Vernon Grinde, 94

 

Funeral services for Vernon Grinde, age 94 of Tracy, were held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 12, 2015 at Tracy Lutheran Church in Tracy.  Online condolences may be placed at www.almliefh.com.  The Almlie – Horvath Funeral Service of Tracy is caring for the family.

Vernon Earl Grinde was born on February 29, 1920 in Slayton, MN to Ole and Inga (Furan) Grinde.

He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Modum Lutheran Church near Lake Sarah. He grew up on a farm along the shores of Lake Shetek and attended rural school often traveling to school on horseback. Vernon and his sister Doris (Onken) stayed in a rooming house in Tracy in order to attend and graduate high school. Vernon graduated from Tracy High School in 1938 and went on to college in Mankato to obtain his teaching degree. He began teaching in rural schools near Tracy until he was called to serve in the Army Medical Corp for World War II. He served for three years, mostly in England and France.  During the return voyage to the United States,  his ship (Athos) was caught in a hurricane and it was reported to his parents that Vernon was missing at sea. Several days later he was able to send a telegram from the Azore Islands that he was alive and well.  Following a ride home on the USS Enterprise he was discharged from the Army and returned to teaching. He taught all grades at Garvin and Amiret schools, and then 5th and 6th grade in Tracy.

In October 1946 Vernon married Ruth Bondhus at Amo Lutheran Church in Storden, MN. They made their home in Tracy and to this union a daughter and two sons were born. Katherine (Rick Parkin) of Bellevue, WA; Todd (Patti) Grinde of Brooklyn Park, MN; and Lee Grinde of Westbrook, MN. Five grandchildren: Andy (Jennifer) Grinde of Mound, MN; Katie (Robb) Johnson of Hinckley, MN; Jason (Sharon) Parkin of Newcastle, WA; Erik Parkin and Kristen Parkin of Bellevue, WA. Four great-grandchildren: Lauren and Drew Grinde, Landen Johnson, and Cora Parkin. Vernon and Ruth shared almost 32 years of marriage before Ruth’s death in 1978.

In December 1980 Vernon married Doris Maas at Tracy Lutheran Church.  They made their home in Tracy and with this union Vernon gained Doris’ three children. Chuck (Theresa) Maas of Sartell, MN; Kevin (Madonna) Maas of Sartell, MN; and Becky (Jim) Girard of Maple Grove, MN. Six grandchildren: Kelsey Maas; Erik, Melissa, and Bridget Maas; and Paul and Jenna Girard.

During Vernon’s early years of teaching in Tracy he continued college through summer classes to obtain his Masters Degree in Education Administration and became the Elementary Principal.  During his time as Principal, Vernon was very active in M.E.A., N.E.A, MN Principals Association, National Association of Elementary Principals,  and various committees for the State Board of Education.  In the early 1960s, he helped pioneer public education for the learning disabled, and taught summer sessions at Westmar College to help establish a curriculum for new teachers in that field. Vernon endured two years of make shift classrooms in temporary structures and churches following the destruction of the elementary school during the 1968 Tornado. He was instrumental in the contemporary design and construction of the current Tracy Elementary school. During his many years of teaching in Tracy, Vernon saw multiple generations of families pass through his classrooms. He knew and remembered every one of them.  Following his retirement in 1983 Vernon was asked to fill in for Administrators in five different surrounding communities due to illness or death of their Administrator; some for a few months and some for the entire school year.  Vernon also assisted at St Mary’s School in Tracy.   

For many years, Vernon and his brother, Olando (Ole) Grinde, assisted John and Steve Almlie with funerals.  Between the two brothers, they knew most everyone in the area and enjoyed helping the families.  Most people remember Vernon in a suit and tie.

Vernon was very active in community service and civic organizations: Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis, Labor Day Parade, Prime Timers, Meals on Wheels, Laura Ingalls Pageant and many advisory boards and committees.  He was named Outstanding Citizen of Tracy, and served as Lieutenant Governor for Kiwanis.  He received several lifetime achievement awards.

He was a long time active member of Tracy Lutheran Church serving several terms as congregational president, many years as Sunday School superintendent and many committees.

Vernon died on Monday, January 5th, 2015 at Prairie View Senior Living.

He was preceded in death by his parents Ole and Inga Grinde; two brothers and four sisters and their spouses: Olando and Joyce Grinde, Lloyd and Cora Mae Grinde, Bertha and Roland DeMong, Jose and Everret Swenson, Rose and George Reiter, Doris and Delbert Onken; his wife Ruth (Bondhus) Grinde; and Chuck Maas.

His children are very proud of their father’s life, and will miss him.

 

Dale Hatch, 86

 

Dale E. Hatch age 86 of Tracy, MN died Thursday, January 8, 2015 at the Prairie View Senior Living in Tracy. Services will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at Tracy Lutheran Church.  Interment will be in the Tracy City Cemetery, followed by a luncheon in the church social hall. The Almlie-Horvath Funeral Service is handling the arrangements. Online condolences may be placed at www.almliefh.com.

Dale Eugene Hatch was born January 12, 1928 to Ray and Faye Hatch in Tracy, MN.  He grew up in Tracy and began country school at the age of four.  Dale then attended Tracy Public Schools, graduating from Tracy High School in 1945 and was active in sports.  He was baptized and confirmed in the Tracy United Methodist Church. 

As a young man he worked for the Bell Telephone Company, and in 1946 he entered into service with the U.S. Navy.  He was stationed on the USS Oakanogan, Bainbridge, MD.  In 1948 he received his Honorable Discharge and returned home where he attended Tracy Junior College.  During that year he worked for Nackerud Bottling, Tracy Bottling and Pipestone Pop.  Later that same year he enrolled at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD, where he majored in Education and played both basketball and football.  In 1953, after his father died, Dale returned to Tracy to help run the newly purchased family business, the Tracy Dairy. 

In January of 1955 he returned to Augustana to receive his Bachelor of Arts degree in education and met his future wife, Maureen Mahlen.  They were married on August 11, 1957 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Webster, SD. 

Dale began his Master’s studies at South Dakota State University in the fall of 1956 where he became the first Augustana College graduate to be a part of the SDSU Men’s basketball program, working with the Jackrabbits’ men’s basketball coach, Jim Iverson.  In 1957, Dale began his career in education, serving as Principal, teacher and head basketball coach in Sanborn, MN.  During the summers, Dale and Maureen owned and operated the Dairy Queen at Sanborn Corners.  In 1962 Dale began his 25 years of service at Tracy High School where he taught until his retirement in 1987.  During that time, Dale also taught on the court as head coach of the Tracy High School boy’s basketball team for 14 years and the Sanborn High School boy’s basketball team from 1977 to 1979. After his retirement, he continued as a volunteer basketball coach and advisor to the Tracy High School Girls basketball team.

Through his many years as both a teacher and a coach, Dale received recognition and awards for his accomplishments.  He founded and coached the Tracy High School Girls Tennis program, coached various sports in the 70s and 80s, served several years as Athletic Director at Tracy High School, was president of District 9 and 10 Coaches Association, was WCCO Coach of the Week numerous times, and was a 25-year member of the Minnesota State High School Coaches Association. 

Dale was also very active in his church and community.  As a member of Tracy Lutheran Church, he served as deacon, usher, delivered Meals On Wheels and bulletins.  In the community he served four years in Sanborn and twenty five years in Tracy as a volunteer on the fire departments, taught Driver Education behind the wheel for 43 years and eight years of 55 Alive AARP driving course, served two terms on Tracy City Council, and was a member of the Tracy Lions Club, serving as President and on the board of directors. He was also a member of the Tracy American Legion Post #0274 for more than 50 years.

He enjoyed watching all types of sporting events, travel, woodworking, reading, playing cards – especially cribbage, music and dancing.  Dale was an avid bowler; winning both singles and doubles honors with Whitey Engesser, bringing home many trophies, including a new car.  He had a love for telling stories, loved to laugh and kid around and an indisputably clever wit filled with kindness and love. 

In February of 2014 Dale became a resident of the Prairie View Healthcare Center in Tracy where he embraced his final days with wonder, marveling at his life and memories. Dale died surrounded by his loving family on January 8, 2015 at the age of 86 years, 11 months and 29 days.

Dale is survived by his wife, Maureen Hatch of Tracy, MN; two daughters, Deborah (Brent) Baker of Milbank, SD, and Raybecca (Duane) Fiala of Sioux Falls, SD; one son, Douglas Hatch of New Richmond, WI; seven grandchildren, Amanda (Jason) Vande Brake, Carissa (Corey) Rasmussen, Daniel Baker and fiancé, Crystal Brink; Patrick and Hayden Fiala, Halle and Madeline Hatch; four great-grandchildren, Keaton Brink, Caleb Baker, Maxwell and Lincoln Rasmussen; two nieces, Jolene Ott and Mari Jo Johnson; one nephew, Duane Hatch, and many cousins and friends.

His parents, Ray and Faye Hatch, one brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Erma Hatch preceded him in death.      

 

Thelma Johnson, 91

Funeral services for Thelma Johnson, 91, of Balaton were held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, January 12, 2015 at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Balaton. Interment followed at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, rural Balaton.  The Almlie-Horvath Funeral Service is handling the arrangements.  Online condolences may be placed at www.almliefh.com

Thelma Jane Johnson was born October 16, 1923 to Hollie and Emma (Ihnen) Keifer in Harris, IA.  She was baptized in Harris, IA and at the age of five moved with her family to a farm outside of Balaton, MN.  She was confirmed on July 31, 1938 in St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Balaton and attended country school.

As a young woman she worked as a helper for various families.  She then went to work for the Russell Creamery as a bookkeeper from 1950 until 1960. On July 20, 1960 Thelma married Norman W. Johnson in Tyler, MN and they made their home on a farm south of Balaton.  After Norman’s death in 1980, she continued to live on the farm until 1983, when she and her two children moved into Balaton.  In August of 2000 she sold her home and moved to Otsego, MN where she lived with her daughter and family until May of 2005,when she moved back to Balaton’s Lakeview Senior Living.

Thelma will be remembered as a loving and caring mother and grandmother, by her children and grandchildren, and as someone who was always willing to help where needed by her friends and church.  She was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and was active in the churches Ladies Aide.  Through the years she was also a member of Sewing Club and Flower Club.  Thelma enjoyed gardening, entertaining, playing cards, crocheting, word puzzles and was a wonderful cook.  Faith, family and friends were extremely important to her and her grandsons were her pride and joy.

In April of 2008 Thelma became a resident of the Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Balaton, where she died, Thursday, January 8, 2015 at the age of 91.

Thelma is survived by her son, Brian Johnson of Zimmerman, MN; her daughter, Stacy (Troy) Watring of Lake Villa, IL; three grandsons, Stephen Mitzner, Derek and Frank Watring; two sisters, Darlene Schultz of Marshall, MN and Joyce (Gordon) Bock of Portland, OR; two brothers, Dennis (Karen) Keifer of Tyler, MN and Wayne (Darlyn) Keifer of Shakopee, MN; sister-in-law, Donna Keifer of Tyler, MN; nieces, nephews and friends.

Her parents, Hollie and Emma, her husband, Norman, one brother, Ferd Keifer and one nephew, Dale Keifer preceded her in death.

 

     

Gladys Koppi, 95 

Gladys I. Koppi, age 95 of Mankato and formerly of Currie, MN, died Sunday, January 11, 2015 at Mayo Clinic Health System – Mankato.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 17, 2015 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in North Mankato with Fr. Paul van de Crommert, officiating.  Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. and continue until the time of the service at church.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Currie, MN at a later date. Northview ~ North Mankato Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Gladys was born March 28, 1919 to Andrew and Mable (Dahl) Swenhaugen in Shetek Township, Murray County, MN.  In 1936, Gladys was united in marriage to Leo Ackerman in Currie, MN.  Together they were blessed with three children.  Sadly, Leo died in 1941 of cancer.  Gladys was united in marriage to John Koppi in 1949 also in Currie, MN.  She worked as a cook in various restaurants throughout her life.  Gladys was a past member of IHM Catholic Church in Currie and current member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church.  She was a member of the Catholic Daughters.  Gladys was a very talented at crocheting, sewing, knitting, and embroidering.  She also enjoyed creating ceramics. 

Gladys is survived by her sons, Robert (Aljean) Ackerman and James (Joyce) Ackerman; 9 granchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 20 great-great-grandchildren; and sisters, Darlene Amundson and Delores Winter.

Gladys was preceded in death by her beloved husbands, Leo Ackerman and John Koppi; infant daughter, Geraldine; 3 sisters; and 3 brothers.