Lonnie Solberg

Late in the evening of September 29, 1951, Myrtle and Hjalmer Solberg of Arcadia, Wisconsin, welcomed their sixth child into the world, Lonnie Wayne Solberg. Lonnie became an avid sportsman, gardener, and community service worker. He had a quick-wit and was a hard worker, often working "full-time plus" hours during the work week. He was employed at Ashley Furniture for more than thirty years. The Lord called Lonnie home on June 2, 2023, at age 71.

As a young teen, Lonnie learned to make lefse on his own on a wood burning stove in the basement of the family home. Conversations with Lonnie often turned to canning, baking, grilling, making soup from scratch or putting just the right touch on the family recipe for dumplings. His love of food preparation became a hobby during his retirement years as he mastered Mother Myrtle's recipes, committing many of them to heart. A phone call to Lonnie could result in just the right tip to getting a delicious meal on the table.

Lonnie had a servant heart and proved it by training for and then becoming a member of the Emergency Medical Service in Arcadia and Osseo. He also served as a member of the fire department in those communities. As years moved on, Lonnie could be found chauffeuring folks from place to place which often involved driving long distances. Those of us who knew Lonnie well can vouch for the fact that those rides had to include quips and jokes that put smiles on traveler's faces. To top it off, despite the season, Lonnie would show up donning his 'uniform'...comfortable scrub shirts and shorts, often made by his seamstress wife, Mary. Lonnie often said, "A stranger is someone I haven't talked to yet!" When he was not working, he loved spending time fishing on his pontoon boat or hunting with family.

After raising his son, Larry Paul (mother, Karen Solberg) in Arcadia, Lonnie made his way to Osseo where he met Mary Sturgal with whom he shared so many passions: cooking, fishing, gardening, traveling and more. The couple married on April 29, 2000. Together they traveled to Alaska, Hawaii and Holland. Lonnie loved the trips he was able to take with Mary.

"The love of my life is with you Lord. Hold him tight." ~ Mary Solberg

Lonnie is survived by his loving wife: Mary and her son, Vince (Jammie) Sturgal and grandson, Isaac; his son Larry Paul Solberg (Jenny) and grandchildren Jenessa Anand, Preston, Tayvian; and great-grandchild: Larkyn; sisters: Sandra (Will) Dahl and Debra DiSalvo; sister-in-law; Carol (Tony) Wendt; and brother-in-laws; Terry (Julie) Smith and John Smith and many nieces and nephews. Lonnie was preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Geraldine Seago and Bonnie Myers; and brother: Vernal Solberg.

Celebration of Lonnie's life and visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, from 4-7 PM at the Wozney Funeral Home in Arcadia, WI. His funeral service will be Thursday, June 8, 2023, at 11 AM at the Osseo Evangelical Lutheran Church located at 50351 Harmony St, Osseo, WI, with Pastor Terry Lorenz officiating. Family and friends are welcome for visitation at church one hour prior to the service. Burial will be Friday, June 9, 2023, at 10 AM in the Glencoe Lutheran Cemetery, rural Arcadia.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials in Lonnie's honor to the Arcadia or Osseo Fire/EMS Departments, as Lonnie felt honored to serve with both of those entities. To express condolences to his family online, please visit www.wozneykillianfh.com.