Lowell & Sharon Asplund

Lowell Asplund was born in Minneapolis on November 4, 1941 to Carl and Ellen (Evenson) Asplund. Lowell grew up in Minneapolis and began working in his father's grocery store at an early age. He worked his way through college, obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in History/Religion from Augsburg College in 1965. He also worked at Fairview Hospital as an orderly while attending school at Luther Seminary until he graduated in 1970. He received his first call to Brewster, KS, in 1970 and also worked with local farmers at harvest time until 1973. He then served the Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Rural Johnson, NE, he received the call to return to Minnesota in 1979. It was with great joy that Lowell and Sharon responded to the call to return to Minnesota and serve in Lake Wilson, MN, he later went on to minister at American and Rock Valley Lutheran Church in Echo, MN, before becoming pastor at First Lutheran Church in Butterfield and Long Lake Lutheran Church in St. James. He worked with United in Faith Ministries, serving Butterfield, St. James, and Darfur from 2006-2009. Lowell was serving as pastor at First Lutheran in Butterfield and Bethlehem Lutheran in Darfur currently. Sharon Asplund was born on February 19, 1941 near Rapidan, MN, to Jearold and Ethel (Vrooman) Diesch. Sharon grew up on a farm and the family moved to Lake Crystal, MN, where she graduated high school. She attended the nursing program at Fairview in Minneapolis and became the Director of Nursing in the psychiatry department. Later she worked with developmentally delayed children and then with adults at the Murray County DAC. Sharon returned to patient care at the nursing home, after the couple moved to Echo. Together, the couple enjoyed traveling to see David and his family, bowling, and spending time with their relatives, friends, and church family. Survivors include, their son, David (Susan) Asplund of Portales, NM; grandson, Jearold Asplund; sister-in-law, Joan Diesch of Mankato, MN; nieces and nephews, Janeen (Jamisen) Swenson, Doni (Matthew) Vine, Robert (Carla) Diesch, Robin (Chris) DeCathelineau, Jim (Kathy) Diesch, Jody (William) Keller, Jackie (Donald) Jorgensen, Brian (Cheryl) Thomas; many cousins, and great nieces and nephews. They were preceded in death by their parents; siblings, Carol Thomas, Barbara Larson, Gregory (Barbara) Larson, Richard Diesch, Jearold Diesch, Jr; nephew, Richard Diesch, Jr, and niece, Diane Larson. First Visitation 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm Friday, February 13, 2015 Sturm Funeral Home, St. James Chapel 906 - 10th Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Second Visitation 9:30 am - 10:30 am Saturday, February 14, 2015 First Lutheran Church- St. James 719 6th Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Service Information 10:30 am Saturday, February 14, 2015 First Lutheran Church, St. James 716 6th Ave. S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081