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Obituaries from the week of July 2, 2014

Betty Bornitz, 84
Mary McVenes, 90
Ann Pfarr, 72
David Sammons, 75
Diane Sloniker, 63
Darel Turner, 83

Betty Bornitz, 84

Betty Jean Bornitz, age 84, of Tracy, passed away on Monday, June 30, 2014 at the Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD.  Visitation for Betty is 5 – 7 pm on Sunday, July 6, 2014 at the Almlie–Horvath Funeral Home in Tracy.   A private family burial will take place Monday at the Milroy Community Cemetery.  Online condolences may be placed at www.almliefh.com.  The Almlie–Horvath Funeral Service of Tracy is caring for the family.

Betty Jean Bornitz was born March 28, 1930 in Tracy, MN to John and Minnie (Fredricks) Gilb.  She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.  She attended Tracy Public Schools.

On April 16, 1948, Betty was united in marriage to Lowell Bornitz.  They farmed in the Tracy area all their life.  In 1992, Betty and Lowell retired and moved to an acreage north of Tracy.  Betty continued to raise bottle calves and lambs.  She enjoyed going to the casino,  to garage sales, to the home farm, and driving around town.  She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, Lowell of Tracy; three children, Larry and Jan Bornitz, Denny and Susie (Lorraine) DeWitte, and Bill Bornitz (fiancé Winnie Barber); nine grandchildren, Kimberly, Randall, and Tyson Bornitz, Austin DeWitte, Emilie DeWitte, Chris, Courtney, Carter, and William Bornitz; two great grandchildren, Oakley and Kynlie Bornitz.  She is also survived by three sisters, Bernice Ellingson, Violet Hook, and Martha Triplet; sisters-in-law, Louella Gilb, and Florence Lorenz; and her beloved dogs, Rover and Sam, and many farm cats.

She was preceded in death by her parents, infant daughter, Amy, three brothers, Raymond, Ernest, and Donald, four sisters, Leona, Louise, Alma, and Bertha.

Blessed be her memory.

 

Mary McVenes, 90

Mary Katherine McVenes age 90 of Walnut Grove passed away Friday, May 30, 2014 at TRU Community Care Center in Louisville, Colorado.  Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 11 at the Walnut Grove Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Prairie Home Hospice.  Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com.  Stephens Funeral Service - Walnut Grove Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. 

Mary Katherine (Deuschle) McVenes was born July 7, 1923 in Yankton, South Dakota to Thomas and Emma Pearl (Themig) Deuschle. 

Mary Katherine is survived by one son Terry and wife Deborah, two grandchildren Michael and Benjamin of Longmont, CO, one special cousin Pearl Aaker of Worthington, and many special friends in Walnut Grove, Tracy, and Marshall. 

She is preceded in death by her parents and husband Robert. 

 

Ann Pfarr, 72

(Frances) Ann Pfarr age 72 of Walnut Grove passed away Friday, June 27, 2014 at her home after a battle with cancer.  Memorial services will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 2 at English Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove.  Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church.  Burial is in Walnut Grove Cemetery.  Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com.  Stephens Funeral Service - Walnut Grove Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. 

Ann was born December 16, 1941 in Walnut Grove, Minnesota to Richard and Wenonah (Rossing) Thompson.  She graduated from Walnut Grove High School in 1959.  Ann married Ralph Thielges on November 14, 1959.  She was very active in her community where she was licensed to provide foster care.  She became caregiver to her three great-granddaughters.  Ann was a member of the Red Hat Ladies Society and English Lutheran Church.  On April 10, 1974 Ann married William Pfarr.  She was involved with the Girl Scouts for 25 years, served on the ECFE Board for several years, and on the Parent Council for Head Start.  Ann was Western Community Action Volunteer of the Year in 2012.  Ann loved kids, believed in them, and provided encouragement to them.  She sacrificed to provide for others.  Ann was very selfless and always cared first for others. 

Ann is survived by her children: Randal (Jane) Thielges of Royalton, Julie (Chris) Hughes of Minneapolis, Dan (Crystal) Pfarr of Springfield, Dale (Carmelita) Pfarr of Tracy, and Darel Pfarr of Marshall; 17 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; siblings: Cathy (Bill) Pastor of San Francisco, CA, Ronald (Claris) Thompson of Minnetonka, and Gary (Darlene) Thompson of Luck, WI; and many other relatives and friends. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Bill Pfarr , brother Terry, great-grandson Dakota Harris. 

 

David Sammons, 75 

David Lee Sammons, age 75, of Tracy, passed away on Sunday, June 29, 2014 at the Prairie View Senior Living  in Tracy.  A visitation for David will be held from 1 – 3 pm on Thursday, July 3, 2014 at the Almlie – Horvath Funeral Home in Tracy.  A luncheon will immediately follow the visitation at the Twin Circle Apartments Community Room on Morgan St. in Tracy.  Burial will be held at a later date in the Tracy City Cemetery.  Online condolences may be placed at www.almliefh.com.  The Almlie – Horvath Funeral Home of Tracy is caring for the family.

David Lee Sammons was born on February 17, 1939 to Clarence and Helen (Kehler) Sammons in Tracy, Minnesota.  He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith.  He grew up in Tracy and graduated from Tracy High School.  After high school, David enlisted into the United States Navy and was honorably discharged. 

David was united in marriage to Helen Cowell in Tracy where they made their home.  David worked for Chicago Northwestern and Union Pacific Railroads as a track inspector.  He was a member of the Tracy Country Club, on bowling leagues, and volunteered his time helping various organizations in the community. 

David enjoyed golfing, family fishing and hunting trips to Canada and Northern Minnesota, walking, biking, camping, and just enjoyed spending time outdoors.  He loved to spend time with his family and grandchildren.

David passed away on Sunday, June 29, 2014 at the Prairie View Senior Living in Tracy at the age of 75 years old.

He is survived by his wife, Helen of Tracy; children, Kim (Norm Baker) Lunda of Bay City, WI, Jerome Sammons of Clear Lake, SD; step-children, Randi (Terry) Wixon of Brandon, SD, and Debbie (Curt Dreier) Shamatt of Tracy; siblings, Bill (Jennie) Sammons of Marshall, Dick (Wilma) Sammons of Michigan, John (Pat) Sammons of Hastings, and Mary Ann (Gary) Mentjes of Prior Lake; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and step-daughters, Bonnie and Patty.

Blessed be his memory.

 

 

Diane Sloniker, 63

Funeral services for Diane Sloniker, age 63 will be held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Currie, MN on Thursday, July 3, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. with Fr. Andrew Vogel officiating.  The organist is Patty LeClaire.  The song leader is Kathy Jo Johns.  Interment is at Calvary Cemetery.  

Visitation will be on Wednesday, July 2, 2014 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Currie from 5-7 p.m. and also one hour prior to the services at the church on Thursday.  Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangements.  To send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com

Diane Sloniker was born on September 4, 1950 in Comfrey, Minnesota to Sherwood (Sarge) and Jeanette Ehleringer Silvernale.  When Diane was just three month of age she and her mother, Jeanette joined Sarge in Wichita Falls, TX where he was stationed.  The family remained there until 1953 when they moved to Japan for one year.  The family returned to the states and settled in Biloxi, MS where Diane attended grade school.  In 1959 the family moved to Tucson, AZ where Diane graduated from Tucson Palo Verde High School in 1968.  Following high school Diane worked for a Cadillac Dealership in Tucson.  On February 6, 1971 she and Stephen Sloniker were married at Travis Air Force Base in CA.  Following their marriage they made their home at K.I. Sawyer AFB, Gwinn, MI and later Gladstone, MI.  In 1999 they moved to Currie and Diane worked in the office at Schmitz Grain in Currie.  In 2007 they moved to Mankato, MN where Diane worked for Crystal Valley Coop in Mankato in the accounting department.  Due to failing health Diane moved to Our House Hospice Home in Slayton on June 24, 2014 and passed away there on Saturday, June 28, 2014 at the age of 63.  She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Currie.  Diane enjoyed spending time with her family, creating stained-glass art and beading.

Survivors include her husband, Steve Sloniker of Mankato, MN, two sons and their spouses, Scot and Denise of Mankato, MN, and Gregg and Andrea of Colorado Springs, CO, four grandchildren, Joshua and Brandon Sloniker and Aitana and Kaehli Sloniker, her mother, Jeanette Silvernale of Currie, MN, four siblings, Ronda Silvernale of Waxahachie, TX, Bruce Silvernale and his wife, Debra of Madison Lake, MN, Brenda Myers of Cottage Grove, MN and Sandy Swan and her husband, Richard of Hadley, MN and several nieces and nephews. 

She is preceded in death by her grandparents, father, Sarge Silvernale and sister, JoAnn Carlson.

 

Darel Turner, 83

Darel grew up on a farm near Tracy, Minnesota. His big claim to fame in high school was winning the drawing contest for the school mascot. The humorous part is that Darel traced the “Scrapper” from his little brother’s coloring book.
In 1956 Darel joined Graybar Electric. He worked as a sales representative for 35 years. Also, during this time he volunteered at St. Tim’s as a part of Project Exodus, the baptism and confirmation programs and until last year Journey in Faith.

Upon retirement, Darel found his true passion, serving those in need. He and his brothers founded the non-profit charity Wee Care We Share. Over the years they made countless trips locally and across the country delivering food and clothing to the less fortunate. Darel was able to continue his mission to make a difference in other’s lives for the remainder of his life.

Darel passed away peacefully surrounded by family. He is proceeded in death by parents, Merle and Viola; brother Vernon and sister, Donna. He is survived by wife, Donna; children, Andrea, Denise, Anne (Dan), Daniel (Julie) and Christopher; grandchildren, Jacob, Daniel, Carly, Siobhan, Sarah, and Ryan.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, June 30 at 10 a.m. at the Church of St. Timothy, in Blaine. Visitation was one hour prior to the service at church.