S. Eugene Isfeld

S. Eugene Isfeld, age 89, of Madison, Minn., passed away peacefully of natural causes on Tuesday, August 30, 2022, at the Sanford Canby Medical Center. Funeral service was --. Friday, September 2, 2022, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Canby, Minn., with Rev. Levi Bollerud officiating. Burial was in the Canby City Cemetery.

Stengrim Eugene Isfeld was born on May 29, 1933, in Tyler, Minn., to an Icelandic immigrant family. He was raised on a farm with his parents “S.E.” Stengrimur Eirik and Albertina (Ina) Isfeld and his four older sisters. He graduated from Canby High School in 1951 and proceeded directly into the farming operation with his father. In 1953, he married Marilyn Jean Caron of Marshall, Minn. and the couple made their home on a farm adjoining to his parents, just south of Highway 68 near Porter, Minn.

The marriage of 66 years was shortened only by the passing of dear Marilyn in 2019. On their farm they raised their three children, Debra Ann, Stanton, and Jean Marie.

Gene was a natural in the fields and with the livestock. He loved the meditation of turning rows in the fields where he “had time to think.” He had the patience and engineering mindset to fix and maintain all his own tractors. He mourned the day he “went out of cattle” as they brought so much life to farm living.

Most of all, he was a positive and gentle spirit as a husband, a father, a grandfather and ultimately great-grandfather. The farm, a sense of place, and his Icelandic heritage made him who he was. Anyone who saw him driving through town in his later years probably noticed his “ICELANDR” personalized license plates.

Marilyn and Gene were active and engaged citizens in their community: Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, the “Class of 51” winter card club, and their many friends and neighbors of the Farmers Union. Gene served as a supervisor on the Alta Vista Township Board for 24 years. He was chairman of the Lincoln County Townships (15 in all) board for 10 years. He served on the boards of the ASC (now Farm Service Agency) and Farmers Home Administration boards for multiple years. Other public service included board spots on the Taunton Co-operative Elevator and the Porter Shipping Association.

Gene also had a love of music and his family surprised him with a public dance, featuring the Jim Busta Polka Band, for his 80th birthday celebration. All his ten grandchildren have fond memories of his humor, his storytelling, his interest in cars and anything mechanical, and his beloved polka music. Above all, his truly greatest virtue was his love for his family and his sincere interest in people. He will be missed by many whose lives he touched.

Eugene was preceded in death by his parents, his four sisters: Eunice, Arloine, Ruth and Joyce, and his lovely bride, Marilyn.

He is survived by his children, Debra Ann (Larry) Grong of Lake Cochrane, S.D., Stanton (Tammy) Isfeld of Granite Falls, Minn., Jean Marie (Matthew) Entenza of St. Paul, Minn.; ten grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.