Milo “Mike” Belshan, 90, of Northwood, Iowa, died Monday, April 29, 2013 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea, Minn.

Milo Belshan was born in Shellrock Township northwest of Myrtle, Minnesota, Dec. 14, 1922, the eighth of 10 children born to Louis A. and Josephine (Benesh) Belshan. He graduated from Albert Lea High School and worked at Wilson’s meatpacking plant until he joined the army.

During World War II, he spent 2 1/2 years in the South Pacific with the 163rd Infantry 41st Division Jungleers, one of the divisions that Spearheaded General McArthur’s return to the Philippines, starting with many battles in New Guinea.

In 1947, Milo purchased a farm in Hayward Township north of Myrtle. On Sept. 5, 1948, he was united in marriage to Betty Jane Johnson. They started farming together and in 1956 moved to a farm they purchased just across the corner in London Township. By this time they were a family of five with children Marilyn, Michael and Daniel. In 1984, when the couple retired from farming, they moved to an acreage in Pickerel Lake Township. In 2003, they moved to Northwood, Iowa, where Milo cared for his wife until she had to go into a nursing home. To his last he loved to see crops growing.

In May 1959 Milo was appointed to fill the Freeborn County District 2 County Commissioner vacancy. Milo was fortunate to have served more than 23 years, along with some very good county commissioners, engineering staff and excellent employees, in bringing county highways from 50 antiquated to 350 miles of modern hard surfaced roads, village streets and replaced bridges, and assisting federal and state in laying I-90 and I-35 in our county. He pushed for clean lakes legislation, and was at the forefront of establishing three county parks for future generations. He served on committees and boards from school board to multi-county and state commissions. He was a member of the American Legion, Eagles, ZCBJ Lodge No. 44, North American Hunting Club, NRA and a life member of the VFW.

In his passion for nature, he planted hundreds of trees during his lifetime, establishing nice stands of Red Pine, Birch and Norway Spruce and a huge area of wildflowers. He was an enthusiastic hunter and fisherman.

Survivors include his children Marilyn (Craig) Carrigan, Michael (Kim) Belshan and Daniel (Bonnie) Belshan; grandchildren, Tyrone Carrigan, Sarah (Mike) Martinson, Jason (Amanda) Belshan, Andrea Belshan (friend Ben Walton), John (Jody) Van Beek and Matthew Belshan; great-grandchildren, Bailey and Morgan Martinson, Olivia and Jenna Belshan, Tate and Sawyer Van Beek and Sidney and Brett Walton; brothers Fred (Gladys) Belshan and Alva Belshan; sister Helen Dockwell; in-laws Phyllis Nordstrom and John (Sherry) Johnson; and many nephews, nieces, cousins and good friends.

Milo was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty; brothers, sisters and in-laws, Lillian Belshan, Tony (Doris) Belshan, Louis (Alice) Belshan, Edward (Helen) Belshan, Josephine (Anton) Cech, Emily (Richard) Cech, Harry Dockwell, Shirley Belshan, Rodney Nordstrom and Ellen Johnson.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 3, 2013, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Myrtle where he was a member. The Rev. Ronald Myers will officiate. Interment will be at Bohemian National Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by area servicemen’s organizations, VFW and American Legion. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 2 at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.