Rolf Arne Widlund

Rolf Arne Widlund, 81, passed away on Saturday, October 23rd, 2021, at Crystal Brook Senior Living in Park Rapids, Minnesota.

Rolf was born March 21st, 1940, in Eskilstuna, Sweden, the son of Arne and Lilly (Karlssen) Widlund. He grew up in Sweden and lived and worked there until he came to America in 1980 where became known as “The Swede”. He began building furniture and homes in Minnesota.

Rolf married Judith (Soli) on December 21st, 1985, in Bayport, Minnesota. Together they created Scandinavian Home Construction, Inc. and Scandinavian Woodworks, Inc. building wonderful homes and home improvements and making many friends and great memories. Rolf loved creating through woodworking and enjoyed any opportunity to get involved in projects. He was very active and energetic, always had a project or goal.

Rolf became a citizen of the United States of America on June 10, 1992. He was very proud to be an American, but Sweden was always in his thoughts.

In 2013 Rolf reluctantly retired and slowed down settling at our cabin on the lake in LaPorte, Minnesota.

His hobbies were travel, fishing, and “working”.

Rolf is survived by his wife of 35+ years, Judith; children Par (Kathleen) Widlund, and Anne Widlund; sister Sylvia Widlund; grandchildren Sally Widlund, Molly Widlund, Par Widlund, Jr. and Vanessa Widlund; nephew Hans (Nina) Widlund; 3 great grandchildren.

Rolf was preceded in death by his parents Arne and Lilly Widlund, sister Monica Widlund, sons Tim and Tor; Kelly Lund Peterson.

Rolf’s extended family: children James Peterson, Barbara Peterson, Pamela (Perry) Lego, Beth (John)Kaiser; grandchildren Jason (Arianna) Williquett, Nicole Vesper, Jennifer (Ben) Nelson, Rebecca (Marty) Smith, Jessica (Tony) Borkowski, Nick (Ashley) Kaiser, Kayla (Sergei) Zimmermann, Caleb Peterson; 15 great grandchildren.

A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held at Northern Peace Funeral Home, 114 Tianna Drive, Walker, MN on Monday, November 1st, 2021, from 4:00-7:00 p.m.  A Memorial Service for Rolf will begin 1:00 p.m. on Friday, November 5th, 2021, at the Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1616 Olive St. N., Stillwater, MN with a two-hour visitation to be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00p.m. prior to services, also at the church.  Inurnment will be in the Fairview Cemetery at Stillwater, MN immediately following services.

Rolf’s care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker, MN.  Online condolences for the family may be left at www.northernpeace.com

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