Erling Milton Severtson, 88, Kenneth, died Monday, April 6, 2020, at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne.
A private family Christian graveside service will be Thursday, April 9, at the Kenneth Cemetery in rural Kenneth.
Erling Severtson was born on Dec. 28, 1931, to Bernhard and Sena (Anderson) Severtson on the family farm near Kenneth. He was baptized and confirmed at Kenneth Lutheran Church in Kenneth. He was raised on the family farm south of Kenneth. Erling attended school in Kenneth and then Augustana Academy in Canton, South Dakota. Following high school, he attended school at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for two years before being drafted into the United States Army. Erling honorably served his country from 1953 until 1955 as a Military Police officer in Germany, attaining the rank of Corporal. Upon his return, Erling finished his schooling and graduated with honors from the University of Minnesota in 1957 with a degree in animal husbandry. He then returned to the farm and continued in his lifelong passion of farming.
On April 4, 1959, Erling married Roberta Zehe at Kenneth Lutheran Church. The couple made their home on the family farm north of Kenneth.
Erling was a lifetime member of Kenneth Lutheran Church where he was active in council and until its closing on June 28, 2015. He then became a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Hardwick. He was also a member of the Kenneth Cemetery Association and served in the past as its president. Erling belonged to the Rock County Cattleman’s Association and was especially proud of his Black Angus cattle. He was active with his daughters’ 4-H animal exhibits and loved being able to share his passion for farming with the next generation of farmers.
Erling loved spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. He enjoyed snowmobiling, memories made at the lake cabin, get-togethers with his Augustana Academy friends, and food – especially lefse and lutefisk. Erling is survived by his wife, Roberta, of Luverne; four daughters, Valora (Richard) Putnam of Blaine, Janelle (Douglas) Halverson of Rochester, Sherilyn (Wes Grieme) of Valley Springs, South Dakota, and Kristin (Dale) Schiferl of Elk Mound, Wisconsin; 11 grandchildren, Alex Putnam, Lauren Putnam, Courtney Putnam, Calvin Halverson, Dayton Halverson, Bryan Halverson, Parker Grieme, Gabrielle Grieme, Tarynn Grieme, Kaitlin Schiferl and Aidan Schiferl; and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and three siblings, Marian Johnson, Arlyn Severtson and Luther Severtson.
Arrangements are provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, www.hartquistfuneral.com.
(0409 F)