Densmore Workman, 98

Densmore Alfred Workman, 98, Villard, died March 4, 2010 at Glacial Ridge Hospital in Glenwood.

Densmore was born July 6, 1911 to George and Nancy (Brewster) Workman in Villard. His family moved to a farm by Bertha when Densmore was in the second grade. He grew up on the farm until he was a sophomore in high school when the family moved to Wayzata. Densmore completed his junior year of high school at Hopkins and then the family moved again, this time to Browns Valley, where he graduated from high school.

Following graduation, Densmore worked in the Browns Valley area for three years before moving to Villard to work for an area farmer where he earned $18 a month. Looking to increase his income, he hopped on a train to Ohio to work at a creamery for $45 a month. He worked washing milk bottles all day long. He later moved back to the farm in Villard and was a technician for the Breeders Association. However, once again the promise of a higher income lured him away and he took a job combining in Montana for $100 per month. The Breeders Association wanted Densmore back and so they offered him the same wage and he moved back to Villard.

Densmore entered the United States Air Force in 1942. He was stationed at Victorville, California, where he worked as an electrical technician, servicing a fleet of 78 planes and achieving the rank of staff sergeant.

Densmore met Frieda Marcella Oeltjen in April of 1941. Frieda was employed as a cleaning lady on the same Villard area farm that employed Densmore. They dated that spring and summer and were engaged in August. Frieda took the train out to California where Densmore was stationed and they were united in marriage on November 26, 1943. For their honeymoon they traveled to Hollywood. 

In December of 1945, Densmore was honorably discharged from the Air Force and moved back to farm in Villard. He and Frieda worked on their farm together for 45 years. In addition to raising crops they also milked cows, raised chickens, geese and pigs. Densmore also worked off the farm at Lesmeister Motors in Glenwood. In 1990, they moved to their current home in Villard. 

Densmore was very talented and did a great job carving wood. He made beautiful grandfather clocks and many other delicate pieces. He valued life and believed in the importance of a person’s honesty, character and ability for putting in a hard day’s work.

Densmore is survived by his wife, Frieda, of Glenwood; a sister, Blanche (Homer) Berry of Lake Lillian, AL; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Adrian, Carroll, Kenneth and Blois; and a sister, Dorothy.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 9 at Villard United Methodist Church with the Rev. Alice Tobler officiating. Interment will be at Lake Amelia Cemetery in Villard.

Arrangements are with Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home of Glenwood; www.hoplinfuneral

home.com.

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Tags: densmore workman, obituaries, workman

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