Milton Solem

Milton Solem May 13, 1929 - October 28, 2008

Milton J. Solem, age 79, of Faribault, died Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at his daughter''s home in Belle Plaine, MN following an extended illness. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church at Sacred Heart in Faribault. Interment will be at the St. Lawrence Cemetery in Faribault. Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home in Faribault on Friday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday for one hour prior to the services at the church. Milton James Solem, the son of Ludwig and Edna (Abrahamson) Solem, was born on May 13, 1929 in Little Elk Township, Todd County, MN. When Milt was 12, his father died, so he took over the farming and helped raise his brothers and sisters. He moved to Faribault in 1968 and worked at Nutting Truck and Caster Co. for many years and also at Minnesota Maintenance. He was married to Marian Yankowiak in 1977. Milt later worked at Soft Touch Auto Wash in Faribault. Milt had a strong passion for engine repair, providing repair work for family, friends, and neighbors, and was commonly known as the "neighborhood" mechanic. Milt enjoyed nature, fishing, gardening, and engines. He is survived by his wife, Marian Solem of Faribault; their son, Brian Solem (special friend Gao Vang) of St. Michael, MN; his children, Valerie (Tom) Peterson of Belle Plaine, MN, Kevin (Gail) Solem of Faribault, and Emory Solem of Belle Plaine, MN; their mother, Delores Merkley of Belle Plaine, MN; step children, Mark (Mollie) Yankowiak of Hope Mills, NC, Margie Schroeder of Apple Valley, MN, and Paul Yankowiak of Albert Lea, MN; 10 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; two sisters, Ione (Donald) Brigley of St. Paul, and Alice (Frank) Sletten of Minneapolis; three sisters-in-law, Ardell Solem of Browerville, MN, Carol Solem of Minneapolis, and Irene Ceplecha of New Prague; two brothers-in-law, Ronnie (Donna) Ziskovsky of Eagan, and Fritz (Micki) Ziskovsky of Lonsdale; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, Clayton in 1953; five brothers, Justin, Lester, Ervin, Norris, and Elven Solem; sister, Shirley Solem; father and mother-in-law, Emil and Bessie Ziskovsky; and brother-in-law, George Ziskovsky.