FRANK MARVIN DAMSCHEN

Frank M. Damschen, 93 of rural Munich ND passed away on Monday, October 31, 2011 at his home in the loving care of family and Mercy Hospice. Funeral Services for Frank will be held on Friday, November 4, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Zoar Free Lutheran Church, Hampden. Rev. Craig Wentzel and Rev. John Paul will officiate and burial will be in Storlie Cemetery, rural Hampden. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service and Time of Remembrance at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Friday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars, the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team and the Hay-Overbo American Legion Post #266 of Hampden. Memorials may be directed to North Dakota Teen Challenge, 1406 2nd Street NW, Mandan ND 58554. Eternal hope for lasting recovery. Serving as Casket Bearers for Frank will be Jack Neidlinger, KennethWeaver, Jerry Neidlinger, Wayne Haugland, Don Halverson, Paul Klokstad, Ron Anfinson and Daniel Berkland. Music will be provided by Loretta Stensland, Congregational Hymns with Linda Harder, pianist. Frank Marvin Damschen was born on September 1, 1918 at Pelican Rapids MN, the son of Charles R. and Cecilia (Hosterman) Damschen. His mother died when Frank was 18 months old and he was raised by aunts and uncles in Pelican Rapids and attended country school. At age 9, Frank moved to Hampden to live with his father and step-mother Selma (Hosterman) Damschen. He continued his education at Hampden Public School and graduated from Hampden High School in 1936. After graduating from high school, Frank lived and worked in California for a time then returned to Hampden and worked with his Dad at the Damschen Grocery Store. Frank entered the United States Army at Fort Snelling MN on July 9, 1941 and served his country during World War II. He served with Battery A, 734th AAA Gun Battalion as a Radar Operator in the Asiatic Pacific Theater, Philippines, Peru and New Guinea. He fought in the Battle of Luzon and received a Bronze Service Star for his actions. He was also awarded the American Defense and American Theater Service Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Marksman award and Victory Medal. After Frank’s honorable discharge on December 24, 1945 at Fort Lewis WA he returned to Hampden and again worked with his Dad at the store. Frank was united in marriage to Dorothy Reynolds on March 10, 1946 in Zoar Free Lutheran Church. They lived for a short time in San Antonio TX, returned to rural Hampden and began farming-his first love from his days living as a child in Pelican Rapids. They lived, farmed and ranched and raised their family through the years at rural Hampden. Frank turned the farming operation over to his son in the fall of 1979, but it certainly did not mean retirement. Frank was actually still running the combine at age 90 plus. From 1985 to 2006, Frank and Dorothy made their home in Pelican Rapids MN, making many dear friends through the years. Fortunately Frank had a special talent in mechanics and as an inventor. All these talents were especially useful on the farm. As a Senior in high school, Frank and his friend Maurice built an airplane whose first flight was over the city of Hampden. If you couldn’t find the part you needed or there was a way to make something more efficient, Frank was the go to man. Music was a very important part of Frank’s life. He played many instruments-all by ear- including the guitar, banjo, accordion, harmonica etc. and this love and talent was passed on to his children and grandchildren. Frank was led to the Lord many years ago by his brother-in-law Pastor Hamar Benson. Again he shared this love, this faith, this glorious gift of God with his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, neighbors and friends. Frank’s true loves-faith, family, farming. Frank-kind and gentle to mankind and animals. Frank a devoted husband, loving father, dearest grandfather and great father and special friend and neighbor. Frank will be greatly missed by his wife of 65 years Dorothy of Hampden; son Charles Damschen and his wife Alice also of Hampden; daughter Brenda and her husband Larry Halverson of Egeland; grandchildren Naomi Damschen, Bismarck, Charlie (Erika) Damschen, Coralville IA, Gabrielle Damschen, Hampden, Travis Halverson, Milnor ND and Audrey (Trevor) Stockstad also of Milnor; great grandchildren Ava and Bergen Stockstad and Cayce and Archer Damschen; sister-in-law Doris (Richard) Davis, Tyler TX; several nieces and nephews. Frank was preceded in death by his mother Cecilia; father Charles; step mother Selma; sister Viola Benson and brother Gerald Damschen.