Headlight Herald - Serving Tracy, Minnesota, since 1880

Robert Alcorn, 83

Robert Leo Alcorn, age 83, of Marshall, formerly of Walnut Grove, passed away Thursday, September 29, 2011 at Prairie Home Hospice. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Paul Catholic Church in Walnut Grove. Visitation is 4:00-7:00 p.m. Sunday at St. Paul Catholic Church with a prayer service at 6:00 p.m. followed by a Rosary. 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.

Robert Alcorn was born December 8, 1927 in Bridgewater, SD to Clifford and Elizabeth (Gossman) Alcorn. He was baptized in Bridgewater. At the age of 6, Robert and his family moved to Walnut Grove where he was later confirmed. He attended District 19 School in Johnsonville Township and graduated from Walnut Grove High School in 1945. Robert served in the US Navy from September, 1950 to June, 1954 and was stationed in Norfolk, VA. On December 27, 1952 he was united in marriage to Joyce Johnson in Sioux City, IA. Robert farmed north of Walnut Grove until 1983, when he moved into town where he resided for more than 20 years. In 2006 he moved to Marshall. He worked part-time as a mail carrier while farming and then full time after retiring from farming. He retired from the mail route in 1992 and devoted his time to his two passions, his family and woodworking. Robert was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Lions, Marshall Area Men’s Chorus, woodworking group and Walnut Grove American Legion. Robert enjoyed singing, music, fishing trips and woodworking. He was very interested in politics, but even more passionate about all Minnesota sport teams. Robert loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Robert is survived by Joyce, his wife of 58 years; children: Betty (Ron) Kassel, Bill (Tara) Alcorn, Becky (Kerry) Knakmuhs, Ron (Toni) Alcorn, Don (Lisa) Alcorn, Barb (Mark) Olson, John (Sue) Alcorn, Jeanne (Dwight) Anderson, Nancy (Mark) Lintner, Tony (Patty) Alcorn and Ben Alcorn; grandchildren: Megan Mattison, Tyson Kassel, Dustin Alcorn, David Alcorn, Cody Alcorn, Nash Alcorn, Matthew Knakmuhs, Nate Knakmuhs, Andrea Porter, Justin Knakmuhs, Amber Whalen, Holly Eisen, Spencer Alcorn, Blake Alcorn, Heather Alcorn, Robert Alcorn, Maria Alcorn, Christy Alcorn, Erica Olson, Jessica Olson, Gretchen Anderson, Taylor Doyle, Emma Doyle, Andrew Doyle, Brandon Anderson, Hannah Anderson, Shannon Anderson, Emily Lintner, Chase Alcorn and Eli Alcorn; great grandchildren: Aidan Mattison, Ethan Mattison, Logan Alcorn, Lauren Alcorn, Henry Alcorn, Eleanor Alcorn, Noah Knakmuhs, Lauren Knakmuhs, Orion Knakmuhs, Ella Knakmuhs, Ian Knakmuhs, Leighton Porter, Henry Whalen, Cormic Whalen, Murphy Whalen, Maisy Eisen, Sawyer Eisen, Lilah Alcorn and Avery Olson; siblings: C. Donald “Sandy” (Mary Ann) Alcorn and Mary Como. He is preceded in death by his parents Clifford and Elizabeth Alcorn, siblings William Alcorn, James Alcorn, Annette “Sug” Markell and granddaughter Mallory Anderson.

Doris Johnson, 87

Doris L. Johnson age 87 of Tracy, MN died Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at the Sanford-Tracy Area Medical Center. Services were held Friday, September 30, 2011 at Tracy Lutheran Church. Interment was in the Hoiland Cemetery, rural Tracy. The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy handled the arrangements.

Doris Lorraine (Helleson) Johnson was born February 2,1924 to Martin and Inger (Gillund) Helleson on the farm in Shetek Township, Murray County. She was baptized on March 15, 1924 and later confirmed on June 20, 1937 at Hoiland Lutheran Church. Doris attended country school in Shetek Township, before attending Tracy Public Schools, graduating from Tracy High School in 1942. She then graduated from Mankato Teachers College and taught school in Hollandale, Lake Wilson, Ivanhoe and Garvin, MN.

On November 28, 1948 Doris married Lewellyn Johnson at Tracy Lutheran Church and they made their home on a farm in Monroe Township, southwest of Tracy, MN. After her marriage Doris no longer taught school, but became a homemaker for her family. She was a member of Tracy Lutheran Church, and active in Ladies Aid, Do-Day activities, Circle and served as a Sunday School Teacher. Doris was also a member of the Monroe Friendship Club. She was an excellent cook and baker, and enjoyed quilting, gardening, raising Gladiolas, and Traveling. She also very much enjoyed organizing and hosting family get-togethers, but what she most loved was spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

On Tuesday, September 27, 2011 Doris died, surrounded by her loving family, at the Sanford-Tracy Area Medical Center in Tracy at the age of 87.

Doris is survived by her husband of 62 years, Lewellyn Johnson of Tracy, MN; son, Steve (Pam) Johnson of Tracy, MN; daughter, Marjean (Loren) Sanderson of Crookston, MN; four grandchildren, Jared (Summer) Johnson of Elk Point, SD, Travis Sanderson of Kindred, ND, Joshua Sanderson of Waverly, IA, and Jenny Johnson of Bentonville, AR; two great grandchildren, Shelby Rae Johnson and Brice Curtis Johnson; sister-in-law, Grace Helleson of Beaverton, OR; brother-in-law, Vernon (Gloria) Johnson of Clarkfield, MN; nieces, nephews and many friends.

Her parents, two brothers, Manley and George Helleson and one brother-in-law, Delmore Johnson preceded her in death.

Mary Vandeputte, 84

Mary C. Vandeputte age 84 of Tracy, MN died Thursday, September 29, 2011 at the Prairie View Healthcare Center in Tracy. Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy. Interment was held at Calvary Cemetery in Tracy. The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy handled the arrangements.

Mary Celina Vandeputte was born May 16, 1927 to George and Elisa (Maeyaert) Van De Wiele in Minneota, MN, Lyon County. As an infant, her family moved to a farm near Walnut Grove, MN. She was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith and attended country school.

On April 23, 1947 Mary married Donald Vandeputte in Tracy, MN at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. They made their home on a farm south of Tracy and she was a housewife, homemaker and worked along side her husband on the farm.

Mary was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and was active in the C.C.W. and Alter guild. She enjoyed the outdoors, helping on the farm with the field work, gardening and caring for the yard. She also was a great cook, and liked crocheting, sewing, crafts, ceramics, playing cards and the family rolle bolle parties. She will be fondly remembered for always having the coffee pot on and having wonderful family gatherings.

In November of 2006 Mary became a resident of the Prairie View Healthcare Center in Tracy, where she died Thursday, September 29, 2011 at the age of 84.

Mary is survived by her son, Dennis Vandeputte of Tracy, MN; daughter-in-law, Shirley Vandeputte of Mankato, MN; four grandchildren, Taylor, Trevor, Scott and Justin (Erica) Vandeputte; three great grandchildren, Hunter, Lexi and Julia Vandeputte; two sisters, Alice Vandendriessche of Tracy, MN and Julia (James) Claeys of Ghent, MN; three brothers, Rich (Pearl) Van De Wiele of Walnut Grove, MN, Raymond (Bev) Van De Wiele and Maurice (Judy) Van De Wiele, both of Tracy, MN; many nieces, nephews and friends.

Her husband, Donald, her parents, infant son, John, daughter, Diane, son Tom, two brothers, Oscar (Rita) Van De Wiele and August (Marlene) Van De Wiele, and one brother-in-law, Paul Vandendriessche preceded her in death.