Virgil A. Maharas

Virgil Arest Maharas was born November 3, 1923, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to Nick and Thelma (Tucker) Maharas. He grew up and attended school in Algona, IA. During his high school years he played drums in the high school band and was on the wrestling team. He was the runner-up in the state championship in his weight class. In 1941 he enlisted in the Merchant Marines and served as a 3rd cook and baker on several Liberty freighters until 1946 at which time he was honorably discharged. During his time at sea they transported ammunition and other supplies to the allies and because they carried few or no guns many of the Liberty ships were lost at sea. In fact, three ships on which he served were torpedoed; the crew spent many hours lost at sea waiting rescue.
In 1945 while on shore leave in Los Angeles he met his future wife at a Western Union station. He returned to Los Angeles when he was discharged and he enrolled in Chef Training but decided to return to Algona, as it was closer to where his future wife was teaching. Virgil and Mildred Anderson were married in Algona on December 22, 1946. Shortly after they were married he left for Kansas City to attend Kansas City College of Commerce where he studied Sales and Marketing. After graduating he took a position with H.D. Hudson Manufacturing of Chicago and worked for them as a traveling salesman (covering the central U.S.) for 40 years. He retired in 1987. Virgil always enjoyed working in his yard-keeping the yard nice and neat and trimmed, without any dandelions-and feeding the birds. He loved to watch the birds as they flew back and forth between the many feeders in his yard. Virgil was a long-time member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Moorhead, MN.
Virgil, age 83, died peacefully at Eventide Lutheran Home on Wednesday, October 31, 2007.
Virgil enjoyed spending time with his family and many friends. He enjoyed their conversations and freely dispensing his tips of wisdom. Virgil's family was everything to him. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and he will be missed immensely by everyone.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mildred; two daughters, Cindy (Lloyd), Tamarac Lake (Pelican Rapids, MN) and Joan, Austin, TX; two sons, Don, Minneapolis, MN, and David (Susan), Cozumel, MX.; 1 brother, Louie (Donna), Algona; 1 sister, Dorothy, Eagle Grove, IA;
7 grandchildren, Chad Perlenfein (Bert), Jessica Gnadt, Michael Maharas, Christopher Maharas, Patrick Maharas, Stephanie Maharas and Nicholas Maharas; and three great-grandchildren, Samantha Gnadt, Brook Gnadt and Tyler Perlenfein.

Preceding him in death was his father, Nick Maharas; mother, Thelma Miller; brothers, William and Nick Jr.; and sister, Viola.
Pallbearers will be his grandchildren Chad Perlenfein, Jessica Gnadt, Michael Maharas, Christopher Maharas, Patrick Maharas and Stephanie Maharas. Honorary pallbearer will be Nicholas Maharas.
Visitation: Friday from 5 to 8 PM at Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead
Funeral: Saturday, Nov. 3, 2007, at 2 PM at Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead
Burial: Evergreen Cemetery, Moorhead, MN