Funeral services for Wegner P. Fossom, age 89, of Hartland, were held today at 2 p.m. at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church.

The Rev. Linda Gunderson officiated. Visitation was one hour prior to the service. Interment was in Central Freeborn Cemetery with military honors accorded by the Freeborn County servicemen’s organizations.

Wegner died Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2003, at the Albert Lea Good Samaritan Center.

Wegner P. Fossom was the fifth child born to Ole P. and Gina (Gravlie) Fossom in Manchester. He grew up on the Fossom pioneer farm near Manchester, attended rural school there, and graduated from Albert Lea High School. Wegner was a life-long resident of Freeborn County and a member of Central Freeborn Lutheran Church. He and his brother, Ole Peder, bought a farm near Hartland, where they lived together with their mother.

On Jan. 14, 1942, Wegner was inducted into the United States Army during World War II. He served as a Technician Fifth Grade, Medical Department of the Sixth Armored Division under General Patton. Wegner was seriously injured in the Battle of the Bulge at Bastogne and was flown to a hospital in southern England. On March 23, 1945, he was transferred to the Percy Jones Hospital in Battle Creek, Michigan. On Jan. 6, 1946, Wegner received an honorable discharge and was awarded three bronze stars, a purple heart, and a good conduct medal.

Wegner was an avid fisherman and enjoyed spending time at his lake cabin near Faribault. He was a member of the American Legion and the VFW. Wegner will always be remembered for his generosity, optimism, and ready smile. He will be missed by his three sisters, his nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.

Survivors include his sisters: Ellen Anderson of Austin, Edna Severson of Albert Lea, and Erna Brown, also of Albert Lea.

Wegner was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Ole; and brothers-in-law: John Anderson, Norman Severson and Henry Brown.