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Obituaries from the week of April 6, 2011

Melba Carlson 79

Melba E. Carlson, resident of Concord. Melba quietly passed away in her home on Mar. 18, 2011.

She was born on Sept. 13, 1931 in Walnut Grove, MN. She was born and raised on a farm and attended college in Mankato, MN. She moved to California in 1953 and got a job with the Telephone Company. There she met and married Ed Carlson in 1955.

She was a homemaker the majority of her married life, raising 4 children. She and Ed were active in many groups, Telephone Pioneers, retired CWA Partners, Martinez Senior Center, Loves and Fishes. Melba was Telephone Partner of the Year in 1993-94 and she was particularly proud she was lifetime membership of weight watchers.

She is survived by sons Steve (Julie) of Antioch, Rick (Sultan) of San Jose, daughters LeeAnn Jackson of Martinez and JoAnn Baker (Jeff) of Brentwood, six grandchildren and a great grandson and brother Francis Kassel and sister Beverly Hubbard.

 A Celebration of Life was held on Thursday, Mar. 24, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at Oakmont Cemetery located 2099 Reliez Valley Road, Lafayette. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the American Heart Association . 

 

Francis Stelter, 71

Funeral services for Francis Stelter were held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 2, 2011 at the Lake Sarah Lutheran Church in Garvin. 

Francis “Skip” Allen Stelter was born December 5, 1939 to Adolph and Lillian (Melby) Stelter in Marshall, MN. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and attended Lynd Public Schools, graduating from Lynd High School in 1957.  He was drafted into the U. S. Army in May of 1963 and was stationed at Ft. Sam Houston, TX, where he trained as a medical corpsman.  He received his honorable discharge in May of 1965 and returned to Minnesota.

On December 17, 1960 “Skip” married Judith Wirtjes at Lake Sarah Lutheran in Garvin.  They made their home in Garvin for a short time before moving to Killeen, TX, then returned to Minnesota.  After living in several communities in central Minnesota they settled back in Garvin in 1976.  Skip worked as a bulk fuel driver for Tri-State Petroleum in Marshall, MN for many years.

He was a member of the Lake Sarah Lutheran Church, and in the past had served on the church council and sang in the choir.  He also was active in the area Horseshoe Leagues for many years, and enjoyed stock car racing and Vikings football.

In September of 2010, “Skip” entered the Prairie Home Hospice House in Marshall where he died Sunday, March 27, 2011 at the age of 71.

“Skip” is survived by his three sons, Mark (Susan) Stelter of Rapid City, SD, Eric (Carissa) Stelter of Watertown, SD, and Jason (Liz) Stelter of Sioux Falls, SD; five grandchildren, Zachary, Lexi, Cole, Jack, and Sam Stelter; three sisters, Marilyn Kor of Russell, Carol (Gary) Sorenson of Elk River, and Joanne (Ronald) Dobrenski of Minneota; one sister-in-law, Sharon (Ted) Haugen of Currie; nieces, nephews and many friends.

His parents, and wife, Judy preceded him in death.

Interment was  in the Bethany Cemetery.  The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy handled the arrangements.