George Harthun, 88, formerly of Dent, died Thursday, July 12, 2007, at the Minnesota Veteran's Home in Fergus Falls.

George Edwin Otto Harthun was born Oct. 4, 1918, at the family farm on Dead Lake, the son of Herman and Martha (Stender) Harthun, the eighth of 13 children. George was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church. He attended country school in Star Lake Township through the eighth grade.

George served in the Army Air Forces during World War II as a military policeman, both in the states and in the European Theater. While in the service and stationed at Gowan Field in Boise, ID, George married Mignonette Beaulieu de Hudon on June 25, 1943.

After the service, George and Mignonette farmed in Star Lake Township. In 1955, they bought George's home place and farmed there for 26 years. After retiring from farming they moved to Dent. George and Mignonette had four daughters, Marcia Dee, Georgene Yvonne, Joyce Kay, and Angeline Faye.

George served more than 20 years as chairman of the Star Lake Township Board and was on the Dent City Council. He was a member of the American Legion Post 148 of Dent and a life member of the Perham VFW. George was recently honored as a 50-year continuous member of the Dent American Legion. Over the years, George had been an avid horseman, raising and driving Belgians and Clydesdales in Bonanza Days and parades. He was a long-time member of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Dent.

George is survived by his wife, Mignonette, of 64 years; three daughters, Marcia (Bob) Busick, Georgene (Alfred) Fresonke and Joyce (Bruce) Wiese; eight grandchildren, Barbara (Ron), Brian (Shelly), Stacey, Cheryll (Roman), George, Tammy (Stephen), Jason and Kristie; 11 great grandchildren, Ben (Rosanna), Christopher, Brittni, Joshua, Emilee, Kennedy, Abby, Jay, Logan, Kate, and Emma; two great great grandchildren, Savanah and Ashley; four sisters, Helen, Adeline, Eileen, and Marion; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
George was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Angeline (at nine days old); five brothers, Earl, Andrew, Paul, Vernon and Herman; and three sisters, Anna, Olga, and Luella.

Visitation: Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m., with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service at the church
Service: 11 a.m. Monday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Dent
Clergy: Rev. Larry Schmidt
Burial: Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Dent
Funeral Home: Schoeneberger Funeral Home, Perham