Earl H. Mallinger

To view a recording of Earl's funeral service, click the following link,  https://youtu.be/gqiypYbtICI

Earl H. Mallinger, 105, Oslo, MN, passed away Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at Altru Hospital of Grand Forks.

Earl Harold Mallinger was born August 14, 1917 to Peter and Hjerda (Loff) Mallinger in Oslo, Mn in a room above his father’s butcher shop.  He lived in Higdem Township, West Polk County, 2 ½ miles south of Oslo on the banks of the Red River on the family farm.  He enjoyed spending time in his homes in Oslo, MN and Grand Forks, ND. He was a winter Texan enjoying activities and meeting friends at Ranchero Village, Weslaco, TX. 

Earl attended a 1 room country school south of Oslo for 1^st thru 8^th grade. When Earl was 9 years old, he helped his father plant and raise their first crop of potatoes. This spawned a successful career in producing and marketing Certified Seed Potatoes. 

Earl Mallinger married Julia Loyland on June 30, 1946.  They raised 3 daughters, Barbara (Dale) Schmeck, Baxter, MN; Sharon (Dave) Miller, Donnybrook, ND; and Krista (Shawn) Montgomery, Manvel ND. He is survived also by 12 grandchildren, Brian Roberts, Derek Schmeck & Rikki Lien, Suzie Lahlum, Doug Miller, Collin Miller, Eric Miller, Patrick Miller and Julianne Hawkins, Evan Montgomery, Ashley Montgomery and Melissa Montgomery, 28 Great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.

Julia passed away on April 27, 1978. On Nov. 14, 1980  Earl married Phyllis Swanson & she passed away May 5, 1992.  3  Bonus Children are Lynette (Jim) Briden, rural Moorhead, MN, Paul (deceased) (Jackie) Swanson, rural Warren, MN and Jodi (Al) Maloney, Grand Forks, ND; 12 grandchildren with 1 deceased and 28 great grandchildren with 1 deceased. He is survived by his sister, Ina (Vern, deceased) Dahlum, Moorhead, MN. He is also survived by his very special friend, Deborah Hanson.  He is preceded in death by his Father and Mother, Peter and Hjerda; 2 wives, Julia and Phyllis; brothers, Felix, Roy & Ralph; and sisters, Irene (age 2) & Marian Lien.

In 1946 Earl assisted with the creation of the Red River Valley Potato Growers Association. He traveled throughout the valley promoting the concept and was active in the association’s research committee.  In 1980 Earl received their highest award of excellence, The Meritorious Service Award.  In 1947 he was elected to the Oslo Farmers Grain Elevator Board serving as treasurer or secretary for many of his 51 years as a member of this board.  For 20 years Earl served on the Associated Potato Growers Board of Directors and 10 years on the MN Certified Seed Potato Board.  In 1979, during the Harvest Bowl at NDSU, Fargo, ND he was selected as the Distinguished Farmer of Marshall County .  In 1993, he was honored by the National Potato Council as the North American Seed Potato Grower of the year.  In 2007 Earl was selected as Marshall County Outstanding Senior Citizen.  For many years Earl and his late wife Julia were 4-H leaders, and he coached championship potato judging teams. Earl was also active in the MN Wheat Growers, Director Valley State Bank, Oslo Councilman , Credit Union Board of Directors, Granville Cemetery Association, West Polk 4-H, Toastmasters, and Grand Forks Grieving Support Group.  Earl was the oldest American Crystal Sugar Beet Shareholder, with his family planting the first crop of sugar beets in 1927. During his lifetime, he was involved in more than 100 harvests. He had a strong faith in God and always maintained a positive attitude about the future – even had his beet seed purchased for spring planting.

Visitation will be Wednesday, January 18, 2023 from 5-7 PM with a 6:30 PM prayer service at Amundson Funeral Home, Grand Forks.  Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Thursday, January 19, 2023 at Zion Lutheran Church, Oslo, MN, with visitation one hour prior to the service in the church. 

The family would like to thank Altru Hospital Staff, and Dr. A. Hannan for their excellent care and are grateful for their compassion and kindness.