Lawrence Russell Hjort

Funeral services for Lawrence Hjort, age 76, of Aitkin, formerly of Milaca, will be held on Thursday, August 12 at 11 AM at Zion Lutheran Church in Milaca with Rev. Stephen Blenkush officiating. Interment will follow at Borgholm Cemetery near Bock. Visitation will be from 5 – 8 PM on Wednesday at the Zion Lutheran Church in Milaca and 1 hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Music will be provided by Linda and Chris Tatarian. Casketbearers will include Randy Hjort, Tonya Hjort, Laura Rahm, Courtney Jindra, Katelyn Jindra, Tom Hjort, Terry Hjort and Adam Hjort. Lawrence Hjort was born December 11, 1933 to Russell and Violet Hjort. Lawrence attended school district 51 and graduated in 1952 from Milaca High School. After high school he moved to Minneapolis to work for Honeywell. Lawrence was united in marriage to Donna Mae Westling on June 20, 1953 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Milaca. Lawrence served in the Army and was stationed in Fort Carson, CO and Fort Lee, VA. After being honorably discharged in 1956, he and Donna returned to Minneapolis. They spent 19 years in the Twin Cities and Lawrence worked as a carpenter, plasterer and stuccoer. Lawrence moved his family from Golden Valley to Milaca in 1971, which they called home. At that time Lawrence and Donna purchased Russell Hjort Excavating and the family farm from his father. The business has remained in the family since that time. Lawrence enjoyed working side by side with his wife Donna and son Dean, who came into the business in 1981 and is now the owner. In 1995 Lawrence retired. A few years later Lawrence and Donna built their lake home on Lone Lake. Many memories have been enjoyed at the lake home with family and friends. Lawrence was a member of the Hanson-Hayes American Legion and Lions Club. Lawrence enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, downhill skiing, bowling, snowmobiling and playing cards but most of all he enjoyed following the grandkids’ activities and sports. He passed away August 9th 2010 at Aitkin Health Services after battling with Alzheimer’s since 1995. He is survived by wife of 57 years, Donna of Aitkin; son, Dean (Lori) Hjort of Milaca; daughters, Brenda (Dale) Jindra of Brainerd and Melanie Hjort of Engelwood, OH; grandchildren, Randy Hjort and fiancee Joelle, Tonya Hjort, Courtney Jindra, Katelyn Jindra and Laura Rahm; siblings, Carl (Pat) Hjort of Milaca, Shirley Kellicutt of Half Moon Bay, CA, Dennis (Jackie) Hjort of Milaca, Darlene (Ron) Steinhofer of Sauk Rapids and Linda (Chris) Tatarian of Troy, OH; also by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Deanna Hjort; grandson, Ryan Hjort and brother in law Michael Kellicut.