1922
Donald
2011
Donald Estenson
July 10, 1922 — July 24, 2011
Donald Estenson, 89 of Fergus Falls died Sunday, July 24, 2011 at the Pioneer Care Center.
Donald "Don" LeRoy Estenson was born July 10, 1922 to Oscar A. and Marie (Vigen) Estenson in Stoney Brook Township, rural Wendell, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at West Elbow Lake Lutheran Church. Don attended rural School District #30 near Wendell through eighth grade.
Don enlisted in the US Army in 1944 during World War II and served in Germany with the 82nd Airborne Division as a paratrooper. After the fighting ended Don guarded Dwight D Eisenhower during this time he was also reunited with his brother, Hucky. He was honorably discharged in 1946.
On April 14, 1944, Don was united in marriage to Luella L. Weiss in Paris, Tennessee at the church parsonage. Luella resided on the family farm at rural Erhard while Don was in the service. In 1946 the couple moved to Fergus Falls and Don began working for Otter Tail Power as a lineman until 1950. Starting in 1947 the couple owned and operated the Fergus Hotel for twenty years and the Nu-way Café & Bus Depot for 7 years. In 1968 Don and Luella purchased the Fergus Motel, which they owned and operated for 26 years.
Don was a member of First Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls and a lifetime member of VFW Post #612, American Legion Post #30, Fergus Falls Senior Center and The Center For The Arts. Don enjoyed fishing, pheasant hunting, snowmobiling and feeding the ducks, geese, birds and chipmunks on Lake Alice. He also enjoyed a large collection of hammers and hatchets.
Don is survived by his wife, Luella; four sons, Wayne of Fergus Falls, Steve of St. Paul, Kurt of New Richmond, Wisconsin and Lee (Kitty) of Key West, Florida; two grandchildren, Shawna and Christopher Estenson of Gillette, Wyoming; five great grandchildren, Joshua, LaKisha, Kaylee, Lexie Ann and Tay; a sister, Marion (Bob) Thompson of Blaine; three sisters-in-law, Viola Estenson Fergus Falls, Betty Estenson of West Fargo and Ruth Haglund of Moorhead; brother and sister-in-law Harold and Inez Weiss of Erhard along with numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Preceding him in death were his parents and three brothers Marlin, Hartvick "Hucky" and Virgil "Buddy" Estenson
Funeral Services: Friday, July 29, 2011 at 1 PM at PioneerCare Celebration Center, Fergus Falls
Visitation: Thursday, 5-7 PM at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls and one hour prior to the service at the chapel
Clergy: Pastor Harry Olson
Military Rites: Memorial Color Guard and Rifle Squad, Harold T. Swenson VFW Post 612 and American Legion Post #30, Fergus Falls, Minnesota
Cemetery: First Lutheran North Cemetery, Fergus Falls, MN
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls
Condolences: www.GlendeNilson.com
Donald "Don" LeRoy Estenson was born July 10, 1922 to Oscar A. and Marie (Vigen) Estenson in Stoney Brook Township, rural Wendell, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at West Elbow Lake Lutheran Church. Don attended rural School District #30 near Wendell through eighth grade.
Don enlisted in the US Army in 1944 during World War II and served in Germany with the 82nd Airborne Division as a paratrooper. After the fighting ended Don guarded Dwight D Eisenhower during this time he was also reunited with his brother, Hucky. He was honorably discharged in 1946.
On April 14, 1944, Don was united in marriage to Luella L. Weiss in Paris, Tennessee at the church parsonage. Luella resided on the family farm at rural Erhard while Don was in the service. In 1946 the couple moved to Fergus Falls and Don began working for Otter Tail Power as a lineman until 1950. Starting in 1947 the couple owned and operated the Fergus Hotel for twenty years and the Nu-way Café & Bus Depot for 7 years. In 1968 Don and Luella purchased the Fergus Motel, which they owned and operated for 26 years.
Don was a member of First Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls and a lifetime member of VFW Post #612, American Legion Post #30, Fergus Falls Senior Center and The Center For The Arts. Don enjoyed fishing, pheasant hunting, snowmobiling and feeding the ducks, geese, birds and chipmunks on Lake Alice. He also enjoyed a large collection of hammers and hatchets.
Don is survived by his wife, Luella; four sons, Wayne of Fergus Falls, Steve of St. Paul, Kurt of New Richmond, Wisconsin and Lee (Kitty) of Key West, Florida; two grandchildren, Shawna and Christopher Estenson of Gillette, Wyoming; five great grandchildren, Joshua, LaKisha, Kaylee, Lexie Ann and Tay; a sister, Marion (Bob) Thompson of Blaine; three sisters-in-law, Viola Estenson Fergus Falls, Betty Estenson of West Fargo and Ruth Haglund of Moorhead; brother and sister-in-law Harold and Inez Weiss of Erhard along with numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Preceding him in death were his parents and three brothers Marlin, Hartvick "Hucky" and Virgil "Buddy" Estenson
Funeral Services: Friday, July 29, 2011 at 1 PM at PioneerCare Celebration Center, Fergus Falls
Visitation: Thursday, 5-7 PM at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls and one hour prior to the service at the chapel
Clergy: Pastor Harry Olson
Military Rites: Memorial Color Guard and Rifle Squad, Harold T. Swenson VFW Post 612 and American Legion Post #30, Fergus Falls, Minnesota
Cemetery: First Lutheran North Cemetery, Fergus Falls, MN
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls
Condolences: www.GlendeNilson.com
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