Service Information
Lars M. Oakland, age 84, of Hector, Minnesota, passed away on Monday, December 20, 2021, at Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.
Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at 11:00 A.M. at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hector, Minnesota with interment in the Hector City Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 28, 2021, from 4:00-7:00 P.M. at Hughes-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Hector, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.
Memorials preferred to First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hector, Pheasant’s Forever, or the Renville Rangers Shooting Club.
Livestreaming available at https://www.facebook.com/1.Lutheran.Hector/
Obituary
Lars Maynard Oakland was born on October 28, 1937 in Clarkfield, Minnesota, the youngest son of Lars and Maye (Anderson) Oakland. He was baptized and confirmed at the St. Lucas Lutheran Church of Clarkfield. Lars attended the County School District #86 and Clarkfield High School graduating in 1955. He trained in the Great Lakes Training area and served in the U.S. Navy until November 13, 1957.
On June 27, 1959, Lars was united in marriage to Barbara Kay Dybsand at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Sacred Heart, Minnesota. The couple lived in Clarkfield, Renville, Hector, and Ortonville before returning to Hector. This marriage was blessed with three children, seven grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. They were married (June 27, 1959-June 19, 2007) almost 48 years.
Lars worked at Farmers Coop Elevator in the grain department and manager of the fertilizer department for over 30 years. He served on the church board and was head of the wild game feed for many years at First Lutheran.
Together Barb and Lars enjoyed camping with their young family as they followed the kids marching band parade schedule. They enjoyed spending time with their family and close friends. Including going dancing to the music of Sammy Jenson Band. Their favorite was doing the two-step. They could just float across the dance floor.
Barb and Lars were able to travel to Alaska, Hawaii, and Norway together. After Barb’s passing, Lars was able to follow the grandkids basketball teams. He was an avid sports fan: boys’ and girls’ basketball, soccer, and football. Through the years, he also shot trap in Fairfax and Bird Island. Lars enjoyed a great group of friends to go on hunting trips with. They hunted pheasant, duck, goose, deer, dove, and turkey. He was also a great fisherman during the winter and summer; he was ready to go anytime and looked forward to his trips up North.
Lars passed away at the Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, Minnesota on Monday, December 20, 2021, at the age of 84 years.
Lars is survived by his:
Children, Lorna Duehn and her husband, Paul of Burnsville, MN,
Thea Swanson and her husband, Steven of Bird Island, MN,
Richard Oakland and his wife, Jennifer of Aitkin, MN;
7 Grandchildren, Adam (Anna) Swanson, Travis Swanson (and friend Amelia), Josh (Emily) Swanson, Megan Duehn (and friend Will), Molly (Kyle) Kennedy, Courtney (Kyle) Gardner, Erin Oakland;
3 Great-grandchildren, Anders Lars and Ava Mae Swanson, Calvin Benjamin Gardner;
Several beloved nephews and nieces.
Lars is preceded in death by his Parents, Lars and Maye Oakland; Wife, Barbara Oakland; Siblings, Vivian Oakland, Vivian Knutson, Juell Oakland, Leonard Oakland, Maurice Oakland, Merlyn Oakland, Virdell Oakland, Shirley Oakland, Marlys Londgren; Nephew, Paul Oakland; Brothers-in-law, Sidney Knutson, John “Jack” Londgren; Sisters-in-law, Gladys Oakland, Marlys Oakland, Phyllis Oakland.
Karen Neuman says
Lorna, Thea, Richard and families — Deepest sympathies to all. My heart breaks for you. Lars is the kindest and best person I have ever met.
Michelle Sandahl says
My favorite neighbor, you will be missed. I will have an ice cream cone in your honor.
Bonnie+&+Dolney says
Lars always had the nicest smile!! He was a kind and caring person to all he met!! We all were good friends for many years!! Sincerest sympathy to the family.
Mark Jakobitz says
To the family: Lars was a favorite family friend. I know Mom and Dad always appreciated him for sharing his hunting/fishing bounty, once Dad couldn’t get out much himself. He was one to look up to in church, always active in one way or another with a smile on his face. He seemed to have a real interest in my athletic progress through high school and often talked to me in church about the ‘game last Friday’, especially when Buffalo Lake played Hector. Lars, you will be missed.
Jason Todd says
I am sorry for your loss of a great man. Thoughts and prayers for your family and friends.
Pam Benson says
I did not know Lars, but my dad, Morris Kronlokken, mentioned him many times to me as he would pick him up for church. He really appreciated that. Sympathies to the family.
Rhonda and Mike Kramer says
Our thoughts and prayers to the Oakland family. Lars was a great guy, always smiling. Loved waiting on him at Pete’s grill. He will be missed..
Mike and Rhonda Kramer says
Our thoughts and prayers to the Oakland family. Lars always had a smile on his face, he was a great guy. Loved waiting on him at Petes’s grill. He will be missed.
Darlene Kenning says
He was such a good friend to my brother and husband always ready help
Brenda says
Lorna, Thea, Richard and families: your dad was always a welcoming person when I visited First Lutheran. He was a great friend to my parents. My sympathy to all of you!
Mary (Peterson) Bradley says
I cannot lie; I wept today at hearing of Lars’ passing. Lorna, Thea, and Rich, you are blessed to have had such a wonderful man as your father. I will miss him deeply.