J. Loren Danielson

Loren Danielson, 81, of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, formerly of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, died Tuesday, February 26, 2014 at Minnesota Veterans Home, Fergus Falls under the care of Lakeland Hospice. Loren Danielson was born in Holmesville Township, Becker County, Minnesota, on January 7, 1933, to John E.F. and Alma S. (Leland) Danielson. He attended country school near his home and Detroit Lakes High School before graduating from the Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston, Minnesota, in 1951. He joined the US Army in 1952, served in the Korean Conflict, and was awarded a Purple Heart. He returned home to Becker County where he farmed with his father, and married Geneva Hage in 1955. Three children were born to this union, Terri, Clint and Vernon. Loren took over his father's operation and was awarded Outstanding Young Farmer of Minnesota in 1968 by the Jaycees. He continued to farm until 1995 when he and Geneva moved into Detroit Lakes. Loren was elected a Becker County Commissioner in 1984 and served from 1985 until 1992, also serving on the Lakeland Mental Health Board and Mahube. The years Loren spent in public service were the happiest of his life. Loren and Geneva traveled as much as they could, visiting locations such as Germany, Switzerland, Iceland, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, Canada, and Branson, Missouri, and Virginia. Loren had been a resident of the Veteran's Home in Fergus Falls since 2003. He is survived by Geneva, his daughter, Terri (Gary) Hilgers of Bloomington, Minnesota, his two sons, Clint (Bonnie) Danielson of Moorhead, Minnesota, and Vernon (Donna) Danielson of Detroit Lakes. Also sisters Ann Tolkinen of Alamo, Texas, Gladys Durand of Moorhead, Minnesota, Ellen Lyons of Lodi, California and Lorna Crowell of Moorhead, Minnesota. Granddaughters Laura Danielson of Moorhead, Minnesota, Bria Hilgers of San Diego, California, Heather Hilgers of Chicago, Illinois, and Deni Danielson of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and by sisters Elizabeth Danielson, Eloise Newgard, and Dorothy Downs.