George Salmonson

George Kenneth Salmonson, age 84, went to be home with the Lord on Tuesday, September 8, 2015 at Green Pine Acres Nursing Home in Menahga, MN with loved ones at his side. George was born September 28, 1930 to Olaf and Ida (Yliniemi) Salmonson in Toad Lake Township of Becker County. It was in this same area that he attended country school. As a young man, George worked in the iron ore mines near Keewatin, MN. In 1952 he entered the United States Army. He was a corporal in Company B of the 115th Engineering Battalion at Fort Leonardwood, MO. George was sent to Atlanta, GA where he was taught specialized welding procedures. He received an honorable discharge in 1954 and went to work in Milwaukee, WI. It was there that he met Mary Ann Schwan. They were united in marriage September 4, 1955 in Marion, WI. This union was blessed with three daughters: Deborah, Rebecca and Patricia. While he lived in Milwaukee, he worked as a skilled welder for Huebsch Manufacturing Company and Ladish Company in Cudahy. In 1964, George and Mary Ann purchased the family farm in Toad Lake Township enjoying life on their dairy farm for 37 years. Eventually George and MaryAnn owned an entire herd of red and white Holsteins. Besides farming, he worked the ice harvest in Detroit Lakes, the shaving plant in Osage, drove milk truck, hauling milk cans for the creamery of Frazee, and delivered fuel for Seaberg Oil of Detroit Lakes. He also operated his own crawler, backhoe, and dump truck: digging waterlines, basements, sewers? hauling snow and gravel. In 2001, the dairy cattle were sold and George continued haymaking, rented out his pasture land and did welding repairs for neighbors. In 2007, George and Mary Ann sold the farm and moved into a newly built home they purchased in Menahga. In 2012, George was diagnosed with Alzheimer's soon after MaryAnn's diagnosis of cancer, and with their ongoing medical needs they moved to Heritage Cottages in Park Rapids where he resided for one year, followed by a few months at Diamond Willow (Park Rapids) and Foley Care Center. In January of 2015, George was diagnosed with a fast growing cancer and in February returned to Menahga to reside at Green Pine Acres Nursing Home. He was a member of the Spruce Grove Apostolic Lutheran Church near Wolf Lake, MN. George will be remembered for his devotion to his wife, daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as his legacy of integrity and his willingness and skills to help others. He will be lovingly remembered by his three daughters: Deborah (Joshua) Aho of Wolf Lake. Rebecca (Terrance) Seaberg of Detroit Lakes, and Patricia (Harvey) Aho of Wolf Lake? 19 grandchildren; 44 great grandchildren? one brother, Marvin (Martha) Salmonson of New Ipswich, NH? one sister, Fay Vaisvila of Buffalo Grove, IL? one sister in law, Marcella Salmonson of Mpls,MN; the Schwan family, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and neighbors. He was preceded in death by his wife his parents, MaryAnn's parents, one brother, Harold? two brother in laws, James Krueger, Andrew Vaisvila, and one stillborn grandson, Tyrel Aho (Harvey and Patricia's son). Funeral service will be held 2 PM Saturday, September 12, 2015 at Spruce Grove Apostolic Lutheran Church near Wolf Lake with Pastor Dennis Hannu and Pastor Elmer Yliniemi officiating. Visitation will be held 5 PM - 8PM Friday, September 11, 2015 at Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN. For more information or to leave online condolences please visit www.jonespearson.com.