Anton Brendalen

Anton Brendalen was born December 8, 1929 in Weme, MN the son of Christian and Helga (Joten) Brendalen. He grew up in Weme and later, Clearbrook, MN. His family farmed at Clearbrook and Tony helped out on the farm following his schooling. Tony joined the US Army and served his country in Korea as a supply sergeant. After two years in the Army Tony returned to Clearbrook. He worked briefly in the Milwaukee, WI area and later worked on the iron range in Minnesota. On June 8, 1954 Tony was united in marriage to Marlys Torgerson. The couple made their home in Clearbrook where Tony farmed and raised beef cattle. They were blessed with five children. In 1967 Tony and his family moved to Rosemount, MN where Tony began work at the Koch Refinery. He worked with Koch for the next twenty-six years. Tony bought property on Mill Lake near Alexandria in the 1980?s and began developing it. He built a home on the lake and moved into it in 1991. Tony and Marlys joined Trinity Lutheran Church in Holmes City, MN. Tony spent many hours volunteering his time and skills to the church where he built Noah?s Park, the lectern and many other items for the church. Tony was an excellent woodcarver and enjoyed woodworking. Tony was a jack-of-all-trades and looked forward to tackling new projects. He built flower boxes around his home and liked to garden flowers. He also raised fruits and vegetables. Tony loved the outdoors; he spent time hunting deer, fishing in the summer and boating. Tony was a good and kind man. Sharing what he could was Tony?s way. People loved him for his generosity to all. His family was very important to him; he especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. On Thursday, July 4, 2013 Tony died at the age of eighty-three years. He is survived by his wife, Marlys Brendalen of Alexandria; sons, Jerry Brendalen of Clearbrook, Donald Brendalen and friend, Becky Fritz, of Rosemount, Dean Brendalen of Inver Grove Heights, MN and Dale Brendalen of Clearbrook; daughter, Carol Linkert and friend, Patrick Chesla, of Bloomington, MN; fifteen grandchildren; twenty-nine great grandchildren; four brothers, John Brendalen and wife, June, of Clearbrook, Hans Brendalen and wife, Eleanor, of Glidden, WI, Arnold Brendalen and wife, Beverly, of Mora, MN and Earling Brendalen and wife, Betty Lou, of Skidmore, TX; and two sisters, Martha Ahles of Clearbrook and Christine Strande of Clearbrook. A funeral service will be held 11 AM, Saturday, July 13, 2013 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Holmes City. Reverend Denise Croskey will officiate. Jan Myhr and Kristen Wilson will provide music. Interment will follow in the Rose Hill Cemetery at Holmes City. Jeremy Linkert is the pallbearer. Honorary pallbearers included all of Tony?s grandchildren. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 AM Saturday at the church. Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home.