Lewis Watne, 87
Gonvick - Lewis "Lewie" Watne, 87, died Wednesday, June 14, 2000 at the Good Samaritan Center in Clearbrook.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, June 17, at 2 p.m. at Samhold Lutheran Church in Gonvick with Rev. Eric Midthun officiating. Interment was in Samhold Lutheran Cemetery in Gonvick with the Cease Family Funeral Home of Bagley in charge of the arrangements.
Lewis Watne was born January 5, 1913 at Trail, the son of Ole and Laura (Olson) Watne. As a young man, Lewie transported children to and from school in a horse-drawn school bus. He also owned and operated a gravel business. He moved to Gonvick and started an auto transport business, bringing cars from Michigan to Minnesota.
On June 20, 1944 he married Donna Eck at Oklee. During the 1950s and 1960s, Lewie owned and operated Outlaw Implement. It later became known as Watne Implement, a Massey Ferguson dealership. In 1962 and 1963, he was honored as the tractor dealer with top sales in a five-state area. Lewie also sent combines south on a Harvest Brigade that traveled throughout many states. After retirement, he owned a farm and farmed east of Gonvick for many years.
He enjoyed people, especially his grandchildren.
Lewis is survived by his wife, Donna of Gonvick; five daughters, LaVonne (Paul) Brunsberg of Cormorant, Diane (Bruce) Brunsberg of Clearbrook, Bonnie (Jim) Fischer of Bagley, Carol (Larry) Swanson of Clearbrook and Kathy (Don) DuCote of Clearbrook; six sons, Dean Watne of Gonvick, Gary (Deb) Watne of Moorhead, Les Watne of Gonvick, Bill Watne of Moses Lake, Wash., Tory Watne of Grand Rapids and Jon Watne of Pine Lake; one daughter-in-law, Sandy Charpentier of Clearbrook; 17 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two sisters, Carrie (Melvin) Christianson of Winger and Vivian (Ray) Norgaard of Gully; two sisters-in-law; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Dick; four brothers; and three sisters. A00003B2000JN21