Caledonia Argus

Posted: 9/29/03

Oren Lanswerk

Oren Herbert Lanswerk, 91, of Spring Grove, died Monday, September 29, 2003 at Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital in Decorah, IA. He was born August 25, 1912, in Spring Grove, MN, to Carl and Elsie (Ellefsrud) Lanswerk. He had been a Spring Grove area resident for many years.

Oren was a 1930 Spring Grove High School graduate, attended Luther College in Decorah, and graduated from the University of Minnesota Department of Mortuary Science. He served in the United States Navy in WWII. Oren worked as a Mortician in St. James where he met and married Goldie T.I. Bottem, she preceded him in death on October 28, 1992.

He had been a farmer in the Spring Grove area; owned the Oldsmobile Dealership in Spring Grove from 1955-1970; was a building utility maintenance engineer for Tweeten Hospital in Spring Grove; was a very active lifetime member of the Spring Grove American Legion, the Caledonia Masonic Lodge and the Spring Grove Commercial Club. He loved organizing and attending parades, the Spring Grove American Legion baseball team, the Minnesota Twins and was an avid Spring Grove Booster Fan. Oren enjoyed following his grandchildrenís events and boating and fishing.

Survivors include his son, Roger (fiance, Renee Larson), Mabel; three daughters, JoAnn (Hans) Schaub, Minneapolis, Phyllis ëTootsieí (fiance, John OíConnor) Thorson, La Crescent, and Mary (Richard) Knudson, Stewartville; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

In addition to his wife Goldie and his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Jerome.

Services will be held Monday, October 6, 11 am, at Trinity Lutheran Church of Spring Grove with burial in the church cemetery. Friends may call Sunday from 3-5 pm at the Roble Funeral Home in Spring Grove and one hour prior to service at the church on Monday.

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