Earl Folger

Earl Keith Folger, 86, of Fergus Falls, died Saturday, May 21, 2011, at Lake Region Healthcare. He was born February 16, 1925, in Hawley, the son of Francis Virgil and Frances Irene (Ritteman) Folger. His father worked for the Highway Department, so as a child he traveled with his family throughout Minnesota. He graduated from Hawley High School in 1943. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the Pacific on the USS Beryl. He was discharged in February of 1946 and returned to Hawley. On June 23, 1946, he married Lois Peck in Hawley. Keith attended North Dakota State University in Fargo, receiving a degree in Electrical Engineering. He worked at A.C. Spark Plug Company in Milwaukee, WI, later he was employed at Northern Indiana Public Service as an Electrical Engineer, while living in Shererville, IN. In 1955, they moved to Fergus Falls where he began his career with Otter Tail Power Company working in Fergus Falls, Jamestown, ND, Morris, MN and back to Fergus Falls retiring in 1989. During his time at Otter Tail Power Company he became a Professional Engineer, and received the Nikola Tesla Engineer Award. Keith was an active member of the Methodist Church, life member of the Fergus Falls VFW and American Legion and served as Past Commander of the American Legion Seventh District. He continued to give Memorial Day Addresses around the area until the last few years. Keith was a Scout Master and recipient of the scouting Silver Beaver award. He also was a member of Kiwanis and Golden Kiwanis He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, canoeing, bowling, played high school sports and was active with “Volunteers in Mission” with United Methodist Church, Habitat for Humanity and UMCOR-Disaster Relief. Preceding him in death were his parents and a sister, Carolyn Ward. Survivors include his wife, Lois of Fergus Falls; five daughters, Patty (Bob) Miller of Battle Lake, Lois Kay (Bryan) Berg of Long Prairie, Becky (Dick) Berg of Rochester, Sally (Rick) Martinson of Rockford and Maryann (Roy) Buckner of Moorhead; three sons, Fred (Barbara) of New Hartford, NY, Michael (Jeanie) of Bloomington and Bill (Leslee) of Pipestone; 25 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Frances (Rod) Felber of Alexandria and D. Kathleen Christenson of Blaine; two brothers, Bill (Bertyce) of Bellingham, WA and Dale (Arleen) of Thief River Falls; along with numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation 5-7 pm Tuesday with at prayer service at 6 pm at Grace United Methodist Church, Fergus Falls and one hour prior to the service at the church Service 10:30 am Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at Grace United Methodist Church, Fergus Falls Clergy Rev. Gary Gottfried Interment Knollwood Memorial Gardens, Fergus Falls with Military participation from Fergus Falls VFW and American Legion Funeral Home Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls Memorials are preferred to U.M.C.O.R. (Methodist Disaster Relief Fund)