Harry Hextell

Harry Hextell, age 81, from Lengby, MN passed away on Wednesday, February 17th at McIntosh Senior Living in McIntosh, MN. Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, February 27th at 2:00 PM at Fridhem Lutheran Church in Lengby with Scott Morey officiating. Family and friends may gather at the church for one hour before the service at the church. Interment of cremains will be at the Lengby City Cemetery at a later date, and the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home of Fosston, MN is in charge of the arrangements. Sympathy messages may be sent at www.carlinhoialmen.com.Harry Donald Hextell was born March 12, 1928 on a farm near Lengby, MN, to Bernard and Elvera (Wahl) Hextell. He grew up in Lengby, and attended school in Lengby and Fosston MN. Harry also earned a 2 year Auto Mechanical Degree from a local technical school in Fargo, ND. He married Mildred Anderson and together they had five children; Beverly, Diane, Karla, Bryan, and Jeffrey. Harry and his family moved to Morris IL, in 1957. He worked at the paper mill for several years then obtained a job at Caterpillar in Joliet, IL. He worked as a millwright at Caterpillar. His duties included: handling difficult automotive, large equipment, and shop mechanic jobs that others would not handle. He knew that no one would bother him, because they did not want to be roped into helping on these difficult projects. Harry retired from Caterpillar and moved back to Lengby, MN.Harry served from April 26, 1946 to April 25, 1949 in the U.S. Air Force at the rank of Corporal. He was decorated with the WW II Victory Medal, worked in the motor pool, was stationed in the Philippines, and he also served as an MP. He was a member of the VFW, Post #2759 of Lengby.When Harry was in his 50's he obtained his pilot's license. He had a 175 Cessna. He flew this plane from Morris, IL to Fosston, MN, many times from 1975 to 1980. He enjoyed using his Ford tractor and brush-cutter, and cutting the grass and ditches around the farm in Lengby. Harry also enjoyed working in the garage on one of his many mechanical and automotive projects. He collected Ford Edsels, and planned to restore them during his retirement years, but life dealt him a curve with a stroke that left him with limited motion in his left side.On Wednesday, February 17, 2010 Harry passed away peacefully at McIntosh Senior Living in McIntosh, MN at the age of 81 years, 11 months, and 5 days.Harry will be lovingly remembered by his 4 children and family; three daughters, Beverly (Steve) Nygaard of Grand Forks, ND, Diane Berry of Detroit Lakes, MN, and Karla Hextell of Bagley MN; one son, Jeff (Michelle) Hextell of Elizabeth City, NC; six grandsons, Bradley, Ryan, Kurt and Alan Berry, and Sean and Daryl Larson; seven great granddaughters, Kennedy, Jeslyn, Payten, Kiersten, and Sommer Berry, and Anamarie and Alyssa Larson; one great grandson, Blake Berry; one brother, Dale (Mildred) Hextell of Lengby; and many nieces and nephews & great nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his son, Bryan Hextell; grandson, Steven Nygaard Jr.; great grandson, Anthony Larson; his parents; sister, Connie Dickson; and brother, Homer Hextell.