Winston Elmer Mossberg, age 95, of Sturgeon Lake, joined his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Paradise in the early morning hours on Tuesday, April 23.

He was born in Minneapolis, MN on August 27, 1917. His family moved to Windemere Township early in his life when his father became depot agent in Nickerson, MN. His passion for hard work was forged on the family farm.

While working for the railroad in California, he enlisted in the Navy after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and was a teacher in Gunnery School at Newport, RI before being assigned to LST-818 which was part of the Okinawa invasion. He attained the rank of Chief Gunner's Mate. During the war he once saved his fellow crewmen by shooting down a "kamikaze" suicide plane that was headed for his ship. He was honorably discharged in December, 1945.

After the war he returned to Windemere Township and on May 3, 1947 married the love of his life, Marcella Nelson. In 1950 they purchased their farm on the south side of Island Lake where he remained until January, 2013.
He was a true steward of the land and toiled long and hard to build up his farm. He ran a small dairy operation until a lung condition forced him to retire earlier than he had planned. Not one to be idle, he kept busy for many years in his wood shop making clothes racks, end tables, toys for kids and other decorative wooden items that he gave away to family, friends and complete strangers. After Marcy passed away, he even took to the kitchen making hot dishes and baking pies and cookies for whomever would take them.
As much as his Navy and farm days defined who he was, his greatest identification was being a follower of Jesus Christ. He served as Sunday School teacher and in many other capacities at Moose Lake Covenant Church. He read God's Word and prayed daily for others. A favorite Bible verse of his was Philippians 1:21, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." He lived out his faith by loving others in various ways, including welding neighbor's broken articles, pulling cars out of ditches, giving away wooden items, delivering bread and later pies, hosting missionaries, welcoming strangers and giving generously of his time, talent and treasure.

Winston was preceded in death by wife Marcy in 2001 and sisters Irene, Hazel, Virginia, and Ruby.

He is survived by daughter Susan (Tom) Carlson of Cloquet; sons Norman of Minneapolis, Roland (Michele) of Stillwater, and Ronald (Doreen) of Sturgeon Lake; grandchildren John (Sarah), Julie, Joe (Angela), Erik (Zanetah), Kiersten, Seth, Annika, Jakob, and Lukas; great-grandchildren Nevaeh, Malachi, Mara, and Isaac; sister Betty Hollingsworth of Las Vegas, NV and brother Wesley (Mary) of Riverside, CA as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation from 3-6pm on Sunday, April 28th at Moose Lake Evangelical Covenant Church and continue on Monday, April 29 at the Moose Lake Evangelical Covenant Church from 9:30am until the 10:30 am funeral service. A light lunch will follow the service. Graveside ceremony with Military Honors will be at 3pm at Blomskog Cemetery, Windemere Twp.