Thomas DeBlieck

Thomas L. DeBlieck passed away March 16, 2015 in his home in Tracy.  Services pending with Almlie-Horvath Funeral Home in Tracy.  Full obituary will run next week.

 

Arthur Drackley, 98

Arthur K. Drackley, 98, who 16 months ago was honored as the oldest-ever inductee to Tracy High School’s Wall of Fame for his teaching, passed away on March 16, 2015, at Prairie View Nursing Home. He taught English in the Tracy Public Schools from 1961 until he retired in 1979, and previously taught in public schools in Ceylon, Balaton, Mountain Lake, and Tyler. He farmed south of Tracy for 70 years.

A prize-winning poet and short-story writer, he published a book of his poetry “Prairie in my Pocket,” and in 1986 Drackley was awarded first place by the National Writer’s Club for his novel, “Thistle Man.”  Writer’s Digest magazine recognized his work, and he published many poems and short stories throughout his life. He also penned an unpublished full-length non-fiction work on farming methods “How We Did It Then: A Memoir of Minnesota Farm Life.”

Born June 13, 1916, in Marshfield, Wisconsin, Arthur Kenneth Drackley then lived in Menomonie, Wisconsin. When his family moved in 1926 to Tracy, Minnesota, 10-year-old Art and his older brother Bill journeyed there in a railroad emmigrant car – accompanying his family’s hired man, livestock and the family dog Jack.  He graduated from Tracy High School in 1933, attended Tracy Junior College, entered Winona State University (then Winona State Teachers College) in 1939 and earned his bachelor’s degree in 1941.  He was the first in his family to attend college.

His teaching career began in Ceylon in 1941 and continued in Balaton and Mountain Lake until 1945, when he became a full-time farmer until 1959 – the year he resumed his teaching career in Tyler and two years later in Tracy.  He lived on his farm south of Tracy continuously from 1945 until 2013.

An active member of Tracy United Methodist Church for nearly his whole life, he directed the church’s choir for 44 years, was a choir member for 79 years, and an active Sunday school teacher and lay speaker.  He performed as a vocal soloist in community and church events, and was a member of a male quartet that won a state-wide Minnesota Methodist Church contest. 

Drackley loved nature. He was an avid conservationist, environmentalist and bird watcher, and he often visited and supported open-prairie preservation areas.  For nearly seven decades, he lived on his farm – preferring country life where he found solitude and time to enjoy reading and writing. He believed that family is the foundation of existence and that faith is its bedrock.

His wife of 63 years – Charlotte (Shannon) Drackley – predeceased him in 2004.  He is survived by two daughters, Barbara, (Mrs. Max F. Volkmann) of St. Louis, Missouri, and Colleen (Mrs. Robert Jolly) of Ames, Iowa; two sons, Richard (husband of Linda) Drackley of Decorah, Iowa, and James Drackley (Tonya Moore) of Urbana, Illinois; 10 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

Funeral services are pending for later this spring.  Arrangements are being handled through Almlie Funeral Home in Tracy, and services will be held at Tracy Methodist Church when a firm date is set.  The family asks that no flowers be sent at this time.

 (Prepared by Max Fredric Volkmann, 314-550-4414, Volkmann@wustl.edu)

 

Susan Gerling, 55

Susan Starr Gerling, age 55, with her family beside her, went home to be with her Lord on Sunday, March 8, 2015 after a courageous battle with cancer. Many people will remember Susan for having a smile that lit up every room she walked into.

Susan was born Dec. 3, 1959 and grew up in Little Falls, MN, attended dental hygiene school at the University of Minnesota, lived in LaCrescent, MN and Princeton, MN before moving to the Grand Rapids, MN area in 1987.

Susan is survived by her husband, Scott; daughter, Elizabeth; sons, Graham (Keli), Tyler (Jessica); sister, Sara (Peter) Weltchek; brothers, Garrett (Leslie) Starr, Jack (Lori) Starr; parents, John and Nancy (Nelson) Starr of Little Falls (formerly of Tracy); two grandchildren, Ayla and Grayson.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to RESTORE A SMILE in memory of Susan Starr Gerling via the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation.

Susan loved dental hygiene and touched a family friend’s life recently by helping make possible his dental work to restore his smile. It changed both of their lives for the better. In honor of Susan, the family is starting a fund to help others restore their smiles.

Rowe Funeral Home of Grand Rapids is handling the funeral arrangements.

 

Teri Luft, 36

Memorial services for Teri Luft, age 36, were held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Currie, MN on Saturday, March 14, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. with Fr. Andrew Vogel officiating.  The organist was Patty LeClaire.  The song leader was Linnea Surprenant.  Interment was at Calvary Cemetery in Currie, MN. 

Teri Luft was born on February 20, 1979 in Tracy, Minnesota to Richard and Becky Dollander Luft.  She grew up in Currie and attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and graduated from Tracy-Milroy High School in 1997.   Following high school Teri worked at Walmart in Marshall, MN. Teri later attended Canby Technical College while working at Developmental Services Inc. (DSI) in Marshall.  Following graduation, Teri started working at the Minneota Manor as a resident aide in 2006. Later that year, she and Nate Braun moved to Taunton, MN.  Teri currently was working at Schwan’s in Marshall in the quality control department.  Teri and her fiancé Nate enjoyed spending time at Camden State Park and caring for their cats.  

Teri passed away unexpectedly at her home on Sunday, March 8, 2015 at the age of 36.  She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Currie.  Teri enjoyed spending time with family and friends, hers cats, watching movies and the cooking channel, music (especially Coldplay), and anything George Carlin. 

Survivors include her parents, Richard and Becky Luft of Slayton, MN, one brother, Ryan Luft and his wife, Rachel of Granite Falls, MN, three nieces and one nephew, Madelynn, Mamie, Henry and Eleanor Luft, maternal grandmother, Kathleen Dollander of Slayton, MN, fiancé, Nate Braun of Taunton, MN, and several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. 

She is preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Virgil Dollander, paternal grandparents, Alfred and Viola Luft, uncle, Terry Dollander, and aunt and uncle, Gwen and Larry Giltner.

Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangements.  To send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com