John Hedin

John Hedin, age 84, of Gonvick, MN, passed away on Sunday (November 15th) at the Clearwater County Memorial Hospital in Bagley, MN. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday (November 21st) at Samhold Lutheran Church in Gonvick with the Rev. Tom Jacobson officiating. Interment will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery-Hansville, rural Fosston. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service on Friday (November 20th) at the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home in Fosston. There will also be reviewal for one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. Military honors will be provided by the Gonvick American Legion Post #304 and the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home of Fosston is in charge of the arrangements. Messages of condolence may be sent at carlinhoialmen.com.John Albert Hedin was born in Duluth, Minnesota on May 27, 1925, to Swedish parents, John Albert Hedin and Agnes (Nelson) Hedin. John was the youngest of three children. In 1929 the family moved to Gonvick, Minnesota where they lived on an 80 acre farm that had been in Agnes's family. John attended school in Gonvick and three years in a one room school, District 33. He graduated from Gonvick High School in 1943 at the age of 17. John said he preferred hunting and fishing to school.John met Faye LaVoi at a basketball game at Fosston in 1942; John was playing for Gonvick. They started dating when John was a Senior in high school and Faye a Junior. John's uncle Al said John wore out two cars going to Fosston to visit Faye. After John graduated he stayed on the farm for two years.John and Faye were married in 1945. Shortly after their marriage John joined the Merchant Marines. He was stationed at Sheep's Head Bay, New York, for training. He could take the subway to Coney Island for 10 cents and buy a hotdog for a nickel. He discovered first hand that he did not like the huge roller coaster! John was in Times Square, July 1945 when the Germans surrendered. With the war over, John was discharged in the fall of 1945. Shortly thereafter John and Faye moved to Canton, Illinois wher they lived until the 1980's. John worked in the mines where he did various jobs over the years. At the time of his retirement he was a Master Electrician. After retiring, John and Faye spent their summers on the family farm in Gonvick and wintered in Florida at Indian Lake Estates.John and Faye traveled extensively, often visiting Faye's former students. John was an avid golfer until the end of his life. When Johns was asked about his most special memories he said, "Coming home to Gonvick for deer hunting and fishing." He died doing one of the things he loved the most, deer hunting.He was a member of the Gonvick American Legion Post #304.John is survived by his wife of 64 years, Faye of Clearbrook, MN; brother-in-law, William LaVoi; sister-in-law, Julie Hedin and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.He was preceded in death by an infant son; his parents; one brother, Milton and one sister, Lorraine.