Wallace Stuart Sethre
Wallace Stuart Sethre, 96, Newfolden, MN, passed away on Sunday, August 6, 2023, surrounded by his family at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND.
Memorial service will be on Monday, August 14, 2023, at 11AM New Hope Lutheran Church, Newfolden, MN.
Visitation will be on Sunday, August 13, 2023, from 3-5 PM, with a prayer service at 4:30 PM, at New Hope Lutheran Church, Newfolden, MN. Burial will be at a later time.
On April 6, 1927, Wallace was born to Burnett and Effie (Langlie) Sethre in Pelican Rapids, MN. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Wallace attended school through his sophomore year in Pelican Rapids and finished high school in Newfolden, MN. Wallace joined the military on March 30, 1945, serving in Hawaii with the central command of the Pacific Fleet as a Navy Yeoman. He was honorably discharged on July 13, 1946. He went to Concordia College for two years before returning to Newfolden. He met Joan (Eloyse) Johnson, and they were married on December 31, 1950.
Stuart was very active in various civic organizations, in which he often had leadership positions in Newfolden. In 2017, Stuart received recognition for 70 years of service to the American Legion. He was also a charter member of the Lions Club. In 1963, Stuart and Joan purchased the Hartz Store from his parents and continued a lifetime of service in the Newfolden community. He ran a great business, and his smiling, friendly personality made shopping in his store enjoyable. Stuart was an uninhibited gentleman who had left an indelible mark on Newfolden and the surrounding area. He drove school bus for thirteen years and had plenty of stories to share about his experience. He especially enjoyed interacting with the high school students who flocked to his store during the noon hour.
He and his wife raised four sons, being very involved with their lives and activities. Stuart liked playing games, hunting, and fishing with his family. Stuart had a great sense of humor and was a great storyteller. Stuart’s faith in Jesus was very real, and demonstrated it in his life.
Stuart is survived by his wife, Joan; children: David (Sue) Sethre, Rick (Ulla), Kevin (Mary), and James; grandchildren: Paul (Traci) Sethre, Kristin Sethre, Alex Sethre, Julie (Riley) McLaughlin, Katie (Nick) Marvin, Adam (Jayme) Sethre, Andrea (Jake) Harmon, and Alicia Sethre; 18 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law Donovan Folden; cousins, nephews, and nieces.
Those who preceded him in death are his parents Burnett and Effie Sethre, grandson: Tomas Sethre; sister Barbara Folden; in-laws: Melvin and Gina Johnson; sister and brothers-in-law: Ralph and Devonna Hanson and Marlowe Johnson.