Kenny Lovaas, 88, Grand Marais, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Monday, September 25, 2017 at North Shore Health.
Kenny was born February 1, 1929 to Daniel and Mabel (Strom) Lovaas in Bock, Minn., where he grew up and attended schools in Mora. He moved to Grand Marais in 1947 after graduating high school and attending Dunwoody Institute to work at his uncle Fritz Lindquist’s Shell station. He also began to drive school bus for his future father-in-law Andrew Shold.
Kenny married Fern Shold on Friday, July 13, 1951 after being drafted into the Army that same year. Kenny shipped out three days after their wedding and then served on the front lines in the 1st Cavalry Division 77th Field Artillery Service Battalion in the Korean War and was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation ACM Japan-United Nations Medal and the Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars.
After his service, he and his brother-in-law Roger Shold purchased and operated Shold and Lovaas (Mobil) Service in Grand Marais, which he and Roger operated until their retirement in 1992. During this entire time, Ken drove bus for the Cook County School District, the longest route in the state of Minnesota. Kenny and Roger were also dealers for International Trucks and Polaris snowmobiles.
Kenny was a member of Cornerstone Community Church.
He enjoyed fishing, waterskiing, camping, blueberry picking, hunting, traveling, driving, and spending time with family. Kenny was devoted to his beloved wife Fern, living a life of faithfulness and dedication.
Kenny was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Virginia Mae.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Fern; children Dr. Danita (Pete) Erickson of Woodbury, Minn., Dr. Deb Lovaas (Reid Pomraning) of Anchorage, Alaska, David (Monica) Lovaas of Iron, and William Lovaas (Lorelei Livingston) of Grand Marais; grandchildren Kendrick Erickson, Kaarle Pomraning, Ryan and Austin Lovaas; and brothers Donald, Vernon, and Harold Lovaas.
Visitation will be from noon until the 1 p.m. service on Saturday, September 30, 2017 at Cornerstone Community Church in Grand Marais. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery. To sign the online register book visit www.cavallinfuneralhome.com.
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