Lawrence William Solem

Funeral services for Lawrence Solem, age 89, of Oak Park, will be held on Saturday, December 19, 2009 at 2 PM at Estes Brook Evangelical Free Church with Rev. Wes Macy officiating. Interment will follow at the church cemetery with military honors provided by the Foley American Legion. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Music will be provided by Paul Neslund. Casketbearers will include his sons, William Solem, Larry Solem, Alec Solem and Todd Solem. Arr. Peterson-Johnson Funeral Home of Milaca. Lawrence Solem was born June 19, 1920, to William and Hilda (Neslund) Solem at their farm in Oak Park, Minnesota. He attended a rural school a mile away in Benton County and as the eldest son, worked closely with his father on the family farm. The Depression was a difficult time and he learned to find humor in life while spending time with his Uncle Vic Neslund at his farm nearby. During this time he discovered his natural ability to fix things -- machinery, engines, which led him to be hand-selected to serve as a mechanic in the U.S. Army during WWII. He was stationed in Italy and Africa for three years. After the war, his cousin, Lloyd Neslund set Lawrence up on a blind date with a wonderful woman, Lorraine Ryberg, and on October 19, 1946, he married her. The couple moved to a new home in St. Louis Park, MN, where they began their 63-year marriage. He was employed at International Harvester in St. Paul until they had enough money for a down payment on a farm near Oak Park. They both yearned for farm living and were eager to leave the city behind to become dairy farmers. A house was purchased in St. Cloud and moved 20-miles to the farm where they raised eight children and for 22 years Lawrence served as board secretary for the Oak Park Creamery. To supplement his dairy income, Lawrence began working construction in the Twin Cities and later found success as the manager of winterization for Tri-Cap in St. Cloud. During retirement, he enjoyed raising Belgian horses and giving sleigh rides to many. Another pastime was traveling to auctions with his brother, Clarence, who spent many mornings having coffee with the family. Lawrence was known for his kindness and willingness to help those who needed it. He was a tall, handsome man who was strong, loving, quick-witted and well-respected. Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Pauline, and his brother, Clarence in 2007. Lawrence is survived by his wife, Lorraine, and children, William of Texas, Jane (Jeff) Boyer of Brooklyn Park, MN, Larry of Oak Park, MN, Julie (Jon) Wilson of Elk River, MN, Christine of Forest Lake, MN, Alec of Oak Park, MN, Todd of Texas, and Tanya of St. Cloud, MN, 14 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.