Loren Blilie

Loren Blilie, 85, Chanhassen, MN, was born on February 15, 1938, to Oscar and Ethel
(Mortenson) Blilie in Fargo, ND. He died May 25, 2023, at Riley Crossing in Chanhassen, MN.

Loren was raised on the family farm near Comstock where he also attended school until his
graduation in 1955. During these years he came to love the land, the satisfaction of hard
work, family, and his Lutheran faith. At age 15, Loren grew his first 25 acres of sugar beets
with American Crystal stock on loan from his dad. Upon his graduation from high school,
Loren continued to farm, enlisted in the North Dakota Air National Guard in Fargo, and later
graduated from the Minneapolis School of Business with a degree in junior accounting in
1961.

During his final year of high school, he met Sharon (Nord) from Wolverton, MN. In 1961,
Loren and Sharon were married in Wolverton, where they then bought a farm and began
raising their family: Steve, Jody, Nathan, and Leah. Together, they taught their children that
faith comes first, hard work is never wasted work, and family is forever the glue of life. He
loved his children but adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He and Sharon
also loved to travel, often taking the entire family on camping trips across the northern U.S.
and Canada.

Loren was an integral part of the Wolverton community and a lifetime member of Faith
Lutheran Church. He served on the church council, the elevator board, the Wolverton and
Breckenridge, MN, school boards, and the Northwest MN Synod Council for the ELCA. Loren
was fortunate to be called to attend the inaugural ELCA Synod Assembly in Ohio in 1987.
Loren’s financial background, his rational approach to conflict, and his willingness to listen
to many perspectives made him an invaluable part of the boards on which he served for
many years.

Loren loved music, especially singing. He sang bass in church choir, the Fargo-Moorhead
Ambassador choir, and barbershop quartets, among others. Early Sunday mornings, he
could often be heard at the piano seeing how “low he could go” prior to heading to services.
Following Sharon’s death in 2003, Loren met and married Maureen (Erickson) in Stillwater,
MN, in September, 2004. Loren and Maureen were able to share many good years together
traveling, visiting friends and relatives, and taking care of one another.

Loren is survived by Maureen, Jody (Craig) Weckwerth, Nathan (Mary) Blilie, Leah (Kipp)
Johnson, Kris (Mark) Spangrud, and Diane Erickson. He is further survived by his
grandchildren: Andrew (Christina) Weckwerth, Aaron Weckwerth, Matthew Blilie, Isaiah
Johnson, Annika Johnson, Elizabeth Blilie, Erik (Katelyn) Spangrud, and Katie Spangrud;
and his great-grandchildren: Heidi, Clara, and Eliza Weckwerth and Lukas Spangrud; and sister, Lois Hoghaug. Loren was greeted in heaven by Sharon, Steve, and Maureen’s son, Kevin Erickson.

Funeral services are planned for June 12 at 1pm at Faith Lutheran Church in Wolverton, MN
with visitation one hour prior to the service.