Obituaries from the week of October 5, 2005

 Lyle Christians, 56

Memorial services were held on Sunday, October 2, 2005 for Lyle Christians at the Almlie Funeral Home in Balaton, MN. Rev. Fair Meeks officiated. Soloists was Julie Erickson with Donald Swanjord as organist.

Lyle Jean Christians was born December 31, 1948 to Harris J. and Mavis (Johnson) Christians in Sibley, IA. He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and attended Balaton Public School, graduating in 1967 from Balaton High School.

In 1969 Lyle married Linda Hagberg and they made their home in Balaton. He worked for the Balaton Creamery for two years and then moved to Loveland, CO, where he worked for a concrete company as a dispatcher.

He enjoyed fishing, boating on Horseshoe Lake in Fort Collins, Co and spending time with family and friends. On September 14, 2005 Lyle died at the Ft. Collins Hospital at the age of 56.

Lyle is survived by his mother, Mavis Christians of Balaton, MN; one son, Kyl (Carol) Christians of Fort Collins, CO; one daughter, Stacie Hahn of Fort Collins, CO; one granddaughter, Kylie Hahn; one brother, Jerry (Deb) Christians of Bonsall, CA; three sisters, Mary Arvidson of Bonsall, CA, Lena (Duane) Wheeler of Balaton, MN and Darnell Engholm of Bonsall, CA; special friend, Jaque Bloss of Fort Collins, CO; four nieces and four nephews.

His father, Harris, one brother, Marvin and many uncles and aunts preceded him in death.

Interment was in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Balaton, MN with the Almlie Funeral Home of Balaton handling the arrangements.

Jermone J. Gladis, 63

Jerome J. Gladis, age 63, of the Sodus Township, passed away of cancer at the Sioux Valley Hospital on Monday, October 3, 2005. Funeral services will be 1 p.m., Friday, October 7, 2005 at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Marshall. Burial will be in the Tracy City Cemetery.

Visitation will be 4 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday with a prayer service at 7 p.m.. at the Hamilton Funeral Home, Marshall. Visitation will continue Friday, one hour prior to the service.

Arlene Larson, 80

Funeral services were held on Sunday, October 2, 2005 for Arlene Larson of Tracy and formerly of Walnut Grove, at English Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove.

Arlene Myrtle Larsen (Brokke) was born October 19, 1924 to Ole and Mary (Carlson) Brokke at Estiline, SD. Arlene’s family moved to the Garvin, MN area and later to the Tracy, MN area where she attended school and was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.

On August 30, 1942 Arlene married Darrel F. Larsen at the English Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove, MN. Arlene and Darrel celebrated their 63rd anniversary August 2005. Arlene was a wonderful wife, homemaker, and mother, raising two sons, Larry and Randy. Arlene and Darrel made their home on a farm four miles southwest of Walnut Grove for 52 years. In 1993 they moved to and made their home in Tracy, MN. On March 27, 2003 Arlene entered the Tracy Nursing Home. Arlene also entered the Windom, Minnesota Nursing Home for four months in 2004 with some special care needs. In May of 2004 she returned to the Tracy Nursing Home.

Arlene and Darrel enjoyed traveling with their 5th wheel camper. They traveled to many states and enjoyed winters in Arizona. They enjoyed taking their grandchildren camping. Arlene worked at the Red Rooster, Tracy Bakery, Margo’s Clothing Store, and Judy Lee’s. Arlene was a member of English Lutheran Church, WELCA, Ruth Circle and taught Sunday School for many years. She was also a member of the Holly Birthday Club. She also enjoyed flowers, bowling, horseshoes, baking, cooking, dancing, playing cards, and playing dominoes with her friends and family. Arlene always had the coffee pot on with things to eat...you never went away hungry when you stopped in.

Arlene Larsen passed away on September 28, 2005 at the Tracy Nursing Home at the age of 80 years, 8 months and 28 days.

She is survived by her husband Darrel of Tracy; children: Larry and his wife Sharon of Balaton, MN & Randy and his wife Darla of Walnut Grove, MN; three grandchildren: Jason (Nicole) Larsen of Tracy, Crystal (Chad) Schultz of Belle Plaine, MN & Brock of Mankato, MN; two great-grandchildren: Walter and Elle of Belle Plaine; two step-grandchildren: Larry (Karisa) Larsen of Florence, MN & Lori (Dean) Duscher of Pipestone, MN; and step-great-grandson Brandon. Arlene is also survived by two sisters and brothers-in-law: Mae (Carl) Frey of Sioux Falls, SD and Ellen (Loren) Andrew of Sioux Falls, SD; sister-in-law Lucille Brokke of Burnsville, MN; and nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers: Elmer, Clarence, Robert, and Melvin and sister Eleanor.

Interment was in the Walnut Grove Cemetery. The Walnut Grove Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

All who knew Arlene were greatly blessed. Long live her memory.

LaVonna Stiles, 88

LaVonna M. Stiles, age 88 of Lamberton died of natural causes on Monday, October 3, 2005 at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. today, Wednesday, October 5, 2005 at the Walnut Grove Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Tracy Cemetery. The Walnut Grove Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

LaVonna was born June 1, 1917 in Westington Springs, SD to Forrest and Opha (Crowley) McConkey. As a child, she moved with her family to a farm near Redwood Falls. She graduated from Redwood Falls High School in 1935.

On December 24, 1940 LaVonna was united in marriage to John Doble in Redwood Falls. John was killed in a farm accident on October 15, 1942. At the time, LaVonna was pregnant with her son John who was born February 25, 1943. LaVonna married her second husband, Mahlon Stiles on January 25, 1947. Mahlon adopted her son John in May of 1948. Together they farmed south of Walnut Grove. LaVonna was a farm wife who assisted with the duties of the farm all her life. She enjoyed helping Mahlon on the farm hauling corn and plowing amongst other duties. They retired to Tracy in September 1988. After Mahlon died, LaVonnna later moved to Lamberton to be closer to her family. She has resided there since. LaVonna was a member of the Holly Flower Club, and was a longtime active member of the Methodist Church. She enjoyed gardening, crocheting & plastic canvas stitchery, listening to Gophers football, and the Minnesota Twins and Vikings games. She also loved spending time with her friends and family, especially her grandchildren.

She is survived by her son John Stiles and wife Pat of Lamberton; special grandchildren: John (Sandra) Stiles of Chippewa Falls, WI, Harry Stiles of Holly, MI, Robert Serreyn of Lamberton, Marjorie (Terry) Coners of Lamberton, Jennifer (Lance) Harlan of Coon Rapids, & James Stiles of Lamberton; 12 great grandchildren; a special nephew Steven (Betty) Syverson of Beardsley, MN, and many other relatives & friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents and both her husbands.