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Harvey O. Wandersee Obituary – 9/23/2011


Harvey O. Wandersee, age 90, of Luverne, died Friday, Sept. 23, 2011, at the Sanford Hospice Cottage in Luverne.

He was born May 5, 1921, in Buffalo, to Louis and Anna (Pierson) Wandersee.

Harvey graduated from Buffalo High School.

He married Irene Van Lith June 30, 1945, in Delano. After their marriage, the couple farmed in rural Buffalo.

In 1951, Harvey began working at the Buffalo Creamery; then became plant superintendent at Maple Dairy, in Maple Lake, in 1955.

The family moved to Madison, SD in 1960, where Harvey managed the Farmers Coop Creamery.

In 1963, they moved to Luverne, where Harvey managed Northstar Dairy, which became Land O’ Lakes in 1970. He retired in 1988 as their longtime general manager.

Harvey was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne, where he had served as a trustee. He was also a member of the Luverne Jaycees, the Luverne Chamber of Commerce, and the Luverne City Sewage Committee; and active in the Tri-State Band Festival.

Harvey enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing cards, dancing, and traveling.

He is survived by three children, Diane (Bob) Olson, of Sun City West, AZ; Renee (Craig) Surdy of Palm Springs, CA; and Todd (Carol) Wandersee of Minnetonka; five grandchildren, Brendan (Michelle) Olson, Janelle (Chris) Kandziora, Craig Ryan Surdy, Mikayla Wandersee, and Jarod Wandersee; three great-grandchildren, Victoria Olson, and Aiden and Mason Kandziora; and two sisters, Marie Madsen of Ft. Atkinson, WI, and Jean (Jim) McDonnell of Buffalo.

Harvey was preceded in death by his wife, Irene, June 22, 2011; and by his parents.

The funeral service took place Saturday, Oct. 1 at 11 a.m. at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne, officiated by Fr. Thomas Jennings. Interment followed at the St. Catherine Cemetery in Luverne.

Visitation was Friday, Sept. 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Luverne, with parish prayers at 7:30 p.m.; and continued Saturday, one hour prior to the service at the church.

To view an online obituary or sign a video tribute, please visit www.dingmannandsons.com.

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