Headlight Herald - Serving Tracy, Minnesota, since 1880

Jeannette Gilleres, 72

Jeannette “Sandy” Gilleres age 72 of Tracy, formerly of California, passed away Thursday, June 9, 2011 at Sanford Tracy Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 13 at the Tracy Church of Christ. Visitation is 5:00-8:00 p.m. Sunday at Tracy Area Funeral Home with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Monday. Interment is in Tracy City Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service - Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Jeannette Gilleres was born February 13, 1939 at Tracy, Minnesota to Albert and Irene (Thieman) Graham. She was baptized at the Church of Christ. Sandy graduated from Tracy High School in 1957, and from Minnesota Bible College with a degree in Christian Education. Following her schooling she moved to California to teach. Sandy later married Gordon Gilleres. Following her retirement from teaching, she returned to Tracy. Sandy worked part-time at Kid’s World in Tracy and part-time in accounting for a chain of four McDonald’s restaurants. She was active in the church while in California and at the Tracy Church of Christ where she was a member of the ladies group. Sandy enjoyed cooking and baking, and drawing and making cards. She loved sewing and making tie blankets, as well as singing and music.

Jeannette is survived by her children: Trina Malia (Guiseppe Puccio) and Jason Gilleres, both of California; 7 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; her best friend Merlin Mickelson of Tracy; brother Ronald (Cindy) Graham of Hawaii and sister Sandra (Harry) Hedger of Minneapolis; and numerous other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents.

Daniel Jacob, 44

Daniel Thomas Jacob, age 44 of Garvin, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, June 7, 2011, at his home. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 10 at Tracy Lutheran Church. Interment was in the Tracy City Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service - Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Daniel Jacob was born September 16, 1966 in Marshall, Minnesota to Donald and Bonnie Rose (Fogel) Jacob. Dan was a Boy Scout and wrestled for Tracy High School, taking 3rd place in the State Tournament during his senior year. He graduated from Tracy High School in 1985, and attended Granite Falls Vo-Tech. Dan joined the US National Guard and was an M60 Gunner.

On January 14, 1989 he was united in marriage to Kelly Nuy at Tracy Lutheran Church. After the wedding they moved to the Twin Cities, and returned to the Tracy area in 1992. Dan worked for his uncle, George Jacob Construction. After George passed away on October 22, 2009, Dan took over the construction business. He was a snowmobile, archery, ATV, and firearm safety instructor. Dan was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying shooting, hunting, and fishing. He also loved bowling, darts, and spending time with his family and friends especially around the bonfire.

Dan is survived by his wife Kelly of 22 years; children: Nathan Jacob of Marshall, Brandi Jacob (special friend Cody Meyer) of Minneota, and Joshua Jacob of Garvin; grandson Skylar Platt; his dad Donald Jacob of Tracy; siblings: Teresa (Jeff) Goettig of Currie and Darren (Kelly) Jacob of Tracy. Dan is also survived by his grandmother Bonita Fogel of Westbrook; father and mother-in-law George & Shirley Nuy of Champlain; brother-in-law Daniel Nuy of Roseville; nephews: Aaron Goettig, Derick Goettig, and Tim Jacob; nieces: Stephanie Jacob and Sabrina Wilson; 2 great nephews; 2 great nieces; and many other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his mother Bonnie Rose, paternal grandparents, maternal grandfather, several uncles and aunts, cousin John Jacob, and brother-in-law Scott Nuy.

Helen Maher, 52

Helen Alma Louise (Petersen) Maher, 52, of Sleepy Eye, MN died on Friday, June 10, 2011 at her home in Sleepy Eye, MN.

Funeral service was held at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sleepy Eye on Tuesday, June 14, 2011 at 10:30 am. The Clergy was Pastor Eric Libby. Interment was at Home Cemetery in Sleepy Eye. Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye, MN. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family via www.sturmfh.com.

Helen Alma - Louise Maher, age 52 of Sleepy Eye died at her home surrounded by family on June 10, 2011 after nearly a three year battle with breast cancer. Helen was born on March 3, 1959 in Tracy, MN to Fred and Eileen (Martin) Petersen. She graduated from Tracy High School in 1977 and later received an Associate Degree from Mankato Technical College. Helen married Tom Maher on August 14, 1976. Helen was employed as the assistant deli manager at Cash Wise Foods in New Ulm for the last ten years. She was previously employed as the dietary manager at Sleepy Eye Care Center and store manager of Pamida in Sleepy Eye. Helen enjoyed cooking, gardening, camping, and traveling and spending time with family, friends, and her two canine companions, Tanner and Bo. Helen welcomed the birth of her first grandchild Camryn last year and was looking forward to the births of two more grandchildren later this year. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Sleepy Eye.

She is survived by her husband - Tom; sons - Jason (Sandy) Maher of St. James, Ryan (Ashley) Maher of New Ulm; a daughter - Nicole (special friend Riley Braulick) of Sleepy Eye; a granddaughter - Camryn; step father - William Habben of Tracy; sisters - Becky (Rick) Schreier of Eden Prairie, Sherlyn (Dave) Doyle of Cummings, ND; brother-in-laws - Bill (special friend Lucille) Maher of Currie and Mike (Karen) Maher of Marshall; sisters-in-law - Pat Widboom of Burnsville and Mary (Dave) Boulton of Marshall; nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents - Fred and Eileen Petersen; infant brother - Maynard; a younger sister - Linda; parents-in-law - Tilda and Fabian Maher; and her grandparents.

Edward A. Ourada, 86

Edward A. Ourada age 86 of Walnut Grove passed away Saturday, June 11, 2011 at Sanford Tracy Medical Center.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 16 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Walnut Grove. Visitation is 4:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the church with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m., and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday. Interment is in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service - Walnut Grove Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Edward A. Ourada was born October 4, 1924 on the family farm in Westline Township, Redwood County, Minnesota to Anton and Rose (Benedict) Ourada. He received the sacraments at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Walnut Grove. Edward attended country school north of Walnut Grove, and graduated from Walnut Grove High School in 1942. He went to work for Lad’s Blacksmith Shop, and then the Flax Plant in Windom.

Edward was united in marriage to Arlis Jackels on April 19, 1949 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church (the old church). He was a loving and faithful husband for 62 years. He farmed with his father-in-law before farming on his own. After his retirement from farming, Edward moved to town in 1982. He then worked for Sell Brothers and later Chassis Liner. Edward was a member of the Lucan Lions, Walnut Grove City Council, and was a lifetime member of St. Paul’s Church where he served as an usher. Edward spent time woodworking, reading, fishing, and bird watching. He enjoyed traveling the country to visit family, bicycling, walking, and gardening. He loved spending time with his family, especially going to their events and activities.

Edward is survived by Arlis; nine children: Eileen (Jeff) Olson of Aurora, CO, Rita (Mitch) Einarson of Sudbury, VT, Teresa (Fran) VanDeWiele of Lake Sarah, Duane (Kari) of Bloody Lake, Larry (Candy) of Colorado Springs, CO, Linda (Dan) Burns of St. Paul, Deanna McNamee of Colorado Springs, CO, Sandra Cooreman of Tracy, and Bette Jo (Brad) Snyder of Milroy; 28 grandchildren; 34 great grandchildren; brother Dr. Anthony Ourada of Spencer, IA, and many other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter Ashley Snyder; three brothers: Lad, Frank, and Steve Ourada; two sisters: Rose Henderickson and Agnes Ourada; sons-in-law Marvin Young and Dean McNamee; and grand son-in-law Chris Hannasch.

Mary Weedman, 84

Mary D. Weedman age 84, passed away from Alzheimer’s disease on Wednesday, June 8, 2011. Mary was born on November 19, 1926 in Tracy, MN, the oldest of 5 children of Orville and Alice (Silver) Jette. She grew up in Tracy, MN and graduated from Tracy High School in 1944.

She was married to Verne C. Weedman on May 26, 1947 at St. Mary’s Church in Tracy, MN. Mary and Verne moved to Columbus, WI in 1960 and raised their 8 children. She and her husband started Badger Disposal, Inc. in Columbus in 1973, and for many years worked there until her retirement in 1988.

She was a member of St. Jerome Catholic Church where she enjoyed her years of working on the Sugar Plum Fair with other church members.

Survivors include two daughters, Linda (Bob) Shepard and Mary Beth (John) Nehmer, both of Columbus; four sons, Jerry (Katie) of Wautoma, Bryan (Michelle Smith) of Rio, Jim of Thiensville, Patrick of Columbus; 18 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; one sister, Allie Mae Lang of St. Cloud, MN; two brothers, Bud (Jen) Jette of Minneapolis, MN and John (Rita) Jette of Austin, MN; other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband in 2000; two sons, Thomas in 1987 and Michael in 2009; one brother Beryl Jette.

A Mass of Christian burial was held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 11, 2011 at St. Jerome Catholic Church, Columbus. Rev. Steve Kortendick officiated. Interment was in St. Jerome Cemetery, Columbus. Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s & Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin, St. Jerome Church, or Heartland Hospice. A special thank you to The Larson House for mom’s care during these past years, and also Heartland Hospice for their wonderful care.

Jensen Funeral & Cremation of Columbus, 920-623-5850

jensenfuneralandcremation.com handled the arrangements.