Royce Malmquist

OBITUARY NOTICE

Royce F. Malmquist

Royce Franklin Malmquist, age 86, of Red Wing, died Sunday, June 24, 2007, at his home. He was born on March 7, 1921, in Red Wing, to Frank and Rose (Erickson) Malmquist. He was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church. A 1939 graduate of Red Wing Central High School, he worked for Edstrom and Holmquist Home Furnishings from 1939 to 1942. He married Vi Deden on May 1, 1942, and they just celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary with their family. He was drafted into military service on October 20, 1942, and took his military training in Oregon prior to serving with the OM Company of the 91st Infantry Division. He served in the North African and Italian campaigns. After being discharged on November 11, 1945, he was a partner with Ben Holmquist in the home furnishing business. He purchased the business and renamed it Malmquist Home Furnishings which he operated until retiring in 1983. He and his wife spent the winter in Mesa, Arizona, for seventeen years. He was a 45 year member of the Red Wing Lions Club serving as past president; a member of Leo C. Peterson American Legion Post # 54, lifetime member of Red Wing Elks Lodge #845, Red Wing Country Club, Goodhue County Historical Society and Red Wing Collector's Society, and a lifetime member of First Lutheran Church where he served on the church council and was an usher. He enjoyed golfing, traveling, collecting antiques and Red Wing memorabilia, having coffee with his buddies, painting and refinishing things.

Survivors include his wife, Vi; son, Craig (Sandra) Malmquist of Red Wing; daughter, Nancy (Mark) Swanson of Red Wing; six grandchildren, Erika (Kyle) Rabine of White Bear Lake, Elise Malmquist of Apple Valley, Ian (Kingkane Sysombath) Malmquist of Rochester, Evan Malmquist of Red Wing, Sara (Jay) Underhill of St. Cloud and Sam Swanson of St. Cloud; brother-in-law, Robert (Mona) Deden of Centennial, Colorado; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Doris DuBois.

Funeral will be 11 a.m. Thursday at First Lutheran Church with Reverend Carroll Marohl officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery with full military honors. Pallbearers will be Ken Garrett, Bob Burggren, Don Florine, Gordon Selander, Dave Buysse and George "Red" Reinhart. Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Tubbesing, Lee Neste, Dan Mjolness and Don Worden. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel and one hour prior to the time of services Thursday at the church. Memorials are preferred to First Lutheran Church, Fairview Red Wing Regional Hospice or Red Wing Lions Club.