Herbert Cornelius Staven

August 6, 1921 - May 7, 2015

On August 6, 1921 a son was born to Olaf and Olga (Otterness) Staven. They named him Herbert Cornelius after his grandfathers. He had two brothers and one sister. He was brought to the Lord through Holy Baptism at Faith Lutheran Church of Black Hammer where he later confirmed his faith, in Norwegian, and remained a lifetime member. Herb grew up on the three generation family farm in Black Hammer, MN. He was a lifelong farmer who loved the land and took pride in his labor. He was one of the first farmers to put in strip farming. He was always busy farming: threshing, caring for his brown swiss cows and horses in his younger years, baling hay, cutting wood, planting trees, fencing, and driving his Case tractors. He was always happy to lend a hand to neighbors and friends. Herb first met Mardelle Burmaster in a local 4-H performance. In this play, a couple had two children, a boy and a girl. Having been cast as husband and wife they had little idea that a play was but a script to the rest of their lives. This blossomed into a loving marriage lasting over 68 years, (June 4, 1944). To this union two children were born; a son, Marshal and a daughter, Nancy. He served honorably in the US Army during WWII. He was trained in artillery and served in Germany as a guard in a prison camp. Herb told stories of his close shave by Hitler’s barber. He was on the Honor Flight to Washington D.C. in 2010 with his daughter. Herb was active in NFO, served many years on the cemetery board, and was a member of the American Legion and the VFW. Herb played many years on the church dartball league making the 600 club several times. He was a gentle soul and loved storytelling, playing cards, taking a nap, family gatherings, oyster stew, rommegrot, lutefisk, and lefse (a true Norwegian indeed!). It was tradition that he said the table prayer in Norwegian at holiday/family gatherings. He is survived by his children; Marshal (Shirley) Staven and Nancy (Gary) Bratland. Two grandchildren; Heather (Rick Iverson) Bratland, and Jason (Alicia) Bratland. He was known to his great-grandchildren, Chase, Cale and Keira Bratland as Grandpa Moo. He is survived by many nieces and nephews. Herbert was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, sister Irene (Gilman) Treangen, brothers Cornelius and Obert (Ardes) Staven, brother-in-law Myron (Delores) Burmaster, and sister-in-law Norma (Harold) Rollie. We wish to thank Pastor Liptack for his prayers and visits, the Assisted Living and Tweeten Lutheran Home in Spring Grove for their care. Also, Sauer Healthcare in Winona and St. Croix Hospice for the wonderful care they provided to Herbert and his family. We will deeply miss you Dad, Grandpa and Great-Grandpa Moo and we look forward to seeing you when it is our turn to enter the Gates of Heaven.