Obit: Petrell, Ursula Ida (1929 - 2014)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Gallup, Huston, Obschernings, Petrell, Rauschning, Schneidereit, Vircks

----Source: The Mesabi Daily News (Virginia, MN) 10/09/2014

Petrell, Ursula Ida (Obschernings) Gallup (2 JUN 1929 - 4 OCT 2014)

Ursula Petrell (Obschernings), 85, died peacefully Oct. 4, 2014, in Minneapolis, surrounded by her family.

The eldest of three children, she was born June 2, 1929, in Deer Creek, Wis., to Fritz and Ida Obschernings (Rauschning). The family farmed in Deer Creek and she was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church of Stetsonville, Wis.

After graduating from Medford High School, Ursula became a bookkeeper at the Ford dealership in Medford, Wis. She met her first husband, George Gallup, during her employment at Medford Motors. They were married on Jan. 28, 1950, at the Zion Lutheran Church of Stetsonville.

She was a Navy bride during the Korean War, and the family was stationed in Hawaii. After the war, they lived briefly in Pickstown, SD, before moving to Embarrass in the early-1950s. She lived in the Embarrass area for more than 60 years and pursued her love of nature, blueberry picking, gardening, and canning. She was a professional income tax preparer for decades and eagerly looked forward to tax season.

She was a member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church of Tower, and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church of Virginia. Ursula was also a lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Star.

After the death of her first husband, she married longtime Embarrass resident Wilfred Petrell on Aug. 17, 1974. They remained devoted until her last day. They shared a love of draft horses and raised Belgians and Clydesdales on their Embarrass farm. The hayrides during the winter were legendary. She was a lifetime member of the National Bit, Spur, and Saddle Collectors Association. She and her husband enjoyed their retirement years and traveled the West and Southwest to numerous horse shows and events.

She was also very proud of her three children, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren and enjoyed their frequent visits.

She is survived by her adoring husband, Wilfred Petrell of Embarrass; her son, James (Janet) Gallup of Tucson, AZ; her daughter, Laura Huston of Elk River, MN; her son, Charlie Gallup of Minneapolis; her sister, Mary Vircks of Riverton, WY; her sister-in-law, Helen Obschernings of Medford, WI; and her brother-in-law, Edgar Petrell of Embarrass. She is also survived by her four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, George Gallup; her brother, Alfred; and her parents.

A celebration of her life will be held next spring in Embarrass. Memorials may be made to a charity of your choice.

Note: Middle name was added from the Obschernings and Schneidereit Family Tree data.