Arthur Syverud, 101

Published 10:42 am Thursday, May 1, 2014

Arthur Syverud, 101, of Blooming Prairie, Minn. passed away Monday, April 28, 2014, at Prairie Manor Care Center.

Syverud

He was born Oct. 1, 1912, in Lansing Township, Mower County, Minn., to John and Agnethe (Kopperud) Syverud. Arthur was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith at Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church. He attended school near Corning, Minn., which was known as 72 Joint. Art recalled that in 1918, when word arrived at the school that World War I had ended, the students walked from the school to Corning carrying American flags for a ceremony. He was in the first-grade.

Arthur married Mildred Anderson on June 11, 1936, at the First Lutheran Church Parsonage in Blooming Prairie. Devoted to each other and determined to succeed as farmers, Art and Mildred prospered for over 60 years. They purchased their farm in 1954, and together they raised crops, horses, cows, pigs, chickens, ducks and geese. Art’s drive was fueled by his big heart, his desire to provide for his family, and his Norwegian heritage. Art was a great conversationalist. He especially enjoyed talking with Norwegian visitors. With his knowledge of the Norwegian language, he was often asked to translate documents or letters into English. He enjoyed visiting with everyone and was blessed with a ‘gift of gab’, a quick wit, and a unique sense of humor. One of Mildred’s passions was family history, so that became Art’s as well. To research their family, they traveled to visit relatives and learn family history in Norway and Canada as well as the United States. Art served on the Udolpho Township Board for 14 years, and served two years as Chairman of the Board for the Country School No. 60 in Udolpho Township, which at the time was involved in the consolidation process with the Blooming Prairie School District. He also served the First Lutheran Church as a trustee for three years, a deacon for two years, and an usher and financial secretary for many years. In June 2011, Arthur moved to Prairie Manor Care Center.

Arthur is survived by his three daughters, Joanne (David) Shaw of Castro Valley, Calif.; Doris Moe of Grand Forks, N.D.; Janice (Michael) Kohlrusch of Circle Pines, Minn.; one son Roger (Bettie) Syverud of Arden Hills, Minn.; seven grandchildren, Ronald Shaw, Renae Harryman, William Moe, Barbra Scharber, John Syverud, Tammy Ring, Wendy Spence; four step-grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, Christopher Todd, Michael Todd, Amy Shaw, Reid Shaw, Jacob Scharber, Katrina Moe, Isabella Moe, Olivia Moe, Greyson Spence; eight step great-grandchildren; brother-in-law Arlen (Evelyn) Anderson of Brainerd, Minn.; many other relatives and friends in Norway, Canada, and the United States. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 72 years, Mildred, who died in December 2008, sisters Olga Johnson, Clara Noble, Josena Drews; brothers Carl Syverud and Arnold Syverud; grandson Randall Shaw; son-in-law Herman Moe.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday May 5, 2014, at First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie, Minn., with Pastor Charles Leonard officiating. Visitation will be held from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, May 4, at Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Interment will be in First Lutheran Cemetery. Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Memorials are preferred to the First Lutheran Church Radio Broadcast Fund, the First Lutheran Church and Westfield Cemetery Fund, or recipient of donor’s choice. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.