Dr. L. Arthur "Art" Syverson

Leslie Arthur Syverson, 90, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Thursday, June 29, 2017, at the Fergus Falls Minnesota Veterans Home.

Art was born on May 24, 1927, to John Melvin and Minnie Theodora (Berkvam) Syverson on a farm near Emmons, MN. He lived in various locations in southern Minnesota until his sophomore year of high school. Art took one year off from high school to help on the family farm. The family moved to Minneapolis in 1944 where Art graduated from high school. He then went on to receive his bachelor’s and doctor of medicine degrees from the University of Minnesota.

During his college years, Art met his wife, Lela “Lee” Pertl, and they were married on June 30, 1950, at Grace Methodist Church in Minneapolis.

After graduating from medical school, Art interned at St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth. During that time, he was selected for the medical draft of physicians and his request to serve stateside was granted. While serving as a captain at the Air Force Base in Clovis, NM, he obtained pertinent skills in general medicine. In 1958, Art joined a fellow fraternity brother, Dr. Arthur Sethre, at the Fergus Falls Clinic and his young family made Fergus Falls their home. Art was instrumental in the merger of the Fergus Falls Clinic with Park Region Medical Center to become the Fergus Falls Medical Group, PA, on November 1, 1967.

Art was a member of the Federated Church, Stephen’s Ministry, Kiwanis (noon), Relay for Life, Lake Region Hospital Foundation Board, American Academy of Family Practice, American Medical Association, Young Life Board, and RODEO (Retired Old Doctors Eating Out).

Art was very active at the Fergus Falls Minnesota Veterans Home. He sang in the MVH-FF Choir and composed songs for them. He hosted Bible Study every Monday. He enjoyed many of the outings scheduled at the Veterans Home such as fishing, rib night at the American Legion, and functions at A Center for the Arts. He mentored young athletes from the Fergus Falls High School football, swim, and cross-country teams. He was an active member of the newly formed Parkinson’s Support Group at the home. He continued daily correspondence with community members on his computer.

He also enjoyed guitar, computers, golf, bridge, reading, painting, and travel.
Preceding him in death were his parents; two brothers, Martelle and Clifford; and one grandchild, Christopher Hiatt.

He is survived by his wife, Lee, of Fergus Falls; children, Patti (Michael) Hiatt of Ramsey, MN, Bonnie (Jay) Erickson of Moorhead, MN, and Ann (Scott) Haines of Eden Prairie, MN; grandchildren, Matthew Hiatt, Katie (Lief) Mattila, Megan (Andrey) Pashkevich, Dana Erickson, Peter Erickson, Alexander (Rachel) Haines, Michelle (fiancé Thomas Langlois) Haines, and Laura Haines; one great-grandchild on the way; brother-in-law Jerry (Judy) Pertl, and many nephews, David (Elaine) Syverson and Jon (Tricia) Syverson.

In lieu of flowers, donations preferred to the Federated Church or LB Hospice.

Visitation: 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, July 5, 2017, with a public prayer service at 6:30 p.m. at the Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls
Memorial Service: 11 a.m., Thursday, July 6, 2017, at Federated Church, Fergus Falls
Clergy: Revs. Douglas Dent and Alexander Haines
Military Participation: Fergus Falls VFW Post 612 and American Legion Post 30
Burial: Oak Grove Cemetery, Fergus Falls, MN