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March 2003

Monday, March 31, 2003
Dunn, Leon H.
Hopper, Donald
Twete, Kenneth

Friday, March 28, 2003
Edwards, Sharry

Wednesday, March 26, 2003
Leuthard, Henry

Tuesday, March 25, 2003
Johnson, Roger

Thursday, March 20, 2003
Listrom, Ethel

Friday, March 14, 2003
Bratvold, Kenneth J.,

Saturday, March 8, 2003
Sunblad, Leonard

Thursday, March 6, 2003
Vigen, Harold

Monday, March 3, 2003
Carlson, Oscar Wilhelm

Harold Vigen

Harold Vigen, 96, of Fergus Falls died Thursday, March 6, 2003 at the Broen Memorial Home.

He was born May 12, 1906 in Fergus Falls to Dr. Jorgen and Martha (Bartelson) Vigen. His father, Dr. Jorgen G. Vigen, was a prominent doctor in Fergus Falls, starting his practice in 1896. Harold graduated from the Fergus Falls High School, attended the University of Minnesota and graduated from UCLA with a degree in history.

He lived in California with his parents and took care of his mother following his dad’s death. In 1991 he returned to Fergus Falls to live at Northwestern Manor and in 1996 became a resident of the Broen Memorial Home.

He enjoyed reading, listening to music and watching The Price Is Right on T.V.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Donald and James. He is survived by several cousins.

Visitation: One hour prior to the service

Memorial Service: 2 p.m. Tuesday in Light & Life Auditorium, Broen Memorial Home

Clergy: Rev. Ken Austin

Burial: Oak Grove Cemetery

Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls
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Leonard Sunblad

Leonard Sundblad, 73, of Fergus Falls, died Saturday, March 8, 2003 at the Broen Memorial Home in Fergus Falls.

He was born April 1, 1929 in Erhard to Helmer and Hilda (Wahl) Sundblad where he grew up and attended school at District 17 in Erhard. He was baptized and confirmed at Erhard Lutheran Church.

On December 14, 1957 he married Velma Jean Hammer at Behtlehem Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls and together they had four children.

He enlisted in the service on November 15, 1950 where he was a Regular Army Corporal. He went to EJA J/MA Engineering School where he graduated as a crane shovel operator and worked in Japan. He also served 14 months in Korea where he received the Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, United Nations Service medal, National Defense Service medal and two Overseas Bars. He was honorably discharged on November 24, 1953. In 1954 he started work as a Heavy Equipment Operator and this was his lifetime work until he became disabled in 1987 due to health.

He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 612 in Fergus Falls, Local 49ers Union, and Stavanger Lutheran Church.

He is survived by his wife, Velma; his children, Julie Samuelson and Miriah and Kelsey of St. Cloud, Linda (Lee) Haugen and Melanie, Corey, Lori and great-grandchild Chad, Emilee and Jacob of Fergus Falls, Duane (Tracy Johnson) Sundblad and Danielle and Eian of Fergus Falls and Lisa (Blaine Ecker) Holte and Kaylee of Fergus Falls; sister, Irene Melkert of Rothsay; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Raymond; a granddaughter, Andrea Haugen; and an infant brother.

Visitation: Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls

Service: Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Stavanger Lutheran Church, rural Fergus Falls

Burial: Bagstevold Cemetery, rural Erhard

Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls
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Kenneth J. Bratvold

Kenneth J. Bratvold, 77, of Ashby died Friday, March 14, 2003 at Lake Region Hospital in Fergus Falls.

He was born December 6, 1925 at St. Lukes Hospital in Fergus Falls, the son of Tom and Rachel (Melby) Bratvold of Ashby. He was baptized and confirmed at Kvam Lutheran Church. He attended country school at District 4, Ashby School and the Ag School at Crookston. He was in the U.S. Army for two years, serving during the occupation of Japan.

On August 25, 1949 he married Margaret Ellingson at Kvam Lutheran Church. He was a life long resident of St. Olaf Township where he farmed for many years and continued to reside. He also drove milk truck for the Ashby Creamery, worked for Ashby Equity and did carpentry and custom lumber sawing.

He truly enjoyed steam and gas engines with a special interest in saw mills and was one of the founders of the Lake Region Pioneer Threshing Association. He was also a lifetime member of Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Association of Rollag, Rosholt Threshing Bee and past member of Pioneer Power. He held offices with Ashby Equity, St. Olaf Township and Kvam Free Lutheran Church, where he was a lifetime member. He was a member of the Ashby American Legion for 48 years. He enjoyed attending area threshing shows, farm and toy shows, auction sales and restoring tractors.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret; daughters, Karen (Larry) Paulson of Ashby and Carolyn (Loren) Leman of Anchorage, AK; sons, Mark (Barb) Bratvold and Joe (Ann) Bratvold both of Ashby; eight grandchildren, Beth (Kelly) Jarandson, Bryan (Megan) Paulson, Joseph, Rachel and Nicole Leman, Jonathon, Olivia and Ethan Bratvold; two great-grandchildren, Jordan and Julia Jarandson; sister, Marilyn (Bud) Phipps of Alexandria and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation: Monday from 4 to 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at the Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Ashby and one hour prior to the service at the church

Service: 2 p.m. Tuesday at Kvam Free Lutheran Church, rural Dalton

Clergy: Rev. Steve Carlson

Burial: Church Cemetery

Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Ashby
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Oscar Wilhelm Carlson

Oscar Wilhelm Carlson, age 92, of Fergus Falls died Monday, March 3, 2003 at the Veterans Home in Fergus Falls MN.

He was born May 30, 1910, in Lund Township, Douglas County MN near Evansville, the Son of John and Charletta (Jensen) Carlson. He grew up on the farm in Lund Township, attended school in School District 89 and graduated from the 8th grade in 1926. He was baptized in Christina Lake Lutheran Church, confirmed in Immanuel Lutheran Church, which is now Faith Lutheran Church, and has been a member there ever since.

He worked on various farms throughout the area for the next 9 years. In 1935 he moved into Evansville and worked in the Bill Mohro butcher shop for almost a year then in 1936 he rented the shop. In 1937 he worked for Jerry Bloom as a butcher in Miltona. He took over the Underwood Butcher Shop and Store in Underwood in 1940. He met Agnes Louise Carlson in April 1940 and they were married on October 20, 1940. They continued working in the Underwood Butcher Shop and Store until June 6, 1942 when Uncle Sam gave him his greetings.

He spent the next 3 years and 5 months in the US Army. He was inducted into the Army at Ft. Snelling, did his Recruit Training at Camp Robinson, Arkansas. He attended Bakery school and was an instructor at the Butcher School while he was awaiting orders overseas at Ft. Sam Houston, San Antonio Texas. He has some time off there and Agnes visited him. He was then shipped to the staging area at Camp Kilmer, NJ. He spent the next 18 mos in North Africa and Southern Italy as a butcher and baker and guarding Prisoners of War. After he was discharged he returned home on 30 days furlough to see his wife and nine month old daughter Marcene. They returned to Fort Dix NJ. He was honorably discharged from Fort Dix on 22 October 1945. He could talk easily about these phases of his life in the war. He said he was thankful he did not see much in the way of real battle but the fear he had of getting into battle continued for many years after his discharge.

They returned to MN and bought a farm south of Evansville and had a dairy and grain farm and a large garden there until 1988. In 1963 he started driving school bus for the Evansville School District and drove until he was 68 years old in 1978. He then drove Senior Citizens to their appointments for the next 10 yrs.

In 1990 he came to live with his daughter Marcene and her family in Fergus Falls and lived with them until August of 1998 when he entered the Fergus Falls Veterans Home.

He enjoyed being a butcher, baker, farmer, gardener, bus driver, being with his children, giving his grandhildren rides in his car and on his several Indian or Yamaha motorcycles, chopping wood and putzing around fixing things. He was a quiet and gentle man all his life.

In Evansville he regularly attended and was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church, and served with the American Legion for many funerals and Memorial Day Services. In Fergus Falls he yearly enlarged his daughters garden, continued to drive his car until he entered the VA Home, was an active member of the Senior Center, regularly attended First Baptist Church and Augustana Lutheran Church and continued to attend Chapel at the VA Home up till the time of his death. He knew and loved his Lord Jesus Christ and was waiting to go home to be with Him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Agnes, his brother Helmer, his siters Ann (Hjalmer) Milan, and Hilda (Joel) Quernemoen.

He is survived by his daughter Marcene (Wallace) Cole of Fergus Falls, and their children Ray of Becida, Nancy (Scott) Bunkers and their daughter Allison of St Cloud, Jana (Brian) Wautlet of St. Paul, Natalie Cole of Plymouth, and Amanda Cole of Fergus Falls. His daugher Mary Beth (Bruce) Montplaisir of Altura and their children Derrick (Sarah) Montplaisir and their children Kaja and Joey of Zimmerman, Jennifer (Steve) Smart and their daughter Casey of Minneapolis, Henry Montplaisir of Minneapolis, and Korey (Rose) Monplaisir of Fargo ND. His daughter Millie (Tom) Penuel and their children Carissa Penuel and Chelsey Penuel of Fargo ND. And numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation: Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. at the MN Veterans Home, Fergus Falls

Service: Saturday at 11 a.m. at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls

Clergy: Rev. Greg Hayek for the prayer service & Rev. Irving J. Arnquist for the funeral service

Burial: Mound Grove Cemetery, Evansville

Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls
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Ethel Listrom

Ethel Listrom, 89, of Evansville died Thursday, March 20, 2003 at the Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria.

She was born September 20, 1913 in Benedict, ND, the first child of Emil and Emma (Berglund) Pearson. When she was about six years old the family moved to the Evansville area where she attended School District 87 in Evansville Township and graduated from Evansville High School as valedictorian of her class in 1931. She then attended Alexandria Training Dept at Alexandria for one year where she received her Elementary Limited Teaching Degree. She taught in rural schools for 12 years from 1932 to 1944.

On June 8, 1938 she married Ragnar Listrom at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Evansville. In 1960 she returned to teaching in rural schools in Otter Tail County and in1962 began teaching in the Evansville Public School, retiring in June of 1979. While teaching she continued her education and received her four year degree from Moorhead State College in 1977.

She was a dedicated member of Faith Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and was involved in all the women’s organizations. She was also the church organist for many years. She enjoyed traveling, working on her quilts and doing volunteer work at Crestview Manor Nursing Home. Her family was very important to her.

She is survived by a daughter, Elsie Listrom of St. Louis, MO; a son, Ron (Sheryl) Listrom of Alexandria; four grandchildren, Dr. Chad (Rebecca) Listrom, Olivia and Logan; Dr. Gregg (Melinda) Listrom and Zach; Roberta Listrom and Alexander Listrom. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ragnar and a sister, Viola Wahlin.

Visitation: Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m. at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service at the church

Service: 11 a.m. Monday at Faith Lutheran Church, Evansville

Clergy: Rev. Irving J. Arnquist

Burial: Mound Grove Cemetery, Evansville

Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Evansville
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Roger Johnson

Roger Johnson, 63, of rural Ashby, died Tuesday, March 25, 2003 at his residence.

He was born July 1, 1939 in Tordenskjold Township, rural Underwood, to Odin and Marvel (Abraham) Johnson. He was baptized and confirmed in Erdahl Lutheran Church and graduated from the Elbow Lake High School in 1957. He joined the U.S. Navy and served from June 18, 1957 to June 17, 1961.

On September 15, 1962 he married Sharon Anderson at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ashby. They lived in Hopkins where he was employed with Fabri-Tech in Hopkins and then with the Bureau of Engraving in Minneapolis In 1970 he became a partner in Pro-Tech, Inc. at Waconia, retiring from there in 1993. They moved to their home on Pelican Lake near Ashby in 1997.

He enjoyed woodworking and had built three of his own homes. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, cooking, spending time with his friends and family, especially his grandchildren and flying his airplane.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon; son, Scott Johnson of Ashby; six grandchildren, Cody, Kayla, Scott, Cole, Amanda and Samantha and a sister, Shirley Leifermann of Austin. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Robyn Johnson; special daughter, Becky Scott and a brother, Dennis Johnson.

Visitation: Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. at the Nilson Funeral Home in Ashby and one hour prior to the service at the church

Service: 11 a.m. Saturday at Peace Lutheran Church in Ashby

Clergy: Rev. Carol Olson

Burial: Pelican Lake Cemetery, Ashby

Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Ashby
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Henry Leuthard

Henry Leuthard, 72, of rural Ashby, died Wednesday, March 26, 2003 at his residence.

He was born September 26, 1930 on the Leuthard homestead at rural Chokio to Thomas and Anna (Waldvogel) Leuthard. He was baptized and confirmed at Chokio and his early education began there at the Marty Grove Country School. He furthered his education with high school and began his employment at Jack Meyer’s Garage. He also farmed for a year.

On November 4, 1948, at age 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. His commanding officers soon found that they had an outstanding soldier in the various units he served in and recognized him for his dedication, loyalty and total honesty by awarding him the commendation medal. He served in both the Korean and Vietnam wars. In 1956 he was awarded top secret government clearance and served with the Special Atomic Weapons Unit in Europe. His overseas duties, in addition to Korea and Vietnam, included serving the American Embassy at Quito, Ecuador, three years in Italy and two years in Germany. He furthered his education in the service in the N.C.O. Academy and in engineering school. For eight years he was an engineer instructor at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, where he also owned and operated Hank’s Repair at St. Robert. He retired, decorated and honorably, from the army after over 22 years of duty.

After retirement he graduated from Alexandria Technical School and was always gainfully employed at various businesses including Amundson’s of Elbow Lake, WRAP of Ramsey County, S & S Tree Service and Mulcahy’s, where he helped construct the Mall of America. He also purchased his homestead near Ashby.

On August 23, 1952 he was united in marriage to Shirley Ann Simonson at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Graceville. They were blessed with six sons and two daughters. He was loved by many, including his wife’s entire family, who considered him as a son and brother. He considered his mother-in-law as a second mother. Eighty-eight nieces and nephews called him "Uncle Hank" and cherished him.

He was a member of the Retired Army Association, the White Bear Lake American Legion and VFW and Zion Sarpsborg Free Lutheran Church in Dalton. He loved John Wayne movies, old cars and fixing things. He also loved the outdoors, planting trees, bushes and flowers and all creatures of nature, especially birds. We will forever miss his sweet smile, his humor and his helping hands.

He is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Shirley; eight children, Randy (Millie), LuWayne (friend, Linda), Dale, Darwyn (Mary), Blayne (Penny Lynn), Bryce, Noni (Bill) Valicenti and Penny Lynae Parks; 16 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; six sisters, Emma Meyer, Helen Michelson, Lil Ritter, Gen Mullin, Louise (Donald) Eystad, Frances (Phil) Zimmerman and one brother, Carl (Jolene). He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Margaret and Lorraine; brother, Peter and grandson, Isaac Leuthard.

Visitation: Friday from 5 to 7:30 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service at the church

Service: 3 p.m. Saturday at Zion-Sarpsborg Free Lutheran Church in Dalton

Clergy: Rev. Steven Carlson

Burial: Trinity Cemetery at Wendell

Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls
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Sharry Edwards

Sharry Johnson Edwards, 31, of Seattle, WA, the daughter of Willard and Linda Johnson of Amor, died Friday, March 28, 2003 at Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas, NV.

She was born December 15, 1971 in Korea the daughter of Willard and Linda (Aune) Johnson. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Amor and graduated from Battle Lake High School in 1990. She attended Alexandria Technical College for two years specializing in commercial art. After college, she moved to New Jersey and worked as a nanny for three years and then went into sales management and worked in different areas. She lived in Virginia for three years and moved to Seattle, Washington last September.

On March 15, 2003, she married Rayshun A. Edwards in Las Vegas, Nevada.

She loved cows, horses, dogs, was very active with 4-H and FFA and was a Gourmet Cook who loved cooking and entertaining, and collected cow figurines.

She is survived by her husband, Rayshun; her parents, Willard and Linda Johnson of Richville; and two brothers, Cory (Danette) Johnson and Cheyanne of St. Paul and Monty (Joslyn) Johnson of Fergus Falls. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Harry and Emma Johnson and Peder and Alvira Aune.

Visitation: Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. at Nilson Funeral Home, Battle Lake and one hour prior to the service at the church

Service: Friday, April 4, 2003 at 2 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, Amor

Clergy: Rev. James Gronbeck and Intern Pastor Matt Philaya

Burial: Amor Cemetery, Amor

Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Battle Lake
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Leon H. Dunn

Leon H. Dunn, 88, of Fergus Falls died Monday, March 31, 2003 at the Broen Memorial Home.

He was born August 22, 1914 in Beckley, WV, the son of Crucie Overton and Isadora (Heatwole) Dunn of German, Irish, Scottish and English heritage. He was baptized at the First Baptist Church. He attended grade school and graduated from High School at Harrisonburg, VA in 1932. When his father died in 1939 he assisted with supporting the family.

In 1943 he joined the U.S. Navy in Philadelphia and served during WWII in the Pacific Theater on the Solomon Islands and later served on a mine sweeper, the U.S.S. Pursuit. He was honorable discharged in 1945.

His work assignments include the following: After the war, he came to Washington, D.C to study the graphic arts under the G.I. Bill. He was employed in the Engraving Department of the Washington Star newspaper. In 1948 he started working in a Civil Service position with the U.S. Navy and later the Air Force Department of the Federal government in the Navy Annex near the Pentagon.

On June 26, 1965 he married Lola K. Christiansen at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Washington, D.C. The couple resided in Chevy Chase, MD until March of 2001 when they moved to Mill Street Residence in Fergus Falls. They enjoyed traveling to 44 countries.

He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church where he was a captain of the ushering team and secretary of the Church Council for 27 years and also the congregation; a member of the Writers’ League of Washington where he served as president and was currently a member of the First Lutheran Church of Fergus Falls.

His hobbies include taking movies of their many trips, reading, cartooning and he was an award winning ballroom dancer.

He is survived by his wife, Lola; also nieces, a cousin and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Crucie in 1939 and Isadora in 1974; a brother, Ralph Dunn in 1969 and a sister, Norma Dunn in 2001.

Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church

Memorial Service: 2 p.m. Saturday at First Lutheran Church

Clergy: Revs. James Tonneson and Saul Stensvaag

Burial: Knollwood Memorial Gardens

Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls
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Donald Hopper

Donald Hopper, 81, of Fergus Falls died Monday, March 31, 2003 at the Broen Memorial Home.

He was born August 23, 1921 in Kankakee, IL the son of Edward and Florence (Suprenant) Hopper. He was baptized at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Kankakee and confirmed at Hedemarken Lutheran Church in Carlisle, MN. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on January 19, 1942 and served in the Aleutian Islands during WWII. He received an honorable discharge on October 6, 1945 at Camp Beale, CA.

On April 1, 1945 he married Anna Marie Hexum in the chapel at Camp Knight at Oakland, CA. They moved to Kankakee, IL where he worked for A & P Grocer. In May of 1946 the couple moved to Fergus Falls where he worked for North Star Dairy as a truck driver for 40 years, retiring from there in 1986.

The family joined Zion Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls in 1958 where he served as an usher, Luther League Adviser and Scoutmaster for many years. He was also a member of the VFW in Fergus Falls. He loved playing softball and cards, fishing, bowling and spending time with his children and grandchildren at the lake.

He is survived by his wife, Anna Marie; five sons and one daughter, John (Sally) Hopper of Sacred Heart, Bruce (Jan) Hopper of Fergus Falls, Guy (Doreen) Hopper of Detroit Lakes, Jeffrey (Ann) Hopper of Moorhead, Mary (Randy) Buckingham of Fergus Falls and Scott (Amy) Hopper of Alexandria; 18 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Phyllis; infant child, Bruce Edward and two infant grandchildren, Shannon and Andrew Hopper and his very special grandpa, Surprenant.

Visitation: One hour prior to the service

Service: 2 p.m. Friday at Zion Lutheran Church

Clergy: Rev. Marv Abrahamson

Burial: Hedemarken Cemetery, Carlisle

Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls
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Kenneth Twete

Kenneth Twete, 61, of rural Battle Lake died Monday, March 31, 2003 at MeritCare Hospital in Fargo, ND.

He was born September 8, 1941 in Fergus Falls to Carl and Ruth (Wentzel) Twete. He was baptized and confirmed at Trefoldighed Lutheran Church and graduated from the Battle Lake High School in 1959. He served with the Minnesota National Guard for six years including six months active duty.

On May 27, 1972 he married Sharon Hovelson at Trefoldighed Lutheran Church. He dairy farmed with his dad until 1990 and then went into beef cattle and grain farming. After he quit milking he and Sharon delivered the Midweek for over 10 years.

He was a lifetime member of Trefoldighed Lutheran Church where he served on the church council and various committees and had also been church custodian for a number of years. He collected toy tractors and enjoyed deer hunting, duck hunting and his dog, Sparky. He had a real love of the land and agriculture and enjoyed the outdoors.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon; mother, Ruth Twete of Battle Lake; uncle, Art Wentzel of Fergus Falls and brothers-in-law, Harlan (Diane) Hovelson and family of Hawley and Roger (Bette) Hovelson and family of Buffalo, ND. He was preceded in death by his father, Carl Twete.

Visitation: Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at First Lutheran Church in Battle Lake and one hour prior to the service at Trefoldighed Church

Service: 11 a.m. Friday at Trefoldighed Lutheran Church, rural Battle Lake

Clergy: Revs. George Dahl and Craig Wentzel

Burial: Church Cemetery

Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Battle Lake