Obituaries from the week of February 9, 2005

Verna Benedict, 90

Verna C. Benedict age 90 of Tracy, formerly of Walnut Grove passed away on Saturday, February 5, 2005 at the Tracy Nursing Home. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Walnut Grove Methodist Church. Visitation will be held from 4:30 - 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Walnut Grove Funeral Home, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday. Interment is in the Walnut Grove Cemetery. The Walnut Grove Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Verna was born July 19, 1914 in Ruthzem, Iowa to Senator & Susie Anna (Cartwright) Willhite. She was one of six children. In 1915, the family moved north of Walnut Grove to the farm. Verna attended country school through the 8th grade at District 79. She then attended 9th grade in the town of Walnut Grove.

On October 4, 1936 Verna was united in marriage to Glenn Cleo Pemble. To this union, three children: Melvern, Marvella & Gary were born. Verna worked as a school cook, and as an egg candler in the egg plant in Westbrook. Glenn died in 1953. Verna married a second time to Frank Benedict on February 15, 1958. Together they made their home on a farm west of Revere. Verna moved into Walnut Grove in 1979 when Frank entered the Christian Manor Nursing Home. Frank passed away in 1981. Verna moved into O’Brien Court apartments in 1999, and due to failing health, she moved into the Tracy Nursing Home in 2000. She has made numerous quilts, which were embroidered, pieced and appliqued. She also embroidered on several sets of dishtowels. Verna was a lifetime Christian member of “God’s Church”. She also belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary and P & H Club. She enjoyed baking and spending time with friends and family, especially her grandchildren.

Verna is survived by her son Gary (Marlys) Pemble of Walnut Grove, daughter in law Carol Pemble of Buffalo, MN, six grandchildren: Debbie (Dennis) Sorce, Curtis (Melanie) Pemble, Wendy (Larry) Fisk, Cindy (Allen) Diel, Sherry House, and Becky Pemble; nine great grandchildren; sister Clesta Smith of Westbrook; brother in law Dale (Dena) Pemble of Walnut Grove; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, son Melvern, daughter Marvella, grandson David Pemble, two brothers: Everett & George; and two sisters: Martha Sluss & Iva Arends.

Lowell Gordon, 79

Funeral services for Lowell W. Gordon, 79, of Fairmont, MN will be at 11 a.m. Wed., Feb. 9, 2005 at the United Methodist Church in Fairmont. Military honors by the Martin County V.F.W. Post 1222 and Lee C. Prentice American Legion Post 36 will follow the service at the church.

Lowell passed away Monday morning, Feb. 7, 2005 at the Lakeview Methodist Health Care Center in Fairmont.

Lowell Wayne Gordon was born on March 23, 1925 in Dovray, MN, the son of Sigvart and Agnes (Severson) Gordon. He attended country school near Dovray, MN. He entered the United States Army in November of 1944 and served overseas during W.W.II until his honorable discharge in August of 1946.

On December 16, 1948 he married Ardella Griffith and they made their home near Tracy where Lowell farmed and drove truck for Nackerud Trucking. He moved to Worthington in 1964, where he worked at King Gas and drove truck for the Postal Service then Murphy Motor Freight. He moved to Albert Lea in 1978 and retired in 1980. He moved to Fairmont in 1990. He was a member of the Martin County V.F.W. Post 1222 and the Local Teamsters Union. He enjoyed watching the Minnesota Twins, playing cards at the Senior Citizens Center, fishing and spending time with his family.

He is survived by four children, Debra Roth and her husband, Dennis of Worthington, Brenda Henry and her husband, Tom, of Fairmont, Janelle Blumhorst and her husband, Dwight, of Des Moines, Terry Gordon and his wife, Diane, of Albert Lea; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Lois Cohoon and husband, Don of Sioux Falls, Judy Gordon of Tracy; many nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; five siblings; one son, Randy Gordon; and on great-grandson, Camdon Kuehl.

Robert Kosse, 68

Robert Anthony “Bob” Kosse, 68, Cannon Falls, died Friday morning, January 28, 2005 at the Angels Care Center in Cannon Falls.

Bob was born on February 23, 1936 in Springdale Township (near Tracy, MN), the son of Anthony B. and Mary Ellen (McCoy) Kosse.

He attended country school District 24 near Walnut Grove, farmed for several years, then moved to Shakopee and was employed at the lumber yard for 35 years.

He loved hunting and fishing and had a special love of horses. He was a member of the Plum Creek Saddle Club for several years.

He married Betty Lou Herrmann on November 15, 1985 in Cannon Falls. Bob was a member of St. Pius V Catholic Church in Cannon Falls.

He is survived by his wife, Betty; three sons, Donald (Lori) Kosse and Thomas Kosse, all of Arlington, MN and Ronald (Terri) Kosse of Shakopee; four stepchildren, Steven (Donna) Herrmann and Micheal (Jody) Herrmann, all of Belle Plaine, Terri (Ronald) Kosse of Shakopee, and Robert Herrmann of New Prague; six grandchildren, Katlyn, Alexandra, Samantha, Chelsey, Christopher and Clinton; three sisters, Diane (Robert) Annibal of Vail, AZ, Teresa (Charles “Bud”) Buyck of Tracy, MN and Doris (Dale) Scott of Garvin, MN; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, LaVonne Henning.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, January 31 at St. Pius V Catholic Church, with Father Roger Hessian officiating. Interment was at the church cemetery.

Arrangements by Lundberg Funeral Home in Cannon Falls.