Ted Hart

Ted Leon Hart was born November 25, 1931 to Elmer Hart Sr. and Isabel (Vogt) Hart on a farm near Chandler, MN in Fenton Township, Murray County. He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith. Ted attended Chandler public schools, graduating from Chandler High School in 1950. Following high school, Ted attended Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis, MN for two years and received his degree in mechanics. On December 17, 1954 Ted married Lorena Swan at the Iona Presbyterian Church in Iona, MN. They made their home in Fulda, MN before moving to a farm near Chandler in 1957 where they raised their seven children.
Throughout his life, Ted was active in both his church and community. He was a member of the Iona Presbyterian Church and served as both an elder and trustee. In his community he served on the Chandler-Lake Wilson School Board, the Chandler Co-op Board, the Fenton Township Board and was an active member of the Minnesota Cattlemen's Association. In 1990, Ted and Lorena moved to an acreage outside of Chandler, MN where Ted semi-retired.  After Lorena's death in 1999, Ted married Miriam Wagner, on April 2, 2005, in Clarion, IA.
Ted had many interests but farming was very important to him. He also enjoyed welding, fixing cars and tractors, along with inventing ways to improve farm equipment and techniques. Other pastimes included vegetable gardening, camping, and traveling, both domestic and abroad. Time spent around water was also a favorite activity and included boating, water skiing to the age of 72, swimming, and fishing. What Ted loved more than anything was watching his grandchildren's sporting events and spending time with his children and their families. Ted and Lorena also enjoyed hosting foreign exchange students including five students from Japan, and three from Norway.  He remained close to his 3 Norwegian daughters and their families, Anne Svorkmo, Margrete Vaskinn, and Elisabeth Wister. Ted was very fond of his dogs over the years and enjoyed a good nap in the sun.
In 2013 after having a stroke, Ted became a resident of Edgebrook Care Center where he passed away on May 28, 2015 at the age of 83, surrounded by his family. Ted is survived by his wife, Miriam; five daughters, Sharon (Dan) Staab of Chandler, MN, Joan Vander Linden of Chandler, MN, Donna (Scott) Goodson of Jackson, MO, Jane (Dan) Kempenich of Chisago City, MN, Phyllis (Ruston) Ford of Madison, WI; two sons, Michael (Lisa) Hart of Sleepy Hollow, IL and Glen (Bernie DeLeeuw) Hart of Chandler, MN; twenty one grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; one sister, Virgina Anderson of Bemidi, MN; two brothers, Robert (Jan) Hart of Wabasha, MN and Al (Sharon) Hart of Battle Lake, MN; nieces, nephews, and many friends.
Ted is preceded in death by his wife Lorena, his parents, and one brother, Elmer Hart Jr.

Visitation will be on Sunday, May 31 from 5:00 - 8:00 at the Chandler Funeral Chapel, and one hour prior to the Memorial Service on Monday, June 1st at 10:30 am at the Iona Presbyterian Church, with Pastor Deb Klaassen officiating.  Organist is Judy Cowan.  Ted's grandchildren will be pallbearers:

Eric Staab, Brent Staab, Kayla Termeer
Jeffrey Vander Linden, Thomas Vander Linden
Michelle Groshens, Jason Vander Linden
Aaron Goodson, Landon Goodson, Annaka Goodson
Krista Hart, Scott Hart
Loren Kempenich, Nate Kempenich, Lily Kempenich
Mitch Hart, Matt Hart, Alyssa Huisken, Derek Claar
Stine Svorkmo, Sandra Svorkmo

The songs that family have chosen are Morning has Broken , We Plow the Fields and How Great Thou Art .  Interment is at the Memorial Gardens in Slayton, MN.