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Obituaries from the week of November 13, 2013

Elaine Bicek, 90

Elaine Laurece Martin Bicek, age 90, died at her home in Tracy on November 5, 2013.  A graveside cremation service will be held late Spring of 2014.  In lieu of flowers or memorial gifts, the family would love to hear your stories and remembrances of Elaine on the Tracy Area Funeral Home guest book website www.stephensfuneralservice.com or by mail to the family home at 205 E. Craig Ave., Tracy, MN  56175.  Stephens Funeral Service - Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Elaine Laurece Martin Bicek was born in Green Island, Iowa on February 1, 1923 to Theodore and Laura Martin.  She grew up on the farm in Iowa along with two sisters and a brother.  Growing up she spent many weekends at barn dances throughout the area as her parents were accomplished musicians who played the violin and piano.  She graduated from LaMoille, Iowa High School at the age of seventeen, worked for two years at an engineering firm, then went on to major in business at Iowa State University where, at a “mixer”, she met Ernie Bicek, a veterinary student. After teaching high school business for two years in Clinton and Dubuque, Iowa she married “Doc” Bicek in 1947 and joined him in his veterinary practice in Tracy where they worked as a team.  She ran the business and he took care of the animals.  Folks said she knew as much about the veterinary practice as her husband.  While raising four children, among other things, she volunteered as a Cub Scout leader and Campfire leader, and had a huge vegetable and flower garden.  After her husband passed away in 1992, she continued her avid interest in bird watching, flower and vegetable gardening, and beekeeping.  In her sixties she became a dedicated volunteer EMT with the Tracy Ambulance Service serving for over 20 years.  Throughout her life she was well known for making dozens of pans of caramel rolls, bread, cookies, and candies for church bazaars and other fundraisers.

She is preceded in death by her sisters and brother, husband, Ernie (1992) and oldest son, Ken (2009). She is survived by children Chuck (Susan) Bicek of Boise, Idaho, twins Diane (David) Schnelli of Springfield, Oregon and David Bicek of Bemidji, MN, and Ken’s fiancée, Debbie Shambour.  She had eight grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren.

 

Gareld “Gary” Norman Dibble, 67

Gary Norman Dibble age 67 of Browns Valley, CA, passed away on Oct. 30, 2013. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Mon., Nov. 18, 2013 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Dovray, MN.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.  Stephens Funeral Service - Westbrook Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. 

Gareld “Gary” Norman Dibble was born in Tracy, MN.  He has been a resident of the Yuba –Sutter, California area for 40+ years. Gary is an Air Force Veteran, serving the Vietnam War.  He had been stationed at Beale AFB in CA and stayed in the area when he was discharged.  Gary started a crop dusting business after being discharged.  

He is survived by his wife, Jennifer Barrett of Browns Valley; his daughter, Anna Dibble of Browns Valley; his step-daughter, Marie Aragon; his step-son, Tom Moll; two grandchildren; his siblings: Jane Hanson (Robert), Karen Nyren (Colin), Marie Flaten, Chick Dibble and Roger Dibble.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Clark and Elsie Dibble of MN.

 

 

Lorraine Meek, 88

Lorraine Meek age 88 of Westbrook passed away Sunday, November 3, 2013 at her home. 

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 8, 2013 at the Westbrook Presbyterian Church.  Interment was in the Bethel Cemetery in Garvin.  Online condolences may be sent via www.stephensfuneralservice.com.  Stephens Funeral Service - Westbrook Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. 

Lorraine Mae (McKenzie) Meek was born to Roger and Beulah (Hatton) McKenzie on September 8, 1925 north of Garvin, Minnesota.  At a young age they moved into Garvin and she attended grade school there.  Lorraine graduated from Tracy High School. 

In 1945 she married Donald Meek at the Congregational Church in Garvin.  They had two sons, Leroy and Dennis.  They moved to Tracy where she worked as a nurse at the hospital for several years.  They moved to Iowa for several years and then back to Westbrook in 1988.  The family joined the Presbyterian Church.  Lorraine had many hobbies including fishing, crafts, making quilts, and playing all sorts of games with family and friends.

Lorraine is survived by her sons: Leroy of Colorado and Dennis and his wife Millie of Ida Grove, IA; four grandchildren: Roger and Jean Meek of Iowa, Dawn and Boyd Miller of Illinois, Claudine and Robb Harskamp of Texas, and D.J. and Myra Meek of Iowa; six great grandchildren: Mackenzie, Noah, Ryder, Riley, Lynde and Parker; her brother Lyle McKenzie; sisters-in-law Dorsie Lewis, Lila Bailey, Lois Reynolds, and Norma Meek; as well as many nieces and nephews. 

She is preceded in death by her husband Donald and two brothers Cecil and Dale.