Funeral Services for Ray Goergen were held at St. Ann’s Church in Slayton, MN on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. with Fr. Thien Nguyen officiating.  The organist was Sharon Lais.  The song leader was Sheila Crowley with special music by Denise Lev.  The pallbearers were his grandchildren.   Interment was at St. Ann’s Cemetery in Slayton, MN.  Military honors accorded by the Currie American Legion Post and the Slayton VFW Post.

Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangements.  To condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com

Ray Goergen was born on March 21, 1920 on the family farm near Granville, Iowa to Michael and Suzanne Schumacher Goergen.  He grew up on the farm and attended St. Joseph Catholic School.  Ray later attended vocational school in Milford, IA for mechanics. Ray farmed with his father until being drafted. On February 14, 1942 Ray was inducted into the United States Army.  Ray served with the 12^th Field Artillery Observation Battalion.  Ray was aboard a Liberty ship, the SS H.G. Blasdel set for Normandy, and as it sailed through the English Channel it was hit by a German U-boat torpedo.  Ray was injured and 40 were killed.  Ray received the Purple Heart for his injuries.  He also was awarded 4 Over Seas Bars, 5 Stars for major battles, Jubilee of Liberty Medal and WWII Memorial Dedication Medal.  Following his honorable discharge on November 13, 1945 he returned to the family farm.

On February 16, 1953 he and Iva Schwebach were married at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Granville.  Following their marriage they farmed near Granville until 1959 when they moved to a farm near Lake Sarah.  They retired in 1984 and built a new home on Lake Sarah.  In 2003 they moved to Slayton where they remained until 2014 when they moved to Marshall, MN.

In March 2018 due to failing health Ray moved to Prairie Home Hospice House in Marshall where he passed away on Wednesday, April 11, 2018 at the age of 98.

He was a member of St. Ann’s Church in Slayton and a past member of the IHM Church in Currie.  He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Granville, IA and Slayton, MN VFW Post and the Currie American Legion Post.  He was a Charter member of PALS (People’s Association for Lake Sarah).  Ray enjoyed spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, camping, and traveling.  Ray also enjoyed playing his Jew’s harp and harmonica.

Survivors include his wife, Ivy Goergen of Marshall, MN, five children and their spouses, Susan and Don Blair of Garvin, MN, Alan and Karen Goergen Tracy, MN, Duane Goergen and Deanna Olson of Garvin, MN, Cary and Judie Goergen of Alexandria, MN, and Sandra and Del Anderson of Garvin, MN, 16 grandchildren, Heather and Kevin Bristow, Heath Johnson, Haley and Paul Rennerfeldt, Haven and Steve Shalikow, Lexi Goergen, Heidi Goergen, Joshua Goergen and Kelsey Labat, Jessica and Brock Wurscher, Jenna and Jason Evans, Nathan and Katie Goergen, Nicolas Goergen, Bridget and Dan King, Kristin Anderson, Leah and Paul Tuszynski, Tyler Anderson, and Brett and Seongsil Kim Anderson, 21 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild on the way in late April.

He is preceded in death by his parents, six brothers, Joseph, Norbert, Leo, Ernest, Emil and Otto Goergen and one sister, Anne Klein.

Mass of Christian Burial for Crystal Stassen, 98, of Tracy, will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, April 16, 2018, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy.  Visitation will be Sunday, April 15, 2018, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. with a CCW Rosary at 4:00 p.m. and a Parish Prayer Service at 6:30 p.m. at the Life Remembrance Center – Horvath Funeral Service in Tracy.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at church on Monday.  Interment will follow the service at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Tracy.

Crystal Leona (Johnson) Stassen was born on February 10, 1920, in Swede Prairie Township in southwest Minnesota to Lewis and Laura (Froland) Johnson.  She graduated from Marshall High School and worked at Stones Ready to Wear and as a Receptionist for Dr. W.W. Yaeger in Marshall.

On September 13, 1943, while Donald Stassen was in the service at Fort Leonardwood, Missouri, the couple was united in marriage in St. Louis.  Crystal continued working for Dr. Yaeger while Don served his country in Europe during World War II.  After Don’s service, the couple moved to Granite Falls where Don apprenticed as a photographer for Alf Ringsven.  Crystal became a member of St. Edward’s Catholic Church and daughters Judith Ann and Patricia Jo were born in Granite Falls.  In March of 1949, the family moved to Tracy, MN.  They purchased what became “Stassen Photography,” a business serving the Tracy Area for countless weddings, school and other photos through the years.  Crystal took some oil painting classes so she could colorize the photographs.  During 1951, David, a bouncing baby boy was born.  While living in Tracy, Crystal was very involved in the community with many organizations including St. Mary’s Catholic Church and CCW Guilds at Mission Group, the Tracy Country Club, Police Commission and Charter Commission, Norwest Bank (later Tracy State Bank) where she served on the Board of Directors, the United Fund (Chair for 13 years) Tracy Hospital Auxiliary Board and Scholarship Committee and several bridge clubs.  Crystal was very social.  She enjoyed playing golf and bridge, reading, and walking daily.  She also loved spending time with her family and friends.  She was very independent and will be remembered for her great sense of humor.

Crystal died Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at the Prairie View Senior Living in Tracy.  She is survived by her children Judy (and Frank) McGuinn of Aurora, CO, David (and Kathy) Stassen of Naples, FL; son-in-law Don Lies of Savage, MN; grandchildren Matt McGuinn, Melissa Scully, Zachary Stassen, Betsy McCain, Ellen Lanning, Todd Lies and Andrew Lies; great-grandchildren Meghan, Colin, Paige, Aidan, Brendan, Carter, Parker, Miller, Avery, Lucas, Lucy and Bennett; one sister DeNeen Thomas; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.  She was preceded in death by her husband Don, mother, father, stepfather, two brothers, three sisters and daughter, Patricia Lies.

Crystal was a wonderful, caring, funny, loving mother and grandmother.  She was much loved and will be missed.  Her memories will all come back with a smile.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to St. Mary’s School or Hospice of Murray County designated to Our House of Tracy.

Arrangements with Life Remembrance Center of Tracy, Horvath Funeral Service www.lrcmn.com

Julie Roby, age 64, of Marshall, Minnesota and formerly of Tracy, passed away on Saturday, March 31, 2018 at her home in Marshall.  Memorial Service are 1:00 p.m., Thursday, April 5, 2018, at First Lutheran Church in Marshall.  Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 4, 2018 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Hamilton Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to the service from 12 Noon – 1:00 p.m., Thursday at the church.  Interment will be in the Tracy City Cemetery.

Julie Ann Roby was born to Jacob and Joyce (Johnson) Newton in Tyler, Minnesota, on December 3, 1953.  She was baptized as an infant at the Opdal Lutheran Church in Florence and was later confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church in Russell.  Julie attended school and graduated from the Russell High School with the Class of 1973.

After graduation, Julie moved to Gary, South Dakota, before moving back to Marshall in 1979.  She later moved to Russell and then Tracy before returning to Marshall in 2001.  Julie worked at DAC Center and loved caring for her clients.

Julie enjoyed the Beginning Experience of Southwest Minnesota where she loved participating in their activities.  She also was a creative person who enjoyed crafts and was a talented seamstress.  Julie greatest love was her sons and her dear nieces and nephews, valuing time spent with each one.

Julie passed away at her home on March 31, 2018, at the age of 64 years, 3 months and 8 days.  Blessed be her memory.

Julie is survived by her son, Darren Thovson of St. Cloud; siblings, Kathryn (Tom) Staniszewski of Brookings, SD, Criss (Rhonda) Newton of Aberdeen, SD, Dana (Becky) Newton of Newton, KS, Eric (Vicki) Newton of Chanhassen, MN, Jill (Lane) Petersen of Tyler, MN; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Julie was preceded in death by her parents; sons, Jeremy Thovson, Matthew Roby; sisters, Barbara Newton and Peggy Newton.

Arrangements by the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall, Minnesota. 507-532-2933

Guest book and tribute wall available online at www.hamiltonfh.com.

Forever young, never old and always fun…Judith Kathryn Inch of Palm Desert; after a six year fight with cancer, and fight she did, with grace and dignity, Judi passed away on November 26th in her home, in relative peace, surrounded by her loved ones. We cheered her on in life and wished her aloha as she passed from this life into the presence of the Lord.

She was born November 18, 1940, in Tracy, Minnesota to Virgil and Leah Brown; she was proud of her roots. Later the family moved to Minneapolis where she graduated from West High.

Judi did not let the grass grow under her feet and moved to California right out of high school, and, moved again to Arizona. In Arizona she married and had her son, Tim, who was the light of her life. Again, a move, back to California where she became a business woman owning and running more than a few Baskin Robbins Stores in Orange County. By the mid-1970s her marriage dissolved.

A few years later she met and married a wonderful man Graham Inch. They moved several times, it was always a wonder to me, where are they going to end up next. They ended up on Maui for a few years…running a store in Lahaina. My aunt loved Hawaii, and exemplified the Aloha Spirit. Walking into their home was like walking into a warm embrace, you were always welcomed and felt loved. They were back on the mainland when tragedy struck, her beloved son, Tim, became ill and died at the age of 21. Uncle Graham was her rock during this time. I know the world stopped turning when my cousin died, life did not feel or look the same from that time on.

But, my aunt was a strong woman, she had faith in God, she was determined not to let life roll her over and crush her. She was always there for her friends when there was a need.

When she “retired” she began volunteering at the local hospital, taking it seriously, showing up on time, and being there.

She played Bunco, stayed active with friends and family. Was a proud Red Hat Lady…even when she was sick during chemo – she would go to her Red Hat Society get togethers. Even though she was 77, she never looked it, and she was fun to be around and a positive person.

She is predeceased in death by her mother, Leah T. Brown (nee Pommier) and father, Virgil R. Brown, her sister Janet L. Petero (nee Brown), her son Timothy Keith. She leaves behind, a niece, Kimberly Ann Ahern (nee Brown), Great-nephew, Nicholas R. Quient (nee Ahern), Great-niece, Noell Anna Ahern, nephews, Matt Petero and Steve Petero, great-nephew Robbie Petero and great-niece Cheyenne Petero, and her two step-children, Suzanne Gallagher (nee Inch) and Graham Bruce Inch.