Vinal L. Severeid — Rochester

Vinal L. Severeid passed away peacefully Friday, Aug. 23, 2013, at Samaritan Bethany Home on Eighth, after being under the care of Season's Hospice since mid-June.

He was born in Moody County, S.D., on March 6, 1923, to Wier Martin and Christina Elizabeth (Amdahl) Severeid. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. The family moved to a farm in Murray County in 1936, north of Lake Wilson. There he became good friends with Raymond Aga, whose family farm was just south of theirs. Soon, Ray's youngest sister, Doris, started hanging around with the boys. Vinal's fate was set! They married on March 23, 1946, in Lake Wilson. They set up their household in Florence, in the back of an auto repair garage owned jointly by him and one of his older brothers. The William H. Ziegler Co., Caterpillar distributor in Minnesota, sent out scouts to locate talented mechanics and Vinal became a loyal employee from 1953 to 1986. He was first located in Minneapolis/St. Paul and then transferred to Rochester in 1957.

Through his love-filled marriage with Doris, they produced three offspring who survive, Michael (Maricusa), of Monterrey, Mexico, Maureen (David) Steffes, of Cottage Grove, and Marjorie Severeid (Bob Curry), of Rochester. They were blessed with four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by Doris on Christmas morning, 2010; seven brothers and four sisters.

During retirement, he and Doris enjoyed traveling, journeying numerous times to Mexico and four times to Norway. They were actively involved in the Sons of Norway, holding most of the elected offices at least once. He also became quite good at rolling lefse and preparing lutefisk for their annual events. In addition, he was an active, faithful member of Zumbro Lutheran Church. When the church moved to its current location, he volunteered to install the "Cross of Reconciliation."

The memorial for Vinal is Sunday, Sept. 15, at 1 p.m. at Zumbro Lutheran Church, with Pastor Shelley Cunningham officiating. There will be a gathering of family and friends in Fellowship Hall, located on the lower level, following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Zumbro Lutheran Church, Mayo Clinic Study of Aging, Samaritan Bethany Home on Eighth or Season's Hospice.

Macken Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences are welcome at mackenfuneralhome.com .