Chester Mahlen

WEBSTER- Chester Mahlen, 90, of Webster, and formerly of Roslyn died on Monday, April 21, 2008 at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls. His funeral will be at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, April 24, 2008 at Roslyn Lutheran Church, Janet Johnson officiating. Burial will be at Fron Lutheran church cemetery near Roslyn. Visitation will be at Fiksdal Funeral Service in Webster on Wednesday 5-7 P.M. and prior to services at the church on Thursday. Chester Emmit Mahlen was born onWednesday, September 5, 1917 to Ole and Inga (Cornelius) Mahlen at his grandparents home in Independence Township, Day County, South Dakota near Roslyn. He was baptized and confirmed at Fron Lutheran Church near Roslyn. His mother died on his 4th birthday and his grandfather, Evan Mahlen and an aunt, Anna Mahlen cared for him until he started school. He stayed with the John Mahlen family during the school year and then with Olaf and Inga Cornelius during the summer months. He lived with Olaf and Inga permanently from the age of 9 until he was 19 years old. He attended grade school in Independence and Liberty Townships. On October 7, 1939 he married Sylvia Tople at Pierpont, South Dakota. Six children were born to this union. They farmed near Roslyn until 1969 when they moved to Roslyn. He drove fuel truck for Farmer’s Elevator at Holmquist for 20 years retiring in 1989 at the age of 72. After retirement he did seasonal work for Johnson Farms until 1998. Sylvia passed away on October 28, 2005. The couple were married 66 years. In November 2007 moved to Heritage Village in Webster. He was a member of Roslyn Lutheran Church where he served as Treasurer for many years and volunteered caring for the church property. He belonged to the Andover Threshing Association and volunteered for Roslyn Senior Center. He was always a good neighbor and would help anyone in need. He and his wife both loved sports. They were avid Minnesota Twins and Vikings fans and watched Roslyn School sports for over 50 years. He enjoyed working crosswords and was an avid reader. Chester passed away on Monday, April 21, 2008 at Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 90 years, 7 months and 16 days. Survivors include five sons, Daryl Mahlen (& special friend, Mary Olson) of Osakis, MN, Dennis Mahlen of Appleton, MN, Ron (Ardis) Mahlen of Bloomington, MN, Don (Becky) Mahlen of Webster, SD and John (Corrine) Mahlen of Roslyn, SD; one daughter, Roberta (Dwight) Knapp of Canby, OR; a half-brother, Gary Mahlen of Jordan, MN; a half-sister, Kay (Bob) Watkins of Britton, SD; fourteen grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, step-mother, wife, a half-brother, a granddaughter and a daughter-in-law.