Tom

Rignell, 62

Tom Rignell age 62 of Tracy passed away Monday, May 18, 2015 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester.  Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 22 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy.   Private burial was is in Calvary Catholic Cemetery.  Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com.  Stephens Funeral Service - Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Thomas Bernard Rignell was born April 1, 1953 in Tracy, Minnesota to Paul and Betty (Carey) Rignell.  He graduated from Tracy Public School in 1971 and from Southwest State College in Marshall in 1975 with a degree in physical education. 

On August 14, 1976 he was united in marriage to Cindy Shaw at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy.  Together they made their home in Tracy until July 1994 when they built their own home on Lake Shetek.  Tom worked as an insurance salesman most of his career.  He also painted on the side.  Tom coached both girl’s and boy’s basketball and spent many years officiating basketball.  Tom and Cindy raised three boys and loved going to their activities in high school, college, and beyond.  Tom was very active in community activities including Box Car Days Committee, Chamber of Commerce Board, Tracy Lions Club, Kiwanis, and Tracy Booster Club.  He volunteered many hours all over town.  Tom was an avid outdoorsman spending time with his kids hunting and fishing, and participating in sports with family members.  There was no one tougher than Tom in the basketball game of “H-O-R-S-E”.  He enjoyed gardening, golfing, and shaking dice with friends.  Tom loved time with his family, wife, and grandchildren.  He loved to smile and his laugh was distinct and infectious.    

Tom is survived by his wife Cindy of 38 years; sons: Wade (Molly Zauhar) of St. Louis Park, Derek (Raftyn) of Marshall, and Taylor (Krista Van Dyk) of Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren Rocco, Archer, and Quinn; his dog Daisy; siblings: Paulette (Wayne) Wojahn of Rochester and Tim (Kris) Rignell of La Crescent; and many other relatives and friends. 

He is preceded in death by his parents and grandparents. 

Jeanne Shoeman, 92

Jeanne Shoeman, a long-time resident of Tracy, MN, and a recent resident of the Belgrade Nursing Home in Belgrade, MN, passed away on May 19, 2015, at the age of 92.

Jeanne is survived by her husband, John (Speck) Shoeman, her daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Bruce Lichty of New London, MN, her son and daughter-in-law, Jack and Evie Shoeman of Seattle, WA, five grand-daughters, Angela Bruckner of Naples, FL, Amy Meckeler of Little Falls, NJ, Ann Sturgeon of Rockwall, TX, Jeannine Shoeman of Clairmont, FL, Heidi Bussey of Bothell, WA, and their families, including Jeanne’s seven great-grandchildren, Shelby Sturgeon, Codie Sturgeon, Katee Meckeler, Audrey Bussey, Harrison Bruckner, Henry Bruckner, and Harvey Bussey.

Condolences can be sent to John Shoeman at 180 Tepeeotah Rd, Tracy, MN, 56175, or Prairie View Senior Living, 250 5^th Street East, Tracy, MN, 56175.

No memorial services for Jeanne are planned at this time. Burial services will be held at Fort Snelling at a later date. 

As many of her friends, neighbors and family know, Jeanne was very active in her home-town community of Tracy as well as her Sunlife community in Mesa, AZ, where she and John were snowbirds for 25 years. Besides being a loving mother, supportive wife and happy grandmother and great-grandmother, she made many friends and always enjoyed a good time. 

Happy be your memories of Jeanne. She is smiling from heaven. 

Marcella Cummiskey, 94

Funeral services for Marcella Cummiskey were held today, Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Currie, MN at 10:30 a.m. with Fr. Andrew Vogel officiating.  The organist was Patty LeClaire.  The song leader was David LeClaire.  The pallbearers are John Silver, Karl Ruppert, Alan Peltola, Chuck Peltola, Scott Ruppert, and Terry Carlson.  Interment is at Calvary Cemetery in Currie, MN. 

Marcella Margaret Cummiskey was born on January 31, 1921 on the family farm south of Currie, Minnesota to Valentine and Katherine (Potthoff) Ruppert.  Marcella attended Immaculate Heart of Mary School and graduated in 1938 at the age of 17.  Following high school Marcella attended the Minneapolis School of Radio and Communications. In the early 1940’s she was a member of the Signal Corps and worked as a radio inspector at Gates Radio in Quincy, Illinois.  Gates radio had a contract with the government to build large field radios for the military, which were then shipped to Russia. 

On October 13, 1945 she and Donald Patrick Cummiskey were married at IHM Church in Currie.  Following their marriage they settled on the Cummiskey home place where Don farmed until 1947. They then moved to Currie when they had an opportunity to purchase the Serr Oil Company, which became the Cummiskey Oil Company.  They ran the oil company for over 20 years.  Don and Marce also owned and operated the Currie Gambles Store during the late 60’s and mid 70’s. 

Marce was very active member of IHM Church; she taught CCD for 22 years, sang in the church choir for many years, and was a member of the Catholic Daughter’s of America.  Marce enjoyed playing cards, painting, ceramics, gardening, flowers, traveling and nature.

Survivors include her four children: Patrick Cummiskey of Gladewater, TX; Mary (Greg) Boggs of Hartford, SD; Timothy Cummiskey of Sioux Falls, SD; and Therese Cummiskey of Fairfield, IA; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and one brother, Herb Ruppert of Marshall, MN. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Donald, four brothers, Harold, Ray, Louis, and Orville Ruppert, four sisters, Lillian Busch, Julia Peltola, Irma Carlson, and Leota Silver.  

To send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com

Adeline M. Johnson, 81

Funeral services for Adeline M. Johnson, age 81 of Tracy, were held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at the Almlie-Horvath Funeral Home in Tracy.   Interment followed at the Tracy City Cemetery.

Adeline Margaret (Heinrich) Johnson was born on November 9, 1933, the second of ten children to Dutch and Jennie (Duinkerken) Heinrich.  Adeline grew up in Avoca and graduated high school in Slayton, MN. Adeline married Dale Johnson Sr., and from this union were blessed with their two sons, Dale Jr. and Dennis.  Adeline worked alongside her husband Dale Sr. for many years keeping the books and completing other tasks at their auto repair and car sales businesses in the Tracy and Walnut Grove areas. She was a proud member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary and in her free time enjoyed doing puzzles and crossword puzzles, but most importantly spending time with her family.

Adeline passed away surrounded by family on Friday, May 22, 2015 in Tracy, Minnesota.

Adeline is survived by her sons, Dale Jr. (Gwen) Johnson and Dennis (Joan) Johnson; grandchildren, Dale III (Kim Schroepfer) Johnson, DeAnn (Dane) Reese, Shannon Sammons, and Michelle (Tom) Marotzke; 11 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; and siblings, Dorothy Nelson, Darlene Smith, Betty Sturm, Robert Heinrich, Donald Heinrich, Frank Heinrich, Greg Heinrich, and Roxie Heinrich.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Dale Sr. and brother, Bill Heinrich.

A specials thanks to the Prairie View Nursing Home, Dr. Paul and staff, and the staff of the Compassionate Care Hospice.  Arrangements with Almlie-Horvath Funeral Service,  www.almliefh.com

David

Hamilton, 68

David Dean Hamilton, 68 of San Diego, California, passed away on February 3, 2015.

A private service with Military Honors was held at the Tracy City Cemetery on Saturday, May 23^rd at 11:00 am.  Pastor Craig Haberman from the Tracy United Methodist Church presiding.

“Dave” was born in Tracy, MN on August 20, 1946.  He graduated from Tracy High School in 1964.   He entered the US Navy and served his country from April of 1966 to December 1971.  He served 4 yrs., obtained an EM3 rank as an Electrical Repairman.  Of his time served, 3 yr. and 2 months were spent at sea on the USS Galveston.

Dave is survived by his brother Merle (Minneota), sister Lois (Jack) Bishop of Afton and twin sister Karen of Fairmont.   He is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

Dave is preceded in death by his parents Walter and Ferne Hamilton; his sister Phyllis Beiser (William) and sister-in-law LaVonne Hamilton.

The family of David Hamilton wishes to thank Pastor Craig, American Legion Post 173, Martin County Veterans Office, Hospice, Legacy Funeral Home and San Diego County for their assistance and support. 

Wm. David Knowles, 77

  Wm. David Knowles, M.D., born May 11, 1938, in Tracy, MN, passed away at his home on May 17, 2015, after a one-year battle with pancreatic cancer.  The eighth of ten children of Roger and Madeline (Drum) Knowles, he graduated from Tracy High School in 1956.  He joined the Army National Guard following high school, four months later joining the Navy (active duty).  In boot camp at Great Lakes Naval Training Center, he was appointed Recruit Petty Officer First Class.  He attended the Naval Hospital Corps School, graduating in June, 1957.  After serving at Great Lakes Naval Hospital, Dave transferred to the Fleet Marine Force, Camp Pendleton, CA where he graduated from Field Medical Service School and served with the 3rd Marine Division on Okinawa.

Following honorable discharge from the Navy, he attended Mankato State College, graduating in 1960 with majors in chemistry and biology and a minor in mathematics.  At Mankato State, he was elected president of the local chapter of Sigma Zeta, National Honorary Science Society.  He attended medical school at the University of Minnesota and graduated in 1968.  Following completion of a rotating internship at St. Paul Ramsey Medical Center, he entered solo practice in Mankato for 21 years before joining the Mankato Clinic until his retirement in June, 2007.

Dr. Knowles served as president of Washington Elementary PTA, President of the Blue Earth County Medical Society and Chairman of the Family Practice Department at ISJ Hospital.  He served as training camp physician for the Minnesota Vikings for 35 years, attended two Super Bowls and was awarded Game Ball after defeat of the Chicago Bears on November 25, 1990. 

He married Ann Jones in 1964 and together they had three children; Annie‑Laurie, Christopher and Patrick. 

Dave is survived by his children Annie‑Laurie (Peter) Bissen, Christopher Knowles, (Melissa Donley) and Patrick (Danielle) Knowles, M.D. and seven grandchildren, Jay and Josh Bissen; Katherine, Rachel, Patrick, II, Daniel and Samuel Knowles as well as sisters Joyce (John) Visker, Betty (Richard) Ross and Judy (Hal) Soyez,  many nieces and nephews, and cousins in the U.S., England and New Zealand. 

Dave is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Ronald, Dennis and Gordon, sisters Patricia, Joan and Annie Laurie.

Following retirement, Dave continued his hobbies of working on and driving his classic British sports cars, woodworking, gardening and spending time at his lake cabin. 

Dr. Knowles was honored and proud to be a physician, and other than his children and grandchildren, working as a family doctor gave him the most satisfaction in life.  He enjoyed listening to the stories of war veterans and the elderly and never tired of getting up in the night to deliver a baby.

Public visitation Friday, May 29, 2015, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Northview North Mankato Mortuary, 2060 Commerce Drive, North Mankato, MN.  (507) 388-2288.  Memorials preferred to the Mankato Salvation Army.