Erling Leslie Kompelien was born June 18, 1928, on the family farm in Westerheim Township, Lyon County, Minnesota, to Anton and Margaret (Hofteig) Kompelien. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Lucas Lutheran Church of rural Cottonwood, Minnesota, and graduated from Cottonwood High School. Erling was a clever and enthusiastic farmer. His love for the land and his desire to farm never wavered throughout the 60 years that he devoted to the business, starting with a F12 tractor and plowing his last rounds with a Steiger. As a young man, he started farming on his parent's homestead and eventually bought the land and took over the entire responsibility. He married Beverly Jean Hansen on June 6, 1953, at Hope Lutheran Church in Minneota, Minnesota, and shared 47 years raising four children and managing a successful grain farm and egg business. Erling and Beverly enjoyed traveling and took advantage of numerous opportunities to see the United States and other countries including Germany, England and Austria. Erling was an active member of St. Lucas Lutheran Church. As a faithful choir member and respected leader on the council, he graciously contributed his time and talents in service to the church. Erling also served on the Farm Credit Services (PCA) council and was an executive board member for the Minneota Cooperative Elevator. Erling had a great appreciation for music, loved to sing and was often asked to solo for special events. Erling passed away Saturday morning, July 14, 2007, at the Morningside Heights Health Care Center in Marshall, Minnesota, at the age of 79 years and 26 days. He is survived by three sisters: June Belling of Hudson, Wisconsin, Dagny Gniffke of Burneyville, Oklahoma, and Ramona Hanson of Tuscola, Texas; and one brother Robert of Boynton Beach, Florida. He is also survived by his four children: Jeffrey (Julaine) of Minneota, Minnesota, Kristine of Vermillion, South Dakota, Robert (Becky) of Minneota, Minnesota, and Karen (Pat) of Mitchell, South Dakota; and six grandsons: Andrew, Aaron, Adam and Alex Kompelien, Anthony Reed and Taylor Fetrel. He was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly; his parents, Anton and Margaret; two sisters: Marjorie Anderson and Thelma Nesset; two brothers Owen (Alexander) and Sidney; and one granddaughter, Loni Jean Kompelien. Visitation Monday, July 16, 2007 * 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Prayer Service 7:00 p.m. Lynner Funeral Home, Clarkfield, Minnesota Funeral Service Tuesday, July 17, 2007 * 10:30 a.m. St. Lucas Lutheran Church, Normania Township Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota Clergy Officiating, Pastor Allan E. Johnson Organist, Marge Haaland Congregational Hymn "How Great Thou Art!" Special Music, St. Lucas Choir "The King Is Coming" Honorary Casketbearer (Grandson of Erling) Taylor Fetrel Casketbearers (Grandsons of Erling) Andrew Kompelien, Aaron Kompelien Anthony Reed, Adam Kompelien, Alex Kompelien (Step Grandson of Erling) Sam Drown Final Resting Place St. Lucas Lutheran Church Cemetery Normania Township Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota Arrangements by Lynner Funeral Home Since 1891 Clarkfield Minnesota