Sam Lykken, 87 of
Battle
Lake
passed away Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at his home at Lakeview Senior Living Apartments.
Samuel C. Lykken, was born on June 24, 1923, to Samuel T. and Christine (Bakke) Lykken at St. Luke’s Hospital in
Fargo
,
North Dakota
. He was baptized July 22, 1923 at Gol Lutheran Church Rural Kindred, ND and confirmed June 1938. He graduated from
Kindred
High School
in 1941 and then spent several years at home helping his Dad with the farm operations. To supplement income in the winter months, he worked for Ulteig Engineering of
Fargo
surveying for the new REA (Rural Electric Assn) lines in this area and for the
Great
Northern
Railroad
Bridge
and Building Department repairing depots, bridges and sign painting. He entered the army in 1944. After basic training in Texas, he was sent overseas and served in the Signal Corps, rebuilding communications, serving in Hawaii, Okinawa and Korea, and rose to rank of First Sergeant. Sam received honorable discharge in 1946 and started his career with Allis Chalmers Manufacturing Co. as a District Manager in
North Dakota
.
On May 17, 1947 he married Lorraine Anderson. They lived in
Fargo
,
Jamestown
and
Devils Lake
,
North Dakota
, raising two sons, David and Daniel. In 1957, the new Severson development on the north
shore
of
Battle
Lake
was just being opened. Sam and
Lorraine
purchased a lot there and built their home, living there until 2009.
In 1955, he purchased a farm equipment business in
Battle
Lake
and expanded it to a second store at
Fergus
Falls
in 1965. Having a boyhood dream of raising
Hereford
cattle, he purchased ten purebred
Hereford
heifers in 1960. Over several years the herd grew and more pasture was needed. To accommodate the expanding herd, he purchased a farm bordering
Battle
Lake
with sixteen hundred feet of lake shore which was later developed, and a boyhood dream was realized.
Sam served on the board of the
Minnesota
and South Dakota Farm Equipment Association for ten years, serving as president in 1987. He served on the First Lutheran Church Council, serving as president in 1958. While in business in
Battle
Lake
he was active in the
Battle
Lake
Civic & Commerce; was a member of the American Legion Paul Putnam Post serving as Commander and Boys State Chairman; and charter member of Battle Lake Lions Club. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, and past President of Birak Shrine Club of Fergus Falls.
Sam is survived by his wife of sixty two years,
Lorraine
, two sons, David, (
Nancy
), of
Marble Falls
,
TX
, Daniel, (Cindy), of
Bellevue
,
Washington
, four Grandchildren, Jonathan, (Celeste), Lykken, James (Kate) Lykken, Laura Lykken, Christina Lykken, and a great granddaughter, Ellia. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, brother and two sisters. Sam maintained a strong positive attitude and an example to many throughout his entire life, with his number one priority being his family and friends.
When he wasn’t busy with the farm equipment business and raising Herefords, he enjoyed his family and friends and his hobbies of hunting, snow skiing and water skiing. Sam also enjoyed flying his own plane, which he tied in with business as much as possible. After retirement he helped in forming The Rail Action Corp, working with businesses and railroads to halt rail abandonment in this area. He was also a business consultant working with businesses needing assistance.
Blessed be the memory of Sam Lykken.
