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Donald R. Britton
Service: Monday, February 8, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at West-Kjos Funeral Home.
Visitation: Monday, February 8, 2010 from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. at West-Kjos Funeral Home.
Donald R. Britton, 88, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, died February 4, 2010 at his home.
Don was born on September 30, 1921, the son of Harry and Edna (Peck) Britton in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. He was educated in Detroit Lakes and attended agriculture school in Crookston, Minnesota. As a young man, Don was in the Civilian Conservation Corp and later enlisted in the United States Navy, serving on the USS Salt Lake City.
After receiving an honorable discharge, Don started to work as a lineman for Yellowstone Valley Coop in Huntley, Montana for twenty-three years. In 1968, he moved to Bremerton, Washington and continued to work as a lineman for Puget Sound Power and Light until his retirement in 1982. Don was married
to Doris Halverson on August 7, 1972 in Bremerton, Washington. In 1987 they moved to Detroit Lakes, Minnesota and for the last eighteen years would spend their winters in Arizona.
Don was a member of the VFW, American Legion and the USS Salt Lake City Association. He enjoyed fishing, boating, hunting, wood working and wood crafts.
Don is survived by his wife, Doris Britton of Detroit Lakes, MN; one son, Neil (Linda) Britton of Preston, MN; two daughters, Pam (Ken) Gulseth of Detroit Lakes, MN; Donna (Jeff) David of Bremerton, WA; nine grandchildren, Aliesha and Janelle Britton, Craig (Lori) Britton, Ross Britton, Allen (Amy) Gulseth, Mark (Merideth) Gulseth, Kari Gulseth, Dana Hoffman, Tawni ; twenty great-grandchildren; three sisters, Marj (Jerome) Leegard of Callaway, MN; Betty Klomstad of Detroit Lakes, MN; Peggy (Lyle) Leegard of Detroit Lakes, MN; numerous nieces and nephews.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, granddaughter, Leanne Gulseth and brother-in-law, Donald Klomstad.
Benny "Ben" L. Reem
Service: Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 10:30 AM at United Methodist Church in Detroit Lakes, MN.
Visitation: Monday, March 7, 2011 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at WestKjos Funeral Home.
Benny (Ben) Lowe Reem peacefully passed away on Thursday, March 03, 2011, at his home in Detroit Lakes, MN.
Ben was born April 30, 1933, in Aitkin, MN to Charles and Emily (Carlson) Reem. He graduated from Aitkin High School in 1951 and later from Minneapolis Business College.
On November 23, 1957, Ben married
Martha Ann Lee in the Methodist Church in Aitkin, MN. They both have been active in Methodist Churches in every town where they lived.
Ben grew up on the shores of Mille Lacs Lake. He started working at a summer resort at a very young age carrying fishermen’s tackle between their car and boat for nickel and dime tips. He also operated fishing launches on Mille Lacs during four summers while in high school and college and sailed on the Great Lakes as a Deck Watch on an ore boat for one season, where he visited most major ports.
Ben was very proud to have served three years in the Marine Corps, attaining the rank of Sergeant. This included a one year tour in Japan. He passed the necessary test and endured many interviews to qualify for Officers Candidate School (OCS). He was waiting for the next class to begin when the Korean Armistice was signed and the OCS Program was discontinued.
After going to college on the G.I. Bill, he became Office Manager of Deuel Telephone Cooperative in Clear Lake, SD for seven years. Deuel Telephone served 10 towns in South Dakota and Minnesota. In 1965 he got into the computer industry in its infancy, by going to work as the Assistant Manager of North Central Data Cooperative (NCDC) in Mandan, ND (currently known as National Information Solutions Center), where he oversaw the development of computer programs for rural telephone cooperatives. In 1968 he moved his family to Detroit Lakes where he was employed by D. Tollefson, CPA as the principal operator of the first computer in Detroit Lakes. Ben was in charge of designing and writing computer programs for their clients, including the First National Bank of Detroit Lakes. He returned to NCDC in 1970 as General Manager, a position he held for nine years. During his tenure as General Manager, NCDC reached a peak of producing 350, 000 utility bills monthly for rural electric and telephone cooperatives in 11 states. Ben joined Basin Electric Cooperative as a Financial Analyst where he spent many weeks in New York City and participated in lease transactions totaling one billion dollars - one of his proudest accomplishments! During this time he earned frequent guest perks at the Vista International Hotel, which was connected to both World Trade Towers that were destroyed on 9-11. After leaving Basin, Ben and Martha owned and operated the Golf Terrace Motel in Crookston, MN for four years.
In 1991, they moved back to Detroit Lakes where Ben - never fully retiring - held several part-time jobs, including working for the US Fish and Wildlife Service, MN Job Service, Green Thumb, Fine Line Protective Services, and most recently drove for Nereson Chevrolet Cadillac.
Ben served on the Clear Lake, SD City Council and the Detroit Lakes Planning Commission for several years. He enjoyed playing and coaching softball for more than 40 years - having played until he was 71 years old! He was an avid Detroit Lakes High School, Vikings, and Twins sports fan - never giving up on the Vikings winning the Super Bowl. Ben had an ongoing hobby of tracing his genealogy. One of his sayings was he “didn’t know where he was going so he should try to find out where he came from.” Ben was an avid writer, having some of his work published and winning several awards.
His sense of humor was well developed and he was always ready with a humorous quip. He enjoyed a good laugh and a cup of coffee with a friend.
Surviving him, and blessed to have shared his life, are his wife Martha, Detroit Lakes; a daughter, Melody Reem Kruckenberg and a son, Patrick Reem; both of Detroit Lakes; a daughter, Brenda Wheelock (Donald), Inkom, ID; a brother, Gilbert Reem, Crosby, MN; a sister, Marjorie Voltz, Detroit Lakes; six grandsons; Dr. Nathan Wilson (Dr. Julia Polito), Keith and Scott Kruckenberg, Matthew, Andrew, and Jonathan Wheelock; and several nephews, nieces, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Emily Reem; a sister, Shirley Moe; a sister-in-law, Bernice Reem (Christensen); two brothers-in-law, Roy Voltz and Warren Moe.
Erling P. Hill Jr.
Service:A graveside service will be held at a later date.
Erling P. Hill Jr. 63, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, died Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at Sanford Health, Fargo, North Dakota.
Erling was born on December 16, 1947, the son of Erling and Marcella (Nyeggen) Hill Sr. in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1974, Erling moved to Detroit Lakes and has resided at Lakes Homes West. He enjoyed working at Becker County DAC, watching the Minnesota Vikings, demolishing derbys, listening to music (especially Johnny Cash), decorating the house for the holidays, and looking at Penny’s Catalogs and "books". Erling also enjoyed handing out candy to the trick or treaters and dressing up for Halloween, Horticulture Therapy, birthday parties and the cake!
A special thanks to Tom and Georgia Reiffenberger and to all the "moms" at Lakes Homes for your care and kindness, and to "Bobby" at DAC for helping Erling enjoy his job.
Erling is survived by his two sisters, Cynthia(Richard) Johnson of Pine City, MN; Kathleen (Jack) Pearson of Daphne, AL; three nieces, Karin (Jeffrey) Hendrickson, Kirsten (Cory) Stafne, Julie (James) Pooton; one nephew, Alden (Jackie) Pearson; his friends at Lakes Homes.
Darrel L. Stemen
Service: Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at West-Kjos Funeral Home.
Visitation: Saturday, December 12, 2009 from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. at West-Kjos Funeral Home.
Darrel L. Stemen, 74, of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, passed away on Sunday, December 6, 2009 at Emmanuel Nursing Home, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.
Darrel was born on December 14, 1934 the son of Leo and Burnadeen (Myers) Stemen in Nortonville, North Dakota. After attending a trade school in Minnesota, Darrel enlisted in the United States Navy and served for four years. He worked in construction at the Minot Air Force Base, Minot, North Dakota. Darrel was later employed by the Soo Line Railroad, which is now Canadian Pacific Railroad as a signal repairman. He retired from the railroad on December 2, 1996. Darrel, then worked part-time at the NAPA Store in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. He struggled with complication of heart disease for the last several months.
Darrel enjoyed deer hunting and fishing with his buddies.
Darrel is survived by his two brothers, Delvin Stemen of Burlington, North Dakota; Clifton (Marlene) Stemen of New Paris, Indiana; two sisters, Erma (Travis) Cupit of Benbrook, Texas; Olive (Lyle) Coonradt of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; sister-in-law, Carol (Myron) Stemen of Burlington, North Dakota; brother-in-law, Don (Edna) Harrington of Kiln, Mississippi; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Darrel was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Myron and sister, Edna Harrington
Donna M. Evenson
Service: Saturday, August 14, 2010 at 10:00 AM at First Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes.
Visitation: Saturday, August 14 from 9:00 - 10:00 AM at First Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes.
Donna Evenson, 76, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, was called to heaven on August 9, 2010 at Oak Crossing, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota following her battle with cancer.
Donna was born on September 20, 1933 in the Mayville, North Dakota area to Ingvold and Marie (Hovde) Severson. She attended grade school and high school in Mayville. Donna graduated from Mayville State College in 1952. She was united in marriage to Otto Evenson on December 27, 1953 at Mayville Lutheran Church.
Donna taught school in Finley, Cavalier, Pillsbury and Langdon, North Dakota. She also taught graduate school at NDSU. From the classroom, Donna went to work for the North Dakota Council on the Arts. She became the first administrator of the North Dakota Touring Arts Program, that brought art performances to North Dakota communities of all sizes. Donna was involved in many council projects, including the display of a collection of North Dakota Native American artists work at the Renwick Gallery in Washington, D.C. She was the inspiration of the North Dakota Christmas Tree Project, that still encourages North Dakota artisans to make and donate hand crafted ornaments for the official state Christmas Tree in the Great Hall at the Capital. Donna took the lead in an exhibit of senior citizen art work known as Winter Wheat, that toured the state and was shown in Washington D.C. Finally it was under her watch in 1982, that the nationally recognized exhibition Iron Spirits, featuring photographs of the handmade iron grave markers made by North Dakota German-Russian blacksmiths opened and toured the region.
Donna was an active member of the First Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes and as a circle member. She was also a member of the VFW Auxiliary in West Fargo, North Dakota.
Donna is survived by her husband, Otto Evenson of Detroit Lakes, MN; grandson, Eric Evenson; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins as well as a very special uncle, Omar Hovde and brother-in-law, Marcus Evenson of Fargo, ND.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents, son, Paul; daughter-in-law, Jean (Schuder) and brother, Eldon Severson.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the VFW Auxiliary Cancer Fund(308 Sheyenne St., West Fargo, ND 58078).
Donna’s family would like to send a special thank you to the staff at Oak Crossing and Innovis Clinic in Detroit Lakes for their help and support
Harriet J. Davis
Service: Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 11:00 AM at Harvest Fellowship Church in Frazee, MN.
Visitation: Friday, April 8, 2011 from 5:00 - 8:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at WestKjos Funeral Home.
Harriet J. Davis age 85 of Detroit Lakes, MN died Tuesday April 5, 2011 at the Emmanuel Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes.
Harriet Josephine Davis was born on October 11, 1925 in Detroit Lakes, MN to Nels and Hanna Hanson Olson. She grew up and attended country school in Shell Lake Township of rural Frazee, MN. She then graduated from Frazee High School in 1943. Harriet earned a teaching certificate and took her first teaching job in Wolf Lake MN. In September of 1946 she was united in marriage to Earl Davis. They farmed in the Cotton Lake area. Over the years Harriet taught in various rural schools in the Frazee, Detroit Lakes, Underwood, and Park Rapids School Districts. She completed her 40 year teaching career teaching elementary school in Detroit Lakes. Following her teaching, she served as the Director of the Becker County Historical Society for 10 years.
Harriet’s family and church were a very important part of her life. She was also very proud of being a teacher, and enjoyed staying in touch with former teachers and students. She was a very caring person who enjoyed helping others. Harriet was very musical and played many different instruments. She was named the Becker County Senior Citizen of the Year in 1997.
Harriet is survived by one son, Don (Jane Ball) Davis, of Rochert, MN; grandson, Jeff (Janaya) Davis, of Rochert, MN; granddaughter, Nicole (David) Martinson, of Chaska, MN; three great grandsons, Taylor, Colton, and Parker Davis; one sister, Elaine (Clifford) Skinner, of Hawaii; two sisters in law, Renilda Olson, of Detroit Lakes, MN; Darlene Olson, of Detroit Lakes, MN; and many nieces and nephews
She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Ernie, Willis, and Glen Olson; three sisters, Lillian Carlson, Doris Tyree, and Arlet Olson.
