Earl A. Williamsen

Earl A. Williamsen, an 85-year-old resident of Little Falls, MN passed away Saturday, April 23, 2016, at St. Otto’s Care Center in Little Falls. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, April 28, 2016, at Zion Lutheran Church in Little Falls, MN with Rev. Gary Hendrickson officiating. Burial will take place in the Cushing Union Cemetery in Cushing, MN. A visitation will be held from 4-7 P.M. on Wednesday at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls, MN and from 10-11 A.M. on Thursday at Zion Lutheran Church in Little Falls, MN. Funeral arrangements are with the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls, MN. Earl was born on July 15, 1930, in Chicago, IL to the late Julius and Julia (Carlson) Williamsen. At the age of 1 year, Earl moved to Cushing, MN with his family where he grew up and attended Country School. When he turned 16 he took a job with the railroad where he worked for several years. He later entered the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War until he was honorably discharged. After returning from Korea, Earl was employed with the Swift Company in South St. Paul. He was united in marriage to LaVonne Klinker in 1955 at Zion Lutheran Church in Little Falls, MN. In 1965, Earl and LaVonne adopted their son David and in 1972 they had a baby girl Brenda. For many years, Earl ran his father-in-law’s Shell Service Station until the mid-1970’s when he went to work at Camp Ripley as a security guard. In his free time, Earl enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, and spending time with friends and family. After Earl retired he took many trips with his wife to Germany, Branson, Las Vegas, and Laughlin. Earl also loved watching Wheel of Fortune with his good buddy Patrick Holtz. He thoroughly enjoyed having family gatherings and cookouts at Lake Shamineau where he vacationed every year. After losing his wife in 1998 Earl resided at Pine Grove Manor until 2015 when he moved to Alverna Apartments and later St. Otto’s Care Center. He was a wonderful man, always had a smile on his face and a joke to tell. Earl always accepted people for who they were and he was very well liked and always was willing to help someone in need. He will forever be remembered as a very generous man with a heart of gold. Earl is survived by son, David Williamsen of St. Cloud, MN; daughter, Brenda (Loran) Czech of Little Falls, MN; grandchildren, Ranae (Jeremy) of St. Cloud, MN, Julia (Brian) of Pierz, MN, Patrick of Little Falls, MN and Thomas of Little Falls, MN; step-grandchildren, Joanna (Jeremy) of St. Cloud, MN, Jennifer (Kris) of Holdingford, MN, Jessica of Albany, MN, and Aaron of Little Falls, MN; great-grandson, Levi; step great-grandchildren, McCoy, and Aubree; and brother-in-law, Don (Jan) Klinker; and niece, Jackie Norlander. Earl was preceded in death by parents, Julius and Julia Williamsen; wife, LaVonne Williamsen; sister, Vivian; and nephew, Dan Thompson. Earl’s bright smile and loving heart will be greatly missed.

Tributes

Earl A. Williamsen

July 15, 1930 - April 23, 2016