Omer Folven, 91, died Tuesday morning, March 1, 2011, at the Thorne Crest Retirement Center in Albert Lea, Minn.

Omer was born March 9, 1919, near Kiester, Minn., the son of Gilbert and Alma (Fure) Folven. He graduated from High School in Rake, Iowa, and Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, where he attended on an athletic scholarship. Omer was confirmed at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Kiester, Minn., and was recently a member of First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. He taught public school in Ackley, Iowa, and then in Blooming Prairie, for six years. Omer served in the Army Medical Corp during WWII and was stationed at Camp Upton, Long Island, N.Y. On August 19, 1939, he was united in marriage to Genevieve Moe in Scarville, Iowa. Together they purchased a farm near Austin, where he farmed and worked for the Hormel Company for more than 35 years. Omer enjoyed coaching high school sports, spending time at the cabin near Grand Rapids, Minn., and traveling and attending the kids and grandkids sporting events. Omer played baseball and football for Luther College. He also played baseball in the Southern Minnesota League with the Owatonna Indians and later the Austin Packers.

Omer is survived by his wife Genevieve of Albert Lea; children; Roger (Judy) Folven of Lake Mills, Iowa, Jon (Marcia) Folven of Oshkosh, Wis., Craig (Kathy) Folven of St Francis, Minn., Deb (Mike) Smith of Rochester, Tammy (Tony) Kimball of Crosby, Minn.; grandchildren, Sally (Kelly) Wheeler, SuEllen Birkholz, Beth (Ashvin) Ragoonwansi, Angela (Mike) Dennis, Derek (Nikki) Folven, Jeffrey Folven, Kari (John) Lazarescu, Kenneth (Nicolle) Folven, Katie (Devlin) Roy, Jennifer (Kevin) Beier, Heather (Shane) Undeberg, Michael (Theresa) Schaefer, Nicholas Kimball, Kendra Kimball and Kayla Kimball — 27 total grandkids; brothers and sisters, Betty (Alonzo) Johnson of Albert Lea, Gladys Roe of Albert Lea, Janet (Carlyle) Engebretson of Kiester, and Vernon (Sharon) Folven of Kiester.

Omer was preceded in death by his parents, and Brother James Folven.

Memorial services for Omer J. Folven of Albert Lea will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 8, at the First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. Pastor Dan Baker will officiate. Visitation will be held Monday, March 7, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Bonnerup Funeral Service, and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Kiester, Minn. Military honors will be accorded by the Albert Lea Area Veterans Organizations.