Dr. Andreen S. ’Andy’ Midthune

Andy "Doc" Midthune, 83, of Lake Park, Minnesota, died Sunday, September 11th, 2005, at St. Mary's Regional Health Center in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Andreen Sylvain Midthune was born to Andrew and Clara Midthune on March 18th, 1922, in Borup, Minnesota. He attended grade school and high school in Borup, and started his undergraduate studies at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. He graduated from the University of Minnesota Medical School in 1946, did an internship in Salt Lakes City Utah, and then served two years in the Army Medical Corps.Andy married Carol Houglum on December 26, 1944. After finishing his military assignment, he moved his family to Lake Park, Minnesota, where he provided medical care to the people of that community and the surrounding area from 1949 until 1987. He said, "I grew up in a small town, and my heart is in small towns." In 1968, he was honored by the community of Lake Park with a celebration lovingly called "Dr. Midthune Day". On this special day, over 300 of the several hundred babies he delivered marched in his parade. In 1981, the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians presented Andy with the first annual "Minnesota Family Physician of the Year" award in the twin cities.He was a dedicated doctor, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle. He loved to spend time at his summer cottage, and also liked to hunt, fish, play golf, read and play cards. Andy's community activities included Lion's Club, American Legion, and the Masonic Lodge. He was also very active as a member of the Lake Park Lutheran Church."Doc" will be missed by his loving wife Carol; children Paula Don Kranz, Steve Gail Midthune, John Pam Midthune, and Pam Len Spaeth; one sister, Alma Anderson, Appleton, MN; one brother, Neil Shirley Midthune, Cocoa Beach, FL; also saddened by his absence are his nine grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.