Judith Johnson, 74

Judith “Judy” L. Johnson age 74 of Walnut Grove passed away Monday, November 15, 2010 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 19 at English Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove.  Visitation will be 5:00-7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Walnut Grove Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.  Interment is in Walnut Grove Cemetery.  Online condolences may be sent at www.walnutgrovefuneralhome.com.  The Walnut Grove Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. 

Judy Johnson was born November 10, 1936 on the family farm in Redwood County to Val and Eunice (Beckman) Anderson.  She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.  Judy attended country schools south of Wanda and south of Walnut Grove, and graduated from Walnut Grove High School.  On May 12, 1956 she was united in marriage to Donald Johnson at St. Olaf Lutheran Church.  Judy worked at Citizens State Bank in Walnut Grove, and then catered for many years.  She was a member of English Lutheran Church, 20^th Century Club in Walnut Grove, the Tracy Hospital Auxiliary, and volunteered for the Wilder Pageant managing the concession stand.  Judy and Don loved camping; taking two camping trips to Alaska.  Judy also enjoyed reading, sewing, flower gardening, and working in the field in the spring and fall. 

Judy is survived by her husband Don of 54 years; children: David Johnson (Lorri Ann Rauschke) of Woodbury, Lori Johnson of Walnut Grove, and Greg Johnson (Elliott Kroeker) of Bloomington; grandchildren: Brooke (Darin) Bock, Laura (Joshua) Schmidt, and Soni Kaufenberg; great grandchildren: Julia, Jenna, Jada, and Noah Schmidt, and McKenzie and Gabriella Bock; siblings: Wayne (Connie) Anderson, Ken (Sandy) Anderson, Dee (Brian) Skalbeck, and Barb (Walt) Boyd; and many other relatives and friends.  She is preceded in death by her parents.

 

Leo Sebastian, 89

Funeral services for Leo J. Sebastian, formerly of Tracy, will be 11 a.m. Saturday, November 20, 2010 at Tracy Lutheran Church in Tracy.  Visitation will be from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. Friday, November 19, 2010 at the Almlie Funeral Home in Tracy, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. and continuing one hour prior to the service at the church. 

Leo John Sebastian was born April 11, 1921 to George and Anna (Kohrs) Sebastian in Postville, IA, Allamakee County.  He was baptized in 1921 and confirmed in 1935 in the Lutheran faith.  Leo attended Postville Public Schools, graduating from Postville High School in 1938, where he was active in all sports and extra curricular activities.  Following high school, he attended Luther College in Decorah, IA on a full football scholarship, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1942.

On August 12, 1942 Leo married Eleanor A. Christiansen in Harmony, MN.  Shortly thereafter that same year, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served until his honorable discharge, with the rank of Captain, in December of 1945.  He and his wife then made their home in Calmer, IA for one year before moving to Tracy, MN in 1947.  Leo was a History Teacher and Head Football Coach at Tracy High School from 1947 until 1970.  He then served as Athletic Director and continued teaching History until his retirement in 1982.  He also coached basketball at Tracy Junior College.

He was a member of Tracy Lutheran Church, where he taught Sunday School and served on the church council.  Leo also served on the Tracy Municipal Hospital Board during its construction, and was very active at the Tracy Country Club.  He loved all sports his entire life, migrating from football, basketball, and baseball, to golf in his later years.  In the past he also was an active hunter and fisherman and loved camping with his wife and children.  In his retirement he tried his hand at woodworking also. 

Leo was inducted into the Minnesota State High School Football Association Hall of Fame in 1977, inducted into the Luther College Athletic Hall of Fame that same year, and was Minnesota High School Region III Coach of the Year in 1968.  The City of Tracy honored Leo with the naming of Sebastian Park, located at the site of the old football field near the swimming pool, in 1989.

In 2004, Leo moved in with his Son’s family in Omaha, NE.  Leo became a resident of the Gretna Community Living Center in Gretna, NE, just last month.  On Friday, November 12, 2010 Leo died, surrounded by his loving family, at the age of 89.

Leo is survived by his two sons, Dave (Sandy) Sebastian of Holman, WI and Mark (Kathy) Sebastian of Omaha, NE; five granddaughters; one grandson; three great granddaughters; three great grandsons; and many friends.

His wife, “Dos”, his parents, George and Anna, and his sister, Margaret preceded him in death.

Interment will be at the Tracy City Cemetery.  The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy is handling the arrangements. 

Online condolences may be placed at www.almliefh.com