Milton L. Milt Amundson

FUNERAL SERVICES : 1:30 PM Friday, May lst, 2009 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids with the Reverend Marty Giese and the Rev. Russ Paulson officiatingVISITATION : 5 to 7 PM Thursday, April 30, 2009 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park RapidsINTERMENT : Greenwood Cemetery of Park Rapids, MNSURVIVORS : Milt is survived by his wife, Kathleen of Park Rapids; his four children: Terri Laney of Mpls.; Todd (Deb) Amundson of Woodbury, MN; Kelly (Brad) Bowne of Big Lake, MN and Ryan (Andrea Wood) Amundson currently living in Busan, Korea; his ten beloved grandchildren; his father, Myron (Edna Underwood) Amundson of Park Rapids; his two sisters: Judy Koenen of Park Rapids and Gail (Harold) Christianson of Park Rapids; his brother, Merle (Jeanne) Amundson of Payson, AZ as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. MILTON L. "Milt" AMUNDSON May 21, 1944 " April 26, 2009 Milton L. "Milt" Amundson, age 64 of Park Rapids, MN, passed away peacefully at Innovis Health in Fargo, ND, with his wife, Kathy at his side, following a seriously debilitating stroke and heart attack he had suffered two days earlier. Milt was born on May 21, 1944 in Granite Falls, MN to Myron and Bessie (Saunders) Amundson. It was in Granite Falls that he attended public school and grew into manhood. Milt was very active in sports and earned letters in five sports. He was a standout in baseball, basketball, football, track and golf. He graduated from the Granite Falls High School with the Class of 1962. Milt tried out for the Minnesota Twins Baseball Team making it through two of three rounds before suffering a shoulder injury. Milt was united in marriage to Linda Aarhus in 1962 and two children, Terri and Todd, were born to this union. Milt enlisted in the United States Air Force and served his country proudly in a military career that spanned over 21 years. He was united in marriage to Kathleen Ann Christensen in Bark River, MI on July 16, 1970 in a ceremony officiated by his younger brother, Merle who was a pastor there. Milt traveled the world with the Air Force and saw active combat in Viet Nam. In addition to being based in the states, Milt also lived in Thailand, Korea and Iceland. His military assignments included working as a tactical aircraft technician, an aircraft maintenance Superintendent, a career advisory technician and as a Personnel Superintendent. He also spent several years working as a recruiter for the Air Force. Milt was an exceptional golfer and had been selected to golf on the Air Force Golf Team representing the Mather Air Force Base in Sacramento, CA. In 1983, Milt retired from the Air Force and he and Kathy moved to Park Rapids, MN where he designed and along with the very capable assistance of his father, Myron, built a new home for his family. For a number of years Milt worked as a mechanic at several local shops. He later worked in maintenance at the Headwaters Golf Course of Park Rapids and the Blueberry Pines Golf Course near Menahga. Milt continued to golf avidly and competed successfully in many local tournaments. He loved the out of doors and had enjoyed fishing and hunting as a younger man. He was a member of the Guy L. McDermeit VFW Post in Menahga, MN and was a former member of the Northern Knights Street Rod Club of Park Rapids. Above all, Milt devoted himself to his wife Kathy and his children and grandchildren. Milt is survived by his wife, Kathleen of Park Rapids; his four children: Terri Laney of Mpls.; Todd (Deb) Amundson of Woodbury, MN; Kelly (Brad) Bowne of Big Lake, MN and Ryan (Andrea Wood) Amundson currently living in Busan, Korea; his ten beloved grandchildren; his father, Myron (Edna Underwood) Amundson of Park Rapids; his two sisters: Judy Koenen of Park Rapids and Gail (Harold) Christianson of Park Rapids; his brother, Merle (Jeanne) Amundson of Payson, AZ as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Bessie Amundson in 2007. Funeral services will be held 1:30 PM Friday, May lst, 2009 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids with the Reverend Marty Giese and the Rev. Russ Paulson officiating. Casket bearers will be: Ron Litzau, Jeff Youngbauer, Jim Novak, Jay Barstad, Dude Trosdahl and Gordy Bruen. Honorary casketbearers will be his grandchildren: Lauren Amundson, Emily Amundson, Drew Amundson, Kevin Laney, Kyle Laney, Galalee Wright-Amundson, Ash Wood, Addison Bowne, Emerson Bowne and Mayson Bowne. Military honors will be conducted by the Guy L. McDermeit VFW Post of Menahga, MN under the command of Mr. Willie Davis. Interment will be made in the Greenwood Cemetery of Park Rapids, MN. Following the service a luncheon will be hosted by the Faith Baptist Church. Interment will be made in the Greenwood Cemetery of Park Rapids, MN. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 PM Thursday, April 30, 2009 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids.