Obituary for Larry Dean Blegen

Larry Dean Blegen passed into eternal life on October 14, 2022, at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse.

Larry was the son of the late Leonard C. Blegen and Evelyn Blegen Langland. He was born on March 29, 1940, graduated from Spring Grove High School, and from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with degrees in English and Social Studies.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Solveig-Liv Morken Blegen, his sister, Lin Blegen Fuchs and her companion Neal Telford, and sister Michelle Langland Gulbranson. He is further survived by sister-in-law Margaret Van Dam and her husband David, and sister-in-law Betsey Olson and her husband Paul. In addition, there are several nieces and nephews, as well as their children.

Larry and Solveig taught school from 1964 – 1985 when Larry qualified for early retirement. During those years, Larry mentored more than 3,100 students and was a trainer of student teachers as well as being the head of the English departments at La Crescent and White Bear Lake.

In 1985 Larry and Solveig began to purchase businesses that were not doing well and working hard to turn them around, and then sell them.

They joined several retirement companies that afforded them the opportunity to live in many parts of the country, as well as to travel monthly to Beverly Hills, CA, and Kansas City, MO.

Ultimately, they joined National Church Residences, and both became Directors overseeing several east coast states as well as Florida where they lived for more than ten years. During that time, they trained and supervised hundreds of employees.

Larry has donated his body to the Mayo Clinic for medical research.

A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Luke’s Church in Eitzen, MN at 3:00 PM on Friday, November 4, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. The Reverend Michael McCann will officiate. A visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. until the time of service at the church. In lieu of flowers, it is suggested that donations be made to St. Luke’s Church.

Jandt-Fredrickson Funeral Home in Caledonia is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.Jandt-Fredrickson.com