Alan Brutlag

Alan Brutlag, age 61 of Wendell, passed away Monday, February 8, 2016 at Grand Arbor Assisted Living, Alexandria, MN. Alan was born in Fergus Falls, MN on May 24, 1954 to Erwin and Grace (Berglund) Brutlag. He grew up and attended school in Wendell and graduated from Elbow Lake High School in 1973. He then attended the University of MN in St. Paul where he earned B.S. degrees in Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business. Alan was an active member of the Farmhouse Fraternity while at the U of M. He then returned to Wendell where he began his career in farming. On December 26, 1982, he was united in marriage to Sharon Sahlberg in Elbow Lake. They made their home on the Brutlag Family Farm near Wendell. To this union, two children were born, Erina Love and Ben. Alan and Sharon also were recognized as National Outstanding Young Farmers. Alan enjoyed riding his motorcycle, taking many trips with his brothers across the continent from coast to coast, including Alaska. He also expressed his creativity by inventing and building for fun and for work, from his children's toys to farm equipment still used on the farm today. Alan's favorite way to enjoy life was spending quality time with his family, often on adventures like downhill skiing, scuba diving, hiking, camping, boating and traveling. He also regularly visited elderly friends and veterans, spreading cheer with his beloved dog, Bear. Alan was an active community and church member, involved with Trinity Lutheran Board, the Lion's Club and Prairie Ridge Hospital Foundation Board, among others. He traveled to Russia in 1990 as an ambassador for agriculture with MI-LEAD (Minnesota Iowa - Leadership Empowerment for Agricultural Development) and also was recently a strong supporter and participant in Iringa Hope, a micro-loan program for farmers in Tanzania, Africa. Survivors include his children, Erina (Sahuna) Love of California and Hawaii, and Ben (Kendra) Brutlag of Elbow Lake; two brothers, Paul (Gwen) Brutlag of Wendell, and Larry (Naomi) Brutlag of Parker, CO; sister-in-law, Laurie (Mickie) Hanson of Gary, MN, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding Alan in death were his parents, and his beloved wife, Sharon in 2004. Visitation: 4PM to 7PM Thursday, February 11 at Trinity Lutheran Church with a 7PM Prayer Service Funeral: 11AM Friday, February 12, 2016 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Wendell Clergy: Rev. Dr. Eugene Boe Interment: Hereford Cemetery, Wendell Erickson-Smith Funeral Home of Elbow Lake is assisting the family with arrangements Memorials are preferred to Knute Nelson Hospice or Iringa Hope Micro-Loan Program Iringa Hope Micro-Loan Program PO Box 21055 Eagan, MN 55121 Website: http://iringahope1.org/ Donate online: https://www.givemn.org/organization/Iringa-hope https://www.razoo.com/us/story/Iringa-Hope Knute Nelson Hospice 420 12th Avenue East Alexandria, MN 56308 ***Please note 'In Memory of Alan Brutlag' with your donation*** Alan's Memorial Folder

Funeral Home: Erickson-Smith Funeral Home - Elbow Lake 116 1st Street NE Elbow Lake, MN US 56531

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Previous Events

Visitation
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Service
Friday, February 12, 2016
cemetery
Friday, February 12, 2016