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Obituaries from the week of April 17, 2013

Ronald Nelson, 79

Ronald D. Nelson age 79 of Tracy, MN, formerly of Colman, SD, died Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at the Prairie View Healthcare Center in Tracy.  Services were held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 13, 2013 at Tracy Lutheran Church.   Interment was in the Tracy City Cemetery, with a luncheon served immediately following the burial.  The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy is handling the arrangements. Online condolences may be placed at www.almliefh.com

Ronald Dean Nelson was born June 25, 1933 to Arnold and Evelyn (Karl) Nelson on a farm south of Garvin, MN, Murray County.  He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and attended Country School District #101 and then to Slayton Public Schools.  He then worked for his uncle on his farm for about six years.

On February 1, 1953 Ron married Dorrene D. Hanson at Trinity Lutheran Church in Tracy, MN.  In June of 1953 Ron entered into the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War until his Honorable Discharge on May 16, 1955, with the rank of Corporal.  He returned to Tracy and he worked for Minngas for about five years.  Ron then went to work for T&R Electric in Colman, SD in sales and as a truck driver for twelve years, before returning to Tracy for a short time, driving truck for Amiret Grain for five years.  He then returned to live in Colman and drove truck for Ross Service of Colman in 1984 until he retired from driving while at Ross Services in 1995.  In his retirement Ron still drove some truck for Dakota Metal Recovery of Flandreau, SD and Landis Seeds of Colman, SD until 2003.  Recently he moved back to Tracy.

Ron was a member of Tracy Lutheran Church, Tracy American Legion, and the Tracy VFW.  He was also a charter member of the Tracy Eagles Club, Aerie 3918, formed in 1980.  He served the Eagles club as manager and in many officer positions, including President throughout the years.  He was currently the past-president of the 6th District of the Fraternal Order of Eagles.  Ron enjoyed many hobbies through the years; archery, camping, playing pool, visiting the local casinos, playing cards, taking in Country Western concerts and especially spending time with his family.

On March 1, 2013 Ron became a resident of Prairie View Healthcare Center in Tracy, where he died, surrounded by his loving family, on April 9, 2013 at the age of 79.

Ron is survived by his daughter, Cynthia “Cindy” (Dan) Burt of Colman, SD; son-in-law, Richard Stefanick of Tracy, MN; four grandchildren, Chad (Shelly) Rykhus of Marshall, MN, Bobbie Jo (special friend, Mike Pauling) Stefanick-Anderson, Mike (Jessica) Rykhus of Sioux Falls, SD, and Stacy (fiancé, Adam Oeltjenbruns) Stefanick of Tracy, MN; 15 great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; three step grandchildren; seven step great grandchildren; two brothers, Milan “Mike” (Nancy) Nelson of Cape Coral, FL and Larry (Deanna) Nelson of Sparks, NV; nieces, nephews and friends.

His parents, wife, Dorrene, son Perry Nelson, daughter, Vonnie Stefanick and sister, Wanda (Marvin) Nestrude preceded him in death.

 

 

Harvey Wendland, 87

Harvey W. Wendland age 87 of Garvin, MN died Thursday, April 11, 2013.  Services will be 11:00 AM Thursday, April 18, 2013 at the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Balaton, MN.  Visitation will be from 4:00 until 8:00 PM Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at the Almlie Funeral Home in Balaton, with a prayer service at 7:00 PM, and continuing one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.  A luncheon will be served immediately following the service at the Balaton Community Center.  Interment will be in the St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery in Balaton at a later date because of the weather.  The Almlie Funeral Home of Balaton is handling the arrangements.

Online condolences may be placed at www.almliefh.com

Harvey Willard Wendland was born October 13, 1925 to Henry and Caroline (Loeck) Wendland on a farm near Balaton, MN, Lyon County.  He was baptized and confirmed in St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in  Balaton and attended country school.  As a young man he farmed with his brothers near Garvin, MN and in December of 1943 he entered into the U.S. Navy.   He served until his honorable discharge in July of 1946 and returned to the Garvin area. 

On October 27, 1967 Harvey married Eldora Careen at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.  They made their home near Garvin for a few years before moving to a farm near Aitkin, MN in 1970.  They moved to a farm near Malmo, MN from 1976 to 1982 and then by Isk, MN  until 1988, when they moved back to Garvin to his present farm.   He was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Balaton, and enjoyed fishing, gardening, raising livestock, horses and life on the farm.  He also enjoyed spending time with his family and very special friend, “Gini” Swift of Marshall, MN.

On Thursday, April 11, 2013 Harvey died at the age of 87.

Harvey is survived by his two daughters,  Wanda (Patrick) Thooft of Woodstock, MN and Dawn (Brad Clark) Wendland of Tracy, MN; seven grandchildren, Nathan, Dillon, Levi, Logan, Lucas, and Lazer Thooft, and Braeden Clark; sister-in-law, Colleen Wendland of Brainerd, MN; very special friend, Virginia “Gini” Swift of Marshall, MN; many nieces, nephews and friends.

His wife, Eldora, his parents, infant sister, Lila Wendland and two brothers, Walter (Verna)Wendland and Lawrence Wendland preceded him in death.