Oather Troldahl

Oather F. "O.T." Troldahl, 75, of Janesville MN died Monday, Sept 26, 2011, at his home. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 Monday, Oct 3rd at Faith Lutheran Church in Janesville, with the Reverend Nancy Hansen, officiating.   Visitation will be Sunday from 2:00-6:00pm at Arnoldt-McRaith Funeral Home & Crematory in Janesville, and will continue on Monday morning for one hour prior to services, at church. Burial will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis on Tuesday at 1:45 p.m. Oather Franklin Troldahl, son of Oscar Carl Troldahl and Ruth Victoria (Peterson) Troldahl was born on June 21, 1936 in Hanska, MN. Oather attended school in Hanska and later graduated from Henderson High School. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1954 and was honorably discharged in 1956, while serving in the army he attended Georgia Tech, and after his discharge he returned to Minnesota and continued his education at Mankato State, the University of Minnesota and Dunwoody Institute to prepare for a career in journalism and the newspaper industry.  While stationed in Atlanta with the Third Army Headquarters he met his wife of 55 years, Buena "Ann" (Williamson) Troldahl.  Oather worked for his father Oscar at the Henderson Independent while he continued his education. After graduating Dunwoody Oather and Ann purchased the Janesville Argus in 1959 and won many awards for general excellence in the newspaper business. Oather also was a producer and promotion director of Farm Shows throughout the upper Midwest in charge of eight states promoting and producing corn and soybean clinics and hog clinics for farmers from 1966-1969.  Oather proved his dedication to community service by serving as a director of the Chamber of Commerce later to become its president. He was the Charter President of the Janesville Rotary Club and was instrumental in raising funds to build the Janesville Nursing home. He served as chairman for the annual Hay Daze celebration for several years in Janesville.   In 1968 he purchased half interest in the Waseca Journal and in 1970 he turned the Waseca Journal and Herald, a twice weekly newspaper into a daily newspaper. Waseca was known as the smallest community in the state with a daily newspaper. And again, Oather won many awards for excellence from the Minnesota Newspaper Association including First place in Non-Metropolitan dailies for Advertising Excellence in 1971.  Oather founded the Waseca Travel Service in 1969. From 1971-73 he served as director of the Waseca Area Chamber of Commerce, also serving as president in 1974. In 1973 the Waseca Education Assn. awarded him the Waseca Education Award for Community Service to Education. In 1976 Oather was recognized for his outstanding dedication and contribution to the development of Lake Side Country Club in Waseca including the building of a swimming pool, tennis courts and new maintenance equipment. In 1979 the South Central Education awarded him for distinguished service to University of Minnesota, Waseca. Maple Terrace can also attribute its existence to the help of Oather, who was instrumental in getting a federal HUD grant approved for the 60 unit housing development. In 1973, Waseca Cable TV was formed with Oather as a founding director. He served on the Board of Directors of the Waseca Hockey Assn., was a former president of Waseca Rotary Club and was a member of the Waseca Shriners. In 1978, he was awarded the Don Eustice Memorial Award for Community Service by the Waseca Jaycees for Outstanding Community Service thru faithful and unselfish efforts resulting in lasting contributions to the county and community.  After selling the Waseca Daily Journal in 1980, Oather joined AFLAC as an associate in Waseca. Over the years he was promoted to district manager then regional manager of the southern third of Minnesota. In 1991 Oather and Ann moved to Daphne Alabama where he was regional manager with AFLAC until 1993 when he became the Minnesota state manager. Oather retired to Janesville in 1999.  Survivors include wife Ann Troldahl of Janesville. Children; Todd (Vickie) Troldahl of Byron Ga., Kim (Larry) Floyd currently living and working in Afghanistan, and Dawn (John) Pfeifer of Waseca. Grandchildren; Gretchen Griner, Dayle Troldahl, Mickey Davis, and Isaac Pfeifer. Brother; Dayle (Harriet) Troldahl of Gaylord, and many nieces and nephews. Oather was preceded in death by his beloved brother Verling (Becky) Troldahl, and parents Oscar and Ruth Troldahl.