1916
Gretha
2014
Gretha M. Loken
January 18, 1916 — August 1, 2014
Gretha M. Loken, of Zumbrota, died on Friday, August 1, 2014 at age 98 after heroically having made the decision to stop dialysis after 7 years. Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 5, 2014 at Wanamingo Lutheran Church with Pastor David Krinke officiating from Lands Lutheran Church. Burial will be in Lands Lutheran Church Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Monday, August 4, 2014 at Mahn Family Funeral Home - Larson Chapel in Zumbrota and for one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials suggested to Lands Cemetery Association or Lands Building Fund.
Gretha Marian Halvorson Loken was born January 18, 1916 to Fred and Jessie (Dimick) Halvorson in Wanamingo Township, Goodhue County, Minnesota. She grew up on the family farm at "Old Wanamingo." She graduated from Wanamingo High School in 1934, Augsburg College in 1938, and Minnesota School of Business in 1941. While at Augsburg she toured with the college choir and sang in a girls' quartet. She taught English for 2 years at Cleveland, MN, then commercial business for 6 years at Mabel, MN and Wanamingo, MN. She also directed vocal music, operettas, class plays, school annuals, and newspapers. After marriage to Obert Loken on June 24, 1947, she was a stay-at-home mom for several years before working as secretary to the Zumbrota elementary principal and then elementary school librarian in Pine Island and Zumbrota. Gretha was an active member of Lands Lutheran Church as a Sunday School teacher, choir director, WELCA president, co-chair of the 125th anniversary celebration, quilting, singing solos and duets, and was the first female president of the congregation. She taught the Bethel Bible Study series and the Search Bible Studies to Lands-Minneola adults. She was a president of the Cannon River Conference WELCA and secretary of the Southeast Minnesota District WELCA, and attended many national conventions. Obert and Gretha were active in 4-H work, Farm Bureau activities, and Meals on Wheels. She also participated in home extension, Zumbrota hospice, and the hospital auxiliary. She enjoyed nature, music, reading, traveling, and all family get-togethers.
Gretha is survived by her four children, Mary (Denny) Veiseth and Barb Loken of Zumbrota, David (Pam) Loken of Maple Grove, and Jessie (Wes) Aylsworth of Rockford, MN; 3 granddaughters, Maren (Brian) Hooper of New Berlin, WI, Beth and Amy Aylsworth of Rockford, MN; two great grandchildren, Norah and Ben Hooper; brother, Fred (Elise) Halvorson of Wanamingo; honorary daughter-in-law, Nancy Schliep of Clarks Grove, MN; honorary grandchildren, Connie Nesset of Edwards, MO, and Fred Schliep of Zumbrota.
She was preceded in death by her husband Obert; her parents; and brother, Wallace Halvorson.
www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com
1475 Jefferson Drive
Zumbrota, MN 55992
130 West 3rd Street
Wanamingo, MN
130 West 3rd Street
Wanamingo, MN
Gretha Marian Halvorson Loken was born January 18, 1916 to Fred and Jessie (Dimick) Halvorson in Wanamingo Township, Goodhue County, Minnesota. She grew up on the family farm at "Old Wanamingo." She graduated from Wanamingo High School in 1934, Augsburg College in 1938, and Minnesota School of Business in 1941. While at Augsburg she toured with the college choir and sang in a girls' quartet. She taught English for 2 years at Cleveland, MN, then commercial business for 6 years at Mabel, MN and Wanamingo, MN. She also directed vocal music, operettas, class plays, school annuals, and newspapers. After marriage to Obert Loken on June 24, 1947, she was a stay-at-home mom for several years before working as secretary to the Zumbrota elementary principal and then elementary school librarian in Pine Island and Zumbrota. Gretha was an active member of Lands Lutheran Church as a Sunday School teacher, choir director, WELCA president, co-chair of the 125th anniversary celebration, quilting, singing solos and duets, and was the first female president of the congregation. She taught the Bethel Bible Study series and the Search Bible Studies to Lands-Minneola adults. She was a president of the Cannon River Conference WELCA and secretary of the Southeast Minnesota District WELCA, and attended many national conventions. Obert and Gretha were active in 4-H work, Farm Bureau activities, and Meals on Wheels. She also participated in home extension, Zumbrota hospice, and the hospital auxiliary. She enjoyed nature, music, reading, traveling, and all family get-togethers.
Gretha is survived by her four children, Mary (Denny) Veiseth and Barb Loken of Zumbrota, David (Pam) Loken of Maple Grove, and Jessie (Wes) Aylsworth of Rockford, MN; 3 granddaughters, Maren (Brian) Hooper of New Berlin, WI, Beth and Amy Aylsworth of Rockford, MN; two great grandchildren, Norah and Ben Hooper; brother, Fred (Elise) Halvorson of Wanamingo; honorary daughter-in-law, Nancy Schliep of Clarks Grove, MN; honorary grandchildren, Connie Nesset of Edwards, MO, and Fred Schliep of Zumbrota.
She was preceded in death by her husband Obert; her parents; and brother, Wallace Halvorson.
www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com
Visitation
AUG 4. 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM (CDT)
Mahn Family Funeral Home, Larson Chapel1475 Jefferson Drive
Zumbrota, MN 55992
Visitation
AUG 5. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (CDT)
Wanamingo Lutheran Church130 West 3rd Street
Wanamingo, MN
Service
AUG 5. 11:00 AM (CDT)
Wanamingo Lutheran Church130 West 3rd Street
Wanamingo, MN
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