Betty Abernethy, 88

Betty Jean Abernethy, age 88 of Burnsville, formerly of Tracy, MN passed away September 18, 2016. Funeral Service will be held Friday, September 23, 2016, 11 a.m. at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (13901 Fairview Dr.) Burnsville. Visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment: Ft. Snelling. Memorials preferred to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville, MN or Tracy Lutheran Church Building fund, Tracy, MN.  A complete obituary will be printed next week.

Doris (Maas) Grinde, 89

Doris (Maas) Grinde, 89, formerly of Walnut Grove and Tracy, passed away on Saturday, September 17, 2016 at the Welstead of Rogers in Rogers, Minnesota.  Funeral Services will be 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 24, 2016 at Tracy Lutheran Church in Tracy.  Visitation will be from 5 – 8 PM on Friday at the Almlie-Horvath Funeral Home in Tracy with a prayer service at 7:30 PM.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.  Interment will be in the Johnsonville Lutheran Cemetery.  Online condolences may be placed at www.almlie-horvath.com.  The Almlie-Horvath Funeral Home in Tracy is caring for the family.

Doris was born on April 2, 1927, to Adolph and Mabel (Fester) Halvorson in rural Lamberton, Minnesota.  Doris was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith at Highwater Lutheran Church and graduated from Lamberton High School in 1945.  Doris attended Minnesota School of Business and worked in Minneapolis for several years.  In October 1950, she was united in marriage to Paul J. Maas.  They made their home on a farm north of Walnut Grove, Minnesota.  Doris and Paul were blessed with three children, Charles (Theresa) Maas, Kevin (Madonna) Maas of Sartell, Minnesota and Becky (James) Girard of Maple Grove, Minnesota and six grandchildren: Kelsey Maas of Sartell, Minnesota; Melissa Maas, Bridget Maas, Erik Maas of Sartell, Minnesota and Paul Girard and Jenna Girard of Maple Grove, Minnesota.   Doris and Paul shared 26 years of marriage before Paul’s death in November of 1976.

In December of 1980, Doris married Vernon E. Grinde at Tracy Lutheran Church.  They made their home in Tracy, Minnesota.   Doris was blessed to gain Vernon’s three children: Katherine (Rick Parkin) of Bellevue, Washington; Todd (Patti) Grinde of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota; and Lee Grinde of Westbrook, Minnesota, five grandchildren: Andy Grinde of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota; Katie (Robb) Johnson of Stacy, Minnesota; Jason (Sharon) Parkin of Newcastle, Washington; Erik Parkin and Kristen Parkin of Bellevue, Washington, and five great-grandchildren: Lauren and Drew Grinde of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, Landen and Emersyn Johnson of Stacy, Minnesota and Cora Parkin of Newcastle, Washington.  Doris and Vernon shared 34 years of marriage before Vernon’s death in January of 2015.

Doris proudly served as the Postmaster in Tracy, MN from 1987 to 1992.  Doris was a strong and independent individual with an appreciation and understanding of financial matters.  Even in her failing health, she was interested and engaged in business discussions.  Her children will remember Doris as a strong, intelligent and proud parent who was tireless in supporting and guiding her family.  Her sense of humor was keen and just a touch dry.

Doris is preceded in death by her parents, Adolph and Mabel Halvorson, her first husband, Paul Maas, her son, Charles Maas, her second husband, Vernon Grinde, brother, Leonard Halvorson, sisters, Amanda Nerem, Irene Logue, and Amy Sackett, as well as several other beloved family members. 

Doris is survived by her son (Kevin) and daughter (Becky), grandchildren (Kelsey, Melissa, Bridget, Erik, Paul and Jenna) and by her siblings Ed Halvorson of Mesa, Arizona, Darlene Kling of Lamberton Minnesota and Marilyn (Dale) Plugge of Columbus, Nebraska.

Mary Ellen Lavoie, 78

Mary Ellen Lavoie, 78, of Tracy, MN passed away on Friday, September 16, 2016 at Avera Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall.  Funeral services will be 2:00 PM on Thursday, September 22, 2016 at Tracy United Methodist Church in Tracy.  Visitation will be 4-8 PM on Wednesday at the Almlie-Horvath Funeral Home in Tracy with a prayer service at 7:00 PM.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.  Interment will be in Lakeside Cemetery in Balaton.  Online condolences may be placed at www.almlie-horvath.com.  The Almlie-Horvath Funeral Home in Tracy is caring for the family.

Mary Ellen Mae (Likness) Lavoie was born on April 30, 1938 to Theodore and Mary (Mortland) Likness on the family farm near Lake Wilson.  She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Ellsborough Lutheran Church, rural Balaton, and attended country school. 

On October 9, 1954, Mary Ellen was united in marriage to Ronald Lavoie.  The couple lived and raised their family in the local area where Mary Ellen was a housewife, babysitter, and helped on the family farm.  She was also a member of Tracy United Methodist Church.

Mary Ellen enjoyed fishing, cooking, baking, playing cards, embroidery, painting, taking care of children, re doing upholstery, and spending time with her family and friends.

On Friday, September 16, 2016, Mary Ellen passed away at the Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall at the age of 78.

She is survived by her children,  Avis Hasert (and Bruce) of Minneota, Bonnie (and Leroy) Goetsch of Bellingham, Brian Lavoie (and Teresa Bautista-Tec) of Tracy, Russell (and Melinda) Lavoie of Gainsville, FL, Maria Lavoie of Madison, Bobbi Lavoie of Tracy, Mark Lavoie of Tracy, Ashley (and Darrell) Allen of Marshall, Alicia Lavoie of Tracy, Kalsey Jones of Tracy and Kaila Jones of Marshall, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sisters, Ardith Hoffbeck, Adel Cook, and Karen Barrett, sister-in-law, Pam Likness; and numerous extended family.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ronald, her parents, and one brother, Orvin Likeness.

Blessed be her memory.

Andrew Lee, 57

Andrew Norman Lee, age 57, of Grand Rapids MN, passed away Saturday, August 27, 2016 at Essentia Health-St Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth MN.

Andrew was born in 1959 to Norman and Mary Ellen Lee in Tracy, MN.  He was a track star at Tracy High School and held numerous records. He attended St Cloud Vocational College where he received an Associate’s Degree in printing.   He put those skills to use at Gesme’s Printing in Marshall MN until he started his own print shop, Sky Printing.  Later, Andrew became the executive director for Mainstay, a service for displaced homemakers.  The importance of these careers paled in Andrew’s eyes as he considered himself a musician first and foremost. Music was his driving passion.

Andrew was a loving and caring husband and father. He was a grill-master and loved to make people laugh at every opportunity. He loved all animals but especially kitties. His goal in life was to live, laugh, and love every day. He succeeded.  

Preceding him in death were his parents; son, Michael Lee; and brother, Thomas Lee.

Andrew is survived by his wife, Melody; daughter, Gabbrielle (Kyle Ritter) Lee of Minneapolis MN; step-son, Aaron (Andrea) Hess of Marshall MN; three sisters, Jennifer (Tim Grady) Lee of Watertown MN, Sara Wessling of Florham Park NJ; and Martha Lofton of St. Paul MN;  mother-in-law and father-in law Edward & LaVonne Walters of Effie, MN, brother-in-law and sister-in-law James & Kristal Rutledge of Hibbing; two step-grandchildren, Aiden and Mickey Hess; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation, food & fellowship will be on Friday, September 30, 2016 from 1 p.m. until the 2 p.m. Celebration of Life Service at Rowe Funeral Home in Grand Rapids MN.

Arrangements by Rowe Funeral Home of Grand Rapids, MN.

To sign the online guestbook or send condolences visit www.rowefuneralhomeand crematory.com