Remember When

Excerpts from past Tracy newspapers June 2, 1955 — Mrs. Gerald Ruppert, 19, of Currie and former telephone operator in the Tracy office, was killed instantly early Sunday morning 1-1/2 miles north of Currie when the car in which she was riding with her husband crashed with one driven by Roger Engler, 22, of Anoka. The accident occurred at 2 a.m. at the District No. 50 rural school corner as the Rupperts were returning to their home in Currie after a visit to the Vincent Morin farm a short distance from the Shetek state park. John Malone, a passenger in the Ruppert car, suffered a fractured leg.

Obituaries: Joe Lord, Owczarak, LeMoyne Perry

June 3, 1965 — A former Tracyite, Joseph L. Guimond of Yankton, SD, was honored at a testimonial banquet in that city last Thursday night for helping rescue a child from a burning home last summer. He was cited for “initiative, courage and effective action” in rescuing Corinne Herrlein during a fire in her Yankton home on June 8, 1964.

Obituaries: Mrs. Henry Luttmer, Mrs. Henry Cohrs

May 29, 1975 — The last of 13 children of Mr. and Mrs. Ted Larson, who farm southeast of Tracy, was among the graduates to receive diplomas from Tracy high school at commencement exercises. Lucinda was the last member of the family to graduate. She was honored at a reception following graduation on Sunday. All her brothers and sisters, except two, attended the reception along with many other relatives and friends. Two of Lucinda’s brothers. Don of Montana and David of Frazee, were unable to attend. Obituaries: Arlie Gleason, Maude Cline

May 30, 1985 — Mike and Ruth Schaller, formerly of Stacy, have assumed ownership of the Red Owl store. The couple said they like Tracy and are impressed with the friendliness shown to them in their first days in town.

Obituaries: Jens Thirstrup, James Baack, Joe Johnson

May 31, 1995 — Authorities recovered the body of an Omaha, Nebraska man early Tuesday night. The apparent drowning victim was identified as Kurt Forsee, 25. Searchers spent most of Tuesday dragging the southeast corner of Shetek after Forsee was reported missing at 7:04 a.m. Tuesday. Forsee was fishing alone Monday when he disappeared. Forsee’s watercraft was found Tuesday morning. The search focused on the area between the Shetek State Park swimming beach and Loon Island. The body was recovered from nine feet of water at about 6:30 p.m. Forsee’s parents have a cabin in Forman Acres. Obituaries: James Bitker, Jerome Pearson, Lucine Jensen, Laurea Diekmann, Burton Willford, Roy Carlson, Francis Zupfer, Cynthia Ann Rialson June 22, 2005 — Accolades for Dr. Wilfredo Apostol Friday night were as numerous as the scores of babies that he delivered during a 31-year career in Tracy. So many tributes were given to the retiring Tracy physician, that the June 17 program nearly ended without an announcement of Dr. Apostol’s highest honor. The Minnesota Rural Health Association has selected Dr. Apostol for its 2005 “Health Hero” award. “We’re very proud of Dr. Apostol for getting this statewide recognition. It is very much deserved, “ said Carol Cooreman, Tracy Area Medical Services community relations representative.

Obituaries: Vivian Johnson, Leona Porter, Dean Burnham, Luverne Burnham

June 3, 2015 — Fifth graders who’d never met Marge Robinson clamored over the new playground bench like explorers searching for the Holy Grail. The veteran Tracy Elementary teacher would have appreciated the students’ energy. The Fine Arts Council of Tracy installed a new bench at the school playground in memory of Robinson, who taught fifth grade at Tracy Elementary from 1954 to 1993. She helped organize the arts council in 2000, and was its president for many years. Mrs. Robinson died in January of 2013 at the age of 82.