Lawrence “Larry” Andrew Dirckx, age 83 of Marshall formerly of Balaton, passed away Thursday, November 29, 2018 at Heritage Pointe Senior Living in Marshall.  Memorial Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 5 at Tracy Area Funeral Home.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Wednesday.  Interment will be in the Tracy City Cemetery.  Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com.  Stephens Funeral Service – Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Lawrence “Larry” Andrew Dirckx was born November 30, 1934 to Michael and Mary (Mathis) Dirckx in Minneota, Minnesota.  He worked at the Marshall Independent as a pressman for 37 years.  Larry also had many jobs as a handy man and helping local farmers. In 1958 he was united in marriage to Mary Engesser.  Through that marriage he had five daughters.

Lawrence is survived by his children: Gail Nichols of Marshall, Janice (Bill) Heern of Tracy, Julie (Drew) Engel of Marshall, Kelly (Ron) Johnson of Marshall and Renee King of Mountain Lake; 7 grandchildren: Kristina, Travis, Jason, Bobbie Jo, Kayla, Tanner and Kelvin; 6 great grandchildren: Chase, Hailey, Parker, Ava, Lincoln and Jaxon; and sister Florence Moat. He is preceded in death by his parents, a brother and a sister.

Darline Schmidt, age 92 of Tracy, passed away Tuesday, November 27, 2018 under the care of hospice. Funeral Services were held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, November 30 at Tracy Lutheran Church.  Interment was in the Tracy City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Tracy Lutheran Building Fund. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Darline Schmidt (Ackerman) was born October 16, 1926 to Clarence and Lillie (Johansen) Ackerman in Slayton, Minnesota. Darline worked at the defense plant in Slayton making parts that were shipped off and assembled on Bomber airplanes. She also waitressed in Slayton and Tracy. Darline enjoyed babysitting and assisted many mothers after they had babies. She served lunch on Wednesday mornings for the quilting ladies at church. Darline was a member of the Tracy Legion Auxiliary, served on the Tracy Lutheran serving circle and ladies aid committee for years, and a member of the Tracy VFW. She loved playing cards, dancing to old time music, and spending time with her family. She often cooked and cleaned for two hired men besides her husband and 5 children. She worked a huge garden and canned and froze food to last the rest of the year.

Darline is survived by her sons: Raymond (Evelyn) Schmidt of Marshall and Roger Schmidt of Tracy; daughters: Ann (Leo) Konz of Adrian, Sharon Schmidt of Savage, Joan (Marlin) Negen of Windom, and Shirley Johnson of Tracy; 11 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; 8 great great grandchildren; brother Daniel (Evelyn) Ackerman of Tracy; sisters: Lois (Marv) Ferguson of Lake Wilson, and Diane (Dwight) Smith of Hastings; and sister-in-law Leona “Mrs. Robert” Ackerman of Lake Wilson.

She is preceded in death by both of her parents, infant son Donald Severson, brothers Robert and David Ackerman, and sisters Mary Mahon, Betty Bjornebo, and Dora Pommier.

Roger A. VanOverbeke age 74, of Tracy, passed away Wednesday, November 21, 2018 at McLaughlin Hospice House in Marshall.  Mass of Christian Burial was held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 24 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy.  Interment will be in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Marshall.  In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Prairie Home Hospice.  Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com.  Stephens Funeral Service – Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Roger A. VanOverbeke was born September 19, 1944 to Paul and Darlene (Devereaux) VanOverbeke in Marshall, Minnesota.  He was baptized and confirmed at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall.  Roger attended Holy Redeemer Catholic School.

On May 19, 1965 he married Gloria Landuyt at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church.  He was a member of the volunteer fire department in West Union, Iowa and worked for Schwan’s sales for many years. Roger liked working in his yard and helping people on the farm.  He volunteered at the hospital and was a member of Knights of Columbus.  Roger liked to help family and friends anytime they had a need.  He loved Nascar racing, fishing, and orange sherbet.  Roger enjoyed playing cards, wintering in Texas and horses.  He loved spending time with family, especially the grandkids and great grandkids.

Roger is survived by his wife Gloria of 53 years; children: Rick VanOverbeke (fiancée Kathy Rand) of Parker, SD, Rod (Marsha) VanOverbeke of Myerstown, PA, and Sue (Toby) Chaplin of Lakeville; grandchildren: Kayla (Brian) Reppe, Sarah VanOverbeke (fiancé Jake Lane), Amanda & Emily VanOverbeke, Joshua & Peyton Skogland, and Addyson & Brooklyn Chaplin; great grandchildren: Bennett & Bailey Reppe, siblings: Rich (Ruth) VanOverbeke, Pauline (Doug) Peterson, Dean (Judy) VanOverbeke, Marge (Bob) Paradis, Grace (Larry) Hochstatter, and Louis (Jackie) VanOverbeke; and many other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, grandson Bradley Skogland, and brother William VanOverbeke.

Lewellyn Curtis Johnson, age 92 of Tracy, passed away November 7, 2018 with his son and daughter by his side under the care of Prairie Home Hospice of Marshall. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 15 at Tracy Lutheran Church. Visitation will be held 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Tracy Area Funeral Home with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Interment will be in the Hoiland Lutheran Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Tracy Lutheran Church Building Fund, 64 Rowland St., Tracy, Hoiland Lutheran Cemetery Association, C/O Dale Howe, 901 4^th St. South, Marshall, or Prairie Home Hospice House, 408 E. Main St. Suite 8, Marshall. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com.  Stephens Funeral Service – Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Lewellyn Curtis Johnson was born August 24, 1926 to Alfred and Della (Froland) Johnson in Normania Township of Yellow Medicine Co., MN. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Lucas Church, rural Cottonwood. He graduated Clarkfield High School in 1944. He entered the Army in January of 1945. He served in World War II and was honorably discharged in November of 1946.

He was united in marriage with Doris Lorraine Helleson on November 28, 1948 at Tracy Lutheran Church and was blessed with two children, Steven and Marjean. Together, Lewellyn and Doris traveled around the United States and made a yearly trip to Branson, Missouri for 17 years. He had a passion for farming and was proud that his farm was recognized as a century farm in the state of Minnesota. His motto was faith, family, and farming. He was proud and grateful that his son and now his grandson have taken of the farming. Over the years he continued to help on the farm whenever and wherever he could. It can be truthfully said that his farming days did not end until he closed his eyes for the last time. He enjoyed family celebrations where he looked forward to spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Lewellyn was an active member of Tracy Lutheran Church and was the Hoiland Lutheran Cemetery Treasurer for 45 years.

Lewellyn is survived by his son Steven (Pamela) Johnson of Tracy; daughter Marjean (Loren) Sanderson of Crookston; grandchildren Jared (Summer) Johnson of Tracy, Travis (Bridget) Sanderson of Thornton, CO, Joshua (Fiancée Candice Maier) Sanderson of River Falls, WI, and Jenny Johnson of Bentonville, AR; great grandchildren Shelby, Brice, Hadley, Ryann Johnson of Tracy and Macklin Sanderson of Thornton, CO; and sisters-in-law Gloria Johnson of Clarkfield and Grace Helleson of Tigard, OR.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years Doris; parents Alfred and Della Johnson; brothers Delmore and Vernon; and brothers-in-law Manley and George Helleson.

Funeral Services for Don Ebbinga  were held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Currie, MN at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, November 12, 2018 with Msgr. R. Paul Heiting officiating.  The organist was Patty LeClaire.  The song leader was LoAnn Hansen.  The pallbearers were his grandchildren.  Interment was at Calvary Cemetery in Currie, MN.

Donald Dedrich Ebbinga was born on July 25, 1936 on the family farm near Avoca, Minnesota to Dedrik and Anna Theis Ebbinga. The family later moved to White, SD where Don attended school.  At a young age, Don went to work as a hired hand for area farmers.  He learned his carpentry skills from his dad, and working with local carpenters.  Don enlisted in the United States Air Force on June 8, 1954 he completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base and was stationed in Alberta, Canada and Chandler, MN. He was honorably discharged on June 7, 1962.

On August 10, 1957 he and Arlene Rieman were married at St. Columba Church in Iona, MN.  Following their marriage, they made their home in Iona and raised their six children and Don’s youngest brother, Steve.  Don was a carpenter for Iona Lumber and repaired radios and televisions on the side.  In 1971, when Iona Lumber turned their focus toward farm buildings, Don quit his job to follow his passion for building homes and started his own business, Ebbinga Construction.  He also owned a NAPA franchise and enjoyed hobby farming. In 1986 he took a position with UBC in Slayton and dissolved Ebbinga Construction.  He and Arlene moved to a home on Lake Shetek.

Don retired in 1998 and stayed busy as a neighborhood caretaker and handyman.  His favorite job was riding his John Deere tending to 19 lawns.  Arlene passed away on October 29, 2012.  Don spent the last 4 years with his special friend, Donna Bertrand.

Don passed away at his home surrounded by his family on November 7, 2018 at the age of 82.

He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Currie, MN and St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Casa Grande, AZ.   Don served on the St. Columba Church Board, the Iona City Council, the Iona Volunteer Fire Department and was a County Zoning Commissioner.   He was a member of the Horseshoe Clubs in Balaton, Canby, Currie, Marshall, Tracy, MN, and Casa Grande, AZ.  Horseshoe pitching took Don all over the country to attend the World Horseshoe Championship.  Don enjoyed traveling, woodworking, dancing, music, theater productions, bowling and golf.  In his retirement, his favorite places to be were “putzing” in his garage, enjoying the lake, enjoying the sun on his face at his Arizona home and most importantly on the seat of his John Deere mowing lawns.

Survivors include his six children and their spouses, Kim and Doug Hagemeyer of Blaine, MN, Julie and John “Skinny” Luedeman of Sibley, IA, Mary Jo and Jim Mortland of Marshall, MN, Diane and Troy Diedrich, of North Mankato, MN, Karen and Dave Wagley of Brandon, SD and Alan and Kristi Ebbinga of Lake Crystal, MN, 17 grandchildren, Scott and Laura Hagemeyer, Ryan and Sarah Hagemeyer, Ashley and Brad Fischer, Chelsea and Michael Hodapp, Jenna Luedeman and Kyle Miller, James and Tara Mortland, Jenny and Royce Tuffs, Malia Mortland, Zach Mortland, Courtney Diedrich, Grant and Megan Diedrich, Andrew Diedrich, Jordan Wagley, Nicholas Wagley, Natalie Wagley, Allyson Ebbinga, and Kyle Ebbinga, 14 great grandchildren, Emma and Audrey Hagemeyer, Copper and Tenley Fischer, Camden and Brixton Hodapp, Abigail, Felicity, Gemma and Charlotte Mortland, Riley, Jessica, and Melanie Tufts, and Liam Hutchinson, seven siblings and their spouses, Richard and Jeanette Ebbinga of Arkansaw, WI, Robert and Mary Ebbenga of Miltona, MN, John and Mary Ann Ebbinga of Tracy, CA, Ted and Sandy Ebbinga of Winlock, WA, Bill and Linda Ebbinga of Griswold, IA, Sandra Vernland of Volga, SD  and Steve and Sharon Ebbinga of Prescott, AZ, his cousin, Jim Theis of Santa Ana, CA, who was like another brother, countless nieces, nephews, cousins friends and special friend, Donna Bertrand of Slayton, MN.

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Arlene, brother, James Ebbinga, and sisters, Linda Fryer and Sharon Filzen.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Murray County Hospice or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangements.

To send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com

Shirley (McClain) Peterson, passed away peacefully at her home in Mesa, Arizona, on November 1, 2018, only three short months after her husband Vernon’s passing where she was surrounded by her family.  Shirley was born on June 30, 1924, to Armour and Agnes McClain on their family farm in Tracy, MN.  After graduating in the summer of 1942 from Tracy High School, Shirley received a scholarship to attend Beauty School in downtown Minneapolis.  She worked as a beautician in Tracy, MN, for a short time and then traveled to Hood River, Oregon, where she lived and worked as a beautician for two years.

On January 7, 1946, she married Vernon Peterson and lived on a farm in Balaton where they started their family and later moved to a farm south of Marshall where they lived for 17 years.  In 1967, they purchased their current farm in Wendell, off Lightning Lake.  Working along with Vernon they raised livestock and grain with the help of their sons, and the girls assisted where the boys left off.

Soon after moving to Wendell, Shirley remodeled their home with the addition of a beauty shop.  She loved working as a beautician which allowed her to continue her independence as a working woman and also “minding the kids” and keeping them in line.

Shirley was one of a kind, a beauty inside and out, a fierce “Momma Bear” one who always stood up for her family and friends in need.  We kindly called her “Squirrely Shirley” as she was often on the “war path” while disciplining 12 kids (and many times their friends too). She was more than proud of her family, and bragged about them all the time!

Along with Vernon she enjoyed raising the family, farming, and driving around with Vernon on a Saturday night and ‘checking the crops’.  She served many meals to hired men over the years.  In their later years, Shirley enjoyed going to dances with their close friends, they even started bowling. Traveling was a delight for Shirley and having a large family allowed her to visit them around the country.  She also visited Japan, cruises to Mexico, the Caribbean, Panama Canal, and Alaska.  She encouraged her family to travel and would often say “There’s a big world out there.  Go explore it!” or “I didn’t raise you to stay home.”

Shirley retired to Mesa, AZ and enjoyed the warm winters, but loved returning to Minnesota in the spring.  She was a devout Catholic and a member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church.

Shirley is survived by her 12 children: Annette (Frank) Crowder of Vero Beach, FL; Alan (Lois) Peterson of Boise, ID; Corwin (Lorinda) Peterson of Boise, ID; Lamont (Becky) Peterson of Pine River, MN; Colleen (Bob) Eason of Boise, ID; Sherri (Tom Keatley) Peterson of Weimar, CA; Shelly (Keith) Kastenmeier of Blaine, MN; Owen (Angie) Peterson of Wendell, MN; Juliet (Robert) Bruno of Vero Beach, FL; Lisa (Michael) Raiola of Scottsdale, AZ; Kim Peterson of Louisville, CO; Tanya (Troy) Gillespie, Elbow Lake, MN; 38 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; two sisters Beverly Tweedt and Delores (Curtie) Shaw, numerous nieces, nephews and many, many friends. A special thank you to her caregivers Afni, Myrna and Kiki – they were so good to her!

Shirley was preceded in death by her loving husband Vernon of 72 years; her parents; a brother, Welling, a son-in-law, Joseph Foerner, and great grandson Beckham Owen Peterson.

A memorial service will be held Friday, November 9, 10:30 am at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Mesa, AZ.  A celebration of Shirley’s life will be held in July 2019 at their home in Wendell, MN.  Additional details will be communicated at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, kindly donate to Savior Hospice, Phoenix, AZ, or the Grant County Humane Society. Cards of condolence may be sent to:  Owen Peterson, PO Box 4, 661 County Road 11, Wendell, MN 56590.