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Obituaries from the week of Jan. 4, 2012

Ruth Carlson, 89

Ruth I. Carlson age 89 of Tracy, MN died Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at the Golden Living Center in Slayton, MN.  Services were held Friday, December 2, 2011 at the Tracy United Methodist Church.     Interment was in the Tracy City Cemetery with a luncheon served following the graveside service in the church social hall.  The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy handled the arrangements.  The family requests that memorials be given to the Alzheimer’s Research Foundation. Online condolences may be placed at www.almliefh.com

Ruth Irene Carlson was born July 20, 1922 to Lawrence and Ethel (Nichels) Thompson in Tracy, MN.  She was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and attended Country School District #38.  Ruth then attended high school in Walnut Grove, Tracy and graduated from Russell High School in 1941.  As a young woman, she moved to St. Paul, MN and worked for the Montgomery Wards Company for five years.

On April 10, 1946 Ruth married Herbert Carlson in Walnut Grove, MN.  They made their home on a farm near Revere, MN, then also in the Garvin, Tracy and Currie areas, before retiring in 1980, when they moved into Tracy.  After Herb’s death in 1988, Ruth continued to live in her home until she became a resident of the Tracy Nursing Home in November of 2004.

She was a member of the Tracy United Methodist Church, where she was active in church Circle and other church ladies groups.  She was also a past President of both the Tracy and Currie American Legion Auxiliaries.  Ruth enjoyed playing cards, embroidery, making tablecloths for all her children and grandchildren, visiting with family and friends over coffee and spending time with her family.

In November of 2006 Ruth became a resident of the Golden Living Center in Slayton, MN where she died, surrounded by her loving family, Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at the age of 89.

Ruth is survived by her three sons, Lawrence (Patty) Carlson of Westbrook, MN, Roger (Kathy) Carlson of Rice, MN and Vernon (Donna) Carlson of Slayton, MN; eight grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; one sister, Dorothy Melvin of Portland, OR; nieces, nephews and many friends.

Her husband, Herb, her parents, and one sister, Winefred Eng, preceded her in death.

 

Robert Hanson, 75

Robert Roy Hanson, age 75 of Monticello passed away on Saturday December 31, 2011 at the Lake Ridge Care Center of Buffalo.  Visitation will be Thursday January 5, 2012 from 3 to 4 p.m. at Peterson-Grimsmo Chapel, 250 East Broadway, Monticello.  A Memorial Service will follow at 4 p.m.  Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery of Monticello.  Funeral arrangements are with the Peterson-Grimsmo Chapel of Monticello.

Robert was born on October 23, 1936 in Tracy, MN to Roy and Hazel Hanson.  He worked most of his life as a crane operator in the construction industry.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Hazel;  wife, Karen;  and brother Gary Hanson.

Robert is survived by his daughter Randi (Jeff) Beyer of Delano;  son Ricki (Heidi) Hanson of Big Lake;  3 grandchildren Missi Andrews, Ashley Beyer, Cooper Hanson;  3 great grandchildren Alexia, Vishon and Hok;  and a sister Janet Engler.  

 

Bradley Moss, 49

Bradley Glen Moss age 49, of Luverne, Minnesota, passed away Friday, December 23, 2011 at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage following a battle with cancer. Funeral service was held Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at the American Reformed Church in Luverne. Burial followed at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne. Funeral arrangements were through the Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne. To view a video tribute or sign an online registry, please visit www.hartquistfuneral.com.

Bradley was born to Albert and Henrietta (DeBoer) Moss on September 25, 1962 in Luverne, Minnesota. He lived on the family farm Northwest of Luverne much of his life. Brad attended Southwest Christian School in Edgerton, Minnesota and began his career in agriculture. In addition to farming, Brad was employed with IBP, D & J Rendering, Van Essen Spraying, Ferrell Gas, Moss Hauling, and Feikema Farms. Nearly 20 years ago on December 31, 1991 Brad was united in marriage to Dawn Woitaszewski in Luverne, Minnesota. Following their marriage the couple lived on an acreage near Luverne. On Friday, December 23, 2011, Brad passed away with family by his side at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage following a battle with cancer. He will be missed, but is spending Christmas with Jesus this year.

Brad was a member of American Reformed Church in Luverne and active as a Jr. RCYF counselor and church usher. He was also a member of the Luverne Eagles Club. Brad has long enjoyed playing pool on the Hardwick pool team, he was still an active member a few short weeks ago, shooting from his wheelchair. His happiest summer weekends were spent camping with family and wonderful friends.  Above all, his family was number 1.  Watching his children & grandchildren grow and play is what truly made him happy.

Brad will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Dawn of Luverne, Minnesota; six children, Darcy and husband Chad Hoff of Luverne, Minnesota, Dean Moss of Luverne, Minnesota, Jamey Moss of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Cody Moss of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Aimee Moss and Tyler Moss of Luverne, Minnesota; two grandchildren, Dylan and Marshal Hoff; three sisters, Betty (Larry) Faber of Harrisburg, South Dakota, Thelma (Gary) Baker of Leota, Minnesota, Linda Volan of Brookings, South Dakota; and two brothers, Neal (Char) Moss and Jake (Cheryl) Moss all of Luverne, Minnesota.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Henrietta Moss; a brother-in-law, John Volan; and a sister-in-law, Noreen Moss.

 

Howard C. Schmidt, 96

 

A former Tracy man, Howard Clement Schmidt, died Dec. 18 in Arizona at the age of 96.

Schmidt managed in a John Deere dealership in Tracy in the early 1950s, and was a partner in the business with Gordon and Grant Mattson.  He moved to Boulder, Colorado, and later became a State Farm Insurance agent.  He died in Prescott, AZ.

Schmidt was born in Sleepy Eye, MN., on Sept. 24, 1915, to Frederick William and Lena (Beckman) Schmidt. He was the eldest surviving brother of eight sons.   Howard married Bernice Alma (Schewe) in 1940. Mrs. Schmidt passed away in 2004 while they lived in Cottonwood, AZ..

Schmidt is preceded in death by five brothers and is survived by Paul Schmidt (Nydia) of Litchfield and Orville Schmidt (Phyllis) of Northfield; daughters Nancy Hinshaw (Bob) and Linda Buchanan; five grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

He enjoyed fishing, photography, traveling, oil painting and drawing. He had a passion for baseball and basketball. He loved the Lord and little children, and died peacefully after reading his Bible on Sunday morning.

Funeral services were conducted Dec. 22 at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Prescott Valley.

Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home assisted the family with final arrangements. Visit Howard’s guestbook at www.ruffnerwakelin.com.

 

Sherwood “Sarge” Silvernale, 80

Funeral Services were held on Saturday, December 31, 2011 for Sherwood “Sarge” Silvernale, age 80 of Currie, MN.  Fr. Jeffrey Dobbs officiated.

Sherwood Leo Silvernale was born on December 3, 1931 in Currie, Minnesota to Perne and Bernice (Lynch) Silvernale.  He attended and graduated from Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Currie.  Shortly after graduation in August of 1949 he joined the US Air Force.

On April 26, 1950, he and Jeanette Ehleringer were married.  While in the service, Sherwood was a flight engineer, radar specialist, Titan II and Minuteman missile crewmember and ending his military career as a First Sergeant.  They lived in Wichita Falls, TX, Tokyo, Japan, Biloxi, MS, Tucson, AZ, Lompoc, CA and Grand Forks, ND.  He retired after 26 years, 6 months and 6 days on March 1, 1975 as Chief Master Sergeant (E9). 

After retirement he worked as a carpenter with his brother-in-law, Robert Ackerman, drove truck for his cousin, Kayo Silvernale, worked for Sweetman Sand & Gravel, managed the Currie Municipal Liquor Store, became Golf Superintendent at the Slayton Country Club and began his hobby farm north of Currie, raising sheep.  Sherwood enjoyed building and riding his trike/motorcycle, the “Silver Bullet”.  They wintered in Alamo, TX for the past 10 years.  He finally retired to enjoy fishing!  He took his dream fishing trip to Alaska with his nephew’s family in July of 2011. He brought back lots of Alaska Salmon and halibut and lots of pictures and fish stories. 

After celebrating Christmas with some of his family, he began his final battle for life. Sherwood passed away on Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 80. 

He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Currie, where he was a past choir member.  Sherwood was a member of the Currie American Legion Post. 

Survivors include his wife, Jeanette Silvernale of Currie, MN, six children, Diane (Steve) Sloniker of Mankato, MN, Ronda Silvernale of Waxacachie, TX, JoAnn (Terry) Carlson of Slayton, MN, Bruce (Debra) Silvernale of Madison Lake, MN, Brenda Myers of Cottage Grove, MN and Sandra (Richard) Swan of Hadley, MN; 18 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, mother, Bernice Silvernale Reiter, sister, Aljean (Robert) Ackerman and step-sister, Dorothy (Wayne) Jensen, and several nieces and nephews. 

He is preceded in death by his father, Perne, stepfather, George Reiter, brothers, Perne “Tack” and James and sister, Colette.