George Wessberg

George Alfred Wessberg, 80, formerly of Fergus Falls, died Tuesday, September 18, 2007, in Santee, California. He was born in Fergus Falls, MN on May 27, 1927. He was the older of two sons born to Al Wessberg and Frances Trenne Stein Wessberg. He was the grandson of Chas. Wessberg an early pioneer of Fergus Falls who arrived in 1870 and died in 1916. His father Al was Chief of the Fergus Falls Fire Department. Mr. Wessberg was a member of the Fergus Falls High School Class of 1945. After enlisting in the U.S. Navy and serving honorably in the South Pacific, Mr. Wessberg returned home to marry Geraldine Halvorson ('48) on September 3, 1949. George began his business career with Red Dot Foods as a salesman and was quickly promoted to management positions. Following a merger with Frito-Lay, Inc. Mr. Wessberg continued his advancement into management positions in Nebraska, Texas and California. When he retired from the company at the age of 63 the president of the company bestowed upon him the honorary title of "Mister Frito-Lay" for his 34 years of exemplary integrity, dedicated service and innovative marketing strategies. He was a member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Veteran's of Foreign Wars, American Legion and Elks. During his service in the Navy and as an avid bird hunter Mr. Wessberg was known as an excellent marksman and trustworthy friend. Preceding him in death were his parents, his half brother Harold Stein and half sister Mildred Stein Horn. Survivors include his wife Gerry; their two children: George Allen Wessberg ('69) of Honolulu, HI and Kerry Lynn Wessberg ('71) of Los Gatos, CA; his daughter-in-law Mary Manly Wessberg of Honolulu, HI; his granddaughters: Lindsay Lee Wessberg and Amy Allynn Wessberg of Honolulu, HI; his brother Charles Edward Wessberg ('48) and sister-in-law Helen Thurnau ('46) Wessberg of Superior ,WI; and nephews and nieces Tommy Stein, Sandy Stein Campbell, Charles Wessberg Jr., Rick Wessberg, Darlene Horn, Blaine Halvorson, Barbara Halvorson, Becky Halvorson, Barry Halvorson, Bonnie Halvorson, Tamara Muths Pusch, and Pamela Muths Brady, and a sister-in-law Gail Halvorson Muths. Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Friday, October 5th at the funeral home and resumes one hour prior to the service. Service: 1 p.m. Saturday, October 6, 2007 at Olson Funeral Home Chapel in Fergus Falls Clergy: Reverend Craig Palach Interment: Knollwood Memorial Gardens in Fergus Falls Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls Military Participation by the Fergus Falls VFW Post 612 and American Legion Post #30 Tax-deductible memorial gifts may be sent to 544 Education Foundation at 518 North Friberg Ave. Fergus Falls, MN 56537 - Wessberg Family Endowment Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com