Norman Evans, 86

Norman James Evans was born February 28, 1929 to Emil and Alma (Swanson) Evans on the family farm in Lyon County, near Lynd, MN.  He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and attended Lynd Public Schools, graduating from Lynd High School in 1947.  He then farmed with his father on the family farm.

On October 18, 1952 Norman married Virginia Haas at First English Lutheran Church in Marshall, MN.  They made their home on a farm near Russell, MN.  Norman enjoyed the farm life, hunting and fishing, playing cards, gardening and planting trees.  He also was an inventor of sorts and loved spending time with family and friends.

In the fall of 2013 Norman became a resident of the Wellsted of Rogers care facility in Rogers, MN, where he died Friday, August 14, 2015 at the age of 86.

Norman is survived by his loving wife, Virginia Evans of Russell, MN; five daughters, Debra (Roger) Strom of Sioux Falls, SD, Cindy (Allen) Schmidt of Ramsey, MN, Becky Tykwinski of New Ulm, MN, Brenda (Dave) Meulebroeck of Russell, MN and Lori (Burdick) Ray of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA; eight grandchildren, Krista Schmidt, Karla (Aaron) Madsen, Brent Lenz, Dara (Alex) Nadolsky, Brandy (Markus) Buran, Nathan Ray, Brandon Ray and Bailey Ray; three great grandchildren, Tayva Madsen, Joryn Madsen and Davine Lenz; one sister, Loretta Breczinski of Marshall, MN; two sisters-in-law, Connie Evans of Andover, MN and Beverly Evans of Balaton, MN; many nieces, nephews and friends.

His parents, Emil and Alma Evans, son-in-law, Roger Tykwinski, great grandson, Lucas Lenz, five brothers, Delbert, Emil Jr., Harold, Dale and Kenneth Evans, and four sisters, Adaline Prahl, Mable Vercruysse, Luella Nelson and Mae Sanderson preceded him in death.

Pauline Hemmingsen, 86

Funeral services were held for Pauline Hemmingsen on August 20, 2015 at the Livingston-Sondermann Chapel in Grand Island, Nebraska with interment in the Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Grand Island.

Pauline Nina was born on January 29, 1929 in Walnut Grove, MN to Homer and Ruth (Addison) Fultz.  She grew up on the farm and attended Redwood county school.  In 1947, she graduated from Walnut Grove High School.

In September 1947, she was united in marriage to Alvin Hemmingsen at the Congregational Church, Walnut Grove MN.  The couple lived in Tracy, MN until moving to a farm in Merrick County Nebraska in 1951.  In 1964, they moved to Grand Island where she did the painting and varnishing for Alvin’s house building business.  After the couple divorced in 1975, Pauline began working at McCain Foods. 

Pauline Nina Hemmingsen, 86, of Grand Island died Sunday, August 16, 2015 at Tiffany Square in Grand Island.

She is survived by children:  Julene Kay of Santee, NE; Doreen King of Aurora, IL; Mark (Sharon) Hemmingsen of Grand Island; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; sister: Edna Lessman of Tracy, MN; brothers: Charles (Clara) of Hope, AK; Don (Eunice) Fultz of Shoreview, MN; and sister-in-law: Eleanor Fultz of Marshall, MN.

She was preceded in death by her former husband, Alvin; sons: Ronald Hemmingsen, Lyle Hemmingsen; brother: Bernard Fultz; and brother-in-law:  Jim Lessman.

Paul Knoblauch, 89

Paul Knoblauch age 89 of Tracy passed away Thursday, August 20, 2015 at Prairie View Senior Living in Tracy.  Private family services will be held.  Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com.  Stephens Funeral Service - Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Paul John Knoblauch was born February 24, 1926 in Iona, Minnesota to Paul and Amy (Rohmiller) Knoblauch.  He attended rural schools and graduated from Tracy High School in 1943.  Paul served in the US Army in the Pacific theater operation during WWII.  After being honorably discharged, he returned to Tracy and farmed.  Paul was active in civic affairs and served as Lyon County Commissioner for twenty years.  He was a member of the VFW and American Legion serving as Commander and Judge Advocate.  Paul enjoyed flying and traveling to Arizona.

Paul is survived by his wife Arlene; children Penny (Donald) Peterson of Lake Sarah and Loren (Tacy) Knoblauch of Tracy; 3 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, grandson Harlan, brothers Benjamin, Leo, and Fran, and sister Edna Filkins. 

Ellen Muske, 66

Ellen Marie Muske, 66, passed away on August 12, 2015 after a long battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her husband, son and daughter-in-law.

Ellen Marie Tabor was born on December 9, 1948 in Saratoga Springs, New York to Thomas and Katherine Tabor. She attended school in Saratoga Springs and Alfred University in Rochester, New York.

In 1976 Ellen married Daniel Muske in South Haven, Michigan. She held several jobs, but none more important then being a mother to sons Eric and Thomas and daughter Megan.

Ellen enjoyed painting, puzzles and many arts and crafts throughout her life.

She is survived by husband Daniel, sons Eric (Pricilla) of Tracy, Thomas of Burlington, VT, and daughter Megan (Scott) Tomestic of Springfield, MA.

Ellen is preceded in death by her parents and sister, Terry Tabor.

Memorial services will take place in Vermont at a later date.

John “Speck” Shoeman, 94

John Harold Shoeman (Speck), a long-time resident of Tracy, MN, and a recent resident of Prairie View Senior Living passed away of natural causes on August 14, 2015, at the age of 94.

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

Condolences can be sent to Judy Lichty at 180 Teepeotah Rd, Tracy, MN  56175 or Jack Shoeman at 126 146^th St SW, Lynwood WA, 98087.

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

John was a WWII Veteran and served in the Army Reserve for many years.  He recently received his 70 year patch from the American Legion.  He retired from the Post Office at age 59 and for 25 years, he and Jeanne were snowbirds in Mesa, AZ.  He continued to auction a few sales and do some surveying.  He was an active and vocal promoter of Tray and Sunlife in Mesa, a lover of morning coffee with the boys, a good story teller, a loving father and husband and a proud grand-father and great-grandfather.  He and Jeanne created many fun times at their Lake Home on Bloody Lake and made friends wherever they traveled. 

Happy be your memories of John.  In Heaven, he is singing a song and dancing the Swing with Jeanne or slow dancing to some Big Band Music.

Susan Swan, 63

Susan “Sue” Elaine Swan age 63 of Lake Shetek passed away on Sunday, August 23, 2015 at her home after a courageous battle with cancer.  Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 28 at Sillerud Lutheran Church near Balaton.  Visitation is 5:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday at the Tracy Area Funeral Home with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.  Private family burial will be at a later date in the Sillerud Lutheran Cemetery.  Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com.  Stephens Funeral Service - Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Susan Elaine Swan was born on January 1, 1952 in Tracy, MN to her parents, Ervin and Adeline Scharfe. Sue graduated from Balaton High School in 1970 and attended Abbott Northwestern Nursing School in Minneapolis, graduating in 1973. She married her high school sweetheart, Jim Swan, on July 21, 1973 at Sillerud Lutheran Church in Balaton. In 1975, Sue and Jim built a home on Lake Yankton in Balaton. The couple moved to Lamberton in 1979, where Jim worked at Meadowland Farmers Cooperative and Sue worked at Sanford Hospital in Tracy. In 2014, Jim and Sue moved to a home on Lake Shetek.

Sue was a loving and supportive daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and co-worker. She loved to help other people and had a passion for nursing. She would always lend her ear and give you great advice followed by a big hug. Sue was very talented and had a beautiful singing voice. She loved to sing and play the piano with her family. She enjoyed spending time on the lake and boating on the Mississippi River with friends. Traveling to Grand Marais for a girl’s week with her sisters had always been a highlight of the summer for her. Sue had a personality that would fill the room with love and laughter. She is loved by so many and will be greatly missed.

Sue is survived by her mother, Adeline Scharfe of Balaton; husband, Jim Swan of Slayton; daughter and son-in-law, Betsy and Curt Saffert of Springfield; her son and daughter-in-law, Craig and Renee Swan of Howell, MI; her sisters and brothers, Amy Seaton, Mary Gorman (Ray), Neal Scharfe (Robin), Jane Johnson (Ralph), Becky Schmidt (Russ), John Scharfe (Wanda), Jennifer Roepke (Scott), Sally Reese; four grandchildren, Samantha, Brody, August “Gus”, and Hunter; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her father, Ervin Scharfe; and her twin son and daughter, Benjamin James and Jamie Suzanne.