Sigvald Brynjolf Oyen

Sigvald B. Oyen, of Montevideo, died on Friday, August 22, 2003 at the Syverson Lutheran Home in Eau Claire, WI at the age of 87.

Funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 at 1:30 P.M. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Montevideo with Rev. Kurt Hoover and Rev. Wayne D. Kopitzke officiating.  Interment will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be Monday afternoon and evening, with the family from 5 - 7 PM with a prayer service at 6:45 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home in Montevideo.

Sigvald Brynjolf Oyen was born on February 22, 1916 in Watson, MN the son of Brynjolf J. and Selma (Swenson) Oyen.  He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church and attended public schools in Montevideo where he graduated in 1934.  He graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1941 and, in the same year, established a law practice with his college roommate and lifelong friend, John P. Nelson.  Sig was united in marriage with Martha Marie Carr at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church on September 7, 1940.  He was active in church life, serving as a teacher, Sunday school superintendent, and congregational president.  Sig served two terms in the Minnesota State Legislature and two terms as Chippewa County Attorney.  He was a member and president of the Twelfth Judicial Bar Association, a 50 year member of the Montevideo Kiwanis Club, and was named to the Chippewa County Historical Society’s Hall of Fame.  He was active in the Sons of Norway, was the First Grand Walker in the local crop walk, and supported children in the Christian Children’s Fund for over forty years.  He retired from the law practice of Nelson, Oyen, and Torvik on January 1, 1985.

Sig was devoted to his family and friends, especially enjoying family time at the cottage on Green Lake.  His interests were extensive; gardening, bird watching, collecting Scandinavian antiques and immigrant trunks, reading, music and plays at Chanhassen.  Sig and Martha were very proud of their Scandinavian heritage and enjoyed traveling to explore their roots.  Since 1998, Sig has enjoyed being a resident of Copper Glen where he has formed many meaningful friendships with fellow residents.  Most importantly, Sig’s hallmark characteristic has been always “being there” with exceptional love, support, and generosity for his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives and friends.

He is survived by two daughters: Marilyn Carlson and her husband Michael of Eau Claire, WI and Charlotte Souter and her husband Ron of Watertown, SD; one son, Martin Oyen and his wife Ann of St. Paul, MN; seven grandchildren: Amy (Todd) CarlsonSather of Eau Claire, WI, Sarah (Jon) Carlson Buckley of Rosemont, MN, Marcy (Travis) Olson of Madison, WI, Scott (Chris) Souter of Plattsmouth, NE, Bradley (Sarah) Souter of Chambersburg, PA, Matthew (Jennifer) Oyen of St. Paul, MN, and Joel Oyen of St. Paul, MN; seven great-grandchildren: Kiana Lee CarlsonSather and Brendan Michael CarlsonSather of Eau Claire, WI, Madeline Kristine Souter and Charlotte Kimberly Souter of Chambersburg, PA, Samuel John Souter of Plattsmouth, NE, and Erik Christian Olson and Karl Frederick Olson of Madison, WI; two sisters-in-law: Monica Oyen of Scottsdale, AZ and Mary MacDonald of Maui, HI; former foreign exchange student: Heidi Dehne of Bobbau, Germany; several nieces and nephews; and special friends: Beverly and Jim Berven, Janice, Kara, and Anna Nelson, Elizabeth Gilbertson, and Ciff and Gen Thomton.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Martha on November 9, 1998; one brother, John Chester Oyen; three brothers-in-law: Douglas MacDonald, William Carr and Edwin Carr; and two sisters-in-law: Ruby Carr and Anna Carr.

On many of the tombstones in the cemetery of Horg Church, south of Trondheim, Norway, where Sig’s great grandparents are buried, is the inscription, “Takk for Alt” (Thanks for Everything).  For Sig and his family, we want to express ourselves in the same way. “Takk for Alt!”