Earl Lidholm

Earl B. Lidholm, 89, of Baxter, passed away Monday, December 18, 2017 at Essentia Health – St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd. Services will be held at 1:30 PM, Friday, December 22, 2017 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Brainerd with Pastor Dave Holte officiating. Family and friends are invited to gather Thursday evening from 5-7 PM at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter and one hour prior to services at the church on Friday. Interment will take place at Mission Township Cemetery in Merrifield.

Earl was born June 1, 1928, in Minneapolis, MN the son of Thorsten and Gladys (Osmundson) Lidholm. He graduated from Robbinsdale High School in 1946 before attending the University of Minnesota. He held various positions before making a life-long career for 25 years as a Licensed Public Accountant for the State of Minnesota - Department of Revenue. He was a volunteer on the Mission Township Fire Department and also served as Secretary/Treasurer for the Township.

Earl married Ardoline “Ardie” Hawkinson and the couple were blessed with four children. After Ardie’s passing, Earl remarried in 1996. He and Betty Welu have been married for 21 years. Betty and Earl enjoyed spending winter in Texas. Earl was a gentle, loving, and outgoing man who was quick witted and always ready to discuss politics. He liked to be outdoors, especially camping, fishing, cutting wood, and snowmobiling. He made time for golfing and square dancing. He was a sports fan, especially the Vikings. Earl loved to make people laugh and cherished the time he spent with his family.

He is survived by his wife, Betty; children, Laurie Germann, of St. Petersburg, FL, Julie (Herman) Vloedmans, of Prior Lake, Beckie Gienger, of St. Paul, and Daniel (Sherri) Lidholm, of Cohasset; step-children, Douglas (Terri Hanna) Welu, of Terrace, Gregory (Debbie) Welu, of Pequot Lakes, Joyce Johnson, of Brainerd, and Robert (Kathy) Welu, of Glenwood; 19 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ardoline in 1994; two brothers, Eugene and Robert; and sister, Joanne.