Kenneth Lovander

Kenneth L. Lovander, age 90, of Willmar, died Wednesday evening, November 4, at the Bethesda Pleasant View Nursing Home in Willmar.

Services will be held at 1 PM Tuesday, November 10, at Eagle Lake Lutheran Church north of Willmar. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the Cloverleaf Memorial Park Cemetery in Willmar. Memorial are preferred to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and Military Honors will be provided by the Austin F. Hanscom American Legion Post 167 of Willmar. Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar. (www.petersonbrothers.com)

Kenneth Leroy Lovander was born on September 17, 1925 in Willmar, Minnesota, the son of Martha (Berg) and William M. Lovander. He grew up in the Willmar area, was baptized and confirmed at Eagle Lake Lutheran Church and received his education in the Willmar School District. After graduating from Willmar High School Kenny was drafted into the US Army and served in Japan during WW II. He returned to Willmar after his discharge in 1946 and worked for Ray Pederson as a crane operator assembling towers all over the United States. He continued to work with Pederson Construction as a crane operator until his retirement. On January 14, 1977, he was married to Alpha Marie (Thompson) Vaala. Ken was a life and active member of Eagle Lake Lutheran Church, a member of the 49ers Union, the Willmar V.F.W, Willmar American Legion and had attended Vinje Lutheran Church since his marriage to Alpha. He was a man with a smile for everyone and enjoyed travel, bowling and hunting.

He is survived by a nephew, Douglas (and Susan) Lovander of Willmar; three nieces, Ruth (and Dick) Foley of Eden Prairie, Marilyn Lovander of Punta Gorda, Florida, and Lois (and Kevin) Fladeboe of Willmar. Also surviving are three step-children, Ellen Boe of Albertville, Leslie (and Karen) Vaala of Lethbridge, Alberta, Francesca Vaala of Woodbury; six step-grandchildren; 14 step-great grandchildren; and one step-great-great grandchild, besides other relatives and friends.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Alpha in 1998; two brothers, Donald and Harold Lovander; sister, Ellen Seitzer; sister-in-law, Joyce Lovander; brother-in-law, Merrill Seitzer; niece, Carol Lovander; step-son, Howard Vaala; son-in-law, Robert Boe; and one grandchild.

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