Loren Voldness

Loren Franklin Voldness was born March 19, 1934 on a farm near Thief River Falls, MN, the son of Norman and Clara (Ostmoe) Voldness. He attended a one-room country school through the eighth grade. Loren completed his schooling and graduated from Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls. Following his schooling Loren worked as a mechanic in Thief River Falls for two years. He worked at a packing plant in St. Paul MN for a time and then spent a winter in Rapid City, SD working with his uncle. Loren joined his brother at Beaver Bay, MN on Lake Superior. Together they worked on the taconite plant for Reserve Mining Co. and also helped build the town of Silver Bay. In the spring of 1956 Loren returned to Thief River Falls and began working for Soo Line Railroad as a fireman on the old steam locomotives. Later, he was promoted to engineer. He worked in Thief River Falls, Rhinelander, WI, Superior, WI, Minneapolis, MN, Fond du lac, WI, Chicago, IL and Glenwood, MN. In 1957 and 1958 Loren served his country as a radio operator in the US Army. He was made an instructor, which he found very boring, so he volunteered for overseas duty. He wanted to go to Germany so the Army sent him to Korea. He served one and one half years in Korea. Following his discharge he returned to the Soo Line Railroad. While working in Rhinelander Loren met the daughter of one of his coworkers. On September 17, 1960 Loren was united in marriage to Loretta ?Kootz? Alsteen. The couple made their home in Thief River Falls where they began raising their family. They were blessed with three children, Lorrie, Robin and Jeff. In 1987, Soo Line Railroad transferred Loren to Glenwood, MN. The couple made their home in Alexandria on Lake Geneva. In 1994, Loren retired from the railroad, now owned by Canadian Pacific, as a locomotive engineer. Loren loved golfing. Loren and Kootz would spend three months of each winter at Gulf Shores, AL. He served as a marshal on the golf course in Pensacola, FL. Recently Loren was working at Arrowwood maintaining golf carts and golfing as often as he could. Volunteering was also important to Loren. He was a member of the Alexandria Evening Lions Club and could always be counted on to volunteer time for Lion?s projects. He has served the Salvation Army as a bell ringer and has been in charge of organizing the Army?s bell ringers. He has volunteered to help Some Place Safe. One of Loren?s favorite charities was Habitat for Humanity. He helped build several Habitat Homes. He has built the Habitat trailer that is used at each Habitat project. Loren?s skills have helped to organize projects, keep things running smoothly and increase the productivity of all Habitat for Humanity volunteers. Loren enjoyed people and having fun. He always had a good story or joke to tell. He was a people person and there are many people who will miss his smile and his hugs. On Tuesday, May 7, 2013 Loren died at the age of seventy-nine years. His parents preceded him in death. Loren is survived by his wife, Kootz Voldness of Alexandria; children, Robin Voldness of Malone, WI, Lorrie Luecke and husband, Lloyd, of New Smyrna Beach, FL and Jeff Voldness of Fond du lac, WI; grandchildren, Christopher Luecke, Nikita Pickert, Katrina Pickert and Lauren van Hierden; and sisters, Joyce Bonawitz and husband, Harold, of Fargo, ND and Deloros Hirst of Thief River Falls. A memorial service was held Saturday, May 11, 2013 at the Anderson Funeral Home. Pastor Sarah Evenson was the officiant. The American Legion Post 87, The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 936 and the Minnesota National Guard provided military honors. Honorary pallbearers included all Staff & Volunteers of Habitat for Humanity and Loren?s golfing buddies. Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home