Tom Hjelle

Tom Hjelle, age 79, of Barrett, passed away Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at Ecumen Bethany Community in Alexandria. Thomas Omer Hjelle was born November 5, 1935 to Olaf & Lizzie (Swenson) Hjelle on their farm in Lien Township. Tom was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Barrett and graduated from the Barrett High School. He continued his studies at the Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis, MN. On September 29, 1963 he was united in marriage to Audrey Haseman. The family still lives on the Century farm where Tom was born. Tom began farming shortly after high school. He also worked for Zimmerman Construction and was foreman of the Barrett Ice Works. He was the superintendent for E.W. Wylie. He earned his pilot's license at the age of 40 years and thoroughly enjoyed flying "Hagar" his plane. He delighted in restoring old tractors, and he still has the first tractors he began farming with, now all restored. He was active in Lake Region Pioneer Threshing Association, WMSTR, and Stearns County Pioneer Club. Tom is survived by his wife, Audrey; son, Glenn (Paula) Hjelle of Elbow Lake; daughter, Lori Sommers, Waseca; granddaughters, Heather Hjelle, Chicago, IL, Lizzie Hjelle, St. Peter, MN; sisters-in-law, Joan Hjelle, Proctor, and Shirley Haseman, Alexandria; brother-in-law, Leo (Carole) Haseman, Plymouth, as well as many nieces and nephews. Tom is preceded in death by his parents, Olaf & Lizze Hjelle; brother, Norton; sister, Doris Krantz, and brother-in-law, Jim Krantz; son-in-law, David Sommers; brother-in-law, Don Haseman, and father & mother-in-law, Henry and Marie Haseman. Funeral Services will be 11AM, Saturday, September 19, 2015 at Peace Lutheran Church in Barrett Visitation, 5pm to 7pm, Friday, September 18 at Peace Lutheran Church Clergy: Reverend Matthew Rose Burial: Bethesda Cemetery, Barrett Tom'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
Friday, September 18, 2015
Service
Saturday, September 19, 2015

Cemetery Details

Location