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Obituaries from the week of May 15, 2013

Irene Bakker, 82

Irene Bakker age 82 of Tracy, MN, died Saturday, May 11, 2013 at her home in Tracy.  Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 18, 2013 at the Tracy Lutheran Church.  Visitation will be from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. Friday, May 17, 2013 at the Almlie Funeral Home in Tracy, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. and continuing one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.  Interment will be in the Tracy City Cemetery, with a luncheon served in the church social hall immediately following the burial.

Online condolences may be placed at www.almliefh.com

Irene Faye Bakker was born February 28, 1931 to Azro A. and Della (Greenman) Daniels in Tracy, MN.  She was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and attended Tracy Public Schools, graduating from Tracy High School in 1949.  As a young woman, Irene worked as a bookkeeper for Stonehill Creameries in Tracy.

In 1950 Irene married Melvin Clark and they made their home on a farm near Revere, MN.  They moved to Tracy in the early 1950’s and then on to several other communities in Minnesota, Iowa, California and Colorado before moving to Chandler, MN in 1967.  During their marriage, Irene and Melvin had five children, one girl who passed away a day after childbirth and four sons.

In 1971, Irene married Guys Bakker and they made their home on a farm near Chandler.  Irene continued her education and received an Associates Degree in Accounting.  Irene and Guys adopted eight special needs children and moved to a farm near Garvin, MN in 1979.  They moved their family to a home in Tracy in 1982, where Irene remained living after her husband’s death in 2005.  In 2010 Irene married Albert Dalle and they made their home at Irene’s house in Tracy.

Over the years Irene worked for NSP in Tracy, MN as an office clerk; at the Edgebrook Care Center in Edgerton, MN as a nurses aid; she did accounting and taxes from her home; and she did housework and child care for many friends and neighbors.  Irene authored and published seven books, had countless poems that were published, she wrote a song that was made into a record, and was a greeting card writer.  She was an advocate for the handicapped and less fortunate her whole life, giving of whatever she had or could to many.

Irene was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Tracy and served as an elder, taught Sunday School, and was also active in the church women’s groups in years past.  Irene enjoyed gardening, both vegetable and flowers, fishing, baking, collecting antiques and other things, such as spoons, and letter writing and staying in touch with many family and friends.

After a courageous battle with cancer, Irene died at the age of 82 on Saturday, May 11, 2013 at her home, surrounded by her loving family.

Irene is survived by her husband, Albert Dalle of Tracy, MN; six sons, Jerry (Valerie Van Meveren) Clark of Ivanhoe, MN, Lonnie (Vicki) Clark of Chandler, MN, Michael (Dory) Clark of Tracy, MN, Danny (Laurie) Clark of Ruthton, MN, Jeffrey Bakker of Marshall, MN, and Brian Bakker of Tracy, MN; five daughters, Abby, Holly, Stephanie, Suzanne and Cheri Lyn Bakker, all of Tracy, MN; fourteen grandchildren; twenty nine great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; Albert’s children, seven daughters, Mary Dalle of North Augusta, GA, Loretta (Eugene) Ivy of Austin, TX, Geri (Dale) Johnson of Lakeville, MN, Cheryl (Kevin) DeJaeghere of Sioux Falls, SD, Denise (Gregg) Poskas of Elko, MN, Gloria Poulos of Mankato, MN, and Regina (Dan) Casper of Dodge City, KS; four sons, John (Lupe’) Dalle, Roger Dalle and David Dalle, all of Marshall, MN, and Greg (Michelle) Dalle of Raymond, MN; twelve grandchildren; two great grandchildren; sister, Betty Pool of Tracy, MN; two brothers, Amos (Jeri) Daniels and Andy (Shirley) Daniels, both of Tracy, MN; nieces, nephews, and many very good friends who were like family to Irene.

Both of her parents, her husband, Guys Bakker, two daughters, Betsy Bakker and Mary Dell Clark, stepson, Gerard Dalle, two brothers, Edward and Archie Daniels, two sisters, Evelyn Swanjord and Nellie Whiteside, and one nephew, Todd Pool, preceded her in death.

 

Emroy Biteler, 78

 

Emroy J. Biteler, age 78, of Marshall, formerly of Flandreau SD, Colman SD and Tracy, MN, passed away at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD on Saturday, May 11, 2013. Funeral service will be 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, May15th at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Marshall.  Burial will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Sioux Falls. Military honors will be furnished by American Legion Post 113. Condolences may be sent to www.hamiltonfh.com.

Emroy John was born on November 15, 1934 in Flandreau, SD to Homer and Mae (Spaulding) Biteler. He was baptized and confirmed at the Methodist Church in Flandreau. After graduating from Flandreau High School in 1952, Emroy went on to attend Dakota State University. He taught rural school near Elkton in Brookings County, then moved to Coleman, SD and taught 7th & 8th grade. He then moved to Tracy in 1959 where he continued to teach until his retirement in 1997. Emroy was a member of the National Guard for 23 years. He also sold Miracle Maid Cookware where he became a top salesman.

On March 27, 1954, Emroy was united in marriage to JoAnn Ehret. To this union three children were born: LeRoy, Douglas and Nancy. Emroy married Jean Dunn on July 27, 1977.

During his life, Emroy enjoyed lawn & garden work, keeping up his antique ’59 Mercury & being part of the “Shades of the Past” Car Club.  Emroy and Jean took many trips with their motor home, some with Rawhide Rovers motor home club. They spent their winters in Arizona & Texas, but the love of his life was spending time with his family.

Emroy is survived by his wife, Jean of Marshall; two children, LeRoy (Wanda) Biteler of Chanhassen, MN and Nancy (Ken) LaBrie of Pierre, SD; four grandchildren, Justin and Miranda Biteler, and Brandon and Clayton LaBrie; one brother Elmer (Gratia) of Sioux Falls, SD, two sister-in-laws, Maxine Biteler of CO and Illa Biteler of Sioux Falls; and also many other relatives and friends.

Emroy was preceded in death by his parents; son, Douglas and two brothers, Dean and Darrel.

 

Frances Jorgenson, 80

Frances Anna (Vosberg) Jorgenson age 80 of Westbrook passed away surrounded by her loving family at her home on Monday, April 29, 2013.

Funeral services were held Saturday, May 4 at Grace Lutheran Church in Westbrook.  Burial was in the Westbrook Cemetery. Stephens Funeral Service - Westbrook Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.

Frances was born August 22, 1932 in Dovray Township, MN, to Lawrence and Martha (Cohrs) Vosberg. She was baptized on September 18, 1932 and confirmed on April 14, 1946. Frances attended District #31 and #105, and graduated from Westbrook High School.

On June 12, 1950 she was married to LeMoyne Kenneth Jorgenson in Dovray Township. Frances’ heart was her family. She loved, enjoyed, and nurtured her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren by leaving a legacy of faith, generosity, service, compassion, hospitality, wisdom, conviction, loyalty, and devotion. Frances was truly the hands and feet of Jesus. Frances served her church as a Sunday School and VBS teacher, and WELCA member. She was actively involved in Church Council, Bible Study and Mission Action, and as a prayer chain leader. She enjoyed baking, cake decorating, ceramics, gardening and canning, crocheting, and knitting. Frances loved painting, refurbishing furniture, sewing and quilting, and playing the piano and organ.

Frances is survived by her husband LeMoyne Jorgenson; children: Bruce (Joan) Jorgenson of Westbrook, Kathy (Dale) Schmidt of Garvin, David (Laurel) Jorgenson of Westbrook, Susan (Steven) Schmitt of Long Lake, Joanne (Gordon) Cannon of Calgary, Alberta, and James (Nikki) Jorgenson of Westbrook; 14 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, son Jon Paul, and grandson Lee Jon Schmidt, brother Leo Vosberg, and sister Arlene Lintner.