David ‘Dave’ Leversedge, 74

David George Leversedge, 74 of Balaton passed away surrounded by his loving family August 31, 2013 in Sioux Falls, SD.  Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 4 at the United Methodist Church in Balaton with Pastor Lori VonHoltum officiating.   Interment will be at Lakeside Cemetery in Balaton.  Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com.  Stephens Funeral Service - Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

David was born May 15, 1939 in the southwest quarter section seven Amiret Township, Lyon County, MN to George and Thelma (Roush) Leversedge; the youngest of six children. He was baptized into the Christian faith.  He was married to Betty Janell Benson on September 24, 1960 by his brother Robert and Homer Dobson and they made their home in Balaton.  To this union, his pride and joy daughter, Crystal, was born.  David served in the United States Army from January 1957 to January 1959.  He drove truck for over 50 years logging several million miles and driving in 48 states.  He also worked in real-estate sales and appraisals, farming and as an auctioneer.  David served on the Balaton City Council, Lyon County Board of Commissioners, various church boards, and the American Legion for over 50 years.  He retired from the Balaton Fire Department and Ambulance service after 20 years of service and was a past member to the Balaton Masonic Lodge.  David especially enjoyed his loving and understanding family. He also enjoyed living and working for 46 years on the family acreage in Balaton. His theory in life was “It was better to have tried and failed, than to have never tried at all.”

He leaves to mourn his wife Betty; daughter Crystal (Joel) Leversedge Marron; grandson Brayden “Axel” Joel David Leversedge Marron; step-grandchildren Jordan and Tyler Marron; siblings: LaDonna Beise of Moore OK; Robert (Vaughn) Leversedge of Cambridge City, IN; sister-in-law Hazel Leversedge of Tucson, AZ; several nieces and nephews; in-laws Alvin and Dorothy Kleven,  Elaine Horsman and William Benson; and many, many good friends. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Harold and Clyde Leversedge, sister Ruth Schriever, in-laws: Myron and Faye Benson, David Horsman, Jean Benson, Francis Kirk, Gene Cook, William Biese, and six nieces and nephews.

 

Richard “Dick” Maertens, 81

Mass of Christian Burial for Richard “Dick” Maertens, 81, of Marshall, formerly of Tracy, will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 5, 2013, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall.  Visitation will be Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with a CCW Rosary at 4:00 p.m. and a Parish Prayer Service at 7:30 p.m. at Rehkamp – Horvath Funeral Home in Marshall. Visitation will continue from 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.  Interment will follow the service at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Marshall.

Richard Charles Maertens was born on October 8, 1931, in Grandview Township, to Hero and Mary (Buysse) Maertens.  He grew up and attended school in Ghent.  Dick left his sophomore year to complete his high school education at Crosier Seminary.  He continued at Crosier and St. Paul Seminaries for seven additional years.  In the late 1950s, he began his career with John Deere. 

On August 30, 1958, he was united in marriage to Irene Mercie at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church.  Because of Dick’s career with John Deere, the couple lived in Minneapolis, Bismarck, ND, Marshall and Tracy. In 1964 they moved to Tracy where he purchased the implement dealership which became Maertens, Inc.  In 1968, he established D & M Implement with Donald DeRuyck in Marshall, and in 1977 he established Southwest Implement in Tyler in partnership with Butch Stelter and later Charlie Swenson.  Dick retired in 1983 and moved back to Marshall with Irene in 2000.  He and Irene enjoyed traveling and visited locations all over the world.  They wintered in Naples, Florida, for 29 years.  He also enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting and woodworking.  He was most passionate about spending time with his family.  Many fond memories came from time spent at the family cabin and other family gatherings.  Dick was a member of the Knights of Columbus 4^th Degree, the SMSU Foundation Board, and was a 35 year member of the Bank Board in Tracy. 

Dick passed away on Saturday, August 31, 2013, at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD, after suffering a stroke earlier in the week.  He is survived by his wife, Irene, of Marshall, children Steve (and Mary) of Marshall, Teresa (and Bradley) Mitteness of rural Ghent, Debra (and Rick) Deutz of rural Ghent, John “Jack” (and Lisa) of Chaska, Sandra (and Michael) O’Rourke of New Prague, son-in-law Brian Kelly of Madison Lake, 25 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, siblings Donald (and Arlene)  of Marshall, Sister Grace Maertens of St. Paul, David (and Lorraine) of Ghent, Doris Peterson of Danube, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, twin children Paul Maertens and Pamela Kelly, grandchildren Jason Maertens, Martin Hill and siblings Hero Maertens Jr., Joan Versaevel and Earl Maertens.

“Dick” with his big heart and love of life will always be remembered.”