Obituaries from the week of March 17, 2004
David Anderson Jr.,
David Clarence Anderson, Jr. of Old Hickory, TN died on March 8, 2004.
David graduated from Tracy High School in 1940 and served with the 8th Air Force in England for five years. After returning to the states he served with 9th Air Force at Davin Manathon at Tuscon, AZ. He then went to Alaska with the Air Force for 13-1/2 months. After leaving the Air Force he was self-employed.
Clarence is survived by his wife, Edna, three children, Merrill, Dean and Sharon Ann; three grandsons Erik, Darrin and Brian and one granddaughter Misty Davin; twin great-grandsons and one sister Maxine; two nephews, Leonard Dent and Wayne Merlyn Anderson.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Anna, sister Virginia and brother Merlyn and niece Cheryl Ann.
Brian Buysse, 23
Mass of Christian Burial was held for Brian Buysse on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Tracy, MN. Fr. Brian Mandel officiated. Shannon Benson was organist with John Schleppenbach as cantor.
Casket bearers were John Lanoue, Travis Bitker, Travis St. Aubin, Jared Johnson, Tom Craig and Nick Johansen.
Honorary bearers were his many, many friends.
Brian Daniel Buysse was born October 27, 1980, to Daniel and Deborah (St. Aubin) Buysse in Marshall, MN, Lyon County. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Tracy, MN, and attended Tracy Public Schools. He graduated from Tracy Area High School in 1999.
Brian was very active in 4-H and the FFA program in high school, receiving the American Degree within the FFA. After high school, Brian attended Lake Area Technical Institute in Watertown, SD, for Diesel Mechanics graduating from the program in May, 2001. He worked for Hartley Trucking in Watertown for two years. In May, 2002, he began working for Olson and Johnson International in Marshall, MN as a diesel mechanic and farming with his family.
Brian loved the farm and the many related activities that came with it. He also enjoyed photography, fishing and spending time with family and friends. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Tracy.
In December 2002, Brian returned to his family's farm when his health would not allow him to work any longer. On Friday, March 12, 2004, Brian died at his home surrounded by his loving family at the age of 23.
Brian is survived by his parents, Dan and Deb Buysse of Tracy, MN; one sister, Lisa Buysse of Tracy, MN; paternal grandparents, Cyril and Sophie Buysse of Tracy, MN, and maternal grandparents, Lawrence and Judy St. Aubin of Marshall, MN; many aunts, uncles, cousins and many good friends.
His maternal grandmother, Alice St. Aubin, one infant uncle, one infant cousin and his great-grandparents preceded him in death.
Interment was in Calvary Cemetery, Tracy, MN with the Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy handling the arrangements.
Merlin Engesser, 65
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 20, 2004 for Merlin Engesser at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Tracy. Visitation will be held on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Almlie Funeral Home in Tracy with a rosary at 6 p.m. and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church.
Merlin Engesser was born March 15, 1938 to Tom and Olive (Olson) Engesser in Balaton, MN, Lyon County. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Tracy and attended Russell Public Schools, graduating from Russell High School. As a young man Merlin helped his father on the family and farm and later worked for Chuck Weisbrich at the Garvin Locker Plant in Garvin, MN.
On December 28, 1963 Merlin married Mary Rolling at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Tracy. They made their home in Waseca, MN for a short time and then returned to Garvin. He and his wife purchased the Garvin Locker plant and operated it for a number of years. They later built a home near Garvin Park.
In 1979 Merlin moved to Herford, TX and then to Conchas Dam, NM, where he worked for the Conchas Dam State Park. Merlin was a past member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus and the Conchas Dam Water Board. He enjoyed fishing, boating, fixing things, visiting with friends and playing cards.
On February 23, 2004 Merlin died at his home in Conchas Dam, NM at the age of 65.
Merlin is survived by his one son, Mark (Tanya) Engesser of Rose Creek, MN; one daughter, Margaret (Bill) Bornitz of Tracy, MN; seven grandchildren, Tracey, Mark, Tasha and Autumn Engesser and Chris, Courtney and Carter Bornitz; three brothers, Rodney (LiVina) Engesser of Omaha, NE, Milo (Carol) Engesser of Springfield, MN and Thorval (Carol) Engesser of Gary, SD; three sisters, Pat (Roy) Devos of Marshall, MN, Jaucquelin (Bill) Marquardt of Mesa, AZ and Jenice (Gordon) Moliter of Scottsdale, AZ; many nieces, nephews and cousins.
His parents, grandparents, and two sisters, Mary Dirckx and Audrey Devos preceded him in death.
Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Tracy, MN with the Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy handling the arrangements.
George Schaffer Jr., 84
Funeral services were held on Monday, March 15, 2004 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Currie for George H. Schaffer Jr. Monsignor Paul Evers officiated. Organist was Patty LeClaire with song leader LoAnn Hanson.
Pallbearers were his grandchildren.
George Schaffer was born on December 18, 1919 on a farm in Murray Township, Murray County, MN to George W. and Lillian Morin Schaffer. He grew up on the family farm and attended country school. He was drafted into the U. S. Army in 1942 and served in the Pacific Theater during WWII. Following his discharge in 1946, George returned to the family farm.
On September 7, 1948, he and Elizabeth (Betty) Daub were married at St. Ann's Church in Wabasso, MN. Following their marriage, they farmed the family farm and raised their children.
George retired from farming in 1989 and they continued to live on the acreage. Due to Parkinson's Disease, George entered the Prairie View Nursing Home in 1995. He passed away at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD on March 11, 2004 at the age of 84.
He was a life member of IHM Church in Currie. He belonged to the Currie American Legion. Farming was his life and he enjoyed drawing, woodworking, traveling and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, and many friends.
Survivors include his wife, Betty of Currie; six sons, five daughters and their spouses: Dennis and Alyce Schaffer of Courtland, MN, Mike and Nina Schaffer of Fulda, MN, Colleen and Roy Schweiss of Fairfax, MN, Rita and Paul Heller of Mankato, MN, Mary Schaffer of Minneapolis, MN, Joe Schaffer of Pipestone, MN, Duane Schaffer of Mankato, MN, Barbara and Laverne Dunsmore of Delano, MN, Paul and Jamie Schaffer of Mankato, MN, Jane Schaffer and her husband, Scott Likely of Minneapolis, MN, and Charles and Rebekuh Schaffer of St. Paul, MN; 14 grandchildren: John, Andrew and Maria Schaffer, Andrea Nachreiner, and Rebecca Schweiss, Shannon, Janine, Nicholas, Angelissa and Kristen Schaffer, Crystal and Jared Schaffer and Allen and Sarah Schaffer; four great-grandchildren: Carter and Jaedan Nachreiner, and Braydon Kopinski and Aaliyah Schaffer. Also surviving are George's brother and three sisters: Laura Busch of Slayton, Harold Schaffer and his wife, Verna of Slayton, Rosie and her husband, Floyd Pyle of Oxnard, CA and Lorraine Carlson of Garvin, MN.
He is preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister, Leona Schaffer and three sisters, Louise Jens, Lila Shafer and Alice Buse.
Interment was at Calvary Cemetery, Currie, MN. Military honors accorded by the Currie Legion Post. The Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton handled the arrangements.