Orphie Engvald SAXHAUG

Notes:

He registered for the draft on June 5, 1917, in Crosby where he was a school teacher for District #51. He was single and of medium height and build with blue eyes and light hair.

Living at home in the 1920 census. He’s a school teacher.

He and his wife and son live in Grand Rapids, Itasca County, in the 1930 census. He is a real estate agent.

An obit noted that he had lived in Grand Rapids for 50 years, “going there first as a teacher. He became a prominent civic leader and was in the insurance and real estate business.”

Family/Spouse: Marie LAURITZEN. Marie was born on 24 Nov 1895 in Minnesota; died on 23 Nov 1975 in Itasca County, Minnesota; was buried in Itasca Calvary Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Itasca County, Minnesota. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He was a Corporal in the U.S. Army in World War II. He arrived back in the U.S. on the S.S. George Washington which arrived in New York on 26 October 1945 after having sailed from Marseilles, France.

John L Saxhaug, lifelong resident of Grand Rapids, died peacefully at his home on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2001.

He was born Sept. 4, 1922, at Grand Rapids, where he grew up and attended school. He graduated from Grand Rapids High School in 1940, and attended Carleton College. John served with the 741st Tank Battalion in World War II, was a veteran of the Battle of the Bulge, and received the Purple Heart. He was united in marriage to Virginia West in Mora on Sept. 28, 1946. He worked in insurance, real estate, and finance businesses, and in 1972 founded the John L. Saxhaug Company, Inc. His final and most enjoyable job was as a greeter at Target. He was a lifelong member of Community Presbyterian Church where he had served as elder and trustee. He was past president of Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Rotary, past commander of McVeigh-Dunn American Legion Post No. 60, and served on the boards of directors of Northland Mental Health, Hope House and H.E.A.R.T. Early in his career, he received the Jaycees’ Distinguished Service Award.

He is survived by Ginny, his wife of 55 years; two sons, Tom (Nancy) of Grand Rapids, and John of St. Paul; one daughter, Ann Saxhaug (David Beghly) of Golden Valley; grandchildren Susan Saxhaug of St. Paul; Timothy Saxhaug of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Wis.; Chloe Helland, Madison, Wis.; Jan Saxhaug, Luther College, Decorah, Iowa; Anitra (Allen) Payne, Lino Lakes; Justin Beghly, Bloomington; one great-grandchild, Taylor Payne; a sister, Catherine (Gerald) Anderson; and sister-in-law, Barbara West, both of Scottsdale, Ariz.; three nieces and two nephews.
Memorial service: Saturday, Oct. 13, at 11 a.m. in Community Presbyterian Church, Grand Rapids.

John married Virginia Clay WEST on 28 Sep 1946 in Kanabec County, Minnesota. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]