Irving Wold

Irving Wold, 93, of Fergus Falls, died Monday, March 26, 2007, at the Broen Memorial Home in Fergus Falls. He was born February 15, 1914 on a farm outside of Thief River Falls, Minnesota, to Ingval and Alma (Bredeson) Wold. He was baptized and confirmed at Satersdal Lutheran Church, rural Thief River Falls. He was a graduate of Thief River Falls High School and Bemidji State Teacher's College. During WWII, he served in the US Army at Camp Pendleton, California, India, and China. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in China. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. On November 17, 1946, he married Esther Loiten at her parent's home in Winger Minnesota. They lived in Winger, Bagley, and Detroit Lakes, MN. Irving's first profession was teaching. He was a well loved teacher who heard from grateful students even as late as the occasion of his 90th birthday. He took pride in having taught Army recruits to read in preparation for their service. After his tenure in the US Army he owned Winger Hardware out of which he operated a plumbing business and repaired shoes on the side. Following a return to teaching in the late 1950s, his last career change was into social work. He was instrumental in the early development of services for developmentally disabled children and adults in Becker County. He also licensed foster homes and worked with adoptive families. His retirement from Becker County Social Services left him with lots of time for clock repair. He found joy in bringing a rusty old clock to life and teasing the song out of cuckoo. Ten years following the death of his beloved Esther, he moved to Fergus Falls in 1994. He became a regular at the Nutrition Center and volunteered at the Otter Tail County Historical Society as a tour guide. His grandchildren were his pride and joy. Irving was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Clarence, Benhard, and Rueben; four sisters, Myrtle, Gladys, Alice, and Bernice, and his wife, Esther. He is survived by his daughter, Marion (Morrie) Kershner of Fergus Falls, grandchildren Scott, Sara, Micah (Simone), and Aaron Kershner; one sister, Judith of Thief River Falls; and a host of nieces and nephews. The family is most grateful to the staff of Broen Memorial Home and Lakeland Hospice for their loving and professional care. A prayer service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Light and Life Auditorium of the Broen Home with Reverend Ken Austin officiating. The family will be present at 1:30 p.m. to greet friends. Staff, residents and the public are welcome. Memorials are preferred to the Broen Memorial Home, Lakeland Hospice or the donor's choice. Visitation:           One hour prior to the service at the church. Service:           1:00 p.m. Monday, April 2, 2007, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls. Clergy:           Rev. Paul Nelson and Rev. Scott Kershner Burial:           Rescheduled to 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 7, 2007, at Calvary Lutheran Cemetery, Winger, MN. Funeral Home:      Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls