Loren Wahlman

A memorial service for Loren Wahlman, age 90, of Milford, will be held Saturday, April 12, 2014 at 10:30am at Harbor of Joy Lutheran Church in Milford. Visitation will be on Friday, April 11th from 5:00-7:00pm at the church. Loren Elmer Wahlman, eldest son of Charles Valdemar and Mamie Elizabeth Wahlman (nee Swanson), born January 29, 1924, in Kerkhoven, Minnesota, slipped away from us March 24 at age 90. He graduated from Milford High School in 1942 and attended Iowa State University. Loren served in the United States Army Air Corps from 1943-1946, stationed in England with the 8th Air Force during World War II. On April 9, 1950, Loren married the love of his life, Elsie Lorraine Mertens, at Little Sioux Lutheran Church in Milford. They lived in Rockwell City, IA, Vermillion, SD, and Rolfe, Latimer, Arnold's Park, and Superior Iowa before Loren moved to Milford in 1994 after Elsie's death. During his career, Loren managed lumberyards in Vermillion, SD, and Rolfe, Latimer, Arnold's Park, and Superior in Iowa — first with Fullerton Lumber Company and later with Consumer's Lumber Company. He was employed from 1968 until his retirement in 1998 as office manager and estimator at Fagre Construction Company, Estherville. Even then, he continued to use his construction knowledge and talents, freelancing for firms including Northwest Iowa Masonry of Spencer and in serving his church and his community on various building committees A man of deep and abiding faith, Loren was an active member of Harbor of Joy Lutheran Church at the time of his passing. He was a past member of the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Estherville where he served for many years on the Church Council, including one term as Chairman of the congregation and 3 years as treasurer. He also served the congregation as Sunday School Superintendent for two years. Loren served as mayor and city councilman in Superior for over twenty-eight years, and was instrumental in the founding and equipping of the Superior Volunteer Fire Department. He also served on Dickinson County's first Equal Employment Opportunity and Sanitary Landfill Commissions. At the time of his passing, he was also a member of the American Legion, — Post 384. He enjoyed reading, fishing, woodworking, and playing sports in his younger years; watching sports later in life while continuing to be an avid reader. Humor, light, faith, service, love: All cherished gifts left with those who remain, he will be deeply missed by his 6 children: Loretta Hazlett (Tor Dahl) of North Oaks, MN; Susan Wahlman of Estherville, IA; Robert (Patricia) Wahlman of New Hope, PA; Donna Kramer (Dean Murray) of Superior, IA; Diana (David) Kinnetz of Estherville, IA; and David (Linda) Wahlman of Estherville. His presence will be missed as well in the lives of his six grandchildren: John (Katie) Wahlman of Wheaton, IL; Angela (Orlando) Stauter of Estherville, IA;, Timothy (Kara) Kramer of Milford, IA; and Erick Wahlman, Philip Wahlman and Paul Wahlman, all of New Hope, PA; and acutely missed in the lives of his twelve great-grandchildren and his brother Virgil (Marietta) Wahlman of Milford. Loren will also be missed by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elsie, in 1993; his parents; sister Elizabeth Anne Northey; and granddaughter Michaela Jordan. For those who wish to make a contribution in Loren's name, memorial may be sent to Harbor of Joy Lutheran Church, Superior Volunteer Fire Department or the charity of their choice.