Andrew Daniels, 82

 

Andrew Donovan Daniels age 82 of Tracy passed away Thursday, May 5, 2016 at his home surrounded by family after a courageous battle with an extended illness.  Memorial services will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 14 at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Marshall.  Visitation was 4:00-8:00 p.m. Monday, May 9 at the Tracy Area Funeral Home.  Burial will be at a later date in the Tracy Cemetery.  Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com.  Stephens Funeral Service - Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Andrew Donovan Daniels was born November 25, 1933 on the family farm near Clear Lake in Shetek Township, Murray County, Minnesota to Azro and Della (Greenman) Daniels.  He was named after Dr. A. D. Hoidale who delivered him.  Their house burned down when Andy was four and the family moved into Tracy.  Andy attended Shetek country school and graduated from Tracy High School in 1951.  He enlisted in the Army in January 1953.  Andy was stationed in Fort Bragg, NC, and served as an Army paratrooper with the 82^nd Airborn Division.  While in the Army, he married Shirley Van Avermaet on June 13, 1955 in Tracy.  Andy was honorably discharged in 1956.  He worked for the city street department and farmed north of Garvin for several years.  Andy was baptized on October 15, 1959 in Brookings, South Dakota. 

In 1962 he began working for NSP Power Company and worked for them for nearly 30 years.  Andy was happiest when he was with his family and when he was on his hobby farm.  Andy truly enjoyed tinkering with his toys and fixing things that were broken.  He will be missed by many.  His children and family look forward to seeing him on earth very soon.  Andy was a member of the Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Marshall.  He enjoyed fishing, hunting, anything mechanical, and working on his hobby farm.  Andy received his pilot’s license and loved flying his own private plane.  He was a great story teller and had a great sense of humor and great wit.  Andy loved children and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. 

Andy is survived by his wife Shirley; children: Barry (Nancy) of New Ulm, Vicki (Keith) Hanson of Hudson, WI, Joel (Hope) of Marshall, Neil (Shelley) of Balaton, David (Becky) of Marshall, Andrea (Doug) Bosacker of Monticello, Mark (Mary) of Monticello, Kim (Dona) of Tracy, Dana (Rick) Kjerstad of Elizabeth, CO, and Kelli (Mark) Billman of Denver, CO; 22 grandchildren; 21 great children with 2 on the way; siblings Amos (Jeri) Daniels and Betty Pool; and many other relatives and friends. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Edward and Archie, and sisters Evelyn, Nellie, and Irene.

 

Dale Fischer, 83

 

Dale Fischer age 83 of Tracy passed away Friday, May 6, 2016 at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls.  Memorial services was held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 9 at the Tracy Area Funeral Home.  Burial was in the Tracy City Cemetery.  Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com.  Stephens Funeral Service - Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Dale Curtis Fischer was born June 15, 1932 in Tracy, Minnesota to Fredrick and Ada (Brantner) Fischer.  He grew up on the Fischer farm and graduated from Tracy High School in 1951.  Dale enlisted in the United States Air Force July 7, 1951 and served in Korea.  He continued working with radar and computer systems after his discharge for Douglas Aircraft, CA.  His career continued as a computer maintenance and repair technician and instructor for Remington, Rand/Univac in Utica, NY.  Dale’s career required frequent travels to many destinations around the globe.  He frequently traveled to London, Rome, Paris, Cairo, Singapore, Tokyo, Moscow, and Shanghai, to name a few.  Dale was also an avid hunter and fisherman following his passion through the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Dale is survived by his brother Larry (Margie) Fischer of Tracy; and two nephews and one niece and their families: Dean (Joan) Fischer of Crooks, SD, Brad (Brittany) Fischer of Hot Springs, SD, and Heidi (Mike) Heppler of Sioux Falls, SD. 

He is preceded in death by his parents.

 

Lila Harnack, 92

 

Celebration of Life was held for Lila Harnack, 92, on Saturday, May 7, 2016 at the United Methodist Church in Lamberton, MN.  Pastor Homer Dobson officiated.   Organist was Dolly Hewitt.

Lila Mae Harnack was born on February 11, 1924, in Tracy, Minnesota to the late Harrison and Hazel (Coulter) Royer and. She was baptized in Lamberton, Minnesota and received her early education in Wanda, Minnesota before graduating from Lamberton High School in the Class of 1943.

On October 23, 1946, Lila was united in marriage to Eugene Roy Harnack at the Church of Christ in Lamberton. This marriage was blessed with two sons, Tom and Jim. In 1950, Lila and Gene moved to Revere for ten years and then to Tracy until 1972 when they moved to Windom and lived ever since. Through the years, Lila worked at the Farmers and Merchant Bank in Lamberton and then Brix Drug and then at the State Bank in Windom before retiring in 1995 after fifty-years in the profession. After retiring, Lila and Gene had many good years together and loved vacationing in northern Minnesota.

Lila recently became a resident of Pine View Assisted Living in Windom until being hospitalized at the Windom Area Hospital in Windom. She passed away there on Saturday evening, April 30, 2016, with her family at her side, at the age of 92 years.

Lila was a longtime, dedicated member of the Church of Christ in Lamberton where she was very involved in church activities from teaching, Bible and Sunday school for many years, to leading music with piano and organ talents for fifty years. Lila will be remembered for her love of life and always being there for others. Her greatest enjoyment came from being with family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Lila is survived by her husband of sixty-nine years, Eugene Harnack of Windom; two sons and their spouses, Tom (Renee) Harnack of Windom; Jim (Dawn) Harnack of Des Moines, IA; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, Jason Harnack; Lindsay (Toren) Bires and their daughter, Ashlyn Lila; Amy (Toby) Perdue and their children, Kylie and Carlie Mae; Eric (Tonya) Harnack; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Lila is preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Russell, Vernon, Kenneth, and Donald Coulter and one sister, Dolores Coulter-Anderson.

Interment was in the Lamberton City Cemetery, Lamberton, MN. Arrangements were under the care of LaCanne Family Funeral Service and Aqua-Green Cremation of Windom.

Condolences can be sent online to www.lacannefuneralhome.com.

 

Glenn Larson, 63

 

Glenn Larson age 63 of Balaton passed away Monday, May 2, 2016 at his home.  Funeral services were held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 5, 2016 at Victory Christian Church in Balaton.   Burial was in Zion Cemetery, rural Balaton.  Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com.  Stephens Funeral Service - Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Glenn Everette Larson was born August 31, 1952 to Floyd and Joyce Larson, who raised Glenn and his sister, Loretta, in a Christian home.  Glenn was taught the Bible and the Love of God by his parents, grandparents, aunts, and many devoted Sunday School teachers at Zion Lutheran Church in rural Balaton.  At the age of 13, Glenn accepted the work done by Jesus Christ on the cross and committed his life to Christ at a Billy Graham movie altar call.  He graduated from Balaton High School in 1970, then moved to Jackson to attend vocational school plumbing class; he graduated in 1971. 

In the fall of 1970, he met the love of his life, Karen Rowe, and they were married in August 1973.  Their love was deep and truly God made the two of them one.  Glenn and Karen lived and worked in the Jackson, MN/Spirit Lake, IA area where Glenn worked as a master plumber with several attempts at business in that area.  In 1981 they moved to Balaton and started and successfully operated Glenn Larson Plumbing and Repair.  That business was later dissolved to focus his attention on their new adventure, Enviro Pump Plus Inc.  That business continues today.  Glenn’s love for the Lord continued in and through Victory Christian Church radiating to his wife, children, grandchildren, family, friends, and the church.  He loved working with his hands and could make or do almost anything.  He loved making something new out of recycled, reclaimed, and repurposed material.  Glenn’s words of wisdom to the future generations would be to commit to the Lord, Love the Lord, and dream big because we serve a big God who is full of love and is always able to do great things.

Glenn is survived by his wife Karen of over 42 years of marriage; children: Jessica and Keith Whitmore of Douglassville, PA, Elizabeth and Christopher Hoff of Balaton, and Joshua “Gunnar” and Sara Larson of Brooklyn, NY; five grandchildren: Korrigan and Cade Whitmore, Willow, Bella, and “Little Acorn” Hoff due in July, and Ihlen Larson; father Floyd Larson of Balaton; sister Loretta (David) Aljoe of Bloomington; sister-in-law Nancy Rowe and Lem Genovese of LaCrosse, WI; brother-in-law Jim (Glenda) Rowe of Jackson; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

He is preceded in death by his mother Joyce Larson, grandson Aidan Whitmore, and father and mother-in-law Bud and Bertha Rowe. 

Blessed be his memory and blessed be the inheritance to his family of his love and devotion to Jesus Christ.  Glory to God in life and death. 

 

Leon “Buster”  Pommier, 92

 

Memorial service was held for Leon “Buster” Joseph Pommier at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Currie, MN on Saturday, May 7, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. with Monsignor R. Paul Heiting officiating.  The organist was Patty LeClarie.  The song leader was Hollie Pommier.  Interment was at Slayton Memorial Gardens in Slayton, MN.  Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangements.  To send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com

Buster Pommier was born on September 10, 1923 on the family farm south of Currie, Minnesota to Albert and Mary Ruppert Pommier. In 1928 the family moved into Currie.  Buster graduated from Immaculate Heart of Mary High School in 1941.  Buster enlisted in the United States Army on March 9, 1945 and served in the Philippines.  Following his honorable discharge on June 25, 1946 he returned to Currie. 

On September 8, 1949 he and Dora Mae Ackerman were married at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Currie.  Following their marriage they farmed southeast of Currie and raised their five children.  In 1979 Buster started driving school bus for the Tracy School District. In 1989 Buster retired from farming but they remained on the farm.  In 1993 he retired from driving school bus.  In 2009 they moved to Trail Ridge Senior Living in Sioux Falls, SD. 

In 2015 Buster became a resident of the Prairie View Senior Living in Tracy, MN.  He passed away there on Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at the age of 92. 

He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Currie.  He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Order of Foresters and the Currie American Legion Post.  Buster served as Murray County Township Clerk for 24 years.  He enjoyed going on trips with the Minnwest Prime Timers, playing cards, reading, crossword puzzles and jig saw puzzles.

Survivors include his wife, Dora Mae Pommier of Woodbury, MN; his five children and their spouses, Gregory and Sandy Pommier of Currie, MN, Vickie and Rodney Kuhl of Rumford, ME, Kevin and Kathy Pommier of Florence, SD, Rex and Deb Pommier of Harrisburg, SD, and Lisa Swanson of Maplewood, MN; ten grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two siblings, Joyce Elliot of Crown Point, IN, and A. Wayne Pommier of Dundas, MN and several niece and nephews and their families. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, three siblings and their spouses, Lorraine and Donald Carlson, Dolores and Fil Everert, and Jeanne and Keith Stanton, and one brother-in-law, Charles “Chuck” Elliot.

 

Charles Reinert, 76

 

Charles “Chuck” Reinert age 76 of Tracy passed away Friday, May 6, 2016 at Sanford Tracy Hospital.  Memorial services will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 11 at Tracy United Methodist Church, with fellowship and lunch immediately following.  Burial will be in Tracy City Cemetery.  Memorials to a charity of the donor’s choice are preferred in lieu of flowers in honor of Chuck’s Pay It Forward tradition.  Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com.  Stephens Funeral Service - Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Charles Peter Reinert, ND, PHD, CHt, EFT-ADV, BT P.I.T, was born May 23, 1939 to Ervin V. & Lucille M. (Peterson) Reinert in Tracy, MN.  He was the third child with two older sisters Joyce and Jacqueline and one younger sister Kaye.  Early on, his passions included fascination with ham radios, helping his dad on the farm and beekeeping, and then playing the clarinet in the band.  The passion for radios and tinkering developed into a college aptitude and a desire to quest for explanation to our universe and all of its mysteries, and ventured into Physics.  He graduated Tracy High School in 1957.  He started at the University of Minnesota and graduated with his B.S. in Physics in 1961 and his Masters in Science in 1963 and his PHD in 1969.  He moved to Las Vegas to start his teaching career in Physics before moving back to become a Physics professor at Southwest State University in Marshall, MN where he taught up until 1998 when he “retired”.  He also was a beekeeper by heritage and spent the summers training his children and community kids in the trade as well.  He spent many years tending to the hives which of course led to more friendships, especially from the great state of South Dakota.  But, he eventually realized that life was not about navigating the mysteries of the physical and theoretical world but of people within themselves.  Chuck always felt the pull to help and heal and could not stop himself from trying to find answers where modern medicine had not yet been.  He explored many treatments and modalities and had his Naturopathy degree.  He made many friends and met so many people with so many different stories.  He opened his Helping to Heal Clinic in 2003.   He also spent his recent spare time (spare time was never much spent sitting except for a nap here and there!) entertaining nursing home residents and the like with his renewed love of music and singing.  His family will forever have his voice and songs to remember him by.  He was a Master Mason, a position he enjoyed and shared with his beloved son Pete.  Throughout he lived and loved.  He made time for his family and whatever anyone needed, whoever they were; a friend or a stranger (although never a stranger for long!), he would give his shirt off his back.  He found love and happiness in his life which was not perfect each time until he got it just right. 

He married Judy Geegh in 1968 and born from that love was Peter and Jennifer.  He married Caryl Keith in 1981 and born from that love was Charly and shared in that love was Michael and Michelle.   Then, he met and fell in love with his true soul mate and married the love of his life Lois in 1991. Shared in that love was Joseph and Nicholas.  Chuck then extended his love to all his grandchildren.  Lois and Chuck enjoyed nature walks together, canoeing, gardening, canning and salsa.  The truth is, Chuck was always into something interesting and fun.  If it wasn’t fun, it probably wasn’t worth doing.   He wanted everyone to remember the stories and laughter and the good times and to know he is in a better place where the sun is shining, the flowers are blooming and the bees are bringing in the best honey around.  We hope he has now found all the answers he was seeking and we will see him on the other side. 

Charles was preceded in death by his father Ervin, his mother Lucille, his daughter Jennifer, and his younger sister Kaye.

He is survived by his wife Lois; son Peter Reinert; daughter Charly (Patrick) Stansbery; step-sons Joseph (Melissa) Pallansch, Nicholas (Teresa) Pallansch, Michael (Laurie) Keith; step-daughter Michelle (Perrie Garland) Keith; beloved grandchildren Hannah, Eirik, Evan, Frija, Keegan, Katrina, Cayley, Morgan, Lucy, and Chase; and siblings Jacqueline (Harold) Deal and Joyce (Walt) Fusty; and many other relatives and good friends.

 “I was a sailor, I was born on the tide, and with the sea I did abide. I sailed a schooner round the horn to Mexico.  I went aloft and furled the mansail in a blow.  And when the yards broke off, they say that I got killed.  But I am living still…I’ll always be around and around and around…And I’ll be back again…”

 

Paul Ray Ruppert, 61

 

Paul Ray Ruppert was born on September 12, 1954, and grew up on his family’s farm near Currie, MN, the oldest of six children. He attended Immaculate Heart of Mary school in Currie for grades K-8 and Tracy High School in Tracy, MN for grades 9-12. After graduating in 1972, he attended Mankato State University in Mankato, MN, then served in the U.S. Army as a medic, stationed in Germany. Following his discharge, Paul returned to Currie to farm, and it was during that time he learned that helicopters were being used for chemical application to crops. His father helped him buy his first helicopter, and for 21 years Paul worked as a helicopter pilot in aerial application.

Never one to resist a new challenge, Paul transitioned to the power line construction industry, where helicopters were being used for completion of numerous tasks. He worked for 15 years in that industry — one in which he was well-known and respected, not only for his precision flying skills but also for his strong commitment to safety and his ability to successfully train power line helicopter pilots and linemen how to work safely as a team.

Paul had a tough exterior, befitting a man whose job required him to hold others’ lives in his hands. But those who knew him best appreciated him for his kind heart, humility, sense of humor, and generosity toward friends and strangers alike. In addition to flying helicopters, he loved music, reading, art, motorcycling, hiking, bicycling, dining out, and exploring small towns. Additional interests included woodworking, photography, stained glass, cooking, gardening, and spending time with friends.

On Wednesday, May 4, 2016, Paul passed away as the result of a helicopter crash and will be sadly missed by all those who loved him and whose lives he touched.

He is survived by his beloved mother Dorothy Ruppert of Currie, MN; his life partner Linda Linssen of Madison, WI; daughters Eryn Ruppert of Vista, CA and Anna Ruppert of Colorado Springs, CO; grandchildren Plato Ruppert of Vista, CA and Luna Barreras of Colorado Springs, CO; siblings Karl (Kim) Ruppert of Currie, MN; Rebecca (Francis) Biesanz of Sleepy Eye, MN; Matt (Tammy) of Mound, MN; Ramona Ruppert (Rebecca) of Minneapolis, MN; and Jody (Kent) Shaw of Colorado Springs, CO; dozens of nieces, nephews, and cousins; and his aviation family and friends from around the world.

Paul was preceded in death by his father, Raymond Ruppert, his lifelong hero and role model. At the time of his death, Paul lived in Madison, WI with Linda.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in Paul’s name to the charity of your choice or to one of the following:

American Diabetes Organization in honor of Paul’s daughter Anna, who lives with Type 1 diabetes.

Hogs for Heroes, a nonprofit organization dedicated to healing the mental and physical wounds suffered by veterans during the course of active duty through the therapeutic benefits of owning and riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, which provides financial assistance to career musicians struggling to make ends meet while facing illness, disability, or age-related issues.

 

Marjorie Snow, 94

 

Marjorie Lorraine Snow died May 4, 2016 at Bronson Hospital after a brief illness. She was born August 19, 1921 in Tracy, Minnesota, the eldest child of Dale and Mayme Phillips Donaldson.

Marge graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BS degree in Dental Hygiene and from Western Michigan University with a BS degree in Education and an MA degree in Behavioral Psychology. She began her career as a Dental Hygienist in Sioux Falls, S.D. It was there that she met Herbert Snow who was a Staff Sergeant in the Army stationed there during World War II. They married on May 8, 1943. Soon following were the birth of a daughter Sharon Dayle (Brignall) and twin sons Richard Michael and David Spencer.

They had relocated by then to Kalamazoo where Herb worked for the Kalamazoo Public Schools and Marge began a career in Dental Hygiene after the children began school. She began as an employee of the Kalamazoo County Health Department and later in the Kalamazoo Public Schools administering sodium fluoride and examining the oral hygiene, occlusion and caries rates of second, fifth and eighth grade students. It was during this 20-year stretch when Marge discovered children with articulating problems and the link with tongue thrusting. After screening thousands of children, the concept of malocclusion and its relationship to upper respiratory disease became too evident to ignore.

She took a week-long seminar on Orofacial Myology and became certified by the International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM). She then focused her career on the long-term stabilization of the neuromuscular changes necessary to establish long-term stability of orafacial structures. From 1972 through 1991 Marge taught Dental Hygiene at Kalamazoo Valley Community College and it was there that she introduced the students and the community to Orofacial Myology. The KVCC Dental Hygiene program became well known for implementing programs which exposed students to allied fields, thus providing a well-rounded education. She also maintained a private practice during this period.

Preceding Marge in death were her parents, husband Herbert (2004), son-in-law James Brignall and sister Marian Johnson.

Surviving to cherish her memory are daughter Sharon Brignall, son Richard Snow (fiancé Patty), son David Snow(Jean), brother Richard Donaldson, sister Phyllis Brothers, grandchildren Jonathan Brignall (Christine), Matthew Brignall, Scott Snow, Jeffrey Snow, B.J. Snow (Lindsay), Kristen Gonyeau (Paul) as well as 13 great grandchildren.

Friends may visit with the family from 12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 10th at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th St., where the funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. Pastor Kayle Rice will officiate. Private interment will take place in Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the KVCC Foundation, 6767 West O Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49003.

Allan Willhite, 67

Allan Dean Willhite, 67, of Tracy, passed away on Friday, May 6, 2016 at the Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  No services are planned at this time. The Almlie-Horvath Funeral Home in Tracy is caring for the family.