Solon Anson Green

FUNERAL SERVICES: Friday, February 20, 2009, 11:00 a.m., Riverside United Methodist Church INTERMENT: Riverside United Methodist Church Memorial Columbarium SOLON ANSON GREEN February 28, 1925 ~ February 14, 2009Solon Anson Green, 83, of Park Rapids, died Saturday, February 14, 2009 at St. Joseph's Hospital. He was born on February 28, 1925, in the family IGA grocery store/home on Main Street in Park Rapids. His parents were Charles and Agnes "Peggy" (Larsen) Green. Following his 1943 graduation from Park Rapids High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. In the year following his enlistment, he trained in Missouri, Nevada and California and married Harriet Virginia Westlund on August 31, 1944 at the Chapel at March Field in Riverside, California. While in the Army, he served in the 13th Air Force 5th Bomb Group 23rd Bombardment Squadron as a bombardier/navigator in the Pacific. After WWII, Solon and Harriet moved to Minneapolis, where Solon attended and graduated from the University of Minnesota, with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. The couple then relocated to Wadena, where Solon was an agent for North American Life and Casualty. While there, he formed the Wadena National Guard truck company. When the National Guard was activated during the Korean Conflict, he trained troops at Camp McCoy in Wisconsin. Solon was employed by Shell Oil Company from 1951 until he retired in 1981. He and Harriet took advantage of his retirement, traveling all over the United States in their motorhome. They spent numerous winters in Texas where they owned an R.V. lot in Brackettville at Fort Clark Springs. Solon was an avid hunter, fisherman, sports booster, bridge player, musician and accomplished ballroom dancer. In 1991, he co-founded the Park Rapids Area Community Band. The band's first concert was December 7, 1991 and Solon was proud to have three generations of his family represented. Solon played trombone and was the Manager and Treasurer until health concerns caused him to step down. He was an active member of Riverside United Methodist Church, the American Legion, the Park Rapids Masonic Temple, and a 32nd degree Shriner in the Aad Temple in Duluth. Solon was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather and gave his all to those he knew and loved. Solon was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Charles; and an infant son, Gregory. He is survived by his wife, Harriet; son Jeffrey (Sandy) of Park Rapids, and daughters Janice (Donald) Rumpza of Park Rapids and Jacquelyn (Gregory) Ward of Bemidji; eleven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. Visitation: February 19, 2009, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m at Riverside United Methodist Church, and one hour prior to the funeral. Funeral: Friday, February 20, 2009, 11:00 a.m., Riverside United Methodist Church. Inurnment: Riverside United Methodist Church Memorial Columbarium. Honorary Casket Bearers: Roger Wilson, George Thelen, Ralph Leckner, Paul Peterson, Cal Broughton, Steve Egge, Charlie Lindberg, John Hill. Memorials preferred to: Park Rapids Area Community Band, or Riverside United Methodist Church. Jones-Pearson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.