Headlight Herald - Serving Tracy, Minnesota, since 1880

A Celebration of Life Service for Gilma Anderson, 93, of Sherburn, formerly of Worthington, Minnesota will be 12:00 p.m. Thursday, January 10, 2013 at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Sherburn with Pastor Susan Lester Officiating. Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 11, 2013 in Tracy City Cemetery in Tracy, Minnesota.

Gilma was called to her eternal rest on Sunday morning, January 6, 2013 at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont, Minnesota. Visitation will be from 5:00 till 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Kramer Family Funeral Home and one hour prior to the services Thursday at the Church. Messages of sympathy may be sent online at www.kramerfuneralhome.com

Gilma Lorenz the daughter of John and Mattie (Paulver) Lorenz, was born on June 10, 1919 in Porter, Minnesota. She received her education in Murray County country school. On February 21, 1941, she was united in marriage to Albert Anderson in Tracy, Minnesota. After their marriage they farmed in the Canby, Walnut Grove-Tracy, Currie area. In 1965 , due to Albert’s poor health, retired from farming and they moved to Worthington, Minnesota. Albert died on 7/11/1991. Gilma cleaned home for various families, sold Fuller Brushes and did day care. She also was employed at Sather’s Candy Company. Gilma continued living in Worthington until 1997 when she moved to Sherburn to be near her daughter. Gilma was a member of the Congregational United Church of Christ in Sherburn, Minnesota and a former member of United Methodist Church in Sherburn. She was a member of the United Methodist Women and merry widows. Gilma was very involved in farming with her husband and enjoyed crocheting, rug making, cross words and was a great letter writer to her family and friends. She was also known for her great chocolate cake. In 2010 she moved from Sherburn to Goldfinch Assisted Living in Fairmont.

She is survived by her children, Verle (Phyllis) Anderson of Mt. View, Arkansas and Alma (Neal) Barber of rural Welcome, Minnesota; five grandchildren; Kenneth Anderson, Robert Anderson, Barbara Mueller, Lauren Hollenbeck and Evan Barber; nine great-grandchildren; five great great-grandchildren sisters-in-law, Shirley Lorenz of Walnut Grove, Minnesota; brother-in-law, Oliver Groff of Tracy, Minnesota twenty-one nieces, nephews, many great nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

Gilma is preceded in death by her parents, John and Mattie; her husband, Albert Anderson; infant sons, Galen and Dalen Anderson in 1945; daughter, Gail Ann Anderson on October 29, 2009; brothers, Howard, her twin Galen, Charles and Dale; sisters, Helen Lenz, Edna Groff, Alma Lorenz, Dorothy Lorenz and Grace Lorenz and other relatives.

Gilma’s family suggest memorial contributions be sent to the American Heart Association.

Hazel Kluevein, 91

Hazel E. Kluevein age 91 of Mankato, MN, formerly of Tracy, MN died Monday, December 31, 2012 at the Sterling House Hospice Care in Mankato. Services were held at 11:00 AM Saturday, January 5, 2013 at the Tracy Lutheran Church. Interment was in the Lakeside Cemetery in Balaton, MN. The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy is handling the arrangements.

Online condolences may be placed at www.almliefh.com

Hazel Elenora Kluevein was born December 30, 1921 to Douglas and Caroline (Martin) Tilford in Santa Barbara, CA. She was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and attended Santa Barbara Public Schools.

On March 26, 1941 Hazel married Arthur Kluevein and they made their home in Santa Barbara. In 1957 they moved to Balaton, MN for a short time and in 1958 they moved to Tracy, MN. In 1968 they moved to Bloomington, MN and back to Tracy in 1985, when her husband retired.

Hazel was a housewife and mother to seven children. Over the years she was a past member of the Tracy Presbyterian Church, Tracy Lutheran Church and currently a member of the Redeemer Lutheran church In Good Thunder, MN. She was also a past member of the Tracy Eagles Club and the Tracy VFW Auxiliary, serving as president, treasurer and secretary. She enjoyed flowers, gardening, crafts, word puzzles and keeping journals and notes on all her family. She also was a giving and caring person who would also take in troubled teens at their time of need.

In January of 2011 Hazel moved to Mankato, MN and shortly thereafter became a resident of the Sterling House Hospice care facility in Mankato, where she died, Monday, December 31, 2012 at the age of 91.

Hazel is survived by her four daughters, Barbara (JD) Grace of Burnsville, MN, Carolyn (Snuffy) Kruger of Worthington, MN, Shirley (Lyle) Fredericks of Mankato, MN and Marilyn Freidlund of Rosemount, MN; two sons, Douglas (Teresa) Kluevein of Cottonwood, AZ and Kenneth Kluevein of Spartanburg, SC; seventeen grandchildren; twenty two great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; one sister, Patricia LaBarge of Littleton, CO; one brother, Steven Kluevein of Idaho; nieces, nephews and friends.

Her husband, Arthur, her parents, one son, William, granddaughter, Kelsey Freidlund and one infant brother preceded her in death.

Gregory Jacques Lecuyer, 38 of Eden Prairie died Dec. 12, 2012, at his home, unexpectedly.

He was born in Mortagne-au-Perche France to Jacques and Michele Lecuyer, joining a sister Laurence at home. He attended school in Bignon catholic school going on to University Institute of Technology Orsay graduating 1st in his class to Paris University Jussieu with a degree in Engineering. He met Adrianne Domina while she was in France teaching in 2001.

They married in April 26, 2002 in Fresnay-sur-Sarthe France. They moved to Eden Prairie in 2004 where Greg worked as a principal software engineer at Emerson Process Management. Adrianne works as a teacher at Normandale Elementary French Immersion School in Edina, The couple had two children: Theo, born June 30, 2005; and Kian, born Jan. 4, 2008.

He is survived by his wife, his boys, his parents, his sister, and grandparents in France.

Gregory Lecuyer was proceeded in death by Yves Grenet, an uncle who died in 2004 (59 years); Alain Lecuyer, an uncle who died in 2006 (46 years); and Gerald Godet, his best friend, who died in 2009 (35 years).

Marge Robinson age 82 of Tracy, MN died Friday, January 4, 2013 at her home in Tracy. Services will be held 11:00 AM Friday, January 11, 2013 at Tracy Lutheran Church. Visitation will be from 4:00 until 8:00 PM Thursday, January 10, 2013 at the Almlie Funeral Home in Tracy, with a prayer service at 7:00 PM and continuing one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday morning. Interment will be in the Tracy City Cemetery, with a luncheon served in the church social hall immediately following the burial. The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy is handling the arrangements.

Marjorie (Schjei) Robinson, 82, died on Friday, January 4 with her family by her side in Tracy, MN. She was born on July 23, 1930 in Duluth, MN. She lived in northern MN until her twenties.

She married Nels Schjei in 1951 and moved to Tracy in 1954. They were teachers in the Tracy School District and built their family home together. Nels passed away in 1962. Together they had a daughter, Carol. Marge married “Doc Robby” in August of 1974. They enjoyed traveling, attending sporting events and interacting with the community.

Marge was passionate about education. She taught elementary school for 46 years. Marge remained a life long learner. She enjoyed attending senior college and stayed active in the Tracy School District. She attended sporting and arts events and supported higher education through scholarships. She was active in the Fine Arts Council, Kiwanis, the Twin Circle Board, Discussion Club and enjoyed playing bridge. Marge also had a real appreciation for antiques and a definite love for travel.

Marge is survived by her daughter, Carol and son-in-law Jay Chirhart of Arden Hills.

Marge was preceded in death by two loving husbands Nels Schjei and Dr. Francis Robinson.

In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial tribute to Fine Arts Council of Tracy or Tracy Area Schools.

Elmer Swanson, 90

Elmer G. Swanson age 90 of Balaton, MN died at his home on Saturday, January 5, 2013. Services will be 11:00 AM Thursday, January 10, 2013 at the Balaton Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 4:00 until 8:00 PM Wednesday, January 9, 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 morning. Those wishing to pay their respects to Elmer may wish to attend the visitation on Wednesday, as his wishes were to be cremated before the service on Thursday. Interment will be in the Lakeside Cemetery with a luncheon served in the Balaton Community Center immediately following the burial. The Almlie Funeral Home of Balaton is handling the arrangements.

Online condolences may be placed at www.almliefh.com

Elmer Glenn Swanson was born June 19, 1922 to Swan and Iola (Ramsey) Swanson in Garvin, MN, Lyon County. He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith in Avoca, MN and attended country school in the Garvin and Avoca areas and high school in Slayton.

As a young man he worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps prior to his entrance into the military. Elmer was drafted into the U.S. Army on October 12, 1944 and served in the 63rd Infantry Battalion. He was overseas in the Pacific Theatre when he was wounded in the line of duty near Luzon, Philippines and was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart medals. He was honorably discharged on August 31, 1946 and returned to the southern Minnesota area.

On May 29, 1951 Elmer married Phyllis Nott in Maryville, MO and they made their home in Avoca for a short time before moving to Balaton, MN, where they remained the rest of his life. Elmer was a third generation blacksmith, a welder and a mechanic. He and his brothers owned and operated Swanson’s Garage for many years in Balaton. He also worked for McLaughlin and Schultz of Marshall, MN for sixteen years.

Elmer, an active member of the Balaton United Methodist Church, served on the Board of Trustees and on the Decision Hills Camp board. For many years he was a proud Boy Scout Leader for Troop 471, which is also where he earned the nickname, “Fudd”. He was a member of the Balaton American Legion Post 237 and in 2007 was recognized as a 50 year member. Elmer will be remembered for his willingness to help anyone and everyone he met. Elmer’s hobbies included metalworking, fishing, dancing (Polka), card playing and spending time with his family and friends.

On Saturday, January 5, 2013, Elmer died at his home, surrounded by his loving family, at the age of 90 from complications related to dementia.

Elmer is survived by his wife, Phyllis of Balaton, MN; four sons, Daniel (Carol) of Janesville, MN, Bradley (Angela) of Savage, MN, John (Becky) of Tracy, MN and Duane of Long Prairie, MN; one daughter, Janet (Jason) Donner of Aitkin, MN; twelve grandchildren, Megan, Timothy, McKenzie, Leif, Ryan, Jennifer, LeAnne, Krista, Tristan, Danica, Taylor-Thomas, and Landon; eight great grandchildren, Anneliese, Jada, Dominic, Brianna, Hailey, Carson, Adam John, and Grace; one brother, Charles (Stella) Swanson of Balaton, MN; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends including life-long friend, Pete Duinkerken of Worthington, MN.

His son, Larry, his parents, five brothers, Victor, Enoch and Swan Swanson, George and Earl Acton and two sisters, Mabel Fox and Zelma Nelson preceded him in death.