Truman L. Barduson

Truman Barduson, age 85, of Willmar, died Tuesday, July 28, 2020 at his home in Willmar. Due to current social distancing guidelines, a private graveside service will be held with a public celebration of life planned for a later date.  In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Parkinson’s Foundation are preferred.  Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar.

Truman Luverne Barduson was born April 8, 1935, near Big Bend City, Chippewa County, Minnesota, the first-born son of Julien and Lila (Larson) Barduson.  He was baptized and confirmed at Big Bend Church.  He attended District #72 country school and graduated from Appleton High School in 1953.  In September 1954, Truman volunteered for the United States Army and reported to Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.  After eight weeks of training at Fort Ord, California, Truman began an 18-month service post in Frankfurt, Germany.  Before leaving for Germany, Truman was united in marriage to Maren Cynthia Crosby on December 7, 1954 at Zion Lutheran Church in Appleton.  To this union three children were born: Steven Wayne on June 18, 1957; James Allen on December 6, 1958; and Cynthia Marie on June 3, 1963.  Truman was honorably discharged from the Army in September 1956.  He returned to West Bank Township in Swift County and farmed with his father until 1969.

Truman and Maren then moved to Olivia, where he began a career in insurance sales. In 1970, he became an Agent Sales Manager with Prudential Insurance, which resulted in the family’s move to Willmar.  He worked with Prudential and later Strehlow Insurance until April 1987, when he furthered his sales career by accepting a position with Richard Cole Enterprises in Garden Grove, California, where he and Maren lived for the next five years.  In 1992, Truman and Maren returned to their home in Willmar.  Truman worked for Eagle Creek Golf Club and the West Central Tribune until full retirement in 2002. 

Truman enjoyed golfing at Villa da Paz in Sun City and Eagle Creek in Willmar, often playfully coaxing his golf partners to improve their game with tips and stories of birdies, bogies, eagles, and more.  Truman loved golf and especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren grow, playing with them and giving them golf tips.  He encouraged his children and grandchildren to, most importantly, play to have fun.  He enjoyed reminiscing with the family about growing up on the farm near Big Bend, country school and boyhood shenanigans, fatherhood, the Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings, and always golf.

Truman was a member of Big Bend Church and later Living Hope Evangelical Free Church in Willmar.  His greatest desire is that the pride and joy of his life, his grandchildren, all know and love Jesus with all their heart and soul. 

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Maren; his children: Steve (and Cyndee) Barduson of Watertown, Jim (and Rachel) Barduson of Alexandria, and Cindy (and Greg) Hayhurst of Willmar; seven grandchildren, Steve’s children: Joshua, Caleb (and Caitlyn), Aaron and Lexi Barduson; Jim’s sons: Joel (and Chelsea) and Neil Barduson; and Cindy’s son: Dakota Valero; one great-grandson: James Barduson; a brother: Gene (and Mary) Barduson, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a younger brother: David Barduson, and his father-in-law and mother-in-law: Wayne and Manda Crosby.

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