle stars.

Art and Lucille started farming on the Mike Maires farm after the war. Art participated in many area boards and organizations, including Zion Lutheran Church, the Tracy Elevator Board, Monroe Town Board, Tracy Lions Club and for more than sixty years, the American Legion.

After retiring from farming, Art and Lucille moved to Lake Shetek for six years and then to Tracy. They spent some time in Texas with Tracy friends in the winters and in the Cities with children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Art was preceded in death by his wife Lucille, brothers Clarence, Frank and Gilbert and sisters Evelyn and Luella.

He is survived by sister Violet and brothers Ruben and Kenneth as well as by daughters Mary Ann Rolloff (Tom) of Bloomington and Linda Holstein of Golden Valley and grandchildren Aaron Rolloff (Peggy), Amy Marker (Bill), Sloane Tyll (Eric), Sarah Johnson (Todd), Amelia Holstein Bailey and by eleven great grandchildren as well as by many nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends.

Services for Art will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Tracy at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, August 10, 2010. Visitation will be held at Almlie Funeral Home on Monday evening, August 9, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.