Milo Espe (1946-2024) and Judy (Severson) Espe (1946-2023) were married on September 3, 1965 in Salem, Oregon.
| From the Funeral Obituary for Milo O. Espe On Saturday, March 16, 2024, Milo Omer Espe passed away peacefully at the Warroad Senior Living Center at the age of 77 due to complications from Lewy Body Dementia. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to many. Milo was born on March 24, 1946, in roseau, MN, to Omer and Myrtle (Dahl) Espe. He grew up with his siblings on the family farm in Pencer, MN. He attended grade school in Wannaska and graduated from Roseau High School in 1964. On September 3, 1965, he married Judith Ann Severson in Salem, Oregon. Together, they created a warm and loving home in Warroad, Minnesota, where they raised theirr five children. Milo had an open-door policy, welcoming many into their home, including the children they babysat, siblings, nieces, nephews, friends, and the many children they fostered. Milo cherished spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He often played games, read books, or visited with them. Milo’s hobbies included woodworking, hunting, golfing, spending time at the cabin in Beltrami Forest, and fishing. He was a fishing guide in the summer and enjoyed sharing his knowledge with those he took fishing. Milo and Judy liked to travel and take the family on camping trips, where Milo shared his wilderness skills of building campfires, whittling whistles, and campfire cooking. Milo worked at Wheeler Lumber, Security State Bank of Warroad, and Milo’s Hartz grocery store, and he retured from Polaris Industries. Milo was a people person, and managing the grocery store allowed him to connect with the entire community. Many high schoolers started their careers working for Milo. He was preceded in death by his wife Judith Ann (Severson), father Omer Espe, mother Myrtle (Dahl), father-in-law Clifford Severson, mother-in-law Fern (Palm), and many extended family members. Milo is survived by daughter Tami Espe, Anchorage, AK, Teresa (Ward) Ortmann, Walnut Creek, CA, Tara (Ryan) Olson, Ashland, WI, Trina (Yesse) Ngomuo, Little Falls, MN, and son Peter (Daryl Ann) Espe, Roseau, MN; 14 grandchildren, Hanna, Mallory, Kirsten, Breck, Ryan, Kia, Mariah, Logan, Jonah, Hailey, gabe, Isaiah, Lucas, and Sophia and nine great-grandchildren, Forest, Fern, Finley, Frankie, Fiona River, Damien, Sophie, A.J., and Nolan. Milow is also survived by siblings Glen (Marjorie) Espe, Marvin (Myrna) Espe, Duane (Linda) Espe, Evadell Tangquist, Edgar (Charlotte) Espe, and Sheldon (Valeria) Espe, as well as a large extended family. The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to the staff and management off Warroad Senior Center for their kind and loving care, as well as to Helgeson Funeral Home for their compassionate assistance during this difficult time. | From the Funeral Obituary for Judy Ann Espe From the Funeral Obituary for Judy Ann Espe On Tuesday, December 12, 2023, Judith Ann Espe, known to her loved ones as Judy, peacefully passed away at the Warroad Senior Living center, at the age of 77, due to complications of Alzheimer. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to many. Judy was born on October 6, 1946 in Roseau, MN to Clifford and Fern (Palm) Severson. She grew up with three siblings on the family farm near Wannaska, MN. She attended grade school in Wannaska and graduated from Roseau High School in 1965. On September 3, 1965 she married Milo Espe in Oregon. Together they created a warm and loving home in Warroad, MN where they raised their five children. She also had an open door policy welcoming many into their home, including the children she babysat, siblings, nieces, nephews, friends and the many children they fostered. Her warm smile, kindness, and big hugs made people feel loved and cared for. Judy cherished spending time with and was very proud of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She often played games, read books, or visited them. She had the gift of hospitality, was an excellent cook and baker, and enjoyed gardening and canning. When her girls were young, she would sew beautiful clothing for them. Judy and Milo enjoyed traveling over the years to Hawaii, Alaska and Florida. They also loved to take the family on camping trips where Hobo Dinners and S’mores were usually on the menu. She was preceded in death by her father, Clifford Severson, mother Fern (Palm) Severson, father-in-law Omer Espe, mother-in-law Myrtle (Dahl) Espe, and many extended family members. Judy is survived by the love of her life for 58 years, Milo Omer Espe, their daughters Tami Espe, Anchorage, AK, Teresa (Ward) Ortmann, Walnut Creek, CA, Tara (Ryan) Olson, Ashland, WI, Trina (Yesse) Ngomuo, Little Falls, MN, and son Peter (Daryl Ann) Espe, Roseau, MN. She will be missed and lovingly remembered by her 14 grandchildren: Hanna (Zach) Way, Mallory (Taylor) Chesney, Kirsten *Miguel) Bolaños, Breck Lowney, Ryan Lowney, Kia Espe, Mariah Espe, Logan Espe, Jonah Espe, Hailey Espe, Gabe Espe, Isaiah Espe, Lucas Espe, and Sophia Ngomuo, and her 9 great grandchildren: Forest, Fern, Finley, Frankie, Fiona River, Damien, Sophie, A.J., and Nolan. Judy is also survived by siblings: Susan (Jesse) Garcia, Carolyn (Steve) Wymore, and Steve (Lenore) Severson, as well as a large extended family and friends. The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to the staff and management off Warroad Senior Center for their kind and loving care, as well as to Helgeson Funeral Home for their compassionate assistance during this difficult time. |