Clarence Fyhrlund

Clarence “Cy” Fyhrlund, 93, passed away peacefully to eternal life on Wednesday, August 21, 2019, at Agrace HospiceCare in Madison, WI. He was born on May 24, 1926, in Hibbing, MN, to Sture and Ellen Linnea Fyhrlund. He had a big and giving heart, a strong yet gentle hand.
Cy was a veteran of the United States Navy. He enlisted at the young age of 17 in 1943 and proudly served his country for three years, two of which were served in the South Pacific during WWII. He was awarded the Action Ribbon, Campaign awards in both the Asiatic-Pacific and Philippine Liberation earning a bronze star from each. Following his discharge from the Navy in 1946, he became a Charter Member of Marinoff-Miskovich VFW Post in Pengilly, MN.
In 1947, Cy married Sylvia Dotlich in Bovey, MN, and moved to Rockford, IL. He worked in the floor covering business for several years before moving with his wife and their four children to Poy Sippi, WI, where he and his wife owned and operated “Cy’s Hillside Bar and Cafe”. Following his divorce in 1966, Cy moved to Wild Rose, WI, and started a floor covering business. In 1972 he relocated to Bloomington, MN, and was the successful owner/broker of the “Down to Earth Real Estate Co.”, with offices in Bloomington, Nisswa and Pequot Lakes, MN.
In 1986, Cy married Evelyn Lamb on a mountain top in Acapulco, Mexico and they resided on West Twin Lake and later in Pequot Lakes, MN. In 2013 they moved to Crosby, MN. After Evelyn passed away, Cy remained at Heartwood Senior Living in Crosby until June 2019 when he moved into his daughter Debbie’s home in Madison, WI.
Cy was a real people person and was always willing to share stories of his past with everyone. He was a self-taught accordion player and entertained many family and friends over the years. He often stopped in at nursing homes with his accordion in hand to entertain residents. His dedication to and love for the VFW has always been his greatest accomplishment. He joined and became very active with the VFW in Jenkins, MN, where he was instrumental in the construction of the Post and he was Post Commander for four years, 1985-89. He received All American Post Commander honors in 1987-88 and again in 1988-89. He served in several National and State VFW positions throughout the years, including 6th District Commander in 1993-94. Cy was awarded All American District Commander honors in 1994. He also served as Minnesota VFW Chief of Staff; National Deputy Chief of Staff; National Aide-de-Camp three times in the 1980’s; Special Aide-de-Camp to National Commanders Hogan and Spera in the 1990’s; served with the National Finance and Internal Organization, National Security and Foreign Affairs committees, as well as a number of state committees.
Cy was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Pequot Lakes, MN. Additionally, he was a lifetime member of the Northern VFW Post 3839; Billy Brown American Legion Post in Nisswa, MN; DAV Chapter 22 in Brainerd, MN; and the Military Order of Cooties in St. Cloud, MN.
Cy is survived by his daughter, Debra Beck of Madison, WI; his son, Richard Fyhrlund of Shorewood, MN; daughter-in-law, Shirley Fyhrlund of Berlin, WI; nine grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Jarolyn Fyhrlund of Sterling, IL; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn; his parents; daughter, Vicky; son, James; two sisters, Dorothy and Judy; brothers, George (Arch) and Eldor; daughter-in-law, Karin Fyhrlund; and son-in-law, Peter Nicholas.
Cy will be remembered as 100 percent Swedish and proud of it. He was a caring friend to all, faithful, generous, steady and warm, with a great sense of humor.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 26, 2019, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 30985 Front St., Pequot Lakes, MN, at 10:30 a.m. Visitation beginning at 9:30 until the time of the service. Burial will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Little Falls, MN.

“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; Love leaves a memory no one can steal.”
“Dad, you will never be forgotten; we will always love and miss you.”