Chester ‘Chet’ Underwood, 92

Published 9:52 am Monday, January 12, 2015

Chester “Chet” Underwood, 92, of Lansing, died Friday, Jan. 9, 2015, at Field Crest Nursing Home in Hayfield.

Underwood

Chester Edward Underwood was born Nov. 16, 1922, on a farm near Bixby, Minnesota, the son of Edgar and Myrtle (Hulegaard) Underwood. He attended school in Blooming Prairie. He began working for Geo A. Hormel Company before joining the United States Navy during World War II. Chet served from 1943 to 1946 in the South Pacific, including New Guinea, New Caledonia and Okinawa, obtaining the rank of Machinist Mate 3rd Class. Before shipping out for duty, Chet married Virginia Miller in 1944 in Oakland, California. After his discharge, the couple returned to Austin where Chet continued his employment with Geo A. Hormel Company, retiring after 38 years as an electrician. While working at Hormel, Chet also operated a farm near Austin from 1965 to 1985. After his retirement, the couple moved to Minneiska, Minnesota, near the Mississippi River for a couple of years. They returned to Austin, and in 2002 moved to Lansing to live with their daughter, Connie Wilson. Virginia died Aug. 26, 2004. Chet continued to live with his daughter until moving to the Fieldcrest Nursing Home in 2012. Chet was an active church member and founding member of the Fellowship United Methodist Church and later an active member of the Oakland Lutheran Church. Chet was a long time member of the American Legion and VFW. He enjoyed bowling, woodworking and anything outdoors, including camping, fishing and hunting. He also enjoyed working on old cars and tractors, and participated in many tractor pulls through the years.

Survivors include two children: Lee (Candace) Underwood of Pine Island, and Connie (Mike) Wilson of Lansing; five grandchildren: Mark (Bonnie) Coughlin, Christopher (Jenny Barba) Coughlin, Desiree Petsch, Laura (Chad) Hamersma, and John Underwood; two step-grandsons: Brian Stolp, and Craig (Kim) Stolp; 12 great-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; two brothers: Bill Underwood, and Harold Underwood both of Winter Garden, Florida; two sisters: Barbara (Charles) Root of Hayfield, and Darlene (Bob) Thomas of Bloomington; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Virginia; great-granddaughter, Kylie Coughlin; sister, Dorothy Anderson; and two brothers: Tom Underwood, and Frank Underwood.

Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2014, at the Worlein Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Sharon Goetzinger officiating. Military Honors will be conducted by American Legion Post 91 and VFW Post 1216. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service on Tuesday. Interment will be at a later date at Fairview Oakland Cemetery. Worlein Funeral Home of Austin is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.