Mengis Funeral Home

Glennis Wilbur Wold passed away peacefully at Green Lea Manor in Mabel, MN on October 5, 2010 where he has resided since November 2007.  He was born January 20, 1917 to Peter and Clara (Tomeraasen) Wold.  He was baptized and confirmed at Mabel First Lutheran Church.  He and his six siblings were raised in rural Spring Grove where his parents farmed.  Glennis spoke Norwegian all his life and learned English at the age of six when attending school.  When Glennis was only ten years old, his mother passed away.  After graduating from Spring Grove High School in 1934, Glennis attended college at the University of Minnesota for one year. While there he was a member of Farmhouse Fraternity and received a letter in wrestling. 
On June 14, 1940 Glennis married Sigrid Mae Engen. Four children were born to this union; Keith in 1942, Julianne in 1945, Nina in 1950, and Beau in 1955.   Glennis and Sigrid purchased the family farm from his father in the early 1940’s.  This Century Farm is still in the family and is the home of a purebred Black Angus cattle herd which Glennis started with a 4-H calf in his youth. Farming and raising Black Angus cattle remained one of Glennis’ primary pursuits throughout his life. In 1946 Glennis purchased a lumber business in Mabel and in 1948 moved his family from the farm into a new home that he built in Mabel. He owned and operated the lumber business for 29 years until retiring in 1975. Glennis always had a special interest in timber and wood.  His father owned a saw mill so lumbering, planting trees, and general conservation, including making terraces and ponds, became a family practice.
Glennis had several passions throughout his adult life.  He loved to dance and was a talented dancer   wherever there was music and a partner.  His love of fishing was supported by many fishing trips to Northern MN and Canada with friends and family each summer.  He enjoyed growing roses and geraniums in his yard in Mabel and geraniums in flower boxes at his mobile home in Mesa, AZ.  Glennis also frequently met his friends in the Pitch Fork and Shovel Club for breakfast.  These activities continued well into Glennis’s retirement years. Other activities Glennis enjoyed in later years included growing and marketing Sure Pop Popcorn, singing with the Men of Melody male chorus in Arizona, and flower arranging, an activity he shared with Sigrid.

Glennis and Sigrid liked to travel.   Even with a growing family they went on trips all over the U.S. that have left many fond memories for their children. They enjoyed twenty-three winters in Mesa, Arizona, where they owned a mobile home and continued a full life of hiking, biking, swimming, volunteering, and enjoying many creative activities.
Glennis was proud of Mabel and was an active community supporter.   He was a faithful member of Mabel Frist Lutheran Church where he served on the church council and as an usher.  He donated and organized the confirmation display which is in the church fellowship hall.  Glennis was a member of the Mabel Public School Board and served as the president.  He was a member of the Mabel Lions Club and helped with the annual chicken feed for many years.  Along with Sigrid, he was interested in the preservation of his heritage and was active in the Sons of Norway.

Glennis is survived by daughter Julianne Allen (Noel) of San Diego, California, daughter Nina Tortelli (Ruggero) of Sarasota, Florida, son Beau (Gayle) of Eleva, Wisconsin, and daughter-in-law, Kay, of Wilton, WI; grandchildren:  Kirsten, Sarah, Peter, Sheri, Maaren, and Celia as well as 10 great-grandchildren; sister, Arlene Frederickson of Waukesha, WI and brother, Russell of Sister Bay, WI.  He was preceded in death by his wife Sigrid in 2007; son Keith in 2009; parents; three brothers (Perley, Myron, and Vernon); sister Blanche Renslo and an infant granddaughter.

Funeral services will be Monday, October 11 at 11:00 a.m. at Mabel First Lutheran Church in Mabel, MN with Rev. Gail Klavetter officiating.  Burial will be in the Mabel Lutheran Cemetery.   Visitation will be at Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel, MN from 4:00-8:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 10 and one hour prior to services at the church.