Obert Loken

Obert N. Loken, age 96, of Zumbrota died on Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at the Zumbrota Nursing Home. Funeral services are scheduled for Monday, July 23, 2007 at 11:00 AM at Lands Lutheran church in Zumbrota with Reverend Luther Peterson, and Reverend Paul Reppe officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation is scheduled for Sunday, July 22, 2007 from 2:00 ? 5:00 P.M. at the Mahn Family Funeral Home - Larson Chapel in Zumbrota and on Monday one hour prior to the service at the church.
Obert Norman Loken was born on April 15, 1911 in Minneola Township, Goodhue County, MN to Oscar and Annette (nee Finstuen) Loken. He grew up on the family farm and graduated in 1931 from the University of Minnesota, School of Agriculture in St. Paul. Obert farmed with his father until 1947 when his father retired. On June 24, 1947 he married Gretha M. Halvorson in Wanamingo. They farmed on the Loken family farm until retiring in 1996 and moving to Zumbrota. Obert was very active in the dairy industry, civic organizations and his church. He was a member of the Goodhue County American Dairy Association, where he served as chairman for ten years. Obert also served on the board of directors for the Wanamingo Mutual Fire Insurance Company, the Agriculture Stabilization Conservation Service (ASCS) committee, Zumbrota Board of Education for twelve years, serving as chairman for six years, the Lands Lutheran Church Cemetery board, and the Goodhue County Fair board for twenty three years. He also volunteered with the Zumbrota Community Foundation, Zumbrota Health Development Council, Samaritan Society, as a 4-H leader and was Sunday School superintendent and an usher at Lands Lutheran Church for many years. He received the "Friends of 4-H" award, "Fair Person of the Year" from the MN Federation of County Fairs and was named "Citizen of the Year" in 1977 from the Goodhue County Editorial Association. Obert loved supporting baseball, basketball and football teams and received an "I Care Award" for his efforts in promoting dairy products and assisting young people interested in farming. Obert enjoyed farming, sports, people, fun and his family. Obert is survived by his wife, Gretha, his children, Mary (Dennis) Veiseth of Zumbrota, Barbara Loken of Zumbrota, David (Pam) Loken of Maple Grove, MN, and Jessie (Wes) Aylsworth of Greenfield, MN; three granddaughters, Maren (Brian) Hooper of LeSueur, Beth Aylsworth and Amy Aylsworth, both of Greenfield; one great granddaughter, Norah Hooper, and two sisters, Luella Wogsland of Menomonee, Falls, WI and Margaret Thalman of Mankato. Obert was preceded in death by his brother, Harold Loken, two sisters, Alice Quittem and Antelia Hegge and honorary son, Harold Schliep.