Earl Damm

Earl James Damm, age 63, of Wadena, passed away on November 26th, 2008 at 9:20 PM surrounded by his family. Earl battled dementia, ALS, and cancer with immense strength and courage. Earl was born in Sauk Rapids, MN on January 29, 1945 to Eugene and Catherine (Lang) Damm. When Earl was 3 years old, his family moved to Bluegrass where he was raised. He then resided in Wadena all his life. Earl attended School District 14 of Bluegrass and graduated from Wadena High School in 1964. After school, he enlisted in the US Navy to serve his country during the Vietnam War from 1964-1969 aboard the USS Oriskany. After the service, Earl met Paula Jane Knuttila from Perham. After 3 short weeks of dating, the couple was married on April 10, 1971. Earl and Paula were happily married for 37 years. For almost 40 years, Earl worked as a heavy equipment operator/road construction worker with Kern and Tabery Construction of Wadena. After retiring from road construction, Earl worked part time for the Wadena Post Office until fully retiring in January 2008. Earl enjoyed hunting with his friends and children, muscle cars (especially GTO’s), road work, fishing, family, outdoors, western movies, and car restoration. He prided himself in hard work. Earl’s laughter, memories, and stories were never-ending. He was a great man who loved his life, family and friends. Earl’s strength, humor, positive attitude, kindness and faith touched the hearts of all who knew him. He will always be loved and greatly missed. Earl was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Catherine; and brother-in-law Franklin Kern. Earl is survived by his wife Paula; sons, Erik Damm of Britt, and Dana Damm of Wadena; daughters, Hally Damm of Wadena, Amy (Chris) Lillguist of Sebeka, and Laurie (Travis) Christianson of Sydney, MT; 5 grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren, all of whom he was very proud; special friends, Chad, Alexa, and Colby Graphenteen, and Andrea Westby; and six sisters, Elaine (John) Nyberg of Spring Lake Park, Joanne (Lloyd) Schwartz of Wadena, Irene (Rich) Politiske of Roseville, Marge Kern, Delores (Dave) Stigman, and Deb (Doug) Wright, all of Wadena. The Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Wadena, with Father Donald Wagner as celebrant. Interment was in Calvary Cemetery in Wadena. Honorary pallbearers were all of his grandchildren. Active pallbearers were Brad Loween, Dwight Kern, David Nyberg, Brian Politiske, Gerald Schwartz, Brad Kern, John Stigman, Scott Wright, Tim Popowski, Steve Kern.

Earl Damm

January 29, 1945 - November 26, 2008