Virgil Brown, 78

Virgil E. Brown, age 78 of Claire City, South Dakota, formerly of Tracy, passed away at the Sanford Hospital in Fargo on Tuesday, August 26, 2014. A memorial service for Mr. Brown was held at 4:30 P.M. Saturday, August 30th at the Hamilton Funeral Home. Burial was in the Marshall Cemetery.   Condolences may be sent to www.hamiltonfh.com.

Virgil E. Brown, ‘Virg’ was born in Walnut Grove, MN. on May 20th 1936 to Cecil Brown and Luella (Tonneson).  He grew up in Tracy, MN. with his 3 siblings.  Brother Lowell and sisters Phyllis and Karen.

Virgil enlisted in the U.S. Air Force from January 6th, 1954 until June 21st, 1957 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

 Virgil married his love for 55 years, Donna Engler on June 6th, 1959.  Their son Donald was born June 21st, 1961 in Slayton, MN. and daughter Shelly was born on October 16th, 1964 in Morris, MN.

 Virgil had a very full life and enjoyed many things.  He absolutely loved fishing as well as camping, gardening, garage sales, hunting, casinos, concerts, Nascar, traveling with family and friends and frying fish for everyone lucky enough to get some!    

 Virgil was always helping everyone with anything.  

 Virgil is survived by his loving wife Donna, son Donald and daughter-in-law Kari and Step Grandson Brandon Hoium, daughter Shelly and son-in-law Ronald Girard and granddaughters Alanna, Alexis and Andrea  and  Virgil’s  sister Karen Geis.

 Virgil is proceeded in death by his parents Cecil and Luella, brother Lowell, and sister Phyllis.

Blessed be the memory of Virgil E. Brown

Martha Triplett, 91

Martha Triplett age 91 of Tracy passed away Saturday, August 30, 2014 at Prairie View Senior Living.  Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 5 at Lake Sarah Lutheran Church in Garvin.  Visitation is one hour prior to services at the church.  Interment is in Tracy Cemetery.  Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com.  Stephens Funeral Service - Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Martha (Gilb) Triplett was born November 26, 1922 in the family home in Tracy, Minnesota to John and Minnie (Fredricks) Gilb.  She was baptized and confirmed in Trinity Lutheran Church in Tracy and attended school in Tracy.  On September 14, 1940 Martha married Marlo Triplett.  They worked for farmers for three years, and then started farming for themselves south of Balaton.  They farmed there for three years and then moved to a farm northeast of Garvin where they farmed for 16 years.  In February of 1963 they moved to Tracy.  Martha worked at the high school and then for many years at Prairie View Care Center until she retired.  Martha had seven sisters and three brothers, and the family continued to enjoy getting together even as they grow older.  Martha was an active member of the Garvin Lutheran Church for many years.  She taught Sunday School, was a member of the Women’s Group, and enjoyed singing with Marlo as he sang and played his accordion.  Martha and Marlo worked hard to make a good life for their three children, Pat, LeRoy, and Merlyn.  As dairy farmers they worked long hours but Martha loved helping with the farming and milking.  One of the highlights of Martha’s life was the many winters she and Marlo were able to spend in south Texas after they retired.  Martha was a woman known for her faith and her positive attitude.  She and Marlo loved to attend old time dances.  Martha was an avid gardener, crocheter, and a woman who accepted life as it came.  After her daughter’s funeral she said “Aren’t you glad there is a God!”  After Marlo died, she lived for a while in Twin Circle Apartments and then moved to Prairie View Care Center where she lived until her death. 

Martha is survived by her son Merlyn (Delores) Triplett of Brookings, SD; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; sisters Bernice Ellingson of Tracy and Violet Hook of Canby; and sister-in-law Luella Gilb of Garvin.  She is preceded in death by her husband Marlo in 2001, daughter and son-in-law Pat and Ron Holmbeck, son and daughter-in-law LeRoy and Sara Triplett, grandson Ronnie Holmbeck, three brothers, and five sisters.