Ted Leon HART

HART, VOGT, SWAN, WAGNER, VASKINN, WISTER, SVORKMO, STAAB, VANDER LINDEN, GOODSON, KEMPENICH, FORD, DELEEUW, ANDERSON, TERMEER, GROSHENS, HUISKEN, CLAAR

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 6/13/2015 at 13:27:18

November 25, 1931 ---- May 28, 2015

Ted L. Hart, 83, of Chandler, MN passed away on Thursday, May 28, 2015 at the Edgebrook Care Center, Edgerton, MN.

Ted Leon Hart was born November 25, 1931 to Elmer Hart Sr. and Isabel (Vogt) Hart on a farm near Chandler, MN in Fenton Township, Murray County. He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith. Ted attended Chandler public schools, graduating from Chandler High School in 1950. Following high school, Ted attended Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis, MN for two years and received his degree in mechanics. On December 17, 1954 Ted married Lorena Swan at the Iona Presbyterian Church in Iona, MN. They made their home in Fulda, MN before moving to a farm near Chandler in 1957 where they raised their seven children. Throughout his life, Ted was active in both his church and community. He was a member of the Iona Presbyterian Church and served as both an elder and trustee. In his community he served on the Chandler-Lake Wilson School Board, the Chandler Co-op Board, the Fenton Township Board and was an active member of the Minnesota Cattlemen’s Association. In 1990, Ted and Lorena moved to an acreage outside of Chandler, MN where Ted semi-retired. After Lorena’s death in 1999, Ted married Miriam Wagner, on April 2, 2005, in Clarion, IA.

Ted had many interests and farming was very important to him. He also enjoyed welding, fixing cars and tractors, along with inventing ways to improve farm equipment and techniques. Other pastimes included vegetable gardening, camping, and traveling, both domestic and abroad. Time spent around water was also a favorite activity and included boating, water skiing to the age of 72, swimming, and fishing. What Ted loved more than anything was watching his grandchildren’s sporting events and spending time with his children and their families. Ted and Lorena also enjoyed hosting foreign exchange students including five students from Japan, and three from Norway.

He remained close to his 3 Norwegian daughters and their families, Anne Svorkmo, Margrete Vaskinn, and Elisabeth Wister. Ted was very fond of his dogs over the years and enjoyed a good nap in the sun.

In 2013 after having a stroke, Ted became a resident of Edgebrook Care Center where he passed away on May 28, 2015 at the age of 83, surrounded by his family. Ted is survived by his wife, Miriam; five daughters, Sharon (Dan) Staab of Chandler, MN, Joan Vander Linden of Chandler, MN, Donna (Scott) Goodson of Jackson, MO, Jane (Dan) Kempenich of Chisago City, MN, Phyllis (Ruston) Ford of Madison, WI; two sons, Michael (Lisa) Hart of Sleepy Hollow, IL and Glen (Bernie DeLeeuw) Hart of Chandler, MN; twenty one grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; one sister, Virgina Anderson of Bemidi, MN; two brothers, Robert (Jan) Hart of Wabasha, MN and Al (Sharon) Hart of Battle Lake, MN; nieces, nephews, and many friends. Ted is preceded in death by his wife Lorena, his parents, and one brother, Elmer Hart Jr.

Memorial services were held on Monday, June 1st at the Iona Presbyterian Church, with Pastor Deb Klaassen officiating. Organist was Judy Cowan. Ted’s grandchildren were his pallbearers: Eric Staab, Brent Staab, Kayla Termeer, Jeffrey Vander Linden, Thomas Vander Linden, Michelle Groshens, Jason Vander Linden, Aaron Goodson, Landon Goodson, Annaka Goodson, Krista Hart, Scott Hart, Loren Kempenich, Nate Kempenich, Lily Kempenich, Mitch Hart, Matt Hart, Alyssa Huisken, Derek Claar, Stine Svorkmo, Sandra Svorkmo. Interment was at the Memorial Gardens in Slayton, MN. The Chandler Funeral Association assisted the family with the arrangements.

Murray County Wheel Herald - Slayton, Minnesota