George Battles

George K. Battles was born in Little Falls, Minnesota on November 11, 1924, the son of James L. Battles and Gertrude (Kay) Battles. He was preceded in death by his parents and an older brother, James K. Battles, who died September 19, 1992. Harriet Battles his beloved wife, of nearly 45 years died on July 6, 1996. George grew up on a small farm in Backus, Minnesota and attended Backus Public School, graduating in May of 1942. He served in the U.S. Army for two years ending in 1947. This tour included times on Okinawa, Japan and South Korea. He was discharged at Camp Beal, California and returned to Minnesota. He was awarded a B.S. Degree Technical Agriculture from the University of Minnesota in 1953. The Financial World attracted him and his working life was spent in several fields of Credit and Finance including Farm Credit, Credit Reporting and Banking. His last work was as Loan Officer and Vice President of First State Bank of Alexandria/Carlos in Alexandria, MN. Church work was an important part of his life and included fourteen years as Treasurer of Evangelical Covenant Church of Alexandria. Additional service was given by twelve years working with Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) through counseling start up businesses in areas of technical need. At the time of his death George was an active member of St. Luke?s (LCMC) Lutheran Church of Garfield. He was united in marriage to Harriet E. Johnson at Hutchinson, Minnesota on September 9, 1951. To this union six children were born: Kenneth Harry, Keith James, Karen Jean, Kevin George, Kent Howard and Kurt Alan and they all survive George. Eleanor V. Dahlquist came into his life through introduction by mutual friends. They were married on September 4, 1999 and are the happy grandparents of ten grandchildren living in Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and Texas. Visitation will be held on Friday, June 17, 2011, from 4:00 ? 7:00 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral.Home with a Time of Sharing at 6:30 p.m. There will be visitation on Saturday, starting at 10:00 a.m. at St. Luke?s Church. Funeral services for George will be on Saturday, June 18, 2011, 11:00 a.m. at St. Luke?s Lutheran Church in Garfield with Rev. David Gran officiating. Military Honors were by the American Legion Post #87, VFW Post #936 and the Minnesota National Honor Guard. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Alexandria. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home