Ivar Awes

Born in Minneapolis on Oct 18, 1920, died on June 11, 2014 at York Gardens, Edina. Preceded in death by parents, a brother and sister, son Martin, and wife of 66 years, Lois. Survived by son Vernon (Cindy), son Todd (Cindy), grandchildren Erik (Kelly), Scott, Andrew (Maria), and Shannon; great grandchildren Henry, Liliana, Annabelle, and Ivar Erik. '38 graduates of Roosevelt High, Lois and Ivar were high school sweethearts. They married in June of 1944 upon Ivar's return from World War II. Ivar served as a forward observer in the 151st field artillery of the 34th Div. Red Bulls. He participated in both the North African and Italian campaigns; he received multiple Purple Hearts and was a battlefield commissioned officer. After the war he returned to the University of Minnesota and received his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration on the G.I. Bill. Ivar and Lois started their family and moved to the growing suburb of Richfield where they raised their three sons. Ivar was an active member of Woodlake Lutheran Church, a charter member of VFW 5555, past president of the Norwegians Worldwide (Nordmanns-Forbundet), past international president of his insurance fraternity, Blue Goose International, and president of The Awes Agency, Inc. Ivar was a student, a soldier, a business executive and a lover of all liberal causes. In 1982, Ivar and Lois moved to a condo in Edina and spent years going to their beloved family lake home on "Big Sandy".

Ivar loved his family and all of his roles in life, but cherished “grandfather” the most. Ivar and Lois traveled the world around, often meeting Ivar's Norwegian cousins in exotic places. His pride in his Norwegian heritage was boundless. He was a first generation Norwegian American who spoke no English when he entered kindergarten. We have lost our member of the "Greatest Generation", our war hero, our dad, and our Boppie. The family would like to thank Drs. John Rodman and Adam Bock of the Mpls. VA Medical Center, and his caregiver Roman Sime. We also thank Fairview Hospice and York Gardens for the kind and loving care.