Palmer Lian, 87, died Tuesday, April 5, 2005 at his home in Grygla, MN

Palmer Lian was born April 12, 1917 at Flom, MN, the son of Lars and Mary (Aune) Lian. He was baptized into the Lutheran Faith at Flom and confirmed at Moose River Lutheran Church, Gatzke, MN. In 1922, the family moved to Canada for a few years before moving to Gatzke, where he attended Loven School. Following school he lived and worked on a farm.

On October 24, 1938, Palmer was united in marriage to Gail Johnson at the Grygla Parsonage. The couple made their home in Eckvoll Township near Grygla. Palmer farmed and drove school bus until 1955. He was a crane operator and worked bridge construction Jardine Bridge Company and Swingen Construction Company. In 1973, Palmer retired from construction. He helped Duane on the farm and helped Gary run a crane. He also started and operated Grygla Trailer Court.

Palmer was a member of Grace Lutheran Church and served on the board. He was a charter member of Grygla Lions Club and member of Grygla Senior Citizens. He also served as Eckvoll Township Treasurer. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, passing his love of nature to his children and grandchildren.

Survived by wife, Gail, Grygla, MN; 4 children, Duane (Janet) Lian, Grygla, Richard (Donna) Lian and Gary (Eileen) Lian, all Warroad, MN and Sharon (Curtiss) Hovet, Casper, WY; 12 grandchildren, Jodie Olson, Thief River Falls, MN, Jaylene Lian, Greenbush, MN, Michelle (Jason) Kuznia, Casper, WY, Stephanie (Jared) Sjulestad, Casper, WY, Greg Lian, East Grand Forks, MN, Nikki (Reed) Engelstad, Red Lake Falls, MN, Ryan (Candy) Hovet, Casper, WY, Crystal (Mike) Goulet, Warroad, MN, Christopher (Brandee) Lian, Minneapolis, MN, Jennifer (Derrick) Ewald, Warroad, MN, Patrick Lian, Minneapolis, MN and Kailee (Zach) Hallett, Grand Forks, ND; 3 step grandchildren, Kim (John) Schwinden, Lakeville, MN, Tony (Janita) McLean, Greenbush, MN and Christopher (Augusta) McLean, Thief River Falls, MN; 24 great grandchildren, Joel, Justin, Jayce Olson, Joshua Lian, Chelsea, McKenzie and Chloe Kuznia, Jordan, Nicholas and Brendan Sjulestad, Gracie and Jaxon Lian, Rylee and Drake Englestad, Ariel, Tristan and Tyler Hovet, Brianna and Lindsey Goulet, Logan Lian, Cody and Megan Ewald and Cade and Mia Hallett; 6 step great grandchildren, Brianna, Katie and Abby Schwinden, Taylor, Emily and Chloe McLean; 2 sisters, Luella Foss, Fargo, ND and Myrtle Gilbert, Thief River Falls, MN; sisters-in-law, Edna Lian, Dilworth, MN, Audrey Johnson, Grygla, MN, Joyce Rieck, St. Paul, MN and Edna Johnson, Grygla, MN;many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by parents, brothers, Henry, Sidney, Orville, Eilert and Gilferd; sister, Evelyn Brandt; brothers-in-law, George Gilbert, Percy Foss, Albert Brandt, Art Johnson, Erwin Johnson and Adrian Johnson; sisters-in-law, Rosemary Lian, Vivian Lian and Alpha Johnson; grandson-in-law, Duran Olson.

Family condolences may be sent by visiting www.johnsonfuneralservice.net

ORGANIST: Joy Nordby
SOLOIST: Denise Ostby
SELECTIONS: Press On and The Lords Prayer
SPECIAL MUSIC: Joy Nordby and Marie Konickson
SELECTIONS: In The Garden
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: How Great Thou Art and Just As I Am
CASKETBEARERS: Palmers grandchildren
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS: Palmers great grandchildren