Omer Harold Espe, the son of Peter and Thilda Espe was born in the rural community of Malung, in Roseau County, Minnesota on April 7, 1917. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.
He was educated in Malung and Moorhead elementary schools through the eighth grade. As a young man, he was employed as a farm hand and rural mail carrier and he worked for a short time at Olsen Fish in Minneapolis, MN before getting married.
In a short essay entitled My Memories, he wrote about his life from birth to marriage.
Omer married Myrtle Dahl on April 24, 1938 at Ada, Minnesota and his story with Myrtle continues on THIS PAGE.
He was a humble man who showed his children and grandchildren how to live a Godly life by his example. He was never a wealthy man by the world’s standards. His spiritual wealth was immense, however, and he always sought to live in the hope of a glorious future in the presence of his Lord and Savior.
Failing health resulted in a move to Sheltering Oaks Manor in Roseau where he spent his last few years. He was called to his eternal home on April 30, 2005 at the age of 88.
FUNERAL OBITUARY
Omer Harold Espe, the son of Peter and Thilda (Dahlgren) Espe, was born on April 7, 1917, at Malung, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Salem Lutheran Church.
He was educated in Malung and Moorhead elementary schools through the eight grade. He was employed as a farm hand and rural mail carrier and worked for a short time in Minneapolis, MN. Omer married Myrtle Dahl on April 24, 1938 in rural Ada, MN. They made their home in Roseau County as farmers and lived for many years in Beaver Township before moving to Roseau in 1963.
Besides farming, Omer worked for Polaris Industries. He also drove school bus for Wannaska School while he worked at Polaris. Omer worked as a police officer for the city of Roseau and later as a deputy for Roseau County Sheriff Department. During retirement he became an EMT with the Roseau Ambulance Service and worked part time for Helgeson Funeral Chapels.
He was a member of Salem Lutheran Church in Malung and later attended Bethel Mission Covenant Church. After moving to Roseau, he became an active member of the Roseau Evangelical Covenant Church.
Omer enjoyed hunting with his sons and grandsons, gardening with his wife, fishing, snowmobiling, throwing horseshoes, woodworking, berry picking and especially spending time with his family. He was an only child and at the time of his death his immediate family numbers 90 individuals.
Omer is survived by his children, Glenn (Marjorie) Espe of Thief River Falls, MN; Marvin (Myrna) Espe of Solon Springs, WI; Duane (Linda) Espe of Roseau, MN; Evadell (Paul) Tangquist of Thief River Falls, MN; Milo (Judith) Espe of Roseau, MN; Edgar (Charlotte) Espe of Bemidji, MN; Sheldon (Valeria) Espe of Roseau, MN; 22 grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Myrtle, and one granddaughter, Sarah Tangquist.
Omer passed away on April 30, 2005 at the age of 88 at the Sheltering Oaks Manor in Roseau, Minnesota.
