Arthur Crocker, 67

Arthur B. Crocker age 67 of Marshall, MN, formerly of Balaton, MN, died Friday, June 21, 2013 at the Prairie Home Hospice House in Marshall.  Services were held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 27, 2013 at Arthur’s Roller Rink, currently Almlie Funeral Home, in Balaton.  Interment was in the Lakeside Cemetery in Balaton.  The Almlie Funeral Home of Balaton handled the arrangements. Online condolences may be placed at www.almliefh.com

Arthur Byron Crocker was born August 26, 1945 to Shirley and Gladys (Rud) Crocker in Phoenix, AZ, Maricope County.  As a young child he moved with his family to New Town, ND, where he graduated from New Town High School in 1964.  He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1967 and served during the Veitnam War in the states until his honorable discharge in 1969.

Art settled in Balaton, MN in 1970, where he owned and operated the Balaton Roller Rink from 1973 to 1979.  Over the years he has driven truck for Fadness Trucking of Ruthton, MN for five years, Floyd Wild Trucking of Marshall, MN for twenty five years, and Doug Bradley Trucking of Marshall for three years.  Art was also active in his community, serving on the Balaton Fire Department and Ambulance from 1975 until he retired in 1995.  On August 27, 2010 Art married Connie Lichtsinn in Balaton and they made their home in Marshall.  A fire in 2012 destroyed their home they had kept in Balaton.

Art enjoyed fishing trips with his friends, talking on the phone with his trucking buddies, coffee at Benson’s with the guys and especially spending time with his wife and family.

On June 18, 2013 Art became a patient of the Prairie Home Hospice House of Marshall, where he died Friday, June 21, 2013 at the age of 67, after a short battle with cancer that he was diagnosed with on January 18, 2013.

Art is survived by his wife, Connie Crocker of Marshall, MN; son, David Crocker of Balaton, MN; daughter, Jennifer (Steve) Williams of Fredricksburg, VA; two step-sons, Scott (Lindsay) Lichtsinn of Gainsville, VA and Brandon Andersen of Marshall, MN; five grandsons, Tyler, Brandon, Lucas, Zackary, and Arik; one brother, William Crocker of Federal Way, WA; six sisters, Nancy (Alvin) Beuhler, Mary (Aaron) Ducolon, Phyllis (William) McDaniel, Jane Berntson, Debby (David) Larson, and Jacky (Joe) Elston, all of Federal Way, WA; nieces, nephews and many friends.

His father, Shirley Crocker, mother, Gladys Crocker Berntson, step-father, Elwood Berntson Sr., and four brothers, George Crocker, Benjamin, Lewis, and Elwood Berntson Jr. preceded him in death.

 

Jason Steffes, 39

Jason Wayne Steffes age 39 of Balaton, MN died Tuesday, June 25, 2013.  Services were held  on Saturday, June 29, 2013 at the Victory Christian Church in Balaton. The interment was in the Lakeside Cemetery in Balaton, with a luncheon served immediately following the burial in the Balaton Community Center.  The Almlie Funeral Home of Balaton is handling the arrangements. Online condolences may be placed at www.almliefh.com. 

Jason Wayne Steffes was born June 2, 1974 to Wayne and Cathleen (Bradley) Steffes in Marshall, MN, Lyon County.  He was baptized in the Catholic faith in Green Valley, MN and received the Sacrament of First Holy Communion and was confirmed at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall.  He grew up in the community of Balaton, MN, where he attended Balaton Public Schools and graduated from Balaton High School in 1992.  Jason then attended Willmar Technical College for two years.

He worked as a Sales Representative for Bio Fuels Automation/Swanson FLO Systems, traveling around southern Minnesota, northern Iowa, South Dakota and Missouri to the many Ethanol plants.  Jason was currently a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Balaton, where he still made his home.  He was a part of the Trinity Lutheran Softball Team, and a member of the Balaton Sportsman’s Club.  Hunting, fishing, golfing, and softball were just some of the things he enjoyed.  Jason also coached children in basketball and baseball programs, loved attending his two children’s sporting events and especially liked spending time with his family and friends.  Jason will always be remembered for how he lived life to the fullest.

On Tuesday, June 25, 2013 Jason died in a car accident near Windom, MN at the age of 39.

Jason is survived by his two children, son, Riley Steffes and daughter, Mattea Steffes, both of Balaton, MN; his parents, Wayne and Cathleen Steffes of Balaton, MN; fiancé’, Alyssa Kirk of Balaton, MN; one brother, Benji (Kim) Steffes of Garretson, SD; one sister, Carissa (Aaron) Rutz of Farmington, MN; maternal grandparents, Leo (Doreen) Bradley of Ivanhoe, MN; one nephew, Ian Rutz; three nieces, Hailey Steffes, Natalie Rutz and Jenna Rutz; many cousins and friends.

His paternal grandparents, Raymond and Alice Steffes, uncle, Tim Bradley, and uncle and aunt, Steve and June Petersen, preceded him in death.