banner.gif (15051 bytes)

Obituaries from the week of December 18, 2013

Wendell Anderson, 94
David DeVetter, 76
Garnet Floor, 89
Carolyn Grindeland, 64
Beverly Hubbard, 85
Duane Matthys, 82

Wendell Anderson, 94

 

A former president of the Farmers & Merchants State Bank of Tracy (later Northwestern State Bank) died in Dawson Friday, Dec. 13.

Funeral services for Wendell Anderson are planned Saturday, Dec. 21, 1 p.m., at Grace Lutheran Church, Dawson. Visitation will be held on Friday, Dec. 20, 5 to 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at the  Hanson and Dahl Funeral Home in Dawson.

Wendell Harry Anderson, died peacefully at Johnson Memorial Hospital in Dawson. surrounded by loving family.

Wendell was born on the Anderson farm eight miles south of Dawson on October 28, 1919. He was baptized into the Christian faith in that same year and confirmed his faith in 1933, at Dawson Covenant Church.

Wendell attended a one room country school—District 25–for seven years. He then attended Dawson High School where he enjoyed playing football. He was also a pretty accomplished musician on the ‘C’ saxophone. Following graduation from High School, he worked for Gordon and Ferguson, Minneapolis, manufacturer of fur coats and leather jackets.

On Oct. 1, 1941, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and eventually assigned to Battery H of the 78th Coast Artillery Anti-aircraft Division. He was sent to Attu in the Aleutian Islands, on May 11,1943 with the assignment of reclaiming Attu. The young soldier spent 20 months on the island.

Upon returning home he was selected to go to Savannah, IL, for special training in diffusing bombs. In the spring of 1945 he was assigned to sail for Guam—a staging center for invading Japan. En route to Hawaii, word came of Japan’s surrender, and Wendell’s unit was taken off at Hawaii.  He was sent back to the U.S.  aircraft carrier, Bunker Hill which had been heavily damaged by Japanese airplanes. He was discharged from Camp McCoy, Wisconsin.

Shortly after his return to Dawson, Anderson enrolled at Minnesota School of Business, Minneapolis. Upon completion of course work; he was offered a position at Northwestern State Bank, Dawson under the tutelage of O.S. Knudson, bank president. He worked there for seven years until he was offered a position with Farmers and Merchants State Bank of Tracy, where he started work on Nov.  1, 1952. From 1954-1956, he was enrolled in the University of Wisconsin School of Banking.   On Feb. 1, 1956, he was elected bank president of the Tracy Bank where he served until December 31, 1982.  During his tenure, net bank assets grew from $4 million to $45 million.  

On Dec. 26, 1944, while home on furlough, Wendell married Helen—his companion, best friend, and love of his life. In addition to several years of courtship they enjoyed just a few months short of 65 years of marriage.

Many people admired Wendell and Helen’s deep commitment to each other...their love and respect for each other.  Over their last 15 years, with Helen’ declining health and Wendell’s declining eyesight, they touched many lives through their synergistic teamwork. They modeled for the entire world their marriage vows, ‘in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad times, until death parts us.”

Following retirement, Helen and Wendell moved to Hot Springs Village, AR and enjoyed many ’golden years’ making new friends, golfing, entertaining family, and investing in an ELCA mission congregation. In 1999, Helen and Wendell sold their home in Arkansas and returned to the place of their birth, Dawson.

Wendell’s priorities always centered on marriage, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, friends, and church.  He, like Helen, was an avid golfer, and both enjoyed entertaining family and friends.

In the early 1970’s Wendell was diagnosed with glaucoma. In 1991 he was diagnosed with macular degeneration—a combination that would eventually claim his eye sight.  The disability led to many new interests,  including certification in the use of the short-wave radio. In addition, he tackled the computer….went to Camp Courage and the Veterans Affairs School for the Blind, Chicago--just to keep ‘sharpening the saw’ and getting more proficient on his computer, and, much of this taking place after his 90th birthday!

Friends and family members remember Wendell as a generous person—sharing, giving, and sacrificing—while seldom calling attention to himself.  In quiet and non-assuming ways he could make things happen.  His keen insight, good judgment, patience, clarity of thought and his impeccable memory served him well.

Wendell is survived by his four grateful children—Cyndi (Dave) Ballard, of Fairfield, TX, Blair (Betty) Anderson, of Mendota Heights, MN, Allan (Shelly) Anderson, of Pottsboro, TX, Gretchen (Steven) Wensman, of Maplewood, MN, adopted AFS daughter Alice Stonebrink of the Netherlands;  nine grandchildren—Jennifer (Ken) Noble, Benjamin (Gillian) Ballard, Rob Anderson, Elizabeth (Josh) Moe, Emily (Jesse) Munson, Abby Wensman, Bryn Anderson, Peter Wensman, and Madelyn Schneider, five great grand children –Logan Noble, Hannah Noble, and Isabella Noble, Olivia Ballard and Emilia Ballard, sister-in-law—Irene Bremseth, nieces, nephews and many friends.  He was preceded in death by his wife—Helen,   parentsWalfred and Hannah, sisters—Edith Johnson and Wilma Johnson, and brother—Walmer.

 

David DeVetter, 76

David L. DeVetter age 76 of Tracy, MN died Friday, December 13, 2013 at the Golden Living Center in La Crescent, MN. A memorial service will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 28, 2013 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Interment will be in the Calvary Cemetery in Tracy, with a luncheon served in the church social hall immediately following the burial. The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy is handling the arrangements. Online condolences may be placed at www.almliefh.com

 

Garnet Floor, 89

Garnet Floor age 89 of Youngstown, OH died Saturday, December 14, 2013 at the Prairie View Healthcare Center in Tracy. Services will be held in Youngstown with the Becker Funeral Homes of Youngtown handling the arrangements. The Almlie Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements here in Tracy.

 

 

Carolyn Grindeland, 64

Carolyn O. Grindeland age 64 of Tracy, MN died Monday, December 9, 2013 at her home in Tracy. A memorial service was held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 14, 2013 at the Almlie Funeral Home in Tracy. Interment will be in the spring of 2014 in Spokane, WA. The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy handled the arrangements.

Carolyn Olive Grindeland was born January 21, 1949 to Edward and Lillian (Weaver) Newton in Portland, OR. She was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and attended school in Portland.

She married Mike Brotherton and they made their home in the Portland area. After his death, Carolyn married Gary Grindeland on February 25, 1984 in Coeur d’Alene ID. They made their home in Spokane, WA, then moved to Medical Lake, WA, before moving to Tracy, MN in 1999. She was a housewife and mother, who loved spending time with her children and cooking for them.

On Monday, December 9, 2013 Carolyn died at her home in Tracy at the age of 64.

Carolyn is lovingly remembered by her husband, Gary Grindeland of Tracy, MN; three sons, Michael (Jane) Brotherton of San Diego, CA, and Christopher and Brian Grindeland, both of Tracy, MN; one granddaughter, Jenny Brotherton of San Diego, CA; two sisters, Barbara (Michael) Mask and Patty Newton; three brothers, Edward (Sherry) Newton of Tri City, WA, David (Chris) Newton of WA, and Fred Newton of Cedar Wooley, WA; one brother-in-law, Ron (Kathy) Grindeland of Howard Lake, MN; three sisters-in-law, Gail (Keith) Kropp of Walnut Grove, MN, Joan Sabin of Superior, WI, and Pam (Brad) Brewers; nieces, nephews and friends

Her daughter, Antionette, her parents, one brother, Tommy Newton and one sister, Cynthia Newton preceded her in death.

 

Beverly Hubbard, 85

Beverly Hubbard age 85 of Tracy passed away Monday, December 16, 2013 at Prairie View Healthcare Center in Tracy.  Memorial services will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, December 21 at the Tracy United Methodist Church.  There will be no visitation.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution in Bev’s name may be made to Prairie Home Hospice of Marshall, Minnesota.  Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com.  Stephens Funeral Service - Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Beverly (Kassel) Hubbard was born in Holly Township on December 29, 1927 to Fred and Ilo Kassel.  Beverly met Melvin Hubbard in Tracy and they were married on June 18, 1948.  Mel and Bev had three children.  Bev was an involved mother.  In addition to activities with her own children, Bev taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School at the Methodist church.  Bev was an avid gardener and maintained a beautiful backyard garden for years.    She collected leaves and hunted for bittersweet and other plants to dry for her arrangements.  For entertainment, Bev enjoyed reading novels, and gardening and travel magazines.  She enthusiastically played bridge, Bunco and YAHTZEE.  Bev delighted in children.  In her senior years, she was known as the “Lemon Drop Lady” to the Tracy children who stopped for a lemon drop on their way home from the Tracy pool.  Family was very important to Bev.  She always enjoyed her Kassel family reunions and birthday celebrations with her brothers and sisters.  In June, Bev and Mel celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary quietly together.  She remarked that she achieved her goal of living to see that special day.

Bev was preceded in death by her brother, Dale Kassel; and her sisters, Erma Hatch and Melba Carlson. 

She is survived by her husband Melvin; children: Alan (Bobbie), Debbie, and Brian (Jane); grandsons: Matthew and Brandon; and brother, Francis Kassel.

 

Duane Matthys, 82

  Mass of Christian Burial for Duane Matthys, 82, of Marshall, MN were held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 14, 2013, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall.  Interment followed the service at St. Clotilde Catholic Cemetery in Green Valley, MN.

Duane Joseph Matthys was born June 17, 1931, in Tracy, to Mary (Bossuyt) and Carvinus Matthys.  He was baptized and confirmed at St. Clotilde Catholic Church in Green Valley.  He grew up in Stanley Township where he attended Country School District 75. 

On June 16, 1953, he was united in marriage to Frances Cecelia Otto at St. John Cantius Catholic Church in Wilno, MN.  The couple farmed and raised livestock in Stanley Township, east of Marshall.  Duane was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Lyon County Pork Producers.  He volunteered at the Marshall Kitchen Table Food Shelf.  He enjoyed ushering at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, playing rolle bolle and cards, spending time with family and friends, and was a John Deere enthusiast.  In later years, he enjoyed the art of putting together puzzles.

Duane died of congestive heart failure on Tuesday at his residence in Marshall.  He died peacefully at home surrounded by his family at his bedside.

Duane is survived by his wife, Frances, of 60 years, children Diane (and Greg) Louwagie of Marshall, Donna (and Mark) Horsman of Watertown, SD, Doreen (and Danny) Owens of Henderson, NV, Daniel Matthys and fiancé Ruth Seifert of Marshall, 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren (and three on the way), siblings Dennis (and Bonnie) Matthys of Cottonwood, MN, Leonard (and Mary Kay) Matthys of Willmar, MN, Edward (and Connie) Matthys of Durango, CO, Mary Ellen (and Ron) Hodapp of Libertyville, IL, sister-in-law Mary Matthys of Apple Valley, MN, nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Bernard Matthys.

Blessed be the memory of Duane Matthys.

Arrangements were handled by Rehkamp & Horvath Funeral Directors, Marshall, Minnesota