Dagmar Blegen age 96 of Arco passed away Saturday, March 28, 2015 at Divine Providence Health Center. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 2 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Arco with the Rev. Stephen Rasmusson officiating. Visitation is one hour prior to services. Burial is in Arco Cemetery. Grandsons will be pall bearers. Online condolences may be placed at www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Tyler Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Dagmar C. Blegen was born January 26, 1919 to Anton and Annetta (Nielsen) Madsen on a farm north of Arco. She grew up on that farm and attended school in Arco, graduating from high school there in 1937. Following high school, she kept house and cooked for an uncle, Tony Nielsen, and cared for his children after his wife died. Dagmar married Orlando Blegen at the Lutheran parish house in Arco on November 9, 1939, and they farmed in the Arco area until selling their farm in 1957 and moving to the Garvin and Balaton, Minnesota, area where they rented farms for several years. They moved back to Arco in 1960 and purchased the house that had been owned by Orlando’s parents. Dagmar lived in that house until entering the nursing home on December 27, 2010. After moving back to Arco, Dagmar worked at the Sen’s Café and cooked at The Brick Manor Steakhouse, both in Arco, before purchasing the Koffee Kup Kafe in Arco in 1973 where she was noted for her fine baked goods, including a coffee cake that was always available. Her husband died in 1985 and she sold the café in 1990 and retired. Dagmar was a life-long member of Bethany Lutheran Church.
Survivors include her four children, Dale (Catherine Tritle) of De Smet, S.D., Linda (Bruce) Johnson of Park Rapids, Minn., Allen (Carol) of Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Dan (LuAnn) of Mora, Minn.; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Carsten Madsen of Arco and Raymond Madsen of Manitowoc, Wis.; two sisters, Alice (Gene) Faulds of Ivanhoe, Minn., and Alta (LeRoy) Sprink of Aurora, Minn., and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and two brothers, Thorvald and Norman.
Dagmar was a very wise and generous person. She leaves a solid legacy ( in so many ways) to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. We will all remember her well.
My deepest sympathies in the death of Dan’s mother(and your mother-in-law). Hugs to all.
My condolences to you and your family. Dagmar certainly had a full and active life and I am sure there are many memories of food and good times being shared by all. May you find comfort in those memories.
Carolyn
Dear Dan & Lu,
So sorry for your loss. What a joy it was to read of her life. And look what a wonderful son she had in Dan.
Hope you can remember all the good times.
Love to you.
Nancy
We are so sorry for your loss. It is so hard to lose a mother. She certainly lived a long life, which is amazing! We are keeping your family in our prayers.
My sympathy to all the family. Enjoyed many great meals in Arco with Dagmar. My sister-in-law is Alice and my classmate is Alta. Many memories of great times when home to Ivanhoe. I now live in California. God bless you all and hope you can share many great memories from her long life.
Although I haven’t seen Dagmar in years, I’ll always remember going to the Kup for open-faced roast beef sandwiches (don’t remember what the “proper” name is). She always had a smile on her face and a kind word for everyone. She will be missed.
Linda and Bruce,
Thinking of you as you cherish your treasured mom’s life. I am so glad you were able to be with her and to spend time with her these last years.
My deepest sympathy to all of the family. I am Anna Madsen Phillip’s Mother-In-Law. May GOD be with you all at this time.
Hello Linda and Bruce – Thinking about you today. Love, Susan
Our sympathies to your entire family. God’s Peace be with you at this very difficult time.
I always remember going to the restaurant and getting a Popsicle when we visited! Loved her. A sweet lady that always had a smile on her face ! And made delicious soup!
Our sympathies to you and your families, Dan and Lu. As a neighbor, I enjoyed visiting with Dagmar. Working for Dagmar at the Koffee Kup Kafe also gave me good memories. I am sure she will be missed.
Love, Phyllis and Dave
We never met Dagmar, but through you, Linda and Bruce, we felt that we knew and loved her like family! You gave her dignity in life and death and your loving care has been a model for all. We grieve with you in your loss, but know that Dagmar is still in good hands!