Dennis Johnson, 68

Dennis Lee Johnson died unexpectedly as a result of a  tractor accident on September 22, 2015 in Prairie Farms, Wisconsin.  Memorial services will be held in Minneapolis with burial at Common Grounds Retreat Center in Prairie Farms, WI.

Dennis was born April 20, 1947 in Hollywood California.  He graduated from Notre Dame High School, was honorably discharged from the army as a Lieutenant and attended San Fernando Valley State College in Northridge CA.  He traveled extensively in a handmade Trimaran ocean sailing vessel he built himself.  Since spending his summers in Tracy he took up golf and loved playing the game. He spent his winters in Saipan where in years past he was captain of Saipan Sunset Cruises.  Denny lived a simple life free of materialist belongings with a love for the environment and everything and everyone in it.

He is preceded in death by his father Merle.

Survivors include his mother Clara Andrews of Tracy, special friend Da of Saipan, many cousins and a host of friends.

Mary Nackerud, 85

Mary Ellen Nackerud, 85 of Hastings, NE, passed away Thursday, September 17, 2015, at Mary Lanning Healthcare, Hastings, NE.  After defeating cancer 11 years ago, it returned to claim her life.

Memorial services were held Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hastings with Pastor Joel Remmers officiating.  Burial was in Parkview Cemetery, Hastings.  Memorials may be given to First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.  Private condolences may be sent to the family at www.lbvfh.com.  Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home and Cremation Center assisted the family.

Mary Ellen Hefte Nackerud was born September 16, 1930 in Tracy, MN grew up and graduated from high school in Tracy.  She met the love of her life, Norman, while in high school and they were married on June 4, 1948.  Their marriage of 67 years has been a blessing and example to her entire family.  Home has been Hastings for 43 years after many wonderful moves with Norman’s banking career, including Montana and Minnesota.

Mary Ellen was a woman of many talents and varied interests.  She loved painting, needlepoint, knitting and gardening; planting new bulbs and flowers every year.  Her best and favorite talent was being a mother.  She is a longstanding member of Chapter G PEO, enjoyed her birthday club, and was part of Stephen’s Ministry at First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hastings.  Mary Ellen’s family was extremely important to her and she cherished them all.

Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her parents Laurence and Luella Hefte.

Survivors include husband, Norman G. Nackerud of Hastings; children and spouses, David and Leslie Nackerud of Minneapolis, MN, Larry Nackerud of Athens, GA, Luanne and Bill Asbury of Colorado Springs, CO, Kathryn and Jeff Iverson of Sioux Falls, SD, Alan and Mary Nackerud of Littleton, CO; grandsons, 7; granddaughters, 3; sisters Eileen Rehkamp, Beverly Taylor, Kathryn Van Alstine, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Terry and Joan Nackerud of Buffalo, MN and Doug and Sue Nackerud of Tracy, MN.