Blegen, Nathan Arnold -- 1914 - 2001

MUSSER, BLEGEN, ROUNSEVILLE, MATTER, FITCH, LAVENDER, GABRIELSON, HAGEN, BOLSONM, MYRAH

Posted By: IA GenWeb Volunteer
Date: 6/29/2010 at 08:15:20

Decorah Public Opinion, Tuesday, January 16, 2001

Nathan Arnold "Dutch" Blegen

Nathan Blegen, 86, of Decorah, died Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2001 at Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital in Decorah following a lengthy illness.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 13 at 1 p.m. at the French and Balik Funeral Home in Decorah, with Rev. Tom Miller of the First Lutheran Church of Decorah officiating.

Organist was Rev. Marion Miller, and soloist was Hub Christen.

Honorary Pallbearers were Rob Usgaard, Doug Blegen, Howard Mclntosh, Jeff Burke, Don Johnson, Don Blegen and Tilman Ellingson.

Interment was at Lutheran Cemetery, with French and Balik Funeral Home of Decorah handling arrangements.

Nathan Arnold "Dutch" Blegen was born May 5, 1914, twin son of Andrew and Nettie (Musser) Blegen in Canoe Township, Winneshiek County.

Nathan Blegen and his twin brother, Arthur Blegen, were the first twins to be baptized at the Canoe Ridge Lutheran Church.

The Blegen family moved to Decorah when Dutch was five years oId. He received his education at the Decorah Public Schools and was confirmed at First Lutheran Church on June 15, 1929.

Leone R. Rounseville Matter and Dutch Blegen were united in marriage on Sept. 8, 1950, in Preston, Minn.

Dutch Blegen and his twin brother, Art Blegen ran the Blegen Twin Trucking Company for many years during the war years, but he also farmed, worked for International Harvester, and sold Watkins Products for many years. He loved bowling, fishing, camping, and woodworking, and was known for his birdhouses. A Luther College student wrote an article at one time about Dutch Blegen and his birdhouses.

For over 70 years, Dutch Blegen was a member of First Lutheran Church and served many years as an usher and money counter, as well as on the Lutheran Cemetery Board.

Surviving Dutch Blegen are his wife, Leone Blegen of Decorah; three children: Patricia and David Fitch of Decorah; Edward and Deanne Blegen of Warsaw, Mo.; and Marcia and Larry Lavender of Cedar Rapids; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one brother, Norris and Myrle Blegen of Marion, Iowa and numerous nieces and nephews.

Nathan Arnold "Dutch" Blegen was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers: Oliver, Raymond, Olaf and Arthur Blegen; and four sisters: Louise Gabrielson, Emma Hagen, Clara Bolsonm, and Johanna Myrah.

Transcribed by an IA GenWeb Volunteer from obituaries found in the Howard-Winneshiek Genealogy Society Library, Cresco, Iowa.

Added Nov, 30, 2017
Source: Times Plain Dealer; Jan. 24, 2001 Page A-3
from Elma library collection assembled by Marian (Marr) McGee
Transcribed by Joy Moore

Nathan Blegen services held
Funeral services for Nathan “Dutch” Blegen of Decorah were held Saturday, January 13 at 1:00 p.m. at the French and Balik Funeral Home. Rev. Tom Miller of First Lutheran Church in Decorah officiated. Interment was in the Lutheran Cemetery in Decorah.
Nathan, 86, died Tuesday, January 9, 2001 at the Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital in Decorah followng a lengthy illness.
Survivors include his wife, Leone Blegen of Decorah; two daughters: Patricia Fitch of Decorah and Marcia Lavender of Marion; one son: Edward of Warsaw, MO; and one brother: Norris Blegen of Marion.

Lutheran Decorah Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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