In Memorium

MFDA Past President

Glenn Thomas Hansen, 81, Duluth, formerly of Moose Lake and Two Harbors, died peacefully on Monday, June 8, 2020 at his home with his family by his side after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on April 6, 1939 in Minneapolis to Conrad and Esther Hansen. He lived in Minneapolis until the age of 14 when his family moved to Two Harbors. Glenn attended Two Harbors High School graduating in 1957 and later entered the United State Navy, serving for two years. On June 25, 1960, Glenn married Carole Sarff in Minneapolis. Glenn attended the University of Minnesota graduating in 1963. Glenn started his career at Simonet Funeral Home in Stillwater for a short time before moving to Moose Lake in 1964 and began working for Wes & Gen Hamlin at Hamlin Funeral Home. In 1976, Glenn and Carole purchased the funeral home and incorporated their name on the business. In 1998, they sold HamlinHansen Funeral Home to Mike Kosloski. They had lived by Gooseberry Falls on Lake Superior since 1993 and later moved to Duluth in 2006. Glenn had served as Minnesota Funeral Directors Association President from 1977-1978. He was also a member of Hope Lutheran Church in Moose Lake where he served as President of the Congregation, Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Castle Danger, Family of God Lutheran Church in Duluth, Sons of Norway, and the Moose Lake Chamber where he was recognized as Grand Marshall for the Fourth of July Parade. Glenn loved the game of hockey and was active in the Moose Lake Hockey Program and a very proud UMD Fan and season ticket holder. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, wood carving, playing cards, driving his Corvette in parades, and sharing his great sense of humor. Glenn was a proud Norwegian and in 1994 began researching his genealogy and contacting relatives in Norway and Carole’s relatives in Sweden. They made several trips over to Norway and Sweden and became very close to their relatives through the years. Glenn was preceded in death by his wife, Carole; parents: Conrad and Esther Hansen; and three brothers: Douglas, James, and Conrad. He will be lovingly remembered by his two sons: Mark Hansen of Moose Lake and Greg (Becky) Hansen of Duluth; his grandchildren whom he adored: Ashley (Erik) Cooper; Megan Hansen, Keely Hansen, and Thomas Hansen. Visitation was held June 11, 2020 in Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake and continue June 12 at Hope Lutheran Church, Moose Lake. Burial was held June 12 in Diamond Lake Cemetery, Aitkin, MN. To sign the guestbook online or to send a personal tribute video via SendHugs, go to www. hhkfuneralhome.com. Memorials are preferred to the charity of your choice in Glenn’s memory. Blessed be the memory of Glenn Thomas Hansen. Arrangements by HamlinHansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake.

Ernest John Gieseke, Minnesota funeral director and owner of Gieseke Funeral Home, was born April 28, 1950 to Herbert H. Gieseke and May Christine (Eidem) Gieseke. He was baptized and confirmed at Zoar Lutheran Church. He grew up at Marietta, MN and graduated Class of 1968 from Marietta High School. He worked at the Marietta Orpheum Theater, the local grain elevator, and for local farmers. Ernie went on to the Willmar State Junior College graduating in 1970 with as A.S. degree and worked summers putting up grain bins. He moved to Minneapolis where he worked for Sundseth-Anderson Funeral Home while finishing his education. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1972 with a B.S. degree in Mortuary Science. He served his Practicum at Albin Chapel in Minneapolis and his apprenticeship at Sundseth-Anderson’s working there until 1975. In 1974 he married Linda Glee Dahle in Milbank, South Dakota. They moved to Detroit Lakes in 1975 where he worked at Donehower Funeral Home. They had a daughter, Christine in 1977 and a son, Andrew in 1980. He purchased Donehower’s with a partner in 1981, but sold his interest in 1984. He and Linda purchased the Eeg Funeral Chapel and Cedar Chest Floral and Gifts in Greenbush, Minnesota and moved their young family there. They owned Gieseke Funeral Chapel, Floral and Gifts and also Gieseke Trophies. Ernie was baptized, confirmed, and married in the Lutheran Church attending Bethel Lutheran in Greenbush. He belonged to Lions clubs since 1970 and was a charter member of the Greenbush-Badger Lions Club serving as their secretary and treasurer for many years. He was recognized with the Melvin Jones Award (highest Lions award) in 2008. He held a funeral license in Minnesota since 1972 and in ND since 1982. He was a member of the Minnesota and ND Funeral Directors Association and secretary-treasurer for many years for District 10. He also earned the designation of Certified Funeral Service Practitioner for his years of community and professional service. Ernie loved his work and sharing it with his wife. He was very dedicated to his profession and the many families he served. He was very proud of his children and their accomplishments. He enjoyed his grandchildren and visited them when he could. He loved listening to polka music and watching NASCAR races. He had many bird feeders and enjoyed sitting on the back porch watching them. He loved long drives in the country, seeing the changes in the seasons and spotting animals and birds. He is survived by his wife and partner of over 45 years, Linda; One Son Andrew (Jessica) Gieseke of Chaska, Minnesota; two grandsons, Levi Gieseke and Cole Gieseke also of Chaska; one sister Betty Gieseke of Sierra Vista, Arizona; 2 brothers-in-law: Allen (Patricia) Dahle of Watertown, South Dakota and Collis (Brenda) Dahle of Milbank, SD; 4 sistersin-law: Rita (David) Wellnitz of Milbank, South Dakota, Nancy (Jim) Weber of Revillo, SD, Julie (Randy) Kruse of Revillo, SD, and Karen (Lloyd) Tillma of Twin Brooks, SD; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter, Christine in 2012. Funeral services were held June 12, 2020 at Bethel Lutheran Church, Greenbush.

Interment will be in Bethel Lutheran Cemetery, Greenbush. The service was streamed on the Bethel Lutheran ChurchGreenbush Facebook page. Visitation was held at the church on June 11. Gieseke Funeral Chapel, Greenbush.

Joyce Thulin Holm, former owner of Holm Funeral Home, age 89, of Luverne, died Saturday, June 13, 2020. She was born January 17, 1931, in Litchfield to Bert Thulin and Josephine (Nelson) Thulin. She graduated from Litchfield High School, earned her Nursing degree in 1954 from the University of Minnesota and later went on to earn her Masters degree in Public Health, also from the University of Minnesota. Joyce began her career as a nurse in Luverne in 1956 for Dr. Boone. She later worked as the school nurse for the Pipestone School District and then the Nobles-Rock County Public Health Nursing Service. She was an assistant professor of nursing at Brookings, then at Quincy Illinois, and then at Southwest State in Marshall. Joyce retired in 1993 after serving residents of southwest Minnesota working in Public Health Nursing and Services for Children with Handicaps with the Minnesota Department of Health. Joyce and Charles Peter (Cub) Holm were married on June 26, 1954 at the First Lutheran Church in Grove City. They moved to Luverne in 1956 after Cub’s discharge from the army and operated Holm Funeral Home. Upon retirement, Joyce and Cub moved to Green Lake in Spicer, and then to Tucson. Joyce returned to Luverne in 2016 following Cub’s move to the Veterans Home. Cub died in 2018. She was a member the Luverne Chapter of Eastern Star, Moccasins and flower club, Luverne United Methodist Church, Rock County Historical Society, Minnesota Historical Society, and Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society of Nursing. Joyce is survived by her sister, Dena Waters of Minneapolis and her brother Bob Thulin of Connecticut; her three daughters-Jodyne Holm of Austin TX, Jill Holmes (Jim) of Cedar Rapids IA, and Jennifer Hey (Tom) of Marshall; six grandchildren-Carina Miller, Charles Miller, Tom Holmes (Leah Eby), Peter Holmes, Sami Hey, and Sydney Hey; three great-grandchildren- Mackenzie, Mason and Madeline Miller; and her nephews and nieces. A time of fellowship was held July 10 at the Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne. A private family graveside service will be at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.

Donald J. Dobmeier,

92, longtime funeral director and founder of Dobmeier Funeral Home, died on Saturday, July 11, 2020 at his winter home in Brownsville, Texas. Mass of Christian Burial was held July 18 at Assumption Catholic Church in Barnesville, MN with Father Todd Arends presiding. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Barnesville. A time of fellowship and food was held at the Blue Eagle Park in Barnesville. Visitation was held July 17 at Dobmeier Funeral Home in Barnesville, MN. Donald John Dobmeier was born on February 12, 1928 to John George and Mildred (Ripple) Dobmeier in Park River, ND where he attended school and grew to manhood. At the age of 16, the funeral director in Park River asked Don to take ambulance calls for the funeral home. This eventually turned into helping out in the funeral home, and Don found his calling. Don graduated from Walsh County High School, Park River, in 1946. That same year Don enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served as a “Pharmacist Mate” today’s hospital corpsman. Don was stationed at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida where he worked with aviators and their oxygen needs. He was honorably discharged in 1948. He returned home where he worked for the Norman Funeral Home of Grand Forks, ND and began his college career at the University of North Dakota. It was there he met Margaret in a speech and debate class. He later transferred to the University of Minnesota where he completed his degree in Mortuary Science in 1951. On June 23, 1951, he was united in marriage to Margaret Ardene De Gagne in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in East Grand Forks, MN. The couple made their home in LaMoure, ND where he worked for the Groth Funeral Home and Hardware Store for seven years. They later owned and operated their own funeral home in LaMoure, ND. In 1958, they moved to Barnesville, MN where they purchased the Collins Funeral Home, later to be named the Dobmeier Funeral Home. In 1960, Don’s mother, Mildred, joined them in Barnesville where they purchased the Ben Franklin Variety Store in Barnesville. Mildred, Margaret, and Don owned and operated the store until 1978. Don and Margaret continued to own and operate the Funeral Home until 1988, when they retired and sold the funeral home to their son, John. They moved to their home on Lake Lizzie in rural Pelican Rapids, MN and wintered at South Padre Island, TX. They later wintered in Brownsville, TX. In 2001, they moved back into Barnesville where they lived until the time of Margaret’s death. For many years, Don summered in Detroit Lakes, MN and continued wintering in Brownsville, TX. Don epitomized funeral service and his compassion and humor comforted thousands of grieving families through the years. Don was involved in numerous civic groups and organizations including: The Barnesville American Legion Post 153, the Barnesville Lions Club, and The Barnesville Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of the Assumption Catholic Church of Barnesville and the Knights of Columbus. Don was a very active member of the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association, serving as the District 9 director for many years, and the National Funeral Directors Association. Don is survived by his seven children: David (Joyce) Dobmeier, West Fargo, ND, Daniel (Tami) Dobmeier, Princeton, MN, John (Terry) Dobmeier, Barnesville, MN, Thomas (Paula) Dobmeier, Barnesville, MN, Karl (Diane) Dobmeier, Sheridan,

WY, Mary (Jerry) Braton, Aitkin, MN, Susan (Wayne Redmann) Dobmeier, Moorhead, MN, 14 grandchildren: Nicole Dobmeier, Aaron Dobmeier, Kristen Houlton, Laura Houlton, Taylor Dobmeier, Paige Dobmeier, Jessica Dobmeier, Noah Dobmeier, Brandon (Kayla) Dobmeier, Jordan (Katie) Dobmeier, Karla (Joe) Schmidt, Paul (Cori) Braton, Anne (John) Farley, Jack (Alicia Kuhlmann) Braton, and 9 great grandchildren, and special friend Helen Grant of Kenosha, WI. Don was preceded in death by his wife Margaret in 2002, one grandson Peter Dobmeier, and one sister Shirley Owen. Online memories and condolences may be shared at www. DobmeierFuneralHome.com

Edgar E. Wright, Jr., Minnesota funeral director and father of Minnesota Funeral Director Steve Wright, 86, Moorhead, MN, died on Tuesday, July 21, 2020 in his home on Cormorant Lake. Ed was born on June 27, 1934, in Fargo, ND, to Edgar and Hanny (Lund) Wright. He graduated from Moorhead High School in 1952 and then attended Concordia College until the end of his sophomore year when his father’s sudden death made it necessary for him to transfer to the University of Minnesota Mortuary Science program in order to continue the family funeral business. Edgar married Virginia Gilbery on October 9, 1954 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead. He walked alongside thousands of grieving Moorhead families in his role as hometown funeral director. He was a strong advocate for Moorhead and he served the community and his church in many different roles in his younger years. He was always up for an adventure and he loved to be at the lake, first on Middle Cormorant and later Big Cormorant. He had what must have been a great job as a young man, lifeguard at Camp Emmaus. He loved to waterski and even built a waterski jump with his cousin out in front of the cabin. He taught all five of his kids as well as most of his nieces and nephews and many, many other kids how to water ski (a feat of great patience). Sailing, motorcycles, saunas and the Fourth of July all added to the lake adventures; he loved fireworks and put on quite a show in the 60’s and 70’s. Snow skiing was another love which he also taught and enjoyed with all of his kids, including many ski trips to the Rocky Mountains. In 1992, Ed sold the family business to his sons, Chip and Steve. He and Virginia spent a couple years traveling around the U.S. in a motorhome before settling in Naples, Florida for the winters. He loved introducing his family and friends to all that Florida had to offer. He inspired a love for the lake, the mountains, and the Florida Gulf Coast that lives on in all of his family. Edgar is survived by his wife, Virginia; children Julie (Jeff) Huot, Jackson, WY, Steve (Leann) Wright, Fargo, ND, Jenny Alberding, Austin, TX, Sally (Erik) Lindell, Northfield, MN. Sister Marion Cain, San Antonio, TX; daughter-in-law Janet (Jeff) Wright Mortenson, Lake Park, MN; grandchildren Leif (YingYing) and Nils Huot, Emily Wright, Elise and Gabe Wright, Karl and Ingrid Alberding, Siri and Peder Lindell. He was preceded in death by his son, Edgar “Chip” Wright, III, and his grandson, Eric Wright. Visitation was held July 28. A private funeral was held July 29 at Trinity Lutheran Church. Interment will be in Prairie Home Cemetery, Moorhead. Video tribute and online guestbook at www.wrightfuneral.com A. Dean Arnold, father of Minnesota Funeral Director Mark Arnold, age 90 of Bloomington. Born June 3, 1930 died August 11, 2020. A confident and quiet man who left a lasting legacy for all his family and friends to admire and remember. His faith in Christ was his measure of strength, a man not of the world but who’s focus was set on the beauty of the Resurrection. Born and raised in Canal Winchester Ohio. Graduated from Canal Winchester High School and soon after graduation he would meet a talkative sparky Italian woman who would complement his quiet nature. She caught his eye and attention and she would soon become his wife of 70 years, Delores Lombardi. They soon started a family and would move to Minneapolis which would become their new home. Dean worked very successfully for insurance companies as a safety inspector for many years and would enjoy retirement by taking on woodworking, home projects, reading and spending time with his family and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Delores; children, Dean, Cheryl (Arnold) Rue (Wade), and Mark (Kelley); grandchildren, Laura Montiel (Lorenzo), Dean R. (Courtney), Melody and Nolan Arnold; Kymberli (Rue) Kuehn (Dan), Jennifer, Deanna, and Angela Aldrich (Joshua); Elizabeth Morris (Joe), Hilary, and Olivia; great-grandchildren, Tristan, Ava, Adelyn; Samantha (Luke), Sophia, Caleb, Michael, Gabriel, Jayden; Nicholas and Teddy. Preceded in death by grandson, Jeffery Arnold Rue. Funeral service was held August 14 at the Lakewood Chapel in Minneapolis. Visitation was held August 13 at the David Lee Chapel in Wayzata. Interment Lakewood Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Metro Women’s Center or Olive Tree Ministries.

Gary Carlin, longtime businessman and funeral director from Fosston, MN passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 19 at the age of 85 at Essentia Health First Care Living Center in Fosston. A private family funeral service was held September 26 at Hope Lutheran Church in Fosston with the Rev. Jane Ekholm officiating. Interment and a graveside service will be held immediately following the funeral service at Hope Lutheran Cemetery in Fosston. Visitation was held on September 25 at the Carlin Funeral Home in Fosston. In addition, the funeral and graveside service will be recorded and available for viewing on the Carlin Funeral Home website. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Fosston and condolences may be shared at www. carlinfuneral.com. Gary Hildahl Carlin was born on July 25, 1935 the first of three sons to Hilding and Alice (Hildahl) Carlin in Fosston, MN where he grew up and graduated from Fosston High School with the Class of 1953. He attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN for one year then went on to the University of Minnesota where he attained his Mortuary Science Degree before returning to Fosston to go to work for his father in the furniture and appliance business and the funeral home business. He was blessed because a young, beautiful lady named Berniece Brekke from Edmore, ND took a physical education teaching job in Fosston in 1955. Gary and Berniece were married on April 14, 1957 at Concordia Lutheran Church in Edmore and celebrated 63 years of marriage this year. Gary worked with his father in business at the Carlin Furniture Store and Carlin Funeral Home in Fosston and the Carlin Funeral Home in Erskine, MN until 1974. At that time, Hilding retired and Gary’s brother Mark returned to Fosston to join together in buying out their father’s businesses. Gary and Mark progressively operated the Carlin Furniture Store and the Carlin Funeral Homes for many years. In 1976, they built a large addition to the furniture store building expanding their retail floor space. In 1985, they built a large addition to their funeral home building in Fosston. In 1989, they bought out the Pederson-Hoialmen Funeral Home in Fosston and the ReeseHoialmen Funeral Home in McIntosh, MN. And in 1995, they built a new funeral home chapel to replace the old chapel in Erskine. Together Gary and Mark served these communities and the surrounding area for many years with great pride. Along the way, they were joined by Doug Hoialmen, Gary’s son, John, and Mark’s son, Tim, working at the funeral homes. In 1996, Gary bought out his brother, Mark and in 1997, Gary “retired” and sold the funeral home business to John and Tim. Although Gary officially retired in 1997, he never quit working in the funeral business. He is still a licensed mortician in Minnesota to this day and never turned down an opportunity to help out at the funeral home. During his retirement years Gary and Berniece traveled south for winter vacations and loved spending the summer at their cabin on Bemidji Lake. Many hours were spent driving the boat, pulling the grandkids tubing and waterskiing. Gary was a dedicated Christian and was dedicated to his wife, his family, especially his grandchildren; his church; service to others; local church, school, and community events; and local sports. Gary and Berniece have traveled tens of thousands of miles and attended thousands of games played by their children and grandchildren over the years, rarely missing an event from grade school games to Big Ten Basketball games. He was a lifetime member, past president, and member of the choir at Hope Lutheran Church in Fosston where his grandfather, Rev. K.O. Hildahl, had been Pastor for 28 years. He served 20 years on the Fosston Volunteer Fire Department. Gary was a member of the Fosston Community Club, Fosston Rotary Club, served on the Fosston City Council, and had been given the Fosston Service Award. In his high school years Gary was very involved in football, basketball, baseball, Boy Scouts, and was an exceptional trombone player in the band and throughout his entire life. He also loved golf and played a part with the original founders of the Fosston Golf Course. Many remember Gary as a survivor. He overcame and survived five different types of cancers, some of them several times over the last forty years, beginning with cancer in 1980 when he endured a major abdominal surgery and extremely harsh chemotherapy. Despite all the cancers and the treatments and the worries he rarely complained. He always came back and thrived. In the end it turned out to be something neither he nor his family saw coming. An unforgiving disease called Lewy Body Dementia. A disease you can’t fight and can’t beat because there is no cure. Gary will be deeply missed by his family and those who knew him. He loved to laugh and play practical jokes on any unsuspecting person he could, especially his family members and Berniece. On Saturday, September 19, 2020 Gary passed away peacefully after a difficult and courageous summer long battle with health issues at Essentia Health First Care Living Center in Fosston at the age of 85 years. Survivors include his wife Berniece of Fosston; three children, Kim (Mike) Roysland, John (Cathy) and Jeff (Jackie) all of Fosston; seven grandchildren, Kelly (Eric) Curry, Josh Roysland, Garrett (Emily) Carlin, Seth (Kylee) Carlin, Kailey Carlin (special friend Kory), Kelsey Carlin (fiancé Kaven), and Jaime Carlin; two great grandchildren, Brekken Curry and Hayes Curry; brother-in-law, Bud (Joan) Brekke of Devils Lake, ND; sisters-in-law, Ida Carlin of San Francisco, CA and Barbara Carlin of Fosston; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, David and Mark; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Carl and Margaret Brekke; as well as many other family members.