Bert D. Solsaa

Bert D. Solsaa, 85, of Mason City, died Monday, February 2, 2004 at the Mercy Medical Center, Mason City. Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Thursday with Pastor Paul C. Nelson, St. James Lutheran Church, officiating, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue. Visitation will be held from 5 ? 7 P.M. Wednesday at Major Erickson Funeral Home and for one hour prior to services on Thursday. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City. Military rites will be conducted by the Mason City Veterans Memorial Association. Memorials may be directed to the family. Bert D. Solsaa was born May 3, 1918 in Lincoln Township, Iowa on the family farm, the son of Carl O. and Helena (Halverson) Solsaa. He was baptized and later confirmed at the Pilot Knob Lutheran Church in rural Forest City. Bert attended rural schools and helped his mother on the family farm, working at different jobs in the area. He married Madeline P. Hoveland on October 4, 1943. Bert was drafted into the Navy in 1944 and served in WWII. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and remained in California for two years, and then returned to run the family farm. He later worked at IMC, Lifetime Motor Homes, and retired from Lane Brothers Tire and Alignment. Bert married Sandra Ringis-Lundahl on June 15, 1983. They enjoyed fishing, traveling and camping across the U.S. and Canada in their motor home, most recently in Rock Falls. Bert was an avid trap shooter, winning several state and national championships. He also played pool in various leagues. Bert was a member of St. James Lutheran Church, a lifetime member of the V.F.W., a charter member of the Lifetime Good Sam?s Camping Club, and was a member of the Moose Lodge. Bert is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife Sandra Solsaa of Mason City, five children: Ron Solsaa and his wife Mary of Needville, TX, Linda Sweeney and her husband Jim of Mason City, Karen Solsaa of Lake Jackson, TX, Randy Solsaa and his wife Susan of Mason City, and Patti Heinold and her husband Mike of Charleston, IL; his step-daughter Jean Heagel and her husband Brad of Kensett; 17 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, 2 step-great grandchildren; his mother-in-law Hulda Ringis, his sister Fern Renn of Glendale, CA, 3 brothers-in-law, 2 sisters-in-law, a special niece and 2 special nephews and their families. Bert was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, his sister Ada Johnson, 2 brothers Oswald and Orville(in infancy), and 7 brothers-in-law.

Visitation:
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Major Erickson Funeral Home on February 4, 2004 (map/driving directions) 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Major Erickson Funeral Home on February 5, 2004 (map/driving directions)

Service:
11:00 AM at Major Erickson Funeral Home on February 5, 2004 (map/driving directions)