Alden Bemis

Memorial service for Alden “Tootie” Bemis, age 83, of Milaca, will be held Wednesday, October 4, 2017 at 11 AM at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Milaca with Pastor Tim Schaekel officiating. Interment will follow at Milo Cemetery.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Alden Ronald Bemis was born May 2, 1934 to Clair and Bertha (Deuel) Bemis in Milo Township, Mille Lacs County, MN. Alden attended District 7 Country School in Estes Brook through eighth grade and graduated from Milaca High School in 1952. After graduation, he started driving truck for Land O’ Lakes, but when the company wanted him to move into the creamery, he started to drive truck for his brother, Bud. In 1953, Alden purchased his own gravel truck. In 1952, Alden met Darlene Puckett. They went to movies and dances and spent many afternoons rollerskating at Spec Lake. They liked to go to Louie’s Cafe on Sunday nights for 55-cent roast beef sandwiches. They were united in marriage on May 19, 1956 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Milaca. Alden and Darlene were blessed with four children, Terry Ronald, Cindy Jo, Linda Jean and Darla Rae. The couple honeymooned in Canada and made their home in Milaca from 1956 to 1966. In May of 1966, they purchased 200 acres east of Milaca and they moved the garage there. Alden’s son, Terry, would purchase the business from him in 1996. Alden earned his pilot’s license in 1988.   He served as a volunteer fireman for the Milaca Fire Department for 29 years. He was an avid reader, enjoyed traveling, and he also played guitar in the North Country Band for seventeen years. He passed away on Sunday, October 1, 2017 at St. Cloud Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Darlene; children, Terry (Julie) of Milaca, Cindy (Bernie) Rimnac of Sartell and Darla (Mike) Eggert of Fort Myers, FL; grandchildren, Sarah (Jake) Ryan of Milaca, Darren Bemis of Milaca, Jonathan Rimnac of Lakeville, Matthew Rimnac of Saint Louis Park, and Samuel (Carly) Rimnac of Eagan; six great-grandchildren, Alex Ryan, Jed Ryan, Joe Ryan, Luke Ryan, Abby Bemis, and Tyler Bemis; many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, Linda Jean; siblings, Cliff Bemis, Bud Bemis, Bonita Wenberg, Velma Bemis, and Dickie Bemis.