DUNN, Ward E. 1931-1980

DUNN, HERTH

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 6/28/2009 at 15:56:20

Ward E. Dunn [1931-1980]

Funeral services for Ward E. Dunn, age 48, of St. Ansgar, who died Tuesday, January 29 while attending a wrestling meet in Grafton, were held Friday February 1 at the First Lutheran church here with the Rev. Stephen Engelstad officiating.

Ward E. Dunn was born in Slope County, North Dakota, on April 3, 1931, the son of Percy and Alma Dunn. He graduated from Albert Lea, Minn. high school in 1949. A year later he entered the service and served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955.

After serving his country, he enrolled in Elon College, Elon, N.C. for one year. He continued his education at Luther College, Decorah, and graduated with a teaching certificate in 1959. He met Beverly J. Herth at college and they were married August 17, 1957. he taught school in Canby, Minn. for three years and then moved to St. Ansgar where he taught at St. Ansgar Senior High school for four years.

He then enrolled in the College of Mortuary Science at the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1967. Mr. Dunn was a partner in the Schroeder & Dunn Furniture Store and Funeral Home here until 1978. He then served at the Freeborn Funeral Home in Albert Lea, Minn. until he became a Lutheran Brotherhood representative where he was employed until the time of his death.

Commenting on Mr. Dunn's death, Gloria Jordahl, second grade teacher at St. Ansgar elementary school, and a neighbor of the Dunn family when they first moved to St. Ansgar, and Rich Sherman, who took over wrestling coach duties from Mr. Dunn in 1966 and a neighbor noted that he was more than an avid wrestling fan.

"He was the first wrestling coach at St. Ansgar Senior High school," said Sherman, whose wife, Carol took over Mr. Dunn's job as German instructor at the high school when he went into the funeral home business. "If a coach could have a fan, Ward Dunn would be the epitome," said Sherman, who is the high school's head football coach and athletic director. "He was just a tremendous athletic booster for all sports," Sherman added.

Gloria Jordahl commented that Mr. Dunn, his wife Beverly and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Herth of Clarksville, Minnesota, were watching the wrestling matches, and all have closely followed the athletic activities of the Dunn's two sons.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly, and two sons, Jim, a student at Luther College and Paul at home; one brother, Dean of Petaluma, Calif.; three sisters, Wilma Dunn of Albert Lea, Minn., Mrs. Myrten (Mary) Jones of Couger, Wash., and Mrs. Albert (Floris) Speights of Vancouver, Wash.

Mr. Dunn was a Korean War veteran and was a member of the American Legion. While a businessman in St. Ansgar he was active in the local Lions Club and served as it's president. He also served on the school board and was a member of the local Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of First Lutheran Church, serving as a deacon for two years and as a Sunday school teacher for the past 17 years.

Preceeding him in death were his parents and a brother, Floyd.

Burial was in the State Line Cemetery near Gordonsville, Minnesota, with Rev. Engelstad in charge of committal services. Military honors were by members of the Walter T. Enneberg Post No. 358 of the American Legion honor squad.

(St. Ansgar Enterprise -- 7 FEB 1980)
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See also: Mitchell County Press, 6 FEB 1980
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NOTES:
Casket bearers: Russell Dunn, Rick Dunn, Gary Dunn, Larry Kester, Bernie Gluth, Lanny Karklau.

(Source: Funeral service folder)

Mitchell Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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