Dad's Obituary

Marland Leroy Mieska was born February 3, 1928, in Barrett, Minnesota, to Fred and Edna (Schneeberger) Mieska. He was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church in Barrett. He was raised on the family farm near Amboy and attended Willow Creek Parochial School. At age 13 he moved with his family to a farm near Elbow Lake. After his education he worked with his father on the farm. On June 11, 1949, he married LaVerne Stock at Christ Lutheran Church at Elbow Lake. After marriage they continued farming with his father until 1967 when they moved to Wendell. While living in Wendell, Marland worked as a school janitor, grain elevator operator, school bus driver, and had a milk route - all simultaneously. In 1969 they moved to Northfield and began managing the Big Steer Truck Stop which they eventually purchased. In 1982 they sold the Big Steer and semi-retired. In semi-retirement Marland worked as a custodian, worked installing telephone cable, and helped his son-in-law on the farm. In 1987 Marland and LaVerne moved to a home on Lake Jefferson near Cleveland where they lived until returning to Northfield in 1994. They also spent 20 years wintering in Mesa, Arizona.

Marland was a member of Trondhjem Lutheran Church and a longtime member of the Diablo’s Softball Team in Mesa. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing horseshoes and snowmobiling. He was an excellent dancer and a huge Minnesota Twins fan! He was fun loving, hardworking, loyal and a wonderful friend.


Survivors include his wife of 57 years LaVerne; 4 children: Bonnie and husband Greg Liebelt of Northfield, Steven and friend Peggy Jarrell of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Annie and husband Jeff Docken of Northfield, Sue Mieska of Northfield; 8 grandchildren: Chad (Loriann) Ketcher, Scott (Ami) Ketcher, Jesse (Ben) Swenson, Jeremiah (Gina) Mieska, Zachary Mieska, Heather Walsh, Joshua (Whitney) Docken, Bethanie Docken; 6 great-grandchildren: Matthew, Jonathan, Nathaniel, Brighton, Luke, Owen; 2 sisters: Phyllis Neff of Bemidji, Darlene Berge of Fergus Falls; nieces, nephews, and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Lorma Smith.


Marland passed away from cancer on Friday evening, November 10, 2006, at the Northfield Hospital Long Term Care Center at the age of 78.

Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, November 14, 2006 at Trondhjem Lutheran Church in Lonsdale with Revs. Howard White, Janet White & Duane Everson officiating. Music will be provided by Theo Wee & Rev. Janet White. Interment will be in Trondhjem Lutheran Cemetery. Casket bearers will be Chad Ketcher, Scott Ketcher, Jeremiah Mieska, Heather Walsh, Zachary Mieska, Joshua Docken, Jesse Swenson and Bethanie Docken. Visitation will be 4-7 PM Monday, November 13, 2006, at the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home in Northfield. Visitation will continue on Tuesday at the church one hour prior to the service.


Memorials are preferred to Northfield Hospice.