Wilbur Jorris Gudvangen, 90, Fertile, MN, died Sunday, April 12, 2020, at his home under the care of his family and hospice. He was born on October 26, 1929, to Willie Sr. and Julia (Dale) Gudvangen at home in Godfrey Township, near Fertile, MN.

Wilbur attended 113 Roadside Country School in Godfrey Township in rural Fertile. He served in the U.S. Marine Corp. from 1951-1953. On June 16, 1957, Wilbur was united in marriage to Frances Larson at Faaberg Lutheran Church, Rindal, MN.

Wilbur worked for area farmers for several years after getting married, until becoming a full time employee of Ray Christian. First being employed by Ray at the Fertile Hatchery in 1962, where he operated the feed grinder. In 1979, he started as a truck mechanic in the shop, which is now Christian Motors until he retired in 1992. Wilbur was also a longtime member of Maple Lake Lutheran Church.

Wilbur enjoyed snowmobiling, hunting, camping, fishing, raising cattle, baling hay, tinkering with his Allis Chalmers tractors, trapping, mowing township roads, playing horse shoes, and driving around looking for deer and bear. He also enjoyed sitting in his recliner watching the birds eating from the bird feeder and would get mad at the squirrels for coming around and scaring them off! But most of all, he enjoyed all family
get-togethers and spending time with his family.

Wilbur is survived by his children, Melinda "Lindy" (Donald Jr.) Fuglseth, Fertile, MN, Dean (Diana) Gudvangen, Fertile, MN, Diane (Kevin) Bjorneby, Warroad, MN, Sheila (Larry) Bouffleur, Mentor, MN, Karen (Kevin) Jadeke, Mentor, MN, and Jody (Denise) Gudvangen, Fertile, MN; sister, Doris Michaels, Fertile, MN; brother, Maynard (Adrienne) Gudvangen, Labelle, FL; sister-in-law, Elaine Larson, Fertile, MN; 19 grandchildren, and 31 great-grandchildren; also, many nieces, nephews and cousins. Wilbur was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Frances; daughter, Gail Belen; brothers, Willie Jr. and LeRoy Gudvangen; sisters, Norma Nephew, Erma Solie, and Corrine Berhow; great-grandchildren, Jacob Belen and Morgan Gudvangen.

Due to public health concerns with the coronavirus called COVID-19,
A private funeral will be held on Friday, April 17, 2020, at Erikson-Vik-Ganje Funeral Home, in Fertile.

Burial : Our Saviors Lutheran Cemetery, rural Fertile.

Online guest book at www.eriksonvikfh.com

Memorials can be mailed to: Jody Gudvangen, 11727 370th Street SW, Fertile, MN 56540