Byron Edgar Sagmoen, 92, recently of Park Rapids, MN, former lifelong resident of Thief River Falls, MN died on Monday, January 14, 2008 at the Heritage Living Center in Park Rapids, MN.

Funeral will be 11 AM, Thursday, January 17, 2008 at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN, with Reverend Alemayehu Tulu officiating. Burial will be at Rindahl Cemetery, rural Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service, Thursday.

Byron Edgar Sagmoen was born on April 1, 1915 in Rosewood, MN, the son of Charles and Gerda (Johnson) Sagmoen. He was baptized and confirmed at Rindal Lutheran Church. He grew up in Rosewood and attended the Rosebank Country School through the eighth grade. At the age of 16 he went to work at the Nels Peterson Farm. He later went to work for Salveston Studio in Thief River Falls, MN as a photographer and photo painter. He left there to work for a Lefse Bakery started by his uncle, Lars Furan. His brother Bartlett, cousins Glen Sagmoen and Burton Furan also went to work there, along with Jane Ring, his future wife. Later Byron and his cousin Burton opened a Lefse Shop in Grand Forks. That ended when they were drafted into the Army. During World War II, Byron served in England and went into France with the invasion forces. He served in the 3110 Signal Service Battalion, achieving the rank of staff sergeant. He was united in marriage to Jane Ring on May 31, 1950 in Thief River Falls, MN. Byron and his brother Bartlett went into business together and did many types of work. Ray Olson also worked with them doing painting and T.V. antennae installations. They eventually formed the Partnership Sagmoen Brothers, doing interior and exterior painting, staining, wallpapering, along with furniture repair and refinishing, which they continued until their retirement.

Byron was a fun-loving person, who enjoyed visiting with friends and family. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and cooking. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls and a lifetime member of the VFW. He and Jane continued to live in Thief River Falls, until December of 2004 when they moved to Park Rapids to live with their daughter and son-in-law. Byron entered the Heritage Living Center in Park Rapids in May of 2007.

He is survived by his wife " Jane E. Sagmoen of Park Rapids, MN; His daughter " Jeneen (Patrick) Klein of Park Rapids, MN; Two Grandsons - Christopher (Marinda) Klein of Park Rapids, MN; Nicholas (Amy Shilson) Klein of Park Rapids, MN; Three Great Grandchildren "Katelyn, Keagan and Kenton Klein of Park Rapids, MN; His brother Borden Sagmoen of Seattle, WA; Two brothers- in- Law " Lawrence Ring of Thief River Falls, MN; and Walter Chilstrom of Mpls., MN; four nieces and 3 nephews.

He was preceded in death by is parents, brother " Bartlett Sagmoen, sister " VanDella Chilstrom, Two sisters-in-law- Genevieve Ring; Edna Sagmoen, and two infant sisters.

ORGANIST: Ida Nordvall
SOLOIST: Diane Johnson " In The Garden and Be Still My Soul.
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Softly and Tenderly, What A Friend We Have In Jesus
MILITARY HONORS: American Legion Ecklund-Holmstrom Post #117, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2793
PALLBEARERS: Patrick, Christopher, and Nicholas Klein, Ray, Kent, and Kurt Wagner.