This was an interview conducted on July 19, 1989 by David Overy. Dean H. Aarvig was born on October 15, 1920 in Wilmar, Minnesota. He graduated from high school in 1937 and was drafted into the Army in 1942. After completing basic training, Aarvig went to Officer Candidate School (OCS) and joined the 9th Armored Division in France as a platoon leader that conducted intelligence & reconnaissance missions. During his service, Aarvig participated in the Battle of the Bulge and the Battle of Remagen. After the wars end, Aarvig returned to Minnesota, where he and his wife ran a newspaper in Grand Meadow, as well as farmed. In November of 1950, Aarvig was recalled into the service and served with the 25th Infantry Division as a Company Commander in Korea. He talked about his thoughts on those in Vietnam burning their draft cards and going to Canada. Aarvig was married and had two children. He passed away on July 2, 1998.
The Ben Franklin Dime Store and Burch's Shoe Store in St. Peter are shown in this photograph. Both businesses operated for many years in St. Peter before other businesses moved into the buildings. They were on the west side of the 300 block of South Minnesota Avenue.
The Hallmark store, the Ben Franklin Dime Store and Burch's Shoe Store in St. Peter are shown in this photograph. These businesses were eventually replaced by other businesses that moved into the buildings. They were on the west side of the 300 block of South Minnesota Avenue.
The Pizza Villa in St. Peter was once located at 301 South Minnesota Avenue. Nu Way Cleaners was located at 303 South Minnesota Avenue for many years. The Pizza Villa building is one of the oldest buildings in St. Peter. It has been the home of many different businesses over the years.
The Pizza Villa in St. Peter was once located at 301 South Minnesota Avenue. Nu Way Cleaners was located at 303 South Minnesota Avenue for many years. The Pizza Villa building is one of the oldest buildings in St. Peter. It has been the home of many different businesses over the years.
Fred Anderson was born in 1907 in Sweden. He came to the United States in 1926. He initially worked as a painter of homes and churches, specializing in stencil work and marbling technique. In 1948 he opened his own wallpaper and paint store in St. Louis Park.
Hilding Anderson was born in 1905 in Sundsvall, Sweden. Working as a farmer in Sweden, he came to Fergus Falls, Minnesota, in 1926 with the help of his mother's cousin. He worked for 40 years at Ohleen Dairy until he retired, serving for 27 years as a milkman along Lake Street.