George Svee

George M. Svee, 88, of Two Harbors, died Nov. 16, 2010, at Sunrise Home after battling with cancer for 20 years.

He was born May 17, 1922, to Lars and Sigfrida (Robertsen) Svee in Trondhjem, Norway. George came to the U.S. with his family in 1923, and they made their home in Two Harbors where he attended school.

During the Great Depression, George left school to work with his dad in the family business, but later obtained his journeyman electrician license and his high school diploma in 1961.

He married Bernice “Bunnie” Woollen in October of 1941 in Two Harbors.

George enlisted in the Navy in 1944 and served in Guam until the end of World War II.

Upon his return, he continued working for the DM&IR telephone department before transferring to the electric department. In 1963, after Black Friday and the demise of the railroad company, he purchased the family business, Svee Distributing Company, from his father. George operated the business until his retirement in 1978, when he sold the company to his son, Ron.

He was a member of the VFW, Loyal Order of Moose, the American Legion, Minnesota Beer Wholesalers Association, the IEBW, United Church of Two Harbors, and Harbor Mates.

George enjoyed fishing and especially ice fishing in northern Minnesota and Canada, snowmobiling, deer hunting, bowling, traveling with his fiancée and companion of 20 years, Pauline Ohlund, going to the casino, and spending time at his cabin on Bassett Lake, which he built in 1948.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Bernice; son, Jon who was lost to polio in 1949; brother, Roy, and his best friend, “Blackie” Kulas.

He is survived by his children, Ron (Cindy) of Two Harbors, Larry (Jackie)

of Elmwood, Wis., and Rande (Jack) Neylon of Two Harbors; fiancée, Pauline

Ohlund of Two Harbors; sisters, Irene (Bob) Male, and Sonja Soderstrom both of Two Harbors; grandchildren, Sharri (Rob) Westin, Connie (Kirk) Linse, Jim (Nicole) Neylon, Susan (Blake) Fjeran, Rob (Elisa)

Svee, Richard (Megan) Svee Anderson, and Lacy Butler; 15 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

George’s family would like to thank the staffs of Lake View Memorial Hospital, St. Luke’s Hospice, and the Sunrise Home for their wonderful care.

A memorial service was held Saturday at the United Church of Two Harbors.

Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers

memorials are preferred.

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