Oscar Vaadeland
Oscar Erick Lima Vaadeland, 87, of Park Rapids, Minnesota peacefully joined God’s Heavenly Kingdom, Tuesday, November 6, 2018, at his home on Potato Lake. Oscar was born April 18, 1931, the son of Olaf P. and Emma E. (Lima) Vaadeland, at their home near Park Rapids. He grew up and attended Elementary through High School and Normal Training (teacher preparation) Schools in Park Rapids. After completing Normal Training, he went on to begin his teaching career at the Country School in Spruce Grove Township.
On June 17, 1951, Oscar was united in marriage to Phyllis M. Wulf. During their 67 years of marriage, Oscar and Phyllis raised their family of six children and farmed near Osage and Park Rapids. When teaching license requirements were changed by the State of Minnesota, Oscar went on to complete his BS in Elementary Education from Bemidji State University by attending night classes and summer school, and went on to teach elementary students for 39 years; impacting the lives of countless children at Linnell Country School, Osage and Park Rapids. He was a creative, dedicated and passionate teacher who expected only the best effort and work from all of his students.
In 2004, as a retired couple, Oscar and Phyllis moved to Potato Lake, north of Park Rapids, where he enjoyed many aspects of lake life, new friends and his growing family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Oscar was a devoted husband, father, mentor and friend, who will be truly missed. He was also an avid football fan, deer hunter, and he thoroughly enjoyed winter dark house fishing.
Oscar is dearly loved and survived by his children: Raymond (Betty) Vaadeland of Park Rapids, Robert (Lori) Vaadeland of Starbuck, Coreen (Thomas) Swenson of Detroit Lakes, Jeanine (Keith) Mikus of Park Rapids, John (Dawn) Vaadeland of Park Rapids, and James (Cheryl Hovey) Vaadeland, Park Rapids; grandchildren: Sara Schuett, Douglas Vaadeland, Neal Vaadeland, Colin Vaadeland, Traci Fagen, Shawna Dahl, Rick Swenson, Bryan Swenson, Christopher Swenson, Kaaren Mikus, Joseph Mikus, Eric Mikus, Jacob Mikus, Kevin Vaadeland, Olivia Vaadeland and Elizabeth Vaadeland; great-grandchildren: Skylar, Ethan, Lauren, Sydney, Londyn, Leland, Derrek, Bentley, Wyatt and Rian; and brother, Palmer Vaadeland.
Oscar was preceded in death by Phyllis Vaadeland, his beloved wife, on August 7, 2018. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Olaf and Emma Vaadeland.
Memorial Services will be held on Monday, November 12, 2018 at 1 p.m. at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Park Rapids. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the services at the church on Monday. Interment of the urn will be held at the Greenwood Cemetery in Park Rapids.
Arrangements are being handled by the Cease Family Funeral Home of Park Rapids, MN. Friends may leave online condolences at ceasefuneralhome.com.