Floyd Hesse, 91, died on Friday, February 1, 2008 at the Veterans Hospital in Fargo, ND.

Funeral service will be 2 PM, Saturday, February 23, 2008 at St. John's Lutheran Church, Red Lake Falls, MN. Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery, Red Lake Falls.

Visitation will be 5-8 PM, Friday, February 22, 2008 at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN with a 7 PM prayer service and for one hour prior to service at the church, Saturday

Floyd Marvin Hesse was born June 17, 1916, in a farm house in Morton, MN, to George and Alma (Lothert) Hesse. Floyd was the third of twelve children " Myrtle, Helen, Floyd, Sylvester, Sarah, Eva, Marian, Harriet, Donald, Doris, Melvin, and Ivan. He was baptized in 1916 at Zion Lutheran Church in Morton, MN and confirmed in 1932 at St. Johns Lutheran Church that was meeting in Plummer, MN.

Shortly after Floyds birth, the Hesse family moved to a dairy farm in a sparsely populated woodland area six miles west of Plummer, MN, which is still the home of Floyds youngest brother Ivan. Floyd seldom got to go to school due to farm work, and he had to quit school after the eighth grade to earn income for the family. Floyd went to a government conservation camp where he worked in forestry. Floyd developed a strong work ethic and a sense for real responsibility and leadership.

On June 17, 1941, Floyds 25th birthday, he was drafted into the United States Army at Fort Snelling where he began training to fight in World War II. In 1943, Floyd was then sent overseas for 28 months of active duty against the Japanese. As a front line infantryman with Company M of the 63rd Infantry, 6th Division, Floyd spent 291 consecutive days in combat. He fought predominantly in the Central Pacific, Luzon, New Guinea, and the Philippine Islands.

Floyds leadership and excellent character led him to a Battlefield Commission to 2nd Lieutenant by command of General MacArthur on March 25, 1945. Sergeant Floyds one-man counter-attack against a Nip Banzai charge led him to receive this honor. The brave soldier ordered his men to hold their positions, while he crawled from foxhole to foxhole dropping grenades and firing his Tommy gun to send the remaining Japs retreating to their holes. Floyd received also for this courageous act and extraordinary heroism the Distinguished Service Cross " the second highest medal of the U.S. Army!!

After 4 years and six months of service to his country, Floyd came out of active duty on December 21, 1945, a very proud and well-decorated soldier! Other medals he was awarded included the Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, Authorized Bronze Silver Arrowhead, American Theater Ribbon, Purple Heart for a shrapnel wound in his ear, and the World War II Victory Medal.

Floyd met Fern Elizabeth Malwitz, of Red Lake Falls, MN in a small country church in Plummer, MN. On September 23, 1946, they were the first couple married in Redeemer Lutheran Church in Plummer, MN. They bought a dairy farm seven miles west of Plummer. In 1966, they moved to better facilities four miles southwest of Thief River Falls for three years, but moved back to the original land where they farmed 500 acres and 250 head of beef cattle. Floyd had a tremendous love for horses and he always owned several.

Floyd and Fern had five children " Diane, Bonnie, Scott, Vickie, and Nancy Jo. The family suffered many tragedies over the years - in 1966 when Scott was killed in a deer hunting accident, in 2003 when Vickie lost her life to breast cancer, and again in 2006 when Fern passed away of multiple medical conditions. Floyd & Fern had been married for 60 years!

Floyd was a life member of Plummer American Legion Post 623. He served as Commander from 1962-1963. Most notably, he served as Commander of the Honor Guard for approximately 54 years! He led the rifle squad in numerous military funerals and memorial services over the years. Floyd was also a life member of VFW Post 2793 in Thief River Falls. He was a member of the 40&8 in Thief River Falls, and he served as Chef De Gare for several years. Floyd also served as Chairman of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Plummer for 14 years and was their oldest member. Floyd belonged to the National Farmers Organization (NFO) and he hauled many loads of cattle and hogs several times a week. Floyd also served as manager of the Thief River Falls Collection Point for some time. Floyd was a member of the American Paint Horse Association.

Floyd was a very hard working man. He loved farming and hunting. He shot his last buck in November 2007. Floyd prided himself on his military accomplishments. He felt blessed to be able to attend the dedication of the World War II Memorial in both Washington D.C. and St. Paul, MN, with his family at his side. Floyd was the true American patriot. He was a man who physically saluted the U.S. flag each morning! This patriotism is one of the most important things he passed on to his family and all those around him.

Floyd is survived by his daughters, Diane Grinde, Elk River, MN; Bonnie (Patrick) Wichterman, Baldwin, ND; and Nancy Jo (Karl) Mattison, Amissville, VA; son-in-law, Ross Olson of Perham, MN; 12 grandchildren, Wade (Sarah) Grinde, Amanda (Brian) Bakken, Ericka Grinde, Dan Wichterman, Kristi (Dave) Jobe, Ryan (Jennifer) Wichterman, Cody Wichterman, Chelsey Olson, Brandon Olson, Cierra Olson, Taylor Mattison and Levi Mattison; 7 great grandchildren, Chase, Caden and Tysen Grinde, Ashley and Kelby Jobe, and Jazzmine and Dylan Wichterman; siblings, Helen Simpson, Plummer, MN; Eva (Erling) Lauritz, Seattle, WA; Marian Pearson, Richland, WA; Harriet Norman, Plummer, MN; Doris Malwitz, Plummer, MN; Melvin (Peggy) Hesse, Plummer, MN; Ivan Hesse, Red Lake Falls, MN, and several nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Floyd is preceded in death by his parents George & Alma; wife, Fern; son, Scott; daughter, Vickie; son-in-law, Milt Grinde; and siblings, Myrtle Ahrens, Sylvester Hesse, Sarah Hansen, and Donald Hesse.

Floyd Hesse passed away Friday, February 1, 2008 at the VA Medical Center in Fargo, ND of multiple medical conditions at the age of 91 years, 7 months, and 15 days. May his legacy live on through his loved ones.