Wilton Richard "Bud" Ahlgren

July 22, 1922 - July 4, 2020

Wilton Richard “Bud” Ahlgren, age 97, of Dassel, died Saturday, July 4, 2020, at his residence. He reached the age of 97 years, 11 months, and 12 days. A memorial service will be held on Friday August 28th, 2pm at the Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Dassel with the Rev. Laurie O’Shea officiating. The interment of the urn will be held at the Dassel Community Cemetery in Dassel with military honors by the Dassel Paul F. Dille Legion Post. The United States Army Honor Guard will present the flag to the family. Due to the present circumstances if you are planning to attend the service a mask and social distancing are required. For those who are unable to attend but wish to view the memorial service. The service will be streamed at www.glcdassel.com. The Johnson Funeral Home in Dassel is in charge of the memorial arrangements. We will be gathering next summer to celebrate Buds Life. Wilton Richard “Bud” Ahlgren, the son of Charles and Ellen (Anderson) Ahlgren was born on July 22, 1922, in Dassel, Minnesota. Bud grew up in the Dassel area and attended country school for his education. Bud was baptized and later confirmed in the Christian faith and was a member of the Gethsemane Lutheran Church at the time of his death. During WWII, Bud was inducted into the United States Army and served in the Philippine Islands with the rank of Technical Corporal. He was a Minnesota volunteer firearms safety instructor and member of the Paul F. Dille American Legion Post in Dassel for 71 years. He was also a member of the Dassel Rod and Gun Club, Dassel Commercial Club, and the Litchfield VFW. On June 22, 1946, Bud was united in marriage to Wilma Mae Werner, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Litchfield. The couple made their home on the Ahlgren family farm, southwest of Dassel until 1999, when they moved to their own piece of heaven on Lake Washington. Bud farmed for many years before purchasing the radio and tv business in Dassel from Kenneth Skalberg in 1952. He operated Dassel Radio and TV until his retirement in 1985 when he sold the business back to Ken. Bud continued to work the land for many years. He enjoyed the time he spent with his family for holidays and special events, and always played Happy Birthday on his harmonica for family members. He was an very kind, gentle and caring gentleman with a great sense of humor and always putting others first. He was an excellent bowler and loved to spend time on Lake Washington fishing, salmon fishing on Lake Michigan, and was an avid gardener. Bud and Wilma also enjoyed spending many years RVing, attending country music festivals, and traveling south in the winter months. He is survived by his children, Gary Ahlgren of Dassel, Bonnie (Greg) McManus of Dassel, two grandchildren, Darin (Lusie) Kinn, and Kara Kinn, two great grandchildren, Tyler Kinn and Lacie Kinn. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and other relatives along with his beloved cat, “Buffy”. He was preceded in death by his spouse, Wilma, parents, and a brother, Stanley Ahlgren.