Earl Magnuson
The earth was blessed with the precious life of Earl M. Magnuson for 71 years, 1 month, and 12 days.
Earl was born on August 16, 1944 in Halstad, MN. He grew up on the family farm near Grandin, ND, attended a one room county school through 8th grade, and graduated from Hendrum High School in 1962. He married Linda Anderson in July of 1963. Together they had one child, Rhonda, who died at birth.
Earl served his country during the Vietnam War as a Marine. We have always been proud of his service. After his return, he graduated from Moorhead State University with a degree in Business.
On June 28, 1986 Earl married Debra (Salveson) Larson – and her children, Josh and Tim. Four years later he was able to adopt them and the Magnuson family was complete.
The majority of his career was spent at Abbott, Arne, Schwindt Inc. in Moorhead. Earl began the Rural Water Division for the company in the late 1970’s and it continues today.
Earl was the kindest, smartest, calmest man any of us knew. He loved his family, friends, and nature. Above all he was grateful to God for the richness and fullness of his life.
Earl is survived by his wife, Deb; his sons, Josh (Amy) Magnuson and Tim (Krystel) Magnuson; his four precious grandchildren – Olivia Grace, Evie Lynn, Ethan Earl, and Noah James. Also surviving are his mother, Ione; his brothers - Sigurd (Joyce) Magnuson, Gary (Annette) Magnuson, and Timothy (Sharon) Magnuson; his sister, Connie (John) Nygaard; his in-laws, Carolyn and Frank Russo, Diane and Gary Johnson and the Anderson family. Nieces, nephews, and God children were especially important to him.
He was preceded in death by his father, Magnus; his daughter, Rhonda; and Deb’s parents, Rev. Jerry and Joan Salveson.
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An amazing, honorable life. So many lives touched in a positive way. Your work here is done. Mission accomplished.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May God bless you and your family and give you peace.
With Love, Brad and Michelle Magnuson
Deb:
We are very saddened to here about Earl’s passing. I enjoyed a number of memorable rounds of golf with Earl. Diana and I are traveling so we won’t be able to attend the service. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Jerry
Deb, Josh and Tim,
I remember when Earl came into your lives and what a great blessing that was. How wonderful to have a person like that to love for as long as you did, and, of course, always will. I remember him as a strong, calm and thoughtful man, and I’m so sorry to hear of his passing. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Deb, Josh, Tim, and family,
I am so sorry for your loss of wonderful, kind Earl. My thoughts, prayers, and sympathies are with you all during this time and always.
Kara
Tim: Thinking of you and your family during this difficult time. I did not have the pleasure of meeting your dad but I always heard great things about him from Andrew. My condolences also to your mom and brother. May the comfort of all the memories you had with your dad keep you strong.
Deb, Josh, Tim, & family – We are saddened for your loss with deepest sympathy. Our prayers are with you.
Earl was a very special person, and a great Uncle. I was very fortunate to see him alot growing up, because he always came to the Speak Easy for lunch, and always smiled!
He always made a point to come to the Anderson family functions, and we will definately miss him from now on. Rest in Peace Uncle Earl! Love you!
Deb, Josh and Tim…………Oh what great memories of have of Earl. I remember always setting an extra plate as I knew he would come for supper…………..until
he married Deb, then she cooked and his seat was taken by others. My heart hurts for your loss. He was so blessed to have you all in his life .
What precious memories I hold of Earl and Deb from our 50th Class Reunion 3 years ago! Earl’s gentleness was evident in each of our conversations, and his smile will not be forgotten. I will hold Deb and family, as well as Earl’s mother and siblings in my thoughts and prayers. Blessed be the memory of my friend and classmate, Earl.
Deb,
Earl was one of the first people I met after returning from Vietnam and starting college. We are sorry for your loss. You are in our prayers for peace.
My mom, Diane Mickelson Brady is Earl’s cousin. I have fond memories of meeting the entire Magnuson family in Shelley where the Mickelson farm was and have gotten to know all of my Mom’s Mickelson cousins through stories my mother has told me over the years. When I was young, I remember Earl and Deb coming to visit my beloved Boppa (Gerald Mickelson) in Edina, and I loved spending time with Josh and Tim having not had cousins of my own. I am so terribly sorry for this loss. When I see Earl’s face in this photograph, I see the strength of this family, and the challenges and triumphs we’ve all faced. I also connected with the fact that Earl lost a daughter at birth, I too lost a daughter at 3 1/2 months of age, and it brings me joy to know that Earl will hold his baby girl again, and his father Magnus, and his uncle Gerald and aunt Peg, his grandmother Tillie and grandfather Melvin, and other family members who will welcome him with open arms. Much love to my distant family who grieve this loss. It is a great loss, and Earl will be missed.
My deepest sympathies go out to Deb, Josh, Tim and your families. It is with a heavy heart that I write this message. Earl was nothing short of the best! He was an amazing father, so sweet and thoughtful to our Precious Deb and he always made us feel at home. He watched all our husbands grow into wonderful young men. Hudi was blessed to have such an amazing role model to learn from.
In our hearts always.
Love,
Amy, Hudi, Asher and Simon
Sorry to hear about Earl. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.
My condolences to you and yours Deb, to Earl’s mom and siblings, and to the Anderson family. I have such fond memories of our Red River Livestock 4-H club days!! Earl was a treasure even in those teen years. I wish I could be at the service to celebrate a life well lived. Please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers,
Deb,
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. I’ll always remember how sweet he was to you when he would come to see you at work!!
Deb and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time as you celebrate Earl’s life and the memories you created. You provided a wonderful example of how to enjoy each moment, as we always enjoyed seeing you at church and other events. Our deepest sympathy to all.
Both Sherry and I were saddened with hearing of Earl’s passing . We pray for Deb and family at this difficult time. Please let us know if you need any help!
I was so saddened by Earls death. Such an honor to care for him and know you, Deb, during his brave battle with cancer. Such quiet strength and courage and even though I’m sure he was scared, he exuded such peace throughout. I’m thinking that his faith and your strength, Deb, helped him to continue to live so fully despite his illness. Prayers for healing to you and your family. God Bless! I will miss him.
Earl was a true gentleman and a good friend. We knew Earl for many many years and will miss him. He had his challenges the past three plus years but he handled them gracefully. May you rest in peace Earl.
Keith & Marlene
Deb, I am sorry to hear of Earl’s death. My prayers are with you and your family as you grieve. May good memories of your lives together sustain you during the days ahead.
How thankful I am that Nick and I got to spend time with Earl, all of you, and all the family at the reunion a few years ago! We are also grateful for the wonderful memories of shooting the cross-bow, eating that fabulous fried fish, and Nick fishing off the front of the boat as Earl trolled us around the lake (he even caught a few!). I will always remember my first experience on Earl’s wet bike (MANY years ago), riding the snowmobile around the farm on Christmas Day, and, of course, your wedding day at the farm! May you feel God’s peace amidst the sadness of this time. Our prayers are with you!
Sweetest “Boppa” to Ethan and Olivia. I will cherish every memory spent with Earl and fondly remember my trip to your place in Arizona. Thank you for making me a part of your lives for the last four years. Peace and comfort to you in the days and weeks ahead. You are all in my prayers.
With love… Nanny Kristy
Dear Deb and Family,
We were shocked to see the notice of Earl’s passing this morning. Although we only knew you briefly at Sybil Lake, Earl was such a wonderful neighbor, a kind man, good husband and father, and he had a great sense of humor. We are very sorry for your loss and know he will be missed very much.
Please know our thoughts and especially our prayers are with you,
Mary & Tim Kessler
I had an opportunity to meet Earl at St. Johns while attending with my Dad, Kenny Kautzman. My Dad talked highly of Earl, it is through my Dad that I consider St. John’s my extended family. Our hearts go out to the Magnuson family, to all the lives that were touched by Earl. May his light continue to shine through you all.
He was my grandpa and will always be in my heart he was so nice even though I was 2 when he died I still remember him.
Hi I’m Evie one of his Grand children now I’m 10.It has now been 6 years and 8 Months since his passing I was three when he died oh and I could tell you everyone that knew him especially his family misses him every single day You were so calm, patient and filled with kindness I can speak for the whole entire family that we all love him with our whole heart ❤️.If I were to pick one memory to write down it would be my purple sled he would put me behind it on the Ranger at the lake it was so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so much fun.Love Evie💖