Arthur H. Vermedahl, 87, Emmons

Published 12:00 am Sunday, April 4, 2004

Arthur H. Vermedahl, age 87, of Emmons, passed away on Wednesday, March 31, 2004, at his home in Emmons.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 5, 2004, at Emmons Lutheran Church in Emmons with Rev. Julie Fiske officiating. Burial will take place in the Lime Creek Cemetery in Emmons.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the Mittelstadt Funeral Home, 902 East Main Street in Lake Mills, Iowa, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Monday.

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Memorials may be directed to the Lime Creek Cemetery Association c/o Leo Halvorson, 324 Oak Street, Emmons, MN, 56029.

Arthur Harlan Vermedahl, the son of Jacob and Lena (Helland) Vermedahl, was born on Jan. 3, 1917, on his parent’s farm in Freeborn County. He was baptized and confirmed at Lime Creek Lutheran Church, rural Emmons, Minnesota. Arthur attended country school in Freeborn County, and later went on to attend and graduate from Emmons High School in Emmons.

Following his schooling, Art began farming with his father. On May 19, 1940, Arthur was united in marriage with Norma Thompson at Emmons Lutheran Church. The couple raised their family on the same farm where Art was born.

In addition to farming and family, Art enjoyed spending time hunting, fishing, trapping, and gardening.

He also played cards and billiards.

While a member of Lime Creek Lutheran church, he served as the treasurer/financial secretary.

He later became an active member of Emmons Lutheran church.

Art was a member of the Nunda Township Board of Freeborn County for 25 years.

In the early 1980s, Arthur and Norma retired from farming and moved into Emmons.

Art was very proud of his Norwegian heritage and took much pleasure in sharing stories of his visits to the Vermedahl homeplace in Norway and Norwegian life and traditions.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 63 years, Norma of Emmons; three children, Leo Vermedahl and his wife, Linda of Dalhart, Texas, Lyle Vermedahl and his wife, Barb of Casper, Wyo., and Julie Vermedahl Griffith and her husband, Michael of Boulder, Colo.; two daughters-in-law, JaVonne Eidahl and her husband, Konrad of Emmons, and Lynda Vermedahl of Twin Lakes; 12 grandchildren, Daniel Vermedahl, Michael Vermedahl, Dr. Nicole Storseth, Dr. Nathan Vermedahl, Amy Bowers, Chris Metcalf, Tracy Stonehocker, Lori Bement, Kari Jorth, Jon Vermedahl, Jacob Griffith, and Jeremy John Griffith; eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Darryl and Roger Vermedahl; a brother, James Hauge; sister, Carrie Wood; and twin granddaughters, Kristin and Kellie Vermedahl.