Raymond Tholund

Raymond Tholund, age 96, of Herman, Minnesota passed away Thursday, October 19, 2017 at the Broen Home in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, October 24, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at United Methodist Church in Herman, Minnesota with Rev. Darrell Boe officiating. Pianist will be Olivia Richards. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service time at the church.

Interment will be in Lakeside Cemetery, Herman. Pallbearers will be Denny Vipond, Dave Austvold, Mark Severance, Sylvan Prothero Sr., Dale Johnson and Jim Tholund. Military Rites will be provided by the Herman American Legion Post #378.

Raymond Ness Tholund was born February 14, 1921 in Egan, South Dakota to Ness and Glydis (Bowden) Tholund. In March of 1929 Ness, Glydis, Floyd, Raymond and Ethel moved to a farm southwest of Herman. Glydis and children took the passenger train and Ness took the freight train with the machinery, animals and Whitey the dog.

Raymond attended the country school southwest of Herman and completed eighth grade. He attended the Morris Ag School for one year. After their education Floyd and Raymond worked the farm with their mom and dad.

Raymond enlisted in the United States Navy on October 6, 1942 at Morris. He served on the NTS Great Lakes, Ill; NAS Whidbey Island, WA; USS Haggard (DD555); USS San Diego; USS Samaritan; and the USS Turner. The USS Haggard sailed all through the South Pacific and once had a suicide bomber plane crash on its deck. Raymond was severely burned during this event and ended up in the hospital for six weeks. He was honorably discharged on December 29, 1945.

Raymond bought a farm northeast of Herman across the lake from his parents. Raymond married Dorothy Jean Ferris on September 3, 1946. The couple farmed together and enjoyed raising chickens, pigs, and especially sheep. Raymond enjoyed all aspects of farm life including tending to his animals and watching his crops grow.

Raymond and Dorothy loved traveling out west especially California and Arizona. They enjoyed winters in Casa Grande, Arizona with Glydis in La Posada Trailer Court. In 1994 they moved to Valley Palms Trailer Court in Mesa, Arizona. They loved being at Valley Palms and enjoyed family and friends living there.

After Dorothy passed away on January 18, 2004, Raymond traveled many times to Tucson, Arizona and Los Lunas, New Mexico. Raymond and his sister Donna traveled and enjoyed each other's company for the past 6 ½ years.

Raymond is survived by two sisters: Norma (James) Baldwin of Los Lunas, New Mexico; and Donna Tholund of Mesa, Arizona; and many nieces and nephews.

Raymond was preceded in death by his parents; wife; sisters: Ethel Shear and Violetta Fischbach; and brothers: Floyd, Arnold and Vernon.